Supporting healthier beginnings: Excellus BCBS funds virtual childbirth education

Strong community partnerships are essential to improving health outcomes. We’re proud to share how Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is supporting Oswego Health in expanding access to childbirth education for local families. The announcement below, released by Oswego Health earlier today, highlights how our funding is helping launch a free, virtual program that removes common barriers and supports healthy pregnancies and newborns.

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 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, and
• 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.

Contact:
Edward Byrnes edward.byrnes@excellus.com