Childbirth Education

We believe that every birth experience is unique. Our classes take a close look at the normal functions of birthing and breastfeeding, the issues that surround both, and the various options that are available. We blend all of that with the current culture of birth in NYC to offer a class where expectant parents can walk away with a balanced perspective and feel confident in the choices they will make. We also teach this class with a sense of humor and warmth. We encourage lots of laughter and participation!

WHY & WHEN

Why - There is a plethora of information available on childbirth. While internet and books can give you general knowledge, our childbirth education classes are taught by well-trained, birth-experienced teachers who can give you a balanced understanding of birthing and the full spectrum of birthing options.

When - We recommend taking the class in your second or third trimester, and when possible, completing it by your 37th week of pregnancy.

Our Childbirth Education classes are a collaboration between:

the course

Our birth and baby related classes are designed for expectant parents and partners. Whether you’re birthing in the hospital, birthing center, or at home, childbirth education will help you understand the process of giving birth and your options for birthing. Our breastfeeding and newborn care class prepares parents for the first 6-weeks of feeding and caring for a newborn.

You’ll leave our classes feeling ready to make informed decisions in pregnancy, labor, and early parenting.

Our classes are taught by the experienced childbirth educators, doulas, and lactation counselors of For Your Birth – a full-service boutique doula agency.

These intensive courses are held on Sundays, with the option to add the Breastfeeding & Newborn Care workshop before or after the course (highly recommended as an add-on).

Upcoming Offerings:

Important Note: In the event that we have only one registrant signed up for a course, the design will switch from a two-class series to a one-class private session taking place on the first Sunday of that month’s offering. If at that time, the following month already has additional participants, the registration can also be transferred.

NEW! CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION FOR THE QUEER FAMILY

If you're interested in a more queer-centered experience and perspective, consider this workshop! This course covers all the same material as our Childbirth Education course, but also gives us a chance to celebrate and respect the unique challenges and gifts that make our families so sparkly. We will cover the many options available to empower you to make the right decisions for the safest, healthiest birth possible. It's also a great opportunity to jump into a community of other queer families embarking on the same journey as you (and maybe make some friends along the way). We have decided to offer this course so we can focus on the queer-specific experiences that may otherwise be overlooked in a class comprised of near-to-exclusive hetero couples. Otherwise, all the information covered is the same as our regularly offered workshop, so you won't be missing any crucial info if you feel this is the best option for you.

This class is welcome to all people on (or not on) the gender spectrum, single-parent families, expecting couples, and multiple-parent families. Michele Arrieta is the instructor for this series. She is a cisgender, queer, white woman who adopted a child with her wife and who induced lactation to feed her after birth. Michele's been working as a doula, a certified childbirth educator and a breastfeeding counselor since 2014 in NYC.

These intensive courses are held Sundays, with the option to add the Breastfeeding & Newborn Care workshop before or after the course (highly recommended as an add-on).

Upcoming Offering:

One class: September 15th, 10am - 4pm

BREASTFEEDING BASICS AND NEWBORN CARE

OFFERED MONTHLY. RECOMMENDED AS AN ADD-ON TO THE TWO-WEEK INTENSIVE. THE CLASS COVERS:

How to care for your newborn – bathing, diapering, holding, soothing
Setting expectations for feeding from your breast, the bottle, or both
Caring for yourselves and when to get help

This workshop is held on Sundays from 10am - 1pm.

Upcoming Offerings

Sunday, September 22nd, 10am - 1pm

Important Note: This workshop requires a minimum number of participants in order to run. We will notify you via email one week before the course if we have not met the requirement. At that time, you will have the choice of a full refund or a transfer of your registration to the next month's workshop.

For your Birth's educators

Childbirth Edu Instructors

Michele Arrieta

Michele is a DONA certified birth doula attending births regularly in and around NYC. As a childbirth educator she trained with Lamaze and is currently finalizing her educator certification. She comes from a long line of women's healthcare providers. Using her theatrical and comedy background with her up-to-date, evidence-based material, Michele makes the class a fun, informative, and memorable experience.

Naima Beckles

Naima is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, DONA trained birth doula and postpartum doula, and mother to two little boys. She was drawn to the field of childbirth after being cared for by amazing perinatal health professionals - a community that she hardly knew existed before giving birth for the first time in 2008. Before entering the field of childbirth, Naima was a secondary classroom teacher for ten years. She brings her love of teaching, creative spirit, and warm presence to Melt and hopes to inspire families to make their best informed decisions around pregnancy, labor, and early parenting.

Alicia Suarez

Alicia's classes are geared to help the pregnant couple approach labor with confidence while designing a peaceful, healthy and safe environment to welcome in their babies.

Alicia is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, DONA Certified Doula, and Certified Breastfeeding Counselor. She also has years of experience as a yoga therapist, specializing in pre and postnatal yoga. Alicia's work is greatly influenced by her studies in Body-Mind Centering®, as well as her background in anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, and embryology education. These experiences inform Alicia's hands-on and body centered approach to preparing for childbirth.

PRICING & REGISTRATION

Childbirth Education Course | $395/couple
Breastfeeding & Newborn Care | $195/couple

Childbirth Package | $825
Childbirth Ed + Newborn Care +
3 Pre- / Post- Natal Massages

in each class

Participants will hear short lectures, watch videos, engage in group discussions, and practice a wide variety of comfort measures. Topics include:

Understanding and managing pain in labor
Signs and stages of labor
The partner's role throughout the birth process
Coping strategies and comfort measures for labor
Medical interventions and support
Birth plans and preferences
Postpartum - what to expect and how to prepare

For full booking terms and conditions please click here.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Classes must be paid in full at the time of reservation and are non-refundable. Credit is available for cancellations with at least 48 hours' notice and can be used toward any Melt service.