We
have a variety of resources related to pregnancy, birth, and parenting
available to us in Central Maine. Sometimes, though, it can be overwhelming
to try to locate them: Are there any good consignment stores for children's
clothing and supplies? How can I find a homebirth midwife? Who provides
breastfeeding support? How can I get involved in a playgroup in my area,
once my baby is born?
Hopefully these lists will help you locate just the organization, item,
or person that you're looking for! Do be aware, however, that this is
just a list. It is NOT a recommendation or an endorsement
- I am including people and places on this list whom I haven't contacted
or used personally. Always ask lots of questions and get the information
you need to make an informed decision!
I
plan to be adding resources to this list regularly. If you know of a resource
related to pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, or parenting in the Central
Maine area, send me an email.
Thanks!
To
search for more midwives in Maine, go to the Midwives
of Maine website or the Find
a Midwife section of the American College of Nurse-Midwives website.
Mother
Bloom Midwifery Anna Fernandez, Doula &
Traditional Homebirth Midwife serving the Blue Hill Penninsula, Bangor, and Ellsworth area
Blue Hill
326-4373
To
search for more doulas, or to see an expanded list of their services,
go to the Doula Network or the
Maine Association for Independent Doulas website's referral
page. Or attend a Doula Tea at Birth
Roots in Portland and to learn about the many prenatal, birth, and
post-partum resources they offer.
Brett
VanCott, L.Ac. Licensed
acupuncturist offering treatments for pregnancy and fertility
Hallowell
621-0985
Mother
Bloom Botanicals Anna Fernandez, Master Herbalist
& Midwife herbal consultations, fertility counseling & many herbal products
Blue Hill
326-4373
Women's Fitness & Personal Training certified personal trainers
Auburn
786-0674
Yoga Center of Maine Tammy Begin-LeBlanc Customizes private sessions to your needs;
teaches tools & techniques for pregnancy, labor, post-partum. Call to find out about Prenatal Yoga Workshops.
Auburn
786-0100
Ascona Tennis & Health club certified personal trainers
Augusta
622-6800
KV YMCA Prenatal Fitness Programs - open for members and non-members. Call for class schedule. 31
Union Street,
Augusta
626-3488
Family Wellness & Fitness Center certified personal trainers, yoga...
Livermore Falls
897-7004
Women's Fitness Studio certified personal trainers, yoga, massage therapist
Brunswick
729-5544
Jai
Yoga Jennifer Nadeau Baby & Me Yoga Tuesdays 10-11am July 8-Aug 12
Prenatal Yoga Thursdays 4-5:15pm July10-Aug16
Birth Preparation Workshops
Brunswick
725-7874
Mid Coast Hospital Prenatal Exercise Program 4-week aerobic program on Tuesday evenings
373-6525
La Leche League - Bangor Group meets 4th Weds at 10am Melanie: 942-2362
Cindy: 866-2177
La Leche League - Lewiston/Auburn Group meets 2nd Thursdays Nancy: 782-6645
La Leche League - Brunswick meets 2nd Wednesdays at 10am Colette: 833-2863
Maine General Breastfeeding Support Group ** also offers breastfeeding supplies **
daytime (Wed) and evening (Tues) groups - call for schedule
Jan Sirois
Augusta
877-2229
CMMC Breastfeeding Discussion Group meets last Fri of the month at 9:30am
Lewiston
795-5559
Inland Hospital Breastfeeding Support meets Fridays at 1pm
Waterville
861-3100
Mid Coast Hospital Nursing Mother's Tea
Jerri Walker ** also offers breastfeeding supplies **
meets 1st Wed at 7pm and 3rd Wed at 10am
Brunswick
373-6585
Parkview Adventist Medical Center
Breastfeeding Support Group meets every Friday 11am
Brunswick
373-2199
EMMC New Beginnings support for pregnant & breastfeeding women
meets second Tuesdays at 10am
Bangor
973-8673
Birth
Roots
New Parent Drop-in; lots of parenting resources
Portland
772-4784
EMMC
New Beginnings support for pregnant & breastfeeding women
meets second Tuesdays at 10am
Bangor
973-8673
Parents as Teachers Playgroups at the Buker Center in Augusta on
November 9 & 16; December 7 & 14 from 9:30-10:30. Call for information on other playgroups.
Augusta
623-2144
Safe Kids Maine Is your carseat installed properly? Over 90% aren't! To learn how to
properly install your child's seat, consider attending one of these inspections.
Waterville: Central Maine Chrylser, every first Wednesday, 10am to 2pm.
Auburn: Auburn Police Department, every second Monday, 2pm to 6pm. safekidsmaine@yahoo.com 774-9891
I
have indicated meeting times whenever I could, but
always call ahead to confirm their accuracy!
Fertility Center of New England Support Groups
Massachusetts and New Hampshire offices
603-501-4500
Post Partum Depression Support at MMC every Tuesday 1-2pm
Portland
871-2827
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support at MMC
Portland
871-2827
Kindermusik of Central Maine Ann Forsing Kindermusik and Signing Smart gives you Sign and Sing- using research
proven methods to speed language development in hearing children, you'll
see how sign language can ease frustration, and enhance long-term
learning abilities for your child. Ages 6 months-3 years.
794-2881
Bangor
Kindermusik music and movement classes for ages 0-5
Waterville, Skowhegan
634-2180 Inside Out Playground
93 Maine St, Level 4 at The Center, Waterville
877-8747
Rising Sun Dance Studio Creative Movement classes (2-5years): This class uses costumes, props
and musical instruments to help children develop rhythm and musicality.
Creativity will be enhanced through pantomime, silly songs, and games.
Also offered: Ballet, Jazz, and Tap (5yo to adult) Jennifer Van Valkenburgh
Winthrop
933-3184
Ricker Hill Orchards apple-picking, petting zoo, tractors and more!
Turner
225-5552
Below is information for two of our favorite apple orchards. To find an
orchard in your area, visit pick-your-own
apple orchards. To find a farm to pick other fruits or vegetables,
go to pick-your-own
farm. Both sites are part of the Get
Real Get Maine website, which is an excellent resource of agricultural-type
events andactivities.
Kent's
Hill Orchard a big variety of apples (the Royal Gala, at the back of the orchard,
are wonderful), a nice pastry/gift shop, horses, etc.
1625 Main Street, Kents Hill
636-1111
Lakeside Orchards wonderful early apples (Paula Red our favorite for first apple pies)
and a very nice shop with other local fruits andveggies; inexpensive perenniels
and pumpkins too
318 Readfield Road, Manchester
622-2479
Longfellows Greenhouses a great place to walk in the winter time; fun seasonal festivals "Cabin
Fever Art Show" in winter and the Fall Festival with corn maze, pony
rides, tractor rides, crafts, games etc.
81 Puddledock Road, Manchester
622-5965
Mr. Harley leads children in singing & dancing fun
Central Maine area
465-9925
Marine Resources Aquarium
McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor
633-9542
Sea Glass Photography Tess Johnsonoffers
gorgeous pregnancy and baby photography at your choice of location. Families
receive a disc of high resolution images to print. Maternity and young
children are her passion and this definitely shows in her work! Tess also
volunteers for the American Child Photographers
Charity Guild.
841-5779
Portland
Bearly Used Boutique consignment
104 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville
872-5022
The Painted Horse toys
144 Western Avenue, Augusta
623-1047
Diddos for Kiddos Consignment Sale
Augusta Fall/Winter Sale at the St. Paul Center, 136 State Street
Sat, May 3rd from 8:00am-4:00pm
and Sun, May 4th from 8:00-3pm (1/2 price!)
For more information, contact Lori at 623-7234.
Raggamuffins Consignment Shop Quality Used Clothes
Hours: M-F 9-5 and Sat 10-2
Gardiner
582-2886
Listed below are some parks that I've enjoyed with my family, as well
as some links to websites with trail maps in our area. Please keep in
mind that the notes I've included here are simply my observations at the
time I visited the parks and may no longer be accurate as trail conditions
etc. can change rapidly. Enjoy!!
Kennebec Highlands
Rome, Vienna, Mount Vernon
For a map of these trails, call 495-6039 or download the pdf
file. We went on a beautiful, well-marked hike here - but there were lots
of mosquitos.
PINE
TREE STATE ARBORETUM, FALL 2003 & SUMMER 2002
Kennebec River Rail Trail
Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner I often use the Hallowell portion of this trail, which is especially
picturesque in the fall as the leaves change color. Easy to navigate with
a stroller.
KENNEBEC
RAIL TRAIL - HALLOWELL FALL & SPRING 2003
Vaughn Woods
Hallowell Located at the Junction of Middle Street and Litchfield Road you'll
see a small parking lot for Vaughn Woods. This is a beautiful walk that
has always seemed peaceful and more "remote" than it actually
is.Not suitable for strollers.
Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary
182 Highland Spring Road, Lewiston
782-5238 Nice loop trails. Not suitable for strollers.
Range
Pond State Park
Poland
998-4104 Pronounced "rang" for those of you like me who are "from
away" and may not know... nice place for a picnic and a swim, though
it can get crowded. Also nice for cross-country skiing in the winter.
RANGE
POND STATE PARK, SUMMER 2002
Bradbury
Mountain State Park
Pownal
688-4712 We've done the loop trail up Bradbury several times - a nice trail
that provides a beautiful view at the top (can even see the ocean!) without
much elevation gain.
Wolfe's
Neck Woods State Park
Freeport
865-4465 This great little park is only five minutes from Freeport. A nice place
for a picnic after/before hitting the outlets. Lots of room for little
ones to run around. Also a nice place for cross-country skiing.
Androscoggin River Bicycle Path
Brunswick
Haven't used this one...
Popham
Beach State Park
Phippsburg
389-1335 We love this beach! It never gets too crowded and is very family-friendly.
There is a large rock "island" that you can walk to when the
tide is low. Our favorite beach. Keep in mind: when the parking lot is
full, it's one car out/one car in, so if it's supposed to be a nice day
during peak season, you may want to get there early.
POPHAM
BEACH STATE PARK SUMMERS 2003, 2004
Reid
State Park
Georgetown
371-2303 Another awesome beach, with beautiful dunes and pine trees. Has a "lagoon"
that the little kids I've seen there enjoy, a snack bar, and flush toilets
(Popham has none of these). Also sometimes has mosquitos... Same one car
out/one car in policy as Popham.
Healthy Maine
Walks
Check out this great website to find walks near you. Lists walks (with
descriptions and maps), organized by region. Lots in the Central Maine
area.