Childbirth and Parenting Classes at Swedish

In-person classes and support groups canceled

Swedish cares about the health and well-being of our patients, caregivers and community. In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency, the risk for exposure is increasing for people who live in our state. Swedish is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our facilities and our ability to care for as many patients as possible. Safety is our top priority right now.

Effective Thursday, March 12 at noon, all in-person classes and support groups have been suspended at each of our hospital campuses until COVID-19 no longer poses a threat or until further notice. Our knowledge of COVID-19 is still rapidly evolving and will continue to share updates on this page as the situation develops.

When it comes to having a baby, you can count on Swedish for complete support. We offer a wide variety of classes to help you through your pregnancy and the first few months after your baby's birth.

It’s a good idea to register for classes early, and to have completed them about four to six weeks before your due date. We recommend that first-time parents take at least one class in Childbirth Preparation, Newborn Care, and Breastfeeding.

Fees

Starting in 2020, some class prices will change. For pricing, click the blue buttons, select your date from the drop down, and click "register" on the right. Classes can be paid for individually or as part of our Welcome Baby Package. You can take classes in any order unless otherwise noted. 

Locations

Your classroom location will be provided to you in a confirmation email. Please carefully check the directions to the campus and the classroom prior to each class.

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Class Listings 

Welcome Baby Package

Birth Center Tours and Information Sessions

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Newborns and Parenting

Family Members

Postpartum Support

Wellness and Exercise

Welcome Baby Package

We offer a variety of classes to help you through your pregnancy and the first months following your baby's birth.With the Welcome Baby Package, you and one support person can take a number of classes at a special rate of $450 (that’s a $620 value if classes are purchased separately).

Classes include:

  • Baby Your Body
  • Breastfeeding
  • Car Seat Safety
  • Childbirth Preparation (choice of one: 5-Week Series, 1-Day, 2-Day, or Preparing for Multiples)
  • Conscious Fathering
  • Coping with Confidence
  • Grandparents - Birth to 3 Months
  • Infant Safety and CPR
  • Newborn Care
  • Newborn Preparation (includes Newborn Care and Breastfeeding)

At this time online registration for the Welcome Baby Package is not available. Please call 206-215-3338 to speak with a representative.

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Birth Center Tours and Information Sessions

Birth Center Tours

We encourage all expectant parents to complete a childbirth center tour at the campus where they will be delivering, approximately 4-8 weeks before their due date. This walking tour will provide you with parking and entrance information for the hospital, how to get to the birth center, amenities available in each birthing suite, what to bring with you, what to expect during your hospital stay, and postpartum care. There will be plenty of time for questions. If you need to do so, you will also be able to complete pre-registration for the hospital.

We are unable to accommodate children under the age of 10 on this tour.

Free, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Offered at Ballard, First Hill and Issaquah campuses.
Tour size is limited so one registration is for the expectant mother plus one support person.

Learn more - and Register 

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What to Expect at Edmonds - Class and Tour

Bring your partner or support person and join Edmonds Labor and Delivery nurses in a stress-free setting to learn what to expect]when you go into labor. You'll find out where to park, how to check in, what to bring, and meet members of the medical team who will provide care to you and your baby during your hospital stay. There will be plenty of time to ask questions. A tour of the childbirth center is also included.

We recommend taking this class during your last two months of pregnancy. Refreshments provided.

Free, but pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Class size is limited so one registration is for the expectant mother plus one support person.

Learn More - And Register

Visita preparto en Swedish/First Hill en español

Animamos a los futuros padres a visitar el centro de partos del campus donde van a tener su bebé, aproximadamente 4-8 semanas antes de la fecha del parto. Esta visita proporcionará información sobre parqueadero y sobre la entrada del hospital, cómo llegar al centro de partos, los servicios disponibles en cada sala de parto, qué llevar al hospital, qué esperar durante su estancia en el hospital y la atención posparto. Habrá mucho tiempo para preguntas. Si es necesario, también se podrá completar  la pre-inscripción para el hospital. La visita dura aproximadamente 1 hora.

No podemos acomodar a los niños menores de 10 años en esta visita.
La visita es limitada: un registro es para la madre y una persona de apoyo.

Gratis

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Pregnancy and Childbirth

Acupressure for Birth Preparation, Labor and Postpartum

This class will teach powerful acupressure tools to help the birthing person in the 3rd and 4th trimester. Acupressure is the use of pressure to activate acupuncture points to affect change in the body.

This highly hands on and practical class will teach acupressure to help:
  • Prepare the person’s body for labor
  • Reduce pain and fear in labor
  • Encourage milk production and reduce afterpains in the postpartum period
It will also:
  • Give the partner/support person a way to be very supportive and feel useful
  • Help the couple bond during this very special time

This class is great for any person/couple preparing for labor, whether it’s your first or third child. We recommend taking this class between 30-35 weeks of pregnancy. Learn more about prebirth acupressure 

Learn More and Register (Search for “acupressure” in the search box on the left)

Childbirth Preparation

While no one can tell you what your birth experience will be like, learning about the process can help you feel prepared, confident and ready for the birth of your baby. This 1-day, 2-day, or 5-week series will provide you with information on the labor process and possible variations, coping skills and postpartum adjustment. Partners will learn ways to support mom during labor.

(All options are included in the Welcome Baby Package.)

View Childbirth Prep class options - and Register (Select a Childbirth Prep class from the dropdown list)

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Preparing for Multiples

This five week series for families expecting multiples includes Childbirth Preparation, Newborn Care, and Breastfeeding. You will learn about the signs and treatment of common pregnancy complications including preterm labor, the labor and birth process, cesarean birth, recovery, postpartum adjustment, and the NICU. A Newborn Care and Breastfeeding class specifically for multiples is included. Resources for support groups and networking will be provided in addition to an in-class panel discussion with new parents of multiples and a baby reunion.

  • Expecting Twins? We suggest beginning class at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy
  • Expecting Triplets or more? We suggest beginning class at 16-20 weeks of pregnancy

(Included in Welcome Baby Package)

Learn more - and Register

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Preparación para el parto en español

Esta clase proporciona información sobre el proceso del parto y sus posibles variaciones, así como estrategias de adaptación para después del parto. Los compañeros aprenden modos para apoyar a la madre durante el parto. La preparación para el parto en español se enseña por un educador nativo en español certificado en partos.

Gratis con la tarjeta Provider One - llamar para registrarse
Incluido en el paquete de bienvenida al bebé “Welcome Baby Package”

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Coping With Confidence 

This class is designed to provide couples who have already attended a Childbirth Preparation class with more information about pain and coping including: additional birthing techniques, labor positions, comfort measures, and options for back labor. Suggestions for partners providing labor support are presented.

(Included in Welcome Baby Package)

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Decreasing Your Risk for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of pregnancy; about 20% of women will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. During this class, you will develop a postpartum plan to support your emotional well-being while you are getting to know your new baby. Topics will include: risk factors, warning signs, protective factors, resources in the community and at Swedish, and knowing who to call when or if you have concerns. Your partner or support person is welcome to attend.

Learn more - and Register (Search for “postpartum depression” in the search box on the left)

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The Mind in Labor: Working with Pain in Childbirth

This is a weekend intensive workshop to develop mindfulness-based coping skills. Childbirth can be a challenging experience that often involves physical pain and anxiety. How we use our minds to relate to that pain and anxiety can make a huge difference in our labor and delivery experience. Based on the mind/body work at the pioneering Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD at the University of Massachusetts, this will be a weekend for looking deeply at pain and fear during childbirth and for cultivating tools to work with them in the process of giving birth.

In this workshop, you will:

  • Practice various mind/body modalities for working with pain in childbirth
  • Experience using the breath as an anchor to the present moment
  • Tap into inner reservoirs of strength, confidence and courage
  • Learn how to be fully present to give assistance as a birth partner
  • Begin to cultivate the powerful tool of mindfulness and moment-to-moment awareness for the challenges of birthing and parenting

This workshop is an excellent complement to any childbirth education class, including refresher classes. It can also be helpful for those who anticipate a birth experience that needs special medical attention or who have had a difficult previous birth experience. This workshop allows you time to go deep into the mindfulness practices, and includes partner-based experiential exercises. To learn more about this class and Mindful Birthing please visit www.nwmindfulbirthing.com

Learn more - and Register

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Newborns and Parenting

Breastfeeding

This class helps new moms and their partners learn all the basics of breastfeeding. Topics include: the first feeding, signs baby is getting enough, proper positioning and latch, feeding frequency and duration, and how to express and store milk.

Please note: Breastfeeding is already included in the Newborn Preparation class and the Childbirth Preparation series.

(Included in Welcome Baby Package.)

Learn more - and Register

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Breastfeeding and Returning to Work

Returning to work or school while breastfeeding can be a stressful transition. This class will help you develop a plan to meet the unique needs of a breastfeeding family. Topics include: feeding schedules, maintaining milk supply, pumping tips and techniques, and developing a plan around balancing breastfeeding and other commitments.

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Bringing Baby Home Workshop

This multi-day workshop will teach you and your partner parenting and relationship skills to help you be the best parenting team possible. Developed by renowned relationship experts, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, the Bringing Baby Home (BBH) Workshop combines lecture, group discussion and couple’s activities to help couples strengthen their friendship, increase intimacy, improve communication, regulate conflict, and create positive strategies for parenting. This workshop is designed for couples who are pregnant or have infants up to one year of age. Babies up to 3 months old welcome to attend.

Learn more - and Register

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Car Seat Safety

Car crashes are a leading cause of fatal injury for children in Washington State. The best protection comes from a properly installed car seat, but studies shows that up to 90% of car seats are used incorrectly. In the Car Seat Safety Class, you will learn how to choose a safe car seat for your newborn, how to adjust it properly, and how to install it correctly in a motor vehicle to avoid common misuses. The class will also cover how to properly secure your baby in a car seat and what non-regulated products are and if they’re useful and safe. Although the class does not include installation in your vehicle, there will be opportunities for hands-on practice (with a doll and/or vehicle demonstrator seat), so if you already have your car seat, feel free to bring it to class with you.

(Included in Welcome Baby Package.)

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Conscious Fathering

The Conscious Fathering class prepares expectant fathers and father figures for successful parenting by providing an overview of a baby's basic needs and teaching practical, hands-on skills. In this three hour workshop, participants will learn how to meet baby's cycle of care and discover a framework for solid fathering for all of their child's ages and stages.

(Included in the Welcome Baby Package.)

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Infant CPR and Safety

In this class, your CPR certified instructor will help you learn when and how to administer CPR to an infant. You will also learn common choking hazards and demonstrate how to manage choking. Participants will be taught ways to baby-proof in order to increase household safety and decrease the risk of SIDS for your new baby.

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 use American Heart Association curriculum, however this is not a certification course.

(Included in Welcome Baby Package.)

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Newborn Care

This class teaches new parents all the basics of newborn growth and development, including methods for dressing, diapering, feeding, bathing and swaddling, as well as how to calm a crying baby and important safe sleep practices.

Please note: Newborn Care is already included in the Newborn Preparation class and the Childbirth Preparation series.

(Included in Welcome Baby Package.)

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Newborn Preparation

This course combines the Newborn Care class and Breastfeeding class content. Please see these class descriptions for more detailed information

(Included in Welcome Baby Package.)

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Family Members

Grandparents Class - Birth to Three Months

"Babies haven't changed, but what we know about them has!" There have been many changes in the role of grandparents over the last several generations. This class describes ways grandparents can offer support and assistance to a new family, while discussing current trends in birth practices and infant care. Grandparents will appreciate information provided on newborn capabilities and providing a safe environment for infants. A tour of the birthing suites is provided.

(Two grandparents included in Welcome Baby Package. Additional grandparents may be registered and paid for separately.)

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Postpartum Support

Breastfeeding Group Sessions

We offer breastfeeding support groups for moms who have questions about breastfeeding, want to check on baby's growth or are looking for support from other mothers but don't feel they need a one-on-one consultation. Breastfeeding support groups are held at the following locations:

  • First Hill: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. (206-215-9853)
  • Ballard: Thursdays at 2 p.m. (206-215-9853)
  • Issaquah: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. (425-313-2377)

Fee: $15. (Medicaid accepted)

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Newborn and Me: Birth to Three Months

Formerly New Mom Support Group.

Bring your newborn and join other moms and an experienced facilitator for six weekly sessions to learn about your 0-3 month old. Share concerns, ask questions, and explore topics such as the emotional adjustment to parenthood, feeding, sleep strategies, and enjoying the first step in your infant's development.

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Baby and Me: Three to Six Months

Bring your baby and join other moms and an experienced facilitator for six weekly sessions to learn about your 3-6 month old. Share experiences, ask questions, and explore topics such as play, starting solids, sleep changes, maintaining your relationship with your partner, and adjusting to the next step in your child's development. 

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Wellness & Exercise Classes

Baby Your Body

By teaching you to engage your core and strengthen your pelvic floor, this class for pregnant women only will help you develop good posture and proper body mechanics. By learning these movement strategies, as well as by practicing positioning and completing suggested exercises, you will increase comfort during pregnancy and reduce your risk of injury.

Women can take this class at any time during their pregnancy, but are encouraged to start early in pregnancy.

(Included in Welcome Baby Package)

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