Classes

Classes / Education:

To schedule a class, call 303.788.0600. Payment is due upon registration.

Don't see a class that fits in your schedule? Please call or email regarding our upcoming schedule email us.

All classes are held in suite #500 of Plaza de Medicos, specifically The Midwife's Garden. We’ve been told we have one of the best class facilities in the Denver area. We have 500 square feet of class room space to spread out and get comfy on big pillows and pads. There is a plush couch, mod seats, yoga balls and a widescreen TV for films and presentations. Two roomy bathrooms are available as well. Free WiFi is available so you can twitter/blog/email friends and family from the class. *Getting childcare prior to a class is strongly advised as the attention of all those who attend need to be focused and not distracted.*

All our instructors are highly qualified or directly certified in the classes they teach. Mountain Midwifery Center considers education to a critical component of birth and wellness and we take pride in the strength and value of our class offerings. First-time parents are required to take a Natural Childbirth Series, Breastfeeding Class, and Newborn Care Class. Here's a list of classes available to both MMC clients and the public at large... 

• Natural Childbirth Preparation - a 4-week series, $200 - This class is required for first-time parents. We recommend taking it between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy (completed by 36 weeks). It's a time to learn and discuss a variety of topics including: how to ease late pregnancy discomforts, optimal fetal positioning in both pregnancy and labor, the progress of labor and navigating the "what-ifs" of birth. This class will also spend time reviewing a variety of various relaxation and comfort measures including the importance of breath in labor and positioning. Content will also review what birth at MMC can look like in addition to discussing the importance of the partner at the birth, what they can expect and how to best support a laboring woman through a variety of techniques. This class was created by Heather Scott, a certified childbirth instructor and doula for over seven years in the community and currently works at MMC.  All classes are taught by either Heather Scott, Gina Penka or Becky Potter, experienced certified childbirth instructors.             

  • Saturdays, February 4 - 25, 9:30am - 12noon w/ Gina *FULL* 
  • Mondays, February 6 - March 5, 5:45pm - 8:15pm w/ Heather (***NO CLASS on Feb 20, President's Day***) *FULL* 
  • Wednesdays, February 8 - 19, 5:45pm - 8:15pm w/ Heather *FULL* 
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  • Saturdays, March 3 - 24, 9:30am - 12noon w/ Gina *2 spots open* 
  • Wednesdays, March 7 - 28, 5:45pm - 8:15 w/ Heather *FULL* 
  • Mondays,  March 19 - April 9, 5:45pm - 8:15pm w/ Heather *2 spots open* 

• Birth at MMC Class - a 1-time class, $60 - This one time class is required for families who are having their second to fifth child and are planning their first out-of-hospital birth, or for families transferring care to us and have taken a hospital based class series or a class series outside of MMC. This class is recommended but not required for families whose last birth has been over a year at MMC. This will be a time to review the progression of labor, what birth at MMC is like; what is normal birth for MMC and what falls outside of normal and how it is supported.  This is also a time for couples to practice comfort measures and coping techniques for labor in the birth rooms.  Content is also directed at partners regarding how to support mom during the early labor phase at home, what to look for while laboring at home, and when to be calling the midwives. We recommend taking it before 36 weeks of pregnancy.   *4 couples must be registered in order for the class to meet.          

  • Friday, February 3, 5:30pm - 9pm w/ Becky *FULL*
  • Friday, February 24, 5:30pm - 9pm w/ Becky
  • Friday, March 9, 5:30pm - 9pm w/ Becky
  • Friday, March 16, 5:30pm - 9pm w/ Becky 

• "Birthing From Within" Class with Gina Penka - 6-class series - $300 - We will explore childbirth and parenthood preparation as a profound rite of passage.  We'll learn a pain-coping mindset, how to flow with whatever labor brings, and prepare for one of life's biggest journeys as parents.

  • ...check back... 

• Breastfeeding for Parents-to-Be with Amanda - 1 class, 2 hours - $50 -  This is a required class for first-time parents. We recommend taking it between (give-or-take) 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. A time to learn and discuss various aspects of breastfeeding including: how to establish a good latch, baby-led latch, positioning, how to tell if you baby is feeding well and ways to overcome common challenges.  This class also incorporates information that is helpful for dads and partners of breastfeeding mom to know and watch for.  All of our classes are taught by certified instructors and IBCLCs.  Dads or partners are required to attend!                       

  • Tuesday, February 7, 6-8pm *FULL* 
  • Saturday, February 11, 1-3pm *FULL* 
  • Saturday, February 18, 1-3pm 
  • Tuesday, February 21, 6-8pm
  • Saturday, February 25, 1-3pm *cancelled* 
  • Tuesday, March 6, 6-8pm
  • Saturday, March 10, 1-3pm
  • Tuesday, March 20, 6-8pm
  • Saturday, March 24, 1-3pm  

• Newborn Care for Parents-to-Be - 1 class, 2 hours - $50 - with Heather Thompson or Becky Potter - This is a required class for first-time parents. We recommend taking it between (give-or-take) 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. A big help to new parents, this class covers bathing, dressing and diaper changing and then goes beyond regarding what to expect with the newborn. Includes how to recognize normaly and healthy and differentiating it from warning signs in multiple areas of health, including skin tone, cord care, urination, bowel movements and more.     
  

               

  • Saturday, February 4, 4-6pm w/ Becky *FULL* 
  • Thursday, February 9, 6-8pm w/ Heather T.
  • Thursday, February 23, 6-8pm w/ Heather T.
  • Saturday, February 25, 4-6pm w/ Heather T.
  • Thursday, March 8, 6-8pm w/ Heather T.
  • Saturday, March 10, 4-6pm w/ Becky
  • Thursday, March 22, 6-8pm w/ Heather T.
  • Saturday, March 24, 4-6pm w/ Heather T. 

• Healthy Pregnancy - Bi-monthly class, 1.5 hours - Included in cost of care - with Gina Penka or Lisa Carter, RD. This class is designed to increase the awareness of ways to create a well rounded and healthy pregnancy. Topics will cover diet, nutrition and emotional expectations. This class is also a good time to develop community by meeting  other MMC families and encourages group discussion. Recommended to attend by 20 weeks in the pregnancy. Partners are encouraged to attend! (Please remember to register as this is not a 'drop-in' class!)            

  • Wednesday, February 1, 3:30pm - 5:00pm w/ Lisa
  • Thursday, February 16, 4:00pm - 5:30pm w/ Gina
  • Wednesday, March 7, 3:30pm - 5:00pm w/ Lisa
  • Thursday, March 22, 4pm - 5:30pm w/ Gina  

• Breastfeeding Group with Amanda, IBCLC - Weekly every Monday, 1 1/2 hours - drop in for $10 or purchase a 5 session punch card for $40. This group is intended for expectant and breastfeeding mothers and babies. We will have a weekly topic related to breastfeeding, and mothers will be encouraged to ask questions and share their experiences. A scale to weigh your baby will be available. Please register with Amanda any Monday at the group or contact her at amandaogden67@gmail.com  or 303-726-2612 or www.thejuicybaby.com .                      

  • Monday, February 6, 10am - 11:30am
  • Monday, February 13, 10am - 11:30am
  • ***NO GROUP Monday, February 20, President's Day***
  • TUESDAY, February 21, 10am - 11:30am (make-up)
  • Monday, February 27, 10am - 11:30am

• Nutrition Support Group - Every 4th Monday at 4pm, 1 hour - $20 - A monthly group to answer all of your burning questions about nutrition! Has your midwife suggested you see a Registered Dietician or Nutritionist to discuss healthy weight gain? Do you have a condition that makes it a challenge to maintain the diet you want for your growing baby? Do you have questions about the best diet for you? Do you want to address postpartum weight? Do you have a toddler who doesn't eat? All of these questions and more can be answered in the monthly Nutrition Support Group. Please register with Lisa Carter, RD, at 720-217-4153 or whirledpeasnutrition@gmail.com. 

  • Monday, February 27, 4:00 - 5:00pm
  • Monday, March 26, 4:00 - 5:00pm

For the following classes, please visit The Midwife's Garden for more information, dates, and details...

• Baby wearing with Heather Thompson - please see The Midwife's Garden - Learn how to wear your baby! This class will help you choose a baby carrier that fits your lifestyle and personality as well as improve the use of carriers you may already own.      

• Holistic Fertility with Colleen Flowers of Flowers Fertility and Dr. Caitlin O'Connor, ND, CPM of All Families Natural Health - please see The Midwife's Garden - Colleen is a Fertility Awareness Educator and will teach the basics of charting your cycle with the Fertility Awareness Method to maximize your chances of getting pregnant.  Dr. Caitlin, a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and a Certified Professional Midwife, will focus on enhancing preconception health and fertility through lifestyle practices, nutrition, and herbs. Prepare your body for pregnancy!  

• Natural Birth Control with Colleen Flowers of Flowers Fertility - please see The Midwife's Garden - "There is a proven, comprehensive way to prevent pregnancy and, at the same time, protect your health and your potential for future fertility.  The Justisse Method of Fertility Awareness provides the knowledge you need to manage your own birth control naturally" from http://www.justisse.ca. Colleen is a Fertility Awareness Educator and currently training to be a Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner (HRHP) through Justisse Healthworks for Women. 

• Shonishin Clinic with Tricia Good (LAc) & Linda Raford (CNM, LAc) - please see The Midwife's Garden - This drop-in shonishin clinic is for infants and kids (6 weeks to 7 years old). It's a needle-LESS Japanese technique to promote health and wellness. There will be a suggested fee that will be donated in full to this birth center in Bali http://www.bumisehatbali.org/. Look for this clinic around the full moon of each month! 

• Baby Bodywork with Valerie DeMasi (LMT, CIMI) - please see The Midwife's Garden - Come and learn the healing ancient art of Infant Massage! You will practice with your baby using eye-to-eye contact, increasing the bond between the two of you, communicating and having fun with your baby. 

• Doula Training: Advanced Practice Birth Support - please see The Midwife's Garden - Includes hands on training with birth center families, advanced practice topics for trained birth professionals, and orientation specific to the Mountain Midwifery Birth Center. Participants will engage in classroom, on site, and on line activities. See Cocoon Birth for more information.