Have questions about labor, birth, newborn care, breastfeeding, car seats or what you need to know as a first-time parent? We offer classes for pregnancy and early months of parenting. We'd also be delighted to take you on a virtual tour of our Birth Center.

Childbirth and new baby classes marked as (PTWC) are offered on our campus in partnership with the Great Starts™ program of Parent Trust for Washington Children.

Questions about classes?

For any questions about Parent Trust (PTWC) classes, or to register by phone, please email greatstarts@parenttrust.org or call Great Starts at 206.789.0883. 
 
Scholarships are available for PTWC classes—Please inquire.

Birth Prep: Birth & Parenting Preparation — Comprehensive Series (PTWC)

Offered on 6 weeknights from 6:30 – 9 PM, or 3 Saturday   mornings from 9 AM – 2:30 PM with a half hour lunch   break. This series of classes combines the information   from three classes—Labor & Birth, Breastfeeding, and   Newborn Care—into this single, comprehensive series.   This multi-week format gives you a chance to meet and connect with other expectant parents, and includes a reunion after all the babies in the group are born. It also allows for more discussion, Q&A, and practice time than the mini-series.

Parent Trust recommends that you choose classes that end two to five weeks before your due date—early enough that you'll be able to complete the class before baby comes, but late enough that you'll still remember all the information! Includes 15 hours of prenatal class time, plus a reunion class and coupon code for a free Conscious Fathering class for dads. (DSHS ProviderOnecards accepted. Scholarships available—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

 

Birth Prep: Labor & Birth Mini-Series (PTWC)

Held either as an 8-hour single day class, or on two half-days Saturdays or Sundays. Provides essential information about pregnancy, what to expect during labor and birth (including how you’ll know labor is beginning, when you will go to the hospital, and how you’ll know it’s time to push), natural techniques for coping with labor pain (breathing, relaxation, massage, etc.), how partners can provide support, pain medication, hospital routines, and medical procedures. Includes only the bare essentials of breastfeeding and newborn care. 

Parent Trust recommends that you choose classes that end two to five weeks before your due date—early enough that you'll be able to complete the class before baby comes, but late enough that you'll still remember all the information! (DSHS ProviderOnecards accepted.  Scholarships available—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

 

Breastfeeding (PTWC)

Learn about why to breastfeed, how to breastfeed, how often to feed, how to know baby is getting plenty; preventing and treating common challenges, expressing/pumping and storing breast milk, and how partners can support breastfeeding moms. If you are planning to breastfeed, or even if you’re just considering your options, this class will give you (and your partner) the tools you need to get your baby off to a healthy start. 2.5 hours, single session class. (Note: breastfeeding class is included in the comprehensive Birth & Parenting series. Scholarships available—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

 

Circle of Security™:
Boost your Parenting Skills to Give
Your Baby the Best Possible Start

Creating a strong, healthy relationship between you and your child is the most important gift you can give. As
parents, we often feel unsure about what our child needs from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you.

Join us for the Circle of Security™ Parenting series, an award-winning program designed to enhance close relationships between parents and children. Circle of Security™ will teach you the skills you need to read your child’s signals, so you can be a more perceptive, responsive and effective parent during those formative first years of life.

Parents and caregivers of children ages birth to 2 years are invited to attend FREE Circle of Security™ classes at Valley Medical Center. The 8-week program is facilitated by Joanna Leung. If you would like to bring your sitter and child while you attend class, a separate room is available for their use. Class size is limited to 30 individuals.

Conscious Fathering (PTWC)

Expectant dads learn how to meet babies’ most basic needs: to be fed, to burp, to be comfortable, to be rested, and to be responded to when they cry. We also discuss how you will become the kind of dad you want to be. This class is for expectant dads, or dads of newborns (new/expectant father-figures also welcome to register). 2 hours, single session class. (Included with comprehensive birth series registration. Scholarships available for all others—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

 

Life with Baby (PTWC)

Register Now

Newborn Care (PTWC)

Learn how to care for your baby (swaddling, diapering, bathing, health and safety), newborn sleep patterns, infant communication, understanding crying and techniques for soothing. We focus on the first few months of life, but also cover support resources you can use as you move forward on your parenting journey. 2.5 hours, single session class.
(Note: newborn care is included in the Comprehensive series. Scholarships available—Call 206.789.0883 for details.)

Register Now

 

Car Seat Safety

All newborns, infants and children (within certain age and weight ranges) are required to ride in a car seat by Washington state law. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent: Avoid putting your baby at risk of injury if an accident occurs by ensuring your seat is installed correctly.

Review this Safe Kids checklist to make sure you know how to make sure your child’s car seat is properly installed.

Videos are also available to help you learn how to properly install your child’s car seat.

Learn the details about Washington’s child safety seat and seat belt laws.

View a video about properly buckling your seat belt during pregnancy

 

 

Virtual Birth Center Tour

View our beautiful, private labor. birthing, and recovery suites with hydrotherapy whirlpool baths, a daybed for family members, free on-demand movies and room service meal delivery. You'll learn about our state-of-the-art Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and our caring and experienced staff.

Take a Virtual Tour

 

Adjusting to Parenting Support Group

Breastfeeding Support Group

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents

You don’t have to learn breastfeeding alone!

Join our drop in gathering of breastfeeding parents for support, ideas, encouragement, and evidence-based information as you learn what breastfeeding means for you and your baby. Bring your questions, concerns, and celebrations to share. Lactation consultant will be present with education, resources and referral for additional help as needed.

Classes are held in the Medical Arts Center (MAC) building on Valley Medical Center’s main campus. Park in the North Parking Garage and enter the MAC using the 3rd floor skybridge. Take the elevator to the first floor, turn right, and follow the hall to locate the classroom.

For schedule information, click here. 

Perinatal Loss Support Group

For Young Families

Text4Baby Text Message Health Tips

Tips for Preventing SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained. It is also known as crib death.

Learn More

 

Pregnancy & Childbirth Online Health Library: 24/7 Health Tips, Quizzes & Information

VMC's health library (accessed via the "Outreach & Education" tab) is a great resource for understanding your child's growth and development. You'll find educational information about pregnancy and childbirth, normal newborn behavior, breast pumps, traveling while pregnant or breastfeeding, and other practical advice. Explore library content, read news articles and test your knowledge using helpful interactive tools, including risk assessments, quizzes and calculators. Use it to learn how to stay healthy, lower your family’s medical costs, check drug interactions, research medical conditions and procedures, and more.

Learn More