Baby Steps offers childbirth, breastfeeding & postpartum classes and more in metro Atlanta, Georgia

Intuitive Birth
If you'd like a natural birth, this is the ideal class for you! In addition to increased emotional security regarding birth, Intuitive Birth students are 68% less likely to have a cesarean than the average Georgia mother. 70% of Intuitive Birth students who give birth vaginally do so with no pain medication. Below is class-by-class content for our 9-week group format with 2-hour classes. Group classes may also meet for 6 weeks with 3-hour classes. Virtual and private classes are also available. Virtual class requires a high-speed internet connection, web cam, and microphone. Check our class schedule for specific class dates. The cost of class is $325 for a group class and $400 for a private class, per couple. Please see our FAQ section for more information about this class. Refund Policy: You are entitled to a full refund if the instructor receives notice that you can't attend class at least 24 hours before the series begins. If you have your baby early and have to miss part of the class, you will be refunded a prorated amount for the classes you miss, minus $50 for materials. There is no refund for classes missed for other reasons, such as scheduling conflicts. Teachers will do their best to offer make-up classes when these situations arise.
Class Content
Class 1: Nurturing Your Baby & Yourself: Nutrition & Exercise for Pregnancy Specific information on how to stay healthy and low risk, as well as information about prenatal testing and breastfeeding. Class 2: Reframing Your Birth Concepts Learn about the many things you can do during pregnancy to positively affect your birth experience. Begin to examine your beliefs about labor and birth, setting yourself on the path towards a comfortable, fearless birth. Class 3: Your Birth Begins Physiology of the first stage of labor, including what your body and baby are doing during this time, how fear impacts labor, and how to stay comfortable without medications. Class 4: The Journey Continues: Active Labor & Transition A wide variety of comfort measures for the most challenging part of labor, including positioning, massage, relaxation, and more. Class 5: Second Stage & Birth There are many ways to give birth to your baby. Learn about positions, comfort, and why the first hours after your baby's birth are so important. Begin to practice these with our first in-class labor rehearsal. Class 6: Off the Beaten Path Learn how to make your birth experience a positive one, no matter what path your labor takes. Explore potential complications and learn about cesarean sections, including how best to avoid having one. Class 7: Creating Your Birth Learn how to evaluate the nearly endless options that are available to you during your labor and birth, and the merits of "birth planning." Class 8: Putting it All Together Put into practice the many techniques you've learned so far with a second in-class labor rehearsal, as well as a review of the stages of labor and an in-depth discussion of comfort measures. Class 9: Postpartum & Your New Family How will you feel and what will you need postpartum? How do babies sleep? Why do babies cry? What is breastfeeding like? These questions and more will be answered.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Saturday May 12 - Jun 16, 2012	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Sunday May 27 - Jul 8, 2012*	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Decatur	Laura Fields
Sunday Jun 3 - Jul 8, 2012	2:00 - 5:00 pm	Alpharetta	Christine Strain
Thursday Jun 21 - Aug 16	7:00 - 9:00 pm	Marietta (West)	Amanda Thum
Sunday Jul 7 - Aug 11, 2012	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Sunday Jul 15 - Aug 19, 2012	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Buckhead/Vinings	Laura Fields
Sunday Aug 26 - Sep 30, 2012	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Decatur	Laura Fields
Thursday Aug 30 - Oct 25	7:00 - 9:00 pm	Marietta (West)	Melissa Casserly
Saturday Oct 7 - Nov 18, 2012	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Buckhead/Vinings	Laura Fields
Thursday Nov 8 - Jan 10**	7:00 - 9:00 pm	Marietta (West)	Melissa Casserly


No class June 3. *No class Nov 22.

Frequently Asked Questions

Natural Birth Weekend Workshop
Maybe you'd like a natural birth, but you waited too long to take a class that lasts several weeks, or you and your partner have too many scheduling conflicts. This workshop is perfect for you! Spend two full days immersed in birth knowledge, practice, and preparation. The cost of this class is $375 per couple. Refund Policy: A refund will be provided if the instructor receives notice that you will not be able to attend at least 24 hours prior to the start of class.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Sat & Sun May 5 & 6, 2012	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	Marietta	Jen Marlow
Sat & Sun Jun 9 & 10, 2012	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	Midtown	Rachel Alberts



Preparing for Your Birth
This 6-hour class is ideal for women who'd like a short childbirth class with unbiased information about giving birth. Class begins with a discussion of how to stay healthy and low-risk during the remainder of your pregnancy. You'll learn about the stages of labor, what's happening with your body and baby during labor and birth, and the different options available to you for handling the intense sensations of labor. You'll learn how to evaluate information about procedures you may be offered, and how to make a birth plan. Virtual and private classes are also available. Virtual class requires a high-speed internet connection, web cam, and microphone. The cost of this class is $95 per couple for group classes or $150 per couple for private classes. For more information about this class, visit our FAQ section. If you'd like to have a natural birth, you should consider taking our Intuitive Birth class, or our Natural Birth Weekend Workshop. Refund Policy: A refund will be provided if the instructor receives notice that you will not be able to attend at least 24 hours prior to the start of class.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
More classes coming soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

First Trimester Essentials
If you're trying to conceive or newly pregnant, this class is essential! Get the real story behind the pregnancy myths you may have heard, as well as how to stay healthy and comfortable during your pregnancy. You'll learn some basic information about labor and birth, and we'll help you figure out what kind of support you'll need during labor. Get information about common prenatal tests you may be offered, and how you can avoid a cesarean section. This class lasts about an hour, and costs $25. Refund Policy: A refund will be provided if the instructor receives notice that you will not be able to attend at least 24 hours prior to the start of class.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Tuesday May 8, 2012	1:00 - 2:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Wednesday May 23, 2012	1:30 - 2:30 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Tuesday June 5, 2012	6:00 - 7:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Tuesday June 26, 2012	2:00 - 3:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum



Breastfeeding Your Baby
While it may seem like it should come naturally, breastfeeding is not always without challenges. Be prepared to face those challenges head-on. You'll learn about the benefits of breastfeeding (some of them may surprise you!), how to overcome doubts and uncertainty, what the early days of breastfeeding will be like, nursing positions and props, and how to work through various breastfeeding problems. You'll also learn about pumping and supplementing, introducing solids, and weaning. This class costs $45 per couple for group classes, and $60 for private classes. Baby Steps also offers hands-on support from a Lactation Specialist. Click here for more information. Refund Policy: A refund will be provided if the instructor receives notice that you will not be able to attend at least 24 hours prior to the start of class.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Tuesday May 25, 2012	7:00 - 10:00 pm	Dunwoody	Shoshanah Blaiss
Tuesday Jun 5, 2012	7:00 - 10:00 pm	Dunwoody	Shoshanah Blaiss
Tuesday Jul 24, 2012	7:00 - 10:00 pm	Dunwoody	Shoshanah Blaiss
Thursday Aug 2, 2012	7:00 - 10:00 pm	Dunwoody	Shoshanah Blaiss
Sunday Aug 19, 2012	1:00 - 4:00 pm	Dunwoody	Shoshanah Blaiss
Tuesday Sep 4, 2012	7:00 - 10:00 pm	Dunwoody	Shoshanah Blaiss

Hands-on Lactation Support

The Green Baby
Discover the benefits of different kinds of environmentally friendly, natural products for your baby. You will learn what some of these products are, why they are often healthier for your baby, and how you can positively impact the environment with your baby product choices. This class is free, and lasts about an hour.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Tuesday June 19, 2012	1:00 - 2:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Wednesday July 18, 2012	1:00 - 2:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum


Why Choose Homebirth?
For many women, the idea of giving birth at home, where her baby was conceived and where she's most comfortable, is very appealing. But what if something goes wrong? Learn the facts about homebirth, including a statistical comparison between home and hospital so you can decide for yourself which is safer for you. Learn what homebirth midwives typically bring to a birth and how emergencies are handled. Find out what emotional benefits you get by giving birth at home. There will time for Q&A, so bring your questions! This class is free, and lasts about 2-3 hours.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Wednesday May 30, 2012	4:00 - 7:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Wednesday June 13, 2012	4:00 - 7:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Tuesday July 10, 2012	2:00 - 4:00 pm	Virtual	Amanda Thum



The Circumcision Decision
In the past, parents usually circumcised by default. But like most things related to our children's health, circumcision is optional. Learn what, exactly, happens during a circumcision, common myths surrounding the procedure, risks and benefits of the surgery, and how to care for a baby who is not circumcised. This class is free, and lasts about an hour.
Schedule
Date	Time	Location (click for map)	Instructor (click for bio)
Wednesday May 16, 2012	1:30 - 2:30	Virtual	Amanda Thum
Tuesday July 24, 2012	3:00 - 4:00	Virtual	Amanda Thum

Intuitive Birth	Natural Birth Weekend Workshop	Preparing for Your Birth	1st Trimester Essentials
Breastfeeding Your Baby	The Green Baby	Why Choose Homebirth?	The Circumcision Decision