Mama Natural Birth Course vs. The Bradley Method Childbirth Course

See how The Bradley Method® childbirth classes compare to the best-selling Mama Natural Birth course.

This post is part of our ongoing comparison of the best childbirth classes. All prices listed below are accurate as of 2024.

The Bradley Method is the original partner-led group birthing course for natural childbirth. This class option is both popular and highly effective for natural birth seekers! This effectiveness is primarily due to the intensive time commitment parents give to their classroom experience.

The Bradley method consists of 12 weekly 2-hour lessons, totaling 24 hours, with an average cost of $400. Costs vary by location and rates are determined by individual instructors. Lessons are scheduled in advance over a 12-week course, and parents can find an instructor using the “Find a Teacher” tab on The Bradley Method website.

This highlights some main differences between Mom’s natural birth class and the Bradley method.

1. The Mama Natural course offers an option at home, with yourself that you can complete on your own schedule – no need to find and connect with an instructor or fit specific class times into your schedule! No hidden or surprise costs, no long-term commitment.
2. The Mama Natural course can deliver the same results in less time. The Bradley method uses repetition as a method of reinforcement throughout the long lesson. While this repetition may be useful for some, others may find it too long and tedious. Host Genevieve designed this course to be focused and to the point, which keeps the total course time under 10 hours!

The Bradley Method covers topics such as the birthing process, physical pain management, prenatal exercises and possible interventions using a 130-page textbook in a small group setting. Most classrooms have limited space. Positioning and comfort measures are incorporated into a portion of each class session. Mama Natural covers these topics as well, plus they offer printable worksheets, a stand-alone prenatal workout video, special dad-only sections, and valuable and inspiring natural bonuses sent to US-based students by mail, without the required reading of a long course Book.

Like Mama Natural, the Bradley Method focuses on how to achieve a natural birth, focusing on the role of the birth partner as the primary way to achieve this. The Mama Natural course also prepares material to prepare the birth partner well, while allowing for other support people to be incorporated, or NO support people if that’s what you choose!

Mother’s Natural Childbirth Courses have a well-paced, relatable approach and aim to provide the best learning experience, delivered in a fun, fresh way.

While both are great courses, there are some key differences to note, most notably:

Trainers

The Mama Natural Birth Course is taught by doula, best-selling author, and YouTube star Genevieve Howland, as well as Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Maura Winkler.

Not only is host Maura Winkler a midwife, she is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Her professional and medical background provide invaluable expertise to the Mama Natural Birth Course.

Bradley Method group classes are taught by “AAHCC” certified instructors, meaning they have attended a workshop and completed instructor course study through the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth, the certifying organization behind the Bradley Method. Instructors must also have had a natural birth themselves, must have taken a Bradley Method course, and many instructors teach as a husband and wife team.

Access to the course

The Mama Natural Birth Course allows 1 full year of access. With an ample access window, the Mama Natural Birth Course allows students to watch and rewatch different sections of the class. This is extremely important when it comes to breastfeeding classes that both courses offer.

Bradley Method classes end when they’re done! Although you may have some personal access to your instructor after your birth, the course workbook and materials from the classes are your main knowledge for future reference.

Extras

The Mama Natural Birth Course provides all students with a free natural birth book, as well as physical copies of Genevieve’s natural pregnancy confirmation cards and a handmade bracelet from their charity partner in Haiti. Mama Natural Birth Course also donates 10% of profits to organizations that support maternal and newborn health.

Students also have 1-year access to the Natural Pregnancy Mama Facebook Group, which provides a virtual community of like-minded moms that you can access for support, questions or concerns any time of the day or night.

The Bradley Method provides students with a 130-page course workbook and access to the Student Resource Center on the website with current enrollment in a class. The Student Resource Center provides additional information for each weekly class session. Many class groups become quite close throughout the 12-week cycle, which fosters a sense of community long after the course ends. Some groups even host a reunion class after everyone in the class has given birth so everyone can meet the babies and hear each other’s birth stories!

value

The Mama Natural Birth Course was the first online childbirth course to reduce prices in response to the increased need for virtual courses during the coronavirus pandemic. The reduced entry price together with the natural bonuses offer students very solid value for their money.

With varying prices by location, average pricing for the Bradley Method is right in line with industry standards for individual, group classes. In fact, when broken down by the hours you spend on the course, the Bradley Method is a better value than most independent group courses!

Closing Thoughts

Both The Mama Natural Birth Course and The Bradley Method provide solid information and content for couples seeking natural birth!

The Mama Natural Birth Course is taught by a Certified Nurse Midwife and packs a ton of concise and useful information into just 10 hours, including free printable worksheets, prenatal workouts, and physical bonuses mailed to students in the US.

Thousands of birth families have benefited from what they learned Mom’s natural birth class. The course is designed for moms like you who are looking to go into labor as confident, strong and educated as they can be!

Regardless of which birth category you ultimately choose, we hope you find the best one for you and have your best, most natural birth.

Mom’s natural birth class