Classes are led by experienced labor and delivery registered nurses (RNs), certified lactation consultants, and other childbirth experts who will teach you about healthy pregnancy, preparing for childbirth, and newborn care.
See a descriptions of our classes below and check our schedule to sign up for a class. Please note that class offerings may change throughout the year. If you have questions about the class schedule and upcoming offerings, please email us at childbirtheducation@vhchealth.org.
We want to make sure you have access to the education you need as you prepare for baby.
What to Expect When Having a Baby at VHC
A live, free introduction to our unit with Labor and Delivery nurses to know what to expect throughout every step of your birthing experience, from parking to your birth experience to returning home. Bring your questions!
Your care team will help you make informed choices about your labor, birth and postpartum care while keeping you and your baby safe. Expect family-centered care during your labor and delivery. That means that whenever possible:
- You will be in a private suite throughout your stay
- You'll have access to a range of natural and medicated options for pain relief and labor support
- You will able to hold your baby immediately after delivery
- Your baby can always stay by your side, or you have the option of using our newborn nursery should you need a moment to rest
- Keep your support person close with guest sleeping chairs and couches in your private room
Childbirth Preparation: Full Format
This in-depth “preparation for childbirth” course is a great introduction for first-time parents (4 hours).
Our comprehensive childbirth preparation class is taught by experienced labor and delivery nurses to help you prepare for your birthing experience. This comprehensive class for expectant parents is taught by experienced labor and delivery nurses. The program covers the latest evidence-based information to help you prepare for pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. Through our multi-dimensional class format, including lecture, discussion, video, and Q&A, our top goal is to boost your confidence and reduce your anxiety as you prepare for labor and delivery. We’ll share relaxation and breathing techniques to help you practice from home through delivery while supporting your emotional journey through labor. We welcome your questions and want to assist you as you prepare for your baby’s birth day! This class is suited for all moms, but the extended format is especially helpful for first time moms. Choose the program that works best for you.
Cost: $115.00/couple*
Duration: 4 hours
Format: In person
Topics:
- Signs and stages of labor
- Warning signs in pregnancy
- Role of the support person
- Relaxation and breathing exercises demonstrated
- What to expect during delivery
- Medications
- Epidural
- Vaginal and assisted deliveries
- C-section delivery
- Postpartum physical and emotional changes
- Care of baby in delivery room
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Childbirth Prep Two-Week Series:
Full format Childbirth Preparation over two evenings for your convenience.
Our comprehensive childbirth preparation class is taught by experienced labor and delivery nurses to help you prepare for your birthing experience. The program covers the latest evidence-based information to help you prepare for pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. Through our multi-dimensional class format, including lecture, discussion, video, and Q&A, our top goal is to boost your confidence and reduce your anxiety as you prepare for labor and delivery. We’ll share relaxation and breathing techniques to help you practice from home through delivery while supporting your emotional journey through labor. We welcome your questions and want to assist you as you prepare for your baby’s birthday! This class is suited for all moms, but the extended format is especially helpful for first time moms or moms. Many families appreciate the second part of class to bring forward questions from first class. Choose the program that works best for you.
Cost: $115.00/couple*
Duration: 2 hours/class each week
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Advanced Comfort for Unmedicated Birth
Learn how to prepare for a natural, low-intervention birth that promotes your comfort and supports your connection to your partner and baby.
Our experienced labor and delivery nurses are here to help you prepare for a natural, low-intervention birth that promotes your comfort and supports your connection to your partner and baby. Learn positions, breathing and relaxation techniques, and how birthing tools such as the birthing ball and peanut can help promote your comfort and reduce pain. We also will discuss how to communicate your preferences to your care team. We’ll provide you with third trimester practices for you and your partner to try to ease common discomforts. While we do not cover epidurals in-depth, we do discuss scenarios that may occur during your birthing experience and what to expect, including unscheduled C-sections.
Cost: $80*
Duration: 3.5 hours
Format: Virtual
Topics:
- Tips to manage discomfort in the last trimester
- Positioning and breathing techniques
- Relaxation techniques for you and your partner
- How to use birthing ball and birthing peanut effectively
- How to communicate your birth preferences
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Breastfeeding Basics
Breastfeeding is beautiful – and it can be difficult! This free class led by a lactation expert is here to help.
Breastfeeding is beautiful, but it can be difficult. Don’t go it alone—get the basics down with our foundational class. Our lactation experts will get you off to a good start and prepare you to troubleshoot common issues. We’ll help you anticipate how much milk you will make from the early weeks onward, positions, and latching. Babies are welcome!
Cost: FREE
Duration: 2.5 hours
Format: Virtual and in person classes
Available Dates
Infant Skills
You’re heading home with baby—now what? Learn newborn care including safety, sleep, diapering, and bathing.
You’re heading home with baby – now what? We’re here to help! In this class, you’ll learn how to care for your newborn baby throughout the first two weeks at home. This class is taught by experienced labor and delivery and pediatric nurses who are also parents. We’ll walk you through the latest evidence based infant skills, demonstrate safety techniques and scenarios, and answer your top questions. Our goal is that you will leave feeling confident and comfortable as you prepare to bring your new baby home.
Cost: $80.00/couple*
Duration: 2.5 hours
Format: Virtual and in person classes
Topics:
- Things to prepare before baby arrives
- Infant safety tips
- When to call the pediatrician
- Sleep patterns
- Holding your new baby
- Feeding cues
- Burping
- Diapering
- Bathing
- Swaddling
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Baby’s First Year
Your baby’s development will continue after the first few months - this class will help you navigate the whole first year!
Our neonatal childbirth educators will walk you through skills and knowledge to prepare you for parenting, communication, sleep, solid food introduction, and safety skills (choking and CPR) for baby’s first year. You are welcome to take the class either before or after baby arrives.
Cost: $60.00/couple*
Duration: 2.5 hours
Format: Virtual
Topics:
- Introduction to solid foods
- Parenting & bonding
- Sleep
- Communication
- CPR
- Choking
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Grandparenting
Learn the latest medical updates and safety considerations to keep in mind.
Congratulations! In this class, you’ll learn the latest evidence-based infant care practices so that you are prepared to care for your new grandchild. As you prepare to welcome your new grandchild, you may wonder what’s changed since you last cared for a newborn. Learn the latest safety and bonding practices to care for your grandbaby in this class alongside other grandparents. We’ll discuss how you can care for the new family and help them as they welcome baby. We use a variety of formats to help with diapering, swaddling, and holding your new baby while you are home. The class is taught by experienced labor and delivery nurses who are also grandparents.
Cost: $40.00/person*
Duration: 2.5 hours
Format: Virtual
Topics:
- Role of grandparent
- Bonding
- Long distance relationships
- Infant safety
- Diapering
- Swaddling
- Safe sleep
- Feeding
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Parenting Skills for Partners
You’re welcoming a new baby with your partner. There’s so much to learn about caring for baby, mom, and yourself, but where to start? Partners and dads will learn how to care for their baby, build a strong relationship with their partner, and take care of themselves. Join our child care experts and other partners to learn how to plan for success at home and connect with your baby more every day. Babies are welcome to join us in class. Following each class, feel free to join our free support group “What to Expect When You’re Not the One Expecting” for more community and discussion.
Cost: $30.00*
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Virtual
Topics:
- Taking care of baby: bonding, safety in the home, toys, teething, talk, sleep, baby wearing, baby sign language
- Taking care of your partner: getting on the same page with parenting styles, supporting breastfeeding, supporting partners with depression
- Taking care of self: juggling work at home and baby care, sleep
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
The Art of Pumping
Everything you need to know about pumping, packed into one timely class!
We will talk about choosing and using a pump, getting the most milk in the least amount of time, shortcuts and time savers, finding the perfect fit, and storing milk. This is perfect for occasional pumpers, exclusive pumpers, and working-pumpers.
Cost: $45.00*
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Virtual and in person classes available
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Big Brothers and Sisters - A Class for Siblings
Fun way to introduce siblings to their new role as a big brother or sister.
This interactive virtual class prepares big brothers and sisters for the new baby. Siblings should bring a doll or stuffed animal to hold in order to participate. The class is suitable for children ages 3-6 years of age and touches on what it means to be a big brother or sister.
Cost: $20.00*
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Virtual
Topics:
- What siblings can expect when baby arrives and then comes home
- How siblings can safely interact with the new baby
- Exploring feelings around the new baby's arrival
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Prenatal Yoga
Practice yoga poses and focused breathing exercises to cultivate calm and confidence for labor and childbirth.
Cost: $73.00 for 6-week session
Available Dates
*If you have concerns about your ability to access our programs, please contact us to discuss options for assistance.
Classes fill up quickly. Register early and plan to take classes during your second trimester (between week 13 and week 28 of your pregnancy).
There are no partial refunds.
You can change your registration for one class. If you want to move to a different class, notify us one week before it starts.
Check out our selection of free support groups for further connection and community on topics you care about. See our Pregnancy and Parenthood Support Group page to learn more.
