5 Best Online Childbirth Classes (Natural or Hospital Birth)

Online Childbirth Classes are on the rise in popularity, and rightly so. After all, what better way to learn about labor and delivery than from the comfort of your home using some of the best online childbirth classes available today?

In this article, we will discuss some of the best and most popular online childbirth classes, and we will break them all down in detail so that you can pick the best option for you and your baby.

Each prenatal class (depending on which you choose) will teach you all you need to know about going through labor, delivery, and even postpartum and newborn care with ease and confidence.

But first…

Why take an Online Childbirth Class?

As a nurse by trade, most of the prenatal classes I took were, well… in my birth hospital. Looking in retrospect,  I can’t tell you how much I wish I had the online resources available today at my disposal.

With everything I know today about the birthing process and the many incredible resources that have been created over the last few years to help moms take control of their birthing process and their bodies, I would have made many different choices.

Why do you ask? Well…

Time. Online childbirth classes save you an immense amount of time! No need to work around your (and your partner’s) schedule because the content is accessible to you at all times.

Convenience. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather learn all the childbirth process, techniques, and strategies sitting next to my husband, in my pajamas, in my bed… than in a hospital classroom. You also have the convenience of having the learning material at hand, allowing you to go at your own pace.

Access to the material for the length of your pregnancy. With prenatal hospital classes, you will be presented the information in a 1-2 hour as a one-time event. Chances are that 80% of that information is no longer fresh in your mind when you give birth. With online Childbirth courses, however, you will have access to all of the material from the moment of purchase until you have your baby. This means you can pause, rewind, replay, and re-watch as many times as needed.

Access to ongoing support and answers to your questions. One of my favorite things about some of these courses is that they offer ongoing support for the length of your pregnancy. Mama Natural Birth Course, for instance, has a Private Facebook Group for its students where you will receive ongoing support from your instructors and fellow moms-to-be who are also enrolled in the course.

Online Child Birth Class vs Hospital Prenatal Classes 

Besides most of the reasons already mentioned, it is important to note that most (not all) hospital prenatal classes are geared more toward the birthing process as it relates to medicine and its intervention.

After all, studies show that over 32% of deliveries in the USA are done by C-Sections. (source)

Nothing against C-sections, though! They should, in fact, be used as an alternate method depending on multiple factors or as a life-saving intervention. However, when possible, we should be given the option and the tools to prepare our bodies and minds to do what it was created to do… deliver our babies.

On the other hand, A Childbirth Class focuses more on women and their natural ability to power through birth by providing them with proven techniques.

So, opting for a really good “out-of-hospital” birth course may help you avoid becoming one of today’s statistics.

What types of childbirth classes are included on this list?

There are many different types of birthing courses available. Each has its own philosophy, time commitment, and expense.

Therefore, I have opted for the best and most popular Online Childbirth Classes created and taught by fellow nurses, Lamaze Instructors, and doulas.

I have detailed the courses so that you can find the one that best suits you (and your partner), your personality, your goals, and your learning style.

Here, you will find:

• Natural Childbirth Class (Home and Birth Center)
• Natural Hospital Birth Class (Hospital Setting)
• Prenatal Classes for Couples (Any Setting)

Note: Don’t let the words “Natural Childbirth” fool you; some of these courses also discuss epidurals, medical interventions, and c-sections if you encounter those scenarios.

They will be broken down into the following sections: 

• Course Overview
• Who is This Childbirth Course For?
• Best Features
• Course Length
• Course Content Overview
• Instructor

**IMPORTANT**

Childbirth classes, especially courses 1, 2, and 3 in this list, may be eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). So, if you opt for one of those three courses, save the receipt, as you will need it if you qualify for reimbursement. So, check with your health insurance.

Alright, let’s take a look…

Best Online Childbirth Classes

1. Mama Natural Childbirth Class 

Class Overview

Mama Natural Birth Course is currently the #1 Online Childbirth Course available. It is a comprehensive online course designed to equip your mind, body, and spirit to help you achieve the birth you have always envisioned.

It is designed to educate, inspire, and empower moms and partners to deliver naturally.

Who is it for?

Mama Natural Birthing Course is for women looking for a natural birth.

It is good for moms-to-be or even second-time moms looking for a more natural experience this time.

Whether you have your heart set on a water birth in your living room or a gentler and more natural hospital delivery, Mama Natural will equip you with everything you need to know.

It also has a Bonus Module on vaginal births after a C-Section (VBACS).

Best Features

• Mama Natural is currently the #1 bestselling online childbirth class.
• It contains Course Modules on postpartum, newborn days, and breastfeeding.
• They also have a Private Facebook Group for students, which offers continuous support and a community. Students have 24/7 access to both course instructors.
• The payment invoice contains all the information you must submit to your FSA or HSA for reimbursement.
• They donate 10% of all profits to midwifery projects in the developing world.

Course Length 

It features 12 hours of video content, online and on-demand.

They are divided into 8 classes, allowing students to take one class per week or binge-watch the whole course over a weekend.

Course Content Overview:

• Class 1: Overview and reality-check
• Class 2: Preparing your mind, body, and spirit
• Class 3: Your support team
• Class 4: Early and active labor
• Class 5: Transition and pushing
• Class 6: Birth and the “third stage” of labor
• Class 7: Unexpected stuff (and how to handle it)
• Class 8: Aftercare for baby, mama, and breastfeeding
• BONUS: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
• BONUS: Breastfeeding Master Class
• MORE BONUSES: Weekly practice sessions to prepare your body and mind for childbirth, segments on nutrition, and natural remedies for common pregnancy complaints.

Instructor (s)

The Mama Natural Birth Course is hosted by Genevieve, a mom of 3, and Maura Winkler, a certified nurse-midwife, a registered nurse (RN), a doula, a breastfeeding counselor, and a placenta encapsulator.

2. KOPA Birth Course

KOPA BIRTH COURSE

A birth course to transform your hospital birth

Birth is a transformative celebration of life and strength.

Your hospital birth can be natural, personal, and empowering.

Learn More

Course Overview

The Kopa Birthing Course specializes in helping couples have a natural birth in a hospital setting. Their curriculum focuses on helping expectant moms and their partners understand the intricacies of natural birth in a hospital environment, and they are committed to guiding couples through this transformative experience.

Who is this for?

The Kopa Birth Course is an amazing resource for women looking for a natural hospital birth.

Whether you are a new mom-to-be or are giving birth again but looking for a different and more natural birthing experience in a hospital setting, this class is for you.

Kopa Birth Class is for you if:

• You want a simple, natural hospital birth free of unnecessary medical procedures.
• Do you want to make choices during labor and be confident that your doctor and nurses will honor your preferences?
• You want the freedom to move and give birth in the best position without restrictive policies or rules.

Best Features

• They offer an exclusive Plus Membership
• Private Kopa® Members Facebook Group.
• Registered nurse & Lamaze certified childbirth educator.
• Access to the course instructor by email is available for any questions you might have.
• Online streaming & self-paced
• The payment invoice contains all the information you must submit to your FSA or HSA for reimbursement.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.

Course Length

The Kopa Birth Class provides more than 12 hours of premium video content.

Course Content Overview 

• Classes 1 & 2: Embrace Physiologic Birth & Release the Fear of Pain
• Classes 3 & 4: Confidently Welcome Contractions, Early & Active Labor
• Classes 5 & 6: Pushing & Birth With Unwavering Partner Support
• Classes 7 & 8: Navigate Labor Interventions Through Informed Consent
• Classes 9 & 10: Troubleshooting for Success & Mock Labor
• BONUS Class 11: Katie’s Natural Hospital Birth

Kopa Birth also offers an exclusive Plus Membership Option (for an additional cost) where you will have access to the following:

• LIFETIME access to ALL Kopa Birth courses
• Kopa® Birth Course
• Breastfeeding Course
• Hypnobirthing Course
• Prenatal Fitness & Meal Plans
• VBAC Course
• Baby Care Course
• Postpartum Course
• Babywearing Course
• Online Streaming, 24/7 availability
• Membership in the private Facebook community

Instructor/Course Creator 

The KOPA Birth Course is taught by Katie Griffin, a registered nurse, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, and mother of seven. Katie has helped thousands of moms and partners embrace empowering, personalized natural hospital births.

3. Birth it Up Series (Natural, Epidural, and C-Section Births)

Course Overview

The Birth it Up Series created by Mommy Labor Nurse (Liesel Teen) is a set of courses catering to all different birth preferences. Depending on which Course Series you choose (Natural Birth Series, Epidural Series, and C-Section Birth Series), Liesel walks through the entire process through video lessons.

Who is This Childbirth Course For?

The Birth it Up Series is perfect for all types of moms as it teaches all types of birth plans.

Whether you want a natural birth, are set on an epidural, or have a scheduled c-section, one of these series will meet your needs.

Best Features

• These series are really affordable (get an additional 10% OFF when you use the code: LOVELYMOMHOOD)
• They have a Private Facebook Group for Students
• All courses come with a downloadable PDF version
• Satisfaction Guarantee Policy

Course Length

• Birth it Up: Natural Series has 9+ hours of video content, plus other written content.
• Birth it Up: Epidural Series has 5+ hours of video content, plus other written content.
• Birth it Up: C-Section Series has 5+ hours of video content, plus other written content.

Birth it Up Courses Content Overview

Natural Birth Series:

• 10+ hours of on-demand birthing videos taught by a labor and delivery nurse
• 2+ hours of newborn care guidance
• Immediate and lifetime access to Birth It Up: The Natural Series
• Live demonstrations and visuals to aid in your learning
• Support and encouragement from a private Facebook community moderated by labor and delivery nurses
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Plus, 13 Printables and Checklists
• BONUS LESSONS: Partner Support, Newborn Basics, Twins, VBAC, and Induction of Labor.

>> Learn more here <<

Epidural Birth Series

• 10+ hours of on-demand birthing videos taught by a labor and delivery nurse
• 2+ hours of newborn care guidanceNImmediate and lifetime access to Birth It Up: The Epidural Series
• Live demonstrations and visuals to aid in your learning
• Support and encouragement from a private Facebook community moderated by labor and delivery nurses
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Plus, 13 Printables and Checklists
• BONUS LESSONS: Partner Support, Newborn Basics, Twins, VBAC, and Induction of Labor

>> Learn more here… <<

C-Section Birth Series

• 3+ hours of on-demand birthing videos taught by a labor and delivery nurse
• 2+ hours of newborn care guidance
• Immediate and lifetime access to Birth It Up: The C-Section Series
• Live demonstrations and visuals to aid in your learning
• Additional resources curated specifically for C-section mamas
• Support and encouragement from a private Facebook community moderated by labor and delivery nurses
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Plus, 9 Printables and Checklists
• BONUS LESSONS: Partner Support, Newborn Basics, and VBAC.

>> Learn more, here <<

Instructor

Liesel Teen is the creator and instructor of the Birth it Up series. She is a labor and delivery nurse and mom to a sweet little boy! She is also the founder of Mommy Labor Nurse. She’s been practicing as an L&D nurse for 9 years and has helped hundreds, if not THOUSANDS, of women through their births!

4. Childbirth: What to Expect by Tinyhood

Course Overview

Tinyhood is the leading online platform that offers on-demand classes from leading experts that guide parents through every step of their journey. Their Childbirth What to Expect Online Class is a great alternative for parents-to-be who want to learn from experts from the comfort of their homes.

Who is this course for?

This course and the monthly subscription to Tinyhood are perfect for parents who want to continue learning the early stages of parenthood by enrolling in other classes in the baby, breastfeeding, and toddler categories.

Best Features 

• Monthly access to a multitude of parenting classes, courses, and resources.
• The low monthly subscription fee, and cancel at any time.
• Instruction from leading certified experts with years of hands-on experience in their fields.
• Downloadable class handouts, checklists, and guides for easy reference
• Over 6,000 reviews

Course Length

Approximately 2.5 hours of video content plus written material (printable handouts and checklists).

Course Curriculum 

Here is a little sneak peek of the Tinyhood Childbirth Course curriculum:

• Leading up to Labor
• Understanding the Pregnant Body
• What to Expect from Labor & Birth
• Managing Pain
• Your Baby’s First Days of Life

Instructors

Ashley Derderian Sousa, RN, IBCLC. Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM, founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth and the creator of The JJ Way®. Divya Kumar, LCSW, MSW, PMH-C, is a psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health and trauma.

5. The Online Prenatal Class for Couples 

Course Overview 

The Prenatal Class for Couples is another great alternative for women who want to learn about the labor and delivery process from the comfort of their homes.

The Prenatal Class for Couples covers the complete transition of hospital birth and walks you through the labor-delivery phase, postpartum, and early newborn days.

It walks you through the whole process of having a hospital birth so that you are prepared and know what to expect when the time comes.

Who is it for?

The Online Prenatal Class was crafted specifically for couples to help them simplify the labor process to have a more relaxed pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time.

Best Features:

• Offers THREE versions (Basic, Online Course, Deluxe Online Course)
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Receipt of the class might be used as reimbursement to your FSA or HSA

Course Length 

The eBook contains over 60 pages; the online course has over 11 lessons.

Course Overview 

They offer THREE versions of the course, and you can check them out in full detail here:

• A Downloadable eBook
• The Online Prenatal Class for Couples Course 
• The Prenatal Class for Couples (Full Deluxe Course)

All versions contain information about: 

• Intro
• What to come to the hospital for
• Counting Contractions
• How to know if you’re in labor
• L&D Routines/Inductions
• Equipment in L&D
• Pain Management in the Hospital Setting
• Delivery Time
• Cesareans
• Five Best Tips for Labor & Delivery
• First Few Days
• First Few Months
• Natural Pain Management
• Newborn Care

Instructor 

This course is taught by Hilary, a labor and delivery nurse since 2001 and has taught hundreds of expecting couples. She is also the mom of 3 children.

6. Complimentary Childbirth Courses

Alongside these courses above to help prepare you for childbirth, it is worth mentioning Milkology!

Learning about breastfeeding in a more intimate and paced environment is wonderful. Online breastfeeding courses allow you to watch the material at your own pace, with the ability to pause and replay from the comfort of your home.

Milkology has some of the best and most affordable Online Breastfeeding Classes today.

Stacey Stewart, Certified Lactation Educator, teaches them through CAPPA, a mom of 3 and the founder of Milkology.

Milkology features THREE classes which are sold individually, and a VIP Access to ALL of their resources and they include…

THE ULTIMATE BREASTFEEDING CLASS

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class is a simple step-by-step program that covers everything you need to know in 13 easy-to-watch lessons.

It focuses on the following:

• The benefits of breastfeeding
• Understanding the process
• Learning the techniques
• Knowing what to expect
• Finding Support and Getting Prepared
• And more…

THE ULTIMATE EXCLUSIVELY PUMPING CLASS

The Ultimate Exclusively Pumping Masterclass is a simple step-by-step program that covers everything you need to know in 11 easy-to-watch lessons. Trust me, if you will be exclusively pumping, you will need all the tips and tricks you can get, and this course focuses exclusively on teaching you all you need to know to pump exclusively and successfully.

THE ULTIMATE BACK-TO-WORK PUMPING CLASS

Last but definitely not least, The Ultimate Back to Work Pumping class teaches you how to pump effectively and provides other important information.

You will learn how to: 

• Choose the right pump
• Learn to pump like a pro
• Make plenty of milk
• Plan your return to work
• Preparing for success
• Plus bonus material

★ Milkology’s Milk Magic Society VIP Access

If you would access to ALL of Milkology’s aforementioned classes along with other perks, such as:

• 20+ lactation cheat sheets
• 1:1 guidance from Wendy, their amazing IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)
• Other bonuses (lactation Cookbook, Weaning Guide, Breastfeeding Affirmation Printables)

Unfortunately, more than 60% of women give up breastfeeding before 6 months. That is why resources like this are invaluable.

SO, IN SUMMARY:

• Mama Natural Online Childbirth Course: Home or Birth Center Birth
• Kopa Birth Course: Natural/Medicated Hospital Birth
• Birth it Up Series: Natural, Epidural, and C-Section
• Tinyhood Childbirth: From Late Pregnancy to Newborn Days
• The Prenatal Class for Couples: Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
• Milkology: All Aspects of Breastfeeding Masterclass or the VIP Access Pass to all with (50% OFF using code LOVELYMOM at checkout!)

★ Related Articles: 

• 5 Best Online Newborn Care Classes 
• The Best Pregnancy Planner
• What to Expect During a Hospital Vaginal Birth (Step-by-Step)
• 17 Important Things to Do Before the Baby Arrives
• The Complete Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby, Mom, and Dad
• A Postpartum Care Plan for Faster Healing After a Vaginal Birth
• The Ultimate DIY Postpartum Care Kit (Natural and N0n-Toxic)
• What to Wear After Giving Birth at the Hospital (Head to Toe)

Afterword 

I know this was a lot of info, but I also know how much I wish I could have had all of these incredible resources available and broken down for me like this when I was pregnant with my children.

As beautiful as a journey as pregnancy and childbirth can be, it can also be a time for a lot of anxiety and overwhelm.

I hope that this list has helped you find the Online Childbirth Course that will help you achieve the birth of your dreams.

I want you to know that I feel incredibly honored to be able to be a part of your beautiful journey.

What Online Childbirth Course would meet your needs for your dream birth?