Prepared Childbirth Classes
The Prepared Childbirth Classes at the N.C. Women's Hospital at UNC Hospitals will help you prepare physically and mentally for labor. Whether you're a first-time parent or need a refresher, these courses can help you feel ready for labor and delivery.
Prepared Childbirth
Classes focus on the normal birth process with emphasis on how mother and partner or labor support person can work together to have a healthy, positive experience. Of course you can take this class at any time during pregnancy, but we recommend that you register when the mother is between 12 and 20 weeks pregnant and plan to start the class between 20 and 27 weeks. We offer 12 hours of instruction with different class schedules, some last four weeks and others two weeks. 20% discount with Medicaid, 10% discount for UNC employees/students
Online Prepared Childbirth
Can’t come to all of the Prepared Childbirth on-site classes? We now offer another option!
Our online childbirth class is the perfect alternative for those wanting a flexible class schedule, or for those living or working too far from our hospital.
Have you given birth before? This online class is also a great refresher course! While nothing can replace the personal connection of an on-site childbirth series of classes, you’ll learn essential information, including what’s happening to your changing body, how you’ll know when you are really in labor, helpful comfort techniques, advice for partners or support people, an overview of medical procedures, and much more. Plus, includes an optional one-one call session that will give expecting parents a great opportunity to ask questions or clarify any information. 20% discount with Medicaid, 10% discount for UNC employees/students
We offer eClasses
Understanding Birth eClass
Can’t fit a childbirth class into your busy schedule or prefer to learn online at your own pace? We’ll bring the class to you! Consider the Understanding Birth eClass your go-to guide for answers you can trust on childbirth. This interactive online course covers essential information on labor and more and highlights ways partners can help. You’ll also get a sense of what labor is really like as you watch several birth stories. You’ll even have an opportunity to create your own birth plan!
You can access the eClass from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection. Allow 6-8 hours to complete.
eClass chapters:
- Pregnancy
- Labor
- Birth Stories
- Comfort Techniques
- Medical Procedures
- Cesarean Birth
- Newborns
- Postpartum
What’s included?
- Videos, animations, and optional read-along audio
- Quizzes, interactive exercises, notes pages, and extended activities
- Essential tools, including a birth plan checklist and contraction timer
- Audio library with soothing sounds, lullabies, and relaxation exercises
- PDF library, glossary, and web links
- Access in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese) with accessibility features
- Class completion certificate
Understanding Fatherhood eClass
Preparing for fatherhood is no easy task. Men want to support their partners and new babies, but often feel lost and unsure about how to do that. This convenient, informative, and entertaining eClass was created for men (by men) to help them find their way on this unique journey. With a positive focus on the importance of being involved right from the start, you’ll learn how to support your partner through pregnancy and birth, as well as survival tips for those first few sleep-deprived months with a newborn. Integrated throughout the class are fun activities and video clips that share the relatable stories of real dads and advice from a fatherhood expert. You can access the eClass from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection. The class takes about 3 hours to complete.
eClass chapters:
- The Importance of Fathers
- The Pregnant Dad: Involved From the Start
- Labor and Delivery: A Dad Is Born
- Baby Care: Dad in Action
- The Postpartum Dad: Emotions & Your Relationship
- Parenting: A Dad's Life
What’s included?
- Videos, animations, and optional read-along audio
- Quizzes, interactive exercises, notes pages, and extended activities
- PDF library, including a Labor Partner’s Tip Sheet, Safe Swaddling, Baby Supplies Checklist, and Home Safety Checklist
- Essential pregnancy and new-parent tools, such as Trimester To-Do Lists, a Contraction Timer, and Feeding Log
- Glossary and web links
- Class completion certificate
Understanding Infant & Child Safety eClass
Statistics that show infants and children are most often injured in homes and cars. This can be scary for any new parent. Do you know all the ways you can reduce your child’s risk of being hurt from a preventable accident? Learn life-saving information by taking this online safety class!
Spanning from infancy to early childhood, this class teaches car safety essentials, safe baby care, childproofing tips, accident prevention in and outside the home, and how to be better prepared for an emergency. Fun, interactive learning activities and instructive video clips help you learn about and apply essential safety guidelines.
You can access the eClass from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection. The class takes about 3 hours to complete.
eClass chapters:
- Car Safety
- Safe Baby Care
- Safety Products
- Home Safety
- Poisons
- Emergency Preparedness
What’s included?
- Videos, animations, and optional read-along audio
- Quizzes, interactive exercises, notes pages, and extended activities
- PDF library
- Essential pregnancy and new-parent tools
- Glossary and web links
- Class completion certificate
Understanding Cesarean Birth eClass
Get prepared for your upcoming planned cesarean birth! This interactive online course covers essential information about preparing for, having, and recovering from cesarean surgery, and it highlights ways partners can help throughout the process. You’ll also learn what steps you can take to make your cesarean birth a family-centered experience, including an opportunity to create your own cesarean birth plan.
You can access the eClass from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection. The class will take about 2 to 3 hours to complete.
eClass chapters:
- Cesarean Overview
- Signs of Labor
- Preparing for Surgery
- Anesthesia
- Surgical Procedure
- Recovery in the Hospital
- Recovery at Home
What’s included?
- Videos, animations, and optional read-along audio
- Quizzes, interactive exercises, notes pages, and extended activities
- PDF library including What to Pack for Your Surgery and Family-Centered Cesarean Birth Plan checklists
- Audio library with a cesarean birth visualization exercise, a prenatal bonding exercise, and more
- Essential new-parent tools
- Glossary and web links
- Class completion certificate
Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care eClass
Becoming a parent is an exciting time, with many new experiences, emotions, and a ton of questions. Consider the Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care eClass your go-to guide for caring for yourself and your new baby over the first few days and weeks. This interactive online course covers essential information about caring for your newborn, feeding your baby, and taking care of yourself after childbirth. It also highlights important warning signs so you know when to call for help. Parenthood is a journey. Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care was created to prepare you for this adventure.
You can access the eClass from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection. Allow about 2 hours to complete.
eClass chapters:
- Postpartum Health
- Baby Care
- Breastfeeding
What’s included?
- Videos, animations, and optional read-along audio
- Quizzes, interactive exercises, notes pages, and extended activities
- Essential tools, including a breastfeeding and diaper log
- Audio library with soothing sounds, lullabies, and relaxation exercises
- PDF library, glossary, and web links
- Class completion certificate
