The Best Online Classes for Pregnancy, Childbirth & Postpartum
8 minute read
Taking a childbirth class is a special rite of passage for new parents…
Practicing labor positions with your partner… Learning breathing techniques… Putting together your birth plan…
With so much valuable information, a childbirth class is a wise investment that can help you feel confident, equipped and excited to welcome your sweet bundle of joy into the world.
But it can be hard enough to make it to all your prenatal appointments…let alone a childbirth class! If you think you’ll have a difficult time making it to an in-person birthing class — an online childbirth course may be a perfect fit for you.
What are the Types of Birthing Classes?
There are lots of options when it comes to childbirth classes. If you plan to give birth at a hospital or birthing center, most likely they’ll offer a birthing class that you can attend during your pregnancy.
Homebirth practitioners, midwives, and doulas often offer classes or training sessions to help prepare you for birth and postpartum.
There are also many birth courses and classes offered online! These childbirth classes will teach you the physiology of birth, the stage of labor, coping techniques and medical interventions, and more!
When to Take a Birthing Class
A popular time to take a birthing class is at the end of your second trimester or during your third trimester. This is a great time to start putting together your birth plan and practicing any coping techniques you’d like to try during birth.
By taking a childbirth class in the second half of your pregnancy, all the amazing tools, tips, and tricks that you learn will stay fresh on your mind as you head into labor.
But you can always take a childbirth class earlier during pregnancy!
Some classes will help you choose who will deliver your baby and where you want to give birth. These are questions you’ll want to start thinking about during your first trimester.
Taking a birthing class in your first trimester can also help ease any anxieties or fears about birth as you learn what to expect during labor. And you’ll also have a little extra time to practice the relaxation and coping techniques taught in the class.
Benefits of an Online Birthing Class
Many online birthing classes are available on demand — making it a breeze to prepare for your birth whenever the timing is right for YOU. Not based on a hospital’s limited schedule.
Online birthing classes are also a great option if you want to learn at your own pace. Just cozy up on your couch while you make your way through the material. (With your favorite snacks or pregnancy tea in hand!)
Plus, many courses offer access to the material for an extended period of time — sometimes a year or even…forever!
This can be helpful if you want to revisit the material at any point during your pregnancy… or even with future pregnancies if you plan to have more kids down the line.
What Will You Learn in an Online Birthing Class?
An online birthing class will cover many important elements about childbirth including:
- The stages of labor — Including what to expect during each phase, how long each stage may last and how you can cope during each unique part of labor.
- Pain management — Learn about medication and epidurals to manage pain along with breathing exercises, visualizations, affirmations and relaxation techniques to help you cope with labor.
- Labor interventions — Learn about common labor interventions — like inductions, IV medications and episiotomy — along with when and how they are used during birth.
- Postpartum recovery — Learn what to expect for your own healing and recovery in the days and weeks after giving birth.
Many childbirth classes also include important information about caring for your little one such as:
- Breastfeeding — Learn how to make the most of the “Golden Hour,” tips for finding the perfect latch, and boosting your milk supply.
- Newborn care — From sleep schedules, diapering tips, and swaddling techniques…to navigating colic and the 5 ‘o’clock witching hour… Gain helpful information to keep your little one happy and healthy during their first few days and weeks of life!
How to Find the Right Online Birthing Class
Deciding that you want an online format rather than an in-person class is a big step toward finding a birthing class that’s right for you.
But with so many online options…it can be a little daunting to find the perfect birthing class.
Here are are some important elements to consider:
- Your birthing philosophy (Do you want a natural or medicated birth? Are you planning a C-section? Pick a course that will support your unique goals and desires for birth.)
- Your birthing style (Do you welcome medical interventions or want to avoid them? Do you want a private experience or a team of experts around you? Are you high-tech or low-tech?)
- Your birthing location (Some courses focus on hospital births or home births…while others cover all types of locations!)
- The course creator and teacher(s) (You may want to learn from a specific person in the birthing world, like Mama Natural or Kopa Birth. Or you may desire to learn from someone local in your community. Look for credible teachers like RNs, OB-GYNs, doulas and midwives.)
- Your time and schedule (Consider how many hours you’d like to spend on a birthing class and when you can fit a birthing class into your schedule.)
- Your learning style (Do you want a “live” class or on-demand style program?)
- The course material and bonuses (Do you want unlimited access to content once you finish the program? Downloadable guides? Extra video lessons for your partner?)
- If you want community support (Do you want access to an online class, Facebook group or chat to build community?)
There are so many different types of online birthing classes available — the perfect class is definitely out there! Taking time to think about these elements will help you hone in on the class that’s right for your unique style, personality, and goals for birth.
But if you’re worried that you’ll pick the wrong birthing class — look for a class that has a sneak-preview or a money-back guarantee. That way you can test out the program to make sure it’s a perfect fit for you!
Our Favorite Online Birthing Classes
We’re committed to helping mamas like you to feel equipped and excited to meet your sweet bundle of joy. That’s why we’ve researched the best online birthing classes online to help you create the birth of your dreams.
Here’s a look at our favorites!
Babies in Bloom Understanding Birth eClass:
- Learn the essentials about labor and birth in this interactive online course that will empower you to prepare for birth with confidence, create your perfect birth plan and unveil ways partners can help.
- Cost: $85
- Allow 6-8 hours to complete.
Babies in Bloom Understanding Natural Childbirth Techniques eClass:
- Your go-to online class for answers you can trust on natural childbirth. Dive deeper into topics you may have learned in a standard childbirth preparation class to discover ways to support your body’s ability to birth naturally and increase comfort through positioning, massage, breathing, and much more.
- Cost: $30
- Allow 3-4 hours to complete.
Babies in Bloom Understanding Cesarean Birth eClass:
- The perfect online birthing class to prepare for a Cesarean birth! Learn what steps you can take to make your cesarean birth a family-centered experience, how to speed up your recovery postpartum, and involve your partner throughout the whole process.
- Cost: $45
- Allow 2-3 hours to complete.
We also love…
Babies in Bloom Understanding Pregnancy eClass:
- This interactive online class covers essential information on your baby’s development, helpful tips for a healthy pregnancy, and includes partner tips throughout. You’ll see how your baby develops with 3D animation and have access to helpful trackers and checklists that help you stay organized and healthy.
- Cost: $45
- Allow 2-3 hours to complete.
Babies in Bloom Understanding Postpartum Health & Baby Care eClass:
- Your go-to guide for caring for yourself and your new baby over the first few days and weeks postpartum. This interactive online course covers essential information about caring for your newborn, feeding your baby, and taking care of yourself after childbirth.
- Cost: $45
- Allow 2 hours to complete.
Babies in Bloom Understanding Breastfeeding eClass:
- Making the decision to breastfeed is one of the best things you can do for your baby! As with any new experience, you probably have lots of questions. Gain confidence and tools for your breastfeeding journey to feed your baby with ease.
- Cost: $45
- Allow 2-4 hours to complete.
How Much Does an Online Birthing Class Cost?
Some childbirth classes are free — you may even be able to enroll in one offered at your hospital or birthing center. There are also free videos online that can help you begin to prepare for birth.
But you may need to pay for a comprehensive birthing class that prepares for the ins and outs of labor.
You can expect an online birthing class to cost anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars.
The cost of an online birthing class will vary depending on several factors like the course length, the amount of material covered, and the types of resources provided.
Are Online Birthing Classes Covered by Insurance?
Some insurance companies cover the cost of childbirth classes. Make sure to check with your insurance provider to see if they cover childbirth education and if there are any requirements you need to follow.
Some childbirth classes may accept HSA/FSA payments. Take a look at the course website or class page to see if these alternative payment options are available.
How Long Does an Online Birthing Class Take?
Most birthing classes take a few hours to complete. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours for shorter classes…or 12-20 hours for longer classes.
To find the perfect online birthing class that fits your schedule, consider the amount of time you’ll need to:
- Watch the video lessons
- Read the course material before or after the videos
- Practice labor positions, coping and relaxation techniques
- Create your birth plan, pack your birth bag, or any other “homework” from the class
Most courses will clearly state how much time you’ll need to complete the course. But it’s always helpful to consider your learning style — you may speed through the content or want a little extra time to focus on certain elements of the class.
We Also Love… Best Online Classes for Postpartum, Childcare & Growing Families
If you are becoming a parent for the first time, there are also amazing classes to help you better understand your newborn, how to navigate life with multiples, and protect your little one with important infant and child safety information.
And while you may enjoy taking lots of classes to soak up all this helpful information. We also know that you are BUSY! And that preparing for a little one can feel a little overwhelming at times.
The great news is… you don’t have to do it all alone.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” And we firmly believe that this is true.
Bringing a new baby into the world is a family affair! And there are amazing classes out there that can help each person in your life step into their unique role once your new baby arrives.
Maybe you want to help your partner crush this dad-thing!
Or maybe you want to see your child blossom into the best big brother or sister…
Or you’d like to empower your parents and in-laws to be the ultimate grandparents…
We’ve got you covered with an amazing selection of online classes to help your whole family feel confident and ready to welcome your newest addition:
- Babies in Bloom Understanding Fatherhood eClass
- Babies in Bloom Understanding Sibling Preparation
- Babies in Bloom Understanding Grandparenting eClass
Ready to Take an Online Childbirth Class?
If you’re ready to start preparing for the arrival of your baby… You’re in the right place! Head on over to Babies in Bloom to find the perfect online childbirth class.
We offer both in-person classes at our boutique and on-demand classes you can take from the comfort of your own home. We’d love to be a part of your journey to parenthood.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our online childbirth classes!
Babies in Bloom Website: https://www.babies-in-bloom.com/
Email: rochelle@babies-in-bloom.com
Phone: 760-940-BABY (2229)
Boutique Address: 127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
Boutique Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (We are closed on Sunday!)
