Great Starts Lamaze™ Childbirth Education Series >>
Week 1: Late Pregnancy & Preparing for the Start of Labor
| Before-Class Google Classroom Lessons Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices Staying Healthy in Late Pregnancy Third Trimester Changes for You & Baby Getting Your Body Ready for Birth | In-Person Class Topics Bring smartphone, mobile device or laptop Orientation, introductions & agenda building Q&A from prepwork Exercises for preparing pelvic inlet & outlet Body mechanics & alignment for efficient birth Breathwork for birth & the relaxation response Labor skills coping practice Touch relaxation & massage |
Week 2: Normal Labor & Birth
| Before-Class Google Classroom Lessons What Normal Childbirth is Really Like Prelabor Signs & Symptoms Labor & Birth Nearpod Lesson Your Baby’s First Hours & Days After Birth Your Preference for Pain Medications Birth Plans | In-Person Class Topics Agenda building Q&A from prepwork Coping skill practice for each phase of labor Techniques for increasing your pain tolerance T ouch techniques for painful back labor |
Week 3: Complicated Labor & Birth
| Before-Class Google Classroom Lessons When Childbirth Becomes Complicated Medical Tools Used During Complicated Childbirth Induction of Labor Augmentation of Labor Second Stage Interventions Cesarean Section Pain Medications | In-Person Class Topics Agenda building Q&A from prepwork Evidence-based shared decision making Routine vs non-routine medical support tools Positions for facilitating progress in slower-than-expected labors Positions for facilitating progress after an epidural How to have the most successful induction of labor Having a great birth, even if it’s complicated |
Week 4: Postpartum Recovery, Breastfeeding & Newborn Parenting
| Before-Class Google Classroom Lessons Your Postpartum Experience Getting Ready to Feed & Care for Your Newborn Breastfeeding Your Baby Parenting Your Newborn at Home | In-Person Class Topics Agenda building Q&A from prepwork Best practices for initiation right after birth Hand expression with breast models Breastfeeding holds & assessing latch Breastfeeding warning signs Postpartum recovery essentials Family communication skills Newborn calming & swaddle practice Newborn health & safety warning signs |
Postpartum Reunion Class (approximately 1 month after all the babies are born)
Topics: Bring babies; share childbirth experiences; share concerns about parenting and/or baby care