Preparing for birth
Hospital protocols, your options and the stages of labor, with a workbook to complete with your partner.
Preparing for Your Hospital BirthChildbirth classes
in Missouri.
Online, self-paced birth and baby classes with Anna Rodney for expecting families in Missouri. Learn at home, with your partner, whenever it suits you.
What would you
like to learn?
Four starting points for families in Missouri, each with the classes written for it.
Planning a VBAC
The physical, emotional and practical side of a vaginal birth after cesarean, including how to choose a supportive provider.
Preparing for Your VBACComfort in labor
Coping tools, movement and breathing you can practice now, and a clear way for your partner to support you.
Comfort MeasuresAfter baby arrives
Newborn care, feeding, sleep and your own recovery, so the first weeks at home feel less like guesswork.
Bringing Home BabyFrom families who took BBU classes
Testimonials from families who took BBU classes.
Empowering, informative, and truly life-changing!
“I cannot recommend these birth and baby education classes enough! As a first-time parent, I felt overwhelmed by all the information out there, but this course broke everything down into clear, supportive, and easy-to-understand lessons. They made me feel confident and empowered going into labor and early parenthood.”
We absolutely loved these classes!
“We absolutely loved these classes! So informative and we liked that we could pause for the day and resume when we had time. I highly recommend them to all expectant parents.”
The content is evidence-based and inclusive!
“BBU is a great resource for busy families expecting a child. The content is evidence-based, it is inclusive, and the materials are very well produced. My office (pelvic health) recommends it to expecting parents all the time.”
I had no idea what to expect before these classes!
“These classes were really helpful for my partner and I. We feel so much more confident about going into birth now. I had no idea what to expect before these classes. We also took the class to prepare for breastfeeding and caring for our new little cutie pie. 10 out of 10 recommend. You wouldn’t believe how much you don’t know about caring for a newborn before you take these classes.”
So grateful for classes that I could take at my own pace!
“So grateful for classes that I could take at my own pace. The classes really eased my anxiety on what to expect as a first time mom. I took a comfort and bringing home baby class and definitely gained some tools that I wasn’t aware of before. Thank you!”
10/10 recommend!
“They are amazing! 10/10 recommend!”
Really put me at ease!
“These classes were super helpful for my husband and I! I was pretty nervous about all things birth, but their birth class and breastfeeding class really put me at ease.”
The best online birthing class!
“The best online birthing class!! Absolutely loved, super helpful!”
I was able to take so many great classes!
“Birth and Baby University is so helpful. I was able to take so many great classes to help me prepare for birth.”
Start where
you are.
Expecting in Missouri or planning ahead, choose the class that fits your next step.
Begin with a birth class
For first-time families, and for anyone who wants to understand their options before labor starts.
Each class is self-paced online with a workbook. Preparing for Your Hospital Birth and Intro to Childbirth are $97 each.
Preparing for a VBAC
A three-hour class on planning a vaginal birth after cesarean. $67, self-paced and online.
See the VBAC classFeeding and newborn care
Breastfeeding and Newborn Care 101 are $47 each, self-paced, with a workbook for the first weeks at home.
See the Breastfeeding classWant several classes?
The All Access Class Pass is five core classes for $149 instead of $405 separately.
See the All Access Class PassEvery class
for Missouri families.
All BBU classes are online and self-paced, so you can take them from Kansas City, St. Louis or Springfield.
Birth
Baby
Not sure which
class to start with?
Explore the work with a free event first. See which webinars and live programs BBU has scheduled for families.
Free tools to use
while you prepare.
Each tool runs on one page and prints a clean copy, so you can bring it to your next appointment.
Before the birth
In labor
Anna RodneyFounder & lead faculty
Master’s degree in education
Anna spent more than a decade teaching special education before focusing on birth and baby education. She has supported families and mentored doulas since 2013.
- Newborn Care Specialist
- Lactation Educator and Lamaze Instructor
- Happiest Baby on the Block parent educator
Former Hypnobirth instructor.
Read Anna’s full backgroundBefore you
choose a class.
Are these classes held in Missouri?
BBU’s classes are online and self-paced, so you take them at home in Missouri whenever it suits you. They are not scheduled in-person sessions.
How long are the classes?
Preparing for Your Hospital Birth, Intro to Childbirth and Bringing Home Baby are about four hours each. Preparing for Your VBAC is about three hours. Breastfeeding and Newborn Care 101 are about two and a half hours. Each class comes with a workbook.
Can my partner take the class with me?
Yes. Every class comes with a workbook you can complete together, and your partner can watch the lessons with you.
Which class should I start with?
Many first-time families start with Preparing for Your Hospital Birth or Intro to Childbirth. If you want several, the All Access Class Pass is five core classes for $149.
Childbirth classes
for Missouri families.
How BBU’s online classes work for families in Missouri.
Classes you can take from Missouri
Every BBU class is virtual and self-paced, so you can take it from Kansas City, St. Louis or Springfield, or anywhere else in Missouri, and return to the lessons as the birth gets closer.
Your hospital or birth center
Policies and options differ from one hospital to the next. BBU’s classes teach you how to think through your options and understand the setting you are in, so you can ask the right questions where you plan to give birth.
Learn with your partner
Your partner needs to know what to expect in order to support you well. Each class has a workbook you can complete together.
Thinking about doula work?
If you would like to support families yourself, see becoming a doula in Missouri.
Ask about enrollment.
Ask about a class or an upcoming family event.