When Ben and I learned we were expecting, we hoped and planned to attend birth and parenthood classes to prepare for our journey ahead. We hoped to gather a foundational understanding of what we could expect from labor and birth to newborn care and beyond.  In the end, we chose a variety of birth and parenthood classes, all of which we really enjoyed and value taking:

Birth and Parenthood Classes

1. All-In-One Express. Amma Parenting is a Minnesota-based organization that offers both in-person and online classes. We signed up for 3 classes through Amma Parenting: All-In-One Express, Labor Skills Workshop, and Infant CPR. We chose the All-In-One Express class rather than the 3-part version of the class, because we wanted to attend one daytime class rather than 3 evening classes. (Hello, pregnancy exhaustion!) This class was so helpful, because it was a crash course in pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, and newborn care. I love when topics are explored in chronological order; I feel more organized and better equipped to create a plan. The class was a balanced blend of hands-on practice — holding baby for breastfeeding, changing diapers, changing clothes, and car seat safety — as well as presentations and lessons. Not only did we find the class very educational, but it will also always be a special memory we’ll cherish — attending our very first baby class together!
2. Labor Skills Workshop. The second Amma Parenting class we took was called Labor Skills Workshop. This entirely hands-on, active workshop explored varying labor positions and recommendations for a smooth and calm labor experience. We had an opportunity to practice different supportive positions, to discuss our fears about labor and birth — and we came away with workbooks for determining my preferred labor positions. I really liked practicing labor positions, because I didn’t want actual labor to be my / our first experience trying recommended labor positions.
3. Infant CPR. Infant CPR, our third Amma Parenting class, was a must-do class for us. This entirely hands-on class consisted of lots of practice with CPR — and we came away with actionable skills for helping infants, toddlers, and one another.
4. Taking Cara Babies. Taking Cara Babies is an online course Ben and I worked through in about one day. This class is all about sleeping, soothing, and creating a baby-sleep-friendly routine. Ben and I both really loved the resources provided through the class — a sleep, feed, and wake schedule, a safe sleep checklist, etc. — and Cara’s actionable, hands-on recommendations.
5. Milkology. Milkology is an online course we were also able to work through in about one day. The Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding is a step-by-step exploration of breastfeeding. I was particularly curious about proper latching and the basics of pumping and storage. I have both this pump and this pump, and once I begin incorporating them, we’ll likely pursue Milkology’s Pumping Class.
6. Expectful Hypnobirthing Class. Expectful is an app I downloaded when we first learned about Teeny. In early pregnancy, I loved the daily meditations, because they were centered on bonding with baby. Hypnobirthing classes were recommended to us during our Labor Skills Workshop, so I was excited to see Expectful has an audio hypnobirthing class. It centers on mindset, relaxation, and other tools for a smooth birth experience.

I’m sure we’ll continue doing a lot of learning over the coming months and years — but overall, I’m so grateful we had an opportunity to choose and attend the classes we did.

More Motherhood Posts

I’m sharing more about our journey in my Motherhood category. There, I’m gathering up my favorite resources and documenting pregnancy week by week!