Classes & Workshops

We've been doing this parenting thing for thousands of years, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. Our wide variety of class offerings, taught by Asheville doulas who are also parents, make parenting less stressful and more joyful with tools for relaxation, soothing fussy babies, and nourishing your mind and body. We support families in making the choices that feel right for them. Classes are taught in a warm, inviting setting at our location in West Asheville. You'll benefit from the warm and inclusive community feel of all of our classes that are thoughtfully structured around evidence-based best practices for pregnancy, labor, birth, and early parenting.  

childbirth
​ ​Education

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Upcoming:
Thursday July 12 & 19 6-9
Thursday August 9 & 16 6-9
Cost: $100/ pregnant person and 1 support person

​Whatever your vision of your ideal birth, feeling knowledgeable and prepared will help you have a positive experience where you feel safe and respected and able to navigate any challenges that may come your way. The Mothership offers class schedules with busy parents and professionals in mind. Check out our options and if you don't find the perfect fit let us know and we'll try to accommodate your needs.

Fitness & Movement clASSES

Calendar

Upcoming:
BabySteps: Babywearing Dance Class Baby Boogie: Parents and Toddler Dance Class, various Saturdays
Check calendar here

​Relax, connect, and ground yourself during pregnancy and parenthood with our yoga, fitness, and bellydance classes taught by skilled, experienced instructors who enjoy working with women and couples during the childbearing years.

NEWBORN CARE
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Register

Upcoming:
Cost: $35 or $50/couple

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​You're going to have a baby! Now what? The Mothership Newborn Care class will guide you through the nuts and bolts of caring for your baby from newborn-3 months. Topics include:

• General Newborn Care
• Growth and Development
• Baby Basics
• Feeding
• Diapering
• Bathing
• Swaddling
• Babywearing
• Bonding with your baby

Life After Birth: postpartum preparation​

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 Cost: ​$35 or $50/couple
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​​Happily ever after....that is how life is suppose to go after all the effort of pregnancy and birth, right? Well, the big secret in our society is that birth is just the beginning! There is so much to learn and do in the months following your baby's birth, let us help you get a head start before baby arrives and you become sleep deprived? In this class we'll cover all the things that will change, and how best to support yourself and be supported during this magical, challenging, and amazing transformation. Don't be scared, be prepared.

Preparing for a vbac
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Cost: $35 
​Are you hoping for a VBAC with your current or future pregnancy? The doulas and childbirth educators at The Mothership are here to help you be as prepared as possible for your birth after Cesarean. We want you to have a positive experience and for many women knowledge is power. Join us Monday, April 10 from 6-8pm for an in-depth class specific to preparing for a VBAC. The class will cover informed consent, effective communication, birth preferences, labor coping, and preparing for a repeat cesarean.The class is $35 (come alone or with your support person).

Baby's first foods
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Register Now

Upcoming:​
Baby's First Foods, July 22, 4-6pm
Cost: $40 or $50/couple​​
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​Introducing your baby to the world of solid foods can be overwhelming. This educational and experiential class will make baby's first foods a fun adventure for you both. We'll experiment with how to prepare baby's first foods and sample our creations. Yup, we're gonna eat baby food! So, bring your questions, invite your mom friends and we will cover the topics of:

• Approaches to feeding baby
• When to start solids
• What foods to start with
• Spacing new foods
• Signs of allergies/sensitivities
• How to store baby food​​

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Exploring Emotional Terrain of Motherhood Through Poetry

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The poet Kathleen Norris calls mothers the "modern aesetics." A path of self-sacrifice and extreme nurture often means that mothers bury or have difficulty navigating their own precious emotional needs, creative longings and future dreams. Poetry can be a path to exploring "unacceptable emotions" that mothers may struggle with as well as discover the wonder and beauty available in the ordinary routines of day to day life with children. Mary Ellen Lough-Phillips is a mother of five and has taught poetry therapy as a path to personal discovery and healing to women and mothers for five years. She serves as the poet in residence at the VA Hospital teaching poetry to veterans with PTSD and is nearing her certification in Poetic Medicine. ​

Postpartum Cooking class

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Upcoming:
TBA
​ Cost $60 or $75/couple

​​The postpartum period is one in which the mother’s body is open to deep nourishment or deep depletion. In this class we will explore ancient food traditions and their protocols for postpartum meals, learning about how best to support breastmilk production, recovery from birth, and healthy digestion in both mama and babe. 
 
This class is best taken during pregnancy. We’ll prepare and enjoy a meal together.  You’ll take another meal home for the freezer, and feel confident about feeding yourselves through postpartum with Molly’s tips and recipes. 

Positive Parenting​​

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Cost: $40

​Positive Parenting:  parenting challenges during the early years and strategies to support positive parenting.

Parenting is one of the best and toughest jobs that exist! Colleen Burnet, an Infant Toddler Family Specialist, will share ideas and strategies from her many years of working with young children and families. You will have an opportunity to discuss your families unique challenges and can learn from Colleen and other parents in the group.