Childbirth Education
GROW’s relaxed, unbiased classes provide evidence-based education while prioritizing small group conversations, community building, and empowerment.
Our Services
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Birth Class
Our Childbirth Classes have all of the components of a traditional birth class with an added focus on comfort measures for labor and partner support. Our classes are unbiased and educate toward all types of birth choices.
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Hospital Tour
All birth classes include a free optional tour of the University of Vermont Medical Center Labor & Delivery and Postpartum units led by a GROW childbirth educator so you can feel more prepared for the big day.
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Newborn Care
Bringing your new baby home is exciting and can also be overwhelming! We strongly recommend a newborn care class to learn baby basics, what to expect in the first few weeks, baby soothing tips, diapering & postpartum strategies.
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Comfort Measures
Learn essential techniques to navigate labor with confidence including positions, breathing exercises to manage contractions, and massage and relaxation techniques to alleviate discomfort and enhance connection.
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Sibling Preparation
Having a new baby is an exciting and emotional change for the big sibling. GROW’s Sibling Prep class for ages 2-5 is a fun and sweet way to prepare big brother or sister for what to expect when their sibling arrives.
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Dogs and Storks®
The Dogs & Storks® program is perfect for expecting families with dogs as they prepare for life with baby. We offer positive, practical, and fun solutions that will help you include your dog once baby arrives.
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Cloth Diapering 101
This class is perfect for expecting parents who want to use cloth diapers from birth, as well as for parents of any child still in diapers who are looking to switch to cloth.
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Elimination Communication
Learn how to read the signs and signals from babies, even newborns, to help them use the potty instead of a diaper as their main toilet.
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Private Classes
GROW is known for it’s specialized 1 hour private sessions in topics including but not limited to: baby positioning, preparing for laboring unmedicated, VBAC, and cesarean preparation.
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Breast and Chest Feeding
Feeding your baby is a natural process, but it is not instinctive. Like any new skill, it takes knowledge, practice and support to be successful.
Birth Classes
Birth Classes
Our Childbirth classes have all of the components of a traditional birth class with an added focus on comfort measures for labor, partner support, and meeting community. Our classes are relaxed, unbiased and educate toward all types of birth choices.
What to Expect:
Lining baby up for a straightforward birth (optimal fetal positioning)
Anatomy and physiology of birth
Stages and phases of labor, including pushing
Connection to breath in all stages of labor, massage, relaxation
Techniques and tools for support person throughout labor and birth
Birth options including unmedicated, medicated, and cesarean birth
Common interventions and how to navigate them with knowledge
Postpartum care
Optional free tour of UVMMC Labor & Delivery/Postpartum units. Use code BIRTHCLASS when registering for your tour. See tour dates and register here.
Birth classes typically fill 2-3 months before the start date, so please register early and plan on taking the class around 30-32 weeks pregnant.
Cost: $269/in person class, $229/online.
Fee includes pregnant person and a partner.
In-Person Weekends, Essex Junction
Friday 5:30pm-8:30pm | Saturday 9:30am-4pm
January 3 & 4
January 24 & 25
February 7 & 8
February 28 & March 1
March 21 & 22
April 11 & 12
May 9 & 10
June 13 & 14
July 11 & 12
Birth Class Dates
To register, scroll forward on the Punchpass calendar to the month you are looking for, and click the first night of the series. See dates below.
In-Person Weeknights, Essex Junction
Wednesday 3-Week Series | 5:30pm-8:30pm
January 8, 15, 22
January 29, Feb. 5, 12
February 19, 26, March 5
March 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16
April 23, 30, May 7
May 14, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18
June 25, July 2, 9
Weekday Birth Class Express at Maitri
MONDAYS, 9am-3pm
Jan. 13
Feb 3
Mar 10
Apr 7
May 19
June 9
FRIDAYS, 9am-3pm
Jan. 17 or 24
Feb. 14 or 28
Mar. 21 or 28
Apr 11 or 18
May 9 or 23
June 6 or 20
Online Birth Class Express
2-Part Class | 5:30pm-8:30pm
February 18 & 20
May 13 & 15
GROW is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
People of any race, ethnicity, relationship status, sexual orientation, or gender identity are welcome, and we work to reflect that pillar in the language we use and the classes we teach. We are always looking for feedback about how we could do this better.
As a part of our ongoing anti-racist efforts, we offer a 30% discount for black, indigenous or people of color. We recognize that the United States is built on centuries of racial injustice and that systemic racism still rages around us. If you would like to accept this discount, please add the code “BIPOC” at checkout
Newborn Care
Newborn Care
Bringing your new baby home is exciting and can also be overwhelming! We strongly recommend a newborn care class to learn baby basics, what to expect in the first few weeks, baby soothing tips, diapering & postpartum strategies. This class is for those with little to no experience with babies from birth-6 weeks old.
Newborn traits and behaviors
Feeding and sleep (and how to come up with a plan that works for you.)
Baby basics – diapering, bathing, nail care, safety
Crying and comforting
What to expect in the first few weeks
Newborn health
Basic baby wearing with a Moby Wrap.
Classes are held in our GROW Wellness Center, 37 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction.
Mondays 5:30pm-8pm
$95 | Includes birth person & partner
Upcoming dates: Nov. 4, Nov 11, Dec 2, Dec 16, Jan 6, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 17, Mar 3, Mar 24, April 7, April 14, April 28, May 5, May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30
Comfort Measures
Comfort Measures
Our Comfort Measures for Birth Workshop will teach you essential techniques to navigate labor with confidence. Discover optimal birthing positions tailored to individual comfort, practice breathing exercises to promote relaxation and manage pain, and learn massage and relaxation techniques to alleviate discomfort and enhance connection
Thursdays 6:00pm-8:00pm
$95 | Includes birth person and partner
December 9
Private Sessions
Privates
Working individually allows us to focus on exactly what you need during pregnancy and postpartum. Imagine being able to talk openly and safely with a childbirth educator about your fears of birth so you can come up with strategies that work for you, or having one-on-one education on Spinning Babies stretches for a breech or sunny side up baby after your 36 week appointment with your provider.
We believe that adding in a few 1 hour private sessions to specifically cover your needs for your birth and postpartum experience will best prepare you for what’s to come.
Examples of Private Offerings:
Avoiding Back Labor: Optimal fetal positioning exercises to turn a sunny-side-up baby (for third trimester)
Planning an Unmedicated Birth: Mindfulness and movement
Navigating Breech: Exercises to encourage a breech baby to flip (for third trimester)
Cesarean Birth: What to expect and how to prepare
VBAC preparation
Labor positions: Review and practice
Breathing and relaxation techniques for birth
Overcoming fear of birth
Preparing for postpartum
Birth plan writing or birth story processing
Prenatal or postnatal yoga tailored to your needs
Birth prep prenatal yoga
Core engagement and recovery
Plus, we can also tailor any private you wish as we help you prepare.
Once you book your 1 hour private, email us to let us know the topic you would like us to cover.
Offered at our Maitri Healthcare Space or Online
Single Private: $125 for 1 hour, $225/for 2 hours
Package of three 1 hour privates: $325
GROW yoga/fitness members get 10% off
Sibling Preparation
Sibling Prep
Having a new baby is an exciting and emotional change for the big sibling. GROW’s Sibling Prep class for ages 2-5 is a fun and sweet way to prepare big brother or sister for what to expect when their sibling arrives.
We’ll cover:
How to take care of a baby by diapering, dressing and swaddling baby dolls (we will provide dolls and all materials needed, or feel free to bring your own newborn size supplies if that’s fun for the sibling.)
Being gentle with the baby and practice with supervised gentle holding.
Discussions around all the things that a new baby can and cannot do, how they eat, where they will sleep, and how they as big siblings can help along the way.
Craft project to create a gift for the baby. During this time, we’ll discuss as adults how to help ease the transition for their older child, what to expect in terms of behavior, and how to prepare.
Families are encouraged to ask questions and use this class to have and open conversation regarding the logistics of becoming a sibling, feelings, as well as changes in the family dynamic.
Class is held at our GROW Wellness Center, 37 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction.
Sundays 9:15am-10:15am
$70 | Includes two adults & one child
December 1
February 2
April 6
June 1
Cloth Diapering
Cloth Diapering 101
Curious about cloth diapering, but feeling overwhelmed with questions like...
How do I fold them? How do I wash them? How many do we need? What types & styles are the best? How do you use them on-the-go? Can I use them at daycare?
The list could go on and on. Join GROW teacher & Mama Brandy Oswald-Byrne for our brand new comprehensive Cloth Diapering 101 class and get simple, straightforward answers to your cloth diaper questions so that you can get started with ease and confidence. This class is perfect for expecting parents who want to get set up to use cloth diapers from birth, as well as for parents of any child still in diapers who is looking to switch to cloth.
We’ll cover:
The best cloth diapering routine to prevent leaks.
The different cloth diaper types & styles, and how to choose ones that best fit your needs. We’ll have samples to touch, test & try!
How to wash your cloth diapers & covers.
How many diapers & covers you’ll need at various ages & stages.
How to use cloth diapers on-the-go, overnight, at daycare and more.
AND how to actually stick with cloth diapers for the long haul.
Saturday, Nov. 9 9:30-11am
$70 for two adults of the same family
Curious about using elimination communication in combination with cloth diapering? Join Brandy for her Elimination Communication class as well and get a special price when you bundle and join for both classes with the discount code 20PERCENT.
Brandy Oswald-Byrne is a GROW teacher, certified Fertility Awareness Educator, and owner of Sauvage Wellness. She is the mama to a sweet & spunky 17 month old boy and has been using cloth diapers almost exclusively since his birth in April 2023. She recalls feeling completely overwhelmed during pregnancy when she knew her family wanted to use cloth diapers but were drowning in questions about how to make it work. After spending countless hours researching to find answers, a lot of trial and error, and a small fortune to find the cloth diaper routine that worked best for her family, Brandy knew she wanted to make this information readily available and easy to access for families. And, that’s how Cloth Diapering 101 came to be! Brandy’s family has also practiced elimination communication, aka infant pottying, since birth in combination with cloth diapering and is excited to share that at 17 months her little one is entirely diaper free except for sleeping and long car rides!
Elimination Communication
Elimination Communication
Did you know that babies can use the potty as soon as they’re born? Or that babies all around the world are out of diapers between 12 and 18 months? It’s true! With a practice known as elimination communication (EC), parents are able to learn how to read the signs and signals from their babies, even newborns, and help them use the potty instead of a diaper as their main toilet.
This class is perfect for expecting parents who want to set themselves up to EC soon after baby arrives, as well as parents of babies up to age two.
Join Brandy Oswald-Byrne to learn all about elimination communication and how to get started if it feels like a good fit for your family. Brandy is the mama to a sweet & spunky 17 month old boy and has been using elimination communication in combination with cloth diapering since his birth in April 2023. She’s happy to report that he is entirely diaper free except for long car rides and sleep!
We’ll cover:
The history and foundations of elimination communication.
Why EC is NOT potty training.
How to get started with a newborn, an infant, or an older baby.
Supplies you’ll need to practice EC.
How and when to use diapers as a backup and how to use EC “on the go.”
How to wrap up EC and ditch diapers early.
Saturday, Nov. 16 9:30am-11am
$70 | Includes two adults
Curious about cloth diapering in addition to EC? Join us for both workshops with the discount code 20PERCENT.
Hospital Tour
Hospital Tour
Our UVMMC hospital tours are led by our compassionate, evidence-based GROW childbirth educators and will help peel away some of the mystery of birth and postpartum by offering a clearer picture of what to expect.
We’ll cover:
Parking and finding your way through the hospital.
Plenty of time in a labor and delivery room. We’ll talk about how you can make the room work for YOUR labor with various creative bed positions, yoga balls, comfort measure suggestions and use of tub/shower. You’ll see the medical equipment there such as the IV pole and baby monitors, and you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and take some deep breaths envisioning your baby entering the world in a way that’s just right for you. *Access to a room in labor & delivery is dependent on availability based on how many people are in labor
Information about UVMMC’s NICU (neonatal intensive care unit.)
A visit to the Postpartum Unit. Here we’ll cover what to expect during your stay, immediate postpartum wellness, and how to get as much rest as possible while getting to know your baby and recovering from your birth. *Dependent on available space in the unit
Tours are included in the cost of a GROW birth class (in person or online) with discount code BIRTHCLASS, but be sure to register early as space is on a first-come-first served basis and you are not automatically signed up for a tour by registering for a birth class.
Thursdays 6:00pm-7:30pm
November 7
December 12
January 9
February 6
March 13
April 17
May 15
June 12
November 10
December 1 or 8
January 12
February 2
Sundays 4:00pm-5:30pm
March 16
April 6
May 4
June 1
Want to take a tour but not signed up for a birth class? You can still register! Cost is $95 including birthing person and partner.
Breast & Chest Feeding
Breast and Chest Feeding
Breastfeeding classes offered by Sally MacFayden of the Fourth Trimester include:
How breastfeeding works
How to establish a good milk supply
How to get your baby to latch
How to know if your baby is getting enough milk
Positions for feeding baby
When and where to get help should you need it
Dogs and Storks
Dogs & Storks®
The Dogs & Storks® program is perfect for expecting families with dogs as they prepare for life with baby. We offer positive, practical, and fun solutions that will help you include your dog once baby arrives.
We’ll cover:
Tips to begin preparing with your family dog for life with baby
Must-know information for expecting parents with dogs
Practical solutions, you can have fun while your dog learns!
Education on dog body language that will enhance your bond and success
Thorough preparation, because proactive preparation is the best plan
Ongoing support through your baby’s first years
Classes are held in our GROW Wellness Center, 37 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction.
We strongly encourage expecting families to take this one-time class earlier in pregnancy rather than later.
Sundays 4:00pm-6:00pm
$75 | 2 members of same family, no dogs
November 3
January 5
March 2
April 27
June 8
Dogs & Storks® is taught by Lucy Weaver. Lucy is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and licensed Family Paws Educator and offers private support and training for families. Contact Lucy here.
Please note, this workshop is intended to educate families with general information rather than address specific behavioral issues or concerns.
