Childbirth and Parenting Classes at Swedish

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

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

Pregnancy and Childbirth

• Childbirth Preparation
• Childbirth Preparation for Multiples
• Childbirth Preparation in Spanish (Preparación para el parto en español)
• Coping with Confidence
• Decreasing Your Risk for Postpartum Depression
• Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting
• The Mind in Labor: Working with Pain in Childbirth

Newborns and Parenting

• Breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
• Bringing Baby Home
• Car Seat Safety
• Conscious Fathering
• Infant Safety and CPR
• Newborn Care
• Newborn Preparation 

Family Members

• Grandparents Class - Birth to Three Months
• Grandparents Class - Three Months and Beyond
• Sibling Preparation

Postpartum Support

• Breastfeeding Support Groups
• Breastfeeding Drop-in Group Session at the Lytle Center
  
• New Moms Support Group

Wellness and Exercise

• Baby Your Body

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 $390 if purchased by December 2018 – price will increase to $420 starting January 2019 (that’s a $630 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)
• Sibling Preparation

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

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.
Tour size is limited so one registration is for the expectant mother plus one support person.

Learn more - and Register 

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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

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)

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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. At 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 if you have concerns.

Learn more - and Register (Search for "Postpartum Depression" in the search box on the left)

Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting

This series is an invitation to begin or deepen the practice of mindfulness for supporting the profound changes in our bodies and minds during pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.  Through mindfulness meditation, movement and group dialogue we can learn to cultivate skills for birthing, healthy living and wise parenting –inviting you to fully live the joys and challenges of this transformative time.

In this class, you will:

• Increase knowledge and confidence around the birth process
• Decrease fear of childbirth, tap into inner resources for working with pain
• Improve couples communication, connection and cooperation

You will also learn about:

• The physiology of breastfeeding and the newborn cycles
• Prenatal yoga for strength and flexibility
• Developing tools for managing stress in pregnancy, parenting, and daily life

This program is based on Nancy Bardacke's adaptation of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to focus on the birth process and parenting. To learn more about the program, please visit NW Mindful Birthing & Parenting: www.nwmindfulbirthing.com. 

The class fee includes the book, Mindful Birthing and CD's for home practice.

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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

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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.)

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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 2-3 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. 

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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