It’s amazing how much there is to prepare for such a tiny person. How do you prepare yourself, your body, your home, and your partner for this monumental change? There is so much to get done in just a few months, but luckily we’ve got you covered. Here are some great Philly resources that will help you get ready for baby!

Classes

Jefferson Hospital

111 South 11th St., Philadelphia

 

Jefferson offers a three-session Prepared Childbirth class, as well as other parent education classes like safety, breastfeeding, and more.

Pennsylvania Hospital Solutions for Women

700 Spruce St., Philadelphia

 

At “Penn Parenting University,” you can learn about how to have a healthy pregnancy, labor techniques, and your role as a new parent.

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia

 

From your first trimester forward, HUP has classes to help you have a healthy pregnancy, birth, and baby. They even offer a Sibling Class for parents and kids ages 3-10 so they can prepare for their new role and also learn about newborn safety.

Lilypad

1234 S. Broad St., Philadelphia

 

Lilypad hosts Blossoming Bellies–a one-day birth class–once a month; and 6-week InHarmony hypnobirthing classes on Monday or Thursday evenings.

Blossoming Bellies

Various locations throughout Philadelphia

 

Brittany Sharpe McCollum, a certified childbirth educator and doula, teaches her Blossoming Bellies childbirth preparation classes around town: in South Philadelphia at BOK and Lilypad, at Still Waters Holistic Health Therapies in Fairmount, at Minnow Lane in Fishtown, and at The Nesting House in their Collingswood location. She also teaches homebirth classes at Midwifery Traditions in Germantown. If you prefer private birth classes, she can also come to your home. In addition to birth classes, she also teaches infant care classes privately, as well as at Minnow Lane in Fishtown, BOK in South Philly, and soon Kith + Kin in Brewerytown.

Born With Love Birth Services

Various locations throughout Philadelphia

 

Certified birth doula Marcella DeRosa hosts Navigating Your Hospital Birth at all three Philly locations of The Nesting House, as well as at Minnow Lane in Fishtown. You can also take her Better Baby Class at The Nesting House locations. She also offers private classes.

Mindful Birth and Parenting

Various locations throughout Philadelphia

 

These classes incorporate meditation and other mindfulness practices into childbirth prep. See website for schedules and locations.

BellyWise

West Philadelphia

 

BellyWise offers 4-week healthy childbirth classes as well as infant care classes throughout the year.

Mama Bird Birth at Mama’s Wellness Joint

1100 Pine St., Philadelphia

 

Want to learn all about childbirth but don’t have a lot of time? Take a Weekend Intensive Childbirth Education Class, which covers the same topics and tools as a full comprehensive childbirth class, but does so over 10 hours in a single weekend.  It is limited to 5 couples to keep the setting personal and so that the questions and needs of each couple can be adequately addressed.

Doulas

After the Stork

Newborn Care and Parenting Support for your Growing Family

Christine’s Care and Compassion

Christine’s Care & Compassion is a certified birth doula, postpartum doula, lactation counselor, childbirth educator, and newborn care specialist serving the Philadelphia area. She was named the 2019 LOVE Award Winner for Best Doula by the Philly Family Community.

Blossoming Bellies

Birth and postpartum doula services.

In Harmony Birth

Birth and postpartum doula services.

Born With Love Birth Services

Prenatal and birth doula services; placenta encapsulation.

BellyWise

Birth and postpartum doula services.

Prenatal Fitness

Mama’s Wellness Joint

1100 Pine St., Philadelphia

 

This mecca for mamas and mamas-to-be offers Prenatal Yoga every day of the week, as well as Prenatal Strength class and other workshops. And after you give birth, come back for Postpartum Rebuild and Mommy and Me classes.

Y2B Fit

7101 Emlen St., Philadelphia

 

Baby Bump Barre will give you a safe, effective full-body workout, which will also target muscles that are important in the labor and delivery process and postpartum recovery. Return after baby for Bring your Baby to Barre!

Wake Up Yoga

2329 Parrish St., Philadelphia
1839 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia

 

Wake Up Yoga holds prenatal yoga classes at its South Philly and Fairmount locations every week. And after birth, come back for Baby and Me class!

Philly Power Yoga and Thrive

2016 Walnut St., Philadelphia

 

Prenatal Fitness Sculpt will safely keep your body strong, fit, and healthy during pregnancy. Private classes are also available.

Ploome

1040 N. American St. #1001, Philadelphia

 

Choose from group, private, or online prenatal Pilates classes.

Shanti Yoga and Ayurveda

1638 Pine St., 1st Floor, Philadelphia

 

This blissful prenatal yoga class teaches specific yoga poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques designed to relieve the physical and emotional discomforts during pregnancy.

Pacific Yoga

2518 Cedar St., Philadelphia

 

This cozy yoga studio hosts a gentle and nurturing prenatal class incorporating conscious breathing and careful movement. After baby, return for Mama and Me class.

Studio 34

4522 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia

 

This West Philly studio offers weekly prenatal yoga focusing on soothing the discomforts that may accompany pregnancy, while encouraging one to become fully present and fully connected. The class will also focus on yogic breathing practices and mantra meditations to aid during the labor and delivery process.

Shopping

Pennsylvania Hospital Solutions for Women

700 Spruce St., Philadelphia

 

Need parts for that new pump, or even help choosing one? Or maybe you need advice on maternity and nursing bras for your changing body? They’ve got you covered.

The Nesting House

1605 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia
4501 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia
606 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia

 

All three Philly locations of this boutique offer free registry consultation in their stores (appointment required). They will help you decide what you need, select which products are best for you, tell you the benefit of natural products, and help set up your registry. They also have a cloth diaper and babywearing support person in each location to help you choose what works best for your baby. You can even try out the different carriers, including rentals! Best of all, when you’re done using all these great products, The Nesting House also does consignment!

Minnow Lane

2029 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia

 

This is another great option for natural and organic products for you and your baby. This Fishtown boutique carries all natural, eco-friendly, socially conscious, toys and products made with toxin free renewable and reusable materials.

Little Moon + Arrow

729 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia

 

This lovely Queen Village store carries unique handmade toys, clothing, crafts, and decor for kids and babies.

Safety

The Home Hero

Home Hero will walk through your entire home, identify issues, and solve every problem with their creativity and experience. They’ll install everything you need to keep your family’s home safe and secure as your baby grows and starts to move.

Kidproteq

As members of the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS) and certified baby product experts, Kidproteq’s baby proofing professionals will assess all hazards in your home and install a babyproofing package to keep your little one safe.

Infant and Child CPR Class at Jefferson Hospital

833 Chestnut St., Suite 920, Philadelphia

 

This 2.5-hour class will teach you the CPR basics for babies and kids. Call 1-800-JEFF-NOW to register.

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia

 

HUP offers a safety class that covers home safety, poison control, medication safety, car seat installation, and tips for childproofing your home. They also hold infant CPR classes (their Pennsy location hosts them too).

Car Seat Checks

Get your car seat installation checked at various locations in the Philadelphia area. Hospitals and fire stations will help you for free!

 

Feature photo by Noreen Turner Photography.