Why private prenatal classes?
Giving birth takes preparation. Our private prenatal classes prepare you at home, at your own pace, to understand birth, come to terms with the pain and approach the big day with confidence, with or without an epidural.
🧠 Understanding birth. The stages of labour, the role of hormones, what's happening in your body: you know what to expect.
🌿 Managing pain naturally. Breathing, movement, massage, pressure points: a real toolkit for the big day.
🤝 Involving your partner. Your co-parent learns how to support you in practical ways and finds their place at your side.
👛 Insurance coverage. Naturopathy receipts for potential reimbursement on all services.
Who are private prenatal classes for?
Our private classes adapt to every family and every birth plan. They're designed especially for:
👶 Expectant parents having their first child. Who want to understand everything and arrive prepared on the big day.
📋 Parents with a specific birth plan. With or without an epidural, in hospital, in a birth centre or at home.
🏠 Those who prefer something made to measure, at home. Personalized support, at your own pace, with no group format.
💛 Parents who are anxious about the big day. To turn stress into confidence through real preparation.
The content
What we cover together
A complete path, tailored to your pregnancy and your questions. Explore each module:
- Recognizing the signs that labour is starting
- The birth process, in practical terms
- Your estimated due date (EDD)
- The role of hormones in the physiology of birth
- The physical sensations you'll feel
- Moving as much as possible during labour
- Moving during pushing
- What if I have an epidural?
- Protecting your bubble for a calm birth
- Looking after your mindset, staying positive and relaxed
- Stimulating oxytocin naturally
- Keep your energy up
- Techniques for taking your mind off the pain
- The warm bath: when and how to make the most of it
- Massage between contractions
- Pressure points: the Bonapace Method
- Counter-pressure during contractions
- How to do them effectively
- Why a birth plan matters
- The interventions you have a say in
- The ones you have less control over
- Methods of inducing labour
- Pharmacological methods of pain relief
- Medical interventions after birth
- 3rd trimester: preparing your body and the suppleness of the cervix
- Immediate postpartum: recovery, well-being and healing
- For mom: postpartum, fatigue, physical and emotional recovery
- For baby: first steps and adjustments
- Breastfeeding: challenges, benefits and peace of mind
- Bottle feeding: for a gentle transition
Our private prenatal class packages
Clear support, tailored to your needs. All services are eligible for naturopathy insurance receipts.
Private prenatal classes
To understand birth and prepare yourself, at home, at your own pace.
À la carte prenatal class
Insurance receipt available
- Free introductory meeting
- 1 private 2.5-hour class in your home
The full preparation
Insurance receipt available
- Free introductory meeting
- 3 private 2.5-hour classes in your home
- Phone availability throughout your pregnancy
Private prenatal classes + attendance at the birth
Your doula prepares you, then stays by your side on the day of the birth.
Express Support'
Insurance receipt available
- Free introductory meeting
- 1 private 2.5-hour class in your home
- Phone availability throughout your pregnancy
- Presence at the birth
Full support
Insurance receipt available
- Free introductory meeting
- 3 private 2.5-hour classes in your home
- Phone availability throughout your pregnancy
- 1 postnatal meeting (~1 hr 30)
- Presence at the birth
Prefer a group format? Take a look at the group workshop for couples ($149 +tx).
Testimonials
Your questions
FAQ: prenatal classes in Montreal
You're expecting a baby and wondering whether prenatal classes are worth it, when to start, how much it costs? I've gathered here the questions expectant parents ask me most often, with my straight answers.
Émilie
A prenatal class is preparation for the birth and for baby's arrival. You learn how labour unfolds, how to manage pain, what role medical interventions play and how to approach the first weeks with a newborn. The goal: to arrive on the big day knowing what to expect, rather than discovering it all at once.
No, nothing obliges you to. But giving birth takes preparation. Parents who prepare approach labour with less stress, know their options when it comes to interventions and know how to relieve themselves naturally. The partner, for their part, knows what to do instead of feeling helpless. It's an investment of a few hours for a moment you'll only live through once or twice in your life.
I recommend starting between the 20th and 32nd week of pregnancy: early enough to take in what you learn, late enough that it's all fresh on the big day. The hands-on pain management workshops are best taken in the 3rd trimester. And if you're a few weeks from your due date, don't panic: we adapt the content to how far along you are.
At Ysé Naissance, a private class lasts 2.5 hours, in your home. Depending on the package you choose, you take one to three classes, spaced out so you can practise in between. Thegroup workshop takes place in a single intensive session, as a couple.
The classes offered by some CLSC are free, given in a group and cover the basics - when they're still offered, since several parts of Montreal have cut them back or moved them online. A private class is something else: a doula comes to your home, adapts all the content to your situation and answers your questions with no time limit. In fact, the two complement each other.
Your doula comes to your home with everything needed. No travel, no group: just you, your partner and content that's 100% tailored to your birth plan. You ask all your questions, you practise the techniques in your own environment, and you receive the materials after each session. Scheduling fits around your calendar, evenings and weekends included.
The full program covers six main areas: understanding what happens in your body during labour, creating the right environment for birth, managing the sensations (breathing, massage, pressure points from the Bonapace method), understanding medical interventions and your say in them, naturopathy tips for the 3rd trimester, and the postnatal period, breastfeeding included.
At Ysé Naissance, the à la carte private class is $385 +tx (2.5 hours in your home) and the full preparation is $990 +tx (3 classes + phone availability throughout the pregnancy). If you'd also like attendance at the birth, packages range from $1,375 to $1,980 +tx. The group workshop for couples is $149 +tx. All the details are on the packages and rates.
Yes, in most cases. I'm a certified naturopath and a member of theANPQ, which allows me to issue naturopathy insurance receipts for all services. Most Quebec group insurance plans cover naturopathy: check your contract, and get in touch if you're unsure - we can help you confirm your coverage.
Yes. Some CLSCs still offer them, and on our side we make available free online prenatal classes, a birth plan template and an ebook on birthing positions. It's a good way in before choosing a more in-depth preparation.
It's strongly encouraged, and their participation is included in all our services. On the day of the birth, the person giving birth needs to be supported without having to think about it: so the partner learns massage, counter-pressure and their role at each stage of labour. A lot of co-parents arrive skeptical and leave telling me it was exactly what they needed.
Choose private if you want something made to measure, a flexible schedule, or if your pregnancy is out of the ordinary (high-risk pregnancy, specific birth plan, anxiety about the big day). Choose the group for its friendly format, its more affordable price and the chance to meet other expectant parents. Not sure? Let's talk it through at a free meeting.
Yes, two options: the Happy Push!, a series of short videos with exercises to follow at your own pace, wherever you are in Quebec, and private video-call sessions if you'd rather talk live. Handy if you live far from Montreal or your schedule is packed.
With or without an epidural, in hospital, in a birth centre or at home, high-risk pregnancy, planned caesarean, a difficult first birth: our private classes adapt to every situation. My approach draws on the recommendations of the SOGC and the latest research: practical guidance, so you can work hand in hand with the medical team.
Passionate about motherhood and about supporting parents-to-be, I'm deeply committed to offering exceptional birth preparation. My goal is to guide you with authenticity and empathy throughout this time in your life.
In my private prenatal classes, my goal is to give you personalized support as you get ready for your baby's arrival.
My approach, based on the SOGC's recommendations and the latest research, helps you step into this new chapter of parenthood with confidence and calm. What sets me apart is a rational method, with no esoteric trends, so you can work hand in hand with the medical team and experience your birth fully.
Drawing on my training (over 1,200 hours, plus ongoing professional development), my considered advice and my unconditional support, I'm here to walk beside you every step towards parenthood.
Émilie
Going further…
Once the birth is behind you, I'm also qualified to support you through a few key milestones in your baby's first days.
Breastfeeding support or postpartum home support — discover postpartum support services on offer. Meet our doulas in Montreal.