You deserve a childbirth class that truly empowers you on your own unique journey to birthing.
Mindful Birthing is here to provide you with a reliable childbirth education experience that is hands-on, evidence-based, nonjudgmental, and inspiring, based on the belief that there is not one "right" way to give birth. Mindful Birthing classes have been serving the needs of expectant parents since 2007, and continue to be a beloved and well-respected resource.
Mindful Birthing is holistic.
Mindful Birthing integrates mental, physical, and emotional preparation for labor, birth, and postpartum adjustment. Classes emphasize body-mind integration and dynamic, hands-on learning. You will learn multiple techniques for coping with the challenges of labor, including positioning, movement, touch, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques.
Mindful Birthing is inspiring.
In contrast to the fear-based cultural messages about birth that surround us, Mindful Birthing will help you connect to your inner wisdom, accept the unknown in birth, and envision ways to create your best birth experience.
Mindful Birthing is inclusive.
Mindful birthing provides space for you to explore your own goals, priorities, and needs for your birth, within a supportive and positive environment that is respectful and inclusive. Mindful Birthing meets the needs of new and experienced parents with any birthing history or family structure, planning birth in any setting. Monica has long been committed to, and comfortable with, using gender-neutral language, and affirming the experiences of all birthing people and partners.
Calm, Confident, Connected.
The Mindful Birthing curriculum is designed to give you a solid foundation of information and tools to help you achieve a sense of calm, confidence, and connection with your body, your baby, and your birth companion. Here is what you will learn in each of our 3 classes:
Class 1:
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Class 2:
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Class 3:
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There's more.
We don't give birth with our brains!
Embodiment and self-reflection are key components of effective birth preparation.
Class also includes:
Embodiment practices
Designed to get you grounded, build your stamina, help you explore your mind/body connection, and cultivate balance and peace.
Printable course journal
With self-reflection exercises and at-the-ready resources, such as affirmations, checklists,
and stages of labor at a glance
Resource library
Access to a curated library of additional resources and information
Guided meditations
Downloadable guided meditations to practice with and use at any time
Course Community
For sharing encouragement, questions, and birth announcements
Live Q&A with Monica
For answers to your specific questions
Embodiment and self-reflection are key components of effective birth preparation.
Class also includes:
Embodiment practices
Designed to get you grounded, build your stamina, help you explore your mind/body connection, and cultivate balance and peace.
Printable course journal
With self-reflection exercises and at-the-ready resources, such as affirmations, checklists,
and stages of labor at a glance
Resource library
Access to a curated library of additional resources and information
Guided meditations
Downloadable guided meditations to practice with and use at any time
Course Community
For sharing encouragement, questions, and birth announcements
Live Q&A with Monica
For answers to your specific questions
Mindful Birthing is based in professional expertise and experience.
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Your instructor is Monica Basile, PhD,
A Certified Professional Midwife, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher. After her own transformative birth experience, Monica was inspired to help others have positive and empowering births. Her work is now informed by 25 years of experience teaching prenatal classes and attending births in both home and hospital settings, as well as her doctoral research on the history, politics, and practice of childbirth. Monica is committed to helping expectant parents gain confidence in their ability to give birth through evidence-based, non-judgmental birth and bodywork services, with the goal of helping families create positive and transformative birth experiences. Learn more about Monica at Mapleseed Birth
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What people are saying
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This class is a must! Monica was both calming and encouraging. She provided a really helpful mix of information about birth physiology, emotions, and concrete pain-management techniques. The atmosphere is very supportive and Monica is truly non-judgmental, providing options that everyone can use in diverse birth experiences rather than suggesting there is a single right way to do things.
I started out the class knowing what kind of birth I hoped to have, but fearing the pain and intensity. Afterward, I feel calm, prepared and empowered, and am actually
looking forward to giving birth!
I started out the class knowing what kind of birth I hoped to have, but fearing the pain and intensity. Afterward, I feel calm, prepared and empowered, and am actually
looking forward to giving birth!
Emily
Birthing parent
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I loved it. This is my first child so it was all new and good information to me. Just to be reassured of the process and learn coping is very valuable.
I actually watched the videos twice, and thought they were wonderful.
I actually watched the videos twice, and thought they were wonderful.
Stephanie
Birthing Parent
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This class was really valuable for us, even though we had already done a lot of learning about birth on our own. Monica's calm presence, teaching, and willingness to answer lots of questions really helped us during labor and delivery. My partner gained concrete ways to support me and an understanding of the labor and birth process, and I had some great imagery to focus on from the class. This class helped remind me what my body is capable of doing, and that really served us as an anchor during labor. Overall, it was empowering to both of us and well worth it!
Crissa
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Absolutely a MUST if you are expecting. So informative, comfortable, and fun! Monica is AMAZING, and it really feels good to be in a childbirth class that is rooted in evidence-based practices, support, and compassion. I can't express enough about how fantastic this class is, and would love to take it over and over again!
Alea
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Mindful Birthing was seriously one of the best parts of being pregnant! The expert and respectful teaching, the research-based practices, the eclectic approach that lets different participants consider how they might best give birth -- I felt so incredibly fortunate to be part of the class and its warm community. We looked forward to our classes so much, we couldn't wait for them to come! And I can't say enough about Monica, whose training, knowledge about bodies and birth, and incredible gentleness toward the human body make Iowa City one of the best places to have a baby. Yay for Mindful Birthing! I would practically consider having a second kid just to get to do the class again!
Naomi
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We were about 6 months along when we took the class. The pregnancy seemed to be going really fast and felt overwhelming and scary at times. The Mindful Birthing class really helped put things in perspective, demystified the birthing process, and instilled in both my wife and I a confidence and comfort that we hadn't been able to gain through reading blogs/books/apps, and talking to other moms. Monica is a profoundly calming spirit and incredibly knowledgeable and supportive no matter what kind of birthing experience you want. Highly, *highly* recommend!
Kate
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Highly recommended! This was a fantastic experience for both my husband and for me. This class helped me to achieve a confidence and comfort with my own body and with the details of this remarkable but rather overwhelming and, at times, frankly terrifying process. Additionally, we now have an array of resources ready at hand and a healthy network of people in the community. I hadn't anticipated how good this would be for my husband and for our relationship. This class helped him feel included in my pregnancy, and helped him have a sense of where he fits and how he can help. We did this class while I was still in my first trimester, and honestly, for us, I don't think it was too soon.
Thank you, Monica!!! Just outstanding all around!!!
Thank you, Monica!!! Just outstanding all around!!!
Kira
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FAQ
How long will I have access to the course?
You will have full access to all of the course materials for 9 months. There is no rush to work through the videos and exercises, and you can go back to them again whenever you like!
Are any class materials downloadable?
Yes! You are free to download any and all handouts, and I encourage you to print the course journal, and use it to write down your notes and self-reflections. Best of all, I have made all of our meditation recordings downloadable, so you can listen to them as part of your regular practice, or in labor!
How long does it take to complete the course?
The entire class includes about 4 hours total of video content. (Each individual video lesson is between 2-10 minutes long - smaller bites of information are easier to digest!) There are also several self-reflection exercises, and lots of materials included for further reading. The time each person spends with these will vary.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes! I never want cost to be a barrier to accessing this class. My goal is to help all expectant parents to be better prepared for birth, find supportive care, and advocate for themselves.
In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities affecting those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). This class is attuned to these realities, and represents a wide range of pregnant and birthing people's experiences. I especially welcome BIPOC individuals to seek a scholarship. Please contact me here if you are interested in applying.
Will my partner benefit from this class?
Yes! This class is also designed to be informative and transformative for significant others and birth companions. If you are planning to birth with a support person, it's ideal to take the class together!
Is this class applicable for someone having their second baby or beyond?
Yes, it's fantastic for anyone expecting a baby, whether or not it's the first time you will give birth.
I may have an induced labor, or an epidural. Can this class help me?
Yes! This class will give you tools for navigating labor and birth in the way that feels best for you.
You will learn multiple types of tools for working with the sensations of labor, as well as tools for working with more medical approaches, evaluating your own preferences, and communicating with your care providers. This class is a judgement-free space when it comes to birth options, and encourages you to release any self-judgement you may be placing on your own birth experience.
Do I need a background in meditation or yoga to take this class?
Not at all. This class teaches mindfulness, breath, movement, and embodiment practices that are accessible to complete beginners, and also helpful for those who already have a meditation or movement practice.
You will have full access to all of the course materials for 9 months. There is no rush to work through the videos and exercises, and you can go back to them again whenever you like!
Are any class materials downloadable?
Yes! You are free to download any and all handouts, and I encourage you to print the course journal, and use it to write down your notes and self-reflections. Best of all, I have made all of our meditation recordings downloadable, so you can listen to them as part of your regular practice, or in labor!
How long does it take to complete the course?
The entire class includes about 4 hours total of video content. (Each individual video lesson is between 2-10 minutes long - smaller bites of information are easier to digest!) There are also several self-reflection exercises, and lots of materials included for further reading. The time each person spends with these will vary.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes! I never want cost to be a barrier to accessing this class. My goal is to help all expectant parents to be better prepared for birth, find supportive care, and advocate for themselves.
In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities affecting those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). This class is attuned to these realities, and represents a wide range of pregnant and birthing people's experiences. I especially welcome BIPOC individuals to seek a scholarship. Please contact me here if you are interested in applying.
Will my partner benefit from this class?
Yes! This class is also designed to be informative and transformative for significant others and birth companions. If you are planning to birth with a support person, it's ideal to take the class together!
Is this class applicable for someone having their second baby or beyond?
Yes, it's fantastic for anyone expecting a baby, whether or not it's the first time you will give birth.
I may have an induced labor, or an epidural. Can this class help me?
Yes! This class will give you tools for navigating labor and birth in the way that feels best for you.
You will learn multiple types of tools for working with the sensations of labor, as well as tools for working with more medical approaches, evaluating your own preferences, and communicating with your care providers. This class is a judgement-free space when it comes to birth options, and encourages you to release any self-judgement you may be placing on your own birth experience.
Do I need a background in meditation or yoga to take this class?
Not at all. This class teaches mindfulness, breath, movement, and embodiment practices that are accessible to complete beginners, and also helpful for those who already have a meditation or movement practice.
I look forward to welcoming you!
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This class was born at Heartland Yoga in Iowa City, IA
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