How to Fit In A Birth Class

Today we’re going to talk about 4 ways to fit in a birth class. It can be so hard when you’re thinking how you’ll fit in a very rigid hospital class… BUT you know a birth class improves outcomes, so what’s the best way to make it work?

First off, I want to say that I LOVE that you understand how important a birth class is. If you’re still on the fence, let me remind you:

• A birth class improves birth outcomes.
• How a Birth Class Changes Pregnancy, Labor, Birth & Life With Baby
• 6 Lies You Hear About Birth Class

BUT you’re here to wonder how to fit it into a busy life — and I’m here for you. While it’s tricky on your first baby, it’s even harder on a second+ baby (but I also still think it’s important to review).

Do an Online Class

This is the easiest and most obvious answer. There are LOTS of birth classes out there available online, on-demand (there are other virtual classes that we’ll talk about next).

On demand classes mean the class is available whenever you are. That means if you have time at 8 am on a Sunday morning the videos are just in there waiting for you.

Many of these classes still have a Q/A option where you can get any questions answered also.

I recommend The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. It is the most comprehensive on-demand class available online and is taught by an RN with 20 years of labor and delivery experience.

I also have another post with the 14 best birth classes online that you can peruse if you don’t think that is the right one for you.

The biggest benefit to these is your ability to:

• Easily squeeze them into busy days — all the lessons in The Online Prenatal Class for Couples are under 20 minutes which allows you to just put it on while you eat if things are tight.
• Review at your leisure — is an induction suddenly an option — you can review it as you’d like.
• Scale to what you want — if you only want basic class it’s often cheaper than a bundle that might include more information (like breastfeeding).

Find a Virtual Class that Fits

Ok, so you’ve called the hospital, found their 6-9 pm on Tuesday class doesn’t work for you — but you COULD do one on Thursdays or Saturday mornings.

If you REALLY want to stick to a class that is taught live there are live options out there.

I know Lamaze has some, and evidence-based birth (both of which I share in my best birth classes post).

For me, I just think that these virtual classes can be:

• Actually pre-recorded, so you don’t have the chance to talk with the teacher
• Rife with technical issues if they are actually live. Your internet, the teacher’s internet, students who un-mute. You get the idea.
• Still pretty rigid, you’re still going to have to fit their plan.

I do think that some of them, then give the class as a recording that you can watch at your leisure. Up to you if you think that’s better than an on-demand class.

I think these types of classes can be great for people who just know themselves well enough that they won’t do it if it is not scheduled them for them. However, you could just put classes in your schedule and have a bit more flexibility.

Personally, from what I’ve seen — the on-demand classes are better recorded, edited, and more concise than the virtual classes, so that’s something to think about as well.

Take the Marathon Weekend Class

While hospitals often have a smaller class that they offer on consecutive weeks, there is sometimes a marathon weekend class that might entice you.

As a labor nurse, I refused to teach those classes, because I saw those couples glassy-eyed coming through for a tour.

Honestly, it’s just too much information for a day.

Most of the teachers aren’t that engaging to keep on your game for the whole 8-10 hours of learning. Even if they are, your brain starts to turn-off.

It’s just honestly too much. I don’t recommend these, but they can be an option if you really want to take a class at your hospital.

I AM a fan of taking a tour of your hospital. Some offer them virtually since Covid, but usually they have lots of good information on what to expect when you go, where to park etc — it just puts your minds at ease. These should be free (and many couples take tours of a couple of hospital to pick which they want to deliver at).

Hire a Personal Teacher

If you love the idea of one on one interaction with the teacher, there are people who teach birth classes one-on-one in your home.

I would encourage you to vet these teachers, and see if you can watch them teaching anything else to decide if they’re a good fit for you. I also recommend taking a class from somone with credentials to see all types of birth in multiple ways/times before you take a class with them.

Because it’s not just taking the class, it’s actually getting prepared that matters. You want an expert to help you do just that.

SO, there you go — a few ways to fit a birth class into your busy life. Again, I recommend The Online Prenatal Class for Couples, but there are lots of good options out there — so, I hope you find one that works well for you!