Our in person group class will take you and your birth partner through everything you'll need to know to prepare for the end of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum so you can feel empowered and supported in all of your decisions as new parents. Plus, you’ll be surrounded and supported by a close-knit community of fellow parents-to-be.

Taught by Katie Painter, a certified childbirth educator and full spectrum doula as well as yoga teacher at Whole Heart Space, you'll get all the evidence-based information you need to make true informed decisions in a judgement-free space. Questions and conversation are welcomed and there's no such thing as TMI or a "dumb question.”

Read more below about what to expect in each class - but know we always end up covering more than the bullet points and everything will be in a lot more depth!

Meeting Days & Times

2 Tuesdays 〰️ 6-8p + 2 Sundays 〰️ 3-6p

+ Partner Yoga Class 7-8p (held on Sunday, following birth class)

Your sign up includes:

• 10 hours of in-person birth, postpartum & newborn education

• A 60+ handbook of all the info we will cover plus additional worksheets & checklists

• Items help you curate your birth space

• A Whole Heart Space tote bag

• An online local resource list curated by Katie & the team of Whole Heart Space

• 2 Partner Yoga classes

• Recorded classes you can access anytime

Class 1: Navigating Pregnancy & Birth

Everything that Happens Before Labor Day

While there are people out there who might be comfortable just going with the flow when it’s time to give birth, if you’re here, that may not speak to you! If you like to be informed, prepared and want the details on what to expect before it’s time to show up at the hospital or birth center you’re in the right place!

In our first class, we’ll delve into all of the pregnancy and birth basics you need to be aware of before your due date arrives, like:

• Knowing your rights in birth, including what informed consent really looks and sounds like

• Creating the best support team for you

• Choosing a birth location

• What’s happening for your body and your baby at the end of pregnancy

• Packing your birth bag

• How to know when you’re in labor (and what to do 😉)

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Class 2: Navigating Labor & Delivery

Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby’s Birth Day

It would be so simple if you could just show up at your hospital or birthing center and have your provider team make sure the whole process is smooth sailing, right? But depending on the circumstances, it’s possible that your provider has never even asked you what kind of birth you want. Could be that you’re meeting this team for the very first time, or maybe you’ve just happened to arrive on an extra, extra busy day. That’s why it’s so important to know what questions to ask, be prepared for any detours that might pop up, and understand how to advocate for yourself.

In Class 2, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make sure you are prepared and empowered for the entire labor experience, including:

• Physiological birth process (what happens in “the wild” without any interruptions or interventions)

• How hormones affect birth

• What happens when our birth setting or birth team disturbs the normal process (and how to avoid it)

• The role fear plays in contributing to a longer labor

• How to create a birth environment that works for you (even in a hospital setting)

• All of the ways to cope with labor, medical and non-medical

• Epidurals: the pros, the cons, and what the process looks like

• Inductions 101, including common reasons for inductions and how to decide if one is right for you

• Everything you need to know about cesarean sections

• Building your birth “plan”

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Class 3: Navigating Postpartum

How to Take Care of Yourself After Birth

This probably won’t be news to you, but this journey doesn’t stop once your baby makes their debut! One thing we hear over and over again is that new parents are surprised at just how exhausting and challenging the postpartum period can be, even if they painstakingly prepared for the birth part.

That’s why, in Class 3, we take you through what to expect immediately after birth and in the first six weeks of recovery, including:

• What to expect immediately after birth

• “Standard” interventions you may or may not want, plus how to communicate your choices to your team

• Taking care of your bottom and incision after birth

• Warning signs that indicate it’s time to call your doctor

• The difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression/anxiety or Postpartum Mood Disorders

• Why preparing for the postpartum period is just as important as preparing for birth, plus how to actually, you know, do it

• Drafting your postpartum plan

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Class 4: Navigating Your Newborn

Caring for Your New Addition

You did it – your baby is here! Now that you’re all easing into this brand-new world, it’s 100% normal to have a lot of questions (most new parents do!). Is this normal? Should I call the doctor? What do I need to know about feeding, and how do I know I’m doing what’s best for the baby and for me? We’ll cover all that and more, including:

• Your newborn’s first 24 hours

• Normal newborn appearances and behaviors

• Common newborn procedures (plus the risks and benefits of each)

• NICU 101 awareness & preparedness

• Feeding your newborn – whether that’s breastfeeding, formula feeding, breastmilk bottle feeding, or any combination or variation of the above – including:

  • Breastfeeding tips

  • How to support a breastfeeding partner

  • Safe formula feeding

• Safe sleep

• When to call your pediatrician