Classes
CUSTOMIZED FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Childbirth, HypnoBirthing, Newborn Care & Breastfeeding Prep Classes
YOU WANT TO BE PREPARED FOR YOUR BIRTH & POSTPARTUM TIME NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.
WE’VE GOT THE CLASS FOR YOU!
PLEASE NOTE: All of our group classes are now held in-person at our classroom at 1994 Gallatin Rd N, Ste. 102, Madison, TN 37115
Our Private Classes are usually taught in-person, but can also be taught virtually.
SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR REGISTRATION INFO!
OR CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE REGISTRATION FORM
Research shows that taking a comprehensive, out-of-hospital birthing class:
increases your confidence
reduces fears
paves the way for a more empowered birth
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EAST NASHVILLE DOULAS
CHILDBIRTH CLASS:
Laid-Back & Interactive Learning: We know that everyone responds best to different learning strategies, so we include a mix of interactive, group, & partner work in class. This is not a boring lecture class! Let’s have fun together while we learn. All of our classes come with a supplemental workbook for you to review at home after class.
Evidence-based & Up-to-Date Information: Our educators stay current on the latest birth research and best practices. They can steer you to great resources that will give you the answers you need. All of our educators also attend births regularly, so they can tell you what to expect in your birthing place based on first-hand knowledge.
Know Your Options: You don’t know what you don’t know until you know it, right? Our job is to present all of the options to you in a nonjudgmental way so that you can sort through what’s most important to you & your family. Since we aren’t affiliated with a particular hospital or practice (though we work closely with all of them), we can give you a comprehensive overview of all the choices.
Comfort Measure Tools for Your Toolbox: You will leave class with many different coping methods and comfort measures for labor! Even if you are leaning towards medication for your birth, these tools will help you manage through the early parts of your labor. From relaxation methods, visualization, breathing techniques, positions—we will talk about what works best for you and when/how to use them. And you will get to practice them as well!
Birth Partner Prep: Helping partners and support people know what to do when is one of our most favorite things! Your birth partner will be such an invaluable help to you on your big day, and we want to make sure that they are prepped and ready. Partners will leave our classes feeling confident and with lots of tools to support you on your big day. This is class is just as much about them as you!
Informed Decision-making: We will give you tools throughout class to help you have the birth you want. But we know that birth plans can change and big decisions might need to be made. That’s why we give you concrete, specific tools to help you sort through those options when birth doesn’t go according to plan. We will help you ask the right questions to get the answers you need so that your choices are informed and reflective of your intentions for this birth.
Community with Other Families: One of the best parts of taking a childbirth class is being with other families who are going through this same transition with you. We’ve had great friendships start in our classes, and we couldn’t be happier about that! Finding community that will help you long after the last class is one of the big plusses of taking a group class. You’ll hear more perspectives and learn from each other, too.
Safe & Comfortable: Our group classes are back in person again! We know that this option is popular, and we are so happy to bring it back while doing everything we can to keep all families safe. If you’d like an in-home or virtual option, we are happy to help you out with a private class.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EAST NASHVILLE DOULAS HYPNOBIRTHING CLASS:
This class is for expecting parents who are interested in using Self-Hypnosis as a coping tool for their birth taught by Alisha Caruthers, certified HypnoBirthing instructor. There will be 5 classes in the series, and it will cover the following topics:
Intro to HypnoBirthing
How to assist and connect with your natural birthing instincts
Mind-body techniques
Self-relaxation techniques and deepening techniques
Hallmarks of labor
If labor rests or slows- what to do
As labor advances - birthing with baby
Birth partner support
Birth rehearsal imagery
Positions for descent and birthing
Breathing baby down to birth
The golden hours after birth
Family bonding with your baby
The fourth trimester
Includes HypnoBirthing Book, Relaxation MP3s, Parent Handout Spiral, and more.
All classes are on Mondays from 6 - 8:30pm and last 5 weeks. Limited to 6 families
Upcoming classes:
July 13 - Aug. 10, 2026 (perfect for Sept, Oct, and Nov due dates)
Sept 14 - Oct 12, 2026 (perfect for Nov, Dec, Jan & Feb due dates)
Jan 11 - Feb 8, 2027 (perfect for March, April, May & June due dates)
April 5 - May 3, 2027 (perfect for June, July, August & Sept due dates)
June 7 - July 5, 2027 (perfect for Aug, Sept, Oct, & Nov due dates)
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EAST NASHVILLE DOULAS NEWBORN CARE CLASS:
This class is meant to be taken prenatally & it is for new parents, but also for other loved ones who are excited to meet and care for the new baby in their lives but perhaps have little experience with infants and will cover the following topics:
Normal Newborn Behavior
Soothing, bathing, diapering, skincare. You will receive a supplemental workbook with more information to take home as a reference guide.
You will also receive a comprehensive list of local resources & helpful info after the class.
What to expect from your baby right after birth
Attachment & Development
Infant Feeding Information (this is an overview; please take our Lactation Class if you want in-depth info on breast/chestfeeding)
Basics of Safe Sleep & Normal Infant Sleep Patterns
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EAST NASHVILLE DOULAS BREASTFEEDING PREP CLASS:
Learn the basics of infant feeding behavior, logistics of latching, troubleshooting early challenges, and milk making and supply before your baby arrives. Partners are encouraged to come and learn too, because infant feeding is truly a family effort! breastfeeding influences so much of the early weeks with your baby, and having a foundation of knowledge will help you feel more informed as you prepare to meet and breastfeed them.
Topics Covered include:
Milk making and supply
Newborn feeding behavior
Latching and positioning
Logistics of feeding (frequency, duration of feeds, burping, sleep)
Breastcare and troubleshooting
Bottle intro and pumping
Partner support
Nutrition basics
When to ask for help
Going back to work, starting solids, and beyond: moving past the first 4-6 months of feeding
Meet our Educators
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“Hello! I am Natasha Hilton and I am a Lamaze trained childbirth educator and a DONA certified birth doula. I have been working alongside birthing families since 2019 and I am excited to support even more families through childbirth education. Helping families feel informed in their birth decisions, safe in their birth environment, and confident in their birthing bodies is my passion. I am so excited to have another opportunity to engage with and empower birthing families in Nashville through childbirth education.”
Natasha teaches our 6 week childbirth class and Express class as a substitute when needed.
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“Hi! I’m Amanda Dowd and I’m a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator and a DONA-trained birth doula. I spent a lot of time working in research before I started birth work, so I’m a huge proponent of providing evidence-based information. I’m also a firm believer that there is no such a thing as a “right” or “wrong” birth preference. My number one goal is always to give my clients the tools and information to make the decision that feels right for them and their family.
Birth can be wild, beautiful, and unpredictable, and knowing all of your options means you have options. I hope that my students finish their classes feeling informed, empowered, and excited about what’s to come!”
Amanda teaches our 6 wk & Express childbirth class.
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"Hey there! I'm Courtney, a certified postpartum doula (DONA) and newborn care educator! My goal as an educator is to empower new parents with up-to-date, evidence-based information, equipping them with the essential tools and knowledge needed to confidently care for their newborns. I strongly believe in the inherent wisdom of caregivers and aim to nurture trust in that intuition! I'm so excited for the opportunity to collaborate with expectant parents, and my hope is that students leave class with realistic expectations of themselves and their baby, feeling both prepared and excited to embark on their journey into parenthood!”
Courtney teaches our newborn care classes (private and group).
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Hello! I’m Alisha, a certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator and community labor & postpartum doula. I’m a Nashville native, mother, and lover of all things birth work. I’ve have been a doula since January 2020 and since then have supported countless families, trained doulas, and done quite a bit of advocacy work. I pride myself on being a lifelong learner; I’m always looking forward to what else I can learn. Currently, I’m working on obtaining my Breastfeeding Specialist certification. Education is so important to me; therefore, most of my adult career has been spent in education in some aspect. In previous years, I’ve worked in childcare and as a middle school teacher; however, now I have found my passion in educating new parents and growing families.
I strive to give families the tools they need to make informed, consensual decisions about their pregnancies and labor; as well as removing fear from the birthing space, replacing it with knowledge and understanding.
I hope you leave my class feeling more prepared and ready for the day you get to welcome your little one.
Alisha teaches our Hypnobirthing class.
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Hi! I'm Lauren, a certified lactation counselor, breastfeeding educator, postpartum doula, and baby sleep & well-being specialist. I've been supporting families in the greater Nashville area since 2019, and love providing parents with evidence-based information to help empower them as they prepare to feed their babies. My Lactation Basics class includes an in-depth overview of breast/chestfeeding, hand expression, pumping, bottle feeding techniques, choosing the right pump and bottle system for your needs, how partners and other caregivers can help, and common questions and concerns in the early days. I hope you leave my classes with a deeper understanding of infant feeding and how lactation can benefit both you and your baby!
Lauren teaches our Breastfeeding Prep class.
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Hey! I am Elizabeth, a BADT certified full-spectrum doula and BADT childbirth education trained doula (BADT - Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings). I have been supporting East Nashville Doulas families since 2022 after falling in love with birth work through the birth of my own family. I use the philosophy that “knowledge is power” and take this approach with each of the families I work with, regardless of their goals for birth and postpartum. It is my goal to make sure families are well-informed, feel secure with the decisions they will make, and have all of the resources to guide them through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. I am excited to answer all of your questions and hope to make you feel more at ease through our childbirth education lessons.
Elizabeth teaches our 6-wk and Express birth classes.
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Hey! I’m Aaliyah (they/them), and I am a trained childbirth educator and certified full-spectrum doula (both through Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings). I’ve been supporting families in the Nashville area and virtually since 2019. I worked in holistic health and trauma-informed care before becoming a birth worker, which felt like a natural extension of the community care I was providing. I’m passionate about empowering families with the tools and evidence-based information they need to make informed decisions when it comes to their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.
I aim to provide unbiased, evidence-based information to support families in feeling able to trust themselves and their instincts throughout their reproductive health experiences, and to seek out the support and care they need. I’ve cultivated skills in supporting queer, trans and BIPOC families through the unique challenges they face while navigating the reproductive health space, and I translate those niche advocacy skills into easily-accessible ones all families can benefit from.
I love nerding out about all things pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn care, and I’m thrilled to share what I know with families in the hopes of helping them feel safe, seen, and supported throughout their experience.
Aaliyah teaches our 6 wk childbirth class, Express childbirth ed class, newborn care class and private classes.
2025 CLASSES
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!
Ready to sign up?
OUR CLASSES OFTEN FILL UP EARLY, SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SIGN UP AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
Newborn Care Class limited to 8 families per class
$250 per couple (birthing person + one support person)
All classes held from 1-5pm in our classroom in Madison/Rivergate
Sat, Aug. 22, 2026**Only 2 more spots left!
Sat, Sept. 12, 2026
Sun, Nov. 15, 2026
Sun, Dec. 13, 2026
Sat, Jan. 16, 2027
Sat, Feb 6, 2027
Sat, March 6, 2027
Sat, April 17 ,2027
Sat, May 22, 2027
Sat, June 12, 2027
BREASTFEEDING PREP CLASS
Limited to 8 families per class
$150/couple (birthing person + one support person)
All classes held from 2-4pm and taught in our Madison classroom.
Sat, Aug. 1, 2026**Only 2 more spots left!
Sat, Oct. 3, 2026
Sun, Dec. 6, 2026
Sat, Feb. 27, 2027
Sat, April 24, 2027
Sat, June 5, 2027
EXPRESS CHILDBIRTH CLASSES
Can’t commit to a 6-week class? Need a last-minute class?
No worries! We’ve got fantastic options for you!
Taught on weekends, 9am-4pm, in our Madison classroom
$300/couple (birthing person + one support person)
Limited to 8 families
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 (perfect for Oct/Nov/Dec due dates)**FULL
Sat, Sept 19, 2026 (perfect for Nov/Dec/Jan due dates)
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 (perfect for Dec/Jan/Feb due dates)
Sat, Nov 14, 2026 (perfect for Jan/Feb/March due dates)
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 (perfect for Feb/March/April due dates)
Sat, Jan 23, 2027 (perfect for March/April/May due dates)
Sat, Feb 20, 2027 (perfect for April/May/June due dates)
Sat, March 20, 2027 (perfect for May/June/July due dates)
Sat, April 10, 2027 (perfect for June/July/August due dates)
Sat, May 15, 2027 (perfect for July/August/Sept due dates)
Sat, June 26, 2027 (perfect for August/Sept/Oct due dates)
6-WEEK CHILDBIRTH CLASS
Limited to 8 families
$400/couple (birthing person + one support person)
All classes held on Tuesdays from 6-8pm and taught in our Madison classroom.
Sept. 22 - Oct. 27, 2026
(perfect for Dec, Jan & Feb due dates)
Jan 12 - Feb 16, 2027
(perfect for March, April & May due dates)
March 9 - April 13, 2027
(perfect for May, June & July due dates)
May 4 - June 8, 2027
(perfect for July, August & September due dates)
By the end, we both felt so much more prepared and grounded about what's ahead.
“I can't recommend the Childbirth Education Class with East Nashville Doulas enough! My husband and I took the class, and it was exactly what we were hoping for—and more. The small class setting made everything feel really personal and comfortable, and it gave us the space to ask all the questions. Our instructor, Natasha, was amazing—so knowledgeable, kind, and incredibly patient. Her teaching style felt really approachable and empowering, like we were sitting down with a close friend! By the end, we both felt so much more prepared and grounded about what's ahead. Obviously we know we can’t plan everything, but this class helped us feel as ready as we can be for this big life change. This class is 100% worth it!” —Carissa Shapiro, recent ENDs class participant