“Lamaze” is a brand-name term that has come to be synonymous with all childbirth prep classes, like “Band-aid” meaning an adhesive bandage or “Kleenex” meaning a facial tissue. We offer a variety of classes that are not specifically Lamaze brand, although some of our instructors are certified by Lamaze and weave the Lamaze philosophy into the classes they teach.

Please reach out—we’re happy to help you explore your options and clarify your values and intentions for your birth experience, which will guide you toward the right class.

As a starting point: if your goal is to minimize medical intervention and avoid pharmaceutical or epidural pain management, we strongly recommend an in-depth, comprehensive course like Birthing Naturally. If you're still exploring your options or unsure of your preferences, a class like Birthing 101 is a great place to begin. Many families find that as they learn more about the birthing process, additional questions come up—and these can be addressed through the classes on our à la carte menu.

Absolutely! There is so much more to the birth experience than relying on an epidural for pain management. Understanding how labor progresses and how medical procedures can affect its unfolding informs the decision making process. In addition, labor coping strategies are imperative to a good experience, since most people will have to cope with labor contractions before they arrive at the hospital and may have to wait to see the anesthesiologist once they arrive. Knowing your options and what to expect increases confidence in your choices for labor care and minimizes fear in the experience. We have often heard “If only I had known…” from postpartum families when talking about their births. We never hear, “I was too prepared.”

There are many valuable reasons for someone planning a cesarean birth to take a childbirth class. For some, it provides the space to reevaluate whether a cesarean is the best choice for their specific circumstances—especially when they learn it may not be medically necessary or that the risks and recovery associated with surgery can outweigh those of vaginal birth.

For those who do move forward with a cesarean, education can make a world of difference. Understanding what to expect from the procedure opens the door to more informed choices, a more positive and empowered birth experience, and a smoother physical and emotional recovery.

Finally, joining a birth class—regardless of your birth plan—is a chance to build community with other new parents navigating similar paths. No matter how your baby arrives, you deserve support, connection, and confidence as you step into parenthood.

Breastfeeding comes with a learning curve—most new parents find the first few weeks to be especially challenging. Taking a class before your baby arrives can help you know what to expect, avoid common pitfalls, and recognize when (and where) to seek help. This kind of preparation can go a long way toward reducing stress once your baby is here.

Because newborns need to feed shortly after birth, we recommend taking a breastfeeding class in the final weeks of pregnancy so you feel informed and confident from the very beginning.

Support is one of the most important factors in breastfeeding success. Unfortunately, even well-meaning friends and family can unintentionally make things harder—whether by offering outdated advice, invading the postpartum space, or making judgmental comments.

Our lactation class is designed to help support people understand how to be truly helpful—offering encouragement, protecting the breastfeeding parent’s space, and knowing when and how to step in. When your support team knows what to do, everyone benefits.