Loving Arms Childbirth: VBAC prep class & more birth classes
Join us for comprehensive, evidence-based, and fun birth prep classes - and make new friends while you’re at it!
Loving Arms has been preparing East Bay families for birth and beyond since 1995. Our experienced educators are passionate about equipping you with the tools you need to have an empowered birth experience and a steady start with your new baby. We also love connecting expectant families with each other - after all, it takes a village! Bonus: Most of our classes are covered by your health insurance/FSA.
Upcoming classes!
VBAC Preparation: December 4th, 6:00-9:00pm $125
Get the education and skills you need to prepare for a vaginal birth after a cesarean: process your previous birth experience, refresh your memory about birth and comfort measures, plan for a new experience, and prep older siblings for a new family member. Taught by an experienced doula Anna Mahony
Six Week Series: Runs Thursdays, December 7th - January 11th (skips 12/28). Our most popular class and a great way to make new friends! We'll cover:
- Stages of labor
- Comfort techniques
- Labor positions
- Identifying and advocating for your preferences
- Working as a team and communicating with care providers
- Challenges and interventions
You’ll also get lots of tips on the local birth scene, whether you are planning to welcome your baby at the hospital, at home, or at a birth center. Includes a free All About Lactation workshop to help you get prepared for a smooth start to feeding! Get more info & register here.
We often get asked: "I'm taking a birth prep class through my hospital/care provider, do I reeeeally need to take another one?" And, we get it: time is precious when you're pregnant! Our independent perspective focuses on things like: laboring at home, hands-on practice with comfort measures and labor positions, and opportunities to build community and meet other parents.
For folks that are short on time before your baby arrives, we've got you covered with dedicated workshops to help you dive into the basics:
Not sure what class is right for you? We have a quiz for that...
Contact info [at] lovingarmschildbirthservices.com (info[at]lovingarmschildbirthservices[dot]com) or 510-525-1155. We look forward to supporting your sweet growing family!
“Loving Arms childbirth preparation class was such a terrific course that helped my partner and I to feel fully prepared for the birth of our son. Molly Brannigan was our instructor and she is warm, welcoming, and is remarkably knowledgeable on all things related to babies and birthing. The class was co-taught with a doula (Lenore) and she was also a fantastic teacher who provided insights on the birthing process from the perspective of a doula and based on her experiences at various Bay Area hospitals. The class covered critical topics each week including comfort measures, how partners can be helpful throughout the process, interventions, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery and newborn care in the early weeks after delivery. The class was not only informative, it also provided a unique opportunity to meet other families at the same stage of life. When the class ended, and after everyone had their babies, we got together as a group for a reunion with babies which was so sweet. I would very highly recommend Loving Arms to anyone expecting a little one in the Bay Area.” - Dominique Kraft