Great Expectations Pregnancy Classes

Breastfeeding Classes (Second Trimester)

• Breastfeeding Basics. This class teaches participants how to overcome breastfeeding challenges and how to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship right from the start. Learn about breast physiology, milk production, letdown, latch-on and positioning.

Childbirth Classes (Third Trimester)

• Childbirth Preparation: Integrated Methods. This class provides an overview of the stages and process of labor, breathing and relaxation techniques, support, medication options, variations in labor including cesarean birth, and immediate postpartum care for mother and baby.
• Intensive Childbirth Preparation. A one-day workshop designed to give basic tools and information on preparing for birth. This class incorporates all information from the Childbirth Preparation: Integrated Methods class, but in an accelerated format. Participants are sent the class packet to review prior to the class.
• Childbirth Preparation: Birth Alternatives. This four-week series covers the basic childbirth preparation content with an added emphasis on natural delivery and making choices in response to the birth process. Labor support techniques and comfort measures from home births and other cultures are emphasized.
• Pain Relief and Labor. Learn about the pain medication options available to assist you during labor and childbirth. Discuss your concerns or questions with a UCSF anesthesiologist.
• Birth Center Orientation. Learn about the UCSF Birth Center facilities and the practical aspects of arriving at the hospital when you are in labor. We are not conducting in-person tours at this time, but you are welcome to view our Birth Center Tour video.
• Expecting Twins or More. A one-day workshop designed to give expectant parents basic information on raising twins or more. Topics include prenatal care, labor and delivery, feeding issues, and preparing home and family for the arrival of multiples. Taught by a mother of twins.

Baby Care Classes (Third Trimester and After)

• Parenting During the First Few Months. This workshop offers basic survival techniques for caring for your newborn, including postpartum care for mom. Learn about newborn characteristics, infant milestones, bathing, hygiene, diapering, crying, comforting, sleep and recognizing the signs of illness.
• Infant and Child CPR. This class covers recognizing an infant or child in distress, performing emergency measures to relieve airway obstruction in a choking infant or child, performing CPR on an infant or child who is not breathing or is without a heartbeat, and identifying risks of preventable infant and childhood injuries. Note: This is not a CPR certification course.
• Infant Massage, Pre-Delivery. This class will cover massage techniques that can help regulate your baby's sleep and help alleviate the discomforts of colic, gas and congestion.
• Infant Massage with Newborns. This class covers techniques from the pre-delivery course, with your baby in the room. Infants age two weeks to pre-crawling are welcome.

Postpartum Support (After Delivery)

• The Afterglow: A Postpartum Support Group for New Mothers. A six-week postpartum support group for new moms with their babies. You will learn about the "baby blues" and the emotional changes that can occur after childbirth; self-care; and relaxation techniques. Connect with other new parents and share the highs and lows of motherhood in a supportive space.
• MILK (Mother & Infant Lactation Kooperative) Support Group. Share your experiences with other breastfeeding moms in this support group led by a board-certified lactation consultant. Babies from newborn to six months old are welcome. Healthy snacks will be served.
• Pumping and Returning to Work. Get practical tips and advice on continuing to breastfeed your baby while working.

Women's Health Resource Center

The Women's Health Resource Center also has a lending library with more than 2,000 books and films and offers books and baby care supplies for sale.