Classes & Groups

Childbirth, 4-Week Course

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $250 per couple

Day & Time: Wednesdays at 6:30pm to 9:00pm 

Note: We suggest you sign up for a course that will start sometime after your 26th week and ends before your 37th week of pregnancy.

This in-person series is great for first-time parents and comes highly recommended by many local midwives and obstetricians for its empowering approach to childbirth. Our goal is to help each family become wise healthcare consumers and to partner with their OB providers for a safe birth using as few interventions as possible. Although the class strives to educate patients and their partners toward natural childbirth (i.e., unmedicated, intervention-free), classes are for prepared childbirth in the hospital, birth center, or home setting. The classes use a multidisciplinary approach, pulling information from resources such as Dr. Robert Bradley (of the Bradley method), the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, educator/doula Penny Simkin, and midwife Ina May Gaskin.

Topics Reviewed:

• Physiology and changes in pregnancy
• Normal progression of labor and birth
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Coping methods for labor and birth such as hydrotherapy, music, mental focus, and comforting positions
• Analgesia and anesthesia options such as nitrous oxide and epidurals
• Benefits and risks of medical interventions
• The partner’s role during labor and birth
• Postpartum care
• Newborn care at the hospital

Childbirth, 2-Day Class

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Price: $150 per couple

Format: Online via Zoom

Day & Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Note: We suggest you sign up for a course that will take place sometime between your 26th and 37th week of pregnancy.

This online 2-day mini-course is a modified version of the 4-week series that only focuses on labor and delivery. It is a good option for first-time parents unable to attend the 4-week series or those who will be attempting a VBAC for the first time (vaginal birth after cesarean). Pair this course with the in-person Advanced Coping Strategies class to get helpful hands-on instruction to complement what you learned online!

Topics Reviewed:

• Physiology and progression of labor and birth
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Coping methods for labor and birth such as hydrotherapy, music, mental focus, and comforting positions
• Analgesia and anesthesia options such as nitrous oxide and epidurals
• Benefits and risks of medical interventions
• The partner’s role during labor and birth

Childbirth, 1-Day Class

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $120 per couple

Day & Time: Thursdays at 5:00pm or Saturdays at 9:00am

Note: We recommend taking this class anytime after your 26th week and before your 37th week of pregnancy.

This one-day class focuses on labor and delivery. It is a good option for first-time parents unable to attend the 4-week series and is an excellent refresher course for parents returning to the birth experience or those who will be attempting a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Compared to the 4-week series, this class involves more direct, instructor-led teaching with fewer group exercises in order to conserve time.

Topics Reviewed:

• Physiology and progression of labor and birth
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Coping methods for labor and birth such as hydrotherapy, music, mental focus, and comforting positions
• Analgesia and anesthesia options such as nitrous oxide and epidurals
• Benefits and risks of medical interventions
• The partner’s role during labor and birth

Advanced Coping Strategies for Labor

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $100 per couple

Day & Time: Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Note: his class is best when you are further along in your pregnancy, ideally between 32 and 38 weeks, and after you have completed a regular Childbirth course. 

This single session is intended for couples in their third trimester who have completed the 1-day, 2-day, or 4-week childbirth classes. It expands on intervention-free methods of labor management discussed in our prepared childbirth classes. Each couple will receive their own long woven wrap (similar to the Rebozo used by Mexican and Central American Indigenous birth workers) to practice hands-on comfort techniques and coping skills to ease pregnancy discomforts, manage pain during labor, and help bring the baby down into an optimal position for birth. Your partner or support person will learn skills to support you more effectively. This class does not cover general childbirth information. We strongly suggest taking one of our childbirth preparation classes (or one with another educator) prior to this class.

What to bring:

Bring along a yoga mat, towel, or small blanket for floor work. Dress comfortably in clothing that can accommodate a variety of positions.

Spinning Babies for Parents

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $130 per couple

Day & Time: Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm 

Note: This class is for expectant parents only, starting as early as 14 weeks gestation. The optimal time to take this class is 20 to 34 weeks gestation, though you may still benefit if you are further along. 

Spinning Babies® for Parents is a single session class that highlights your baby’s active role in birth. During labor the baby needs to pass through the three levels of the pelvis. Learn techniques to help your pelvis and the muscles that support or restrict your pelvic levels. These techniques can help release tight ligaments and muscles which can pull and twist causing pelvic pain during pregnancy and discomfort during birth. Together, you and your birth partner can use these techniques before and during labor to help “make room for baby!” Spinning Babies reveal how the baby can find optimal positions for labor and make birth less painful!

Topics:

• Learn about Spinning Babies Techniques
• Daily Essential Activities
• The Three Sisters of Balance and how they help birth muscles to relax and add comfort now to ease birth later.
• Birth positions that open the pelvis that let the baby come through more easily
• Bring your birth partner to learn how to help you in pregnancy for comfort in labor and birth

What to bring:

Bring along a yoga mat, towel, or small blanket for floor work. Dress comfortably in clothing that can accommodate a variety of positions.

Mindful Birth

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Format: Prerecorded class to watch at your convenience

Price: $50 per couple

Note: This class does not cover general childbirth information such as interventions or coping strategies for labor. For that we recommend our 1-day, 2-day, or 4-week Childbirth class options.

This one-session online class will teach you practical skills to help prepare your mind for a positive labor and birth experience with mindfulness techniques, sports psychology, and the science behind labor hormones. Content from Gentlebirth® training is also included. 

Empowered Cesarean Birth Prep

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $100 per couple

Date: Thursday, 6:00pm-9:00pm

This one session class covers everything you need to know to plan and prepare for a cesarean birth. This class is appropriate for someone either planning to have a cesarean or planning to have a vaginal birth who would like to have the information in case an unexpected cesarean should arise.

Topics Reviewed:

• Reasons for cesarean births
• How to prepare
• What to expect when you arrive
• What happens in the operating and recovery rooms
• What to expect during recovery
• Emotional aspects of a cesarean birth
• How to mentally prepare for the birth
• Calming techniques
• Create a birth plan outline and affirmations
• Your partner or support person’s role throughout

Comprehensive Prepared Childbirth Package

Format: Zoom & In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price:

Non-Clients: $500  ($30 savings)

Doula Clients: $475 ($55 savings)

Date: Please check individual class schedule

We’ve taken our four most popular childbirth classes and put them together into one amazing all-inclusive package deal with a combined 14 hours of in-person instruction. It is highly recommended for anyone new to the birthing experience whose goal is to have an unmedicated birth with minimal interventions. Participants also receive a free woven wrap and will learn how to use it to ease pregnancy discomforts and aid with positioning during labor. In total a $530 value!

Classes include: 

• 4-week Childbirth Series (worth $250)
• Mindful Birth (online) (worth $50)
• Advanced Coping Strategies for Labor (worth $100)
• Spinning Babies for Parents (worth $130)

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Breastfeeding Basics

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Format: online via Zoom

Price: $50 per couple

Time & Day: (Online) Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8:00pm 

Note: This is a one-session, online course that covers all the essentials for breastfeeding. It is appropriate for those new to breastfeeding who are unable to attend the in-person version and those who need a refresher for their next baby. Partners are highly encouraged to tune in as well!

Topics:

• Benefits of breastfeeding
• Getting a good latch
• Positioning techniques
• Establishing and maintaining your milk supply
• Troubleshooting
• Debunking myths and outdated advice
• Pumping tips and tricks
• How partners can help

Comprehensive Guide to Breastfeeding

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $80 per couple

Time & Day: Saturday, 9:30-11:30

Note:

This is an in-person class that covers all the essentials for breastfeeding. Class includes hands-on activities with infant models to get a better feel for positioning as well as the opportunity to examine the equipment and supplies that will help you along the way. Partners are highly encouraged to attend!

Topics:

• Benefits of breastfeeding
• Getting a good latch
• Positioning techniques including hands-on practice with infant models
• Establishing and maintaining your milk supply
• Troubleshooting
• Debunking myths and outdated advice
• Pumping tips and tricks including demonstrations of how the equipment is used
• How partners can help

Infant Safety

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: $80 per couple

Time & Day: Saturday from 9:30am to  11:30am

Note: This class is for educational purposes only and is not for CPR certification.

Keeping your new baby safe will be a top priority before he or she is even born. This one-session class reviews two important yet often overlooked topics – infant CPR and infant car seat safety. It can be taken before or after pregnancy, and is recommended for parents and any regular caregivers (grandparents, etc.). It is also appropriate for couples adopting a newborn baby. Bring your baby’s car seat with you to have it professionally installed by our certified child passenger safety technician at the end of class!

Topics:

• Recognizing an infant needing emergent intervention
• How to provide choking relief for an infant with an obstructed airway
• How to perform CPR on an infant
• Safe sleeping and protecting against SIDS
• Car safety
• Proper use of car seats and buckles
• One-on-one help with installing your baby’s car seat

Babies Music Class: Music Folk

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Format: In-person at 3074 Whitney Ave, Bldg 2, Hamden, CT, 06418

Price: Please click here for price

Day & Time: Tuesday at 10:30am or Sunday at 1:15pm

Note: Have you noticed that your baby can sing, or “coo” to you already but can’t speak yet? Studies show that they can match pitch as early as 2 weeks old. Try singing to them and listen for the sounds and reactions they make. Most parents don’t realize that their babies come into the world wired to make music. They are born ready to make music! 

In fact, “babies who participate in music classes with their parents/caregiver in the first year of life, smile more, communicate better and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music” (Study from McMaster University). Not to mention all the other benefits by starting music as a baby. They develop so many skills; cognitive, social, emotional growth, language development, fine motor skills as they embark on their lifelong musical journey. This is such a wonderful activity to do with your baby to start to stimulate their brains and bodies and share the joy of music making and bonding with them as a baby. In this class we will not only learn music, but also some baby signs as well.