How to Get Started as a Childbirth Educator: Where to Teach & How to Work with Hospitals

If you are just getting into the business of teaching childbirth education to parents-to-be, this blog is for you!  

I have been a childbirth educator for 30+ years now, but I still remember those early days well.  It was a very exciting — and somewhat terrifying — experience. I had taken my childbirth educator training and had written my curriculum, but now I had to convince people to trust that I knew what I was talking about.  

Looking back, I cringe at my first few attempts but comfort myself by remembering that I knew more about birth than my students did. And remember there is no perfect childbirth class — but your class may have been perfect for the people you were teaching, even if you felt you could have done better. As you get started, one of the first decisions you’ll face is where to teach, and that choice can shape both your experience and your students’. 

Choosing the Right Location for Your Birth Classes 

Where you teach can make all the difference when it comes to comfort and connection. Here are some options I’ve experienced throughout my own journey: 

Home Classes  

My first classes were held in my home, with two toddlers (under 3 years old) occasionally wandering in and out! I think it gave the class members a concrete way to think about what they were there for, visualizing family life after birth.  

These first classes I taught were held in the late 1980s, and I did not have access to videos or many birthing tools and models like a pelvis and babies.  I did have some nice posters that I used to explain concepts to the class. There was a lot of discussion along with demonstrating positions and comfort measures. And we spent a lot of time preparing the mind for the journey of birth and discussing questions! 

Pros: 

• Full control over the environment 
• Minimal costs (maybe just snacks) 
• Possible home office tax deduction (consult your tax advisor) 
• Flexible schedule 

Considerations: 

• Ensure a well-lit, safe entryway and parking 
• Check insurance options for hosting classes at home 
• You’ll set tuition and supply your own materials (consider it a long-term investment!) 

Medical Providers’ Offices  

Once, a pediatrician who attended my class invited me to use his office waiting room! He even had a TV with a built-in VHS player — very high-tech for the time. I had rounded up enough money to purchase one of the first InJoy videos ever made. It was a hit with the students!   

Tip: While you may not get into a pediatrician’s office easily, try a midwife, chiropractor, acupuncturist or other alternative professional. Plus, this can expose you to new client bases. 

Churches and Faith-based Centers 

Many times, I used a church for childbirth education or doula training. They often offer classrooms or conference rooms available for free or at low cost. They may even promote your classes to their members or community. Before you decide, check out the location.  

Look for: 

• Adequate parking and lighting 
• Comfortable seating and AV equipment 
• Flexible food policies (evening students appreciate snacks or at least being able to bring their own supper!) 

There was one location in the Raleigh, NC area that invited me to teach several times. It was a large room with chairs and tables I could set up. I had enough room to display books and comfort measure tools, and plenty of space for practicing various positions and breaking up into small groups. They had a kitchen connected and allowed me to bring snacks and make coffee for the students. 

Soon, I will be teaching in a local church that has all the tables and chairs I need, along with dual screens, plenty of space, and a kitchen area. This space is being offered to me for free — but I would be willing to pay for it since it is so nice! 

Tip: Get out there and make yourself known in your community — you may come across great opportunities like this. 

Birth Centers  

If your classes are focused on natural childbirth, teaching in a freestanding birth center may be a good fit for you. The birth center may even allow you to use some of their equipment for demonstrations. There may be a fee involved, and you may need to see where you can fit into their calendar. Some may choose to hire you rather than have you use your own business.  

I’ve just started holding class at a local birth center. They have a large open room and plenty of birth balls, tables and chairs, and a nice big monitor screen that I can hook onto. The students will also get to tour the facility even if they aren’t already patients there.   

Community Centers, Yoga Studios, & Fire Stations  

Recently I taught in a community center that was open during the daytime for meals, plus they had a food pantry, clothes closet, job training, and mental health counseling. But they closed at 5:30 pm, so they allowed me to rent their big classroom for childbirth classes.  Their large waiting room was great for practicing positions, and we used it when we had labor rehearsals.  

Tip: Look for a center that supports family programs, they may welcome you enthusiastically! If you find a yoga studio, they may offer prenatal yoga and also have mats that would work for your class.  

*Did you know you can purchase small projectors that are affordable if you need to bring your own A/V equipment? 

Hospitals  

In the 1990s in New Orleans, hospitals did not usually hold childbirth education classes, so when I approached one (then two, then three) of them, they allowed me to use meeting space to hold classes in their hospitals.  It was my business and was not run through the hospital, but I was very thankful to have free places to teach, with all the AV equipment available.   

Many hospitals host their own classes now but if you find one that does not, see how you can partner with them by using a room to teach the local families.  

Working with Hospitals: Employee, Contractor, or Independent? 

Hospital-based teaching is very common today and could be a great fit for you. If you’re considering this path, it’s important to understand your options. Choosing whether to become an employee, a contractor, or an independent educator depends on: 

• How much independence you want 
• How much responsibility you’re ready to take on 
• What opportunities exist in your area 

Start by asking questions, meeting with hospital contacts, and getting a feel for what fits your goals best. Here is an overview of what I’ve learned working with hospitals over the years: 

Option 1: Become a Hospital Employee 

In this setup, you are hired as an employee of the hospital’s education department. Here’s what you can typically expect: 

Before Hiring: 

• You may be asked to teach a demo class that the education coordinator or director observes to assess your knowledge and teaching style. 

Onboarding and Orientation: 

• You’ll go through onboarding to learn the hospital’s policies, culture, and expectations. 
• You’ll likely be assigned a teaching room — but it may be located far from your storage area. Ask for a full tour to understand the logistics before your first class. 
• Teaching materials, such as videos and supplies, are typically purchased by the hospital. 

Compensation and Work Expectations: 

• You’ll be paid hourly or per class, with taxes withheld from your paycheck. 
• Some hospitals pay separately for setup and cleanup time — be sure to clarify: 
  • Is setup/cleanup time paid? 
  • How much setup time is built into your schedule? 
• Finding students will be easy, since hospital marketing and registration systems usually fill your classes for you. 
• You’ll likely receive a class roster in advance. 

Relationship Building: 

• Create strong relationships with managers and staff — it really matters! 
• Suggest improvements kindly if you notice something could be better for parents. 

Tip: Ask to shadow the labor and postpartum units — observe a vaginal and cesarean birth, and meet with lactation consultants to deepen your teaching authenticity. 

Option 2: Work as a Contractor (1099) 

Some hospitals prefer to work with childbirth educators on a contract basis instead of hiring them as employees. This means you are an independent contractor, not part of their payroll. 

What to Expect: 

• You’ll be paid per class or hourly based on your contract, without taxes withheld (you’ll need to handle your own tax payments — talk to a tax specialist!). 
• You may be responsible for carrying your own liability insurance. 
• The hospital might provide: 
  • A teaching room 
  • AV equipment 
  • Some teaching supplies 
    Or, you might need to purchase and bring your own — clarify this ahead of time. 
• Classes are often still advertised and filled by the hospital’s registration system, just as they would be if you were an employee. 

Important Questions to Ask: 

• Will the hospital provide materials (handouts, videos, birth balls, etc.) or should I bring my own? 
• Is there a secure place to store teaching tools, or do I bring everything each time? 
• What insurance requirements do they have for contractors? 
• How and when will I be paid? 

Tips for Success as a Contractor: 

• Stay organized: keep track of all invoices, payments, and expenses. 
• Budget carefully for your taxes (many contractors save about 30% of each paycheck for tax time). 
• Maintain a strong working relationship with hospital staff — even though you’re not an employee, you’re still representing their institution when you teach. 
• Continue to build connections with your students just like you would as an employee (personalized welcomes go a long way!). 

Option 3: Rent Space at a Hospital (Independent Educator) 

A less common, but sometimes possible, arrangement is renting classroom space inside a hospital while running your own independent business. 

How This Works: 

• You rent (or occasionally get free) space from the hospital. 
• You set your own tuition rates and collect fees directly from your students. 
• You’re responsible for: 
  • Marketing and filling your own classes 
  • Handling your own registration and communication with families 
  • Bringing and maintaining all teaching materials 
  • Providing your own liability insurance 
  • Tracking your income and paying your taxes 

Advantages: 

• Total freedom to design your course the way you want. 
• You can charge tuition based on what the local market can support. 

Challenges: 

• You’ll need to do your own advertising and outreach (OB offices, chiropractors, social media, flyers, etc.). 
• You must ensure your budget covers room rental fees, supplies, insurance, and taxes — plan carefully. 

Tip: If you’re renting space inside a hospital, you may still be able to coordinate with hospital staff to cross-promote your classes — especially if they don’t offer in-house education themselves. Building a good relationship can help you both! 

Quick Comparison Table: 

Finding Your Own Students 

If you are responsible for finding your own students as a business owner, word of mouth will become your best resource for students. Once I got my classes going in the early days, I never had to do much advertising because my students told their friends, families, and coworkers about the classes. Just recently, my son texted me because a friend needed childbirth education — you never know when opportunities will pop up! 

Other ways to find students: 

• Community Boards: Post in local groups like NextDoor, Facebook parenting groups, or other local forums. 
• Provider Outreach: Share flyers or emails with OBs, pediatricians, chiropractors, lactation consultants, yoga instructors, and doulas. 
• Community Partnerships: Reach out to Nurse Family Partnership, Family Connects, WIC programs, and community health centers. 
• Family and Friends: Make sure your circle knows what you’re doing! Print cards they can hand out–maybe even offer fun referral rewards! 

Final Thoughts 

Getting started can seem daunting, so just take one thing at a time.  Starting out by deciding where you want to teach, how you want to set yourself up if working with a hospital, and then how you will grow your “audience” will be a great way to start. There are other things to think about but getting a few pieces of your new puzzle out of the way will give you a chance to breathe and move on to the next step.  And even being in this business for a long time, I can tell you, there will always be a next step. Find your “tribe” of other birth supporters who can cheer you on. That may look like your family, other birth workers or even your students when you get started! 

Related blog: 

Why Become Certified to teach Perinatal Classes? Advice for Childbirth Educators, Lactation Educators, and Doulas

Products Popular with Childbirth Educators: 

• Understanding Birth Curriculum 
• The Miracle of Birth 3: Five Birth Stories (Video) 
• The Stages of Labor 3rd Edition: A Visual Guide (Video) 
• Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum 
• Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum 

About the Author

Debbie Young – MSL, ICCE, LCCE, CLC, ICBD

Customer Relations Manager

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