Childbirth Classes
We are here to provide your family with education, resources and support. Our classes focus on pregnancy, childbirth preparation and early newborn care.
OHSU offers a variety of classes to help expecting mothers and their partners learn more about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting.
Class descriptions, schedules and prices are listed below.
- Register early in your pregnancy.
- Plan on attending class(es) during the last two months of your pregnancy.
- To register, please choose your classes below and register online.
- If registration for your chosen class(es) is unavailable, please contact the class coordinator.
Childbirth and Early Parenting Classes:
- Birthing From Within
- Breastfeeding Basics
- Childbirth A-Z
- Childbirth A-Z Refresher
- Childbirth Comprehensive Package: Includes Childbirth A-Z Weekly Series, Breastfeeding Basics and Newborn Care
- Family Birthing Center Virtual Tour
- Growing Baby Green: Provide an eco-healthy home for you and your new family
- Infant Massage Coming March 2010!
- Infant Safety and CPR
- Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
- Newborn Care
- New Mom Support Group
- Parenting Your Toddler Coming April 2010!
- Relaxation Skills For Labor and Life
- Waterbirth
Birthing from Within
The Birthing From Within model of childbirth preparation includes exploring doing the next best thing in any given moment, practicing how to stay mindful of the moment, and discussing ways to stay solution focused. Birthing from Within philosophy holds that childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event, even when medical care is part of the birth. This unique class embraces the holistic nature of birth while exploring the childbearing process through art exploration, ritual, and practical exercises for pain-coping. Learn more about Nicole Sanson-Frey, OHSU's Birthing from Within mentor, at Moving Through Center.
Register Now… Attend During Months 6, 7, 8 of Your Pregnancy
Class Fee: $225 per couple
Class Fee: $275 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Birthing from Within Comprehensive Package
Make is simple and sign up for Birthing from Within, Breastfeeding Basics and Newborn Care all at once!
Class Fee: $260 per couple
Class Fee: $330 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
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Breastfeeding Basics
Breastfeeding Basics offers information to help make your breastfeeding experience a successful one. Learn what to expect during the first few weeks of establishing a happy and healthy breastfeeding relationship with your baby, and much more. Taught by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and Certified Lactation Educators, common questions and/or concerns will be addressed. For more information regarding Breastfeeding and Lactation Services at OHSU, please visit OHSU Lactation Services.
Register Now… Attend During Months 6, 7, 8 of Your Pregnancy
Class Fee: $25 per couple
Class Fee: $35 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Childbirth A-Z
This course is designed for first time parents. This series explores everything you need to know about having a baby at OHSU. Classes will prepare you and your birth partner for the physical and emotional aspects of late pregnancy, labor and birth, comfort measures, pain management and cesarean birth as well as the first hour of your baby’s life and you as a new mother. You can take the class as a five week series or over one weekend. For additional education on bringing your baby home, please check out Growing Baby Green, Infant Safety and CPR and Newborn Care.
Register Now… Attend During Months 6, 7, 8 of Your Pregnancy
A-Z: Five Week Series
Class Fee: $85 per couple
Class Fee: $135 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
- Thursdays, April 15 – May 13, 2010
- Tuesdays, April 27 – May 25, 2010
- Thursdays, June 3 – July 1, 2010
- Tuesdays, June 15 – July 13, 2010
A-Z: One Weekend
Class Fee: $95 per couple
Class Fee: $145 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 6 p.m. (Lunch Break included)
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Childbirth A-Z Refresher
Childbirth A-Z Refresher is for experienced parents who have attended previous Childbirth Education class(es). Childbirth A-Z Refresher reviews breathing and relaxation techniques as well as provides up to date information on current birthing trends.
Class Fee: $50 per couple
Class Fee: $80 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Childbirth Comprehensive Package
Includes Childbirth A-Z Weekly Series, Breastfeeding Basics and Newborn Care
This package combines our three most popular courses for first-time parents. Make it simple and sign up for all three at once.
Childbirth Weeknight Comprehensive Package
Class Fee: $120 per couple
Class Fee: $190 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Class Location:Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
- Thursdays, April 15 – May 27, 2010
- Tuesdays, April 27 – June 8, 2010
- Thursdays, June 3 – July 15, 2010
- Tuesdays, June 15 – July 27, 2010
Childbirth Comprehensive Package Weekend Intensive
Class Fee: $135 per couple
Class Fee: $205 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time:Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 6 p.m. (Lunch Break included)
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Family Birth Center Virtual Tour
Learn more about the care you and your baby will receive at OHSU with the Family Birth Center Virtual Tour. Familiarize you and your partner with OHSU’s state of the art Labor and Delivery and Mother Baby Unit. Click here to view online videos of OHSU's Childbirth Facilities.
Family Birth Center Tour… en Español!
Aprenda más sobre el cuidado que usted y su bebé recibirá en OHSU. Haga clic aquí para ver los videos en línea de parto de la OHSU Instalaciones.
Growing Baby Green
Growing Baby Green is both safe and simple. Discover easy tips and tricks to promote and protect your families' health, home and environment. Learn safe techniques to manage pests, simple solutions to clean your home, shopping tips to ensure nutritious eating habits and how to be wise with plastics. Come join us to learn how to create safe and non-toxic home for your family. Take-aways include your own green cleaner, natural baby wipes and homemade baby food recipe cards. Learn more about Stephanie Horace, (ADD)Certified Health Education Specialist , at Green Neighbor Project.
Register Now… Attend During Pregnancy or After Delivery
Class Fee: $35 per couple
Class Fee: $45 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Infant Massage
Learn how to massage your baby. Classes are taught by Certified Infant Massage Instructors (CIMI's) and designed especially for parents, grandparents, and primary caregivers.
Register Now… Attend After Delivery
Class Fee: $35 per couple
Class Fee: $45 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: TBA
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
- Summer 2010 – Date and Time Coming Soon!
Infant Safety and CPR
Be prepared! Come learn the most current information about infant safety. Practice the most current techniques in infant CPR and infant choking using the latest American Heart Association guidelines. This course will also review car seat safety, childproofing the home, poison prevention, general safety issues, SIDS awareness and the Back to Sleep Program. For additional education on providing an eco-healthy home for you and your new family, please see Growing Baby Green.
Register Now… Attend During Pregnancy or After Delivery
Class Fee: $80 per couple
Class Fee: $100 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Weekday Session Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Weekend SessionTime: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Lunch Break included)
Class Location: OHSU Hospital, 14th floor, UHS 14B20 East
Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Does your back hurt? Most women have nagging low back pain during pregnancy. This class will teach you simple ways to do everything better. We’ll practice walking, standing, sitting, and even getting out of bed! Class will be taught by Caroline Peterson, D.C., Ph.D., M.P.H., C.P.M. Dr. Peterson is a chiropractic physician, midwife, biological anthropologist, and epidemiologist. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Ob/Gyn through the National Institutes of Health. You can contact Caroline at at 503-494-9855 or petcarol@ohsu.edu
Class Fee: FREE
Class Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Class Location:Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Newborn Care
Newborn Care provides information on the unique needs of newborns. Learn methods of holding, diapering and bathing your new baby. This class covers newborn appearance, hospital procedures, newborn characteristics, sleep issues and calming a crying baby. For additional education on providing an eco-healthy home for you and your new family, please see Growing Baby Green.
Register Now… Attend During Months 6, 7, 8 of Your Pregnancy
Class Fee: $35 per couple
Class Fee: $45 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6 - 9 p.m. [1 - 4 p.m. Saturday]
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
New Mom Support Group
Mothers to the rescue! New moms who have given birth at OHSU are invited to this informal discussion group facilitated by Parent Educators and Lactation Consultants. This weekly group is designed as a place to share experiences, find advice, give support and help answer a myriad questions: How can I get some sleep? Is my newborn's behavior normal? Is my baby getting enough breastmilk? I used to work — now, how can I entertain myself all day at home? Babies up to 6 months old are welcome.
Class Fee: FREE
Class Fee: $35 if delivery outside of OHSU, Class Fee due at first New Mom Support Group Class
Time: Tuesday, 10:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor.
New Mom Support Group begins Tuesday, May 4th 2010.
Parenting your Toddler
Learn to practice the basics of good parenting while empowering yourself as a healthy and positive role model.
Class Fee: $35 per couple
Class Fee: $45 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: TBA
Class Location: Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
- Fall 2010 – Date and Time Coming Soon!
Relaxation Skills for Labor and Life
Relaxation Skills for Labor and Life is a unique workshop focusing on relaxation exercises, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, breathing techniques and positions for labor. Take this class to learn skills to cope with labor and other life stresses. This course is to be taken in addition to a childbirth education series. Learn more about Nancy B. Wheeler, Licensed Hypnotherapist, at A Balanced Life.
Class Fee: $40 per couple
Class Fee: $50 per couple if delivering outside of OHSU
Class Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Location:Center for Women's Health, Peter O. Kohler Pavilion, 7th floor
Waterbirth Class
Waterbirth Class is designed to help you and your partner learn about Waterbirth at OHSU through the Nurse Midwifery Practice. Our Nurse Midwife will discuss uses for water immersion during labor and birth, the guidelines for use of the watertub as well as safety issues. An opportunity for questions and answers will also be provided. Learn about OHSU's Nurse Midwifery Practice at Center for Women's Health.
Class Fee: FREE
Class Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Class Location: OHSU Richmond Clinic (3930 SE Division St.)
