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Childbirth & Family Education Classes
Now Enrolling for 2008! Please feel free to browse our complete list of classes below, or you can view all of our upcoming classes, workshops and events together on our interactive calendar.
Education is an important component of Gracewinds services. We are proud to have helped prepare over 3000 Seattle area families for new life with a baby.
Our family education program covers a variety of class topics and workshops; from pre-conception through pregnancy, labor and into early childhood.
Classes offered through Gracewinds are more personal and typically smaller in size than classes offered in hospitals. Our childbirth classes are taught by certified, knowledgeable and experienced instructors. We provide education tailored to the needs of all our students- whether seeking natural or medicated labors. Gracewinds childbirth prep classes emphasize the importance of coping techniques and stress optimal positioning; relaxation and massage for labor. Gracewinds providers drop in on occasion to lend professional tips regarding labor, birth and postpartum. You may customize your family education program by choosing to enroll in the seven-week format or opting for the five-week childbirth prep only. Weekend intensive classes are also available, and run Saturday and Sundays. Our Newborn Care, Breastfeeding Basics, Infant Safety/ CPR and Foundations for Fatherhood classes may be purchased in combination with the series or ala carte. See schedules listed below. We augment our classroom education with many relevant titles in The Peapod Store.
We now offer Online Registration and payment for our classes. Alternately, you can print a copy of the Registration Form (PDF file) and either mail it to us with your payment, or drop it off in person.
Comprehensive Education Package
Includes the 5 Week Childbirth Prep Series, Newborn Care, Breastfeeding Basics, Infant Safety/CPR and Foundations for Fatherhood.
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Cost: $290
Schedule: Select 2008 class dates from the schedules listed below for each individual class.
2008 Childbirth Prep Classes (5 & 7 Week Series)
The 7 Week Series includes Newborn Care and Breastfeeding Basics classes. This course is designed to give expectant parents the tools and information needed to utilize during childbirth. Classes cover topics such as physical aspects of labor/ coping techniques and natural pain relief methods/ pain medications/ variations of labor and post-partum issues. Participants are encouraged to interact and discuss aspects of labor and techniques. Instructors are certified and experienced.
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Materials Included: Textbooks "The Gift of Motherhood" and "The Pocket Doula- A Labor Partner's Guide to Surviving Childbirth"
2008 Five Week Series
Cost: $160 per couple
Schedule: Each class is from 7 - 9 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/2-1/30 (Wednesdays) FULL, 1/10-2/7 (Thursdays), 1/22-2/19 (Tuesdays), 2/4-3/10(Mondays) FULL, 3/5-4/2(Wednesdays), 3/13-4/10 (Thursdays)CLOSED , 3/25-4/22 (Tuesdays), 4/28-6/2 (Mondays) FULL, 5/7-6/4 (Wednesdays) FULL, 5/15-6/12 (Thursdays)FULL, 6/3-7/1 (Tuesdays), 6/23-7/21 (Mondays), 7/10-8/7 (Thursdays), 7/16-8/13 (Wednesdays), 8/5-9/2 (Tuesdays), 9/10-10/8 (Wednesdays)FULL, 9/18-10/16 (Thursdays), 10/7-11/4 (Tuesdays), 10/13-11/10 (Mondays), 11/6-12/11 --no class 11/27(Thursdays), 11/12-12/17 --no class 11/26(Wednesdays), 12/1-12/29 (Mondays)
2008 Seven Week Series
Includes, Newborn Care & Breastfeeding Basics classes in weeks 6 and 7.
Cost: $240 per couple
Schedule: Each class is from 7 - 9 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/2-2/20 (Wednesdays) FULL, 1/10-2/28 (Thursdays), 1/22-3/4 (Tuesdays), 2/4-3/24(Mondays) FULL, 3/5-4/16(Wednesdays), 3/13-4/24 (Thursdays) CLOSED, 3/25-5/6 (Tuesdays), 4/28-6/16 (Mondays) FULL, 5/7-6/18 (Wednesdays) FULL, 5/15-6/26 (Thursdays), 6/3-7/15 (Tuesdays), 6/23-8/4 (Mondays), 7/10-8/21 (Thursdays), 7/16-9/3 (Wednesdays), 8/5-9/16 (Tuesdays), 9/10-10/22 (Wednesdays)FULL, 9/18-10/30 (Thursdays), 10/7-11/18 (Tuesdays), 10/13-11/24 (Mondays), 11/6-12/11(Thursdays)+12/9-12/16(Tuesdays)
2008 Childbirth Prep - Weekend Intensive Series
This course is an intensive version of the Childbirth Prep series. It does not include the Breastfeeding Basics and Newborn Care classes. Please register for those classes separately.
Cost: $160 per couple
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Materials Included: Textbooks "The Gift of Motherhood" and "The Pocket Doula- A Labor Partner's Guide to Surviving Childbirth"
Schedule: Classes meet on Saturday & Sunday from 9 AM - 1:30 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/12 & 1/13, 2/9 & 2/10, 3/8 & 3/9, 4/5 & 4/6 FULL, 5/10 & 5/11, 6/14 & 6/15FULL, 7/12 & 7/13, 8/9 & 8/10, 9/13 & 9/14, 10/4 & 10/5, 11/8 & 11/9, 12/13 & 12/14
Newborn Care Class
An important class for first time parents, this class focuses on newborn behavior. Topics range from diapering, cord care, sleep and feeding habits, colic relief and changes that occur in newborn babies. This class is included in the 7 Week Childbirth Prep Series, but can be purchased individually as well.
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Cost: $40 per couple
Schedule: Each class is from 7 - 9 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/3 (Thur.), 2/6 (Wed.), 2/21 (Thurs.), 2/26 (Tues.), 3/6, (Thurs.) FULL, 3/17 (Mon.) FULL, 4/9 (Wed.) FULL, 4/17 (Thurs.), 4/29 (Tues.) FULL, 5/27 (Tues.), 6/9 (Mon.), 6/11 (Wed.)FULL, 6/19 (Thurs.), 7/8 (Tues.), 7/28 (Mon.)FULL, 8/14 (Thurs.), 8/20 (Wed.)FULL, 9/9 (Tues.), 10/15 (Wed.), 10/23 (Thurs.), 11/11 (Tues.), 11/17 (Mon.), 12/9 (Thurs.), 12/18 (Wed.)
Breastfeeding Basics
An important course for mothers (and partners) intending to breast feed their infant. This class is designed to educate parents on proper feeding techniques and positioning, body mechanics to alleviate sore muscles, troubleshooting tips to prevent and improve issues that can arise during breastfeeding. This class is included in the 7 Week Childbirth Prep Series, but can be purchased individually as well.
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Cost: $40 per couple
Schedule: Each class is from 7 - 9 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/7 (Mon.), 2/13 (Wed.), 2/28 (Thurs.), 3/4 (Tues.) FULL, 3/24 (Mon.) FULL, 4/16 (Wed.), 4/24 (Thurs.), 5/6 (Tues.), 6/16 (Mon.)FULL, 6/18 (Wed.)FULL, 6/26 (Thurs.), 7/15 (Tues.)FULL, 8/4 (Mon.)FULL, 8/21 (Thurs.), 8/27 (Wed.), 9/3 (Wed.)FULL, 9/16 (Tues.), 10/22 (Wed.), 10/30 (Thurs.), 11/18 (Tues.), 11/24 (Mon.), 12/16 (Thurs.)
Infant Safety & CPR
A two hour course taught by a certified CPR instructor. Topics include infant safety issues, basic first aid, techniques for relieving an obstructed airway as well as American Red Cross Infant CPR basics. Parents leave with the basic knowledge of infant CPR. This class does not include a certification card.
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Cost: $40 per couple
Schedule: Each class is from 7 - 9 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/8 (Tues.) FULL, 1/30 (Wed.) FULL, 2/20 (Wed.) FULL, 3/11 (Tues.) FULL, 4/30 (Wed.) FULL, 5/8 (Thurs.) FULL, 5/13 (Tues.) FULL, 6/25 (Wed.)FULL, 7/9 (Wed.)FULL, 8/28 (Thurs.)FULL, 9/23 (Tues.), 10/29 (Wed.), 11/25 (Tues.)
Foundations for Fatherhood
A class for expectant Dads. Taught by an experienced father, this popular course is formatted to address the issues of fathering...providing the information and support to help fathers feel more involved and confident in the arena of birth and child-rearing.
Registration: Register Online, or print out the Registration Form.
Cost: $30 per person
Schedule: Classes are from 7 - 9:30 PM at Gracewinds.
2008 Dates: 1/15 (Tues.) FULL, 2/27 (Wed.), 3/18 (Tues.), 4/15 (Tues.), 5/20 (Tues.) FULL, 7/2 (Wed.)FULL, 7/29 (Tues.)FULL, 9/30 (Tues.), 11/5 (Wed.), 12/2 (Tues.)
Infant CPR Certification
Certification class in Child and Infant CPR (to obtain a certification card).
Cost: $50 per person
Schedule: This course is taught four times a year by an American Heart Association Instructor. Call for schedules and details. (206) 781-9871
Sibling Class
A class tailored to the questions and concerns of siblings (ages 3 – 8). This course offers children the opportunity to talk about the upcoming “new baby” and explains in thoughtful and appropriate ways the changes that happen with the arrival of a newborn.
Schedule: Call for schedules and details. (206) 781-9871
Infant Massage
Learn the benefits of Infant Massage, and find wonderful new ways to bond with your child. In this 5 week series you will communicate with your baby using her first language - touch. Increase your bond with your new baby while enhancing your relaxation. Parents will learn specific strokes for the limbs, body and face to promote a healthy and loving connection. These techniques can be used as your baby grows to toddler and beyond! Benefits for babies:
- Promotes Bonding/Attachment
- Improves circulation, digestion and organization
- Reduces muscular tension
- Improves sleep (for everyone!)
- Reduces fussiness
- Strengthens the development of GI and respiratory tract
- Reduces the symptoms of colic and GI tract distress
2008 Dates: Jan 11 - Feb 8, Mar 7 - Apr 4, May 2 - May 30, Jul 11 - Aug 8
Signing Skills For Your Baby
Babies as young as seven months have the ability to communicate using sign language. In this class you will learn the basic vocabulary necessary to build communication skills with your infant. Based upon the book, "Signing Skills For Your Baby", Instructor Laura Tiberio leads the course in a fun and informative style - building upon American sign language vocabulary pertinent to a baby's needs and wants. Join us and find out what your baby is trying to tell you!
Cost: $60 per couple, and $12.50 for text book
2008 Schedule: Call (206)781-9871 for information or to register.
Become a Certified Childbirth Educator
Gracewinds Childbirth Educator Trainings and Certification Course are five-day seminars that give you the skills you will need to start a versatile career in family eudcation in both private and hospital-based settings.
Be an important part of a new family's beginnings.
Gain the knowledge to create confidence and help to dispel anxiety about the birth process.
Learn the information necessary to help prepare expectant parents for birth and life as new parents.
Registration: For more information, call (206) 781-9871 or email us at gracewinds@comcast.net.
Instructor: Christine Wallace, CMA, LMP, CCCE, CLD
Cost: $675.00
Training Dates: September 15-19, 2008
