This course
Intro to Childbirth
$97
- Four hours of video lessons, watchable as often as you like
- Comprehensive downloadable workbook with exercises
- Sections designed to complete with your partner
Intro to Childbirth
Understand labor before it starts.
A four-hour class taking you through the stages of labor, what to expect at a hospital or home birth, relaxation techniques and how to navigate conversations with your care team. Taught by a certified labor and postpartum doula and childbirth educator.
$97
- Self-paced online class
- 4 hours
- Video + workbook
- Anna Rodney, M.Ed.Your instructor
- 15+ yearssupporting families
- 4 hours4 hours
- Video + workbookPractice and revisit as you go
Know what's happening, and what's next.
Intro to Childbirth takes you through labor stage by stage, so the changes make sense as they happen instead of arriving as a surprise.
The stages of labor
Understand what is happening in your body and roughly what comes next.
Early labor at home
When it starts, how to rest and when to head in.
Warm-ups vs. real labor
Tell the difference between practice contractions and the real thing.
Hospital or home birth
What to expect in each setting and how the two differ.
Relaxation techniques
Practical methods to stay calm and comfortable as labor progresses.
Navigate conversations with your care team
Know how to ask questions, share your preferences and make decisions together with your care team.
What families say
Words from families who have taken BBU classes.
“We feel so much more confident about going into birth now.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 best online birthing class!! Absolutely loved, super helpful!”
Your instructor
Learn with Anna Rodney, M.Ed.
Anna is a certified labor and postpartum doula and childbirth educator. She teaches this class the way she teaches everything: clearly, calmly and with plenty of practice.
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) with 15+ years supporting families
- Former special-education teacher
- Doula trainer and childbirth educator
- Newborn Care Specialist and Lactation Educator
- Founder of Chicago Family Doulas and Birth & Baby University
What you'll learn
Six sections that take you from the first signs of labor through to the conversations you will have with your care team. Open any section to see what it covers.
Getting ready What to do in the weeks before labor.
- What to pack and what to prepare
- Signs that labor is approaching
- Questions to settle with your provider in advance
Early labor The part you spend at home.
- What early labor feels like and how long it usually lasts
- Resting, eating and conserving energy
- When to call your provider and when to go in
Warm-ups vs. real labor Telling them apart.
- Practice contractions and how they differ
- How to time contractions usefully
- What changes when labor establishes
Active labor The part where support matters most.
- What happens as labor intensifies
- Positions and comfort measures to try
- How a partner can help at each point
Birth and the first hours The end of labor and what follows.
- Pushing and the moments around birth
- What happens immediately afterwards
- Skin-to-skin and the first feed
Navigate conversations with your care team Talking with the people caring for you.
- Asking questions with confidence
- Sharing your preferences
- Making decisions together
How it works
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Enroll in the class
Check out securely and access the class through the BBU student portal.
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Learn at your own pace
Watch the lessons when it suits you, and revisit them as the birth gets closer.
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Practice together
Use the workbook to rehearse relaxation and comfort techniques with your partner.
Choose how you'd like to prepare
Take Intro to Childbirth on its own, or choose the All Access Class Pass for five core classes.
Optional upgrade: All Access Class Pass
The information every expecting parent deserves before baby arrives.
$149 total
Get all five classes for $52 more
| Preparing for Your Hospital Birth | $97 |
|---|---|
| Intro to Childbirth (this course) | $97 |
| Comfort Measures | $67 |
| Bringing Home Baby | $97 |
| Breastfeeding | $47 |
| Bought separately | $405 |
| Bundle total | $149 |
Save $256
A separate purchase you choose instead of the single class. Nothing is added to your order automatically.
Get all five classes for $149Questions, answered.
Who is this class for?
Anyone anticipating the birth of a baby, and the partner or support person who will be with them.
Is this class only for a hospital birth?
No. It covers what to expect at a hospital or a home birth. If you want the hospital specifics in more depth, Preparing for Your Hospital Birth goes further into protocols and options.
Can my partner take it with me?
Yes, and partners are encouraged to. The class is built so you can watch together.
When do I take the class?
Whenever it suits you. The class is online and self-paced, so you can watch on your own schedule and revisit the videos.
What's included?
Video lessons you can watch at your own pace, plus a downloadable workbook to practice and keep.
How is this different from the All Access Class Pass?
Intro to Childbirth ($97) is one class. The All Access Class Pass ($149) includes it plus Preparing for Your Hospital Birth, Comfort Measures, Bringing Home Baby and Breastfeeding.
Who can I contact with a question?
Email info@birthandbabyuniversity.com and the BBU team will help.
Go into labor understanding it.
Intro to Childbirth is $97, self-paced and about four hours.