Why Independent Birth Classes Are Better than Hospital Classes

Have you thought about doing a birth preparation class but aren’t sure which one is best for you?

It can feel really overwhelming trying to figure out where to get your information when it comes to your birth, especially with so many options out there. Should you do a hospital class or choose something independent?

I’ll admit it upfront—I’m biased! As an independent childbirth and early parenting educator, I’ve spent years teaching expectant parents how to approach birth with confidence and knowledge. My experience has shown me the clear benefits of independent birth classes over hospital-led ones. While hospital classes have their place, there are significant differences that I believe make independent classes a better option for many families.

I know some hospitals are now offering “independently created courses” but are they the same as attending classes with an independent educator?

IMHO… No!

Independent birth classes are a much better option for expectant parents, especially if you want to feel fully informed and empowered. The reason? Independent educators aren’t bound by hospital policies or contracts. They have the freedom to give you all the information you need, without having to stick to hospital guidelines that can limit your choices. Let’s dig into why that makes such a difference.

Hospital Classes: Limited by Policy and Liability

Hospital antenatal classes are often rooted in institutional policies and practices that may not fully align with evidence-based recommendations or the individual needs of expectant mothers. Research shows that the information provided in these classes can be heavily influenced by the hospital’s protocols, which may prioritise convenience or liability over personalized care.

The Impact of Hospital Culture on Birth Education

Hospital culture has a huge influence on how antenatal education is delivered. Midwives working within these institutions often feel constrained by hospital policies, which can mean the classes lean towards promoting medicalized birth practices, rather than a more natural or personalised approach. Take water for labour and birth, let alone water birth, for example. Despite the fact that it has so many proven benefits, it’s often discussed with caution or even discouraged in hospital classes. There’s a general hesitancy in hospitals to embrace non-medical pain relief options, even when the evidence supports them.

What’s more, hospital classes can end up creating a sense of reliance on medical interventions. There’s often a big focus on whet they can do for (to) you and “getting to the hospital”. This can leave women feeling less confident in their ability to manage labour without medical assistance, potentially leading to a cascade of interventions that could have been avoided if they had received more balanced education and support from the start.

Yes, some hospitals are now offering “independently created courses,” but even then, midwives still need to adapt these to fit within the hospital’s policies and culture. As a result, certain sections of the course might get “skipped” or downplayed altogether.

As Dr. Rachel Reed puts it, hospital classes can sometimes “groom” participants into compliance, nudging parents to follow hospital routines and procedures rather than empowering them to explore all their birth options and make informed choices that feel right for them.

I know this all too well because I was once a hospital midwife teaching antenatal classes. I was even “disciplined” because my class participants started asking more in-depth questions about their options, especially around natural births. The hospital wanted me to stick to the script, and that’s when I realised how restrictive these classes could be. And I’m not alone—studies back this up. Research from Australia found that midwives in hospitals often give advice based on hospital policies rather than presenting the full spectrum of choices that expectant parents should know about. (Newnham et al. 2017,  ‘It’s your body but…Mixed Messages in Childbirth Education)

Why I Left Hospital-Based Antenatal Education

In the end, I left hospital-based antenatal education because I just couldn’t teach the way I believed was best for the parents attending. The hospital environment made it impossible for me to provide the kind of balanced, evidence-based education that expectant parents really deserve. I felt like I was doing a disservice to the parents who came to my classes, trusting that they were getting the full picture. Parents deserve comprehensive information that helps them make informed decisions about their birth experience, and I knew I had to find a way to offer that.

Independent Classes: Freedom to Inform

By contrast, independent birth educators aren’t constrained by hospital protocols. This means they can offer evidence-based, unbiased information on all birth options. Whether you’re interested in natural birth, waterbirth, having minimal interventions in a hospital setting,  or preparing for an induction or caesarean independent classes give you the whole picture and ALL your options. They want you to make decisions based on what’s best for you and your baby, not what’s easiest for the hospital staff.

This freedom is so important when it comes to making informed choices.

Independent classes will also teach you all about the physiology and anatomy of labour and birth, empowering you to become the expert on your own body and birth process, rather than relying solely on hospital staff to guide your experience. This deeper understanding allows you to make informed decisions with confidence and take an active role in your birth journey.

Working with Pain, Not Against It

Here’s something most hospital classes won’t tell you: pain isn’t necessarily something to be feared or “fixed.” They also don’t tell you that so many “routine procedures”  make birthing much more painful.  It is so important to know what these are and to learn to work with your body during labour, rather than against it.

Hospital classes often leave people feeling the hospital is the only place where they will be able to “manage the pain,” which can create unnecessary stress. Worse still, it can lead to women arriving too soon at the hospital, which can lead to interventions you may not need, like being put on a clock for how long you should be in labour.

Independent classes, however, teach you how to manage early labour at home. The longer you can stay comfortable and in control in your own space, the better your chances of avoiding unnecessary interventions at the hospital. You’ll learn what YOU can do for YOU rather than what the hospital staff want to do for (to) you. All of this helps you manage pain naturally, stay relaxed, and move with your body’s rhythms.

Birth Partner Confidence

One of the huge benefits of independent birth classes is how much they focus on your birth partner’s role. In hospital classes, birth partners often feel like they’re on the sidelines, unsure of what to do. However, independent classes go out of their way to make sure that your partner feels prepared and confident. I’ve seen birth partners transformed by these classes. They learn how to offer real, hands-on support, both physically and emotionally, and they leave feeling empowered to help during labour.

I once had a midwife ask me, “What do you say to birth partners in your classes, Pip?” She noticed a big shift in how confident they were after attending my classes. That’s because I don’t just focus on the birthing woman—I ensure the birth partner knows they play a crucial role and have the skills to support their partner every step of the way.

Informed Consent and Empowerment

When it comes to giving birth, knowledge is power. And that’s where independent classes really shine. True informed consent means having all the information, not just what aligns with hospital policy. When you attend an independent birth class, you’ll learn about all your options, including what to do in early labour, so that you aren’t rushing to the hospital the moment your contractions start.

You will also learn you have options even when intervention is needed.

In my experience, parents who take independent birth classes walk away feeling confident, empowered, and ready to make the best decisions for their unique birth journey. They understand that they have options and don’t feel pressured into following hospital protocols that may not be right for them.

Why Does This Matter?

You might be wondering, “Why does it matter where I take a birth class? Isn’t the goal the same—preparing me for birth?” Well, yes and no. Both hospital and independent classes aim to prepare you for birth, but the scope and depth of information you’ll receive are worlds apart.

Independent classes cover a wide range of birth options, teach you how to work with your body, and empower your birth partner.

Independent birth education offers a more holistic, evidence-based approach that empowers women to make truly informed decisions. By choosing independent education, expectant mothers can gain a deeper understanding of their options, build confidence in their ability to give birth, and ensure that their birth experience aligns with their personal values and preferences. For those seeking a more personalised and empowering approach to childbirth, independent birth education is undoubtedly the better choice.

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