The best and most popular ones fill up fast, so start your search now. Classes vary quite a bit in their approach. Some are spread out over several weeks, while others are as short as a day. Your hospital probably offers classes, but you may want to take a specialized class elsewhere. (BabyCenter offers a convenient online birth class that you can watch as many times as you'd like from the comfort of your home.) To find an in-person childbirth class near you, get recommendations from your healthcare provider and your friends, or call the International Childbirth Education Association at (952) 854-8660 for information about childbirth educators in your area.