Birthing Class Online: Guide & Online Course Overview

Pregnancy always marks a very special period in the lives of expectant parents. However, in addition to the anticipation of the baby, many questions and uncertainties arise around the topic of birth. Therefore, a birthing online couse can help first-time mothers without experience, but also pregnant women who already have children, to prepare the body optimally for the birth. Below you will find a list of known online offers and at the bottom useful information on choosing the right course.  

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Kinderheldin – Online courses Kinderheldin's live and online birth preparation courses are part of the Kinderheldin membership and prepare you for your birth step by step. The course consists of several units and you can join at any time. Members also have access to individual support from experienced midwives 365 days a year.

49 €

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What should you look for when choosing a class and what contents are important?  

In the nine months leading up to birth, a woman’s body performs a miracle. Each day the baby grows in the womb of the expectant mother and so does the joy of the new little family member. However, the closer the birth date gets, the more insecurities and fears can arise. You start asking yourself questions like: Will everything go well during the birth? What do you have to keep in mind when dealing with the baby? How will the new family routine look like? 

A comprehensive birth preparation and all the important information for expectant mothers can only be provided by knowledgeable professionals who have made a lot of experiences in this field. Therefore, birth preparation courses both on-site and online are usually offered by midwives because trained and experienced midwives know what they are talking about when it comes to birth preparation and they can prepare you accordingly for this special event. 

Before you decide to take a birthing online course, you should carefully check who offers it and what qualifications the provider of the course has. Unqualified providers can deepen your fears and uncertainties. Moreover, they cannot give medically based advice. That’s why professional competence is certainly the most important basis for decision-making when choosing the right online course for birth preparation.  

Another important criteria is that you feel well taken care of and in good hands, just as you would with an on-site birthing class. Even if you don’t have any personal contact with the instructor in an online birthing class, the website, the e-mail contact and perhaps also an initial telephone conversation should give you a sense of security. In other words, if you feel safe and calmed, you have made the right choice

Difference online birthing class vs. on-site birthing class 

Birthing classes that are offered online by midwives provide almost the same support for expectant mothers as on-site birthing classes. The biggest difference is that the course does not take place in a midwife’s office or other physical setting. Instead, you get in touch with the course instructor via digital media or you follow the course content via videos or a streaming service. 

Basically, the personal exchange does not come too short! Because in most cases the head midwife is available for the online course participants. In addition, questions can be asked not only verbally, but also in writing by e-mail. Therefore, you don’t have to renounce on an answer online. Moreover, with written communication you have the advantage to look up the answers at any time and read them again and again.  

However, not only the exchange with the course instructor, but also conversations with other expectant parents are important for many pregnant women. Some online birthing classes take this into account and have set up special platforms for participants. On the website you will find, for example, discussion forums with questions from pregnant women that have already been asked to the midwife, including answers. Reading these blogs and forums is certainly also exciting and inspiring for you. 

When is a good time to start an online birthing class?  

Usually, a birthing online course is started from the 28^th week of pregnancy. Accordingly, the capacities of midwives are limited and the courses are often fully booked. Therefore, pregnant women have to decide much earlier where they want to hold their course. The registration should be submitted as soon as possible, otherwise all free spots in the on-site birthing classes are quickly filled. 

You should also have in mind that it can be difficult if you have to move unexpectedly during your pregnancy. It can happen that at your new place all courses are already fully booked. In such cases an online birthing class is a good alternative because it offers more flexibility and it helps you to still get a professional childbirth preparation as you need.   

Nevertheless, as a first-time mother you are curious even before the 28^th week of pregnancy and you can’t wait to learn more. Many expectant mothers would like to be prepared when the birth of the baby is very close, even before they are in the last trimester of pregnancy and that’s why they start earlier with birthing classes so that all existing and emerging questions can be answered. 

If you feel the same way, an online birthing class would be ideal for you, as you can take it any time you want to. This way, you can not only satisfy your curiosity, but you can also get in anticipation for the birth at an early stage – and an online birthing class does not exclude an additional on-site birthing class. 

What is the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on birthing classes? 

The outbreak of the global COVID19 pandemic in March 2020 has also turned the lives of expectant parents upside down. As a result, midwifery practices were suddenly closed and many birthing classes  had to be discontinued. Even though the situation has eased and most local courses are taking place again after the temporary “lockdown”, a certain degree of uncertainty remains. 

Safety and hygiene measures and the permitted numbers of participants still vary from state to state. And if the infection numbers increases, you could again have difficulties finding a class. Not to mention the risk of infecting yourself or others during the class.  

Midwives across Germany are also aware of the challenges of the current situation. For this reason, many of them have already decided to expand their original offering of online courses. So the online birthing class model is catching on, and for a good reason! In the following section, you will learn what advantages a course on the Internet offers you. 

What advantages does a birthing class on the Internet offer you? 

A birthing online course has a number of advantages for expectant mothers and their partners. First of all, you can take the course whenever you want, according to your own wishes and time. Especially, in the exciting time before birth, the online model is very convenient and leaves you room for relaxation. In addition, in “Covid times” you can carry out the course safely from your own home, putting neither yourself nor others in danger.  

Below are listed eight reasons to take the online birthing class: 

1. Flexibility: You can do the course at your own pace. So, you can look at the content when you find time in your everyday routine and when you feel like it. Furthermore, in case of nausea or headaches you can also take an evening off with a clear conscience! 

2. Repeatable: Thanks to the video content, you can watch the exercises for birth preparation as many times as you like and practice them until you master them perfectly.  

3. You are not alone: In fact, you can do the online birthing classes with your partner or another person who will accompany you in a supportive way. This is especially good if your partner has long working hours and is not always available.  

4. No waiting times: You don’t have to adhere to registration deadlines or accept waiting lists. Moreover, online courses are always available and almost never fully booked. Nevertheless, it still makes sense to inform yourself as soon as possible, especially if you prefer a course with live transmission.  

5. You start when you want: You decide for yourself when you want to start your birthing class online. This gives you the opportunity to start your birth preparation even before your 28th week of pregnancy. 

6. No Childcare needed: If you already have children, you don’t have to worry about additional childcare during the course hours because you can do the online birthing class from home.   In addition, there are some advantages that are particularly relevant in the Covid-19 pandemic:  
7. Convenient: No long drives to the midwife’s office. You can stay in the cozy living room when it rains or snows. Doesn’t that sound like a dream? You can make yourself really comfortable at home while you do your birthing class online. 
8. You take no risks: Even if you follow all the rules like keeping your distance, paying attention to your hygiene and wearing a mask, courses with physical activity, heavy breathing and several participants pose a possible risk of a covid infection. But with an online birthing class, you are guaranteed to stay safe and protect yourself and others! 

How much does a birthing class online cost? 

The cost of an online birthing class varies greatly. Beside some free courses on well-known video platforms, there are also courses offered by experienced midwives and midwifery practices for which a user fee is charged. Although, when you choose, you should consider the following: Qualification and trustworthiness come before cost! This means that you should rather take a paid course than cut back on the preparation for such an important and significant stage of life. 

Moreover, many health insurance companies offer the option of having the fees reimbursed in full or in part. In the following section, you can read whether and to what extent this also applies to online courses. 

Cost absorption by health insurance 

Nowadays some health insurance companies cover some or even all of the costs for an online birthing class. It is best to find out at the beginning of your pregnancy which birthing classes are covered by your health insurance. If the costs are only partially reimbursed, ask about the amount of cost sharing – especially if, for various reasons, a normal birthing class cannot be attended and the online birthing class is your only alternative. 

Even if you have to pay the full amount or just a part for an online birthing class by yourself, the investment is worthwhile for many pregnant women, as you save the travel costs to and from the course or possible costs for a babysitter. Your partner can also take part in the course for free. It is therefore always an individual consideration whether the costs for a birthing class online are worthwhile for you or not. 

If you wish, you can also take advantage of different variations of birth preparation. However, you should keep one thing in mind: If your health insurance covers all or part of the costs for an online birthing class, it may not pay for another course on site. So, if one course is not enough for you, you would have to bear the costs of an additional course yourself.  

How long does an online birthing class take? 

The birthing online courses differ in duration and playing time. In addition, the exercises can be repeated as often as desired. That’s why it is difficult to determine an exact course time for each course. Anyway, the sessions are usually no longer than 15 minutes but depending on the provider, there may be lessons that last up to an hour. You should expect that a course should be visited or accessed online 1-2 times a week on average. Due to the flexible retrievability, you can divide the course units as you wish and retrieve them at your desired times. 

Are there online birthing classes for free?  

Basically, all providers charge a fee for their advice and professional preparation for birth. If you don’t receive any support from your health insurance and still want to prepare yourself for the birth, you can find many tips and exercises on the Internet for free. These will probably not be as intensive, but they will definitely give you an insight. A little tip: The online birthing class from Mami-First is available for as little as €19 (see above for details). 

Online birthing classes and Covid  

Since it is important to us that our visitors have the best user experience, we make it a priority to ensure that all providers have sufficient resources available to provide you with the best possible birth preparation even during the current pandemic. Since an online course is completely contact free and does not require an appointment, you can safely do your birth preparation from home – despite Covid – without any obstacles. 

More courses for the time after birth  

We are very pleased that we were able to support you in choosing a birthing online course and we have many continuing courses on our platform to help you get fit and back in shape again. For this purpose, there are specially developed online postpartum courses. You can also find many other sports courses in our sports section.  

Our conclusion: Well prepared with an online birthing class!  

Today an online birthing class is the first choice for many pregnant women and their partners when it comes to preparing for the birth and the first weeks with the baby. It helps you to overcome uncertainties and doubts and to find answers to all your questions. Hence, an online course offers you the possibility to prepare for the birth flexibly from home – especially at “Covid times” this is an invaluable advantage! 

In summary, you should always make sure to choose an online birthing class that is conducted by qualified midwives. Regardless of this, in many cases the health insurance companies will reimburse the costs fully or just a part. So, nothing stands in the way of a relaxed birth and a wonderfully happy postpartum!