Pregnancy and parenting are filled with lots of uncertainty. This free, evidence-based program will answer many of your questions and will help ease your anxiety. Lessons include topics such as Understanding Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, Infant Hygiene, Infant First-Aid, Getting Your Baby to Sleep, and much more. At each weekly appointment, clients will meet one-on-one with a trained peer mentor for one hour. With each lesson that is completed, clients will earn “baby bucks” for supplies such as diapers, wipes, clothing, blankets, and much more. EWYL is tailored to client’s schedule and personal interests. To enroll please use the link below OR download our Application Form and send the completed form to info@whatcomclinic.com. Feel free to visit WCPC to fill out the Application Form in person as well.
Group Classes
Free group childbirth education classes are offered quarterly and are taught by Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators. This 4-week course offers 10 hours of content that covers:
- Anatomy and Physiology of Labor
- Phases and Stages of Labor
- Medical and Non-Medical Comfort Measures
- Interventions and Induction
- Cesarean Birth
- Birth Plans
- Newborn Care
- Postpartum Recovery
- Feeding Your Newborn
Clients who attend this group receive a free 70-page workbook and a birth goodie bag full of items needed for class activities and comfort measures for their labor experience. These families also recieve 25 ‘baby bucks’ that they can use in our baby shop.
In this group class, families learn by participating in class discussions, videos and hands on activities all while getting to know other families who are in the same season of life. Much of the content is directed in educating the support person so that they know what to expect in labor and how to comfort their partner in both labor and the postpartum period. It is recommended to bring a support person who would be in the labor room to this class. This can be a partner, parent, friend, sibling or other support person.
For more information on group childbirth education classes please email Megan at meganm@whatcomclinic.com.
Independent Study
Free self-led workbooks are provided to families who would like to learn the same content provided in the group class, but on their own time. These workbooks are connected to an app which provides essential videos that are easily accessible. Families who go through this individual study can connect with our Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator who can answer any questions, comments or concerns the family may have.
Topics in this individual study include:
- Late Pregnancy
- Labor
- Comfort Techniques
- Birth Stories
- Medical Interventions
- Cesarean Birth
- Newborns
- Postpartum
The workbook also provides practical resources including:
- Packing Checklist
- Contraction Timer
- Birth Plan
- Postpartum Depression Scale
- Audio Library (with lullabies and calming sounds for pregnancy, birth & postpartum)
- And More!
*Offered in English and Spanish!
To receive an Individual Study Childbirth Education Workbook please email info@whatcomclinic.com.
This one-week, 4-hour class focuses on the first two weeks after birth. This class is held once a quarter on a Saturday after our 4-week childbirth education class session. You do not have to attend the childbirth education class to attend this group.
In this class we cover the following:
- Navigating Postpartum Recovery
- Car Seat Safety
- Basic Newborn Care
- Baby Wearing
- Feeding Your Newborn
- Essentials of Positioning and Latch
These classes are taught by our Perinatal Support Specialist, who is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Birth Doula, and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist.
For more information or to sign up for this class, email meganm@whatcomclinic.com.
Cycle Tracking & Body Literacy
- What your body is telling you during the four phases of your cycle.
- The four main hormones that impact your menstrual health.
- How hormonal health impacts your overall health.
- How different phases of your cycle can impact mental health, energy levels and more.
- The difference between treating menstrual health problems through hormonal suppression versus restorative reproductive practices.
- Ways to alleviate painful periods and lifestyle changes that can improve hormone balance.
- Cycle Charting
- Urinary Hormone Tracking
- Common Menstrual Health Problems (PMS, PMDD, PCOS, Endometriosis and more)
- Family Planning
At the end of the course, clients have the option of receiving a free basal body temperature thermometer to get them started on their cycle tracking journey.