“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,”
- John Kabat-Zinn
Mindful Birthing
A mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting class
Mindful Birthing is a small-group childbirth and parenting class that helps expectant parents approach birth and parenting with greater confidence, clarity, and emotional steadiness. Through mindfulness training, practical education, and reflective conversation, participants learn how to meet the intensity and unpredictability of labor with grounded presence. The goal is to give you inner resources to help you navigate whatever may unfold during birth and early parenthood.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout the course, we explore both the practical and emotional aspects of childbirth, including:
• Understanding the physiology of labor and birth
• Working skillfully with pain, fear, and uncertainty
• Mindfulness practices for labor and parenting
• Navigating decision-making and communicating with care providers
• Partner support and teamwork during labor
• Preparing for postpartum recovery and early parenting
Participants leave with practical tools they can use during pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period.
Who This Class is For
This class is designed for expectant parents who
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want a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to birth preparation
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are looking for tools to work with fear and anxiety about labor and birth
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want to feel more prepared and connected going into birth
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want strategies for stress reduction in pregnancy and postpartum
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want tools that that will serve them beyond pregnancy and birth to the postpartum period and beyond
Course Structure
This class is designed for expectant parents who
-
want a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to birth preparation
-
are looking for tools to work with fear and anxiety about labor and birth
-
want to feel more prepared and connected going into birth
-
want strategies for stress reduction in pregnancy and postpartum
-
want tools that that will serve them beyond pregnancy and birth to the postpartum period and beyond
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I take this class during pregnancy? This is entirely based on your preference, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both taking it earlier in your pregnancy and later. The course is 9 weeks long, so if you want to make sure you finish before your due date, you may want to start before 32 weeks. That said, the course includes education on newborn care and early parenting, and parents who have their babies before the course is over are encouraged to continue attending.
Do I need prior meditation experience? Not at all. Many participants are completely new to mindfulness or meditation. The practices are introduced gradually and are designed to be accessible even if you have never meditated before. The goal is not to become a “perfect meditator,” but simply to develop skills that help you stay present and steady during challenging moments.
Will this class help me if I am having a planned cesarean birth? Yes. While some parts of the class discuss the process of vaginal birth, the core skills we practice - mindfulness, working with pain and anxiety, communicating with your care team, and staying grounded during intense experiences - are very helpful for a planned cesarean birth. We will also talk about how to use mindfulness to support you during surgery, how to stay present and connected during the birth of your baby, and strategies for supporting emotional well-being during the postpartum period.
Can this class help me have an unmedicated birth? Many people take mindfulness-based childbirth classes because they hope to have an unmedicated birth. The practices we learn, such as mindful breathing, working with pain, staying present during intense sensations, and cultivating self-compassion, can support people who want to labor without medication. At the same time, the goal of the class is not to promote any one type of birth. Instead, we focus on helping you build skills to stay grounded, informed, and connected to your values so that you can navigate your birth experience with greater confidence and flexibility, whatever path it takes.
Should my partner attend? Partners are warmly encouraged to participate. Birth partners play an important role in supporting the birthing person during labor. The class includes guidance and practical tools that help partners feel more confident in this role. Many couples find that taking the course together strengthens their sense of teamwork as they prepare for birth and early parenting.
What if I miss a session? Life happens. If you need to miss a session, you will still receive the materials and practices covered that week. While attending live is encouraged because of the discussion and group connection, participants can still benefit from the course if they miss an occasional session.
Is this class only for people in Milwaukee or Wisconsin? No. Because the class is offered virtually on Zoom, participants can join from anywhere. Many participants come from Milwaukee and other parts of Wisconsin, but the class is open to expectant parents in any location.
How is this different from a typical childbirth class? Traditional childbirth classes often focus primarily on information about labor and hospital procedures. This course includes that information, but it also focuses on the psychological and emotional skills that support people during birth, such as: • working with pain and intense sensations • responding to fear or anxiety • staying present during uncertainty • communicating and making decisions under pressure Whereas most childbirth classes focus primarily on preparing for labor and delivery, Mindful Birthing also teaches mindfulness practices that can reduce stress during pregnancy, support emotional wellbeing in the postpartum period, and offer tools you can continue using long after your baby is born.
Upcoming Sessions
Summer 2026
May 5 - June 30
Tuesdays
4:00PM - 6:30 PDT| 6:00pm - 8:30pm CDT | 7:00PM - 9:30PM EDT
Fall 2026
September 29 - October 24
Tuesdays
4:00PM - 6:30 PDT| 6:00pm - 8:30pm CDT | 7:00PM - 9:30PM EDT