As a new parent you will have many important decisions to make. Knowledge is power and the more you know the more prepared you will be for your new baby. Kootenai Health offers prenatal courses to help you become a more informed parent.

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up for a hospital tour, please call (208) 625-6050.

Important Class Information

In order to accommodate as many expectant parents as possible and provide a more relevant and enjoyable experience, we ask that you be in about your 30th week of pregnancy or beyond at the start of classes (we realize there may be some exceptions). See full brochure.

Prepared Childbirth

This four-week course (totally eight hours) prepares mother-to-be and her support team for the delivery experience. A major focus of this class is education and practice of breathing and relaxation techniques. Other topics covered in Prepared Childbirth include pain management strategies, fetal monitoring, stages of labor, cesarean delivery and possible complications. A tour of Kootenai Health’s Family Birth Center is also offered. For registration information call (208) 625-6050.

2018 Sessions: Tuesdays (4 part series) 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• January 1/9 – 1/30
• February 2/6 – 2/27
• March 3/6 – 3/27
• April 4/3 – 4/24
• May 5/1 – 5/22
• June 6/5 – 6/26
• July 7/10 – 7/31
• August 8/7 – 8-28
• September 9/4 – 9/25
• October 10/2 – 10/23
• November 11/6 – 11/27
• December 12/4 – 12/18 & Wednesday Dec 19 (No class on Christmas)

Pain Coping in Labor

This class will be offered as an addition to the childbirth series. This class will highlight hands on techniques to cope with pain in labor and include ways for your support person to engage and help you through labor.

2018 Sessions: Thursdays (two-part series) 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• February 8 and 15
• April 5 and 12

Breastfeeding Basics

Learn how to initiate breastfeeding with early skin-to-skin contact, how to support your milk supply and how to deal with common struggles and myths. For more information on breastfeeding visit our Lactation Services page. For registration information call (208) 625-6050.

2018 Sessions: Wednesdays 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• 1/3
• 2/7
• 3/7
• 4/4
• 5/2
• 6/6
• 7/11
• 8/1
• 9/5
• 10/3
• 11/7
• 12/5

Bringing Baby Home

Home newborn care is the main focus of Bringing Baby Home. This three-hour evening course helps parents learn about a baby’s basic needs and provides information on the postpartum stay, care of the mother, coping with a fussy baby, infant health and safety, and feeding. For registration information call (208) 625-6050.

2018 Sessions: Mondays 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• 3/5
• 4/2
• 5/7
• 6/4
• 7/9
• 8/6
• 9/10
• 10/1
• 11/5
• 12/3

Pre and Post Natal Exercise 


This soothing, gentle stretching and toning class will help you experience weightlessness and relaxation in warm water. The class is taught at Kootenai Health Rehabilitation Services building on the Kootenai Health campus. For more information call (208) 625-5313.