There are several good reasons for taking prenatal classes:

• Understand the changes in your body and emotions during pregnancy, birth and postpartum
• Make informed decisions about the care that you and your baby receive
• Meet other expectant parents
• Learn about a wide range of views about birth and parenting
• Learn ways of coping in labour and postpartum
• Find out about the various community resources available to you and your family

• The Department of Childbirth and Family Life Preparation (CFLP) offers a wide variety of prenatal classes to meet the needs of families birthing at Sunnybrook. We also welcome families birthing elsewhere.
• Our teachers are certified childbirth educators. We incorporate the most current research into our teaching and bring a wealth of experience to our classes.
• We value family-centred care, informed decision-making and respect for individual choices.

• Preparation for childbirth classes
  This course prepares first-time parents for their birth and postpartum experience.
  
  Classes cover:
  
  • Labour and delivery: an overview of stages
  • Comfort measures and coping skills for pregnancy and labour
  • Medications and interventions
  • Caesarean section
  • Breastfeeding
  • Hospital tour
  • Resources
  
  Weekly evening series: four 3-hour classes
  Weekend workshop: two 7-hour classes
  
  
• Baby care workshop
  Learn how to care for and cope with a newborn. Besides tips on bathing, diapering and soothing, this 3.5-hour workshop covers baby equipment, when to call the doctor, and parenting styles.
  
  
• Infant emergency workshop
  A three-hour basic first-aid course with an overview of infant CPR for parents and care givers of infants.

• Twins and more: childbirth classes
  This course prepares parents of twins or triplets for their birth and postpartum experience.
  
  Classes cover:
  
  • Differences in multiple pregnancy and birth
  • Preterm labour, bedrest and the premature baby
  • Labour and delivery: an overview of stages
  • Comfort measures and coping skills for pregnancy and labour
  • Medications and interventions
  • Caesarean section
  • Breastfeeding multiples
  • Hospital tour
  • Caring for yourselves and your babies
  • Resources
  • Class reunion
  
  Weekly evening series: four 3-hour classes
  
  
• Twins and more: baby care
  A 3.5-hour class similar to our Baby Care Workshop, but geared to parents of multiples.

• Refresher class
  Refresh your memory about labour and birth. Includes coping techniques, hospital tour and learning how to prepare for your growing family
  
  
• Big kids class
  Let us help you prepare your children for the new baby with this 2-hour Saturday morning class, which includes a brief tour
  
  
• VBAC-Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section
  This class will provide information about attempting a trial of labour after a previous cesarean birth. Discussion will include the risks and benefits of choosing a trial of labour or a repeat cesarean birth.

• Hospital tour
  A one-hour class that includes a tour of the birthing area and the Mother and Baby Unit. This tour is included in preparation for childbirth classes, but available separately for those not enrolled. You can also view a virtual tour of the Women & Babies birthing unit and facility.
  
  
• Communication night
  Members of our obstetrical team answer your questions about having a baby at our hospital. This free event is held in the foyer of M-wing, 5th floor, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the last Monday in March, June, September & December. You can register online.
  
  
• Baby care workshop for grandparents
  Refresh your skills on how to cope and care for a newborn. This workshop covers all the new recommendations for child care and is suitable for anyone who will be helping to care for the new addition to the family. Get an inside look at Sunnybrook's grandparent workshop »
  
  
• Planned caesarean section class
  This course will help prepare parents who are planning on delivering their baby/babies by caesarean section. This course will include information on the caesarean procedure, medications, recovery and the postpartum period, as well as breastfeeding and a tour of the Birthing Unit and Maternal Newborn Unit.
  
  
• Tours for high school students
  We offer tours of the labour and maternity floors to high school students. All tours include a brief overview of labour and a birth video.
  
  
• Private classes
  Please call for a referal