Prenatal Classes and Childbirth Education

If you’re looking for prenatal classes/childbirth education, you don’t have to look far. Ochsner offers classes across Louisiana and Mississippi. Find a location near you.

Our classes serve a variety of people preparing to welcome babies into their lives, including:

• First-time mothers and their support partners

• Pregnant women with older children

• Grandparents eager to learn about the latest techniques

• Children who are about to have new siblings

Ochsner’s prenatal classes/childbirth education covers a variety of topics. Opportunities at our different facilities address a spectrum of topics, including:

• Birth and delivery experience — what to expect during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and recovery

• Vaginal delivery

• Pain relief — insight on pain medications, like epidurals or nitrous oxide

• Low-intervention childbirth — techniques and tools to experience childbirth without the use of epidurals and other medical interventions

• Cesarean section — why a C-section is needed

• Breastfeeding — how to get started, overcoming common obstacles, breastfeeding after returning to work and more

• Newborn care — tips on keeping baby safe and sound

• Car seat safety — installing and using car seats properly

• Infant CPR — how to perform this life-saving action on babies

• Sibling perspective — understanding how older siblings may react to the new addition and how siblings can prepare for a smooth transition

• Visitation policies —information about who can accompany or visit during your birthing and recovery experience at Ochsner

Contact your facility to learn what classes are available to you.

Many Ochsner facilities offer tours of labor and birth rooms for moms-to-be as part of prenatal classes/childbirth education. Contact your local facility to determine if and when tours are available. Space is limited, so sign up early to confirm your spot.

Baptist Women’s Pavilion

Based on patient feedback, we are continuing our classes virtually via Zoom. View our 2024 Baptist childbirth class schedule. Register for free classes online or email questions to jducoing@ochsner.org.

Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank

View our 2024 West Bank childbirth class schedule.

For more information on Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank childbirth classes or to schedule a Labor and Delivery unit tour, email WBPNC@ochsner.org.

Ochsner Medical Center- Baton Rouge

Childbirth and parenting classes are held virtually via Zoom for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. You will receive instructions for accessing the virtual class via email prior to the scheduled class time. Register for online classes.

Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner

View our 2024 Kenner childbirth class schedule. Learn about the Family Birthing Center at Ochsner Kenner.

Ochsner St. Anne

View our 2024 Ochsner St. Anne childbirth and parenting classes. Breastfeeding, Baby Care and Birthing and Beyond classes are offered both virtual and/or in-person at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital. To schedule for classes, please call 985-537-8291.

Ochsner Lafayette General

Ochsner Lafayette general offers several classes to help prepare you for your baby's arrival. Register for prenatal and childbirth classes at Ochsner Lafayette General. For questions, please reach out to olg-prenatalclass@ochsner.org

Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary Medical Center

At Ochsner LSU Health a variety of prenatal classes are available. Classes are taught by our maternity nurses and our breastfeeding class is led by certified lactation consultants. There is no cost associated with the classes, though registration is required. Please email us for more information and complete the form located on the Ochsner LSU Health site to register.

To schedule a Labor and Delivery unit tour, call 318-626-1526.

Learn more about the Women's and Children Center at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary Medical Center.

Ochsner Rush

Ochsner Rush offers in-person childbirth and newborn care classes. To register for a class, visit the Ochsner Rush website.

To make it easy to access our prenatal classes/childbirth education, Ochsner offers many courses virtually. This offering allows you to get the knowledge you need from the convenience of your home or office. View available online classes.

During live virtual classes, you learn the same information as an in-person class. If you have questions, you can type them into the chat feature. The facilitator will then answer your questions at the end of the class or in real time.

You can learn about breastfeeding, labor and delivery, and other topics expecting parents are curious about. Online education offerings vary by facility. Check with your local Ochsner location to find out what you can learn from the comfort of your home.

To start learning now, download our A to Z Guide to Pregnancy.

All prenatal classes/childbirth education teachers at Ochsner are highly trained experts. They’ve spent years caring for pregnant women and new mothers. And they’re committed to helping you understand all aspects of your parenting journey.

Our prenatal educators are healthcare professionals, including registered nurses, board-certified pediatricians and lactation consultants. Many of our educators gain additional training in specialized areas, such as maternal newborn care and car seat technician certification.