Reviewed: Best Online Birthing & Childbirth Classes for 2023

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Written by Gina Wagg BA, Dip.

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Birthing classes have come a LONG way since they first appeared on the internet, and now there are a few of them that are equal to, if not better than attending classes in person.

If you can’t attend in-person prenatal classes right now, don’t worry – you have some great options!

The full reviews of the best online birth classes are below, but if you just want to know what the top ones are that I recommend, then you can skip to those here:

Otherwise, read on for full reviews and breakdowns on all you need to know about the online birthing classes, and what to expect when you sign up to one.

Online Birthing Classes Vs In Person

Current world events aside (which may mean your class has been canceled), there are some advantages you may not have thought of when choosing an online birthing course over an in-person one:

  • Flexibility is the main advantage – online birthing class means that you can learn at your own pace, in your own time, at home.
  • You can get a more specialized course to fit your needs. By default many traditional classes have to appeal to a broad range of women, but if you definitely want to go natural or if you just want a course for hospital births only, there are specialized courses for that.
  • Repeating or replaying videos or classes online is a huge advantage, if you miss anything or have to pause for any reason. It also means you can take thorough notes and make checklists.
  • It’s embarrassment-free! Too afraid to stick your hand up in person and ask what you think is a dumb question, or just something gross you’re curious about? Most online birthing courses let you message your instructor privately, to get answers to things you were afraid to ask!
  • Community support – many classes offer you a private forum or Facebook group to connect to other pregnant women and couples taking the same path as you, so you don’t miss out on the social and sharing aspect of learning together.
pregnant woman taking online birth class

Are Online Birthing Classes Any Good?

It used to be difficult to get a quality online birthing class, because they were held back by the tech. Now that video filming, editing, producing and streaming is much better, the quality has gone up massively.

If you’re unable to attend an in-person class or would rather learn at home with your partner in your own time, many online classes are easily up to the standard of in-person ones. Many instructors offer both.

Finally, there are now LOTS of expert instructors in this space. Medically-qualified doctors, nurses and experts are now putting their knowledge into the online course format, and you also get one-to-one questions and conversations with many of them as part of their course.

That said, there are still some poorer quality online classes, which is why I’ve put this article together to review the ones that are high quality and good value. Here are the best online birthing classes in each category:

The Best Birthing Class for Couples:
Pulling Curls

Who Teaches The Course?

Pulling Curls offers an online birthing class for couples, taught by Hilary Erickson, a Labor and Delivery nurse. She’s also a mom of three.

Hilary is ACLS, NRP and AWHONN fetal monitoring certified, and has over 18 years’ experience in delivering babies.

Who Is It For?

The Pulling Curls online childbirth course is aimed primarily at couples who are expecting to have a hospital birth. Since over 98% of births happen in hospitals (source: CDC), this is likely to be a good fit for most couples.

You’ll know exactly what to expect, what tests you’ll undergo, how to know you’re in labor, labor pain management, and many more things from the ‘insider’ view of a delivery nurse.

Hilary from Pulling Curls

What Will I Get?

You’ll get over 11 video lessons, and a 100+ page ebook. There are three tiers, and the Deluxe course means you can interact with Hilary during the course and also ask questions in the private Facebook group, too – a bit like having your own private nurse.

If you don’t want to go for the full course, you can get a stand-alone ebook and couples’ workbook on their own. There’s also a free course to see if it’s for you, and a money-back guarantee.

Click here to check out Pulling Curls Online Childbirth Course For Couples.

Best Value Online Childbirth Classes: Mommy Labor Nurse

Who Teaches The Course?

Leisel Teen has been a Registered Nurse for five years and has specialized in Labor and Delivery for the last three. She’s also a mom (hence the name!)

Who Is It For?

The Mommy Labor Nurse courses focus on specific course “editions” depending on what you want for your birth. There’s one for women who know they definitely want an epidural, and one for women who want a more natural birth. Both have a slant towards hospital births.

There are also other mini-courses available, and you can get LOTS bundled together in her all-access pass.

Mommy Labor Nurse - Liesel Teen

What Will I Get?

The focus here is on value – the Mommy Labor Nurse courses are at lower price points than almost any others online, but still pack in an awful lot of in-depth information and videos from a qualified nurse.

You can even get 10% off by using our exclusive coupon code: PREGNANCYFOODCHECKER

The courses average over 30+ lessons and one or two ebooks, depending on the bundle you choose. There’s also a private Facebook community group where you can connect with Liesel and other pregnant people who are also taking the course.

All courses have a money back guarantee, too.

Click here to check out the Mommy Labor Nurse Courses

Best Childbirth Class for a Natural or Home Birth: Mama Natural

Who Teaches The Course?

The Mama Natural Birth Course is taught by Genevieve Howland, who runs the Mama Natural blog, and Maura Winkler, who is both a Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife).

Who Is It For?

As you can guess from the title, the focus here is on natural childbirth. Unlike many other online birthing courses, there are sections dedicated to home births (for example, in a water bath) and birthing centers, rather than just hospitals.

If you want a non-hospital birth, I’d say this is the most comprehensive course with that particular focus.

Finally, there’s a decent amount of content for the dads, too!

What Do I Get?

The course is a comprehensive 8-part video series, with some bonuses too. You get interactive videos (with exercises to follow), cheat sheets, resource guides, and affirmations. Courses cover everything from mindset at the start, to breastfeeding classes at the end.

There are also tips on ‘naturalizing’ the process if you do need medical or hospital intervention, to help you remain empowered throughout birth.

You’ll also get assigned a ‘student group’ moderated by a Certified Doula, plus access to a private Facebook Group. 10% of all profits go to charity.

Click here to check out the Mama Natural Birth Course

Best Birthing Class for a Natural Hospital Birth: Kopa Birth

Who Teaches The Course?

The main Kopa Birth course instructor is Katie Griffin, a mom of 6 and a Registered Nurse. She’s also a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. Other parts of the course are taught by experts in their particular field, such as a Certified Personal Trainer for fitness teaching.

Who Is It For?

Kopa Birth has one central focus, and that’s women who want to have a natural childbirth in hospital setting. Medical interventions are covered, but in the context of preparing to go as natural as possible.

What Do I Get?

The course has over 8 modules, and 12+ hours of instruction. Uniquely, there’s also a ‘mock labor experience’ so you fully know what to expect!

You’ll also get a 100+ page course manual, and access to a private Facebook community group with fellow course participants. There’s also a money-back guarantee, too.

Click here to check out the Kopa Birth Online Childbirth Class.


Overall, there are still high-quality options if you either can’t, or prefer not to attend antenatal classes in person.

With an online course, you can still learn LOTS about the type of birth you want, and feel fully prepared for any eventuality, in the hands of clinical childbirth experts.

When you’re in preparation mode for pregnancy, don’t forget to check out the 7 best Pregnancy Cookbooks that are available at the moment, too.