Prenatal Workshops
Chicago, IL
Certified Lactation Consultant
Trained Childbirth Educators
Over 30 Years of Experience
Hours:
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Prepare for Your Birth with Confidence and Clarity
Every birth journey is unique. Our prenatal workshops are designed to give you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to approach labor and delivery feeling informed and empowered.
Whether you’re planning an induction, preparing for a medicated birth, hoping for an unmedicated experience, or simply wanting to understand your options, our workshops allow you to build an education experience that aligns with your goals.
Each session provides practical guidance, real-world preparation, and supportive discussion to help you feel ready for what lies ahead.
Education Designed Around Your Needs
Our workshops are thoughtfully created to complement one another. You can attend a single session focused on a specific topic or combine multiple workshops for a more comprehensive experience.
Topics may include:
- Understanding the stages of labor
- Comfort measures and coping techniques
- Medical interventions and informed decision-making
- Partner support strategies
- Preparing for induction or medicated birth
- Planning for an unmedicated birth
- Immediate postpartum expectations
We provide evidence-based information in a welcoming, supportive environment where your questions are encouraged.
Why Families Choose Our Workshops
Families appreciate our personalized, balanced approach to childbirth education.
We offer:
- Experienced, trained childbirth educators
- Evidence-based, nonjudgmental guidance
- Practical tools you can use during labor
- A flexible learning experience tailored to your birth preferences
- A supportive space for both parents and partners
Our goal is to help you feel prepared — not just informed — as you approach your baby’s birth.
Begin Your Preparation Now!
Your birth experience matters. Preparing in a way that reflects your values and preferences can make all the difference. Explore our available workshops below and choose the sessions that best support your vision for birth. We look forward to being part of your journey.
Mix and match the workshops that fit your needs below:
1 workshop: $150
Choose 3 workshops: $350 (email us for the unique code for these workshops: chicagofamilypicnic@gmail.com)
Stages of Labor and Birth
Wondering how typical labor progresses? In this workshop, we will cover each stage and phase of labor from early labor to the birth of your placenta. You will learn the physical symptoms as well as the emotional signposts that occur during each phase, helping your support person recognize where in labor you may be.
We will learn how your cervix changes in labor and what your provider is looking for during exams.
Because labor doesn’t always follow a blueprint for progression, we will go over a variety of variations that can happen in labor as well.
You will leave this class feeling knowledgeable about the signs of early labor, when to head to the hospital, and how labor progresses until your baby is born.
Wednesday, April 1st, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Taught by Rebecca Nguyen, Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator
Cost: $150
Pelvic Floor Prep for Birth
A workshop for pregnant people
Taught by Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Natalia Avelar, DPT, PRPC
This class offers an in-depth introduction to the pelvic floor, focusing on its crucial role during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the pelvic floor functions during labor and delivery, and learn techniques to optimize your birth experience. Through guided practice, you’ll learn:
- Breath and pelvic floor coordination to prepare for pushing
- Explore ways to soften and lengthen the pelvic floor and
- perineum for smoother delivery
- The benefits of perineal massage starting at 34 weeks
- Labor positions that enhance hip and pelvic mobility to aid in labor progression
- Essential tips for initiating a strong postpartum recovery.
This class is designed to complement our 5-week or weekend intensive Childbirth Classes or to be combined with other childbirth workshops. Together, they will empower you with the knowledge and tools for a confident, empowered birth.
Next Class: Wednesday, April 15th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Upcoming Class: Tuesday, July 14th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Cost: $150
Comfort Measures: Coping Skills for Labor
Are you getting ready for the labor and birth of your baby? Are you worried about providing comfort and care to the laboring person? This class complements our stages of labor workshop by teaching a variety of comfort techniques for each stage of labor. Whether you are planning a medicated or unmedicated labor, providing care and comfort to the laboring person will enhance their experience, lessen their pain and anxiety, and even shorten labor!
We hope that by using the techniques taught in this class, your labor will be an enjoyable journey for both of you! Join us for this hands-on workshop so that you are fully prepared to support the birthing person in the labor you are given!
Wednesday, April 22nd, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Taught by Rebecca Nguyen, Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, or Sue Gottschall, Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula
Cost: $150
Inductions: What to expect
Did you know that inductions comprise almost 50% of hospital births nationwide? What can you expect if an induction is needed?
In this workshop, you will learn common reasons for induction and the evidence behind inducing for these reasons. We will cover the induction procedures that may be used, as well as what determines the procedure that is used. Also discussed will be questions you can ask and choices you can make throughout the process of induction.
You will leave feeling empowered to make the right choices regarding an induction, should it be needed for the birth of your baby.
Wednesday, May 6th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Taught by Leila Walker, Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula
Cost: $150
Medically Managed Pain Relief: Choices, Benefits, & Side Effects
Are you curious about your options for medical pain relief during labor? In this workshop, we will discuss the choices that are available at area hospitals. We will take a deep dive into each option, explaining what the option is, its benefits and risks, and how to make the decision with your birth support team and provider. We will practice making informed decisions regarding pain management and approaching this choice with flexibility. Additionally, we will discuss ways to keep labor progressing once pain management has begun and how your partner can support you throughout it all!
You will leave class feeling prepared to make your plan for labor pain relief and also to potentially change your mind while in labor if necessary.
Wednesday, May 13th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Taught by Rebecca Nguyen, Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula
Cost: $150
First Weeks Home with Baby
What is it actually like to bring your newborn home from the hospital? Bringing your baby home at first can feel scary and daunting. This class will help you prepare for a successful transition home with your new baby!
In this class, we will explore the day-to-day tasks and routines that will help you and your partner care for your baby physically from birth through the first few weeks of life. We will discuss what daily life looks like regarding sleep, feeding your baby, baths, and more. We will also talk about newborn development and what you might encounter that is normal, such as baby acne, spitting up, fussiness, and how to respond.
A portion of the class will also prepare you for what to do in case of the unexpected, such as having a baby with extreme fussiness (colic), knowing if your baby is ill, or any unexpected diagnoses or events that vary from the routine care of your newborn. Drawing from my experience as both a pediatric nurse and a mother of two very different babies, I hope to empower you with knowledge and hands-on skills, so you leave class feeling confident that you are ready to bring your baby home.
Wednesday, May 20th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Taught by Ruth Pappas, RN, CLC
Cost: $150
Workshops we can teach privately:
- Preparing for your Cesarean and Recovery
- VBAC: Vaginal Birth After Cesareann
Contact Us
Ready to feel confident and prepared for your birth experience? Our team at Family Picnic is here to guide you every step of the way, helping you build knowledge, clarity, and confidence as you approach labor and delivery. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
Contact us today to learn more about our prenatal workshops and reserve your spot. Begin your preparation with education and support designed around you.
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Our doula package includes prenatal classes, doula support, and in-home lactation help.
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