There are a wealth of classes and events for local parents and expectant parents. Check out the list below and find one that is right for you. Do you have an event of interest for our calendar? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >

Interpreter Services availalbe for all Southwest Washington Medical Center Classes. To schedule an interpreter please call (360)514-BABY(2220)

Future Classes & Events
Ongoing Classes & EventsOngoing Classes & Events

Birth Center Tours

Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. Free. Please join us early in your pregnancy as this tour/class is recommended for all planning on giving birth at Southwest Washington Medical Center. Registration required. See all dates and times >

March Classes 

Water Labor (Kaiser patients only)

Mar. 11, 6-8 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $35/couple. This one time class is for expectant mothers and a support person interested in water labor and available to Kaiser patients only. It is required to attend a water labor class offered by Southwest, where you will be introduced to the process and offered a water labor kit for purchase. For safety reasons, there are specific eligibility requirements, Not all providers perform water births. If interested, check with your provider. More information >

Labor & Birth, Weekend Series

Mar. 13 & 14, 1-5:30 p.m. Other dates: April 10 & 11. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $70. Learn about the process of birth, what you might encounter during labor and delivery, and ways to cope with and manage labor/birth pain. This class teaches through lecture, discussions, films and the practice of coping skills. Registration required. More information >

Labor & Birth, (5-week series, Tuesdays)

Mar. 16, 7-9 p.m. Other dates: Apr. 20. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $70. Learn about the process of birth, what you might encounter during labor and delivery, and ways to cope with and manage labor/birth pain. This class teaches through lecture, discussions, films and the practice of coping skills. Registration required. More information >

Car Seat Safety Class & Clinic

Mar. 20, 9 a.m. (arrive by 8:45). Inspection begins at 10 a.m. (you must take the class first). Other dates: April 17, May 15. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. Free. Did you know 4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly? Could yours be one of them? The classroom session begins with the basics of car seat buying, installing, and using. Then bring your car seat to the Physicians' Pavillion Parking Garage to be inspected by nationally-certified technicians. They'll inspect it for correct size, model, recalls, and proper installation in your car. More information >

Breastfeeing 

Mar. 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $35. This one time class is for the mother planning on breastfeeding. Learn techniques to help breastfeeding get off to a good start. Even if you have breastfed before this class offers information and strategies, which will help with baby’s first days of feeding, avoiding or coping with common challenges including sleepy babies, engorgement, pumping and storage of breast milk and addressing the emotional and physical needs of the mother. We will also discuss how others can help support the mother in order to promote successful breastfeeding. More information >

New Dad Workshop

March 25, 6-9 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $30. Are you a new or expectant Dad? Then Conscious Fathering® is for you. More than just basic baby care, the Conscious Fathering® Program offers men insight into preparing for those precious first few months of baby’s life. This program is for men and taught by a man it provides a “hands on” overview of baby’s basic needs, the “things every Dad needs to know,” and how to build a solid relationship with your child from the very first day. This could be the most important three hours of your life! More information >

Sibling Preparation Class

Mar. 27, 1-2 p.m.. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $15/family. This class and tour is encouraged for children age 3 – 10 to help them prepare for the arrival of their newborn brother or sister. Registration required. More information >

Future Classes

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Infant CPR for Friends & Family

April 6, 7-8:30 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $20. Learn the basics about CPR for infants up to one year of age. Acquire the skills needed to perform CPR and how to clear an obstructed airway. More information >   

Teen Labor & Birth Classes (4-week series)

April 6, 6-9 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $70. This class is class is specifically designed to meet the special needs of the expectant teen. Learn about the process of birth, breathing and relaxation skills for increased comfort, labor support skills, and medication and anesthesia options for pain management. Other topics include variations of labor, induction, and cesarean birth. We will also address issues such as goal setting, making decisions, solving problems and school issues. More information >

Pondering Pregnancy

April 7, 6:30–8 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. Free, pre-registration required. In this relaxing and informal setting you have an opportunity to gather important information and ask local health care providers questions to help you plan for a healthy pregnancy and baby. 2010 dates: June 29, Sept. 1, Nov. 15. More information or to pre-register >

Labor & Birth, (5-week series, Thursdays)

April 8, 7-9 p.m. Other dates: May 20. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $70. Learn about the process of birth, what you might encounter during labor and delivery, and ways to cope with and manage labor/birth pain. This class teaches through lecture, discussions, films and the practice of coping skills. Registration required. More information >

Baby Care

April 12, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $35. Learn techniques to help you care for your baby with more confidence. Topics that will be covered include diapering, bathing, feeding, sleep issues, ways to calm a crying baby, development, parenting tips, wellness and safety. Support person encouraged to attend. More information >

Bright Beginnings (Breastfeeding & Newborn Care)

April 17, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Other dates: May 8. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $65. What expectant parents need and want to know about their babies' first months. Explore your newborn's talents, needs, development, and breastfeeding for optimal health. Also includes tools for nurturing and bonding with a newborn, and support resources for new families. More information >

Labor & Birth, (5-week series, Tuesdays)

April 20, 7-9 p.m. Other dates: June 15. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $70. Learn about the process of birth, what you might encounter during labor and delivery, and ways to cope with and manage labor/birth pain. This class teaches through lecture, discussions, films and the practice of coping skills. Registration required. More information >

Labor & Birth, (5-week series, Mondays)

May 3, 7-9 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $70. Learn about the process of birth, what you might encounter during labor and delivery, and ways to cope with and manage labor/birth pain. This class teaches through lecture, discussions, films and the practice of coping skills. Registration required. More information >

Refresh My Memory (Labor & Birth Refresher)

May 3, 6-8:30 p.m. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. $35. For parents who have had previous birth classes. This class focuses on the difference between your previous birth and what you might expect this time. You'll receive updates on current practices for managing pain and sibling adjustment. More information >

Water Birth

May 6, 6-8 p.m., Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $35/couple. Expectant mothers interested in a water birth will be required to attend a water birth class offered by Southwest, where they will be introduced to the process and offered a water birth kit for purchase. For safety reasons, there are specific eligibility requirements. More information >

Your Baby, Your Time (formerly New Mom Tea)

June 7, 10 a.m. - noon. Other dates: Aug. 16, Nov. 8. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. Free, pre-registration required. New moms (babies too!) and pregnant women are invited to take a break from the day’s challenges, meet other new moms and enjoy tea, refreshments and education about the journey into motherhood. More information or to pre-register >

Relaxation and Coping Skills for Birth

Upcoming dates to be announced. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $25. This class is appropriate for couples who have previously taken a labor and birth preparation class. The class gives you an opportunity to explore and practice various techniques of relaxation including imagery, massage, breathing, positioning for birth, aromatherapy and other options for coping with stress and discomfort.

Clase de Preparación para el proceso de Parto y nacimiento (Labor & Birth, Spanish)

Upcoming dates to be announced. Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. $70. Esta es una series de 4 classes, 2 horas cada clase, que le enseñará sobre el proceso normal de parto, respiración y relajación durante el embarazo, parto y nacimiento. Sus opciones para controlar el dolor y la importancia de su persona de apoyo. Otros temas son: posibles intervenciones, el postparto, alimentando y cuidando a su recién nacido, planificación familiar. Para finalizar, en Sábado, haremos un recorrido en nuestra unidad de nacimiento y llenaremos sus documentos de registración. 

Ongoing

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The Khalsa Way® Yoga and Meditation

Mondays, 7-8:30pm, Zenana Spa, 2024 SE Clinton St., Portland, OR and Thursdays 9:30-11a.m. at Exhale, 940 NE 16th Ave (at Alberta), Portland, OR. These unique Prenatal Yoga Classes provide safe, simple and effective exercises designed to strengthen and relax your rapidly changing body, preparing you for a conscious childbirth. More information (Zenana Spa) / More information (Exhale) >

Storytelling with Miss Bean

Tuesdays, 10–10:30 a.m., Café Sip-n-Play, 3000 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver, WA, 360-896-4446. Free. Storytelling, songs and ABCs. Ages 5 and under. More information >

Play and Learn Groups

Free. Play and Learn groups provided by the Children's Home Society of Washington help parents and caregivers connect to peers in their own neighborhood, enjoying practicing new parenting strategies and learning about local resources. Call Jess @ 695-1325 Ext. 4309 for more information.
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - noon. East County Family Resource Center. Special guest from Library weekly.
Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Atherton Woods Apartments. Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group designed for Slavic families.
Thursdays, 10 a.m.– noon. VHA Rise & Stars. Special guest from the library every 1st Thursday.

Preschool Story Time at Kazoodles Toys

Wednesdays, 10:30-11 a.m., Kazoodles Toys, 575 W. 8th St., Vancouver, 360-699-9200. Free. Stories and songs for preschool-age kids. More information >

Breastfeeding Support

Thursdays, 12:30-2 p.m., Southwest Washington Medical Center, Kearney Breast Center, Physician’s Pavilion, suite 420. Free. More information >

Mothers Share (for parents with children 0–6 months)

Mondays (except holidays), 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Classoom. Free. A support group for new parents and babies up to 6 months old. Drop-ins welcome. More information >
Note new day and time for Mothers Share beginning March 1, 2010: Mondays, 10:30-noon.

Mommies & Movers (for parents with children 6 month+)

Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m., Southwest Washington Medical Center, Health Education Center. Free. Sharing group for new mothers and children 6 months and older. Drop-ins welcome. More information >

Multiples Support Group

Mondays, 12:30-2 pm, Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Classroom. Call 360.514.BABY (2229) for information. More information >
Note new day and time for Multiples Support Group beginning March 1, 2010: Mondays, 12:30-2 p.m.

Birth Center Tour

Ongoing by appointment, Southwest Washington Medical Center, Family Birth Center Conference Room. Free. Please join us early in your pregnancy as this tour/class is recommended for all planning on giving birth at Southwest Washington Medical Center. Registration required. More information > 

Baby Blues Connection

Free postpartum depression resources for women and their families. Contact the Southwest Washington Medical Center Family Birth Center’s 24-hour information/message line at 360.735.5571. More information >

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