When it comes to having a baby, you can count on Swedish for complete support. We offer a wide variety of classes and seminars to help you through your pregnancy and the first few months after your baby's birth. We recommend registering for prenatal classes during your fifth month of pregnancy.
Classes can be registered for individually or as part of our Welcome Baby Package. You can take classes in any order. We encourage all first time parents to take a minimum of a childbirth preparation class, newborn care and breastfeeding class. Plan to complete your prenatal classes and tour of the birth center 4 - 6 weeks before your due date.
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Quarterly Calendar
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Class Descriptions
Tours
Have a Happy Birthday Introductory Tour of Childbirth Services at Swedish
Pre-Birth Tours
Pregnancy and Childbirth Education
OB Speed Dating
Breastfeeding
Bringing Baby Home (Marriage and Relationship Class)
Childbirth Preparation for Multiples
Childbirth Preparation (1-day, 2-day or 6-week series)
Childbirth Preparation Refresher
Conscious Fathering
Coping with Confidence
Baby Your Body Pregnancy Exercise Education
Eating for Multiples
Newborn Care & Safety
Newborn Care
Newborn Preparation Seminar (includes Newborn Care and Breastfeeding)
Baby Needs a Doctor
Hop to Signaroo
Car-Seat Safety and Installation
Infant Safety and CPR
Family Classes
Conscious Fathering
Grandparents Class - Birth to Three Months
Grandparents Class - Three Months and Beyond
Safe Sitter
Sibling Preparation
Support Groups
New Mom Support Group
New Parent Support Group at Swedish/Issaquah
Breastfeeding Support Group
Wellness & Exercise Classes
Baby Your Body Pregnancy Exercise Education
Fit4Baby
Stroller Strides
Itsy Bitsy Baby Yoga
Prenatal Exercise
Body Back
Eating for Multiples
Spanish Language Childbirth Classes
Spanish Language Childbirth Education
Welcome Baby Package
We offer a wide variety of classes and seminars to help you through your pregnancy and the first few months after your baby's birth. Our Welcome Baby Package allows you and one support person to take a group of pre-natal classes at a special rate. Please note that payment for this package is non-refundable after the first class is completed. Class sizes are limited and registrants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with or without the Welcome Baby Package code – so please sign up quickly. Specifically the package price includes:
- Childbirth Preparation classes: choice of one: Series, Seminar, Refresher, Planned Cesarean Birth Class, Preparing for Multiples
- Baby Your Body
- Coping with Confidence
- Newborn and Parenting classes including: Newborn Care, Breastfeeding, Newborn Preparation, Conscious Fathering
- Infant Safety Classes: Infant Safety and CPR, Car-Seat Installation and Safety
- Grandparents Class
- Sibling Preparation
Rescheduling of classes will be granted only when Swedish Birth & Family Education is notified two business days prior to the beginning of any class, series or course. Missed classes or no-shows require additional payment to reschedule. Registering for more than one class of the same name will result in your being dropped from both classes. Please do not register for the same class more than one time using the Welcome Baby Package coupon code.
Fee: $300/couple
Once you have registered for the Welcome Baby Package you will receive an email containing a coupon code that will allow you to register for eligible classes without additional payment. Please check your email for this coupon code and enter it in the "Apply Coupon". You will then press "submit" to confirm your registration.
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Birth Center Tours
We invite you to take a closer look at our Childbirth Centers at the Swedish/First Hill, Swedish/Ballard, Swedish/Edmonds and Swedish/Issaquah campuses, and our comprehensive range of support services. We offer both introductory tours for those who are still choosing their hospital and pre-birth tours for those nearing their due date. See below for a complete description of each tour.
Have a Happy Birthday Tour is designed for people who are contemplating pregnancy or are early in pregnancy and still considering which hospital or doctor to choose. Let us show you why Swedish welcomes more babies into the world than any other hospital in the state, while also treating each birth as a uniquely personal event. You will enjoy a walking tour of our childbirth center, have plenty of time for questions, and receive information on choosing a Swedish doctor or midwife.
Chances are, you'll never need all the advanced services and technology Swedish offers. Still, it's comforting to know that even if something unexpected happens during your pregnancy, labor or delivery, Swedish is ready. Swedish is home to the state's largest Perinatal Medicine Program for high-risk moms, and our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offers the region's highest degree of care for sick or premature infants, including neonatologists in the hospital around the clock.
This tour is appropriate for those contemplating pregnancy or are in their first trimester of pregnancy. Tour lasts 1.5-hours.
Pre-Birth Tour is designed for people who are anticipating the birth of their baby in 4 - 8 weeks. This tour gives you the specifics of where to park, which entrance to use, how to get to the birth center, ammenities in each birthing suite, what to bring with you, post partum care, pre-birth registration and plenty of time for questions. This tour lasts 1-hour. We ask that children under the age of 10 not attend this tour.
Fee: Free
OB Speed Dating
If you’re expecting or thinking about having a baby, finding the right provider is a pretty good place to start this incredible journey. When you come to OB Speed Dating, you’ll meet several providers who deliver at Swedish, and get to know them in a fun, low-key environment. After you’ve signed up, you and several other couples will come to Swedish for an hour, where you’ll have five-minute one-on-one interviews with each provider. You can ask them anything you want. If you hit it off with one, then you can make a follow-up appointment when you’re ready to start your care. Providers you meet at OB Speed Dating deliver at the campus where the event is held.
Fee: Free, but pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Breastfeeding
This class is specifically designed to teach both parents how to have a successful and rewarding breastfeeding experience. Topics include health benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, the supportive role of the partner, positions for breastfeeding, how to know if your baby is getting enough milk, pumping and storing milk, troubleshooting, and how to continue breastfeeding if you are returning to work. We recommend all first time parents take this class and that both parents attend. Cost of this class includes two people taking the class together at the same time. 2.5 hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package.
Fee: $45/couple
Learn parenting and relationship skills that will last a lifetime. Prepare yourself for life with your baby and discover how to be the best parenting team possible. This workshop, developed by renowned relationship experts, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, helps to prepare you for the most important and rewarding job you will ever have, raising a child. The Bringing Baby Home (BBH) workshop focuses on providing new parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to cope constructively with the birth of their child. Through lecture, group discussion and activities the BBH workshop teaches couples how to strengthen their friendship, increase intimacy, regulate conflict and how to build a "relationship house". Couples learn to co-parent with their partner to foster child development and to see the value of keeping dad involved. You will learn skills to become sensitive and responsive parents in an effort to promote healthier children in the emotional, social, cognitive and physical realms. The BBH workshop encourages early parent-infant dialogue and increases positive communication, ritual development and shared meaning for the whole family. This workshop is designed for couples who are pregnant or have infants up to three years of age. Babies up to 3 months old welcome. 2-day class. 14 hours total.
Fee: $160/couple
Childbirth Preparation for Multiples
This class includes vital information for families expecting multiples. Class content includes information on the importance of nutrition in a multiple pregnancy, the physical and emotional challenges of multiple pregnancy and ways to reduce stress and stay more comfortable. You will learn the signs of preterm labor and other potential complications. Also included is what to expect during labor, birth, cesarean birth and recovery and how multiple pregnancy and birth differs from singleton birth. In addition you will learn about postpartum adjustment. You will also learn about newborn care of multiples, breastfeeding multiples, support groups and networking. Hear from new parents of multiples in our panel discussion. Families expecting twins are encouraged to begin this class between 18 - 22 weeks of pregnancy. Families expecting higher order multiples should begin class between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. A new baby reunion is included.
Included in Welcome Baby Package.
Fee: $205/couple (each class is 3 hours for a total of 15 hours of class time)
Childbirth Preparation
While no one can tell you what your birth experience will be like, this class can help you feel prepared, confident and ready for the birth of your baby. All formats cover the labor process, labor coping skills, pain medication, interventions of pregnancy and labor, cesarean birth, postpartum adjustment and more. Plan to finish this class 4-6 weeks prior to your due date. Taking our Coping With Confidence class after your childbirth preparation class will give you additional practice and review time with labor coping skills. Please register separately for a pre-birth tour of our childbirth center at First Hill, Ballard, Edmonds or Issaquah. The 6-week childbirth series include a childbirth reunion and have more time for discussion and labor coping skills.
This class is offered in several formats to suit your schedule and interest.
Childbirth Preparation 1-day Seminar- One 8 hour class offered some Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Childbirth Preparation 2-day Seminar-8 hour class meets two evenings for 4 hours each or over a weekend 4 hours each Saturday and Sunday.
Childbirth Preparation 6-week Series-This series combines a 4-week childbirth class with a newborn care class and a breastfeeding class to give participants the opportunity to stay with the same instructor and group of class participants for the best learning experience. Class meets one night a week for 2.5 hours for 6 weeks. Includes a childbirth reunion.
(All Childbirth classes are included in the Welcome Baby Package)
Fee: 8-hour classes $115/couple
Fee: 6-week series 15 hour series $210/couple
6-week childbirth series include a new baby reunion to be scheduled during the series.
Childbirth Preparation Refresher
For those with previous childbirth experience we offer this 4-hour refresher childbirth class. Expectant parents have time to revisit their past birth experience, review labor and birth, practice labor coping skills and discuss with other parents how they are preparing their children for a new sibling. Also included at the end of class is a special segment for those considering a vaginal birth after previous cesarean.
"I am so glad that we took this time to prepare for THIS baby!" -Refresher class participant
(For expectant parents with children 3 years to 10 years old we recommend our Sibling Preparation class.) This class is specially designed to help siblings prepare for the new baby. It includes the birth story (told at an age appropriate level with a large doll ), an age appropriate video, discussion about what it will be like with a new baby in the family and a walking tour of the childbirth center. This class is 1.5 hours long. See Sibling Preparation for more information and to register. )
Included in Welcome Baby Package.
Fee: $65/couple
Conscious Fathering
It's tough to be a real partner in parenting if you don't know much about babies. This terrific program for dads empowers new fathers to build a partnership in caring for and nurturing their children from the very first day. Class provides men an opportunity to learn their newborn baby's 5 basic needs, how baby communicates these needs and how to not only meet their baby's needs - but anticipate them. This class is recommended for every expectant father! 3-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package.
Fee: $45/father
Coping With Confidence - Labor Coping Skills
This class should be taken after your childbirth preparation class. This class gives you and your support person additional practice and learning time to become comfortable with important labor coping techniques. A variety of labor coping skills are reviewed including relaxation, breathing patterns, attention-focusing, touch, visualization, position changes and rhythm and ritual. This class is recommended for all expectant families. It should be taken after you have completed your childbirth class. 2-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package.
Fee: $40/couple
Baby Your Body Pregnancy Exercise Education
This 2-week class was developed by a physical therapist from Swedish/Ballard's Rehabilitation Department. It is designed to help you stay comfortable and experience less pain during pregnancy. We encourage you to begin this class early in pregnancy for the most benefit but it can be taken at any time. This class is for women only.
Included in the class:
Baby Your Back - Teaches proper body mechanics, movement strategies as well as positioning and exercises aimed at keeping your back comfortable and injury free during pregnancy and infant care.
Pelvic Floor: The Key to Women's Health - Stresses the importance of pelvic-floor health. Topics include the basic structure of the pelvic-floor muscle structure, the function of the pelvic floor during pregnancy and labor, and exercises to prevent incontinence after pregnancy.
Exercise and Review
Fee: $45/person
Pregnancy is a time of many questions, but some of the most asked are around nutrition and diet. This is especially the case when preparing for multiples. This class will help you determine the best foods, vitamins and supplements for you and your babies during your pregnancy. Plan to take this class during your first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy) when nutrition is particularly important. Taking our Preparing for Multiples class after will give you additional information about a pregnancy with multiples.
Fee: $50/person
Newborn Care
This course provides important information regarding the care of your new baby including how to bathe, soothe, swaddle, diaper, dress and feed your baby. Also included are newborn behaviors, newborn procedures, newborn appearance, growth and development, sleep safety and when to call your baby's health-care provider. This is an excellent class for all first-time parents and care-providers. We recommend both parents attend this class. 3-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package.
Fee: $50/couple
Newborn Preparation
This efficient 6-hour course combines the newborn care class and breastfeeding class content. There is a 30-minute break between classes. Please see these class descriptions for more detailed information. We recommend both parents attend this class together. 6-hour class.
Included in Welcome Baby Package.
Fee: $95/couple
It’s never too early to start thinking about who will care for your baby. With so many doctors to choose from, finding the right one for your baby can be overwhelming. Meet with physicians in person to help put you at ease and explain what you should look for in a doctor, what questions to ask, and what services to consider, such as electronic medical records and after-hours care.
At this one hour event you will be introduced to Swedish and affiliated physicians who will answer your questions, share their philosophy of care, and provide tips on taking care of your newborn. The doctors will also be available for one-on-one interviews if you’re interested in establishing your baby’s care with them.
Fee: Free
Hearing families can use American Sign Language to communicate with hearing babies as young as 5 months old. Signing greatly reduces baby's frustration, promotes faster language development, stimulates intellectual growth and brain development, enhances motor skills and strengthens your parent-child bond. Four sessions. Fee: $128 plus required $19 materials fee payable at the first class. Class materials includes a Safety and Comfort Roo-minder Ring, set of reminder cards and a comprehensive class packet with resources, photos, descriptions and memory aids for 80 additional signs taught in class. Scholarships available - please call 206-386-2502 before registering online. Enrollment is for one or both parents of the same baby, or one parent and a grandparent. Details at www.hoptosignaroo.com.
Fee: $128 registers one or both parents (not included in Welcome Baby Package)
Car-Seat Safety and Installation
Car safety seats can be confusing! Come to our car seat safety and installation class to learn how to keep your baby safe during travel. Our Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will teach you how to choose the right car seat for your baby, how to install it properly with either the seat belt or the newer LATCH system, and what is required by Washington's child restraint laws. It's a very practical, hands-on class. You will have the opportunity to ask lots of questions, harness a baby doll into a car seat, and install a car seat onto our demonstration seat. If you already have your car seat, you are welcome to bring it to class to practice on - but this is not required. You can practice with our seats and you may prefer to wait until after class to choose a seat. Your instructor will have lots of suggestions about which features are important both for your child's safety and for your convenience. Don't wait - learn how to keep your child safe from the first ride home!
2.5 hour class.
Included in Welcome Baby Package.
Fee: $45/couple
Infant CPR and Safety
Pediatricians agree that prevention of unintentional injuries is the key to keeping your baby safe. Before your baby arrives get prepared to keep him or her safe by learning how to prevent the most common unintentional injuries of infants and toddlers. You will earn about common safety hazards in and around the house, what's recommended for infant sleep safety and basic tips for preparing your pets, along with many other important topics. You will also learn the proper procedures for assisting an infant, up to one year of age, who is choking or is unresponsive.
This class is recommended for parents, grandparents and anyone caring for a newborn or infant up to 1 year of age. CPR and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction procedures are American Heart Association curriculum.
3-hour class.
This class is included in the Welcome Baby package.
Fee: $50/couple
Grandparents Class - Birth to Three Months
"Babies haven't changed, but what we know about them has changed". This fun and informative class teaches grandparents the latest information regarding pregnancy and parenting. It covers current trends in maternity practices and infant care. Included is the most current information regarding breastfeeding and the reasons for putting new babies to sleep on their back. It also gives grandparents a chance to discuss new ideas about parenting and how they can play an important role. 3-hour class
One-set of grandparents included in Welcome Baby Package. Additional grandparents must be registered and paid for separately.
Fee: $45/couple
Grandparents Class - Three Months and Beyond
Delving further into issues covered in our Grandparents Class, this class will offer tools, tips and guidance on play time with your grandchild, keeping them safe, and supporting your adult child as they begin the journey of parenthood. Whether you’re grandparenting from afar or playing a more regular caregiving role, learn the skills to become an even grander grandparent. This class is intended for new grandparents with grandchildren 3 months old and beyond.
Fee: $45/couple
Safe Sitter®
Safe Sitter is a medically accurate program that teaches boys and girls how to be good babysitters. The class covers basic lifesaving techniques, safety precautions and responsibilities of safe babysitting and is recommended for ages 11-13.
Fee: $40/child (scholarships available on a limited basis).
Sibling Preparation
Just as your first baby had a major impact on your life, your new baby will have considerable impact on his or her older sibling's life. This class helps children age 3 to 10 years old understand the birth process and what it's like to have a new baby in the family. A mini-tour of the birth center is included which will help prepare them for visiting mom in the hospital. Each sibling should be registered separately. A parent must accompany child during the class. Children must be at least 3 years old to attend this class.1.5 hour class.
Welcome Baby Package covers 1 sibling attending this class. Additional siblings must be registered and paid for separately.
Fee: $20/child
New Mom Support Group is an informal group that meets for eight 1 ½ hour sessions. Participants are welcome to enroll in more than one series. Mothers share questions, concerns and experiences with other new mothers and an experienced group facilitator. A wide variety of topics are discussed including feeding and sleep issues, the emotional adjustment to parenthood, maintaining couples' relationships, managing careers and parenthood and infant development. Infant weight checks are offered at the end of each meeting.
Fee: $80/eight-week series
New Parent Support Group at Swedish/Issaquah
Come meet other new parents! This eight-week group is for new parents and their babies. Parents bring questions, concerns and parenting experiences to this group facilitated by an experienced parent educator. A wide variety of topics are discussed including feeding and sleep issues, typical postpartum changes, and the emotional adjustment to parenthood. Infant weight checks are available.
Fee: $80/eight-week series
Breastfeeding Support Group
The Swedish Breastfeeding Center offers a breastfeeding support group at Swedish/Ballard. The group is held on Wednesdays from 2:00pm-3:30pm at the Ballard Campus. Please check the information sign located at the entrance for room location. It's perfect for any new mom who has questions about breastfeeding, but doesn't need a one-on-one consultation. Registration is not required. The Ballard campus is located at 5300 Tallman Ave NW. For more information, call 206-386-MOMS (6667).
Fee: $10
Fit4Baby®
Fit4Baby is a program designed to strengthen the body for all the changes it will experience during pregnancy. The class includes cardio, strength, flexibility and balance training. Fit4Baby is designed to accommodate all stages of pregnancy and various fitness levels. These classes are for moms only. Each nationally-certified instructor is trained in providing the pregnant woman with exercises that are safe and appropriate for her changing body. Fit4Baby classes are interval-based, combining elements of strength training, cardiovascular exercises, stretching and balancing exercises. Classes are one hour each and are currently offered at Swedish/Ballard. For more information, click here or call 206-660-9539.
Fee: 5-class pass, $65; 10-class pass, $100. A monthly membership is also available with a free first class (not included in Welcome Baby Package).
Stroller Strides®
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially-trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to entertain and engage baby, while moms are led through a series of exercises specific to her role as mom. This unique program also provides moms with the opportunity to meet other moms, engage in playgroups with their babies, and to form lasting friendships. Stroller Strides is designed to give mothers the “Strength for Motherhood!” Classes are one hour each and are currently offered at Swedish/Ballard. For more information, visit click here or call 206-660-9539.
Fee: 5-class pass, $65; 10-class pass, $100. A monthly membership is also available with a free first class (not included in Welcome Baby Package).
Itsy Bitsy® Baby Yoga
Itsy Bitsy Baby Yoga with Lori is a developmental movement class designed to nurture babies. Parents learn dozens of poses to soothe and support their baby’s development. Each week, parents lovingly engage their babies in poses that encourage tummy time which helps to build a strong core needed for sitting and crawling. Various poses also introduce cross-lateral patterns for whole brain function, ways to soothe fussiness and crying, help baby sleep longer, and aid in digestion. Attending the baby yoga classes are a great way to bond with your baby and better understand your child’s emerging personality, flourishing motor development, and innate learning style. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with new parents in Seattle! Classes are one hour each and are currently offered at Swedish/First Hill and Swedish/Ballard. For more information, click here or call 206-351-7864.
Fee: 6-week session, $72. Individual drop-in (requires instructor approval), $15. Enrollment is for one adult and one baby (not included in Welcome Baby Package).
Prenatal Exercise
You are invited to join us at our weekly prenatal exercise class, led by one of our experienced physical therapists. Strengthen your body in preparation for labor and delivery. Learn exercises to do during pregnancy and postpartum. Enjoy exercising with music in a safe and supportive group atmosphere. Drop-in class each Monday from 5:00pm -6:30pm. Class content repeats every four weeks.
Class meets at the Swedish/First Hill Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, 1101 Madison, Suite 200, Seattle. Call 206-386-2035 for directions and more information.
Pre-registration is not necessary.
Fee: $10 per class (included in Welcome Baby Package)
Body Back®
Body Back® is a results based workout program for moms of any age. Inspired by the Mama Wants Her Body Back video series, it offers high intensity, interval workouts along with before and after fitness assessments, coaching and support so that you will see weight loss, increased strength and energy. The workouts will help moms lose weight and get their pre-baby bodies back. One hour class is currently offered at Swedish/Mill Creek. For details, call 800-524-0279.
Fee: $299 for Stroller Strides members and $349 for non-members (includes two workouts per week, plus a meal plan, food journal, before and after assessments and support. (This class is not included in Welcome Baby Package.)
Spanish Language Childbirth Education
We are pleased to offer a one-day childbirth education class in Spanish. Classes are taught by a native Spanish-speaking certified childbirth educator. The class covers the labor process, labor coping skills, pain medication, interventions of pregnancy and labor, cesarean birth, postpartum adjustment and more. We encourage both partners to attend this class together. Please do not bring children or other family members to class.
