Mom has a very successful VBAC delivery. Photo Credit/ Lindsey Meehleis, midwife

Why should I pay for this LOVE YOUR BIRTH course instead of just doing the free one my hospital offers, scrolling through social media and reading some books, or a taking a typical childbirth education series?

This is a common question when it comes to paying for childbirth education that falls outside of your free hospital classes or scrolling social media.

First of all, scrolling brief videos, captions and comments on social media is no substitute for a comprehensive preparation class series. It is fine and encouraged to immerse yourself in positive birth stories in adjunct to a full preparation course with certain caveats, but by itself, is not preparation at all for what you need to know to succeed in having the birth you want in today’s western society. Also, a brief video of a beautiful birth can give you a false sense of time as it does not include the hours or days of labor that proceeded it all nor does it give you any tools for doing that yourself. That positive birth experience took work, loads of preparation, and practice so tools become habitual and effective when the going gets tough, a certain mindset you may not yet have due to how we are cultured, especially if it was a first baby or VBAC. Scrolling social media pictures and videos of birth actually alone does a disservice as you might think something is wrong or feel like a failure if you don’t have a birth like that. And what about preparation, information and support for everything else, the issues, common experiences and interventions in pregnancy, birth through to postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care you did not know existed?

So what makes this course so much different? Truth be told: In almost 3 decades of practice, having attended > 1000 births, I have never had to transfer a mom who could not handle the sensations of normal labor from home to hospital. Not once. It’s the way I encouraged the mamas in my practice to prepare & shift their mindset. They come from all walks of life & don’t have different bodies. Also, I track my stats. My cesarean rate is 5%, my transfer from home to hospital is 7% - mostly from prolonged stuck labors and exhaustion after trying everything from A to Z, with the common denominator of lack of adequate preparation. I was blown away by these stats, so much so, to have a homebirth in my practice - especially for first time mamas or first time vaginal birthers planning a HBAC, it’s a requirement to take a comprehensive prep course like mine. The course has been designed by me, a holistic midwife, doula, childbirth educator, and yoga teacher with over 29 years of authentic midwifery experience and includes the way I help mamas in my practice succeed in having the healthy beautiful birth they want. That is what I want for YOU. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned, trained and supported thousands of women with in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge and experience into creating something truly special for you.

VIdeo clip by @moanafilmes, taken by mama's sister @danicamata

I designed these lessons to cover everything you can possibly imagine, including preparing your mind, empowering yourself by learning and practicing the techniques of coping and relaxation, through to the physical aspects of labour and birth, and on into postpartum and breastfeeding. I cover how to tap into your strength, your power and your joy, so that you can not only ROCK but also LOVE your journey however it unfolds, whatever challenges you may face.

Your hospital classes will cover the bare minimum of what you need to know about the mechanics of giving birth, touch briefly on how to deal with it, and talk more about epidurals and cesarean births. There is likely to be discussion about the hospital policies and the forms you will have to sign.

Most independent childbirth courses focus exclusively on the process of birth, many do not include pregnancy, some don’t even include postpartum, newborn care and breastfeeding. Also they don’t go into much depth about everything in your life that has come before that will affect how you experience these things, as well as how these things will change who you are fundamentally. They don’t necessarily focus on YOU as a whole, but you as a pregnant human being. They don't usually focus on how you can birth with pleasure, tap into your sensuality and capabilities as a women, and really treasure your experience however it plays out. This all impacts childbearing and having a safe, deeply positive, rewarding, transformative and even joyful experience.

Independent courses do not often incorporate all the varied the skills I teach in mindfulness, breath work, meditation, and visualization, which help tremendously in childbirth and the journey of motherhood. They do not often incorporate the wisdom and knowledge of a seasoned midwife who has helped thousands of childbearing families in close to three decades.

The Love Your Birth video e-course, with links and comprehensive downloads, I developed prepares you for YOUR birth. It address the needs of your your mind, body, heart, and spirit so you feel fully ready to birth your baby your way! I work to empower you to labor and birth your baby on your terms, and LOVE your experience.

I’m having an obstetrician or hospital midwife attend my birth, won’t they tell me everything I need to know?

This is course for planning a birth in all settings: home, brith center or hospital. Even if you are planning an epidural…as they do not always come when you want it, you have to still deal with pregnancy, postpartum, newborn care and breastfeeding, as well as labor before you get the epidural, and birth when dose is often lowered. Also epidurals do not always work, or work partially like on one side, not the other. There is no reason you can’t do this course and also receive care from an obstetrician, doctor or other midwife. Knowledge is power as is tuning into your incredible inner wisdom! The more you know with your entire being, the more likely you will have the birthing outcome you desire.

Obstetricians are amazing at what they do and are who you want on hand if something goes so wrong that medical/surgical intervention is needed. Many mamas who take my course have told me they found their voice and spoke up; some have really created wonderful change for themselves, their doctors and staff. One mama told me she was able to have the birth of her dreams after convincing her obstetrician to attend her natural childbirth at home! This is amazing as he did this even though he had no experience in natural birth or homebirth - his expertise was mostly cesarean birth, or highly medicated birth; he is a changed man and I have no doubt that this experience impacts his care for other pregnant women in his practice. Mamas must be the change.

But most healthy pregnancies and births DON’T go wrong and that’s what this online course prepares you for! It prepares you for the normal birth most women are designed to have. And it prepares you to really enjoy it.

I’ve read some books, is it really necessary to do a childbirth class?

Yes! Books are great. Like My Natural Birth Secrets books 2nd edition. It is not at all meant to replace my Love Your Birth course as it is really different and best used in adjunct to it. My book includes in depth discussions on the hot topics so you can make informed decisions regarding what is best for you, as well as a comprehensive resource of effective holistic and natural remedies for all the common issues, discomforts and ailments throughout the whole journey. for sure READ, and read and read! Definitely read what interests you and what makes you excited.

The difference with doing my LOVE YOUR BIRTH childbirth education course is that if follows a thorough curriculum and you are guided by a professional through your entire journey. You are given the tools necessary for really preparing yourself for the unknowns of labor, childbirth and beyond as best that you can, and feel deeply positive about it even embrace the unexpected, when things did not turn out as planned.

I really want a natural birth but am afraid of pain. How will this help prepare me?

The best preparation is a solid education, and frequent practice of learned coping and relaxation techniques, so you can easily tap into them during labor or any life challenge. But it must include doing more of what you desire and tapping into your sensual so that you are living and birthing from a place of deep joy. I take you on a journey through your mindset shift to help you prepare mentally for the sensations of childbirth, which transforms your experience. I take you on a journey as I help the mamas in my practice (without the hands on care) from their first visit, through labor, birth until their final postpartum visit...and beyond.

I work through common worries and concerns to help you be as prepared as possible for your birth. Discussion of normal physiological childbirth and what your mind, heart and body experience during each stage helps to alleviate fear surrounding childbirth and your path to motherhood.

I’ve given birth before and experienced trauma, how might this be helpful to me?

By taking control of your childbirth education and honing skills that empower you to relax and cope, you can be more in control of your experience. Nothing can take away from the experiences you have already had and no one birth can replace another. Professional help may be needed to healthfully heal (I offer this help via personal consultation, which can be scheduled separately or bundled with the course). However, by being as informed and prepared as possible, shifting your mindset and doing more of what you love, you can go into your labor and birth feeling confident and assured....and excited. Your beautiful healthy birth can be a huge healing and redemptive experience you will treasure forever.

What else will I get if I register for this course, besides videos?

You will get supplemental materials to help you along on your journey. You will receive a downloadable workbook with prompts to encourage you to think deeply about the process and to give you starting points for conversations with your partner and care providers. You will receive an e-book, written by me (many families in my practice call it their pregnancy bible), on how to achieve optimal health during your pregnancy and beyond. You will receive a handout with specific tips on managing nausea, one of the most frequent discomforts of pregnancy. My main resource on holistic remedies for common ailments pregnancy through postpartum is the Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition. In the online course you will receive a list of my top-recommended resources. You will receive links to awesome movies and resources, such as how to have a birth that is ecstatic. And so much more!

Final thoughts:

The Love Your Birth video e-course can help you to feel stronger, more empowered, confident and upbeat — not just to deal with the challenges of labor and of life as a mom, but also embrace them with a deeper sense of joy and grace. It will enhance your education so that you know the questions to ask your care providers in order to have a wonderfully positive experience. I discuss the pros and cons of interventions and what they mean for you, your baby and your birth. I include tips for your partner to use for him or herself, and to help you best deal with the experience as well. When you are armed with knowledge, an ideal perspective and skills that work, you can approach your birth with the utmost confidence and excitement, and experience profound pleasure along this special rite of passage — your journey of a lifetime.

Let Me Help You Create The Happiest Birth Experience Of Your Life...

Whether you're a first time or experienced momma,

Or a midwife, doula, or birth professional guiding mommas..

Regardless if you are planning a birth at home, a hospital, a birth center or need a cesarean section, or if you are taking another childbirth education class…

You Really Can Create The Delivery Of Your Dreams.

And have a blissful birth wherever you are.

More Precious Than A Wedding...A Birth Should Be A Celebration!

Let me show you how to…

Understand the sensations of your body and connect your intuition with how your body is communicating and leading you towards what to do during labor
Tap into your inner calm to deeply relax yourself,letting go of busy, stressful and fearful thoughts on demand for the health of baby
Speak your truth from your heart in a way that deepens your relationships, sets clear boundaries, and has people listen to you and support you before, during and after pregnancy
Trust yourself, connect with your body wisdom andcommunicate with baby in belly
Connect with natural time and sync your body and mind up with your unique biological clock for ease from pregnancy to postpartum
Reprogram negative patterns, stories, and beliefs that undermine your confidence, strength and self trust so you can rock your birth

Physicians and midwives around the world recommend my teachings to their pregnant clients and many Doulas across the country learn the secrets of blissful birthing from me to supplement their Doula Training & Certification process!

To learn more, visit: LOVE YOUR BIRTH Online Childbirth Course!

It is based on my years of experience, as a midwife and yoga teacher, helping thousands of women tap into their calm and live and birth from a place of grounded relaxation and joy.

Childbirth Class FAQ

Anne Margolis