Prenatal Classes

Prenatal classes are a great idea for couples expecting their first child. There are many options in the Greater Vancouver area. Most women will opt for a comprehensive program covering pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding/early newborn care. The classes often take place over several weeks, and many providers will offer single-day courses as well. Courses usually start at around 30 weeks, but women should book early as popular classes will fill up. There are also niche programs (eg. hypnobirthing), for women seeking an alternative birth experience. It should be noted that women under the care of the OB Group are not eligible for home birth or water birth.

Baby Prep is a very popular outfit running out of the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. They have a multitude of offerings including in-person group and private classes, online classes, and specialized twin and C-section classes.

Down to Birth is run by Alison and Marlene, two of our most experienced labour and delivery nurses at BC Women’s. They offer prenatal-in-a-day classes.

Dancing Star Birth is run by a professional doula and birth photographer. They have online offerings and in-person classes on the east side.

St. Paul’s Hospital offers online and in-person prenatal classes, which are aimed at women delivering at St-Paul’s, but open to all-comers.

Douglas College offers basic online and in-person prenatal classes in the following communities: Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Chilliwack, North Delta, North Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford.

Dodo Childbirth is run by Sylvia Chang, who is one of our best and most-experienced labour and delivery nurses at BC Women’s. She specializes in mandarin and cantonese-language classes.

For women interested in hypnobirthing, Hypnomammas is run by a doula who offers the Hypnobabies Program online and in-person from locations on the east side or downtown.

Tummy Talks is a free 2-part virtual prenatal series sponsored by Insception Lifebank and run by registered nurses from Markham Prenatal & Newborn Educators. They consist of two 2-hour live and interactive webinars.