birth & parenting education
Inclusive and Evidence-based Classes for Baltimore Families
Baltimore’s longest-running independent childbirth classes and parenting workshops will help you identify your unique birth and parenting philosophies, so that you can confidently navigate this life experience.
Labor & Childbirth Classes
Comfort Measures Workshop
- Class Format: 1 Day Workshop
- This active workshop focuses on movement, hands-on techniques and positions for coping during labor, options for pain relief and tools for encouraging labor progression.
Upcoming Sessions
- Spring Session: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9:30am-12:00pm
- Summer Session: Thursday, June 18, 2026 6:30pm-9:00pm
Birth Basics Workshop
- Class Format: 1 Day Workshop
- Looking for an evidence-based childbirth education workshop but unable to commit to the timing of a multi-week series? Our one-day, five-hour childbirth education workshop is designed for those families who may prefer or be limited to the timing of a condensed class.
Upcoming Sessions
- Spring Session: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 9:00am-2:30pm
- Summer Session: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 9:00am-2:30pm
Complete Childbirth Series
- Class Format: Multi-Week Session
- This multi-week, comprehensive childbirth class offers an evidence-based curriculum taught in a clear, unbiased and easily digestible manner.
Upcoming Sessions
- Summer Session: Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2026, 6:00pm-9:00pm
- Fall Session: Sundays, September 13, 20, 27, & October 4, 2026, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Baby & Parenting Classes
Baby 101 Workshop
- Class Format: 1 Day
- Our longest running and most popular offering, this condensed, one-day workshop focuses on keeping your baby safe and healthy during the “fourth trimester” – the first three months of a baby’s life.
Upcoming Sessions
- Spring Session: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1:00pm-6:00pm
- Summer Session: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 3:00pm-8:00pm
Essential Newborn Series
- Class Format: Multi-Week Series
- Designed for new parents who are looking for opportunities to connect with other new parents as well as gain wisdom and understanding from a team of newborn professionals with decades of experience.
Upcoming Sessions
- Spring Session: Tuesdays, May 12, 19, 26 & June 2, 2026, 6:00pm-9:00pm
- Summer Session: Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2026, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Relevant content that is in-depth, informative, and unbiased ensures that you feel informed and prepared to make confident decisions
These childbirth classes and newborn care workshops recognize the value of your time. We help you cut through the static and discover truly helpful information based on thirty combined years of field experience.
Our Baltimore in-person classes are held in our office space at The Cedarcroft Center, just south of Towson, close to Belvedere Square. Accessibility note: There is a flight of stairs to the space we use for our classes. Please let us know if there are any accommodations needed.
With a variety of classes and workshops, choose what works best for you. We recommend taking classes during the season immediately preceding your due date.
FAQ
Class Policies
Our policies are built from our commitment to small class sizes and personalized experience that distinguishes our classes. To guarantee Doulas of Baltimore’s high-quality instructors and offerings, we must respect and value our time and yours.
Payment, Refunds, and Cancellation Policy
- Payment is due at the time of registration.
- Cancellations must be made two weeks before a class (or the first class in a series) is held in order to receive a full refund. Exceptions may be made in the event of medical complications.
- In the rare event that DOB needs to cancel a class, you will be issued a full refund.
- Any change/transfer in registration within the two weeks prior to a class is subject to a $15 processing fee.
- We are unable to offer partial refunds if you miss part of a series of classes.
Class Make-up Policy
- Please notify the instructor at least 90 minutes before the scheduled class if you are unable to attend.
- The instructor will provide you with missed learning materials via email or at the next class meeting as appropriate.
- Instructors are available 15 minutes prior to or after class to answer questions. Any time beyond this is considered a consultation at the rate of $50 per hour. Please notify the instructor if you would like to schedule a consultation/private make up session.
- Exceptions to this policy are at the instructor’s discretion.
It is our goal to make sure every client receives the highest quality doula care, so we only hire the best. When you’re matched with a doula from Doulas of Baltimore you’ll receive unbiased, compassionate, evidence-based support – no matter who your doula is.
Illness & Community Health Policy
- Regarding health precautions, we will have couples spaced out and with their own set of tools to practice with. We run a high-grade HEPA air filter throughout class. Masks are optional at this time.
- If community spread is high for Flu, RSV, and/or Covid, we may transition to virtual for one or more sessions or ask that everyone wear a mask during class time.
- If you or your support person is experiencing any illness symptoms, please stay home and we will schedule a make up session with you.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, we will attempt to reach all students by email/text, as well as post an announcement on our Facebook/Instagram pages at least 90 minutes before the scheduled workshop. If we are unable to hold an in-person workshop due to hazardous driving conditions, we will shift to a virtual model and notify class participants accordingly.
Who teaches your classes?
Our classes are taught by one of Doulas of Baltimore’s education team. The four member team bring decades of experience in the field of doula work as well as additional expertise on a variety of topics such as childbirth education, newborn care, infant feeding, breastfeeding education, fertility and family planning, car seat safety, and more.
What’s your teaching style?
Our main priority at class is making sure you get the most relevant, up-to-date information in a way that is easy to understand, approachable, and fun! Many of our past students comment frequently on how enjoyable our classes were for them and their partners. You won’t just get hand-outs or flashcards – you’ll get a dynamic combination of real-world experience from our instructors, fun and engaging activities, hands-on exercises and skill building, and take-home info you can refer to at home after the class. All, of course, without judgment or bias so you can design the right birth and parenting experience for your family, with expert guidance from our experienced instructors.
What if I don’t have a partner?
A huge variety of families attend our many classes, including those who are uncoupled. Your class registration covers you and one support person, so feel free to bring a parent, sibling, or non-pregnant friend who will be supporting you during birth and parenting to learn alongside you.
Are your classes LGBTQ+ inclusive?
One of Doulas of Baltimore’s primary values is inclusivity and affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community. Please know that you are more than welcome at any of our classes and workshops! We strive to always use inclusive language, never making assumptions about our client families and who may be supporting your birth and parenting journey. If your family unit attending class requires more than 2 adults to attend (such as polyamorous families, intended parents and surrogate, etc.) simply let us know and we will be sure to reserve the extra space you need.
Where are the classes held?
Our Baltimore in-person classes are held in our office space at The Cedarcroft Center, just south of Towson, close to Belvedere Square. Accessibility note: There is a flight of stairs to the space we use for our classes. Please let us know if there are any accommodations needed.