Childbirth and Parenting Classes at Swedish Medical Center
Most in-person classes and support groups canceled; online classes available
Birth & Family Education is now offering some classes in a virtual, live online format led by our certified educators. Click a class registration link to learn more. In-person classes, support groups and tours are canceled at this time.
Our team of childbirth educators and certified professionals offers private, in-person, and online classes to help you feel prepared for the arrival of your new baby. Virtual Birth Center tours are available for most campuses.
When should you take classes?
Register for your classes early and plan to complete them four to six weeks before your due date. We offer classes individually or as part of the Welcome Baby Package (for in-person classes) or the Prepare for Parenthood Package (for online classes). It is recommended that first-time parents complete at least one class in Childbirth Preparation, Newborn Care, Breastfeeding and Infant Safety. Though you can take your classes in any order that works for you and your schedule, we recommend this timeline.
Class fees can be paid online or by calling 206-215-3338. If you prefer to pay with a ProviderOne card, please call 206-215-3338.
With the Welcome Baby Package, you and one support person can take a number of in-person classes at a special rate of $450 (that’s a $620 value if classes are purchased separately).
Classes include (in-person options only):
- Childbirth Preparation (choice of one: 5-Week Series, 1-Day, 2-Day, Preparing for Multiples, or Preparación para el parto en español)
- Newborn Care
- Breastfeeding
- Newborn Preparation (includes Newborn Care and Breastfeeding)
- Infant Safety and CPR
- Car Seat Safety
- Coping with Confidence
- Conscious Fathering
- Grandparents Class
- Baby Your Body
At this time online registration for the Welcome Baby Package is not available. Please call 206-215-3338 to speak to a customer service representative.
With the Prepare for Parenthood Online Package, you and one support person can take a number of online classes at a special rate of $199 (that’s a $230 value if classes are purchased separately).
Classes include (online options only):
- Childbirth Preparation (choice of one: 1-Day, 2-Week, or Preparing for Multiples)
- Newborn Care
- Breastfeeding
- Newborn Preparation (includes Newborn Care and Breastfeeding)
- Infant Safety
- Car Seat Safety
- Coping with Confidence (included in 2-Week Childbirth Preparation)
- Grandparents Class
At this time online registration for the Prepare for Parenthood Online Package is not available. Please call 206-215-3338 to speak to a customer service representative.
Birth and Family Education is excited to introduce a new in-person private education option for families expecting a baby. You may choose Childbirth Preparation, Newborn Care, Breastfeeding, or Infant Safety and CPR. Space will be limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, attendees will be required to complete a screening process before participating that includes a health screening and temperature test. Participants will be required to follow Swedish assessment and safety standards.
Until at least October 2020, in-person tours are cancelled to protect the health and wellbeing of patients and their families. Please view the Swedish Birth Center virtual tour to learn more about having a baby at Swedish Medical Center.
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, 5-week series, or online option will provide you with information on the labor process and possible variations, coping skills and postpartum adjustment (the 5-week series also includes a Newborn Care and Breastfeeding course).
Preparing for Multiples
This class is for families expecting multiples and 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.
- 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
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 ProviderOne - llamar para registrarse: 206-215-3338.
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: birthing techniques, labor positions, comfort measures, and options for back labor. This class is also great as a "refresher" for those who have given birth before.
Acupressure for Birth Preparation, Labor and Postpartum
This class teaches powerful acupressure tools to help the birthing person in the 3rd and 4th trimester and is intended for any person/couple preparing for labor. Learn more about prebirth acupressure.
The Mind in Labor: Working with Pain in Childbirth
Childbirth can be a challenging experience that often involves physical pain and anxiety. Using the mind to manage pain and anxiety can make a huge difference in the labor and delivery experience. This weekend intensive workshop is an excellent complement to any childbirth education class and can be helpful for those who anticipate a birth experience that needs special medical attention or who have had a difficult previous birth experience. Learn more about Mindful Birthing.
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.
Newborn Care
This class teaches new parents 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 5-week Childbirth Preparation series.
Breastfeeding
This class helps new moms and their partners learn positions, latch techniques, common challenges, and how to prepare for breastfeeding.
Please note: Breastfeeding is already included in the Newborn Preparation class and the 5-week Childbirth Preparation series.
Newborn Preparation
This course combines the Newborn Care and Breastfeeding content into one single class.
Infant Safety
In this online class, your CPR certified instructor will help you 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 methods for decreasing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death for your new baby. CPR is discussed in this online course, but due to limitations of online teaching, it is not taught.
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 methods to baby-proof to increase household safety and decrease the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death for your new baby.
CPR and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction procedures use American Heart Association curriculum; however, this is not a certification course.
Car Seat Safety
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. Although the class does not include installation in your vehicle, there will be opportunities for hands-on practice.
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.
Conscious Fathering
This 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.
Grandparents Class
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.
Breastfeeding Group Sessions
We offer support groups for breastfeeding parents who have questions about breastfeeding, want to check on baby's growth, or are looking for support from others but do not feel they need a one-on-one consultation. Breastfeeding support groups are held at the following locations:
- First Hill/The Lytle Center: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. (425-409-0054)
- Ballard (main hospital building): Thursdays at 2 p.m. (206-215-9853)
- Issaquah: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.; Mondays at 1 p.m. for Troubleshooting Early Breastfeeding (425-313-2377)
Fee: $15. (Medicaid accepted.)
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.
Newborn and Me: Birth to Three Months
This is a six-week group for birth parents and their 0-3 month old. Connect with other parents and an experienced facilitator to 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.
Baby and Me: Three to Six Months
This is a six-week group for birth parents and their 3-6 month old. Connect with other parents and an experienced facilitator to 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.
Baby Your Body
By teaching you to engage your core and strengthen your pelvic floor, this class for pregnant people only will help you develop good posture and proper body mechanics. Learn and practice positioning and suggested exercises to increase comfort during pregnancy and reduce your risk of injury.
Physical Therapy: Your Body Your Pelvic Floor
In this online course, learn more about the changes you can expect during pregnancy and the best ways to improve your comfort and reduce your risk of injury during birth. Pelvic floor exercises will also be learned to address changes your body may have experienced after giving birth.