Questions about who takes classes at Great Starts

I'm planning a home birth or a birth center birth. Will your classes be appropriate for me?
Our classes will cover the information that you need, no matter where you are birthing. For example, when discussing the stages in labor, we don't just talk about "when do you go to the hospital". We also cover "when do you call the midwife to come to your home." Also, we will discuss hospital procedures, which may be helpful for you to know if a transfer should become necessary.

The hospital I'm birthing at also offers childbirth classes. Should I take their classes or yours?
An advantage to our classes is that they are consumer-based, and focused on giving you the information about all of your options, so you can make the choices that best align with your needs and values. At some hospital classes (not all!!), the instructors are asked to teach only about the options that are preferred at that birth place, and discourage the clients from requesting other options.

When discussing medical procedures and policies, we can tell you how those might differ from place to place. For example, the policy on whether or not you will be allowed to eat solid food during labor varies between birth places. We also will make available to you a copy of our survey of birthplaces >> which will allow you to look up many of the details about different birthplaces yourself.

In our classes, we serve parents who are birthing at Community Birth & Family Center, Evergreen, Group Health, Highline, at home, Northwest, Overlake, Puget Sound Birth Center, Seattle Birth Center, Seattle Home Maternity Services, Stevens, Swedish, UWMC, Valley, and more.

What kinds of people take your classes?
We serve a wide range of families. As a non-profit organization, it is important to us to welcome all people as they begin their lives as parents.

Age of students: The expectant moms we served last year ranged from 14 to 48 years old, with the average being 29 years old. The age range of our clients fairly closely reflects the age range of women giving birth in King County, although teen moms are slightly under-represented. Economics: We did not collect economic data last year, but we do know that 15% of our clients use medical coupons to cover the cost of the class. Our students have a wide range of educational backgrounds and work experience. A recent class included: 2 teachers, 2 construction workers, 2 students, a paralegal, a real estate agent, molecular biologist, attorney, insurance agent, homemaker, mail carrier, retail clerk, mechanic, physician, and administrative assistant. Partners: Our course fees cover an expectant mother and the support person of her choice. We have no restrictions on the partner a student brings to class. We welcome birthing partners who are relatives, friends, same-sex partners, opposite-sex partners, as well as single parents. In a typical class of 10 pairs, we might see that 8 women are accompanied by a male partner, and two by a female partner or other supportive person.

Language: In every class, we have students for whom English is not their first language. However, it is helpful if they do have strong skills in English. If you need interpreter services to translate into sign language or a spoken foreign language, we recommend that you take classes at the hospital you plan to give birth at, as they will provide an interpreter for you in the class. If you are birthing at Group Health or at Stevens Hospital, we can assist you with arranging an interpreter.

Accessibility: All our class locations are wheelchair accessible except Group Health Burien (the classroom is down stairs).