NORWAY — The Family Birthplace at Stephens Memorial Hospital will hold its next Preparing for Birth class from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, in Harper Conference Room in the Ripley Medical Building. Gail Martel RNC, ICCE, IBCLC, will facilitate the course.

Participants will join a group of other expectant parents to learn about labor and delivery, relaxation techniques that will help work with labor. Coaches will learn how to assist through the process and share in the baby’s birth. Other topics will include making a birthing plan, comfort measures, stages of labor, cesarean delivery and newborn care.

The cost is $50 if delivering the baby at SMH and $60 if delivering elsewhere. Insurance covers the cost of the class.

To register or for more information, contact the Family Birthplace at 743-1562, ext. 380, or visit the hospital Web site, www.wmhcc.org.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is an affiliate of Western Maine Health, which is part of the Maine Health® family. Visit Western Maine Health on the Internet at www.wmhcc.org.