You deserve a childbirth class that truly empowers you on your own unique journey to birthing.
Whether you're expecting a baby for the first time, or you're an experienced parent, this class is for you if:
You're not sure how you'll cope with the pain and intensity of birth.
That's understandable! Nobody knows, and everyone is a bit fearful of this. Your confidence grows greatly when you know what your body is doing, and why, and exactly how it might feel -- and you have a sense of the many options for working with your experience.
You're seeking tools to cultivate your sense of calm and mind-body awareness.
This course integrates mental, physical, and emotional preparation for birth. You will learn multiple hands-on techniques for coping with the challenges of labor, including positioning, movement, touch, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. Because we don't birth with our brains, embodiment and movement practices are an important component of this class!
You're searching for childbirth education that is non-judgemental and inclusive.
This class is a judgement-free space when it comes to birth options. It emphasizes ways to work with the flow of physiological birth, and will also empower you to be prepared for multiple birthing options: medicated, unmedicated, or cesarean birth; home, birth center, or hospital birth. It's LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC-friendly, and uses gender inclusive language.
You're a bit overwhelmed by decisions and information.
Rather than exhaustively listing each and every option imaginable, this class instead covers the basics, and provides you with the tools you need for evaluating information, communicating with care providers, and making decisions based on your and your baby's individual needs.
You're skeptical of birthing "methods" that promise specific outcomes.
This class is based on the belief that there is not one "right" way to give birth. Rather than focusing on any specific outcome, this class encourages you to explore your own values and preferences, and stay open to multiple possibilities, based on what your body and your baby might need. The goal is to meet your birth experience with a sense of compassion and non-judgement toward yourself.
You're ready to step away from fear-based advice and depictions of birth.
Have you ever heard the birth process described both realistically, and positively? Have you ever thought about your own birthing body as your friend and ally, and wondered what you can learn from it? This course will inspire you to shift your mindset toward understanding, accepting, and embodying your experience, however it unfolds. It will help you connect to your inner wisdom and inherent strength, as well as empowering you to accept help from your partner and birth team.
You're looking for ways to support your partner.
This class is not just for birthing people, but for partners, as well! Each lesson contains valuable information for birth support partners. If you're short on time, there are specific lessons and scripts just for you.
You want to learn on your own schedule, from the comfort of your own home.
This class is fully online, and self-paced, consisting of pre-recorded videos, audio recordings, and worksheets/journal prompts. Our class platform also has a mobile app, so you can watch or listen to lessons on-the-go! The class is available to you for 12 months.
You want a better birth for yourself, and for others.
I'm with you. That's why I donate 10% of every course enrollment to the organization Every Mother Counts, which invests in local organizations to improve access to quality, respectful and equitable maternity care around the world.
Calm. Confident. Connected.
There's no such thing as failing at giving birth! By the end of this class, you will be equipped to:
- Fully understand the process and sensations of birth, and appreciate your body in a new way
- Develop a clear sense of your values and preferences, and how to communicate them
- Become more comfortable with embracing the unknown, and less fearful of "what if" scenarios
- Better embody calm, present-moment awareness, and understand how this helps in childbirth
- Know when to rest and conserve your energy in labor, and when to be more active
- Have a full "toolbox" with multiple techniques for coping with labor and embracing your experience
- Get informed about how to make the decisions that are right for you
"This class gave me and my husband lots of useful tools. Afterward, we felt very well equipped to make choices that felt right for our family!This course was the perfect blend of facts and information, hands-on learning, and internal work. I loved how comprehensive the material was, focusing not only on what happens in the body during birth but also what can happen in the mind and heart."
--Carolyn |
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What's Inside the Course
Our course curriculum is built on a 3-step process:
Understand birth
Find your flow
Embrace your experience
Here's a look at each module and lesson we'll cover:
Understand birth
Find your flow
Embrace your experience
Here's a look at each module and lesson we'll cover:
Week 1: Understand Birth
The anatomy & physiology of pregnancy and birth: demystified! You will gain a new appreciation of your body, what to expect from the sensations of labor, and how the birth process unfolds.
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module 1: foundations
module 2: anatomy & physiology
module 3: the labor process
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Week 2: Find Your Flow
Everyone has their own coping style! By exploring a range of tools to help you enhance the flow of birth, you will learn how to move through labor in the way that's best for you.
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module 4: coping & comfort
module 5: breath & body
module 6: mind-body preparation
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Week 3: Embrace Your Experience
Birth can involve hard choices & unexpected experiences. We explore tools for informed decision-making, approaching your birth with self-compassion, and preparing for life after baby.
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module 7: decision-making
module 8: information is power
module 9: mind-body integration
module 10: preparing for after the birth
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"Monica is a profoundly calming spirit and incredibly knowledgeable and supportive no matter what kind of birthing experience you want. Highly, highly recommend!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 and talking to other moms."
--Kate |
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Grounded in professional expertise and experience.
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Your instructor is Monica Basile, PhD,
A Certified Professional Midwife, Childbirth Educator, Licensed Massage Therapist, and 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
Hundreds of expectant parents have been served by this class. Here are some of their words:
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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!
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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Course Bonuses
In addition to these 10 modules and 50+ lessons, your enrollment also includes:
Printable Course Workbook
Self-reflection exercises and essential resources, such as: affirmations, labor support scripts, and stages of labor at a glance.
Guided Meditations
Downloadable guided meditations to practice with and use at any time - even in labor, and beyond.
Resource Library
A curated library of additional resources and information.
1:1 Consultation Discount
Students get a special discount on individualized birth plan consultations with Monica.
Giving Back
10% of every course enrollment goes directly to Every Mother Counts, which works to improve access to quality, respectful and equitable maternity care around the world.
Self-reflection exercises and essential resources, such as: affirmations, labor support scripts, and stages of labor at a glance.
Guided Meditations
Downloadable guided meditations to practice with and use at any time - even in labor, and beyond.
Resource Library
A curated library of additional resources and information.
1:1 Consultation Discount
Students get a special discount on individualized birth plan consultations with Monica.
Giving Back
10% of every course enrollment goes directly to Every Mother Counts, which works to improve access to quality, respectful and equitable maternity care around the world.
"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
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long will i have access to the course?
You will have full access to all of the course materials for 12 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 of the 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, or beyond!
how long does it take to complete the course?
The entire class includes about 5 hours total of video content. (Each individual video lesson is between 2-15 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. You can apply for a scholarship here.
In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities affecting those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This class is attuned to these realities, and I especially welcome BIPOC individuals to seek a scholarship.
In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities affecting those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This class is attuned to these realities, and I especially welcome BIPOC individuals to seek a scholarship.
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 me if i'm having my 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.
does this class meet in person?
No. All course materials are pre-recorded, so you can learn on your own schedule.
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.
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.
Let's get started!
Your registration includes:
10 modules with 50+ pre-recorded video lessons
Your printable course workbook
Access to a curated resource library online
Downloadable meditations
A discounted birth plan consultation option
When you sign up, you'll get immediate, unlimited access to the entire course for the next 12 months.
$225
10 modules with 50+ pre-recorded video lessons
Your printable course workbook
Access to a curated resource library online
Downloadable meditations
A discounted birth plan consultation option
When you sign up, you'll get immediate, unlimited access to the entire course for the next 12 months.
$225
"I can't express enough about how fantastic this class is, and would love to take it over and over again!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."
--Alea |
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I look forward to welcoming you!
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Learning about the transformative power of birth
literally changed my life. As a teen single parent, I was determined to give birth on my own terms. Through the birthing class I took, and the connections I made with my community, I was able to create a birthing experience that was -- against all odds -- extremely empowering. It set me on the path to a close bond with my son, and a fulfilling career supporting families through birth.
I know exactly what it is to feel overwhelmed by the immense challenge of bringing a child into the world, and I know how crucial it is to have a trusted guide in that process. You already have what it takes to birth with courage and confidence! You just need the compassionate guidance of someone who has walked with others along that path. I would be honored to be one such guide along your journey. --Monica |
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Mapleseed Birth & Bodywork
Monica Basile, PhD Certified Professional Midwife Licensed Massage Therapist Childbirth Educator Placenta Specialist Reiki Master/Teacher Iowa City, IA monica@mapleseedbirth.com 
You belong here.
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This class was born at Heartland Yoga in Iowa City, IA
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