Northern Glow Midwifery LLC provides relational, family centered midwifery care by a Licensed Midwife in Traverse City and surrounding Northern Michigan.
Pregnancy and Childbirth Class
Prepare for Birth with Confidence
August 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2026
Mondays from 6:00–8:00 PM
Traverse City, Michigan
Pregnancy comes with a flood of information, advice, and opinions. It can be difficult to know what to trust, what applies to your situation, and how to prepare for the journey ahead.
This four-week childbirth education series is designed to help you feel informed, confident, and ready for birth.
Led by Kristen Shook, LM, CPM, RN, and Certified Lactation Specialist, this class combines practical information, evidence-based education, and real-world experience caring for women and babies.
Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, or are still exploring your options, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of the birth process and greater confidence in your ability to navigate it. This is so much more than your mom’s Lamaze class!
What You'll Learn
Classes 1 & 2: Labor and Birth
Understand how labor works, what to expect as birth unfolds, and practical ways to work with labor rather than fear it.
Topics include:
The stages of labor
Comfort measures and coping techniques
Understanding common interventions
Self-advocacy and informed decision-making
Creating a birth plan that reflects your values and goals
How partners can provide meaningful support during labor
Class 3: Breastfeeding
Get off to a strong start with evidence-based breastfeeding education.
Topics include:
What to expect in the first days after birth
Positioning and latch basics
Common challenges and how to address them
Building confidence in your feeding relationship
Class 4: Newborn Care and Postpartum Recovery
Birth is just the beginning. Learn what to expect during the early weeks with your baby and how to support your own recovery.
Topics include:
Newborn appearance and behavior
Sleep and feeding expectations
Postpartum healing
Emotional adjustment to parenthood
When to seek additional support
More Than Information
One of the unexpected benefits of this class is the opportunity to connect with other local families who are preparing to welcome babies around the same time. Many participants leave not only feeling more prepared for birth, but also with new friendships and a stronger sense of community. Multiple couples from previous classes have reached out to share that they are still in contact with each other.
Who Is This Class For?
This class is appropriate for:
First-time parents
Experienced parents looking for a refresher
Families planning a home birth
Families planning a hospital birth
Anyone who wants to feel more informed and confident heading into labor
Partners are strongly encouraged to attend.
Your registration includes the pregnant person and one support person.
Registration
Tuition: $400
Scholarships are available.
To apply for a scholarship, please email hello@joybellypregnancy.com.
I'd love to help you prepare for this exciting season of life.
