How a Birth Class Changes Pregnancy, Labor, Birth & Life With Baby

Countless studies show that a birth class can change everything in your first steps into parenthood. But, what does that actually mean for people? Tangible ways in which a birth class changed people’s birth. Let’s talk with some couples that felt they did a few things to make their birth better. Be sure to save this post as one of your top pregnancy planning resources to help you prepare for labor!

I’m a HUGE advocate for taking a birth class — I recommend this one.

What do studies show?

There is a LOT of data the shows birth classes are well worth the time and money that invest into them.

Birth classes improve birth outcomes by decreasing anxiety, making appropriate expectations, and increasing communication with your birth team.

It decreases birth trauma.

While birth classes can seem expensive (average cost of $187 for a basic class, and $307 for one bundled with more information). There is a very affordable one. Plus, we are finding that more and more insurance will cover it.

Like I said above — yes, the studies show it’s important but you may want to know tangible changes that each person may experience.

I Knew What To Expect No Matter What

Morgan and Jon shared that when they were driving to the hospital they knew what to expect, no matter what that day held.

It’s so important to take a class that includes:

• Induction
• Unmedicated labor
• Epidurals
• Cesareans
• Vaginal births

There is not way to be sure what type of birth you will have — so, preparing for ALL of it makes you feel extra prepared for all of it.

Some birth classes like to split it off, or prepare just for a C-section or just an induction — to me, that’s just not smart. You just don’t know what will happen.

Laugh at What Used to Make You Cry

Humor can make things so much more relatable. Taking a class from someone who uses humor, and personal experiences makes things less scary. Suddenly you see things are pretty simple (and less scary). Tyler said:

Hillary is so funny and down to earth and made everything less scary.

Tyler B an Online Prenatal Class for Couples participant

How the Hospital Works

The hospital is a different place. Sometimes you envision something in your head, and then it’s entirely different. Rachel found that to be super helpful about a class. She liked knowing she’d start in a room, and then move to the operating room for the c-section.

Rachel went-in knowing she was going to have a Cesarean (her baby was breech), so she loved those details knowing what to expect each step of the way. I find that especially for moms who have a cesarean section. Knowing the room’s cold, we’re going to count a lot, when the catheter will go in — it’s just SUPER helpful.

Want to know more about birth classes, check out these posts:

• 6 Lies You Hear About Birth Class
• Signs You Need A Birth Class
• Best FREE Childbirth Classes
• Why Are Birth Classes So Expensive?
• Reason You’ll Want A Birth Class On Your Second+ Baby

Birth Cramming

A lot of patients want to do that quick review before they go to the hospital — like how we’d cram for finals back in the day. It just makes you feel more sure of yourself as you walk into that unknown situation.

“We were able to go at our own pace and go back and review information as needed. It was like getting all the info you need from a friend. Definitely recommend!”

Maureen, HR manager, and Online Prenatal Class for Couples Participant

In fact, this is the reason I love that The Online Prenatal Class for Couples has key point videos — so parents can quickly cram back in the information they’ve already learned.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Info

A lot of hospitals offer a Saturday birth class that is like a firehose of birth information. A lot of people find that really overwhelming (or, they just shut-down and don’t actually learn anything).

I recommend learning bit by bit, or “bite by bite”. Crystal said that it was SO nice to just have small chunks so that she and her husband could digest each one before moving on. They ended-up being REALLY glad they didn’t take a marathon class that would have overwhelmed them.

Take Care of You While You Get Prepared

Make sure that you’re finding a class that fits you. Sydney said that it sounded exhausting to do a full class after a day at work. She and her husband found a class that allowed them to watch it while they cuddled on the couch with their dog:

“Such a great experience to take the class in the comfort of our own home! With me teaching & my husband commuting to the city, we just didn’t have the energy to do something in person. Pulled it up on the tv, had fires & cuddled w/ our pup!”

Sydney, a Teacher & Online Prenatal Class for Couples Participant

We know that everyone is different and has different needs — having one that fits YOUR needs is a form of self care. It reminds you that you deserve that in labor, birth and life after baby — so it’s smart to fit things to YOU early on!

Start Early

Many people think you shouldn’t do a birth class until close to delivery, but Amber found that starting early really helped her feel prepared and confident as she went through her pregnancy towards birth.

Taking a class allowed her to….

Go With the Flow

When Amber‘s provider recommended a cesarean section, she felt comfortable going with the flow and doing what everyone felt was best.

Don’t take a birth class that pegs you into one type of birth, but allows you to get confident in yourself, and your birth team so you can find the plan that is best for you and baby.

She also said friends have you used YouTube and found themselves unprepared for a lot of birth — so she also said to make sure to take a class that prepares you for the whole thing.

Find Someone With Experience

Some classes are taught by childbirth educators or doulas who may have seen a few births, mostly vaginal. It’s better to take a class from someone who has lots of experience through many types of birth.

Katy knew she was going to have a C-section so, taking a class from someone who’s done hundreds of them. It made for an amazing experience where they knew just what to expect.

Again, taking a class from someone with lots of experience who covers all. the. things. — that seems to be what everyone recommends.

And, a few more birth class posts if you want even more info:

• The Best Affordable Birth Classes
• 6 Reasons You Need To Take A Birth Class
• Best Online Birthing Classes For Teen Moms
• Are Childbirth Classes Covered By Health Insurance? 
• The Best Pregnancy Classes For Couples

Prepare With Your Partner

Make sure that you involve your partner in your birth preparations. They can be HUGE in your birth story, but often you have to prepare them. Toni said it was amazing to take it with her husband, or go through the couples questions with him in this class

Learn to Communicate with Your Provider

Toni also learned how to best communicate with your provider about your birth.

Learning how to ask questions (and sometimes even what to ask) can be hard for people. It also helps when your PARTNER wants to get involved in asking the questions and involved in your care.

This also includes, possibly, finding the right provider for you. There’s nothing wrong with switching if someone isn’t a good fit.

Don’t Forget Your Third Trimester

It can be easy to think that you use your preparation once you go into labor — but a good birth class should talk about third trimester testing. Toni mentioned that knowing what the tests were helped her decide if she wanted them, and why.

A birth class should support you from the day you start it until weeks/months after baby is born.

Taking a birth class leads to better births. I recommend The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. You’ll find that it:

• Involves mom & partner
• Includes pregnancy, labor, birth & life after baby is born
• Can be done in small bites (but just takes 3 hours if you do it all at once)
• Is fun and engaging, so you actually learn rather than checking off a box
• Is taught by an experienced RN that knows the things you need to know about ALL types of birth.

Don’t miss my great big post on everything you need to know about birth classes << for more information this important subject!

Want to do a vibe check before diving into the whole thing with me? — check out my free labor pro tips. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.