birth & Newborn classes - Portland
Learn how to prepare for the life-changing journey of giving birth.
At Wildwood Birth, we believe that preparing for birth should feel supportive, empowering, and even joyful. Our childbirth education classes in Portland, Oregon, are designed to meet you where you are — whether you’re hoping to understand the rhythms of labor, explore comfort measures, learn about newborn care, or prepare for the transition into postpartum. You can choose the format that fits best: small-group classes, private in-home sessions with an experienced doula, or flexible online courses you can access anytime. Together, we’ll explore the physiology of late pregnancy, coping strategies for labor, common interventions, and ways to reduce fear and build trust in your body. However you join us, our goal is simple: to nurture your confidence and help you feel prepared for the beautiful, transformative journey of birth and early parenthood.
Newborn & Birthing Classes
in Portland, OR
“Taking a birthing class with my doula was the best thing I did leading up to labor. With each class my fear melted away and was replaced with the knowing that I can do this!”
IN-PERSON BIRTH CLASSES
The Nurtured Path: Foundations of Birth
Preparing for birth is about more than gathering information — it’s about building confidence, finding trust in your body, and connecting with others who are walking a similar path. Our in-person group classes offer a nurturing space to learn, ask questions, and practice together, so you feel supported and ready for labor, birth, and beyond.
Topics Covered:
The stages of labor and what to expect
Comfort measures and coping techniques for each phase
Partner support and communication skills
Common interventions and informed decision-making
Immediate postpartum recovery and newborn procedures
Strategies for easing fear, building resilience, and deepening trust in yourself
Investment: $345-$395
PRIVATE BIRTH CLASSES
Nurtured Path: Foundations at Home
Sometimes the most comfortable place to learn is right at home. Our private sessions bring childbirth education to you, tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or looking for a refresher, these classes create space to ask every question, practice techniques, and prepare for birth and postpartum in a way that feels personal and supportive. Includes up to 8 hours of instruction.
Topics Covered:
The stages of labor and how to prepare for each
Comfort measures and coping techniques you can practice at home
Partner roles and strategies for feeling supported
Common interventions and making informed choices
Postpartum recovery and newborn care basics
Approaches to reducing anxiety and strengthening confidence in your body’s wisdom
Participating Doulas/Childbirth Educators:
Kim Kovac, Kelly Overly, Julia Martin, Heidi Long
Investment: $100 per hour
ONLINE BIRTH CLASSES
The Wildwood Way to Birth
Prefer a course you can watch at your own pace, in the comfort of your sweatpants? Our online library includes 8+ hours of bite-sized videos, activities, handouts, and birth story interviews from parents who have walked this path before.
Wildwood doula or photo clients receive $50 off the course. Insurance reimbursement is available with a provided certificate of completion.
Check out the Wildwood Birth Education website for more info.
Investment: $179*
IN-PERSON BIRTH CLASSES
The Nurtured Path: Newborn Foundations
Caring for a newborn can feel overwhelming at first — but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Our in-person group newborn care class creates a supportive space to learn the essentials, gain confidence, and connect with other new parents. You’ll walk away with practical skills, trusted guidance, and the reassurance that you’re not alone in this new chapter.
Topics Covered:
Baby sleep
Soothing
How often to feed baby
Dealing with gas and digestion
Baby wearing
Swaddling
Challenges & common feeding issues
Nourishing yourself postpartum
Investment: $245 - $265
PRIVATE BABY CLASSES
Nurtured Path: Foundations at Home
The postpartum experience can be overwhelming. From recovery to newborn care, we’ll help you prepare for this transformative time. This series is offered privately in your home in one or two sessions.
Topics Covered:
Postpartum recovery and preparation
Understanding normal infant behavior, communication, appearance, and sleep patterns
Common newborn procedures in the hospital
Basics of soothing, diapering, umbilical cord care, bathing, and baby assessment
Newborn warning signs & when to call the pediatrician
Breast/chest & bottle-feeding best practices, tips, and techniques
Investment: $100 per hour
BABY FEEDING CLASSES
Nurtured Path: Nourishing Beginnings
This 4-hour class covers everything you need to know about feeding your baby, whether you choose breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, formula, or a combination. Offered privately in your home in one or two sessions.
Topics Covered:
Latching positions
How often to feed baby
How to know if baby is feeding well
Building a good milk supply
Milk storage & formula safety
When & how to introduce pumping and bottles
Challenges & common feeding issues
Tips for returning to work or school
Nutrition while nursing
Introducing solid foods
Investment: $100 per hour
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Physiology of Late Pregnancy
You’ll learn how your body is naturally preparing for the experience of giving birth to new life and how to identify the signs of labor.
Breathing Techniques & Coping With Pain
Discover relaxation and breathing techniques, visualization strategies to help you cope with contractions and labor, and options for medication to help ease the pain of childbirth.
The Stages of Labor
Childbirth classes will take you through the stages of labor and what to expect from each phase of the process, as well as how to understand the messages your body is sending you. You will learn the goals of each stage of labor, approximately how long each stage will last, and how you can best support the process of each stage. Your partner or support team will also learn how to best support you during each stage.
Common Interventions
You’ll learn how various interventions such as inductions, IV pain medication, epidurals, fetal monitoring, , catheterization, episiotomy, and cesarean surgery can influence the course of labor and how to adapt.
Coping With Fear and Anxiety
Experiencing fear and anxiety related to labor is common and normal for expectant parents, and childbirth classes can help you acknowledge and address them in a safe environment. Exploring prenatally how your fears might manifest and effect labor, and determining potential ways to cope with these fears, can help significantly during the birthing process.
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Childbirth classes are often recommended during the later part of the second trimester or during the third trimester. However, the decision about when to take childbirth classes during pregnancy really depends on you.
If you feel unsure about the process and you want more time to practice techniques and build up your confidence prior to giving birth, you can absolutely choose to take classes earlier during your pregnancy. It can also be helpful to use the first trimester to research the various types of prenatal education and childbirth classes available so you can make a decision about the right kind of classes for you.
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While they can be a wonderful way to learn and prepare to give birth, are birthing classes necessary? With the current popularity of epidurals, the increase in the rate of c-sections, and the availability of online information, some expectant parents choose not to take childbirth classes, and that’s a perfectly okay choice.
However, even if you opt for an epidural and/or require a c-section, prenatal education can still be beneficial. These courses can help you understand the stages of labor and interpret the signals your body is sending you and give you peace of mind that you know what to expect and how to adapt to potential complications or changing circumstances as you prepare to give birth.
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Many areas of our lives have changed due to COVID-19, and online birthing classes have become more relevant than ever. Online childbirth classes offer a safe and convenient way to plan for labor. While you may lose some of the hands-on and interpersonal benefits of in-person classes, online options still offer you all of the same information you need to prepare for the birthing process.
You have the option to learn via live and interactive instruction or pre-recorded video from experts who can teach you about what to expect and how to prepare for childbirth. In many cases, you also have access to course materials for several months, meaning you can come back to information you learned as you get closer to your due date.
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Ask a doula!
We’re here to offer support and guidance through the incredible journey you’re on through your pregnancy and labor. If you’re wondering how to find childbirth classes near me, want to sign up for our online childbirth classes, or just have concerns about your pregnancy and don’t know who to talk to, get in touch and tell us how we can help.
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Most people find taking Newborn Care Classes in the last two months of pregnancy to be most helpful. This series pairs perfectly with the Nurtured Path: Foundations of Childbirth Series.
Contact a
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR TODAY
We look forward to connecting with you and learning how we can best support you during this wild and exciting time.