Pregnancy classes provide valuable information that can assist in making informed decisions and preparing for the birth of your baby. They are offered both in person and online.
Childbirth classes cover topics like breathing and pain management techniques, labor and delivery processes, support for your partner during this journey, medical procedures during delivery and postpartum newborn care.
Childbirth Classes
pre pregnancy care class classes provide an invaluable way to learn what you can expect during pregnancy and delivery. Many hospitals, private instructors and practitioners provide these classes. Topics discussed typically include what happens during labor and delivery, tips for support people during this process and postpartum care considerations; in some instances it also may cover specific birthing techniques like Bradley Method or Lamaze birthing techniques.
These classes may take place either online or in-person; some classes may meet for only a weekend while others meet once per week for 10 weeks. Group size also plays an important role; certain couples find more comfort with smaller classes.
While couples can take childbirth classes independently, it is highly advised that both partners attend. That way, one partner can assist their partner during labor and delivery as well as offer emotional support during delivery; another person can also help physically support her mother by helping guide breathing and relaxation exercises during her labor process.
WeeHuman Pregnancy and Parenting class is a virtual, instructor-led course with 51 lessons to prepare expecting parents for the arrival of their newborn. Topics covered in the class include how to care for baby including swaddling, diapering and bathing as well as infant safety considerations in terms of home, car and water safety.
Postpartum Classes
This nine-lesson program helps new parents navigate the exciting, exhausting, and sometimes disorienting first weeks with their baby. It covers physical recovery from childbirth (whether medicated, unmedicated, cesarean), provides self-nurturing strategies, nutrition advice as well as expert-backed sleep, breastfeeding and infant care advice.
Greenwich Hospital’s Tender Beginnings class for families is taught by registered nurses from their Maternal/Child Unit and offers classes aimed at parents/partners/siblings alike. You can register for Tender Beginnings online or by calling 203-391-7890.
Classes offer expectant parents an ideal way to meet other expectant parents and make new connections, often through local authority community centers, health trusts or organizations like NCT. Classes cost money; however, rebates may be available through your private health insurance.
If time is of the essence, take the Understanding Birth Express class; a shortened version of childbirth preparation course designed for fast learners. This virtual class covers labor and birth procedures as well as pain relief options available via vaginal delivery or cesarean section as well as newborn procedures and infant care procedures.
Newborn Classes
Expectant mothers can choose from many different childbirth classes when it comes to childbirth preparation and postpartum recovery. Some offer different approaches while others specialize in prenatal care or postpartum recovery; classes may also be taken online.
Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices, for instance, is an award-winning four-week livestream course covering topics like gestational signs and stages; comfort techniques for unmedicated labor; medical support during and post delivery; pain coping strategies and much more. Another popular class option is Prepared Childbirth Live Webinar which also spans three weeks to help expecting parents understand and navigate the birthing process.
Other classes focus on newborn care and include Newborn Behaviors, Diapering, Bathing, Feeding, Safety and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Guidelines. A free two-hour breastfeeding class for those planning to breastfeed provides information on preparing for and managing common nursing challenges during this free course.
HypnoBirthing classes provide another alternative. Each 2.5 hour session lasts five sessions for expectant mothers and their partners and emphasizes natural birth as the goal, teaching mothers how to achieve relaxation during labor so their instincts take over, helping reduce or alleviate pain.
Big Brother/Big Sister Classes
Parenting involves preparing your child for the arrival of a new sibling. This fun class designed for children aged 4-10 includes a tour of the birthing unit, age-appropriate video viewings and activities such as diapering, washing hands and holding and swaddling a doll or stuffed animal baby. Children will also learn what a newborn looks like and when to call their pediatrician for advice – however children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during this class.
Babies don’t come with instructions, so this 90-minute class provides parents and grandparents with the essentials of newborn care. Topics covered include diapering, feeding, sleep and normal newborn behaviors and concerns such as safety and illness as well as bathing swaddling and when to visit a physician – it is highly recommended. This course should be attended by all parents and grandparents.
If you are expecting twins, triplets or more babies, this class is for you. It addresses both the unique challenges and rewards associated with multiples as well as providing practical tips for daily newborn care from a certified lactation consultant.
