When it comes to having a baby, you can count on Swedish for complete support. We offer a wide variety of classes and seminars to help you through your pregnancy and the first few months after your baby's birth. We recommend registering for prenatal classes during your fifth month of pregnancy.
Classes can be registered for individually or as part of our Welcome Baby Package. You can take classes in any order. We encourage all first time parents to take a minimum of a childbirth preparation class, newborn care and breastfeeding class. Plan to complete your prenatal classes and tour of the birth center 4 - 6 weeks before your due date.
Quarterly Calendar
Click here to see the schedule and register
Class Descriptions
Welcome Baby Package
Have a Happy Birthday Introductory Tour of Childbirth Services at Swedish
Best Beginnings Early Pregnancy Class
Baby Your Body Pregnancy Exercise Education
Prenatal Exercise
Birth Center Tour
Childbirth Preparation
Refresher Childbirth Preparation
Childbirth Preparation for Multiples
Spanish Language Childbirth Preparation
Planned Cesarean Birth Class
Coping with Confidence
Postpartum Preparation
Newborn Care
Breastfeeding
Newborn Preparation (Includes Newborn Care and Breastfeeding)
Conscious Fathering
Infant Safety and CPR
Infant Safety and CPR for ISCU/NICU/PEDS Baby
Car-Seat Installation and Safety
Grandparents Class
Sibling Preparation
Bringing Baby Home (Marriage and Relationship class)
New Mom Support Groups
Breastfeeding Support Group
Understanding the Moods of Motherhood
Hop to Signaroo - Infant sign language class
Hop To Signaroo
Hearing families can use American Sign Language to communicate with hearing babies as young as 5 months old. Signing greatly reduces baby's frustration, promotes faster language development, stimulates intellectual growth and brain development, enhances motor skills and strengthens your parent-child bond. Four sessions. Fee: $128 plus required $19 materials fee payable at the first class. Class materials includes a Safety and Comfort Roo-minder Ring, set of laminated reminder cards and a comprehensive class packet with resources, photos, descriptions and memory aids for 80 additional signs taught in class. Scholarships available - please call (206) 386-2502 before registering online. Enrollment is for one or both parents of the same baby, or one parent and a grandparent. Details at www.hoptosignaroo.com.
Fee: $128.00 registers 2 peope ( Not included in Welcome Baby Package)
Have a Happy Birthday Introductory Tour of Childbirth Services at Swedish
Are you thinking of becoming pregnant or did you just hear the good news? Are you looking for the right doctor or midwife? Contemplating your choices? Let Swedish show you why more babies are born here than any palce else in the state. At our Have a Happy Birthday Introductory Tour you will learn about your birthing options at our First Hill and Ballard Childbirth Centers so that you can choose the experience that works best for your personal style. No matter which option you choose, you'll enjoy jacuzzi tubs, stereo systems with iPod jacks, and a la carte food servce. During the tour you will learn about our world class physicians, midwives,nurses, perinatologists, neonataologists and pediatric specialists available to take care of your every need. You will enjoy a walking tour of our childbirth center and hear real patient experiences. You will feel confident that even after you go home with your new baby Swedish is standing by with breastfeeding help, parent information phone-line, childbirth and parenting classes, new mom and dad support groups, pediatric specialty care and a pediatric emergency room. This tour is designed for people who are considering pregnancy or who are newly pregnant. For those preparing for their due date please see our Pre-Birth Tour described below.
Best Beginnings - Early Pregnancy Class
Welcome to one of the most unpredictable, awe-inspiring and joyful experiences tempered with a little apprehension and anxiety that you will have! Best-Beginnings is a comprehensive overview of the first 6 months of pregnancy. This class will cover the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, give you insight into fetal growth and development, help you to understand what to expect from your prenatal caregivers, what pre-natal tests are routine or recommended and give you lots of important information on how to plan for a healthy pregnancy through nutrition, exercise and self-care. This class will conclude with an introductory tour of the Swedish First Hill Birth Center and services offered at all campuses. Class is taught by certified childbirth educators from the Swedish Birth and Family Education Program. You will receive a free copy of Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler as part of this class. 3 hour class.
Fee: $25 per couple (Included in Welcome Baby Package)
We invite you to take a closer look at our Childbirth Centers at the Swedish/First Hill and Swedish/Ballard campuses, and our comprehensive range of support services. We offer both introductory tours for those who are still choosing their hospital and pre-birth tours for those nearing their due date. See below for a complete description of each tour.
Introductory Tour is designed for people who are contemplating preganancy or are early in pregnancy and still considering which hospital or doctor to choose. Let us show you why Swedish welcomes more babies into the world than any other hospital in the state, while also treating each birth as a uniquely personal event. You will enjoy a walking tour of our childbirth center, have plenty of time for questions, and receive information on choosing a Swedish doctor or midwife.
Chances are, you'll never need all the advanced services and technology Swedish offers. Still, it's comforting to know that even if something unexpected happens during your pregnancy, labor or delivery, Swedish is ready. Swedish is home to the state's largest Perinatal Medicine Program for high-risk moms, and our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offers the region's highest degree of care for sick or premature infants, including neonatologists in the hospital around the clock.
This tour is appropriate for those contemplating pregnancy or are in their first trimester of pregnancy. Tour lasts 1.5-hours.
Pre-Birth Tour is designed for people who are anticipating the birth of their baby in 4 - 8 weeks. This tour gives you the specifics of where to park, which entrance to use, how to get to the birth center, ammenities in each birthing suite, what to bring with you, post partum care, pre-birth registration and plenty of time for questions. This tour lasts 1-hour. We ask that children under the age of 10 not attend this tour.
Child-Friendly Pre-Birth Tour Children ages 3 - 10 may accompany their parents on this child friendly tour. Tour is designed for expectant couples who will deliver within 4 - 8 weeks. We apologize that we are not able to take children under the age of 3 on a birth-center tour. Children 10 and older may accompany parents on any birth center tour. Tour lasts 1 hour. Please meet the tour in the main lobby of the hospital located at 747 Broadway.
Fee: Free
Register now
Welcome Baby Package
We offer a wide variety of classes and seminars to help you through your pregnancy and the first few months after your baby's birth. Our Welcome Baby Package allows you and one support person to take a group of pre-natal classes at a special rate. Please note that payment for this package is non-refundable after the first class is completed. Specifically the package price includes:
- Best Beginnings Early Pregnancy Class
- Childbirth Preparation classes: choice of one: Series, Seminar, Refresher, Planned Cesarean Birth Class, Preparing for Multiples
- Baby Your Body and Prenatal Exercise
- Coping with Confidence
- Postpartum Preparation
- Newborn and Parenting classes including: Newborn Care, Breastfeeding, Newborn Preparation, Conscious Fathering
- Infant Safety Classes: Infant Safety and CPR, Car-Seat Installation and Safety
- Grandparents Class
- Sibling Preparation
Rescheduling of classes will be granted only when Swedish Birth & Family Education is notified 2 business days prior to the beginning of any class, series or course. Missed classes or no-shows require additional payment to reschedule. Registering for more than one class of the same name will result in your being dropped from both classes. Please do not register for the same class more than one time using the Welcome Baby Package coupon code.
Fee: $250/couple Once you have registered for the Welcome Baby Package you will receive an email containing a coupon code that will allow you to register for eligible classes without additional payment. Please check your email for this coupon code and enter it in the "Apply Coupon". You will then press submit to confirm your registration.
Baby Your Body Pregnancy Exercise Education
This 2-week class was developed by a physical therapist from Swedish/Ballard's Rehabilitation Department. It is designed to help you stay comfortable and experience less pain during pregnancy. We encourage you to begin this class early in pregnancy for the most benefit but it can be taken at any time. This class is for women only.
Included in the class:
Baby Your Back - Teaches proper body mechanics, movement strategies as well as positioning and exercises aimed at keeping your back comfortable and injury free during pregnancy and infant care.
Pelvic Floor: The Key to Women's Health
Stresses the importance of pelvic-floor health. Topics include the basic structure of the pelvic-floor muscle structure, the function of the pelvic floor during pregnancy and labor, and exercises to prevent incontinence after pregnancy.
Exercise and Review -
Fee: $45/person
Prenatal Exercise Class
You are invited to join us at our weekly prenatal exercise class, led by one of our experienced physical therapists. Strengthen your body in preparation for labor and delivery. Learn exercises to do during pregnancy and postpartum. Enjoy exercising with music in a safe and supportive group atmosphere. Drop-in class each Monday from 5:00pm -6:30pm. Class content repeats every four weeks.
Class meets at the Swedish/First Hill Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, 1101 Madison, Suite 200, Seattle. Call 206-386-2035 for directions and more information.
Pre-registration is not necessary
Fee: $10 per class (Included in Welcome Baby Package)
Childbirth Preparation
While no one can tell you what your birth experience will be like, this class can help you feel prepared, confident and ready for the birth of your baby. All formats cover the labor process, labor coping skills, pain medication, interventions of pregnancy and labor, cesarean birth, postpartum adjustment and more. Plan to finish this class 4-6 weeks prior to your due date. Taking our Coping With Confidence class after your childbirth preparation class will give you additional practice and review time with labor coping skills. Please register separately for a pre-birth tour of our childbirth center at First Hill or Ballard. The 4 and 6-week childbirth series include a childbirth reunion and have more time for discussion and labor coping skills.
This class is offered in several formats to suit your schedule and interest.
Childbirth Preparation 1-day Seminar- One 8 hour class offered some Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Childbirth Preparation 2-day Seminar-8 hour class meets two evenings for 4 hours each or over a weekend 4 hours each Saturday and Sunday.
4-Week Series -10-hours total. Class meets for 2.5 hours one night a week for four weeks. Includes a childbirth reunion.
6-Week Series-This series combines a 4-week childbirth class with a newborn care class and a breastfeeding class to give participants the opportunity to stay with the same instructor and group of class participants for the best learning experience. Class meets one night a week for 2.5 hours for 6 weeks. Includes a childbirth reunion.
(All Childbirth classes are included in the Welcome Baby Package)
Fee: 8-hour classes $95/couple
Fee: 4-week 10 hour series $105/couple
Fee: 6-week series 15 hour series $180/couple
4 and 6-week childbirth series include a new baby reunion to be scheduled during the series.
Refresher Childbirth Preparation Class
For those with previous childbirth experience we offer this 4-hour refresher childbirth class. Expectant parents have time to revisit their past birth experience, review labor and birth, practice labor coping skills and discuss with other parents how they are preparing their children for a new sibling. Also included at the end of class is a special segment for those considering a vaginal birth after previous cesarean.
"I am so glad that we took this time to prepare for THIS baby!" -Refresher class participant
(For expectant parents with children 3 years to 10 years old we recommend our Sibling Preparation class. This class is specially designed to help siblings prepare for the new baby. It includes the birth story (told at an age appropriate level with a large doll ), an age appropriate video, discussion about what it will be like with a new baby in the family and a walking tour of the childbirth center. This class is 1.5 hours long. See Sibling Preparation for more information and to register. )
Included in Welcome Baby Package
Fee: $50/couple
Preparing for Multiples
This class includes vital information for families expecting multiples. Class content includes information on the importance of nutrition in a multiple pregnancy, the physical and emotional challenges of multiple pregnancy and ways to reduce stress and stay more comfortable. You will learn the signs of preterm labor and other potential complications. Also included is what to expect during labor, birth, cesarean birth and recovery and how multiple pregnancy and birth differs from singleton birth. In addition you will learn about postpartum adjustment and receive a tour of the birth center. You will also learn about newborn care of multiples, breastfeeding multiples, support groups and networking. Hear from new parents of multiples in our panel discussion. Families expecting twins are encouraged to begin this class between 18 - 22 weeks of pregnancy. Families expecting higher order multiples should begin class between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. A new baby reunion is included.
Included in Welcome Baby Package
Fee: $165/couple (each class is 3 hours for a total of 15 hours of class time)
Register now
Planned Cesarean Birth Class
This class helps couples plan for and feel prepared for the scheduled cesarean birth of their baby by providing information on pre-operative instructions, the surgical procedure, the support partner's role, postpartum recovery, warning signs after a cesarean, adjustment to life with a new baby and includes a specialized tour of the birth center for families delivering by cesarean birth. 3-hour class.
Included in Welcome Baby Package
Fee: $45/couple
Coping With Confidence - Labor Coping Skills
This class should be taken after your childbirth preparation class. This class gives you and your support person additional practice and learning time to become comfortable with important labor coping techniques. A variety of labor coping skills are reviewed including relaxation, breathing patterns, attention-focusing, touch, visualization, position changes and rhythm and ritual. This class is recommended for all expectant families. It should be taken after you have completed your childbirth class. 2-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package
Fee: $35/couple
Postpartum Preparation - Thriving Not Just Surviving
A specially designed class to help expectant and new moms and dads understand and prepare for the important emotional changes that take place as a result of becoming a new parent and life with a newborn. Newborn development, normal postpartum emotional adjustments and postpartum mood disorders are discussed. This class is best taken during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. We encourage both partners to attend class together. 2.5 hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package
Fee: $40/couple
Newborn Care
This course provides important information regarding the care of your new baby including how to bathe, soothe, swaddle, diaper, dress and feed your baby. Also included are newborn behaviors, newborn procedures, newborn appearance, growth and development, sleep safety and when to call your baby's health-care provider. This is an excellent class for all first-time parents and care-providers. We recommend both parents attend this class. 3-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package
Fee: $45/couple
Breastfeeding
This class is specifically designed to teach both parents how to have a successful and rewarding breastfeeding experience. Topics include health benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, the supportive role of the partner, positions for breastfeeding, how to know if your baby is getting enough milk, pumping and storing milk, troubleshooting, and how to continue breastfeeding if you are returning to work. We recommend all first time parents take this class and that both parents attend. Cost of this class includes two people taking the class together at the same time. 2.5 hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package
Fee: $40/couple
Newborn Preparation
This efficient 6-hour course combines the newborn care class and breastfeeding class content. There is a 30-minute break between classes. Please see these class descriptions for more detailed information. We recommend both parents attend this class together. 6-hour class.
Included in Welcome Baby Package
Fee: $85/couple
Conscious Fathering
It's tough to be a real partner in parenting if you don't know much about babies. This terrific program for dads empowers new fathers to build a partnership in caring for and nurturing their children from the very first day. Class provides men an opportunity to learn their newborn baby's 5 basic needs, how baby communicates these needs and how to not only meet their baby's needs - but anticipate them. This class is recommended for every expectant father! 3-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package
Fee: $45/father
Sibling Preparation
Just as your first baby had a major impact on your life, your new baby will have considerable impact on his or her older sibling's life. This class helps children age 3 to 10 years old understand the birth process and what it's like to have a new baby in the family. A mini-tour of the birth center is included which will help prepare them for visiting mom in the hospital. Each sibling should be registered separately. A parent must accompany child during the class. Children must be at least 3 years old to attend this class.1.5 hour class.
Welcome Baby Package covers 1 sibling attending this class. Additional siblings must be registered and paid for separately.
Fee: $20/child
Grandparents Class
"Babies haven't changed, but what we know about them has changed". This fun and informative class teaches grandparents the latest information regarding pregnancy and parenting. It covers current trends in maternity practices and infant care. Included is the most current information regarding breastfeeding and the reasons for putting new babies to sleep on their back. It also gives grandparents a chance to discuss new ideas about parenting and how they can play an important role. 3-hour class
One-set of grandparents included in Welcome Baby Package. Additional grandparents must be registered and paid for separately.
Fee: $35/couple
Car Seat Safety and Installation
Car safety seats can be confusing! Come to our car seat safety and installation class to learn how to keep your baby safe during travel. Our Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will teach you how to choose the right car seat for your baby, how to install it properly with either the seat belt or the newer LATCH system, and what is required by Washington's child restraint laws. It's a very practical, hands-on class. You will have the opportunity to ask lots of questions, harness a baby doll into a car seat, and install a car seat onto our demonstration seat. If you already have your car seat, you are welcome to bring it to class to practice on - but this is not required. You can practice with our seats and you may prefer to wait until after class to choose a seat. Your instructor will have lots of suggestions about which features are important both for your child's safety and for your convenience. Don't wait - learn how to keep your child safe from the first ride home!
2.5 hour class.
Included in Welcome Baby Package
Fee: $35/couple
Infant CPR and Safety
Pediatricians agree that prevention of unintentional injuries is the key to keeping your baby safe. Before your baby arrives get prepared to keep him or her safe by learning how to prevent the most common unintentional injuries of infants and toddlers. You will earn about common safety hazards in and around the house, what's recommended for infant sleep safety and basic tips for preparing your pets, along with many other important topics. You will also learn the proper procedures for assisting an infant, up to one year of age, who is choking or is unresponsive.
This class is recommended for parents, grandparents and anyone caring for a newborn or infant up to 1 year of age. CPR and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction procedures are American Heart Association curriculum.
3-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package
Fee: $40/couple
Infant CPR and Safety for the Special Care Nursery and Special Needs Baby
This is a specialized version of our Infant CPR and Safety class designed for parents and caregivers with babies being discharged from our Infant Special Care Nursery. Taught by an Registered Nurse certified by the American Heart Association this class will help you feel more confident as you prepare to bring your baby home. 2 1/2 hour class.
Fee: $10/couple
Please call to register 206-215-3338
Learn parenting and relationship skills that will last a lifetime. Prepare yourself for life with your baby and discover how to be the best parenting team possible. This workshop, developed by renowned relationship experts, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, helps to prepare you for the most important and rewarding job you will ever have, raising a child. The Bringing Baby Home (BBH) workshop focuses on providing new parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to cope constructively with the birth of their child. Through lecture, group discussion and activities the BBH workshop teaches couples how to strengthen their friendship, increase intimacy, regulate conflict and how to build a "relationship house". Couples learn to co-parent with their partner to foster child development and to see the value of keeping dad involved. You will learn skills to become sensitive and responsive parents in an effort to promote healthier children in the emotional, social, cognitive and physical realms. The BBH workshop encourages early parent-infant dialogue and increases positive communication, ritual development and shared meaning for the whole family. This workshop is designed for couples who are pregnant or have infants up to three years of age. Babies up to 3 months old welcome. 2-day class. 14 hours total.
Fee: $150/couple
Mother-Baby Group
Mother-Baby Group is an informal group that meets for eight 1 ½ hour sessions. Participants are welcome to enroll in more than one series. Mothers share questions, concerns and experiences with other new mothers and an experienced, licensed group facilitator. A wide variety of topics are discussed including feeding and sleep issues, the emotional adjustment to parenthood, maintaining couples' relationships, managing careers and parenthood and infant development. Infant weight checks are offered at the end of each meeting.
Online registration is not available for support groups. Please call to register:
Swedish/First Hill 206-386-3321
Swedish/Ballard 206-781-6051
Understanding the Moods of Motherhood
Postpartum mood disorders can affect any woman after the birth of her baby. There are no clear answers as to why this happens, but when it does, help is available. Talking about how you feel is the first step.
This free, drop-in support group is for new mothers interested in recognizing and working with post-partum mood disorders. It meets each Monday (except major holidays) from 4:00pm-5:30pm in the Heath Building at 801 Broadway, 7th floor, Suite 718. Parking is available in the Broadway parking garage located at the main entrance to the hospital at 747 Broadway. Registration is not necessary. For more information please call 206-386-3321.
Fee: Free
Breastfeeding Support Group
Outpatient Lactation offers a breastfeeding support group at Swedish/Ballard. The group is held on Wednesdays from 2:00pm-3:30pm in the 5 north conference room. It's perfect for any new mom who has questions about breastfeeding, but doesn't need a one-on-one consultation. Registration is not required. The Ballard campus is located at 5300 Tallman Ave NW. Call 206-386-3740 for more information
Fee: $10
