A. In Vancouver, our classes are held at two different locations in central/east Vancouver. Workshops and refreshers take place near Victoria Dr. and 16th and our evening series at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Please see class descriptions for more information.

A. Our classes stand out for several reasons:

• Our package includes instruction and support from the earliest point in pregnancy right through labour and birth and continues into parenthood – all for a surprisingly low price
• Our classes are rich in quality and combine hands-on techniques with evidence-based information
• We augment our class discussions with many different media and activities to help engage every style of learner
• Class materials include our own 70-page handbook, audio CD, and various publications useful to expectant and new parents
• Our grads tend to form lasting friendships and keep in touch with one another for many years
• Our classes are filled with support and good humour — our clients look forward to attending each session

A. Certainly! If you are single, or if your partner is unavailable to come to the classes, you are welcome to come by yourself or to bring a friend or relative.

A. All of our prenatal instructors:

• Hold Childbirth Education Certificates from recognized and respectable institutions
• Have completed a demanding practicum and certify annually with The Childbearing Society
• Are required to regularly update credentials by attending conferences and workshops, and by reading relevant publications, books and journals
• Are required to attend births on an ongoing basis
• Are mothers themselves
• Share a passion for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies!

A. We stand out for several reasons:

• Our teachers are all Certified Childbirth Educators and are continuously upgrading their credentials
• We have been operating since 1974, making us the longest-established provider of prenatal classes in the Lower Mainland
• We are the only registered non-profit childbirth education society in the Lower Mainland, and as such, we are able to provide high quality classes for a very affordable price
• We receive referrals and high praise from midwives, family doctors and obstetricians alike.
• We support you for the entire childbearing year, from early in pregnancy, through labour and birth, and onwards into the first several months of parenthood through our three distinct sets of classes: Healthy Pregnancy, Prenatal, and Postpartum.
• Our instructors also make themselves available by phone and email before and after your classes and your birth, for any questions you may have.

A. Yes. Prenatal classes would certainly be beneficial. Through prenatal classes you will network with and learn from other people at the same stage of pregnancy as yourself, you will benefit from group activities and multi-media teaching aids, you will enjoy approximately 18 hours of instruction, and you will learn the four essentials that foster a confident and rewarding labour and birth: knowledge, relaxation/breathing techniques, comfort measures, and decision-making. It is an excellent idea to engage a doula to provide labour support. While a doula can certainly enhance your prenatal class experience, a doula does not replace it.

A. Yes. It is wonderful that you are reading books and informing yourself about your pregnancy and birth. We believe that knowledge empowers. However, there is no replacement for the special kind of learning that happens through group discussion and hands-on activities. With the help of our multi-media teaching aids, skilled instructors and lively discussions, you will have the opportunity to benefit from other people’s questions and insights, and to discover much about your own expectations and inner-resources that cannot be found in books.

A. Wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in freely. It is best to avoid tight skirts or any clothing that might limit your movement.

A. Contact us at 604 878-1031 or stephanie@childbearing.org. As a non-profit society, we keep the price of advertising in our newsletter very affordable.

A. Most people take Breastfeeding Night the Monday after the workshop. If you are unable to attend that night, you are welcome to register for the Breastfeeding Night in a different month than your workshop.

A. No. Breastfeeding is covered in classes 5 & 6 of the series.

A. Not to worry! Ask about our special Low Income Rate.

A. The following classes are all included with your Weekend Workshop registration:

• The Healthy Pregnancy (2 evenings for mothers only)
• Breastfeeding Night (1 evening for mothers only-partners welcome only if space permits)
• Weekend Workshop (2 five-hour days, for mothers and partners)
• Reunion (date to be determined during your workshop)
• 4 Postpartum Classes (for parents and babies)

You will receive an e-mail confirming your dates for all of the above classes.

A. The following classes are all included with your Evening Series registration:

• The Healthy Pregnancy (2 evenings for mothers only)
• Prenatal Series (7 classes, for mothers and partners)
• Reunion (date to be determined during your series)
• 4 Postpartum Classes (for parents and babies)

You will receive an e-mail confirming your dates for all of the above classes.

A. The classes rotate on a three-month, 12 class, basis and cover topics such as infant feeding, sleep, crying, diapering, infant health, postpartum adjustment, and many others. For the current schedule, you can download the PDF.

First month (four classes) included free of charge with prenatal class series.
Subsequent two months $60 if booked prior to birth; $100 ($50 per month) if booked after the birth;
$20 drop-in if space permits. Expectant parents are welcome to drop in free of charge;
includes membership in the Childbearing Google discussion group.

A. Whether you are planning a hospital birth or a homebirth, whether your caregiver is a midwife or a doctor, The Childbearing Society’s classes are right for you. Our balanced combination of information with exploration makes our format perfect for everyone who is expecting a baby. We focus on four main points to guide you through your birth experience and into parenthood: knowledge, relaxation, comfort measures, and decision-making. Our classes transcend any particular ‘style’, and incorporate the best of Lamaze, Bradley, Birthing From Within, Birthworks and Hypnobirthing, among others; they will help you to become well informed, prepared, confident, and supported.

A. We cover everything you need to know about labour and birth, at home or in the hospital. Our topics include the stages of labour, pain management techniques and comfort measures, medical interventions, breastfeeding, postpartum adjustment, and basic newborn care, to name just a few.

A. We teach a diverse range of coping methods including relaxation techniques, breath awareness, positions for labour, special types of massage, comfort measures, hydrotherapy, movement, visualization, toning and labour support. We discuss the Gate Control theory of pain relief, and the neurochemical role of pain. As we explore attitudes towards pain, preconceptions about labour pain, and individual coping strategies, we help you discover and draw upon the internal and external resources that work best for

A. As soon as possible! The Healthy Pregnancy classes are best taken as soon as possible in your pregnancy, although there is still information relevant to mums in their last trimestre.

A. In general we recommend taking the Evening Series if your schedule allows. Both the Evening Series and Weekend Workshop provide high quality classes with excellent instructors that cover the essentials of childbirth, breastfeeding, postpartum and newborns. However, there are advantages to choosing the Evening Series:

• It is easier to retain the information spread out over seven weeks than condensed into one weekend
• The extra two hours of instruction allows more practice of techniques, more in-depth discussion and participant-directed focus, and slightly more content.
• Lasting friendships are more likely to be formed in the Evening Series, since participants get to know each other over a period of time.
• During the course of a series there is the opportunity to borrow resources such as books, DVDs and articles
• As the instructor gets to know you over the course of a series she is better able to address your specific needs, wants, and concerns

A. Yes; see above for pricing. To register contact 604 878-1031 or registration@childbearing.org

A. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 604 878-1031 or registration@childbearing.org