Classes

This workshop is ideal for anyone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

This class provides an empowering overview of prenatal and childbirth options, including: the differences between the medical model and the midwifery (wellness) model of care; care provider/hospital selection; prenatal, labor and birthing rights; and informed choice. You will also learn about the benefits of hiring a labor and post partum doula. Remember, if you don’t know your options, you have none!

FEE: $20/person (or couple)
*Get $15 credit toward a Gentle Beginning HypnoBirthing® series upon completion of the workshop**


ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Tricia Fitzgerald, M.Ed, HBCE, CD(DONA), Gentle Beginning, Inc.

Tricia, who was most recently spotted on TLC’s “A Baby Story” as a doula to one of her clients, is a Certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioner and Labor/Birth Doula, who specializes in teaching her clients comfortable, relaxing and empowering birthing methods and techniques that positively support the birthing process for their hospital or home births. Tricia holds a Masters in Early Childhood Development and Education from DePaul University, where she currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education. She lives in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, and she and her husband have three daughters, one son, and one angel in heaven—all born using HypnoBirthing® The Mongan Method.

AUGUST 27TH 7:00pm

Interested in learning more about Hypnobirthing?

HypnoBirthing^® - The Mongan Method - is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education, enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. HypnoBirthing^® provides the missing link that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. Emphasis is placed on pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby.

You will learn how to trust your body and work with it using your own natural birthing instincts. 

Come and see if Hypnobirthing is the right choice for you by attending this FREE seminar.

July 23rd and August 30th at 7:00pm **Pre-registration is required

SPECIAL EVENT: Is Your Home a Healthy Home?

• Every 13 seconds a family calls a poison control center regarding an exposure to poison at home.
• Over 3/4 of all poison exposures reported to poison control centers involve ingestion of a toxic household product.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 150 common household chemicals have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities.

Wellness Workshop!! It’s alarming but true - scientists and doctors have discovered that there is a connection between our health and the use of common everyday household chemicals. You probably have dozens of cleaning and personal care products, purchased at the local grocery store, which contains chemical ingredients that could be harmful to your health and the health of your loved ones.  We will share how you can create a healthier environment for you and your family, while saving money and living healthier!  Join us for this FREE workshop and hear how you can LIVE, SAVE, & EARN GREEN!

July 26th 7-8pm

Please call and reserve your space or register below

Looking for some quality time to spend together? Join us for an imaginative hour of flexibility, focus, and coordination. Girls and boys alike will enjoy a variety of yoga breaths, poses, and songs including butterfly and tarzans thymus tap. Class meets Mondays at 11:00am.

4 week session for ages 2-6, please bring a yoga mat or towel.

Session Fee $32,  Walk in fee $10/class  Additional child $10

July session has been cancelled and is being rescheduled. Look for new dates coming soon!

*Please note: There are no refunds for classes. 48 hours notice is required to receive store credit for classes or to switch to another available date. Please call to exchange or receive store credit for a class. No refunds for classes missed in a session.

Did you ever wish you had another set of hands?  Have you tried a using a baby carrier but haven’t had much success?  Are you looking for a way to bond with your child, while still living your life? 

In this workshop, we’ll discuss the of wearing your child, demonstrate various carriers and positions, compare the options for different ages, and you’ll be able to try a variety of carriers!

Feel free to bring any carriers you have -- and your baby!

Class sessions: July 22 at 7:00pm and August 14th at 10:00am

Fee:  $15 per person (or couple) must pay at time of sign-up.

**Take the class and get 10% off your purchase of any carrier! 

*Please note: There are no refunds for classes. 48 hours notice is required to receive store credit for classes or to switch to another available date. Please call to exchange or receive store credit for a class.

Are you going to be caring for a little one, or perhaps expecting a new addition to your family?  Then this class is not to be missed!  Learn what to do in case of an emergency.  This class will cover what to do if your baby is choking, how to perform Infant CPR, what do do if your baby gets stung by a bee, high fevers, and head injuries.

Cost: $20.00/pp - Must pay in full at time of sign-up.

CLASSES SCHEDULED:  July 30th, August 26th  7:00pm

*Please note: There are no refunds for classes. 48 hours notice is required to receive store credit for classes or to switch to another available date. Please call to exchange or receive store credit for a class.

Confused about entering the world of cloth diapering? This 45 minute class will cover everything you need to know to help you decide if cloth diapering is the right choice for you. We will go over the various types of cloth diapers available and how to use them, review and compare cost savings, talk about what to expect when using a diaper service, and review the various washing techniques for home laundering. We will also go over what diapers you need to start out with or register for and what accessories you'll need. Significant others and spouses are highly encouraged to attend.

Read and write reviews about this class.

Free Class

Saturdays 12:00 AND 2:00PM**

Saturday 7/31 the only class offered for the day is at 10:30am**

****PLEASE CALL FIRST TO CONFIRM TIMES, AS THEY MAY CHANGE DUE TO OTHER EVENTS*** 708-873-4588

If you cannot attend the class, just stop by anytime and we will gladly give you a mini diaper demo and show you all the diaper styles and brands we have available!

Don't have the time to take a four week Lamaze class...you'll love our one day Saturday class!

This is not your typical childbirth education class. Taught by a certified Lamaze instructor and Registered Nurse of over 10 years, this Lamaze class prepares you to give birth with confidence and a sound base of knowledge. Set in a more comfortable environment than a hospital, we will practice hands-on techniques, watch videos, and discuss what to expect if giving birth in a hospital or at home.

The class will cover the labor and delivery process, how to become an active and informed participant in your birth process, breathing and relaxation techniques, pain management options including epidural anesthesia, indications for cesarean section, and much more.  

Read and write reviews about this class.

$90 per couple, full payment is required at sign-up and 48 hours notice is required.

Upcoming Classes:  July 31st 9am-5pm   and    August 28th 9am-5pm

*Please note: There are no refunds for classes. 48 hours notice is required to receive store credit for classes or to switch to another available date. Please call to exchange or receive store credit for a class.

This is a 12 week course, two hours at a time.

Topics include: nutrition, the role of emotions in childbirth, variations and unexpected situations, the stages of labor, coping in different stages of labor, planning your birth, choosing the right provider/facility, how to coach a laboring woman, breastfeeding, and postpartum and infant care.  The material includes the basic Bradley Method (R) instruction, as well as teaching from Colleen's experience as a birth doula, and a la leche league leader - there's not a whole lot she hasn't seen, so you're in good hands!

For more information on Colleen, please go to www.ColleenTheDoula.com, or www.ColleenTheDoula.blogspot.com

$300/12 week class ($70 deposit required at sign up, remainder due directly to the instructor 1 week prior to class starting)

Class meets Wednesday nights from 7-9/9:30pm.

 Next 12 week session: September 29th through December 15th.

*Please note: There are no refunds for the deposit on this class.

Learn what you need to know to have a successful breastfeeding experience.  This two hour class includes weighted babies to practice with, education on proper holds for nursing, common nursing ailments and remedies, establishing a milk supply, and night time feeding.  Yes, dads are welcome!

Class Fee: $15

Class Schedule: July 29th 7-9pm

The "what to do when you get your baby home" class! The class covers everything from tests done to baby in the hospital, how to hold a baby, breastfeeding basics, the real deal on poop, how to swaddle, car seat safety, soothing a crying baby, babywearing, how babies sleep, and much more. This is a MUST for any parent to be, and is a great refresher course for grandparents!

This class is given by Colleen Curry, a birth doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding counselor. 

For more information on Colleen, please go to www.ColleenTheDoula.com, or www.ColleenTheDoula.blogspot.com

Fee: $50 per person, $70 per couple 11am-5pm

Upcoming classes: July 24th

*our August class has been cancelled. Please call the store to have your name put on a list so we can call you when we have a firm date in Sept. and Oct.

*Please note: There are no refunds for classes. 48 hours notice is required to receive store credit for classes or to switch to another available date. Please call to exchange or receive store credit for a class.

Prenatal yoga classes are more popular than ever and are a great way to stay in shape during pregnancy.  This 6-week session is designed to help expectant moms learn to breathe deeply and relax, which will come in handy as you face the physical demands of labor. Moms will also tone muscles, and help alleviate the discomforts of pregnancy. Suitable for all trimesters. 

Please bring your own mat and water.

Sign-up and physician's approval required.  

Fee: $100/6 week class, full payment is required at sign-up

Tuesday nights 6:30-7:30pm

The JULY SESSION IS CLOSED! Check back soon for August Dates.

*Please note: There are no refunds for classes. 48 hours notice is required to receive store credit for classes or to switch to another available date. Please call to exchange or receive store credit for a class.