Mama Natural Birth Course Review (2026): Is It the Best Online Birth Course?
If you’re searching for an honest Mama Natural Birth Course review (or trying to figure out the best online birth course for an unmedicated birth), you’re in the right place. I’m a mom of three and a certified postpartum doula, and I took this course before my second natural birth after an OB told me an unmedicated delivery was “impossible.” In this updated 2026 review, I’ll break down what’s included, what I loved, what I didn’t, and who this online childbirth class is actually best for.
When it comes to preparing for an unmedicated birth, one of the smartest things you can do is take a childbirth education course that actually matches your goals.
If you’ve been searching for an online birth course review or trying to figure out whether the Mama Natural Birth Course is the right fit, you’re in the right place. This is my honest Mama Natural Birth Course review (updated for 2026), based on my personal experience taking the class before the birth of my second child.
As someone who had three natural childbirths in a local birth center (you can read about my first here, my second here and my third natural birth here), one of the biggest challenges I ran into was figuring out how to prepare for labor when I knew I truly wanted an unmedicated birth.
Childbirth can be treated like something that “happens to you,” especially in the United States. And if you’re hoping for an unmedicated birth (or just a lower-intervention experience), it can be surprisingly hard to find online childbirth classes that are both empowering and practical.
Natural childbirth classes are a game changer. They don’t just teach you what labor might look like. They help you build real confidence, understand what’s happening in your body, and give you practical tools you can actually use when things get intense. In my experience, good online childbirth classes can be just as helpful as in-person ones, especially when they’re structured well and include your partner.
In this post, I’ll break down what’s included, what I loved, what I didn’t, and who I think this course is best for.
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Additionally, I am not a medical professional and this post is not meant to be medical advice. I’m just a mom who is sharing information. All opinions are my own. Full disclaimer here.
Quick Verdict: Is the Mama Natural Birth Course Worth It?
If you’re preparing for an unmedicated birth and want a course that’s practical, encouraging, and comprehensive from pregnancy through postpartum, I think the Mama Natural Birth Course is absolutely worth considering. It’s one of the most complete online birth classes I’ve personally taken or reviewed, and it offers a lot more than the typical “here’s the stages of labor” content.
That said, it’s not for everyone. If you learn best in a live classroom setting, prefer real-time instructor feedback, or want lifetime access, you may want to compare a few other best online birthing classes before deciding.
Why I Took an Online Birth Course (Even After Taking an In-Person Class)
I took an in-person natural childbirth class before my first birth and genuinely loved it. It was through our birth center, and it helped both me and my husband feel confident and ready.
When we found out we were expecting again, I knew I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to broaden my knowledge of everything around natural childbirth, especially the mental side of labor, coping techniques, and what to do if things didn’t go exactly as planned.
The Mama Natural Birth Course was recommended to me by multiple friends, and honestly, one thing I kept hearing was, “You’ll feel so much more prepared.”
One of the things that resonated with me most when preparing for an unmedicated birth was something our doula told us: a huge part of giving birth without medication is mental. Your body is doing something powerful, but your brain needs support too. Having education and a plan can make a big difference in how you handle the intensity, especially once you hit transition.
And I’ll tell you from lived experience: when you’re in it, you do not want to be trying to piece together information in your head. You want tools you’ve practiced. You want a partner who knows how to help. You want confidence you can borrow when your brain starts spiraling.
What is the Mama Natural Birth Course?
The Mama Natural Birth Course is a self-paced, on-demand childbirth education program created by Genevieve Howland (Mama Natural) and Maura Winkler (a certified nurse midwife and lactation consultant).
They position it as a comprehensive course covering pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum, with a strong focus on natural coping strategies and informed decision-making. If you’re looking for online childbirth classes that go beyond basic labor education, this is one of the most robust options I’ve seen.
Who Teaches the Course?
The course is taught by:
- Genevieve Howland, creator of MamaNatural.com and author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Maura Winkler, a certified nurse midwife and IBCLC (lactation consultant), with extensive experience supporting families through birth and breastfeeding
The vibe is conversational and approachable. It feels like you’re learning with them, not being talked at.
How is the Mama Natural Course Structured?
The Mama Natural Birth Course includes 8 core lessons, plus an additional full breastfeeding class and a bonus section on VBACs. The majority of the course is taught through video lessons (over 10 hours to choose from). There are also real birth videos, stories, visual guides, and worksheets.
The course includes over 10 hours of instructional content, and if you’ve never watched real, supportive birth footage before, this is a big deal.
One of the best ways to reduce fear is to see what real unmedicated birth looks like when people are using coping tools and support. Not screaming movie birth scenes. Real births with breathing, movement, counterpressure, positioning, and rhythm.
My husband also said the birth videos helped him understand the intensity level of unmedicated labor in a way that reading never could. If you’re choosing between online birth classes, I think partner involvement is one of the biggest deciding factors.
What’s Included in the Course
In addition to the lessons, the course includes several bonuses, such as:
- A prenatal workout video
- Affirmation audio files (secular and religious)
- The Natural Labor Playbook (a step-by-step guide to laboring naturally)
- A pregnancy meal plan
- Cheat sheets and worksheets (including visual planning tools and symptom remedies)
- Access to a private Facebook group (which is great for building connections with other moms-to-be, too)
As a postpartum doula, I love when a course doesn’t end at “baby is born.” The postpartum and newborn basics matter, especially for first-time parents.
Mama Natural Birth Course Content: What You Actually Learn
Let’s break down everything that’s included in the Mama Natural Birth Course so you can decide if it’s the right online natural childbirth class for you.
One thing I loved about this online natural childbirth course is that you get right to the good stuff: the births!
Within the first part of the first lesson, you’re already watching birth footage and seeing coping techniques in action. That’s powerful. For me personally, seeing a variety of births helped reduce fear and anxiety and made it feel more doable.
The course covers topics such as:
- The mental side of unmedicated birth: This includes mindset, fear release, and how to stay grounded when labor gets intense. This matters more than people realize.
- Labor stages and what to do in each one: Early labor, active labor, transition, pushing, delivery, and immediate postpartum. It’s broken down in a way that feels practical, not overwhelming.
- Positions and comfort measures: Breathing, movement, labor positions, counterpressure, and natural pain coping techniques. The course encourages practice, which makes a huge difference.
Support team and provider choices
This section matters. Your provider and birth location can make or break your experience, especially if you’re trying to avoid unnecessary interventions.
I speak from experience. When I told my OB I wanted an unmedicated birth, she told me it was impossible because of a back injury. At my 8-week ultrasound she was already talking about scheduling a C-section.
I changed providers, moved to a birth center, and intentionally built a support team that aligned with my goals. I truly believe that decision changed my entire birth experience.
What happens if plans change during labor
I appreciated that the course doesn’t gloss over interventions, epidurals, and C-sections. Some natural birth classes barely mention this, which can leave you feeling unprepared and scared.
The Mama Natural course explains common interventions, how to think through options, and what alternatives you may be able to ask for depending on your situation. This section is one reason I’d call it one of the best online childbirth classes for people who want informed choice, not rigid perfection.
Postpartum and newborn basics
They cover postpartum recovery basics, newborn care, and the first days and weeks at home, which is especially valuable for new parents.
Genevieve takes time to cover the basics of newborn care (including diapering, swaddling, safe sleep and more) to help you feel even more prepared to bring that baby home, which is especially valuable for first time moms.
I actually chose to take a “moms to be” class with my first child because nearly none of this was covered during my in-person childbirth preparation classes (meaning an extra expense). The Mama Natural Birth Course includes this information, which is so valuable.
Breastfeeding course
This is a huge bonus. Breastfeeding is hard for most new moms, and many people feel unprepared.
The Mama Natural Birth Course includes a full breastfeeding class for free as one of the bonuses. This class teaches you everything you need to know to get started, including:
- Different breastfeeding positions
- How to help your baby latch
- Maintaining and increasing your milk supply
- The basics of pumping
- How to recognize and treat common breastfeeding/pumping problems
The Partner Content: “The Dudes” Segments
Every lesson includes a short segment from a partner’s perspective, with “The Dudes” (Papa Natural and friends). This is one of the things my husband liked most.
If your partner is going to be an active part of your labor, these segments are incredibly helpful. They teach what support looks like in real life and help partners feel less anxious and more capable.
If you’re comparing the best online birth course options, partner education is something I would prioritize.
Related Childbirth Posts:
- How to Reduce Labor Pain During Natural Childbirth
- FREE Positive Printable Birth Affirmation Cards To Get You Through Labor
- What is a Doula? The Benefits To Hiring a Doula for Childbirth
Mama Natural Birth Course Review Pros & Cons
PROS
Here are the things things I genuinely loved about this course:
- Conversational, engaging format
- Covers pregnancy through postpartum (not just labor)
- 10+ hours of content plus real birth videos
- Tools you can practice (not just theory)
- Strong partner support segments
- Covers interventions and C-sections in a balanced way
- Includes breastfeeding education
- Self-paced and flexible, which is helpful in real life
- Satisfaction guarantee
CONS
A few things to be aware of:
- Online only (no in-person instruction)
- Access is limited to a year, not lifetime
- If you learn best with live Q&A or physical materials, you might prefer a different style
Who This Online Course is For
In my opinion, this course is a great fit if:
- You want an unmedicated or low-intervention birth
- You’re looking for the best online birthing classes that include practical coping tools
- You want your partner to be an active support person
- You want comprehensive education beyond just labor stages
- You like learning through video and real-life demonstrations
- If you’re a first-time parent, it can be especially helpful because it includes newborn basics and breastfeeding support that many standard classes don’t cover.
Who It Might Not Be For
This may not be the best fit if:
- You learn best in person
- You want live instruction or real-time feedback
- You prefer lecture-style content rather than conversational teaching
That said, if you want flexibility and convenience, online childbirth classes can be a really good option, especially if local in-person classes are expensive or don’t align with your birth goals.
FAQ: Online Childbirth Classes and the Mama Natural Course
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this online childbirth course.
How Much Does the Mama Natural Birth Course Cost?
At the time of writing, the course is listed at $264.
For comparison, my in-person childbirth class with my first baby was $400, and the Mama Natural course covered more material overall. If you’re serious about preparing for an unmedicated birth, childbirth education is one of the most valuable investments you can make.
If you decide to choose a less expensive course, be sure that you aren’t sacrificing quality and important information at the same time. Remember: the Mama Natural Birth Course offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, too.
At this time there is not a Mama Natural Birth Course discount or any kind of promo code offered by their team.
Is the Mama Natural Birth Course the best online birth course?
It depends on your learning style and goals. If you want a natural birth-focused, partner-inclusive, comprehensive class, it’s one of the strongest options I’ve personally taken.
Are online birth classes actually worth it?
Yes, especially for families who want self-paced learning, partner involvement, and the ability to rewatch lessons. The value comes from practice and preparation, not just information.
What’s included in the Mama Natural Birth Course?
Core lessons on pregnancy and labor, real birth videos, partner segments, postpartum and newborn basics, a full breastfeeding class, worksheets, and additional bonuses.
Can this course help if you’re planning a hospital birth?
Yes. It includes education on navigating interventions and supporting a gentler hospital experience, not just home or birth center births.
Conclusion: Is the Mama Natural Birth Course Worth It?
If you truly want an unmedicated birth, preparing ahead of time is not optional. You don’t get a second chance to start labor over once it’s happening.
I labored for nearly two full days with my first baby. I know in my heart that I couldn’t have done what I did without the mental preparation and education I committed to ahead of time.
So, is the Mama Natural Birth Course worth it?
Yes. I loved it, I learned a ton even after taking an in-person class, and I recommend it to moms who want a supportive, practical, confidence-building approach to birth.
If you’re ready to invest in your birth preparation, you can find more information and enroll here:
If you have any remaining questions, just let me know in the comments! I’m cheering you on, mama. You’ve got this!
