I am often asked which childbirth education classes to take when preparing for a homebirth. While it might seem like there's one great class, we actually have a lot of wonderful options in San Diego, and the option that's right for you will depend on a few factors. The best way to choose the right class for you is to research each of the options and select the class that you connect with the most. Each one has a slightly different way of approaching birth. Some classes focus on hypnosis, while others rely heavily on deep relaxation techniques. Some classes are very research/evidence focused, while others approach birth as a rite of passage.
I've listed the top childbirth education classes for you below (in alphabetical order) so you can learn more about each methodology. Which one resonates most with you?
Birth Bootcamp
Birth Boot Camp states that it is not a method, yet it incorporates many of the effective components of the most popular childbirth education courses. In addition to birth, it also provides education about pregnancy and postpartum. The materials and supplemental information provided are evidence-based. This class is a proponent of natural childbirth.
More Information: www.birthbootcamp.com
Class Duration: 10 weeks of private sessions; online option available
Cost: $450 private 10 week sessions; $245-355 online
Recommended Instructors:
Debbe Cannone - 858.213.7332 - dcannone@birthbootcamp.com
Birthing From Within
Birthing From Within emphasizes birth as a rite of passage rather than a medical event. Birth is a time for self-discovery and is as unique as each couple, therefore class curriculum is changed for the needs of the individual couple. Birthing From Within hopes to prevent or minimize emotionally difficult births through preparation and pain management techniques. It incorporates journaling, artwork, and other creative outlets of expression. Birthing From Within birthing classes are probably best for the creative types.
More Information: www.birthingfromwithin.com
Class duration: 5-6 weeks, 2-3 hour classes or weekend intensive classes
Cost: $300-400
Recommended Instructors:
Any from www.birthingfromwithinsandiego.com
Bradley Method
Bradley Method birth classes are in-person and follow an evidence-based approach to childbirth that supports a safe and healthy birth. Dr. Robert A. Bradley published his book Husband-Coached Childbirth in 1965, and the classes have helped couples put the book’s principles into action. Bradley classes are very naturally minded. They also cover information beyond labor and delivery such as nutrition, exercise, breastfeeding and postpartum care. Dr. Bradley emphasized the father/partner as the birthing coach and gives him defined roles throughout the pregnancy and delivery.
More Information: www.bradleybirth.com
Class duration: 12 weeks, usually 1 1/2-2 hours per class over a three-month period.
Cost: $350-400
Recommended Instructors:
Jackai & Stephen Yip - (909) 319-9919 (text ok) - jackai.a.yip@gmail.com
Celena Carlson - (760) 583-5502 (text ok) - mothermadebirth@gmail.com
Essentials for Childbirth - *Online Class*
Can't figure out which "method" childbirth prep class to take? After discovering that no single method-style class fits the bill for every couple, and that no one method provides everything she personally was finding effective in preparing mamas for childbirth and beyond, Licensed Midwife, Kelly Pappas, decided to create her own class that combined different "methods" along with other evidence-based information, trainings, etc. This culminated in creating a class that aims to cover all the bases, in a succinct, informative, engaging way. It is a mixture of comprehensive education and hands-on comfort measure tools. This is an online-only class.
More Information: http://www.beautifulonebirthservices.com/essentials-for-childbirth
Class duration: ONLINE ONLY, 5 sessions at your own pace
Cost: $50
Recommended Instructors: Online Only at link above.
Hypnobabies
Hypnobabies is known as hypnosis for childbirth. Hypnobabies teaches relaxation and visualization techniques to reduce fear and pain during childbirth, and it also teaches medical hypno-anesthesia techniques catered specifically to childbirth.
More Information: www.hypnobabies.com
Class duration: 6 weeks, 3 hours per class (doesn’t include “practice” time at home).
Cost: $425-450
Recommended Instructors:
Rachel Vance - (619) 567-3236 - rachel@SanDiegoHypnobabies.com
Melissa Furioli - (760) 703-5973 - coastalhypnobabies@gmail.com
Hypnobirthing (Traditional)
Hypnobirthing takes a different approach to labor than most classes. Instead of teaching mamas how to “manage pain,” Hypnobirthing coaches moms on how to avoid a fear-tension-pain cycle. Hynobirthing birth classes teach that childbirth could and should be comfortable. They teach that labor-related pain if often born out of fear and tension, and this can be lessened using hypnotherapy.
More Information: https://us.hypnobirthing.com
Class duration: Five 2.5 hour classes (doesn’t include “practice” time at home).
Cost: $375
Recommended Instructors:
Chris Dorman - (760) 271-7685 - mydoulachris@gmail.com
Julie Mitchell - (858) 414-1248 - julie@blissfulbellys.com
Hypnobirthing (Modern)
Same as Hypnobirthing, however additional comfort measures are added to the course to supplement the relaxation techniques in Hypnobirthing.
More Information: https://us.hypnobirthing.com
Class duration: Five 2.5 hour classes (doesn’t include “practice” time at home).
Cost: $375-525
Recommended Instructors:
Scripps Ranch - http://www.birtheducationcenter.com/hypnobirthing/
Comfort Measures for Labor**
Comfort Measures in Labor gives you a play by play on how labor progresses and what to do at each turn. This is a hands on, "full dry run" type of class. Birth Companions will gain confidence in putting into action the tools you already have and the new techniques that are demonstrated. You will learn how to incorporate positioning, relaxation, visualization, massage, breathing, and aromatherapy into your labor and birth. Movement and touch facilitates your baby moving down and out.
**This is an excellent supplemental class to any of the childbirth education styles, however it can also be taken without other classes in a pinch.
Class Duration: One 3 hour class
Cost: $75
Recommended Instructors: Any at the link above
Have you found any other childbirth education classes that you've loved for out of hospital birth? I'd love to add them to my list. Feel free to drop their links in the comments below!
In Gratitude,
