CPR CLASSES

Baby Be Safe
www.babybesafe.com
Various locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan (check their website.)
Infant/Child/First Aid classes taught by certified AHA (American Heart Association), ARC (American Red Cross), and EMS instructors.You will be learning prevention, recognition, and treatment of mostrespiratory, cardiac, choking, and first aid emergencies for infants(0-12 months) and children (1-8 years). Your skills learned will be supplemented with a take home book, handouts, video to watch and of course extensive practice on mannequins. We also include a childproofing and emergency safety tip segment of the class.

We took this class and thought that Natania (the head instructor) was so informative, thorough and quick. She managed to convey so much information in the allotted time. She was firm with instructions and made each one of us really understand how to do the CPR and Heimlich properly. I also liked the childproofing information (we thought we knew it all, but we learned a lot here too). I would recommend this course.
-Karen

Birth Day Presence
www.birthdaypresence.net
doulas@birthdaypresence.net
917-751-6579
The Birth Day Presence Studio.
Pilates Garage
291 8th Street, ground floor, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope)
Infant CPR with Vanessa Anton. (See Common Sense CPR below)

I have not taken one of Vanessa’s classes, but met her one day in the park then at the Healthy NY Birth Fair. She is a vibrant and enthusiastic person dedicated to parenting.
-Karen

Common Sense CPR
Vanessa J. Anton
commonsenseCPR@aol.com
917-817-5174
104 6th Drive Apt B23
Forest Hills, NY 11375
“I specialize in teaching the life saving skills of CPR and First Aid in a fun environment. I offer classes for families, as well as group or private classes for health professionals. Certified through the American Heart Association.”

I have not taken one of Vanessa’s classes, but met her one day in the park then at the Healthy NY Birth Fair. She is a vibrant and enthusiastic person dedicated to parenting.
-Karen

Little Hearts CPR
www.LittleHeartsCPR.com
212- 691-5989
Amy Gross, founder of Little Hearts CPR, has been offering Infant & Child CPR & Safety classes for 12 years. Her class covers CPR, Choking, Prevention, First Aid and Car Seat Safety. In addition to being an American Heart Association-certified instructor, Amy is a Certified Passenger Safety Technician. She teaches numerous times weekly at her furnished-for-pregnant women/tired parents office in Chelsea and every month or two in Brooklyn as well. One Chelsea class each month is in Spanish. You can find a class description, testimonials, her schedule and registration info at her website.

CHILDBIRTH AND CHILDCARE EDUCATION

Art of Parenting
http://www.artofparenting.net
artofparenting@gmail.com
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
53 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY 11215
646-233-1269
Art of Parenting provides group art support groups that specialize in the early stages of the family planning and growth. A playful environment that differs from activities classes for babies, out AOP groups use both art making and discussion to focus on the parents’ emotional and psychological process, and in turn how parents can better nurture their children. Groups include first-time parents, pregnant women and more. Visit our site for details.

Birth Day Presence
Jada Shapiro and Anna Merrill
www.birthdaypresence.net
doulas@birthdaypresence.net
917-751-6579
The Birth Day Presence Studio.
Pilates Garage
291 8th Street, ground floor, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope)
All classes taught by Jada Shapiro, LCCE, CD(DONA) and Anna Merrill, ertified Lamaze® childbirth educator, certified birth doula (DONA), trained postpartum doula.  Class will include, but not be limited to: Gestation and Anatomy, Preparing your Body and How to Adapt To Its Changes, Stages of Labor, Breathing, Relaxation, Pain Management Techniques, Pain Medications, Birth Plans, Labor Support–who to have at your birth, Interventions, Induction, Cesarean Birth and Prevention, Breastfeeding, Newborns, Postpartum Health. She teaches an Early Bird Seminar when you are pregnant that is really helpful- cover various topics including nutritional needs, substances to avoid, your growing and changing body, prenatal testing, warning signs, common discomforts of pregnancy and some relief options, how to choose a caregiver and place of birth (hospital, birth center, or home), what are the differences between the midwifery and obstetric model of care, what kinds of exercises you can do, what books would be great to read, what are your choices in childbirth, etc. (I would highly recommend this!- Karen). They also have infant CPR with Vanessa Anton. (See Common Sense CPR below)

My husband and I spent a lot of time looking around and researching different people/organizations that we felt would be a good fit and finally settled on Jada Shapiro of Birth Day Presence. They offer more than just classes and have a studio space in Park Slope. I know moms are always welcome to stop in and sit and play or breastfeed or whatever. Anyway, we really enjoyed it and learned a tremendous amount. I think the most important aspect of the class was that for the weeks leading up to our son’s birth it gave my husband and I a set time where we sat and thought and learned about us and the baby (and nothing else)- it really helped ease us into the crazy reality that we would soon be “mom and dad”. It was also really neat to get to be around other parents at a similar stage and learn from them. Beyond that, Jada knows a ton about birthing and has worked for years attending births and being around different mothers. She created an atmosphere of learning that was open to even the most embarrassing or silly questions. She pushed us to really listen to ourselves and think about the type of birth we wanted, but at the same time taught us to remain flexible in the face of the unknown. She used handouts, video’s, stories, books, physical movement, specific pain reduction techniques, and even roleplay – all of which where great to draw on when the time came. I’ll never be able to thank her enough for teaching my husband how to deal with back labor by pressing down on my tailbone area – saved my life. Also, I should mention that I have met a number of the women that are part of her studio and/or doula team and even if you don’t work with Jada I’d say you are in good hands.
-Amy

I took a class at Birthday Presence with Jada Shapiro. The class was great. Since my husband missed most of it, a doula from the organization filled in doing the many intimate posses with me, which was very nice of her. The class was very informative and especially good if you are thinking of a natural birth.
-Sandra

Bklyn Birth
www.bklynbirth.com
info@bklynbirth.com
(347) 628-7793

Taught in Park Slope at the Society of Ethical Culture.

Childbirth Class- This course covers the labor & birth process, postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care. Classes are taught by three local midwives (all mothers) with years of pregnancy and birth experience. We offer you a unique “insider” perspective from having worked for many years doing deliveries, prenatal care and labor support in New York City hospitals, birth centers and homes.We respect that pregnancy is a state of health and childbirth is a normal, physiologic process. Whether you plan to use pain medication or have an unmedicated birth, we give you realistic information about what to expect and how to manage the unexpected. Postpartum/breastfeeding/newborn care class- This three hour class prepares you for what to expect physically and emotionally in the first 6 weeks after giving birth. Breastfeeding instruction covers the basics of “how to” and common problems, as well as when and how to seek help. Newborn care instruction covers information about bonding, bathing, pooping, peeing, circumcision, sleep issues and infant soothing. We also discuss the very important issues surrounding family and baby-proofing your relationship.

We just finished a 5-week class with Bklynbirth. The class was great! It was taught by three mid-wives (Amy Alpern, Sabrina Hellman, and Holly White). They incorporated a variety of techniques and approaches and gave a really comprehensive overview of early labor, active labor, and delivery, with one class devoted to post-partum issues. The class was a great combination of presenting information from a variety of perspectives, interactive activities, films, discussion, and answering questions. The instructors are smart, kind, patient and fun! They did a great job of presenting us with a lot of information and options, but never imposed their opinions on us- they really helped us make our own decisions about how make the experience our own. I highly recommend them.
-Jen

Beth Donnelley Caban
http://www.essentialyogabrooklyn.com
718-753-6164
Beth teaches a six-class comprehensive childbirth ed, newborn care and breastfeeding series geared toward individuals and couples who are interested in understanding and actively participating in the processes of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. Classes are held at Bend & Bloom Yoga in Park Slope.

Brownstone Birth
brownstonebirth.com
heybella@gmail.com
718-290-4665
Kristen has been supporting women and their families through pregnancy, birth and parenting for nearly a decade. She works as a nurse at Roosevelt Birthing Center in Manhattan and offers a variety of services for women and their families.  Her group and private birth
classes are designed to empower conscious childbirth.  Based on the Birthing from Within philosophy, classes focus on the physical opening
that must occur during labor and birth as well as expanding the heart and mind to more completely accommodate new life. You and your birth
partner will be guided through movements, breathwork, vocalization and meditation that help prepare the body and mind forlabor and birth.
Kristen also teaches prenatal, postnatal and family yoga at various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn and offers labor and postpartum
doula care. She teaches at site under Lila Yoga, Dharma and Wellness, http://www.lilawellness.com/ and Element Natural Healing Arts
(www.elementhealing.com) in Brooklyn.

We took a Birthing From Within child birthing class at Lila Wellness & Yoga in Manhattan – but this was almost five years ago with our first! It was a weekend of classes and involved a lot of fun creative exercises: singing; drawing/painting; meditation and some yoga. All geared around the birthing process. I had read the book, so had a sense of what to expect, and my husband enjoyed the activities. It wasn’t a lecture format – and was very interactive. We enjoyed it and found the info very useful. The classes are certainly geared toward natural birth; the notion that we have to let go of expectations; and the being as informed as possible is crucial.
-CH

My husband and I took the most beautiful, peaceful and loving class at Lila Yoga, Dharma & Wellness in the Bowery – at the most gorgeous loft studio. The teacher (who also runs Lila) is Mia Borgatta. I actually took pre-natal Yoga w/her as well. The class is called Couples Yoga in Preparation for Birth Workshop, and the focus is to use the practice of Yoga “to help integrate the body, mind and breath in ways that can help the expecting couple prepare for birth and life with an infant”. We got into partner breathing, asanas, and definitely focused on ways to connect w/one another and the baby. Some focus, too on listening/sensing skills and even pressure point work. We also received a beautiful book on natural birthing. 2 weeks later I had the smoothest labor, I can’t even remember now but I think it was only about 4 hrs. our daughter didn’t even cry when she came out and I think due to all the Yoga work before hand, is the reason she was a super mellow baby, hardly ever cried. Of course now that’s she’s 3 she’s making up for it , but I really can’t say enough good things about Mia, her workshop was great!
-Gabriela

Choiceful Birth and Parenting
Ellen Krug, MSW, LCSW, CCE
Park Slope
choiceful@aol.com
718-768-0494
I’m a clinical social worker, childbirth educator, and Park Slope mom offering counseling and classes. I lead three groups of sharing and support: the Pregnancy Circle, the New Mom/Newborn Circle, and Mom Space. Meet others, learn new information, honor your inner wisdom, increase confidence, and explore issues in a safe and nurturing space. I also offer private childbirth education sessions and individual counseling for women (with or without their partners).

Elise Constantine
http:/www.yogamassagenyc.com

There is also a wonderful option for couples to explore yoga together offered at Golden Bridge Yoga NYC by one of my favorite local yoga teachers and massage therapists, Elise Constantine . Elise is a prenatal and postnatal massage therapist who offers in home massage within Brooklyn and also has a practice on 5th Avenue by Union Square. She has been licensed with the state of NY since 1999 and has certifications for prenatal, postnatal and labor massage as well as yoga teacher certifications. Along with Kate Lynch ,she teaches a fabulous “Partner Yoga and Massage for a Beautiful Birth & Beyond” workshop that offers couples the opportunity to practice yoga and massage together in preparation for their birth. Elise is dedicated to serving the special needs of mothers as they make the transition to parenthood and all my clients who have had massages from her have raved about how skilled she is with the pregnant and postnatal body. Elise lives in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn, and when she is not working with new mothers, she enjoys Middle Eastern Dance. Prior to becoming a massage therapist, Elise earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Women’s Studies from Penn State. Like me, Elise has a history of working with sexual assault and domestic violence survivors as well as working in the field of reproductive rights. This background informs her work with pregnant/postpartum women, and her dedication to reproductive rights, including the right to choose how and where we birth.
-Megan Davidson

Dos Doulas
Cori Pleune (nee Sisenwein) and Sarah Kaylor
http://dosdoulas.com/
cori@dosdoulas.com
917-554-8442
Private classes in your home.
Co-founder of Dos Doulas. Cori Pleune (née Sisenwein) is a DONA Certified Birth Doula, certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and trained Postpartum Doula. She is certified with the American Red Cross in adult/child/infant CPR, and has completed workshops to help women breastfeed successfully. Cori attended her first birth in 1996 and has been hooked ever since. Co-founder of Dos Doulas. Sarah is a DONA Certified Birth Doula, trained Postpartum Doula and Hypnobirthing instructor. She has also trained as an End of Life Doula and is certified with the American Red Cross in adult/child/infant CPR, She has completed workshops to help women breastfeed successfully. Sarah birthed her son, Jacob, 17 years ago and has supported women in labor ever since.

Cori was our attending doula and she was worth every cent! She and Sarah Kaylor work together as a team and, depending on the time of your birth you could get either one. We felt equally comfortable and supported by either one. They are strong, knowledgeable, great resources, kind and considerate.
-Karen

Ellen Chuse Childbirth
www.ellenchusechildbirth.com
info@ellenchusechildbirth.com
411 Dean Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.789.1981

Manhattan Classes
At the offices of CBS Midwifery, 103 Fifth Avenue near 18th Street. Classes are limited to 7 couples.
Brooklyn Classes
411 Dean Street in Park Slope. Classes are limited to 8 couples.I provide group and private classes in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Classes cover labor, birth, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Classes are small – 7 or 8 couples. Please visit the web site for more information.

We went to Ellen for the birthing class. It was 8 weeks, one hour per week, which I think is on the long side, but it forced us to think about the inevitability of a child for a good amount of time, so I appreciated that. It’s definitely geared toward those people who want natural child birth (lots of pain management, meditation, etc.). We were not that holistic about the approach (I was open to the epidural from the beginning), so it was probably a little overkill for me. Ellen is a really warm, fair and knowledgeable woman though. Very maternal and assuring. The classes are in her brownstone, so it’s a homey feel and very relaxing.
-Michelle

We took Ellen Chuse’s class out of her home on Dean Street (she also teaches in Manhattan). Found it very helpful in terms of preparing mentally and emotionally for the process of labor and parenthood. She was warm and open. She helped us prepare for negotiating the hospital, and was also in favor of home births. She was open to natural as well as medicated births, and was very educational in terms of all aspects of the birthing process. I also read The Big Book of Birth which was helpful and had similar information as Ellen’s class. Overall, just spending the two and a half hours per week for 8 weeks (yes, a lot of time) talking about childbirth was a good way for my husband and I to get ready for things. I would recommend her class highly.
-Rachel

I also took classes at Ellen Chuse Childbirth. She runs her practice out of a lovely and welcoming brownstone in Boerum Hill. Her studio has wonderful pillows for all the pregnant mamas and she serves nourishing snacks to all the hungry, nervous parents. Her class was transformative for many reasons – she really gave my husband and I the tools and confidence to have our daughter naturally. We met other wonderful parents and have celebrated (the birth of 6 healthy babies) and grieved together as a class (one couple lost their daughter at 33 weeks). Both my husband and I do not have family in the city and chose not to use a doula, so I felt like Ellen was a surrogate cheerleader before the big day. She recommended excellent childbirth books and tools to help us birth naturally (my husband blames Ellen for having to blow the birthing ball up at 3 am while my contractions were four minutes apart!). She continues to provide wonderful support to new moms at RealBirth in the city and is very involved with the New Space for Women’s Health. No worry or concern is too small for Ellen. She talks about things that you really do not think about when you are about to have a child (like managing the in-laws, the crap like wipes warmers that you really do not need and how to make space and time for your husband upon arrival of your baby). Not having a close relationship with my own mother (pregnancy can really stir up feelings of doubt and regret), I relied on Ellen’s class for more than information, but confidence building – I felt totally empowered and ready to welcome our daughter into the world! She is very compassionate yet has a point of view (it is not like she spoon feeds you) – she really puts all the information out there and lets you make an informed choice. As an added bonus, I met one of my closest friends Christine Labeste in the class whose daughter Alex was born one week after my daughter Ella Mei. I cannot speak more highly for Ellen who is bpth a wonderful childbirth educator and active Brooklynite.

-Sharon

I also took classes at Ellen Chuse Childbirth. And yes,she runs her practice out of a lovely and welcoming brownstone in Boerum Hill. For me, it was a needed anxiety relieving class. I was blissfully in denial about the actual birth process for the first half of my pregnancy, and knew that I needed some real information! I agree that she was informative without being biased, and I felt much more empowered and prepared afterward. My husband thought it was a bit “hippyish”, but (wisely) went along with his pregnant wife! I would recommend this class.
-Catia

A fabulous local childbirth educator and birth counselor is Ellen Chuse. Ellen is a Brooklynite and mother of two daughters who offers classes in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. She has done counseling work with several of my clients and receives rave reviews for her insight and understanding. Ellen teaches childbirth education for people planning births in all settings and she offers both a wealth of information about pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, and newborn care and also a variety of strategies for coping with the challenges of labor. She is now facilitating a new mom’s group for women with babies under 9 months old as well as Cesarean Birth Healing Circle, both at Bend and Bloom Yoga Studios. Ellen is also a visual artist and spends days working in her studio when not helping new families.
-Megan Davidson

Essential Yoga
Lara Kohn Thompson
Beth Donnelly Caban
www.essentialyogabrooklyn.com
Or contact us at : 917-750-6080 or 718-753-6164
The Dance Studio of Park Slope
630 Sackett Street (between 3rd & 4th Avenues)
Brooklyn (Park Slope)
718.789.4419
Essential Yoga offers students a place to gather for practice, support, information and community. We specialize in Women’s health and well being around the childbearing years. We offer private and group classes in Prenatal, Mom and Baby Yoga, Women’s Yoga, as well as Comprehensive Childbirth Education series, Workshops for couples preparing for birth, Workshops for Women, and Personalized Specific Care for the early weeks into the later years Postpartum. Beth offers Childbirth Education classes as well as newborn care and breastfeeding classes.

Everyday Family Center at the Everyday Athlete
www.everydayathletestudio.com
136 Union street (between Hicks and Columbia.)
718.852.6300
Teacher is Sarah Moore- see Fig Tree’s website or listing below. The Everyday Family is a new center within the Everyday Athlete Studio in Carroll Gardens that is facilitated by experienced Childbirth Educators, Doulas, Midwives, Nurses, and Lactation specialists and caters to the needs of new and expectant families. They have Childbirth Preparation Classes, Breastfeeding and Newborn Care classes, Breastfeeding Support Groups, Colic Support Groups, Prenatal Yoga, pre and postnatal training (with childcare!) and yoga, nutrition, massage, craniosacral therapy, and more.

Family Matters NY
http://www.familymattersny.com/home/home_visits/third_entry.html
Alice Kaltman, L.C.S.W Sara Zaslow, L.M.S.W., C.G.E
270 Lafayette Street, Suite 607
New York, N.Y. 10012
(212) 502-7979 or (718) 393-7733
They do coaching: for parents, time management, household organization, family fitness and Psychotherapy: for prenatal and postpartum, individual/child, couples and family therapy and also Special Workshops: transition to parenthood and creative artist/parent workshop. She is an Expert on this blog. You can see her writing here on her Expert page.

We see Alice as a marriage counselor. She addresses both parents fairly and sees both of our perspectives. She is very effective in dealing with relationship issues and how they can be impacted by changing circumstances. She is well versed in child development and child dynamics and gives down-to-earth and practical advice. I really like her.
-Lucy

I went to Alice and Sara’s workshop on parenting, “Promoting Healthy Self-Esteem”. They were down-to-earth, approachable and nonjudgmental. They were open to the parents questions and concerns. They gave concrete parenting advice. I went to see Alice separately for individual therapy afterwards- and still see her. She understands kids and child development and sets me at ease. She is also really good with discussing general life issues. She is good at helping me put things in perspective- reminding me I don’t have to be a supermom. She reminds me that taking care of myself is taking care of my son. She does a lot of work with parent who are artists and helping them find a balance between creativity and parenting- which I think is interesting.
-Anne

Fig Tree Childbirth Services
Sarah Moore
http://figtreechildbirth.com
sarahmoore44@yahoo.com
1 Tiffany Place 4K
Brooklyn, NY 11231
347-262-0798
I am a certified childbirth educator through CEA/MNY and a certified labor support doula through DONA. It is so nice to be able to say that I truly enjoy my work; I love what I do. My classes are designed to give you the broad spectrum of the normalcy of the birth process. I teach small groups (no more than 5 couples) at Everyday Athlete Studio . I also offer private instruction that I can cater to your interests about the birth experience. She also does a colic support consultation and help as well as being a doula.

Natashia Fuksman
With Woman NYC

As pregnancy progresses, a really common referral that I make is for birth counseling – for mothers needing help processing their feelings about their upcoming birth (perhaps because of a previous birth experience, a history of abuse, or other stressors in her life). Both of the women I refer clients to for counseling are also childbirth educators who teach classes in Brooklyn for expecting parents. Natashia Fuksman of With Woman NYC is a local mother, doula trainer, birth counselor, and she also teaches childbirth education classes specifically for parents planning homebirths. Natashia has been assisting pregnant and laboring women for over 10 years and she has a wealth of information about pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum months to assist families who are planning for a homebirth or who are needed a safe space to process their feelings about their pregnancy or birth. She is compassionate and thoughtful, a wonderful listener, and I highly recommend both her childbirth education classes and her counseling services.
-Megan Davidson

Lila Yoga, Dharma and Wellness
http://www.lilawellness.com/
302 Bowery #2 (between Bleecker & Houston)
New York, NY 10012
212-254-2130
Group classes designed to empower conscious childbirth. Based on the Birthing from Within philosophy, classes focus on the physical opening that must occur during labor and birth as well as expanding the heart and mind to more completely accommodate new life. You and your birth partner will be guided through movements, breathwork, vocalization and meditation that help prepare the body and mind forlabor and birth. Kristen Bower (who teaches the class) has been supporting women and their families through pregnancy, birth and parenting for nearly a decade. She works as a nurse at Roosevelt Birthing Center in Manhattan and teaches independent childbirth classes.

We took a Birthing From Within child birthing class at Lila Wellness & Yoga in Manhattan – but this was almost five years ago with our first! It was a weekend of classes and involved a lot of fun creative exercises: singing; drawing/painting; meditation and some yoga. All geared around the birthing process. I had read the book, so had a sense of what to expect, and my husband enjoyed the activities. It wasn’t a lecture format – and was very interactive. We enjoyed it and found the info very useful. The classes are certainly geared toward natural birth; the notion that we have to let go of expectations; and the being as informed as possible is crucial.
-CH

My husband and I took the most beautiful, peaceful and loving class at Lila Yoga, Dharma & Wellness in the Bowery – at the most gorgeous loft studio. The teacher (who also runs Lila) is Mia Borgatta. I actually took pre-natal Yoga w/her as well. The class is called Couples Yoga in Preparation for Birth Workshop, and the focus is to use the practice of Yoga “to help integrate the body, mind and breath in ways that can help the expecting couple prepare for birth and life with an infant”. We got into partner breathing, asanas, and definitely focused on ways to connect w/one another and the baby. Some focus, too on listening/sensing skills and even pressure point work. We also received a beautiful book on natural birthing. 2 weeks later I had the smoothest labor, I can’t even remember now but I think it was only about 4 hrs. our daughter didn’t even cry when she came out and I think due to all the Yoga work before hand, is the reason she was a super mellow baby, hardly ever cried. Of course now that’s she’s 3 she’s making up for it , but I really can’t say enough good things about Mia, her workshop was great!
-Gabriela

Long Island College Hospital (LICH)
339 Hicks Street, at Amity
Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
718-780-1336

I took the childbirth classes at LICH. Our instructor was knowledgeable and engaging.
-Amanda

Kate Lynch
http://healthyhappyyoga.com

There is also a wonderful option for couples to explore yoga together offered at Golden Bridge Yoga NYC by one of my favorite local yoga teachers and massage therapists, Elise Constantine . Elise is a prenatal and postnatal massage therapist who offers in home massage within Brooklyn and also has a practice on 5th Avenue by Union Square. She has been licensed with the state of NY since 1999 and has certifications for prenatal, postnatal and labor massage as well as yoga teacher certifications. Along with Kate Lynch ,she teaches a fabulous “Partner Yoga and Massage for a Beautiful Birth & Beyond” workshop that offers couples the opportunity to practice yoga and massage together in preparation for their birth. Elise is dedicated to serving the special needs of mothers as they make the transition to parenthood and all my clients who have had massages from her have raved about how skilled she is with the pregnant and postnatal body. Elise lives in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn, and when she is not working with new mothers, she enjoys Middle Eastern Dance. Prior to becoming a massage therapist, Elise earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Women’s Studies from Penn State. Like me, Elise has a history of working with sexual assault and domestic violence survivors as well as working in the field of reproductive rights. This background informs her work with pregnant/postpartum women, and her dedication to reproductive rights, including the right to choose how and where we birth.
-Megan Davidson

Methodist Hospital
http://www.nym.org/services/women/birthctr/birthctr.html
263 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

I thought the breastfeeding class was totally worthless. In fact it made me even think my baby would be born and would be breastfeeding naturally and it would be instinctual.
-Erica

We took the childbirth class offered through NY Methodist but it was back in 2005 so don’t remember much – think it was 3 or 4 weeks in the evening – they do have a all day class too (which my brother and sister in law just did a few weeks ago). We did learn from the class – we used the breathing exercises for my daughters birth and my sons this year for getting through the contractions and very glad we did it. I am more of a must see/hear it to learn than a read a book person. They also did a segment on taking care of a newborn – putting the diaper on around the belly button issue – swaddling (we are very into swaddling here)

-Deidre

Mount Sinai
1 Gustave L. Levy Place
New York, New York 10029
(212) 241-6500

I would not recommend the childcare classes. Two hours is just not enough.
-Fiona

New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell Medical Center
The Preparation for Planned Parenthood Program
420 E. 76th Street
New York
212-746-3215
9am-5 pm
Lamaze Childbirth, Refresher on Lamaze Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Adapting to Parenthood, Baby Care Class, Sibling Class, Multiples Class, Baby Care, Breastfeeding

I was really glad I took some of these classes as this was the hospital that I was giving birth in. It helped familiarize me with the hospital policies and some of the personnel. These were VERY traditional classes and I wish I had taken a class that was more about natural childbirth and included something about what it will be like to “be parents”. I definitely wish I had taken another type of class: I would have learned more in the end.
-Karen

New York University
550 1st Ave
New York, NY 10016
212-263-BABY

I loved NYU’s birthing class. They covered everything and were very straight-forward. They gave us a lot of resources and handouts. It was great for husbands and partners too. I didn’t get the best person for my breastfeeding class, so try and see who is recommended.
-Beth

One Birth At A Time
http://www.OneBirthAtATime.com
MamaHypno@OneBirthAtATime.com
631.659.3223
Debi Tracy, Childbirth Educator
Certified by The HypnoBirthing® Institute, One Birth At A Time offers this informative complete childbirth preparation program in a warm, friendly environment taught by a mother of two who is also a NGH Certified Hypnotist and a Certified HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Educator who birthed both of her children with the calm, peaceful technique the program teaches. Group and private sessions available year round at Touch of Health Wellness Center in Long Island and Brooklyn Birthing Center. The Brooklyn Birthing Center is accessible by subway lines B and Q, which should be taken to the Kings Highway Station. Depart from the station using the Quentin Road exit. We are also accessible via the #49 bus which runs along Ocean Avenue.

Realbirth
Erica Lyon
www.realbirth.com
info@realbirth.com
212.367.9006
54 West 22nd Street
New York, NY 10010
Comprehensive childbirth preparation, breastfeeding and newborn care classes in a variety of days and times to meet your needs. nyc’s only independent education center dedicated to the transition to parenthood.

We took a “Childbirth with an Epidural” class at Real Birth as well as a breastfeeding and newborn care class. We really enjoyed the classes and learned a lot about what to expect. It surprised me at the time, but the class we learned the most from was the breastfeeding class. The best part about taking classes at Real Birth was meeting other expecting parents. We still keep in touch with two of the families we met there. Talking to women in the same situation while at the end of my pregnancy and when we first brought our son home from the hospital REALLY helped me keep my sanity!!
-Natalie

I thought the class was fantastic. Erica presents such a complete view of birth. She is open to your individual experience.
-Laura

I liked the childbirth education. I didn’t like the breastfeeding class- the instructor was spacey.
-Gretchen

I took a childbirth class at RealBirth with Erica Lyon. She was absolutely great! The six week course was very informative on all the issues yet catered to everyone’s specific needs. Erica did a great job answering people’s questions, allaying fears and presenting all sides of any given issue. I really liked the other parents to be in the class. I would definitely recommend taking a class with Erica. I would however, be cautious. We took a “care of the newborn” class with Realbirth and found the instructor to be patronizing, clearly opinionated and generally unorganized.

-Becca

We want to RealBirth in Chelsea. I thought I knew about babies but it turned out I didn’t know anything and learned a ton from the class. The videos of the babies sliding out of the moms were intense. When we got to the real thing, I felt prepared. I hated sitting on the floor though and thought the class was too long, but overall, was very glad we took it.
-Jon

I took the RealBirth class with my husband (the condensed weekend version) and my water broke at 5AM the day we finished the class. We were signed up for the breastfeeding and infant care classes, but never made it to them. I still kind of wish we had, as the next few weeks were insane. However, I do think the birthing class helped. Just knowing the steps my body was going through and the coping mechanisms I had helped me have a natural birth. (Well, that and my excellent midwife.) I still have fond memories of that class, and even how sick I was in the middle of it. The instructor emailed me later and told me she thought I looked like I was on the verge — she was definitely correct.
-Heather

We took RealBirth class and I cannot say enough good things about the program over there. They teach a very inclusive curriculum and acknowledge that while natural childbirth is best, anything can happen and how to prepare for it. The best part, is that it really got my husband engaged. The newborn care and breastfeeding follow up sessions where life savers.
-Amanda

We did a private session with Banu from RealBirth. It was great!
-Sarah

Erica Lyon, the director of RealBirth, runs a real treasure of an operation. Her childbirth classes, some of the most thorough in the city, prepare you for any eventuality, whether you are planning to hit the epidural right away, prefer a natural homebirth, or end up with an emergency C-section. Our class was with Erica, but all of her educators are well trained and highly knowledgeable. But RealBirth doesn’t stop at childbirth education. It is a veritable support center for expecting and new parents every step of the way. They offer breastfeeding clinics, postpartum depression support groups, new dads’ meetings, sign language classes, CPR clinics, infant massage workshops, babywearing clinics, toddler issues classes, support for mothers with multiples, and more. They also host birthing class reunions for you to connect with the families you took your childbirth class series with (to show off the babies and tell war stories). They also offer lectures on topics such as vaccination and early childhood nutrition and useful workshops on preparing a sibling for the birth of a new baby. We loved our childbirth education classes and our newborn care clinic, and our instructors were warm, caring, engaging, and highly informed. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend RealBirth to any expecting family.
-Jennifer

Stephanie Watson-Campbell
The Stork Store
http://www.storkstorenyc.com/

The final resource I want to suggest, is both a store, the Stork Store http://www.storkstoreNYC.com and the owner of that store, Stephanie Watson-Campbell, a local doula, childbirth educator and lactation counselor. Stephanie said she realized that her neighborhood was in need of a cool, hip and comfortable place for support, supplies, and classes and she created the Stork Store, on Manhattan Avenue in Williamsburg, to fill that need. They carry a wide variety of products for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum including, baby carriers, breast pumps, nursing bras, birth pools, cloth diapers, cool toys, and much more. The store also runs several classes though out the week. Some of them include a breastfeeding circle that takes place on Mondays, Mommy and Me tea on Tuesdays, music classes for all ages, childbirth education, cloth diaper and sling workshops (taught by me!), baby sign language, and more.
-Megan Davidson

St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital/Birthing Center
www.nywomenshealth.com
1000 Tenth Ave
New York, NY 10019
212-523-baby (6222)

I loved the lamaze class. Sarah Jo was our teacher.
-Sarah

I loved the mandatory one at St. Lukes. Initially I wasn’t interested in doing it because I had done Realbirth which I really liked, but I loved the St. Lukes class.
-Kate

I took a HypnoBirthing class at St. Lukes’ Rosevelt and really liked it. I followed that up with reading and tapes about using imagery to get through contractions and that was the only other thing that helped keep me calm. If you can look into it I recommend it
-Amy

I took a childbirth class at the hospital where I was giving birth: St. Luke’s/Roosevelt. It was taught by Nancy Rosensweig. I had wanted to take a class that was especially for twin childbirth (because that is what I was having), I timed it wrong and ended up signing up for the regular childbirth class. It turns out that out of about 8 couples, there were 3 of us giving birth to twins, so she included some info especially for us. While I cannot say that I learned a whole lot more than what I already learned from books, I did enjoy the class. If anything, it made my husband learn some things, and made him a bit more sympathetic to my uncomfortableness. Also, we both enjoyed meeting the other couples in the class – it was a bit like mini-group-therapy in a way! Really though, if your money is tight I would say skip the classes. I ended up with a C-section, so much of it was pretty useless. I think we should have spent our money on childCARE classes vs. childBIRTH!
-Melissa

St. Vincents Hospital
170 W. 12th Street at 7th Ave
New York, NY 10011
212-604-7000

While I was pregnant with my second son we took a class they offered to families with an older child expecting a sibling. It was great since it gave the older child a chance to visit the birthing room and hospital and see what to expect.
-Alison

I took birthing classes at St Vincents Hospital as part of my prenatal care. The teacher was Michelle (can’t remember her last name). I loved her. She is also a Hypnobirthing teacher and had a lot of information on natural child birth. It was just one other couple with us and we got a lot of personal attention. Michelle even did a hypnobirthing session with me to turn my son from a breech position and it really worked!!! I highly recommend her.
-Michelle