Swedish Medical Center offers classes to prepare siblings for the birth of a new baby!

Make the addition of a younger brother or sister a smooth transition for your older child.

Take a sibling preparation class and/or a class to prepare your child to attend the birth of his or her new sibling.

Sibling Preparation

This is a one-time class designed to foster the responsibility and enjoyment of being a big brother or a big sister. The class is intended for children ages three to five years of age. This class will not prepare the sibling to attend the birth (see Sibling at Birth class description below if you are interested in this for your child). Parents must attend class with children as they learn about normal newborn characteristics, the variety of emotions they may feel with the baby’s arrival, appropriate play with baby and ways they can help Mom and Dad when baby comes home. Children will be shown a video and taken on a "kids" tour of the OB unit.

Registration: Call 1-866-7SWEDISH (1-866-779-3347) or use ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION.

Sibling at Birth (private class)

Family and sibling-attended births are welcome at Swedish Medical Center with the attending physician’s approval. This private class is scheduled on an individual family basis and usually takes two hours. Using special audiovisual teaching materials, each child and family will be taken through a typical birth. Questions are answered and anxiety lessened as the family prepares for the upcoming event. A tour and familiarization of the OB unit will follow the class.

The minimum recommended age for children attending a birth is five; however, each situation is unique as children mature at varying rates. All siblings under the age of 13 are encouraged to attend the Sibling at Birth class. Although the class is not mandatory, consent to attend the birth is required! The consent form clearly defines the roles and expectations and must be signed by parents and the attending OB physician. When completed, a copy must be mailed to: Women’s Health Education, Swedish Medical Center, 501 E. Hampden Avenue, Englewood, CO 80113.

The expectant mom also must bring the signed consent form to Labor & Delivery when labor starts.

Registration: To schedule a Sibling at Birth class or to obtain a consent form, please call 303-788-6251.