Best Childbirth And New Parent Classes In Chicago

After announcing the pregnancy and getting through that tumultuous first few months, most expectant parents face the true scary part: child birth and having a new baby. Decisions abound, so finding the right professionals is paramount to finding the birth plan that works for each family. Chicago's best classes for expectant parents cover all of the ins, outs, fears and misconceptions a mother could hope to know about.

Mother Me
3717 N Ravenswood, Suite 213
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-6262
www.mothermeinc.com

Price: from $65 to $400 per couple

At Mother Me, Inc. the focus is to provide expectant parents with non-judgmental support and education to assist with making informed decisions on what is best for each individual family. Mother Me, Inc. offers consulting services to help expectant parents create an appropriate birth plan and calm their fears. These services include educational and supportive classes in natural childbirth, breastfeeding, holistic home births, private childbirth and birth preparation.

Related: Guide to Choosing a Pediatrician

Holly Barhamand
4650 N. Avers
Chicago, IL 60625
(312) 613-1734
www.hollyhelps.us

Costs: from $200 on a sliding scale

Holly Barhamand from Holly Help Us, is a registered doula who works to support expectant parents and help them navigate their options in regards to childbirth. Her doula services include two prenatal visits to discuss options and concerns while developing a tailored birthing program, continuous presence during the time of childbirth, on call status around the due date, unlimited contact (phone, e-mail, etc.) to guide and support, a postpartum visit, and unlimited resources and materials. Holly's childbirthing courses offer more than 15 hours of learning experiences including pain coping, partnership, awareness, stages of labor, pre- and post-natal preparedness, and navigating the unexpected.

Birthways
3717 N. Ravenswood Ave., Ste. 140
Chicago, IL 60613
(888) 506-0607
www.birthwaysinc.com

Call for pricing

At Birthways, Inc., instructors understand every birth and every family is unique, and tailor care programs to meet the needs of each family. Instead of just calming families' fears, Birthway encourages them to celebrate birth. It offers assistance and aid to first-time parents, sibling care and adjustment concerns, pregnancy and bedrest discussion, antenatal care, multiple birth and challenges support, postpartum depression and perinatal mood disorder support, and adoption support. It also provides private education and consultation services to assist with breastfeeding preparation, sleepy and fussy babies, newborn, pre-conception and early pregnancy issues, and wellness/self-care.

Bloom Yoga Studio
4663 N Rockwell (at Leland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 463-9642
www.bloomyogastudio.com

Price: from $16 a session/$150 unlimited one-month passes/$99 per month annual membership/$75 private lessons

Preparing for a new baby doesn't just mean learning the prenatal and childbirth information, it means preparing your mind and body for pre- and postnatal transitions. At Bloom Yoga Studio, expectant mothers prepare their bodies for birth and alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts by offering classes in breathing exercise and modified yoga poses to build strength in preparation for labor. It offers workshops in childbirth preparation (addressing fears, concerns, and caring for newborns), preparing expectant couples for labor and childbirth, prenatal partner yoga, and midwifery and childbirth experiences. Once the baby is born, bring him along to connect with other new moms for classes that will help your body recover from birth and the strains and body stresses of carrying the baby.

Active Moms' Club
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 687-9905
www.activemomsclub.com/

Price: from $35 for fitness sessions/$90 personal training per hour

Active Moms' Club provides a healthy, supportive group environment shaped around mind and body fitness. Before the child is born, expectant moms may strengthen and train in small groups at times convenient to their schedules. After the baby is born, mom and baby are guided through progressive exercise programs that have been designed to help safely restore core strength and pelvic floor muscles lost during pregnancy. Active Moms' Club is more than just fitness; it hosts free wellness workshops with partners Giggle and Fleet Feet Sports on topics important to moms, including establishing healthy sleeping and eating habits, developing and honing parenting skills, transitioning into motherhood, and fostering a healthy mind and body.

Related: Best Gifts for Toddlers

S.L. Schmitz is a published author, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Dark Continents Publishing Company, an international soft cover, e-book, and audio publishing company that specialize in the horror and dark fiction genre. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.