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Childbirth Preparation and New Parent Classes & Support Groups
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Congratulations - you're going to be a parent! To help you prepare for this wonderful event, our Parent Education Department offers many classes and support groups - described below. Classes fill up quickly, so please call early to reserve your space!
Information & Registration
To get more information or to register for any of the groups listed below, please call our Parent Education Line at (510) 204-1334. When you call, you will be prompted to select from a menu of call options - these options include:
Press #1 for "Birth Center Tours"
Press #2 for "Prenatal Classes & Lectures"
Press #3 for "Support Groups & Special Programs"
Press #4 for "Becoming a Father Class"
Press #5 for "Infant CPR Class"
Press #6 for "S.A.N.D."
After selecting the appropriate option, you will be prompted to leave a message. We will return your call within 48 hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Instead of calling, you may also Email the Parent Education Department with the following information to begin the class/support group registration process:
1) Your Name, Address, Phone Number
2) Your Partner's Name
3) Your Due Date
4) Your Doctor's/Midwife's Name
5) Class Title and your preferred Date/Time
Once we receive your email, we will reply to confirm your registration and will verify the class, date, time and location along with payment information.
Our Parent Education Support Groups & Classes fill up quickly, so please reserve your space a month or two early!
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Prenatal Classes - Getting Ready for Baby
Birth Center Tours
Postpartum Classes - For New Parents
Postpartum Support Groups - For New Parents
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Prenatal Classes - Getting Ready for Baby
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Childbirth Preparation - Four Day Series
Certified childbirth instructors prepare expectant mothers and their partners for birth, including the normal labor and delivery process, relaxation and breathing skills, the partner’s role, hospital procedures, anesthesia options, and cesarean birth.
Fee: $125 per couple. Registration is required.
Times: 6:30 - 9:00 pm Please call for dates.
Childbirth Preparation - One Day Intensive Class
This one-day class is designed for expectant parents who are unable to attend the four-day childbirth preparation series.
Fee: $125 per couple. Registration is required. Please call for dates.
Childbirth Refresher Class
This one-day class is designed for those who have previously attended childbirth classes and need a refresher to review labor and birth, breathing, relaxation skills, the partner’s role, and anesthesia options.
Fee: $55 per couple. Registration is required. Please call for dates.
Please reserve your space a month or two early!
Coping with Labor Pain
This two-day class is designed to provide information about pain relief during labor and delivery. The first night, a Childbirth Educator discusses breathing exercises and relaxation techniques as well as strategies for coping with early labor. The second night, an OB Anesthesiologist discusses anesthesia options.
Fee: Free. Registration is required.
Times: 7:30 - 9:00 pm Please call for dates.
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) Class
This class reviews the most current information regarding vaginal birth after having had a previous cesarean or c-section. Discussion includes VBAC advantages, risks, and hospital procedures. Fee: $30 per couple. Registration is required. Please call for times and more information.
Baby Care & Breastfeeding - Three Day Series
These classes give expectant families hands-on practice with diapering, swaddling, bathing, dressing, and handling of a newborn. Parents-to-be will also learn about newborn behavior, home and car seat safety, temperature taking, when to call the doctor, and practical parenting tips. The third session is entirely devoted to the topic of breastfeeding.
Fee: $90 per couple. Registration is required. Call for a list of dates/times.
Baby Care & Breastfeeding - Two Day Intensive
Our two-day intensive class is designed for expectant parents who are unable to attend our three-day series.
Fee: $90 per couple. Registration is required. Call for a list of dates/times.
Baby Care & Breastfeeding - One Day Intensive
This one-day class is designed for expectant parents who are unable to attend either the three-day or the two-day class series.
Fee: $90 per couple. Registration is required. Call for a list of dates/times.
Remember to call to reserve your space a month or two early!
Becoming A Father
This class is for prospective fathers - new and not-so-new. Discussion includes preparing for fatherhood and learning how to balance family, work, and personal needs.
For more information and to register, please call Bruce Linton, Ph.D., at (510) 644-0300.
Big Brother, Big Sister Class
Future siblings (ages 3-7 years) prepare for their roles as a big brother or sister to a new baby. The class includes child-friendly stories, role-playing, and a tour of the birth center.
Fee: $30 and $10 per additional child. Registration is required.
Dates: Offered once or twice a month on Saturday mornings. Please call for information.
Please reserve your space a month or two early!
Breastfeeding
A certified lactation educator discusses the basics and techniques of successful breastfeeding, including how to prevent, recognize, and manage potential difficulties, returning to work and school, and considerations for partners. This class may also be taken as part of the Baby Care Series or the Baby Care Intensive.
Fee: $40 per couple. Registration is required.
When: Weekday afternoons and evenings. Please call for more information or to register.
Breastfeeding & Time Away from Baby
This class will focus on the collection and storage of breast milk and will include topics such as a review and demonstration of the manual and electric breast pumps currently on the market (some will be available for purchase), preparing for time away from baby (work, school, taking a break), coordinating childcare and breastfeeding, and individualized plans for maintaining an optimal milk supply.
Fee: $30. Couples registered for the three-part Baby Care Series pay only $20.
Please reserve your space a month or two early!
Infant CPR
This three-hour class teaches basic Infant CPR skills and safety for children birth - 12 months. The instructor is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with more than 15 years of experience teaching CPR and first aid. For more information, dates, and to register, please call Anna Griffin at (510) 653-8573. This class is offered once a month.
Whole Birth Prenatal Yoga
Whole birth yoga is a gentle workout that is beneficial to women at all stages of pregnancy and at any fitness level. Note: This class is offered for pregnant women only.
Fee: The first session is free. Then, $75 for 6 sessions. No registration required.
Dates: Tuesdays evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: 2500 Ashby Avenue (at the corner of Ashby and Regent Street) in Berkeley.
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Birth Center Tours
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Tours of the Alta Bates Birth Center provide a valuable overview of what to expect during your hospital stay. Tours are offered weekday evenings and weekends free of charge, and no registration is required. Please call for upcoming dates and times, and indicate if you would prefer a tour in Spanish or Cantonese.
Tour for Toddlers & Two’s
This is a special tour for your little one. On the tour we will see where the baby is going to be born and where mommy will be staying in the hospital. We also have something fun to give little ones at the end of the tour.
Fee: $15. Registration is required.
Dates: Once a month on Saturdays from 9:30 - 10:15 am. Please call for dates and more information.
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Postpartum Classes - For New Parents
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Infant CPR
This three-hour class teaches basic Infant CPR skills and safety for children birth - 12 months. The instructor is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with more than 15 years of experience teaching CPR and first aid. For more information, dates, and to register, please call Anna Griffin at (510) 653-8573. This class is offered once a month.
Infant Massage
Connect and communicate with your baby through loving touch. Learn gentle massage techniques to nurture your baby. This class is designed for newborn to pre-crawling age babies.
Offered: Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.
Fees: $75 for a 4 week session. Please call to register.
Location: 2500 Ashby Avenue (at the corner of Ashby and Regent Street) in Berkeley.
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Postpartum Support Groups - For New Parents
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New Parent Support Group
The New Parent Support Group is an informal drop-in session for new parents (and their babies) in a supportive setting in which to share parenting experiences. Groups meet weekly to discuss topics such as sleep issues, crying and calming, developmental milestones, traveling with baby, infant massage, choosing childcare, baby proofing, community resources, and more. Please call for location and fee information.
Offered: Thursdays
9:00 – 10:30 for Toddlers – 1 to 2½ years
10:30 – 12:00 for Babies 6 – 12 months
12:30 – 2:00 for Babies up to 6 months
Lactation Specialist Consultation
Individual consultations with an Alta Bates Summit board-certified Lactation Consultant
are available by appointment. Please call (510) 204-7701 for fees and scheduling information.
Breastfeeding Support Group
This group focusses on breastfeeding techniques, benefits, and emotional support.
Offered: Tuesdays & Fridays from 12:00 - 1:30. Please call for location and registration information.
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