This post is part of our ongoing comparison of the best online birthing classes. All prices noted below are accurate as of 2021.

Moms on Top is a video-based course that covers stages of labor, natural pain relief, potential intervention, and more. Consisting of 4 classes that span 8 hours total, the Moms on Top birthing course provides an overview of natural birth for $349.

The Mama Natural Birth Course offers 8 shorter classes spanning 10 hours total and also covers natural hospital birth, birth center, or homebirth. We also offer physical bonuses that we send in the mail, sections for partners, videos of real natural birth to inspire you, a complimentary breastfeeding training, and much more for $264 total.

Moms on Top offers a unique approach for a birthing course, providing one-on-one consultations that vary in length by the course selected. The standard class, for instance, includes four 30-minute phone or video chats. Mamas can also opt to have their course instructed to them live via video chat, though this is pricier at $599.

In contrast, the Mama Natural Birth Course is pre-recorded in a fun, approachable setting with Genevieve “Mama Natural” Howland and Maura Winkler, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). You have access to Mama Natural content for 1 year, while Moms on Top sessions are scheduled, with a select few videos available for download for future reference.

How does Moms on Top Compare to the Mama Natural Birth Course?

Here is an overview of how the Mama Natural Birth Course and Moms on Top compare, using key features we think are essential when choosing the best online birthing course:

Class Specifics Mama Natural Moms on Top
Course Length 8 classes / 10 hours Varies by class, typically 4 classes / 8 hours
Course Access 1 year Scheduled, some videos can be downloaded for continued referral
Instructor Genevieve Howland & Maura Winkler, CNM, IBCLC Gail Janicola, Childbirth Educator
Taught by a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) ✓
Format HD video-based, hands-on HD video-based or live streamed
Approach Conversational, informative, “talk show style,” evidence-based Informative, personalized
Printable Worksheets ✓ ✓
Real Natural Birth Footage ✓ ✓
Community Group Moderated By Certified Doula ✓
Pricing $264 $349
Audio Tracks ✓ ✓
Section for Dad ✓
VBAC Training ✓
Breastfeeding Training ✓ ✓
Accepts FSA/HSA ✓
Donate 10% to Charity ✓
Physical Bonus via Mail ✓
Extras Mama Natural Affirmations App and physical copies, Prenatal workout video, Natural Birth Playbook, and more Four 30-minute live videos or phone consultations included with Gail
30 Day Money-Back Guarantee ✓

 

While Moms on Top can have a more intimate feel in terms of connecting with the instructor, you can always connect with Mama Natural in our private Facebook group without paying a premium price.

Aside from that, there are key areas where The Mama Natural Birth Course shines, including:

Value

For over $80 less, you get two additional hours of natural birth information with the Mama Natural Birth Course, not to mention a great deal more in terms of content and extras.

Instructor

The Mama Natural Birth Course is the only online birthing course taught by a Certified Nurse Midwife. Not only is Maura Winkler a Certified Nurse Midwife, but she’s also an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant who instructs breastfeeding in our course.

Content

The Mama Natural Birth Course contains two more hours of course content. That’s two hours of natural birth information or the equivalent of all 4 of the Moms on Top included calls. That’s just the course itself, not including all the bonus features.

Community

It takes a village, right? Connection is key, and we want other participants to feel like part of a community, which is why we have a doula-moderated group for course attendees. Share information with other mamas or ask questions — all with a doula present!

Physical Bonuses

When you sign up for the Mama Natural Birth Course we send you a package in the mail that contains a deck of our Natural Pregnancy Affirmation Cards as well as a motivational bracelet from our charity partner in Haiti. (Mama Natural donates 10% of profits to charities that bring the midwifery-model of care to developing countries.)

Extras

Not to toot our own horn, but we love being extra. Giving extra, that is. We want you to rock your pregnancy, which is why we included everything from prenatal workouts to copies of the Mama Natural Pregnancy Audio Affirmations. We want you to feel great, mama.

Closing Thoughts

We love seeing mamas conquering birth and enrolling in online birthing classes.

Seriously, nothing makes our hearts happier than seeing a mama choosing to live fearlessly and learn more about her body and the magic it can do. You can do this.

With that in mind, we built the Mama Natural Birth Course to be easy-to-follow, informative, and best of all — attainable. We strive to give you the best information from the best resources at an affordable price. From a Certified Nurse Midwife-led program to extras for your partner, we want you and your growing family to have the best of the best in this exciting time.

Whether you choose us or another online birthing course, we wish you an amazing journey, mama.

The Mama Natural Birth Course