Pre-natal Classes in Gilbert

Hi A.!
My name is H. and I am also pregnant for the first time (31 weeks), and I also live neer the San Tan area off of Williams Field. I am delivering in Mercy Gilbert(Val-vista and 202 Santan) and they have a ton of prenatal classes, and I don't think that you have to deliver there to take the classes. To register you call ###-###-####. Good luck!

I know that they offer pre-natal classes through Mercy Gilbert Hospital. I don't know how quickly they fill up, but if you call they could probably tell you and answer any other questions you may have. I didn't go until I was in my 7th almost 8th month, but I had people in the class that were only in there 5th or 6th month.

Keep an open mind, some instructors tend to teach to their own beliefs, such as a natural childbirth. Don't be discouraged if you want to use an epidural. You can have a birth plan, but when the day comes, things don't always work out as planned. You may find out that what you orignally stated on your birth plan is not what you want to do after all. Go with what you feel most comfortable.

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival.

My favorite source of childbirth classes is Nurturing Hearts Birth Services:

http://www.azdoulas.com/

The lady who runs this site, Stephanie, has trained lots of childbirth educators, so you can click on "childbirth classes" and pick from tons of childbirth teachers, class times, class lengths, etc. I would recommend any of them!!

Blessings!!

P.S. The only childbirth classes I would not recommend are those run by hospitals. From what I have heard, those tend to run towards "how to obey our policies and be an obedient patient" rather than teaching you anything useful about how to have a healthy and meaningful birth.

I would also say the longer the better, with whatever class you take. Childbirth prep really takes TIME, and weekend or 2-day classes are hard to absorb meaningfully.

HI A. My name is Cheli and also expecting a baby on Sep-12
this will be my sencond and last one. My son is 4 years old. We live 2 blocks from the san tan mall. maybe we could get together sometimes and talk about our pregnancys.
good luck.
C.
this is my email ____@____.com

I know you want something closer, but you may want to take you birthing classes at the hospital you are delivering at. Many hospitals include a tour of the areas you will be in, areas of when you first arrive to your hospital room and where the nursery is. Additionally, the person teaching the class may be involved with your delivery. This happened to me and it was a great experience.

Congratulations first of all!

I have had 2 children, and my first child I went to the hospitals version of a birthclass. BLAH! I didn't learn much, and it was horrible!

So with my second child I took control, and did things the way I wanted them to be done! I found this place online when I was serching for a birth class. And she is AMAZING! She has such enthusiasm, is excited to teach the class, and you can tell! :) Her name is Stephanie Soderblom! The business is Nurturing Hearts Birth Services! Her phone number is ###-###-####! Now she is in Mesa, on Brown, and Lindsey. I don't know if that is to far for you... but believe me when I say.... IT'S WORTH IT! She is also a photographer, and a doula! I had a doula with my second son, and did it
'all natural' with no pain medicine or anything! I am glad I did it once!

Well good luck, and I hope that your labor and delievery are all that you hoped it would be! :)

God Bless
P.

I second the Jessica Wild recommendation. My husband and I took her class and also used her as our doula. Her classes were much more informative than the hospital class we took, which is hindsight I found to be a total waste of time.

We took classes with Jessica Wild and loved it! It was 8 weeks once a week at night which sounded like a long time but it ended up being one of my favorite parts of my pregnancy (it was my first also). She teaches classes a few places...at Baby Mother & More (www.milksmile.com) and at the Center for True Harmony & Wellness (Country Club & Baseline) and she may teach else where too. The classes are small (we had three couples total), very detailed, and fun. Plus you'll bond with the other pregnant first time moms. She also teaches privately in your home too if that's something you're interested in. Another nice thing is that Jessica herself has personally experienced just about every kind of birth herself so she can speak first hand about them. The cost when we took it was $200 for the 8 weeks. Here's her website: http://www.jessicawild.com/angel/index.htm I'm not sure that the prices on there are current so I would give her a call/email. Good luck!

Have you been to Baby, Mother & More? They are located on the SE corner of Gilbert & Southern. I registered for gifts there yesterday & signed up for a breastfeeding class. I believe they have a prenatal class or they at least advertised for a doula that teaches classes & also a prenatal yoga teacher. Great store & resource for women! Sara (25 weeks with 1st baby)

My husband and I wanted to get a jump on the classes as well. We took a bunch of "freebies" at Babies R Us. Every month they have a whole schedule full of classes. Each location has a different schedule but they have classes in breastfeeding, baby massage, baby sign, getting your pet acclamated for the new arrival, baby 101 (basic care...bathing, first aid, etc.) They bring in professionals in each topic and they are quite informative.

Regarding classes where you will be delivering...SIGN UP AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!!!! The classes fill up quite fast and if you are planning on breastfeeding and/or having a "natural" childbirth, you will want to secure your spot ASAP!!! Congrats on your new arrival!!! Our daughter is going to be a year old (brings tears to my eyes) on the 29th of this month. It goes by SOOOOO FAST!!!! Hang on to every moment...they are precious!!! Let me know if there is anything else I can help with. :)
Sincerely,
S. Golden
____@____.com