Childbirth/Parenting Classes
Penny Simkin
Penny Simkin is a well known and internationally revered childbirth educator who was also an early leader of the doula profession. Although she is no longer actively teaching, her birth preparation curriculum continues to help many people prepare for labor and birth. She designed a seven-week class specifically for those who are planning to give birth at home or in a birth center.
thresholds
Amity Kramer and others provide classes that help people prepare for birth and parenthood. The birth classes are based on the powerful book Birthing from Within. “With the use of story telling, meditation, games, group dialogue, and birth art parents have ample time to explore their values to make their birth the best it can possibly be.” Thresholds also offers postpartum, breastfeeding, and parenting classes, including the Gottman Institute Bringing Baby Home class.
Maia Midwifery and Fertility
Taught by Kristin Liam Kali, LM and created specifically for LGBTQ Families, this class offers complete preparation for hospital, birth center or home birth, including: stages of labor, anatomy and physiology of birth, coping with labor, comfort measures, partner support, decision-making during labor, and what to expect in the hours after birth. Queer-specific topics such as intentional family-building, gender identity and expression, and the central role of nongestational parents are woven throughout the childbirth preparation material and are presented through a blend of lecture, group discussion, experiential learning, and inner exploration.
Sharon Muza
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Sharon Muza offers a 7-week Birth & Baby Series, 4-hour Labor YOUR Way classes, VBAC classes, CPR & Baby Safety classes, and more. Sharon has been long recognized for sharing evidence-based information with humor and engaging activities that build community and make the material easy to remember when it comes time to birth and parent.
The Birth Zone
Wendy Dean inspires childbearing people to trust the innate wisdom of their bodies to birth. Her classes are offered in Redmond.
In addition to childbirth classes, other classes are offered covering topics such as breastfeeding, newborn care, infant CPR, sibling preparation for kids, and vaccination.
Seattle Hypnobirthing
Tracy Barrett Adams is a clinical hypnotherapist and childbirth educator. Her Hypnosis for Birth course integrates live online group sessions with self-study, and offers evidence-based information, relaxation tools, self-advocacy skills, a mindset to enhance the birth experience, and ongoing support through pregnancy.
Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS)
Facilitated peer-support groups for expecting and new parents.
Families of Color Seattle
Peer-led parents support groups for families of color
Great Starts – ParentTrust.org
Great Starts hosts classes about pregnancy, childbirth education, newborn care, parenting, and infant health and safety. Scholarships and free classes are available to those who qualify.
parenttrust.org/about/programs/great-starts/
Gottman Institute – Bringing Baby Home
Gottman Certified instructors offer research-based Bringing Baby Home workshops, which prepare couples for life with a baby and help them be the best parenting team possible. These classes combine scientific research and public education to improve the quality of life for babies and children. They teach new parents how to gain relationship satisfaction and create healthy social, emotional, and intellectual development for their children.