Congratulations on your pregnancy, Mama! If you’re here, you’re likely considering doing a natural birth. Let me shoot straight with you: You’ll have a much better chance of success if you prepare ahead of time. Fortunately, there’s a great way to do that from home: the Mama Natural Birth Course.
(JSYK, all births are “natural,” no matter how they happen. All births are freaking miraculous. However, people often use “natural birth” to mean “unmedicated birth,” so I’ll be using the terms interchangeably throughout this post.)
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While 3 of my 4 births were unmedicated (this article goes into full detail about them), my first natural birth involved a lot of screaming and general panic. Basically, I wasn’t prepared. The only reason I didn’t end up with an epidural (like 70 percent of births in the United States) is because my baby came so fast that I didn’t have time to get one.
But during my next pregnancy, I realized that it wasn’t the pain that had me screaming and swearing, it was fear. I now knew 1. That about the time you start to panic, you’re almost done anyways, and 2. If I prepared for birth, I’d have an easier time.
I was determined to have a beautiful, empowered birth story. So I went to a lot of effort to prepare for this birth, and it paid off. I had a peaceful, strong labor where I was in control.
While I didn’t know about the Mama Natural Birth Course when I was pregnant I’ve learned more about it since then. This course is deeply thorough and empowering, and I want to review it so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Table of Contents
What is the Mama Natural Birth Course?
The Mama Natural Birth Course (MNBC) is a series of 8 video lessons preparing you for an unmedicated child birth (although it’s actually so much more than that. I’ll get to what all is included below).
In these classes, Genevieve, Mama Natural herself, works with Certified Nurse Midwife and Registered Nurse Maura Winkler to help you prepare for the most empowering birth experience possible. The classes have a fun, conversational tone that keep you engaged.
But more importantly, this course is designed to empower you. There are so many harmful narratives about birth out there – that it’s scary, that it is the worst pain ever, that it’s impossible without drugs… and frankly, a lot of birth education out there perpetuates this viewpoint.
Many hospital birth classes (including the one before my first labor) give a very dry, clinical description of what happens during birth. It’s all anatomy and physiology, and it’s pretty much assumed that you’re going to want the epidural. There’s very little about how you participate in the experience.
But the MNBC isn’t just about the physical. It’s also about the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of birth. This class trains your mind to accept the process and allow birth to happen. And trust me, that mindset is essential to having an empowered birth experience.
Best of all, the course isn’t just information with no chance to take action. There’s gentle exercise videos, practice videos to do with your partner, printable cheat sheets, and more.
Who is the Mama Natural Birth Course for?
The Mama Natural Birth course is for any pregnant person invested in an unmedicated childbirth. Whether you’re a first-time mom or an experienced mother, you’ll definitely benefit from this course.
Whether you’re planning for a hospital birth or a home birth, you’ll find helpful information from Mama Natural. She gives helpful tips for preparing for how to get the support you need, whether from a birthing partner or a doula.
And if you’re going to need a VBAC, Genevieve has you covered! There’s a bonus lesson specifically discussing how to handle vaginal birth after a Caesarian.
When to start this birth course
For most birth courses, I would recommend starting at the end of your second trimester. But with Mama Natural, I suggest starting as soon as possible.
The Mama Natural Birth course is a lot more than a birth course. There’s tons of info on pregnancy nutrition and coping with everything from pregnancy nausea to back and hip pain in the third trimester. So the sooner you get it, the more benefit you’ll get from it.
At the same time, you’ll still get a ton of value from this course even if you get it later in your third trimester. It is incredibly helpful for preparing you for natural birth, and there’s insightful postpartum tips on how to initiate breastfeeding, dealing with postpartum bleeding, and more.
What’s included in the Mama Natural Birth Course
As I mentioned before, the Mama Natural Birth Course isn’t just a dry recounting of facts. There’s a ton of content in this course. Here’s what is included:
8 video lessons
You’ll get immediate access to 8 lessons, each with both Genevieve and Maura there to guide you.
The first module is an introduction, letting you meet the ladies (and their partners) and showing you a natural birth experience.
In Module 2, you’ll learn how to prepare in body, mind, and spirit. While there’s great info about nutrition and exercise, there’s also ideas on how to connect mind and body.
Module 3 is all about your support team. You’ll learn how your husband or birth partner can support you, whether or not you should also get a doula, and how to make sure you and your healthcare provider are on the same page.
In Module 4, Mama Natural talks about early and active labor. You’ll learn how to recognize real labor, when to go to the hospital/birthing center, and what to do if your labor stalls out.
RELATED: Stalled out labor – what to do when your contractions stop
Module 5 is when things get really serious – transition and pushing. After 4 births, I can promise you that the most intense part of labor is transition. You’re going to want to know exactly what to expect. With its video content of real mothers going through transition and pushing, this module is GOLD.
But once your baby is out, labor isn’t quiiite over. There is a third stage of labor, and it’s the subject of Module 6. In addition, Maura (she’s also a certified lactation consultant) discusses your baby’s first breastfeed and the golden hour of cuddling your new baby.
Module 7 is for trouble shooting. There’s discussion of if your baby is breech or side-lying, what to do for either premature labor or being past your due date, and how to recognize if you really do need to allow a C-section or other interventions.
And finally, Module 8 is all about postpartum wellness. You’ll learn how to take care of your changed body, what to expect with your mood, and more.
RELATED: New mom must-haves for the fourth trimester
Practice videos with exercises and birth preparation
Each module contains exercises and practices to help you prepare for labor. You’ll gently strengthen your body and mind, plus you and your partner will learn how to move for comfort and positioning during labor.
Throughout the course, you’ll also get tips on how to (naturally) handle the pains and discomforts of pregnancy. Some of this help will come through these videos, but some of it will come from the nutrition tips of Module 2.
RELATED: Self-care for common pregnancy pains in the third trimester
Natural childbirth videos
Watch actual birth videos from multiple women, showing everything from early labor to when baby makes their appearance. These videos are realistic and empowering, letting you know how to handle any unexpected hiccups in your labor.
Birth affirmation pack with bracelet
While this course is online, you do get some physical gifts mailed to you as well! You’ll receive a pack of birth affirmations and a beautiful beaded bracelet.
You’ll often see people recommend a focal point to use during contractions. The mantras included in these physical birth affirmation cards give you a mental focal point, and the beautiful bracelet gives you a physical anchor to pay attention to during the most intense parts of labor.
Birth affirmation tracks
An important part of labor preparation is to change your mentality around birth. The media often portrays birth as a terrifying event to either scream through or avoid with drugs. The birth affirmation tracks provided in the course are designed to rewrite the narrative around birth as something to look forward to and join your body in.
RELATED: How to use meditation for labor and delivery
BONUS VBAC education
A natural birth after a previous Caesarian requires extra support. Fortunately, Maura and Genevieve help you learn if you’re a good candidate for VBAC, and if so, how to find a provider who will work with you.
Exclusive access to private Facebook group for support
Having support and camaraderie from other pregnant Mamas is so helpful for a natural labor. Just to hear other people’s stories and realize that yes, I can do it just like she did makes a big difference.
That’s why the Mama Natural Birth Course provides access to a private Facebook group. Plus, Genevieve and a certified doula will be around in the group to provide support and answer questions.
Breastfeeding master class
While breastfeeding is incredibly important to both your long-term health and your baby’s, it definitely has a learning curve.
Fortunately, Maura has added a BONUS 90 minute class on breastfeeding, on everything from the first latch after birth to weaning. You’ll learn what resources you can go to in your community, how to boost your supply, and more.
RELATED: Is my milk drying up? Help!
Pros and Cons of the Mama Natural Birth Course
There’s a lot to love about the Mama Natural Birth Course. For starters, it’s possibly the most comprehensive birth course out there. It’s honestly way more than a birth course, covering everything from pregnancy nutrition to how to breastfeed after baby arrives.
And while it’s a little pricey (still cheaper than many in-person classes out there), the course is likely covered by insurance through your FSA or HSA. Plus, the course is risk free. You can check the course out for 30 days, and if you decide it isn’t for you, there is a money-back guarantee.
The only real downside is that you only have a year of access to the course (instead of lifetime access). Obviously, if you’re only wanting it for one pregnancy, that’s not a problem. But if you think you’ll use the materials over multiple pregnancies, you may be disappointed.
At the same time, you’ll still have the birth affirmation cards afterwards, and you can download the audio affirmations. There’s several printable materials too, so if you print or download a copy of those before your year is up, you’ll have a lot of what you need for a subsequent pregnancy.
Conclusions on the Mama Natural Birth Course – Is it right for you?
There is so much info and support in the Mama Natural birth course. Hopefully, this review helps you make your decision about whether to get it.
Because here’s what I don’t want you to do. Don’t be on the fence about whether or not you’re going to have an unmedicated birth. I can tell you from experience that, if you are, one of two things will happen. You will either 1. Break down halfway through and just decide to get the epidural anyways, or 2. You will wish you had the epidural, but your baby will come so fast that it will be too late, and there will be a lot of unnecessary panic and anguish on your part.
But if you actively choose a natural birth, you need to own it and take control by preparing ahead of time. The Mama Natural Birth Course is the best online birth class out there to get you ready for the natural birth you want.
Click here to access the Mama Natural Birth Course now. You got this, Mama!
