Prenatal Classes and Tours
Pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood are times of excitement and adjustment. We would like to help you increase your knowledge and confidence for these special events through a variety of classes.
Registering for classes
Call
800-926-8273 to register and pay any class fees. We accept credit or debit cards. Please note:
- Call early in your pregnancy to enroll as classes and tours fill quickly.
- Pre-registration is mandatory. We cannot accept walk-ins.
- Telephone enrollment hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- There is no charge for any tour, or for Meet the Maternity Team or Meet the Midwife events. However, enrollment for classes with a fee is pending until payment is received.
Valet parking is available to all maternity patients at a reduced rate of $3 for the first two hours and 50 cents per hour after that. Available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for classes, tours and all medical appointments.
Class listing
Hospital tours and information sessions
Prenatal fitness
Childbirth classes
Parenting classes
Meet the Maternity Team
Date: June 25, Aug. 27, or Oct. 22
Time: Program at 6 p.m., tours at 5 p.m. or 7p.m.
Location: UC San Diego, Hillcrest, 200 West Arbor Drive Auditorium, San Diego, CA 92103
Registration: Online
Fee: No charge
Overview: You'll meet our team of obstetricians, certified nurse midwives, and family medicine physicians You can also tour our recently renovated Labor & Delivery unit and in-hospital Birth Center. You'll find out what our Baby-Friendly designation means for you, and about the amenities and services designed to enhance your birthing experience.
Meet the Midwives
Dates: May 21, July 23, Sept. 24, Nov. 26
Time: Program at 6 p.m., tours at 5 p.m. or 7 p.m.
Location: UC San Diego, Hillcrest, Main Hospital Auditorium
Registration: Online
Fee: No charge
Overview: Learn more about UC San Diego midwifery services at an informal social event . You can also tour our recently renovated Labor & Delivery unit and in-hospital Birth Center. You'll find out what our Baby-Friendly designation means for you, and about the amenities and services designed to enhance your birthing experience.
Maternity Tour
Dates and times:
- Every Wednesday 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. No tours will be available June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 28 or Dec. 26.
- Fourth Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. in English and 2:30 p.m. in Spanish
Location: UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest; all tours meet in the hospital lobby and leave promptly at the scheduled tour time. Those arriving late may be left behind.
Pre-Registration: Online
Fee: No charge
Overview: For expectant parents who are interested in learning about hospital procedures and options for giving birth in the Labor & Delivery Unit or our Birth Center. Access to a labor room will depend on availability. Take a virtual tour of the birthing facilities at UC San Diego.
Watch a video of one recent mom sharing her experiences with UC San Diego's prenatal yogo class.
Prenatal Yoga
Fee: $90 per person for 8-week series
Dates: 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, next 8-week series starts May 23 and ends July 25 (no class May 30 or July 4)
Location: SDG&E Room at Thornton Hospital
Register: 800-926-8273
Overview: Our prenatal yoga series is specifically designed for the pregnant woman and consists of yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditations, childbirth preparation techniques and deep relaxation. Students come away from class feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, more connected to their baby and with a deeper sense of body awareness. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Download the mandatory consent form and bring to first class.
Online Childbirth Education Program
UC San Diego Medical Center is offering a new and exciting online childbirth education program. It’s perfect for moms-to-be who are on bed rest; couples with time or scheduling conflicts; or parents in need of a refresher course.
Our comprehensive, interactive tutorial will walk you through the three stages of labor and provide details on birth/pain management options and comfort measures to optimize your birthing experience.
Click the graphic to the left to register.
Tutorial Includes:
- Numerous video segments and illustrations that let you know what to expect before, during and after labor
- Access to a UC San Diego Childbirth Educator as questions arise
Childbirth Preparation (4-Class Series)
Date and Time: Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. 4-class series starts on first Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Location: UC San Diego, Scripps Ranch Medical Office, Suite 200
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $70 per couple
Overview: This is a series of four 2-hour classes addressing fetal development, body changes, the labor process, labor coping skills, breathing and relaxation techniques, labor review, OB procedures, cesarean birth and postpartum care. Includes information on delivering in both the Birth Center and Labor & Delivery Unit. course book included. Download the class syllabus.
Childbirth Preparation: One Day Saturday (6 hours)
Dates: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2012 dates: May 26, June 23, June 30, July 21, July 28, Aug. 18, Aug. 25, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 15, Dec. 22
Location: Thornton Hospital, SDG&E Room, third floor
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $70 for the mother plus one adult
Overview: This is a six-hour class offered on a Saturday that addresses fetal development, body changes, the labor process, labor coping skills, breathing and relaxation techniques, OB procedures, cesarean birth and postpartum care. Includes information on delivering in both the Birth Center and Labor & Delivery Unit. Course book included. The class offers a lunch break. We recommend you bring your lunch because the cafeteria line can be long.
Childbirth Preparation for Birth Center Patients (4-Class Series)
Date and Time: Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. 4-class sessions start on the first Tuesday of each month. (Exception: July 2012 class starts July 10 and ends July 31.)
Location: UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest, third floor classroom #3-310, South Wing Tower.
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273
Fee: $70 per couple
Overview: Designed for patients of the nurse-midwives. This is a series of four 2-hour childbirth preparation classes addressing fetal development, body changes, the labor process, labor coping skills, breathing and relaxation techniques, labor review, OB procedures, cesarean birth and postpartum care. Includes information on delivering in both the Birth Center and Labor & Delivery Unit. Course book included. Download the class syllabus.
Childbirth Basics (one-time, two-hour class)
Dates, Times and Locations:
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $30 per couple
Overview: A one-time 2-hour class that provides a basic overview of the birth process, including signs of labor, when to go to the hospital, stages of labor, breathing and relaxation techniques, options for pain relief, hospital procedures, and helpful tips for labor & birth. A film will also be shown and course book is included.
More than One! Twins, Triplets and More (Classes 1 and 2)
Date and Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., third Wednesday of each month. Class 1 is offered in March, May, July, September, and November. Class 2 is offered in April, June, August, October, and December.
Location: UC San Diego Hillcrest, fourth-floor conference room.
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $30 per couple per class; $60 per couple for both classes
Overview: A two-class series that addresses the specific needs of a multiple pregnancy. Each class is 2 hours long. Class 1 ($30) covers prenatal care, signs and symptoms of preterm labor, risk factors of a multiple pregnancy, and premature delivery. Class 2 ($30) covers birth options, infant feeding, going home, and resources for families with multiples (including guest speakers who are parents of multiples).
Note: These classes should be taken in addition to childbirth preparation, breastfeeding and newborn care classes.
Multiples Mentoring Program (Support Group for Twins, Triplets, and More)
Date and Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m., second Tuesday of each month
Location: Thornton Hospital, Third Floor, Room 3-102 (SDG&E Conference Room)
Pre-Registration: No registration, walk-ins welcome. Contact Corey Anaka, canaka@ucsd.edu, for information.
Fee: No fee
Overview: A support group for parents of multiples. Meeting topics will vary from open discussion to guest speakers.
Breastfeeding Class
Dates, Times and Locations:
- First Wednesday of each month (except April, July, and August), 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at UC San Diego, Hillcrest, third floor classroom
- Fourth Saturday every month, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at UC San Diego, Hillcrest, third floor classroom #3-310, South Wing Tower (no November or December class)
- Third Tuesday every month, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Thornton Hospital, SDG&E Room, third floor
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $30 per couple
Overview: A one-time class that discusses the benefits of breastfeeding, basic techniques, nutrition and common problems.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Date & Time: Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Thornton Hospital in the Lycan Room, First Floor near Radiology Department.
Registration: No registration required, walk-ins welcome.
Fee: No charge
Overview: A support group for breastfeeding moms and babies. This group is facilitated by a qualified lactation educator. Come and get your questions answered and meet other breastfeeding moms. Scale available for weighing babies.
Newborn Care
Dates, Times and Locations:
- Fourth Wednesday every month, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at UC San Diego Hillcrest, Room 3-310, third floor of South Wing Tower
- Second Saturday every month, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at UC San Diego Hillcrest, Room 3-310, third floor of South Wing Tower
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $30 per couple
Overview: A one-time class on newborn care, including bathing, cord care, safety issues, and when to call the doctor.
Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Dates, Times and Locations:
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays in April, June, August, October or December, at UC San Diego Scripps Ranch Medical Office
- 6 to 7:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday in April, June, August, October and December, UC San Diego Hillcrest, Room 4-308, South Wing Tower, fourth floor.
Pre-Registration: Mandatory. To enroll, call 800-926-8273.
Fee: $30 per person; $50 per couple
Overview: A one-time, 90-minute class designed to teach parents and care providers how to perform CPR and choking rescue on infants up to 1 year old. This is not a certification program.