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Best Childbirth Classes in Los Angeles

Build a child birthing experience that brings you comfort and confidence by fully educating yourself and your family before the big day. No matter how natural or doctor-assisted the birth, L.A.'s best classes teach parents all of their options, help them prepare contingency plans and put them at ease.

newborn
Photo Credit: ThinkStock

 
Hoag Hospital
1 Hoag Dr., Bldg. 44
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 764-4624
www.hoag.org

Hoag Hospital's certified RNs and lactation consultants offer a 2.5-hour childbirth class for couples once a week for three weeks. Its prepared childbirth series uses lamaze-style relaxation techniques to prepare parents for premature labor, each stage of labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and cesarean section. Instructors here work to address all of parents' concerns, however, discussing hospital policies parents forget to ask about, as well as what to expect after a hospital birth, epidurals and other emergency procedures. Families are taught comfort measures for each stage of labor, but the community encourages parents and hospital staff to discuss pregnancy concerns overall as well. Classes are first come, first served, so reserve your spot in advance.

Bradley Birth
Photo Credit: bradleybirth.com

The Bradley Method Childbirth Classes
Silverlake Yoga
2810 1/2 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 397-1274
www.bradleybirth.com

The Bradley method childbirth classes at Silverlake Yoga emphasize small, intimate sessions to help families prepare for natural, husband-coached childbirth. These 12-week sessions are led by Liuba Randolph, of the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth, and are designed to teach the history of the Bradley method's natural childbirth approach, nutrition in pregnancy, first and second stages of labor, and planning your birth. The Bradley method focuses on healthy babies, mothers and families based on a 12-point list of endorsements, with proven results for families that commit to an entire 12-week program.

newborn natural childbirth
Photo credit: birthingbaby.com

Birthing Baby
San Fernando Valley, CA
(818) 469-2229
www.birthingbaby.com

Sherry Rumsey, a certified professional midwife, also provides doula services and complete childbirth education. The Los Angeles Birthing Baby's childbirth classes last two hours once a week for eight weeks. Topics include how to avoid an "unnecesarean," relaxation techniques, effective birth plans, anatomy and physiology of birth, natural and altered breathing, and natural pain management. Birthing Baby offers full-spectrum birth assistance and education to help moms, and their partners, prepare for and understand birth. Assistance includes information about home births as well as how to find the right local midwife or doula, no matter your birth plan.

Supported Birth Class
Photo Credit: supportedbirth.com

Supported Birth
West Los Angeles, CA
(310) 445-5060
www.supportedbirth.com

Supported Birth offers variety and flexibility in classes catered toward first-time parents offering a doula-based community approach to childbirth and the first year. Even parents taking refresher courses, or those who had questions about their first childbirth as they move on to having more children, praise these educators' baby-birthing skills. Choose from weekly, monthly, private or semi-private classes on topics including first-world medical interventions, labor and birth, sex and sexuality during pregnancy and after childbirth, fathers and partners as birth coaches, and breastfeeding. Jana Wernor, the founder of Supported Birth, is an International Childbirth Educational Association certified postnatal educator and advanced labor support professional whose classes cater to teaching parents to adapt to their new lives comfortably and naturally.

Bini Birth
Photo Credit: binibirth.com

Bini Birth
5355 Cartwright Ave., Unit 313
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 822-9568
www.binibirth.com

Bini, the acronym for birth is intimate, normal and individual, was founded by an approved birth doula just for moms and their partners. Classes are offered in a six-week series, meeting one night a week, or through an intensive weekend format meeting two full days in one weekend. Topics include transitioning into parenthood, hormone cocktails, pain coping options with hands-on practice, issues regarding sex and intimacy during and after pregnancy, and labor and birth positions and movement. Bini Birth does not adhere to a specific method but rather explores many different options in breathing, positions and pain medications to help each mother find the right birth plan for her pregnancy.

Yvonne Marrow is a married mom and Southern California native. She is a writer, educator and small business owner. Her passion is to search out money saving ideas, deals and strategies that will help you get in touch with your frugal side. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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