Childbirth classes: Your complete guide

Whether you're a first-time parent or you've been through labor before, childbirth classes are a great way to prepare. They can give you (and your partner) the confidence to handle one of the most dramatic experiences of your life. Many birth classes cover the whole experience, from recognizing the first signs of labor to putting your newborn in their car seat and bringing them home from the hospital.

"I highly recommend childbirth classes or other classes that help prepare parents for life with a newborn, especially with the first child," says Chandani DeZure, M.D. a pediatrician, neonatal and pediatric hospitalist, and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

"There's just so much you don't realize you don't know, and it's much harder to figure out after you have the baby and you're exhausted," says Dr. DeZure. Birth classes are "great for reducing some of the anxiety associated with being a new parent," she adds.

Read on for our complete guide to childbirth classes, including where to find birthing classes near you and online, the different styles and types of childbirth classes you can choose from, and when to start your class.

What topics do childbirth classes cover?

Typical childbirth classes include lectures, discussions, and exercises, all led by a trained childbirth instructor. While some classes focus on a particular approach (more on that below), others include techniques from several methods.

The main purpose of a childbirth class is to prepare you for birth, help you make informed decisions about the birthing process, and ease your fears about labor and delivery.

Common topics covered include:

• The signs of labor
• When to call your doctor or midwife and when to go to the hospital for labor
• The stages of labor and delivery
• Different delivery methods
• Pain-management and relaxation techniques for labor
• Common interventions (episiotomy, fetal monitoring, C-section, augmentation of labor)
• Ways your partner can support you during labor. (It's a good idea to attend classes with your partner or support person.)

Most childbirth classes also cover some of the most common birth complications, such as slow labor and perineal tears, and how your hospital or birth center might handle them. You can also expect to watch footage of some real vaginal births and C-section deliveries.

Some classes also teach the basics of breastfeeding and newborn care, but those are often offered as add-on classes. (Many hospitals separate their pregnancy classes by topic: Labor and delivery, breastfeeding, infant safety, and other parenting topics.) If you're taking a childbirth class at your hospital, it may include a tour of the maternity unit – which can help you feel more comfortable there on the big day.

Depending on what type of class you attend, childbirth classes range from one-day intensive workshops to weekly sessions that last for a couple of months.

Another benefit of group childbirth classes: They provide a great opportunity to make friends with other expectant parents who will have a baby the same age as yours. Some new parents stay in touch long after their birth classes are over.

When's the best time to take a birthing class?

The best time to take a birthing class is usually close enough to your due date that the information is fresh, but not so close that you'll miss the class if your baby arrives early. To make sure you don't miss out on valuable information, Dr. DeZure usually recommends taking the class early in the third trimester and no later than 34 weeks.

There are some benefits to taking a childbirth class earlier, though. If a class covers tips for a healthy pregnancy or how to choose a provider, that's information that will be helpful early on. Likewise, if you're taking a class on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), you'll want to take it early so you can think about some of the decisions you'll need to make.

If you've been through labor before and just want to take a refresher course, you might want to schedule the class close to your delivery date, say mid-third trimester. And if you're taking a breastfeeding class, it might be best to wait until later in pregnancy, when you're closer to nursing.

Some hospitals and birthing centers provide classes throughout pregnancy. For the first trimester, they may offer a class on choosing a provider and having a healthy pregnancy, for example, and in the second trimester they might offer classes on the stages of labor and pain-management techniques. In the third trimester they might provide classes on breastfeeding and baby care, or a refresher birth course.

Where to find birthing classes

You can find birthing classes through hospitals, birth centers, women's health groups, and online searches.

In-person classes

To find in-person classes in your area, ask your doctor or midwife, check with the hospital or birth center where you plan to have your baby, or ask friends who've recently had babies for their recommendations.

Most hospitals and birth centers offer birthing classes, or you can take one through an independent instructor or organization. Hospital classes are usually the least expensive option.

You can also search online for independent, in-person childbirth classes and instructors near you. Some instructors are certified by the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)Opens a new window, so checking that website is a good place to start. The ICEA doesn't promote any particular style of childbirth class, so class content varies by instructor. If you're thinking of using an ICEA-certified instructor, ask them what their class will cover.

Online birthing classes

The convenience of online childbirth classes appeals to many expecting parents.

Taking your childbirth classes online comes with a lot more flexibility. The downside: You don't get to partake in hands-on experiences, like changing a diaper on a baby doll or practicing breathing techniques with an instructor's one-on-one guidance. And you don't get to interact personally with other expectant parents.

A great way to learn from home is with BabyCenter's free online birthing classes. This video series is a good solution for parents-to-be with busy schedules or second-time parents who want a refresher course. In this program, you'll learn about labor basics, the signs of labor, how to manage labor pain, medical procedures during labor and delivery, and decisions to make about your newborn.

Here are some other online birth classes:

Lamaze InternationalOpens a new window offers a number of online childbirth classes with information on preparing for childbirth, managing labor pain, steps for a safe and healthy birth, and vaginal birth after cesarean. Their breastfeeding and early parenting classes include breastfeeding basics, parenting together, and bringing home your baby.

Built to BirthOpens a new window is a virtual class with eight courses: built to birth, prenatal fitness, hypnobirthing, postnatal fitness, postpartum, baby care, and fertility. Their program includes workbooks, birth meditation albums, and evidence-based research.

WeeHuman'sOpens a new window classes offer on-demand virtual lessons with certified doulas and childbirth educators via live Zoom instruction. The curriculum includes having a healthy pregnancy, stages of birth, birth progress, fear release, relaxation and comfort, interventions and choices, postpartum, completing your birth plan, newborn care and safety, breastfeeding, and body/mind wellness. They also provide private consultations with their doulas and childbirth educators.

Evidence Based BirthOpens a new window focuses on providing up-to-date information for those who want to be well-educated about childbirth. They provide virtual options for six classes, with five weeks of online videos. Bonus videos on breastfeeding and newborn care are also available. They have a short, sample video you can watch to get an idea of the types of things you'll learn in their childbirth classes.

Kopa BirthOpens a new window is for mothers who want a hospital birth with limited medical intervention. They offer an online birth course and breastfeeding course with exercises, meditations, downloads, and more. They also offer free, two-week access to the first class of their eight-class video series.

The Mayo ClinicOpens a new window offers an Understanding Birth class that includes videos, animations, interactive exercises, and more. The class covers pregnancy, labor, birth stories, comfort techniques, medical procedures, cesarean birth, newborns, and postpartum. Access to the plan lasts for six months.

Some hospitals and birth clinics offer online classes in addition to their in-person classes. For example, Cedars Sinai BabyLiveAdviceOpens a new window provides virtual group classes taught by maternal/infant experts. The classes are live (not pre-recorded) and include a three-class series on childbirth preparation, preparing for your baby, and breastfeeding. Classes are also available on infant safety, caring for your baby, and elective cesarean.

If you're interested, ask your hospital or birth center if they have online options.

How much do childbirth classes cost?

It depends on where you live and which type of class you take. Hospitals and birthing centers sometimes provide childbirth classes for free. Other times there's a fee of between $30 and $100 per couple for a class.

Independent companies and childbirth educators tend to charge more – usually somewhere between $200 and $500 (and up) per class.

The cost of online classes also varies greatly, from free to hundreds of dollars. BabyCenter's childbirth classes, for example, are free. Lamaze offers one free online class on labor basics and then charges $29.95 to $34.95 for each of their other online courses. Mayo Clinic's online course is a total of $50, while WeeHuman charges $149 for access to all their courses. Built to Birth charges $39 to $199 per class and $349 for access to all their classes.

Keep in mind that prices and terms vary and are subject to change. Be sure to read all the details before signing up.

Some health insurance companies will cover the cost of childbirth classes. Your insurer may require the class to be taught by a certified childbirth educator or a lactation consultant (which many are). And typically, you'll have to pay for the course and then submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. Sometimes financial assistance is available, too. Ask your hospital or class administrators about any assistance they might offer.

Popular types of birthing classes

Some birthing classes teach a particular approach to childbirth, but many – such as the ones offered at hospitals – don't promote any particular method. Research the classes available to find the one that best suits your preferences. For example, some childbirth classes focus on techniques for having an unmedicated labor, which may not be a good fit if you know you want an epidural.

Here's a look at some of the most well-known options for childbirth classes:

Lamaze class

In Lamaze class, you'll learn various coping strategies and breathing and movement techniques to get through childbirth. Classes are centered around birth practices including letting labor start on its own, avoiding any medically unnecessary interventions, and keeping moms and babies together.

Read more about the Lamaze method of childbirth.

The Bradley method

The Bradley birth method embraces the idea that childbirth is a natural process and that, with the right preparation and partner coaching, most women can avoid pain medication and other medical interventions during labor and birth. The 12-week Bradley method program emphasizes the importance of diet and exercise during pregnancy, teaches deep-breathing techniques to manage pain, and involves your partner as an integral part of the birth process.

Read more about the Bradley Method of childbirth.

HypnoBirthing classes

HypnoBirthing teaches moms-to-be how to deeply relax the body using self-hypnosis to have a more comfortable birth. While the focus is on unmedicated childbirth, the techniques it teaches are also useful for mothers who need or choose to have medical interventions during labor and delivery. Classes are taught in five sessions.

Read more about the HypnoBirthing birth method.

The Alexander technique

The Alexander TechniqueOpens a new window is a movement-awareness method that can help you physically prepare for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood. This technique focuses on freedom of movement, balance, support, and coordination.

Yoga

You might want to explore prenatal yoga classes. Many women find the breathing, stretching, and meditation taught in yoga are very helpful during pregnancy and childbirth.

Keep in mind that no matter which method or approach you learn about, things may not go according to your birth plan. "You may have plans or expectations based on the course you took, but things may change and require flexibility and adaptability during labor to ensure the safety of you and your baby," says Dr. DeZure.