Babies do not come with a training manual, so it is important to learn as much as you can about childbirth, parenting and baby care. If possible, make this education part of your prenatal care.

Even if you have already had a baby and taken classes in the past, you will probably benefit from taking a refresher class or two.

You, your partner and your family can choose from a variety of classes. Some classes are free; others have a fee. To find out what classes are available in your area, contact:

• Your doctor
• Your hospital or clinic
• Childbirth groups
• Community groups
• Your local health department

Below is a sampling of the types of classes that might be available in your area:

• Childbirth preparation (for example, the Lamaze method)
• Parenting
• Grandparenting
• Single parenting
• Parenting in same-sex relationships
• Teen pregnancy
• Sibling preparation
• Prenatal nutrition
• Breast feeding
• Prenatal exercise
• Infant safety
• Infant CPR
• Multiple gestations (pregnancies)
• Caesarean section and vaginal birth after Caesarean, or VBAC