Frequently Asked Questions

At what point in your pregnancy should you register for classes?

Plan ahead! You are encouraged to take Childbirth Preparation classes beginning anytime after your fourth to fifth month of pregnancy. Since the full series is seven weeks in length, you don’t want to back it up too close to your due date or you will run the risk of missing the last class or two if your baby comes early. Class sizes are limited. Don’t wait till the last minute!

Coming Soon: A package of Early Pregnancy multi-media online programs!

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How do our classes compare to other “method approaches” to childbirth education?

The Center has chosen not to affiliate with any brand name methods of childbirth education. Rather, we have developed our own eclectic approach, drawing the best from what various methods have to offer. The curriculum has evolved over the years, with feedback from parent course evaluations playing a major role in the process. We care what you think! Experienced doulas and midwives have developed this curriculum based upon our experiences with laboring mothers. We share what works.

  • We believe that pregnancy and birth are normal life events.
  • We promote informed, evidence-based decision making on a wide range of issues (natural versus medicated birth, place of birth, choice of birth attendant, circumcision, vaccinations, and so on).
  • We support the goal of a natural, unmedicated birth while acknowledging that there is not one “right” way to have a baby.
  • We intend that our classes help the expectant mother and her partner feel more confident about the upcoming birth, acknowledging your fears while arming you with a selection of coping strategies.
  • We hope to encourage you to see yourselves as the center of this experience—something you are actively doing (”giving birth”), rather than something that is happening to you (”being delivered”).
  • We encourage breastfeeding.

Our classes incorporate up-to-date information, interactive teaching methods, and a comfortable, welcoming environment. Our expert instructors include active birth attendants and a lactation consultant.

Hospital-Based vs. Community-Based Childbirth Preparation

“This is how we do it … ” rather than “Here are your choices …

Community-based childbirth education is consumer-oriented. We do not teach you to be a “good” patient; we teach you to be an informed consumer! Hospital-based childbirth preparation programs (as a general rule) tend to promote the institution’s policies and protocols, with an eye to encouraging patient compliance rather than informed decision making. Informed consumers know their full range of choices and understand the benefits, drawbacks, and alternatives related to each choice.

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