Classes for pregnancy, labor and parenting- suggest your favs or the ones you will check out .

[Dogmama]

I wanted to see if anyone has taken some classes or is intending to take classes. Topics ranging from breastfeeding, different types of laboring, infant CPR etc. Could you share where, when and what. Maybe we can come up with an active list of really good local resources.

[Dogmama]

Also, favorite prenatal yoga classes. and mommy and me classes.

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in the replies to this question, but it seems like you're getting crickets in Expectant Moms. Want to move it to General Parenting to see if you get more feedback?

[Anonymous]

I just took Susan Messina's Birth Works weekend intensive class with my husband and thought it was really good. I think he especially found learning about the labor process really helpful. It focused on having a natural birth in a hospital setting.

Prenatal yoga at the Hill Center by Eastern Market is good too.

[Anonymous]

Prenatal yoga in tranquil space is good, but if you are already a “yoggy” (sp?), wait until you are far along or you will get bored
Breastfeeding center in K st is good, and classes are either free or cheap (30$)
I took Susan Messina’s one weekend class and liked it, but you can get the same info watching videos on the internet. And save some money! It was around 350$ per couple. In any case, I found it very useful because my husband really needed info and that was a crash course.
People talk about momease in GW (www.momease.com), but I have not been there

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend internet videos? We did a crash course at Inova Fairfax that was only 1.5 hours of childbirth (also did breastfeeding and baby care), but DH and I are both reading the Birth Partner and I feel decently prepared for an epi birth. I would like to do some more stuff on relaxation and pain management, but not so much that I want to sit through a day long class and spend a lot.

The BF and baby care portions were great. And we are also signed up for Infant CPR at Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

+1 for Susan Messina

Mind the mat has baby and Pilates classes

[Anonymous]

I'm loving prenatal yoga at Circle Yoga in upper NW. I go to the Saturday class with Anne. FWIW, I've not been able to find any prenatal yoga classes that are at all rigorous (I was doing hot power before I got pregnant). I think because so many women start yoga during pregnancy, it would be hard to incorporate such a range of experience levels, never mind the pregnancy-related variability. But, it's still great for the community and a nice opportunity to slow down.

[Anonymous]

I live in VA and love the penatal yoga classes at Mind the Mat in Clarendon and Del Ray.

[Anonymous]

Another Susan Messina class fan. Loved it.
Saturdays tranquil space yoga class is great, but I think the earlier you start the easier it is to stick with it. Anne is a great resource. I took her yoga in childbirth class this past weekend and it was also fantastic.

I found the basic breast feeding class on k street useless and over crowded. My husband found the partners class there useful, though.

[Anonymous]

I was on bedrest when our labor class was supposed to happen, so we watched the Laugh and Learn About Childbirth videos from the library, also available online. I thought they were great and I did learn a lot (didn't laugh that much, but they weren't dry). The baby care video in the same series was less helpful.

[Anonymous]

Also took infant CPR through Inova Fairfax. Great instructor, worthwhile class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I've not been able to find any prenatal yoga classes that are at all rigorous (I was doing hot power before I got pregnant). I think because so many women start yoga during pregnancy, it would be hard to incorporate such a range of experience levels, never mind the pregnancy-related variability. But, it's still great for the community and a nice opportunity to slow down.

I agree. I went to a prenatal class when I was 28w and found them too easy. I needed more power. But at 36w, I think I am ready for a last month class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I've not been able to find any prenatal yoga classes that are at all rigorous (I was doing hot power before I got pregnant). I think because so many women start yoga during pregnancy, it would be hard to incorporate such a range of experience levels, never mind the pregnancy-related variability. But, it's still great for the community and a nice opportunity to slow down.

I agree. I went to a prenatal class when I was 28w and found them too easy. I needed more power. But at 36w, I think I am ready for a last month class

try yoga district's thursday class - the woman who teaches it also teaches crossfit.
Also, BFit on 14th st has "prenatal barre" on sundays. Try that. It kicked my ass, and I was doing barre before I got pregnant. I only went once - it did a number on my abs and I personally found that troubling and didn't want to keep up with it. I'm sure it's great for some people though.

[Anonymous]

+1 on Susan Messina if you are aiming for a natural birth. She is great. For prenatal yoga, I went to Willow Street Yoga in Takoma Park and liked the classes there.