The classes in the What to REALLY Expect series offers a set of classes to be taken as a package and are intended for families planning to get pregnant, are pregnant, and sometimes once baby has arrived. Ideally, most of these classes are taken during pregnancy while you still have the time to attend class and before you are faced with sleepless nights and returning to work.
What to REALLY Expect Classes are offered on the first and third Saturdays at 9 am. The following packages are available. Advanced registration is required.
One Class $30
Choose 4 Classes for $110
Choose 6 Classes for $160
Choose 8 Classes for $200
Please click the link under each description for more information and to register.
Pregnancy Planning/ Early Pregnancy/ Fertility
Many moms will spend more time choosing the theme for their baby’s nursery than researching their care provider and pregnancy/birth options. Our early pregnancy class is designed to familiarize newly expectant parents with everything from prenatal vitamins to how to choose a care provider that’s right a perfect fit!
In this class, we will address topics such as nutrition, exercise, prenatal care, routine testing, options in care providers, building your birth team and how to handle the unsolicited but well intentioned advice of friends and family. Get to know the who’s who in midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians and doulas.
Advanced registration is required.
Birth Plans & Donuts
Come join us to discuss what you REALLY need to know about your birth team and how to create your birth plan based on where you are having your baby.
Advanced Registration is required.
Infant Sleep
In this class, you will learn what normal newborn and infant sleep looks like. We will discuss the benefits of safe co-sleeping, infant sleep cycles, nap patterns, sleeping through the night, night time parenting, night wakings, Cry-It-Out (CIO), preventing sleep deprivation.
Advanced registration is required.
Couples Workshop: Comfort Measures for Labor & Birth
You will learn practical tools to support you both physically and emotionally through your labor and delivery. We will practice positions, postures, and techniques that can be used to encourage the progress of labor and ease discomfort. We will learn techniques to use the breath as a tool for the mind and body, as a support to ease tension and fear. We will practice and discuss.
Advanced registration required. Time will be allotted for ALL your questions.
Early Days with a Newborn
Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest experiences and greatest challenges.
This class explores the importance of taking care of YOU and your baby/babies. We will discuss your mental, physical, and emotional health as a new mother and the effect of your new role on your relationship and extended family. Lastly, we will discuss the post-baby body and what you should expect in recovery.
Advanced registration is required.
Soothing Your Infant
Your job as a new parent is to ease your baby’s transition to being born into babyhood and beyond.
Come join us to talk more about the infamous 4th trimester and ways to soother your infant while understanding your baby’s communication and transition.
Babywearing ~ Bonding ~ 4th Trimester ~ Normal Newborn Behavior ~ Soothing your Baby ~ and More!
Advanced registration required. Time will be allotted for ALL your questions.
Partners in Parenting
Let’s talk about those first 2 to 6 weeks after baby arrives. How to support the mother, the baby, breastfeeding, building a team with your partner, family, and choosing a pediatrician.
Baby Blues/ Postpartum Emotions ~ Breastfeeding Success ~ Building your Team ~ Accepting New Roles ~ Dealing with Grandparents, Family and Friends.
Advanced registration is required.
Prenatal Class for Postnatal Care
Becoming a mother changes every cell of your being. We spend so much time preparing for the baby’s birth and registering for the gear, but so few of us take the time to prepare for how we can take care of ourselves in the early days after baby.
Taking care of yourself ~ Lochia ~ Perineal Care ~ Emotional Healing and Resting ~ Making a sitz bath ~ Handing Visitors and Support ~ Establishing a good breastfeeding routine.
Advanced registration required.
A surprise…or two…or three! Expecting MULTIPLES
By Request
This is a unique Pregnancy and Childbirth Preparation class designed specifically for couples planning a birth of twins, triplets, quads, and so on. This class will help you navigate through the rest of your pregnancy, a natural or surgical birth, and the fourth trimester as it relates to the specifics of birthing multiples. This class will help you learn… What to REALLY expect when you’re EXPECTING MULTIPLES! This class should be taken in addition to a regular childbirth class.
Making Returning to Work Work for You
Returning to work is a big transition. We can help you be as prepared as possible for the big day.
We will help you with the tools to choose and communicate with your childcare provider, your place of work, and your family so expectations are clear and manageable. We will discuss breastfeeding while working and balancing work and family.
Preparing to return to work ~ Choosing Childcare ~ Communicating with Childcare ~ Your Rights in NJ ~ Introducing a Bottle ~ Building a Milk Stash ~ Pumping and Storage ~ Emotional Aspects of Work/Family Balance.
Advanced registration is required.
