childbirth & Newborn Classes

The Physiology of Late Pregnancy

You’ll learn how your body is naturally preparing for the experience of giving birth to new life and how to identify the signs of labor. 

Breathing Techniques & Coping With Pain

Discover relaxation and breathing techniques, visualization strategies to help you cope with contractions and labor, and options for medication to help ease the pain of childbirth.

The Stages of Labor

Childbirth classes will take you through the stages of labor and what to expect from each phase of the process, as well as how to understand the messages your body is sending you. You will learn the goals of each stage of labor, approximately how long each stage will last, and how you can best support the process of each stage. Your partner or support team will also learn how to best support you during each stage.

Common Interventions

You’ll learn how various interventions such as inductions, IV pain medication, epidurals, fetal monitoring, , catheterization, episiotomy, and cesarean surgery can influence the course of labor and how to adapt.

Coping With Fear and Anxiety

Experiencing fear and anxiety related to labor is common and normal for expectant parents, and childbirth classes can help you acknowledge and address them in a safe environment. Exploring prenatally how your fears might manifest and effect labor, and determining potential ways to cope with these fears, can help significantly during the birthing process. 

Childbirth classes are often recommended during the later part of the second trimester or during the third trimester. However, the decision about when to take childbirth classes during pregnancy really depends on you. 

If you feel unsure about the process and you want more time to practice techniques and build up your confidence prior to giving birth, you can absolutely choose to take classes earlier during your pregnancy. It can also be helpful to use the first trimester to research the various types of prenatal education and childbirth classes available so you can make a decision about the right kind of classes for you.

While they can be a wonderful way to learn and prepare to give birth, are birthing classes necessary? With the current popularity of epidurals, the increase in the rate of c-sections, and the availability of online information, some expectant parents choose not to take childbirth classes, and that’s a perfectly okay choice.

However, even if you opt for an epidural and/or require a c-section, prenatal education can still be beneficial. These courses can help you understand the stages of labor and interpret the signals your body is sending you and give you peace of mind that you know what to expect and how to adapt to potential complications or changing circumstances as you prepare to give birth.

Many areas of our lives have changed due to COVID-19, and online birthing classes have become more relevant than ever. Online childbirth classes offer a safe and convenient way to plan for labor. While you may lose some of the hands-on and interpersonal benefits of in-person classes, online options still offer you all of the same information you need to prepare for the birthing process.

You have the option to learn via live and interactive instruction or pre-recorded video from experts who can teach you about what to expect and how to prepare for childbirth. In many cases, you also have access to course materials for several months, meaning you can come back to information you learned as you get closer to your due date.

Ask a doula!

We’re here to offer support and guidance through the incredible journey you’re on through your pregnancy and labor. If you’re wondering how to find childbirth classes near me, want to sign up for our online childbirth classes, or just have concerns about your pregnancy and don’t know who to talk to, get in touch and tell us how we can help.

Most people find taking Newborn Care Classes in the last two months of pregnancy to be most helpful. This series pairs perfectly with the Nurtured Path: Foundations of Childbirth Series.

Our classes are led by experienced, certified childbirth educators and doulas who have supported hundreds of Portland-area families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Each instructor brings warmth, deep knowledge, and a passion for helping families feel prepared and confident as they welcome their baby.

Not at all! Our childbirth and newborn education classes are open to all families in the community—whether or not you’re working with a Wildwood doula. Everyone is welcome.

• Childbirth Education: Focuses on labor, birth, comfort measures, interventions, and partner support.

• Newborn & Fourth Trimester: Centers on postpartum recovery, feeding, newborn care, and how to prepare well for life with a new baby.

Many families take both classes for a complete, well-rounded foundation.

Yes! We offer private childbirth education and newborn care sessions for individuals or couples who prefer a one-on-one setting, or who can’t attend group classes. These can be held in person or virtually via Zoom.

Absolutely. We’re committed to providing a safe, affirming, and inclusive learning space for all families, including LGBTQIA+ parents, single parents, and families of every background and constellation.

We don’t bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill for possible reimbursement.
We do accept Carrot Fertility benefits, and many families use FSA or HSA funds for childbirth education and postpartum preparation. We’re happy to provide itemized receipts and guidance.

Just yourself, a support person if you have one, and readiness to learn! A notebook and pen, comfortable clothing, and a water bottle are helpful. We provide all handouts and materials you’ll need for class.

We understand life happens! If you need to miss a session, we’ll share class notes and resources to help you catch up. In some cases, we can offer a make-up class or recording.