Labor & Birth Only

This class is for first-time parents, or experienced parents who did not take a childbirth preparation class for a prior pregnancy. It covers all the essential information about labor and birth.

The Labor & Birth only class does not cover baby care, so you may want to consider enrolling in the full Great Starts series, or also enrolling in separate newborn care and/or breastfeeding classes.

Register now >>

Class Topics

• Choices in Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Exercises and body mechanics for pregnancy, and help for common discomforts of pregnancy
• Stages of Labor
• Recognizing that labor has begun
• What moms and support people should do during early labor
• Knowing when it’s time to go to the birthplace, or call midwife to attend a home birth
• What moms and support people should do during active labor and transition
• Knowing when it’s time to start pushing
• Birth and Postpartum: After the birth
• Pain-Coping practices for labor will be taught and practiced in class
• Breathing Techniques
• Relaxation Skills
• Labor Support
• Pain Medication
• Typical Hospital Routines and Procedures
• Variations in Labor and Possible Interventions, including Cesarean birth

Logistics

Time:
This class meets for two Saturday sessions (4 hours each).

Place:
This class is offered at several locations, including our classroom on Rainier Ave S, on Bainbridge Island, at Stevens Hospital in Edmonds, Northwest Hospital in North Seattle, and Group Health facilities in Northgate, Burien, and Bellevue. All classes are open to anyone, regardless of where they are giving birth. Class fee covers expectant mom and one support person, and includes a copy of our book Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn >>

Registration Information:
For schedule, fees, and location, see our Online registration system >> or call (206)789-0883. (For classes held at Stevens Hospital, you will need to call them to register: 425-640-4066).

 

Our Instructors

This class is taught by one of our team of 20 childbirth educators. They have diverse backgrounds in nursing, doula support, social work, physical therapy and more, and have supported women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as all being experienced mothers themselves.