Here is a list of pregnancy and post partum groups, classes, and resources local to the Berkshires!
Childbirth & Pelvic Floor Education Classes
- LifeWorks Studio (Great Barrington) – Childbirth Education: Held on a continuing basis, held in person from 1-3pm on Saturday and Sunday
- Lifeworks Studio (Great Barrington) – Pelvic Floor Workshop
- https://www.lifeworks-studio.com/
Prenatal Yoga
- LifeWorks Studio (Great Barrington)
- Flow on Main (Dalton)
- Radiance Yoga (Pittsfield)
Postnatal Yoga
Baby Circles/Groups
- Baby Circle & BNF South Group, Fridays 10:30-11:30am (Lenox Library)
- Mama’s Group, Thursdays 12-1pm, (LifeWorks Studio in Great Barrington)
- Postnatal Yoga, Thursdays 11:00-11:50, (LifeWorks Studio in Great Barrington)
If you know of something you’d like to add to this list, please reach out!
Berkshire Nursing Families
Completely FREE – no family ever receives a bill from BNF. They are available for anything related to breastfeeding – Childbirth & Feeding Classes, Prenatal visits, Pre & Post Feeding Weight Checks, Lactation Consultations, Developmental Education, and Returning to Work. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year they are available through their call or text Parenting and Support Line: 413.344.2800
From learning and preparing in pregnancy, to how to wean a toddler, and everything in-between.
Below is a curated collection of facts and data about doula care and birth photography
Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people and their baby. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family.
MassHealth has announced coverage of Doula Services
A new benefit allowing coverage of doula services for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum members has been added in an attempt to address health disparities and advance health equity in Massachusetts. MassHealth’s Chief Medical Officer has issued a standing recommendation for doula services for all pregnant and postpartum MassHealth members. MassHealth doula coverage includes labor and delivery support and visits during pregnancy and postpartum. MassHealth’s typical reimbursement for doula care will be one of the highest of any state that covers doula services through Medicaid.
Doulas apply to enroll as a MassHealth doula provider and receive payment for serving MassHealth members.
I have not enrolled at this time, but plan to in the future. All information above is from the mass.gov website.
A 2017 study of nearly 16,000 women has shown, “Having continuous labor support versus none was associated with no harms and impressive benefits, especially when provided by someone in a doula role. Overall, women with continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and shorter labors and less likely to have negative birth experiences, labor pain medication, epidural/spinal analgesia, instrumental vaginal births, cesarean births and low 5-minute Apgar scores. Subgroup analysis found most benefits and greatest effects sizes when continuous support was provided by someone in a doula role versus a member of the hospital staff or the woman’s social network.” (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31073265/)