Why Take a Great Starts™ Class?

Classes

Why Take a Great Starts Class?

We help you connect to information.
Our knowledgeable instructors use a variety of teaching techniques and materials to help you to: understand the normal birth process, effectively use labor support techniques, and be informed on current local birth practices.

Our students say: "There is so much information out there it can be overwhelming - this class really pays attention to the most important concepts, and especially addresses participant's specific concerns."

We help you connect to other parents.
Our classes offer opportunities to begin connecting with other parents, sharing experiences, supporting each other, and learning from each other.

Our students say: "I also really enjoyed sharing the experience with the other pregnant couples, the fear, the excitement, and then having the reunion with all those adorable babies after we'd come out the other side... as tired, blissful parents."

We help you connect to your baby.
We teach you to: care for your newborn’s basic needs, to breastfeed, to understand baby’s cues, to keep baby healthy and to emotionally bond with your child.

Our students say: "I liked learning about baby's capabilities, how to care for their physical needs, and their social/emotional development."

We help you connect to your support network.
We discuss many different ways family and friends can nurture and support parents through the birth process and the early weeks with baby. We also help you connect with local resources.

"[Our instructor] is incredibly well-informed... she provided plentiful resources for local support, tips on what handy "goodies" we should have on hand after the birth, and book recommendations to help us with questions that arise in the future."

We help you connect to your own strengths.
We strive to help you find your inner strengths, and to empower you to find out about your options and advocate for the ones that meet your needs.

Our students say: "I was very nervous about giving birth but after taking the class I feel a lot more confident and know that I will be able to handle it."

Great Starts birth classes increase women's confidence about giving birth. See our survey results on confidence levels.

Answers to frequently asked questions about our classes

Guidance in choosing the best class for you.

99% of our past students recommend these classes to other expectant parents!

At the end of each class, we ask our students:

"Sometimes expectant parents aren't sure whether childbirth education classes would be helpful for them. Now that you've taken this class, would you recommend it to others?"

42% say yes, 57% say YES!!! (Or Absolutely! Definitely! YES! YES! YES! and similar superlatives)

In a recent nationwide study of new mothers who had taken childbirth classes, 88% reported having a

better understanding of childbirth options, 78% were more confident in ability to give birth, 70% felt better able to communicate with health care providers, 60% increased trust in hospital, 58% reported decreased fear of medical interventions, 54% increased trust in health care provider.