Birth Prep and Parent Education

Birth Prep & Parenting Education

Space is limited, please sign up early!

Childbirth and new baby classes marked as (PTWC) are offered in partnership with the Great Starts™ program of Parent Trust for Washington Children.

Click here to register for classes.

Questions about classes?

For any questions about Parent Trust (PTWC) classes, or to register by phone, please email greatstarts@parenttrust.org or call Great Starts at 206.789.0883.

Scholarships are available for PTWC classes—Please inquire.

Birth and Parenting Preparation Classes

Choose from classes that cover essential info about birth and parenting, with comprehensive, multi-week or abbreviated mini-series formats to fit your schedule.

Conscious Fathering (PTWC)

Expectant dads learn how to meet babies’ most basic needs: to be fed, to burp, to be comfortable, to be rested, and to be responded to when they cry. We also discuss how you will become the kind of dad you want to be. This class is for expectant dads, or dads of newborns (new/expectant father-figures also welcome to register). 2 hours, single session class. (Included with comprehensive birth series registration. Scholarships available for all others—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

Life with Baby (PTWC)

Ideal for those who want more information about what to expect after baby comes, content of this class goes beyond the basics of Newborn Care and helps answer questions about how to prepare to life as parents for the first year after baby's birth. We work to develop a realistic picture of what to expect, we offer practical tips for managing common challenges, and we discuss the importance of self-care and a network of support. Topics include developing routines for coping with some common challenges of life with baby, getting sleep and taking care of yourself as a parent, returning to work, strengthening the couple relationship, finding a supportive network, becoming the parent you want to be, and other topics of relevance to new parents. 2.5 hours, single session class. (Scholarships available--call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

Newborn Care (PTWC)

Learn how to care for your baby (swaddling, diapering, bathing, health and safety), newborn sleep patterns, infant communication, understanding crying and techniques for soothing. We focus on the first few months of life, but also cover support resources you can use as you move forward on your parenting journey. 2.5 hours, single session class.
(Note: newborn care is included in the Comprehensive series. Scholarships available—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

Car Seat Safety

All newborns, infants and children (within certain age and weight ranges) are required to ride in a car seat by Washington state law. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent: Avoid putting your baby at risk of injury if an accident occurs by ensuring your seat is installed correctly.

Review this Safe Kids checklist to make sure you know how to make sure your child’s car seat is properly installed.

Videos are also available to help you learn how to properly install your child’s car seat.

Learn the details about Washington’s child safety seat and seat belt laws.

View a video about properly buckling your seat belt during pregnancy.

Other Educational Resources

Many FREE and community resources are available to help you prepare for this exciting new chapter in your life.

Text4Baby Text Message Health Tips

Get FREE messages each week on your cell phone to help you through your pregnancy and your baby's first year. To subscribe, text "BABY" (“BEBE” para Español) to 511411 receive three free text messages a week, timed to your baby's due date or birth date, through pregnancy and up until the baby’s first birthday. The messages address topics such as labor signs and symptoms, prenatal care, urgent alerts, developmental milestones, immunizations, nutrition, birth defect prevention, safe sleep, safety, and more. Text ‘STOP’ to discontinue messages or ‘HELP’ for help at any time.Text4baby is an educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.

Learn More

Tips for Preventing SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained. It is also known as crib death.

Learn More

Pregnancy & Childbirth Online Health Library: 24/7 Health Tips, Quizzes & Information

Valley's health library, you'll find educational information about pregnancy, childbirth, children's health, and more.