Welcome to WakeMed! Our goal is to help you feel calm, confident, and cared for as you grow your family.
The Birth & Family Education Department offers a variety of classes and hospital tours to prepare you for labor, birth, and postpartum. We also provide two free support groups for new parents, alongside specialized classes for the whole family—including SafeSitter, GrandBabies, and our sibling sessions.
Events are held in four convenient locations in Raleigh, Cary, North Raleigh, and near Midtown Raleigh. Location information will be listed in the course description.
Take a look at our offerings below. If you have any questions, please reach out to our program supervisor, Deborah Cearnel, at dcearnel@wakemed.org. We look forward to supporting you through this exciting season!
Classes:
Labor & Birth
Offered in one-day, multi-week, bundled and virtual formats this class covers everything you need to know for labor and birth.
Boot Camp for New Dads
This unique father-to-father workshop equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and navigate their transformation into dads.
Preparing for Cesarean Birth
In this virtual, self-paced class, you will gain an understanding of the cesarean procedure and recovery, have the opportunity to watch a video of the surgery, receive valuable planning handouts, and speak with a live instructor for Q&A.
Newborn Care Essentials
This in-person course is designed to prepare expectant and adoptive parents with the essential skills and confidence to care for their newborn.
Siblings Class & Tour
This class presents the perfect opportunity for your children to see where their brother or sister will be born. Each class is designed with age-appropriate material and instruction, and includes a special keepsake craft.
Postpartum Care
The first 6 weeks after birth is called the postpartum period. It's also referenced as the "Fourth Trimester". This virtual, self-paced, class introduces the most common physical and emotional changes that typically occur during this period and what to do when you experience them.
Breastfeeding 101
Offered both in-person and online, this class is designed to support new and expectant mothers in building a strong foundation for successful breastfeeding.
Grandbabies
This class teaches expectant grandparents how to provide the best and safest care for their grandchildren. This includes information on behavior management, relationship building, choking rescue & first aid.
Infant CPR & Safety
This in-person class is designed for caregivers who want to build confidence in keeping infants safe at home, in the car and in the community.
Your Rainbow Baby & You
This class is designed to offer a safe space for parents who have experienced fetal loss to learn the basics of newborn care. We will also focus on the importance of parents caring for themselves during this new stage of life.
Birthplace Tours:
Cary Tours
Take a FREE in-person tour of the birthplace facilities at the WakeMed Cary Campus.
Raleigh Tours
Take a FREE in-person tour of the birthplace facilities at the WakeMed Raleigh Campus.
North Tours
Take a FREE in-person tour of the birthplace facilities at the WakeMed North Campus.
Support Groups & Services:
Circle of Support
A FREE, Virtual, weekly support group for any mother who is seeking support and community surrounding the postpartum period up to the first 24 months postpartum. The group is peer-led, and judgement-free.
Breastfeeding Support Group
FREE bi-weekly meetings that are open to all moms of breastfeeding or breastmilk feeding babies in the community during the first year of life.
Supportive Birth Services
Are you excited to meet your baby but also fearful of labor and delivery due to a traumatic life experience? This program will help answer your questions, address your fears, and assist you in planning for a positive birth experience.