Oswego Health Announces Return of Childbirth Education Through Virtual Partnership with Birthly

$15,000 award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield supports expanded access to free online perinatal education

(Oswego, NY – March 18, 2026) Oswego Health is excited to announce the return of Childbirth Education classes for its patients through a new virtual partnership with Birthly. Childbirth education offerings were temporarily paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, thanks to a $15,000 award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and support from the Oswego Health Foundation, patients will have free access to live, virtual childbirth education classes from the comfort of their own homes.

Through the Birthly platform, Oswego Health patients can choose from more than 60 live classes each month, all taught virtually by experienced labor and delivery registered nurses. This innovative model replaces the hospital’s previous in-person format, which consisted of a single three-week course offered every other month and required dedicated staffing resources. The new approach eliminates barriers such as class fees, transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts, and limited instructor availability.

“Our goal is always to meet individuals where they are,” said Mark Muthumbi, regional president at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “We are proud to support Oswego Health’s investment in virtual childbirth education, which expands access to high-quality, evidence-based resources for growing families across the region. Programs like this help remove barriers and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies alike.”

Through the Birthly partnership, Oswego Health patients can access a wide range of perinatal classes at no additional cost. All sessions are live and interactive, allowing participants to engage directly with certified childbirth educators through video and ask questions in real time.

Classes currently offered include:

• Early Pregnancy Preparations
• Prenatal Education Bootcamp (English and Spanish)
• Coping and Comfort
• Breastfeeding 101 (English and Spanish)
• Newborn Care (English and Spanish)
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Pre/Postnatal Movement and Mindfulness

Because each class is offered multiple times per month, patients now have greater flexibility to choose sessions that fit their schedules. Classes can be accessed virtually via laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

“We are incredibly excited to bring childbirth education back in a way that truly reflects the needs of today’s families,” said Michelle Rockwood, RN, Director of Women’s Services at Oswego Health. “This partnership allows us to offer high-quality, live instruction without cost, travel, or time barriers. It ensures our patients receive the education and support they need to feel confident and prepared as they welcome their babies.”

To register for childbirth education classes, please visit: https://www.mybirthly.com/oswegohealth.

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About Oswego Health:
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Central New York. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be one of Oswego County’s largest private employers. More than 1,500 employees spread throughout its 18 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County, as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, the healthcare system includes Oswego Health Medical Practice, a multi-specialty medical group offering the community accessible, high-quality healthcare. 100+ physicians and advanced practice providers offer an extensive array of services across CNY, including primary care and specialty care in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, general surgery, urology, pulmonology, and bariatrics; for more information about Oswego Health, visit www.oswegohealth.org.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With more than 4,200 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.