Expecting a baby is a very exciting time in your life! You probably have many questions related to the
birth experience and have many decisions to make as you prepare for your baby. Our Childbirth
Education classes are designed to help you answer those questions and make some of your decisions easier.
To register by phone, please call 1-800-822-3627. A representative is available to take
your call 24-hours a day. Enrollment is limited to those who will be delivering their baby at Tampa General Hospital. We recommend taking classes around the 28th week of pregnancy.
Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at:
Tampa General Hospital
1 Tampa General Circle
Fourth Floor, Bayshore Pavilion, Room K4008
Tampa, FL 33606
This free 60-minute English language tour is held the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, at 6:00 p.m., except holidays.
The tour is designed for women and their partner who are planning to deliver at TGH. Tours meet at the 4th Floor, West Pavilion Security Desk, and registration is required.
This free 60-minute tour is held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, except holidays, at 2:30 p.m. The tour is designed for women and their partner who are planning to deliver at TGH. Registration is required to ensure small groups that allow individual attention during the tour. Tour meets on the 4th Floor, West Pavilion at the Security Desk, and registration is required.
SAVE MONEY! Enroll in the following 3 classes for $70 -that’s a $10 savings!
Labor & Birth Preparation, Breastfeeding: The First Experience and Basic Newborn Care.
Labor and Birth Preparation
Becoming a parent is a life-changing event. This comprehensive four-week series of classes prepares expectant mothers and their partner for all aspects of labor, birth and the postpartum experience. A certified instructor will discuss signs of labor, when to go to the hospital, comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, massage, visualization, analgesic and anesthesia. Medical options such as induction of labor and cesarean birth are also discussed. It is recommended to be taken near 28th week of pregnancy if possible.
Cost: $55 per couple Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays: August 31 - September 21, November 2 - November 23 Wednesdays: December 1 - December 22
Thursdays: August 5 - August 26, October 7 - October 28
One Saturday Class: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., July 10, July 31, August 14, August 28, September 18, October 16, October 30, November 6, November 20, December 4, December 18
Breastfeeding may be natural, but it often does not come naturally. This one-session class will provide you with information on the many aspects of breastfeeding your baby and will include a video presentation and demonstration. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first 12 months of life. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to be informed and empowered. Partners are encouraged to attend.
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays: July 27, August 10, October 12, October 26, December 7, December 21
Wednesdays: July 7, August 25, September 8
Thursdays: September 30, November 4, November 18
New parents need to make many decisions as they care for their newborn. This one-session class will provide the guidance and support needed as parents go through “on-the-job training” during an infant’s first three months of life. Topics covered include infant bathing and dressing, various ways the infant communicates through crying, sleep patterns, signs of illness, when to call a care provider and the needs and adjustments of becoming a family.
Cost: $15 per couple Mondays: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., July 12, July 19, August 9, August 30, September 13, September 20, October 4, October 18, November 1, November 22, November 29, December 6, December 20
Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., August 24 Saturdays: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., July 17, September 11, October 9, December 11
This one-session class is a review for parents who have given birth before. Parents that only want an overview of the labor process may attend. This is not a complete childbirth class. Included in this class are reviews of the stages of labor, comfort measures, breathing and relaxation, massage and visualization techniques. Your support person is encouraged to attend.
Cost: $20 or FREE if attended Labor & Birth Preparation Time:6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Mondays: August 16, October 25, December 13
The Hypnobirthing method is as much a philosophy of birth as it is a technique for achieving a safe birth. Hypnobirthing teaches you, along with your birth partner, an easier, more comfortable birthing method in a way that mirrors nature. Participants learn relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to eliminate fear and tension that can cause long and uncomfortable labor. Cost of this four-week class includes textbook and two relaxation CDs.
Cost: $150 per couple Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Thursdays: July 1 - July 22, September 2 - September 23
Get ready to hit the ground crawling! Boot Camp for New Dads is a workshop for all new and expectant dads. This program is offered through the Fathers Resource and Networking Center (FRANC) and Tampa General Hospital. Veteran Dads bring their 1-to-6 month-old infants to teach the ‘Rookie Dads’ (soon-to-be-dads) how to hold, diaper and care for their newborns. The challenges and joys of fatherhood are among the topics discussed during this one-session class for men only. This class is held in room F233, 2nd Floor, East Pavilion.
Cost: $20 (no father is turned away for inability to pay) Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturdays: September 11, December 11
The one-session class will provide an overview of car seat safety for rear facing and convertible car seats.
Class will teach you how to avoid the most common mistakes of car seat usage, provide an explanation of
LATCH and how it is used, and review laws about car seat usage in Florida. This class is taught by
certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Attendees need to have their car seat in their car for the check. Attendees do NOT need to bring the seat to the classroom. If they will be using the free infant car seat that TGH mom's receive at discharge, instructors will have one of those available for the demonstration.
Cost: FREE Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesdays: July 20, August 17, September 28, October 5, November 30, December 14
Designed for new parents, grandparents or caregivers of an infant or child, this class covers safety and
rescue breathing, choking emergencies and CPR. All instructors are certified through the American Heart
Association.
Cost: $35 per couple, $20 individual Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Fridays: July 16, August 20, September 17, October 22, November 19, December 10
This one-session class prepares parents for the special challenges and joys of having twins, triplets or higher order multiples. Topics include: advice for growing moms, nutritional needs, precautions, special considerations for multiple birth, possible complications and breastfeeding. The class should be taken early in pregnancy at 18 to 22 weeks if possible.
Cost: $25 per couple Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturdays: July 17, October 9
This 90-minute class is designed for children who will e present at the birth of a sibling and is tailored to be age-appropriate. Children will watch a video of a birth, read a story about the birth process written from a child's perspective and write a 'plan' of how they will help during the birth. The role of big brothers and sisters is discussed as well as the changes that occur when a new baby joins the family. Call (813) 844-8945 to register.
Cost: $10 for the first child, $5 for each additional child
This class is for children ages two to eight. Children are given a brief tour of the Women's Center that includes seeing a new baby in the nursery and the postpartum rooms where their mothers will be staying. Children are asked to bring a doll or stuffed animal from home to use to practice safe holding, diapering and feeding techniques. An age-appropriate story or video about becoming a big brother or sister will be utilized and each child will receive a graduation certificate. Parent must remain with child during this class.
Cost: $10 for the first child, $5 for each additional child Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturdays: July 11, September 12, November 14
