Childbirth Education for Confident Birth Experiences.
Learn what to expect during labor, birth, and the early postpartum period with guidance from experienced doulas and birth educators. Our classes are practical, hands-on, and judgment-free so you and your partner feel prepared, informed, and supported every step of the way.
Our Teaching Approach
Our childbirth education is grounded in evidence-based information, real-world experience, and hands-on practice. We keep our classes supportive, inclusive, and easy to understand so you can walk into labor feeling prepared—not overwhelmed. Every family, every birth, and every learning style is different, so we focus on practical tools you can actually use, from early labor at home through the first days postpartum with your baby.
At SoCal Doulas, we believe every family deserves to step into birth feeling confident, informed, and supported. Our birth classes are designed to meet you where you’re at—whether it’s your first baby or your fourth—so you can understand what to expect during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. Our educators break down the information in a simple, practical, and judgment-free way while helping you explore your options and preferences for your birth experience.
Once you complete our brief intake form, we’ll send you the registration link and class schedule that fits your needs..
Birth & Labor Preparation Classes.
Inside the Birth Class
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Labor & Birth Preparation
Covers:
Stages & phases of labor
What contractions actually do
What to expect at home vs. hospital
Hospital procedures & common interventions
Options for pain management (medicated & unmedicated)
How birth plans & preferences work in real-time
Ideal for: first-time parents, VBAC hopefuls, and anyone wanting to understand the full birth process.
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Comfort Measures & Pain Relief Techniques
Covers:
Breathing techniques for each labor phase
Positions that help progress labor
Counter-pressure, hip squeezes, and hands-on touch
Heat, water, TENS unit, rebozo work, and movement
Partner support tools & communication
How to create a calmer birth environment
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Medical Options & Advocacy
Covers:
Induction methods (when, why & how)
Epidurals & nitrous oxide
Assisted delivery (vacuum, forceps)
Cesarean birth basics & gentle cesarean options
How to communicate with your care team
Informed consent, risks & alternatives
Empowers families to make informed decisions rather than reactive ones.
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Postpartum & Fourth Trimester Planning
Covers:
What immediately happens after birth
Golden hour + skin-to-skin
Newborn procedures
Feeding options (formula, breastfeeding, combo)
Sleep expectations for the newborn period
Emotional and physical recovery after birth
When to call for help & who to call
Helps families prepare for reality, not fantasy.
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Partner Support Training
Covers:
How partners can help reduce pain
What to say (and what not to say)
Roles during induction, labor, & postpartum
Tools for reducing stress & decision fatigue
How to support feeding & recovery after birth
Designed to make partners feel confident and useful, not sidelined.
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Hospital Logistics & What to Expect
Covers:
Admission and check-in
Triage, EFM, and vitals
When to go to the hospital
Understanding handoffs and staffing
What happens in postpartum recovery
This one is extremely valuable for first-time parents.
Why Families Love Our Classes
Enhance Your Knowledge | Make Informed Decisions | Practice Hands-On Techniques | Build Confidence With Your Partner | Enjoy a Supportive Environment
Our classes give expectant parents real-world tools for labor, comfort measures, pain management options, hospital or home birth workflows, and postpartum recovery. Families leave class feeling empowered to communicate with their care team, prepare their birth plan, and navigate decisions based on their goals and values—not fear or uncertainty.
Childbirth education can now be covered under California’s doula benefit. That means your birth preparation classes may be paid for through Medi-Cal and participating Medi-Cal managed care plans with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Are Birth Classes Covered by Insurance?
Coverage can include:
• childbirth education
• labor preparation classes
• prenatal doula support
• postpartum doula support
SoCal Doulas currently accepts select plans throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego County. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we’re happy to verify it for you.
Class Schedule & Enrollment
Our childbirth education classes are held every Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM and run on a rotating cycle. This means you can begin at any point in the rotation and continue attending until you’ve completed the full circuit of topics. This flexible model makes it easy for families to join when they’re ready, rather than waiting for a new series to start.
Tuition is $195 per couple for private pay, or the series may be billed through insurance as six prenatal doula visitsunder California’s doula benefit. If you are using insurance or Medi-Cal coverage, your childbirth education classes will be counted and billed underneath your doula benefit package—often with little or no out-of-pocket cost..