What’s the Best Online Birth Class for You? A Complete Review

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Hey there pregnant mama,

If you’ve found your way to this page, congrats! You’re looking for the best online birth classes so that you can have the best possible birth! 🙂 

It means you’re pregnancy is probably progressing great and you are starting to wonder what you should do to prepare for the actual birth of your baby. However, I remember starting to search for childbirth resources in my first trimester after my OB asked me a bunch of questions I had no idea how to answer at my 10 week visit (was I supposed to know if I wanted pain relief already?). 

One big perk of being the owner of a mom blog as I enter my second pregnancy, is that I have had the opportunity to review a handful of the best online birth classes out there this year. Since I’ve given birth once and I was able to follow my birth plan the way I wanted, I figured the second time around I would just “figure it out.” But I’ve realized that a refresher course and learning other birth coping strategies is going to make my next birth even better (and the first one was pretty awesome).

I am passionate about helping moms have a positive birth experience, and that all starts with feeling informed and empowered. And the best way to feel this way is to take a birth course! Every birth course I have taken has focused on taking away the fear and ambiguities of birth to help you feel confident as you near the end of your pregnancy! 

Finding Childbirth Resources

Before we dive into the best online birth classes, I wanted to review all of the possible options for learning about childbirth. While I often argue that a mother’s body will know what to do naturally during labor, it can help immensely to understand what your body is going through so that you don’t find yourself panicking and asking “is this normal?!” over and over again throughout the birthing process.  

Here are all of your childbirth resource options:

Your OB or midwife.

Of course you should ask as many questions as possible to the person that will be attending your birth. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you only get a short amount of time with your practitioner each visit (especially an OB) so they won’t be able to go too in depth with you. Relying solely on them for information can leave a lot of gaps in your knowledge and preparation. 

Birth Books.

This is my absolute favorite way to learn something new. I prefer reading and reflecting over watching videos personally. So with my first pregnancy, I read a few recommended books about childbirth that helped me feel confident as I went into labor. 

My favorite books included Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Mindful Birthing, and Mama Natural’s Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth. 

Other reader favorite’s I’ve come across include Babies are Not Pizzas, Childbirth without Fear, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, and Hypnobirthing. (Note: Most of these books are related to natural childbirth- but they are the most in-depth resources for a confident birth no matter what interventions you need or choose to have!)

Pregnancy blogs.

I will throw a word of caution out there with this category- it’s easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole of people’s opinions when you start searching the internet for an answer to your pregnancy or childbirth. It’s important to remember to take other’s opinions (especially when they aren’t medical professionals) with a grain of salt! Use your best judgement and avoid forums or Google searches that are bringing you more anxiety than answers- even this blog! With that being said, some of the most trusted pregnancy resources are What to Expect, Mama Natural, and Baby Center. 

For other pregnancy blogs, check out this list of the top 50 blogs. 

Hospital Classes.

Some hospitals are starting to offer in person classes again. This is a great way to get a feel for your hospital and what to expect specifically at that hospital. However, most providers will admit that most of these classes are more about how to give birth in a hospital rather than how to give birth in general. And that’s where the last option comes in…

Online Birth Classes.

What better way to learn about childbirth and labor than from the comfort of your own home. This is especially true in these times of continued social distancing. Online courses about childbirth are designed to give you all the information you need to feel empowered and ready for birth while sitting on your couch (no commute required!). Which one is right for you ultimately depends on your personality, budget, and birth goals. 

Related read: 67 Things that Should Be on Your Pregnancy To-Do List

Why You Should Consider an Online Birth Class

Of all the resources I listed above, I will admit that I have come to realize that an online birth class is the best option. Even as a fan of reading, I realized that I missed out on a lot of important visual pieces that could have helped me with my first labor. With my current second pregnancy, I am realizing how much  more I’ve learned from these courses that range for 3 to 10 hours than I did from endless hours of reading. This is because they give you the “cliff notes” version and add in a big dose of practicality via stories, demonstrations, and even “homework.” 

When you choose the right online birth class, you should feel ready for what birth will bring within a few shorts weeks. You can ditch all the overwhelm of endless blogs, forums, and books- and get it all in an organized tailored fashion that is worth every penny. 

SO without further ado, let’s dive in into the best online birth classes out there! (Based on my hours and hours of research and watching!) 

Related read: The Benefits of Taking a Child Birth Class Online

Best Overall Online Birth Class: KOPA Prepared Essentials Course

The depth of this 8 week course and all the resources it provides blew me away. I wish I had watched this course before my first birth and I am feeling more prepared than ever for my second birth! I can’t recommend this one enough…

Who this course is for:

• If you are planning to give birth in the hospital and are considering a natural birth
• You would like to minimize your need for interventions if possible
• You want real strategies, that you can practice before birth, for dealing with labor pain
  • Keep in mind that most of us will labor at home for quite a while before being admitted to the hospital- so these strategies are important no matter what type of birth you are choosing
  • In case labor comes on quickly and you don’t have time for pain relief interventions
  • Or you simply want to feel confident in your ability to give birth with no medical interventions whatsoever 

Why this course might be right for you:

• This course is run by a friendly mom of SIX who is also a Registered Nurse and Lamaze Instructor
• Your instructor, Katie Griffin, is pro positive birth and recognizes that this can look vastly different for everyone- the focus in on feeling informed and empowered each step of the way
• The course takes you step by step through every stage of labor, with very specific coping strategies for each that will help you feel prepared
• This course is catered for hospital birth, there is an entire section on medical interventions so that you know exactly what to expect if your birth plan changes
• The final section is dedicated to postpartum care, something we often don’t prepare for 
• Her whole approach is based on reducing fear around birth and being able to stay calm so you feel ready no matter what happens
• If you have an HSA, FSA or other type of medical savings account, this course is often covered! 

What I like about this course:

• This is the only course with very specific recommendations directed at your birth partner- no theory here- just real demo’s and practical advice
• Of all the courses I’ve reviewed, this one is by far the most comprehensive- it includes a mix of hypnobirthing, Lamaze, and other tried and true coping strategies for labor pain- you don’t feel pigeonholed into one style of pain relief but have the opportunity to experiment and find what works best for you! 
• While the course is centered around a natural birth, there are no undertones of judgement related to medication use (in fact, it’s covered)
• The course is paced at a speed that is easy to consume without getting totally overwhelmed, with tons of prompts for actively participating- a way to ensure you get the most of the class
• It is designed to walk you step by step through the entire birthing process, start to finish

Who this course isn’t for:  

• Anyone wanting just a quick review of birth
• If you don’t like videos and actively participating
• You don’t want to give birth at a hospital
• You think that the use of medical interventions is a failure- this course focuses on being prepared, having grace, and feeling empowered no matter how that occurs in the moment

There are two options for this class:

The KOPA Prepared Essentials Online Childbirth Course (includes 3 month access, bonus videos, and a workbook you can use to reference anytime). 

OR the KOPA Prepared Plus Online Childbirth Course (includes 7 month access to the Essentials Course plus classes on prenatal fitness, nutrition, baby wearing, and additional relaxation audio tracks.) For more information, just click the links above to go directly to the KOPA website. 

Best Birth Class for a Medicated Hospital Birth: Birth it UP Series

I really enjoyed reviewing this course, it had a relaxed yet in-depth approach that was easy to follow. It is also a very affordable option, with it being one of the few birth class options for under $100 that includes lifetime access.  

Who this course is for:

• If you are planning to give birth in the hospital- there is an option for women considering a natural birth or epidural 
• Anyone wanting a realistic look at hospital birth preparation

Why this course might be right for you:

• The creator, Liesel Teen, is a labor and delivery nurse AND mom
• She is pro positive birth and recognizes that this can look vastly different for everyone
• This course reviews the reality of labor
  • For the epidural course- it includes a special sections on natural pain management for the time you labor at home or in case you miss your epidural window
  • For the natural birth course- it includes coverage of all the possible medical interventions just in case your birth plan changes
• She covers every “what-if” you might be wondering about (or didn’t even know about) and puts your anxieties to rest related to interventions, postpartum, and more
• Her whole approach is based on reducing fear around birth so you feel ready no matter what happens
• It is the MOST budget friendly option out there for this type of in-depth course

What I like about this course:

• Her course is gentle with no undertones of judgement
• The course is paced at a speed that is easy to consume without getting totally overwhelmed
• It is designed to walk you step by step through the entire birthing process, start to finish- no additional reading needed (unless you want to)

Who this course isn’t for:  

• If you don’t want to give birth at a hospital
• If you are planning for a natural birth without medication, her course is less in depth than other options on the market- for more specific pain relief strategies I’d personally check out the other natural birth options in this article (FYI: if budget is an issue- this is STILL a great course!)

There are three different options for this class:

The Birth It Up Epidural Series (includes lifetime access, a 74 page eBook, and access to a private Facebook group)

The Birth It Up Natural Series (also includes lifetime access, a 74 page eBook, and access to a private Facebook group)

The Birth It Up All Access Pass (includes lifetime access to both courses, plus a pregnancy cookbook, printables for staying organized, a newborn basics class, breastfeeding cookbook, and more)

Best Birth Class for Birth Centers and Home Births: Mama Natural Birth Course

I love the flow of this course for mom’s that are all in on a natural unmedicated birth. This 8 week course is designed to make you laugh, learn, and feel totally empowered. Dad’s particularly love this course too because it includes dad insight and real couple’s stories. 

Who this course is for:

• Any mom wanting to give an unmedicated natural birth
• You are considering the options of giving birth at home or in a birth center (although they do cover hospital birth too) 
• Anyone wanting an in-depth look at natural birth 

Why this course might be right for you:

• This course is run by a bubbly mom of three and blogger Genevieve Howland, who is passionate about all things related to a “natural” motherhood. Plus, Maura Winkler who is a certified midwife, doula and lactation consultant. 
• The course takes you step by step through every stage of labor, with coping strategies and real life stories that will help you feel prepared
• This course is catered for a birth center or home birth, yet there is still an entire section on medical interventions so that you know exactly what to expect if your birth plan changes
• The final sections are dedicated to postpartum care and breastfeeding preparation
• The entire course is designed to help you feel confident in your body’s own ability to give birth to your baby
• If you have an HSA, FSA or other type of medical savings account, this course is often covered! 

What I like about this course:

• At the end of the course, I was literally pumping my fists in excitement for my next birth (even though it’s 6 months away- ha!)
• The number of hidden valuable resources, such as birth videos, breastfeeding advice, and more
• My husband found this course the most entertaining and easy to follow

Who this course isn’t for:  

• Honestly, this class can be beneficial to anyone- however it is primarily catered to natural birth outside of a hospital setting 
• If you know you want medical interventions, you may not like this course

Get instant access to The Mama Natural Birth Series (including 1 year access, 8 weeks of video instruction and bonus videos for pregnancy exercise, labor positions, birth affirmations, and even a beautiful handmade bracelet).

Related read: The Benefits of Natural Birth

Best Budget Birth Class: Birth it UP Series

See my full review of the birth is up series above. This truly is the best bang for your buck! 

Best Quick and Dirty Medicated Hospital Birth Class: Pulling Curls Online Prenatal Course for Couples

The speed of this course is fast! I know there are a lot of people out there that want to cut through the “fluff” and just get a quick review of all the details. If so, this course is for you! I enjoy fast learning so I found the pace quite refreshing. 

Who this course is for:

• Anyone wanting a quick paced review of what to expect when giving birth in a hospital setting 
• If you plan to have medical interventions (induction, pain relief, etc.)

Why this course might be right for you:

• The creator, Hilary Erickson, of the blog Pulling Curls is a labor and delivery nurse AND mom
• Her focus is on feeling as comfortable and confident as possible during during the labor process 
• Even though this course caters to a medicated birth, it includes a special sections on natural pain management for the time you labor at home or in case you miss your epidural window
• She covers every “what-if” you might be wondering about (or didn’t even know about) and puts your anxieties to rest related to interventions, postpartum, and more
• Her whole approach is based on feeling as informed as possible

What I like about this course:

• Hilary is always updating her course based on questions her class takers ask her- and you get lifetime access to these updates
• I love her bubbly no BS personality 🙂 

Who this course isn’t for:  

• If you don’t want to give birth in a hospital
• If you want to give birth naturally and unmedicated
• You want more specific recommendations for pain relief and coping outside of medical interventions

There are three options for this course:

Try Hilary’s Free Hospital Birth Course to see if you like her teaching style. 

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples (includes lifetime access, bonus videos added often, labor position cards, birth printables, and more)

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples DELUXE (includes everything above, plus a private Facebook call, live Q & A calls, couples workbook, and labor cards)

OR you can even downgrade to just the eBook with printables as well (possible when choosing your class option at checkout.)

Related read: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Labor

But wait!… 

Where are the free courses?

You may be wondering… where are my reviews of the free courses? Well, I did look at some of them. But, the truth is that they are mostly a supplement to more extensive research. Most of them range from 1 to 2 hours in length, and the truth is that you just can’t learn about the process of childbirth, coping skills, partner training, and other essentials in such a short a basic course. If budget is a concern, it’s certainly better than nothing! And you can supplement it with some reading from the library. 

If you want a full list of free course options, look here. 

Why are most of these courses about natural birth?

Also, you may be wondering what’s with all the “natural birth” courses? I know many of you plan to get interventions. But there are a few realities to keep in mind:

1. You will most likely labor at home for several hours before going to the hospital and will need to in “active labor” before pain relieving interventions can be utilized.

And 2. If labor progresses too quickly (it happens!), you may not have time for pain relief. For both of these reasons, it’s always good to have a few good pain coping strategies under your belt so that you don’t yourself in panic mode and unsure of how to make it through. 

There you have it… Feeling empowered?

With the right online birth class, I know you are going to rock your birth! While birth is inherently unpredictable, you can learn some great strategies for learning to roll with the punches and feel positive about the birth of your baby. 

I put a TON of time into this research for you guys, because labor and birth is a life-changing experience that you will remember for a lifetime. SO I want you to feel your absolute best! 

What birth class intrigues you the most? If you have other questions you can always leave a comment or email me at [email protected].  I’d love to chat more!