The Top Childbirth Classes

Are you considering childbirth classes? What are the top options out there today? How can you tell a course is a quality choice?

The answer to the first question should be "yes" - you need to consider a good childbirth course. You should review one even if you've already had a baby (or babies.) And I'll help you answer the rest of the questions.

There are great options available to you today. There are even excellent home-study childbirth classes. These are great if there are no good private classes in your area, if you've already had a baby and just want a "refresher," or simply want to work in the privacy of your own home.

I've had four babies, and I've reviewed all the options. The chart below will give you an overview of the best options out there - all personally tried and tested, so you can feel confident you're getting the real picture:

Childbirth Classes Comparison
Name The Pink Kit Birth Outside the Box Hypnobabies Private Course Hospital Course
Rank #1 #2 #3 #4 n/a
Product Image tiny image of the pink kit childbirth course tiny image of birth outside the box childbirth course tiny image of the hypnobabies home study childbirth course tiny logos from private childbirth classes tiny hospital logo
Format Book, eBook, Audio, and Video eBook, Audio, Online, (hardcopy option) Book, Audio, (live class in some areas) Live Class, Book often included Live Class
Focus Working with your body during labor and birth, techniques for any birthing situation Practical labor/birth techniques, your rights Pain free method, your rights Varies - usually include practical techniques, your rights Cover hospital procedures, may cover some breathing techniques
Intervention Info Teaches you how to work with your body even with interventions Best discussion of interventions. Good info on dealing with them. Good discussion on interventions and working with them. Most have good coverage on interventions and dealing with them. May present interventions as inevitable or "you must have them."
Nutrition Info No nutrition info Good basic info Good basic info Some popular ones have good info (Bradley, Birthing from Within) May not cover nutrition
Pain Management Superior info on working with your body & baby, breath and touch, etc. Good comprehensive section on coping strategies. Good info on breathing. Pain free method of birth. Very comprehensive. Great info on breathing. Usually teach solid techniques (Bradley and Birthing From Within) May emphasize labor drugs after giving lip service to "natural" techniques.
Labor Skills Covers many positions and techniques to ease labor and open for baby. Many position strategies & other techniques. Good info on positions, info on birth ball use. Usually provide good info on labor and birthing positions. May or may not cover labor/birth skills.
Enroll Now! Enroll Now! Enroll Now! Enroll Now!
My Review My Pink Kit Review My Birth Outside the Box Review My Hypnobabies Review My Recommended Methods
Childbirth Course Reviews
The Pink Kit Would you like to teach yourself to give birth? The Pink Kit is my #1 recommended childbirth class because you can do just that. You learn to work with your own body and your baby. It's down-to-earth and very effective.
Birth Outside the Box My second recommendation - I actually advise using BotB and the Pink Kit as a team. If you're a first time mother or new to natural childbirth, you want this course. Comprehensive, well-written, solid strategies and info - excellent all around.
Hypnobabies I feel confident giving Hypnobabies a high recommendation. It's a thorough and empowering class series. Plenty of practical information, lots of guided audio tracks. The audio is of exceptional quality. If pain-free childbirth appeals to you, choose Hypnobabies. Some areas have instructors for live classes.
Private Classes If you want a classroom environment I recommend finding a private provider. Bradley classes or Birthing from Within are my top picks - or a private instructor inspired by these methods. Practical, solid information.
Hospital Classes I don't recommend hospital classes; I profile them simply because they're so prevalent. If you want to take the course I strongly recommend you choose one of the home study courses reviewed to supplement!!
Conclusion

Avoid hospital courses! You really are not getting what you need. Take a private class if you want the "classroom" atmosphere.

Hypnobabies is excellent if you want a pain-free childbirth method - it's comprehensive and well put together. Birth Outside the Box is also very comprehensive and well-written with a wealth of information. I give my highest recommendation to The Pink Kit because the info is so vital. It allows you to truly teach yourself how to give birth.

You'll get the very best experience if you combine a private class or Birth Outside the Box with The Pink Kit - private classes/Birth Outside the Box will cover all your consumer information, intervention info, and nutrition info. The Pink Kit will equip you effective prep work and tried-and-true skills to take into birth.
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