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The months, weeks and days preceding your baby's birth will be an exciting, joyful time filled with many physical and emotional changes. This is a natural time for you to learn more about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.
The BirthPlace at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica offers a comprehensive educational program to help improve your birthing experience and ease your transition to parenthood. Our program includes a variety of prenatal and postpartum classes for you, your partner or support person, your other children, grandparents and/or other relatives. Topics include childbirth preparation, breast-feeding, baby care, infant CPR and safety, sibling preparation and parenting support. This insert contains an overview of our classes. Unless otherwise indicated, the classes require registration. To register or for additional information, call our BirthPlace Office at (424) 259-8250.
Having A Baby at The BirthPlace
This overview of The BirthPlace guides you and your partner from admission to discharge and includes a tour of our maternity facilities. Discussion focuses on educational classes, delivery options, special services and family participation.
You are encouraged to attend one of these FREE sessions during your second trimester of pregnancy. Private tours can be arranged for a nominal fee.
Breast-feeding Class
Health professionals agree that breast-feeding newborns is healthier than bottle-feeding them. Additionally, many new mothers opt to breast-feed because it helps foster bonds between them and their newborns.
The BirthPlace offers a specific class on breast-feeding to help you master this important skill. Certified lactation consultants who are knowledgeable about all aspects of breast-feeding teach our class. They cover anatomy and physiology of the breast, nursing positions and effective techniques. Additional topics include nutrition, nipple care, breast pumps, nursing equipment and storage of breast milk.
We encourage partners to attend the class because those who understand breast-feeding concepts and techniques provide better support and understanding.
We recommend you take this class during your last trimester of pregnancy.
Childbirth Preparation
This eight-hour course (four evenings or two weekend afternoons) provides an overview of the labor and delivery process, including 1) beginning labor signs; 2) the different stages; 3) when to leave for the hospital; and 4) what to expect throughout the birthing experience.
The course features both discussion and practice of pain/stress management techniques (breathing, relaxation, positioning, attention-focusing), along with helpful comfort measures. Labor partners are taught proven strategies for physical and emotional support. Medication options, medical intervention and Cesarean births are also covered.
Expectant parents gain vital knowledge to improve their communication and support skills, work effectively with caregivers and participate actively to ensure a positive birthing experience. Due to high demand and space limitations, you should register 3 to 4 months BEFORE your due date.
Classes for High-Risk Patients
The BirthPlace also offers Childbirth Preparation classes or related education to high-risk maternity patients being treated for pre-term labor in our Antepartum Unit. With your physicians approval, you may be able to attend regular classes or, if not, at least view tapes covering childbirth instruction. Referrals to instructors for private classes at home or in the hospital also can be provided. Contact our BirthPlace Office for details.
Bradley Childbirth
The Bradley method actively promotes natural childbirth as a safe method for both mother and baby. Participants focus inward, work with their bodies and use natural breathing and deep-relaxation techniques during labor. Partners are encouraged to assume active roles.
Our Bradley class emphasizes being an informed consumer and stresses positive communication with your medical team. Topics covered include exercise, nutrition, breast-feeding, newborn care and consumer issues. Several birth films are shown.
We encourage couples to take this course at the beginning of their second trimester of pregnancy. A Bradley refresher course also is available.
Hypnobirthing
This eight-hour workshop, taught by Smart Beginnings, helps couples learn to birth mindfully through hypnosis, imagery and aromatherapy. The class is held in a peaceful, natural setting and covers all birthing modalities. Meditation and therapeutic touch are included in the class content. Participants receive a healthy lunch and music to use during the birthing process.
Cesarean-Section Class
This class helps prepare expectant parents for a scheduled C-section, explaining the delivery procedure, comfort measures, postpartum stay and related issues.
Expectant parents are encouraged to take this class during their last trimester of pregnancy.
Infant CPR and Baby Safety
This class teaches basic life-support, infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver for obstructed airway. Other topics include car-seat safety, poison prevention and baby-proofing your home.
Please register for this class at least two months before your due date. The class also can be taken after your child’s birth. Parents of babies in our NICU are offered this class at no charge and encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Baby Care Class
Good baby care begins with your love and concern. Beyond that, however, you need some technical training and hands-on experience. Our class will teach you everything from holding your baby to care of the umbilical cord and circumcision. The importance of sleep, exercise, fresh air and sunlight to your baby's growth and development are discussed, as are topics such as diapering, bathing, feeding and dressing your baby. The class also examines the messages of crying.
Other topics include weight gain, teething, immunizations, preventive health care and preparation of a layette. The class also covers baby-proofing your home, child passenger safety and the importance of cuddling and touching.
This class is ideal for expectant mothers and partners, caregivers and older siblings. We recommend taking this class during your second or third trimester.
Mother-Infant Support Group
New mothers and their babies gather weekly at The BirthPlace for education, observation and discussion. These gatherings provide mothers with opportunities to ask questions and discuss concerns about baby care, feeding, sleeping, normal growth and development. Gatherings also provide a setting to observe differences in babies and parenting styles. Mothers can share the impact of parenting on their personal lives, careers and relationships, and are encouraged to form a mutual support network once the gatherings have ended.
Schedule of Educational Classes
To register for all classes, call our BirthPlace Office at (424) 259-8250. The class prices listed below are for expectant parents delivering at our hospital. PLEASE NOTE THAT RATES ARE HIGHER IF DELIVERING AT ANOTHER FACILITY.
PRENATAL EDUCATION
Having a Baby at The BirthPlace (Orientation, tour)
Call The BirthPlace for an updated schedule. Each session runs approximately 75 minutes. Reservations needed. No charge. Nominal fee for private tours.
Breast-Feeding Class
Third Wednesday of every month, excluding holidays. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $60 per couple.
Childbirth Preparation
Four classes per regular session. Two sessions for accelerated class. Call The BirthPlace Office for an updated schedule. Due to limited space, please register three to four months before your due date.
Tuesdays: 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesdays: 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturdays: 1 to 5 p.m. (accelerated class)
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (accelerated class)
Cost: $145 per couple / $155 for accelerated class
Combined Childbirth Preparation and Breast-feeding
Enroll in the Tuesday or Wednesday evening Childbirth Preparation class and the Breastfeeding class and receive a $10 discount off the total price.
Childbirth Preparation Refresher
Call The BirthPlace for dates and times. Cost: $95
Cesarean-Section Class
Call The BirthPlace for dates and times. Cost: $95
Bradley Childbirth
Eight classes per session. Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $200 per couple. For information about the Bradley Refresher class, call The BirthPlace.
Hypnobirthing
Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $250 per couple.
Infant CPR & Baby Safety
One Thursday each month: 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. One Saturday each month: 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Cost: $40 per person / $65 per couple. Please register two to three months before your due date. Bring $10 to class for instruction booklet.
Baby Care Class
One Saturday each month: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $80 per couple.
POSTPARTUM EDUCATION
Mother-Infant Support Group
Join our FREE support group for new moms who delivered at The BirthPlace or Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Hosted by a lactation consultant, the gatherings will provide a forum for new moms to network, share insights and discuss breastfeeding and other parenting topics. Please note that this is NOT a breastfeeding-technique clinic. Referrals available for specific needs.
Thursdays (excluding holidays)
Noon to 1 pm
2 Merle Norman Pavilion - Postpartum Waiting Room Information only: (424) 259-8250
To register for all classes, call The BirthPlace Office at (424) 259-8250. Our BirthPlace staff also can provide referrals to other prenatal, parenting or pregnancy exercise classes offered in the community. Prices may change. Please confirm cost with The BirthPlace Office.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- There is a $5 administrative fee per class cancellation. Refunds are based on the guidelines below. No refunds or credits are issued for missed classes. It takes four to six weeks to process refunds. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
- If you cancel two weeks before the start date, a full refund, minus the administrative fee, will be issued.
- If you cancel after the two-week deadline, 50 percent of the cost, minus the administrative fee, will be issued.
- If you start a Childbirth Preparation class and then cancel after only one or two sessions, a partial refund may be issued on a case-by-case basis. No refunds will be issued after 50 percent of the class is completed.
- If you register for an accelerated Childbirth Preparation class and then miss any part of the class, no refunds will be issued.
- Due to heavy demand for our Breast-feeding and Infant CPR/Baby Safety classes, no refunds or credits will be issued for classes missed without 24-hour notice to our BirthPlace Office.
