Birth and Postpartum
In our experience, parents-to-be and folks on the early stages of the parenting journey are often eager for information about all sorts of topics. The Good Beginnings family resource pages are designed to help parents find the information they need by providing as much as possible in one place. The resources included are not necessarily exhaustive and are for informational purposes only.
Preparing For Your Birth
Better Beginnings
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont members can enroll in the Better Beginnings wellness program for expectant mothers. A Better Beginnings® registered nurse case manager will support and advocate for your individual needs and provide informational materials to help you make informed decisions regarding your pregnancy. Case managers provide support by phone and evening calls are an option.
To enroll online, visit BCBS’s secure Member Resource Center. Go to: My Forms > Better Beginnings Enrollment Form.
Call (800) 922-8778
Journey Into Parenthood workshop
Let us join you in your Journey! Are you expecting your first baby?…Perhaps you’re seeking some ‘refresher’ skills as you prepare for a sibling or a grandchild. Our Journey into Parenthood offerings are designed with you in mind! Sign up for a Journey into Parenting workshop for practical tips on how to prepare for life with a newborn. Learn more about the Benefits of Babywearing and how to make the most of your infant carrier. If money is tight in your household, you might be eligible for our Childbirth Education Scholarship.
Birthright International
At Birthright, we understand the challenges related to unplanned pregnancies. We know that It can be an overwhelming and often scary situation. HOWEVER, we also know that there is hope for the mother and her child. Birthright believes that “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.” Birthright is here to be the friend that a pregnant woman needs as she navigates an unplanned pregnancy. Birthright is available to women for as long as they need us. We offer love, friendship, and support to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Birthright services are always free, non-judgmental and confidential.
Care Net Pregnancy Center
Care Net pregnancy centers provide accurate & helpful information in a compassionate environment, to empower life-affirming choices that change lives.
Childbirth Education
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Find a childbirth education course that’s right for you! Your insurance may reimburse you a portion of the class cost. If cost is a barrier to your participation, check out the GBCV Childbirth Education Scholarship. If birthing at a hospital be sure to ask your health provider to learn more.
Beginnings Childbirth Ongoing
Fee Involved
beginningschildbirth@gmail.com// 802-658-5959
Learn More
Central Vermont Medical Center – Classes are paused
Fee Involved
Learn More
Emerge with Amy LePage Ongoing
Fee Involved
info@emergewithamylepage.com // 802-778-0300
Learn More
Gifford Health Care Ongoing
Fee Involved
Learn More
Journey Into Parenthood Every other month
Free
info@goodbeginningscentralvt.org // 802-595-7953
Learn More
LifeTree Birth Care Ongoing
Fee Involved
DoulaMaryEtna@gmail.com
Learn More
The Birthing Trail If interested
Fee Involved
Kristin@birthingtrailvt.com // 802-560-3202
Learn More
Vermont Birth Journeys Monthly
Fee Involved
vtbirthjourneys@gmail.com // 802-233-7909
Learn More
Central VT Medical Center Birthing Center
We are dedicated to providing compassionate and individualized care for women – from early family planning through pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Doula Database
Search the online directory for a doula in your area. CAPPA certified professionals aim to facilitate empowerment, connection, and self-advocacy in families from pre-conception through early parenthood.
Doula Match
DoulaMatch.net has over 7000 birth and postpartum doula listings featuring doula availability calendars, fees, experience, certifications, client testimonials, and special services.
Gentle Landing Birth Center
Gentle Landing is an independent CPM, CNM midwife-owned and operated women’s health practice and free-standing birth center. Gentle Landing is a choice for healthy, low-risk people in search of access to full-scope midwifery care for their women’s health and childbirth/maternity CARE in the Upper Valley of NH and VT; personalized CARE which is rich in time and education.
Gifford Birthing Center
For more than 35 years, Gifford’s Birthing Center has been the standard of care for women in Vermont, and today continues to be a leader in family-centered care, obstetrics and midwifery.
Realistic Newborn Plan
Plan For Adjusting to Life With A New Baby
TOPICS: Rest, Meals, Infant Feeding, Older Siblings, Renew and Recharge, Finding Friends, Mental Health, Returning to “Normal”
USING THE PLAN: This plan is intended as a starting point for discussions about how families will adjust to life with a new baby.
The goal of the Plan is to help parents identify resources BEFORE they are needed, thereby reducing stress and easing the transition period.
Vermont Birth Network
Vermont Birth Network is a nonprofit organization and independent forum providing information, education, support, and advocacy on healthy, normal birth in Vermont.
Vermont Midwives Association
We are a community of professional homebirth midwives committed to serving families during the childbearing year. We promote the health and well-being of mothers and babies through comprehensive and compassionate care, public education about birth options, and the development of the midwifery profession. Whether you are an aspiring midwife, considering a homebirth, or looking for a midwife, we are happy you’ve found us.
Vermont Midwives
The Vermont Affiliate of American College of Nurse-Midwives is the professional organization that represents Certified Nurse-Midwives and Certified Midwives in the state of Vermont.
Postpartum Resources
Acelleron Medical Products
Our mission is simple. To insure each individual we serve gets the right product for their needs and the service they deserve. We are committed to empowering women and families to achieve success from pregnancy to parenting and the return to work. In addition to parental wellness services, Acelleron is focused on the unique needs of women, infants, and children, providing breast pumps, pediatric nebulizers, and vest therapy equipment covered under health insurance and Medicaid plans.
Babywearers Central Vermont
Babywearers of Central Vermont supports families in their effort to wear their children. Everyone has the capacity to learn how to wear their baby. We’ve found that it’s much more enjoyable to learn with a friend!
Central VT Home Health & Hospice
Lactation support available seven days a week in your home. All insurance accepted. CVHHH lactation nurses can help with starting breastfeeding, ongoing issues or feeding assessments, supporting the transition back to work and information about weaning. Our nurses are also a reliable and educated resource for information about childbirth, nutrition, child development, language development, parenting skills, positive discipline, sleep habits and much more. You and your family may be eligible for visits prenatally, post-partum, infancy and into early childhood.
Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley
The mission of Good Beginnings is to ensure that every baby in our local community enjoys a “good beginning.” We provide volunteers that visit families with new babies free of charge and lend a helping hand with whatever the family might need.
Le Leche League of Montpelier
Our mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.your last toddler.
The Nest
Drop in for playtime or a parent group meeting. Unwind between appointments or errands. Make sure to perk up with a complimentary coffee or tea. And don’t forget to check out resources from our lending library, or try on an infant carrier. The Nest has a great play area for kids with some great children’s books. The Nest is a welcoming space for families to connect with each other and share resources about parenting in a respectful, culturally sensitive, accessible, and comfortable manner.
Post Partum Angel Family Support Network
The postpartum period can be intense for any family. Fortunately, our Good Beginnings Postpartum Angels are trained to help make the first few weeks and months a little easier.
Vermont Donor Milk Center
Vermont Donor Milk Center, Inc. (VDMC) offers safe pasteurized donor human breast milk to fragile babies in need across Vermont and northern New York.
Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Central VT Perinatal Mental Health Counselors
We’ve put together a list of counselors, who’s specialties include perinatal mental health, to help you with your search. Please email our Program Director, Hayley Fitzgerald, at hayley@goodbeginningscentralvt.org for more information.
Psychology Today
This online directory makes it easy to find a therapist that is right for you. You can even sort by insurance, age, issue, gender and more!
Postpartum Support International
Find and connect with your local PSI coordinator! PSI Volunteer Coordinators provide support, encouragement, and local resources on the phone and email to pregnant and postpartum moms, dads, and families. PSI Coordinators help you connect to local providers and groups. and to online resources. They give encouragement, information, tips, and referrals but do not give clinical, medical, legal, or religious advice. They are here to help all families navigate through the transition to parenthood.
VT Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery
We work to make information about mental health and addiction recovery available to all Vermonters. Our information resources allow people to find the help they need for themselves or their loved ones, to recognize a problem in themselves or others and reduce misinformation, invisibility and stigma.
Agency of Human Services Dept. of Mental Health: PMADs
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are common, treatable, and can occur at any time during pregnancy or in the first year after pregnancy (also known as the perinatal period). As many as one in five women suffer from symptoms of depression and/or anxiety in the perinatal period. Learn more about how to get help now, and how to access resources.
VT Dept. of Health: PMADs
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are common, treatable, and can occur at any time during pregnancy or in the first year after pregnancy. As many as one in five women suffer from symptoms of depression and anxiety in the perinatal period, and screening for PMADs in medical practices is an important step in identifying women in need of treatment. Learn how to get connected with Help Me Grow Vermont, and The Vermont chapter of Postpartum Support International, for help and resources.
Resources for Families Facing Loss
Emily R. Long Counseling
Counseling support is available for anyone who has lost a loved one through death, divorce, estrangement and any other loss. I have a specialty in pregnancy, infant, and child loss that includes supporting those with no living children, those who have experienced recurrent losses and infertility, and support around adoption, abortion, and terminated rights.
Rachel Whalen
This is a place for sharing. This is a place for families. This is a place inspired by a mother’s love. Rachel offers a blog, resources, and more on her website.
Lumos House
Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS)
Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) is a community support resource for women experiencing the confusing and conflicting emotions of grief mixed with joy during the journey through pregnancy after loss. We seek to help expectant mothers celebrate their current pregnancy by choosing hope over fear while still nurturing and honoring the grief over the loss of their deceased child.
Pamela Wilson, MA
Prior to becoming a therapist, Pam provided perinatal counseling and support as a birth doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator, specializing in working with women with histories of abuse or assault, mental health disabilities and addictions. She has provided counseling out of a women’s health clinic, a domestic violence shelter, several family medicine practices, a progressive school for pregnant teenagers, a special needs adoption agency and a GLBT-focused health center. In addition to spending ten years supporting women and families, Pam has traveled extensively to train counselors, home visitors, birth workers and medical providers throughout the country on how to provide trauma-informed, affirming care across the spectrum of reproductive health and childbearing experiences.
Tommy's Support Group
The emotional impact that this has is devastating and leave parents with so many unanswered questions – Why did it happen? Will it happen again? What can I do to get by? Who can I talk to? And why, in the aftermath, does it feel like no one understands what I’m going through? No matter what your experience, we want to bring all those who have suffered loss together online to connect and share their experiences. We can challenge the silence around baby loss in all of its forms and come #TogetherForChange. This forum overseen by our midwives is a safe space where members can ask questions, share memories and advice, connect with other people in the community and discuss their experiences without fear of judgement.
Postpartum Support International
Experiencing the loss of a pregnancy, infant, or child brings unimaginable pain and grief, and can make you feel alone and lost. We want you to know that there are good resources for your loss and grief that provide non-judgmental support, information, and connection with others.
If you are recovering from the loss of a loved one due to suicide, please visit our resource page dedicated to the memory of those we have lost.