Virtual Birth Preparation: What to Expect From Online Midwifery Sessions

Birthstone Midwifery

Virtual Consulting · Birth Prep

Virtual Birth Preparation: What to Expect
From Online Midwifery Sessions

By Tayna Chessman, LM, CPM  ·  Available Nationwide via Zoom

Birth preparation used to mean attending a class in a hospital conference room with a group of strangers for several hours on a weekend. There is a better way — and it can happen from your living room couch, on your schedule, tailored entirely to your situation and your questions.

What Is Virtual Birth Preparation?

Virtual birth preparation through Birthstone Midwifery is one-on-one education and guidance delivered via Zoom with a California Licensed Midwife. Unlike a group birth class where the curriculum is predetermined regardless of your specific questions, virtual sessions are completely personalized. We cover what you actually need to know — based on your pregnancy, your birth setting, your fears, your partner's questions, and your specific goals for birth.

Sessions are available as single à la carte appointments or as bundled packages of time — so you can choose the level of preparation that fits your pregnancy and your schedule.

"A generic birth class teaches the curriculum. A virtual session with a midwife answers your actual questions — about your specific pregnancy, your specific fears, and your specific birth plan."

What Virtual Birth Preparation Covers

Understanding Labor

• The stages of labor — what is actually happening and how long each typically lasts
• How to know when labor is beginning and when to call your provider
• Normal versus abnormal labor patterns
• What to expect in early, active, and transition labor
• Understanding common labor procedures and interventions — what they are and when they are actually needed

Pain Management and Comfort

• Natural pain management — positions, movement, hydrotherapy, breathing, counter-pressure
• Pharmaceutical options — epidural, nitrous oxide, IV medications — honest information about each
• How your support person can help and what is most effective during different phases of labor
• Positioning techniques that support labor progress and baby's descent

Your Rights and Advocacy

• Informed consent and how to use it effectively during labor
• What you can decline and how to do it confidently
• How to communicate your birth plan to hospital staff
• Building your birth support team and defining roles
• What questions to ask before agreeing to any intervention

Preparing Your Environment

• Setting up a supportive birth environment — whether at home or in a hospital
• What to pack for a hospital birth or what to prepare for a home birth
• The role of music, lighting, scent, and atmosphere in labor

Who Benefits Most From Virtual Birth Preparation

Virtual birth preparation sessions are especially valuable for:

• Families who want personalized education rather than a generic curriculum
• Couples where one partner has specific questions or anxieties about the birth
• Those planning a hospital birth who want to understand how to advocate for themselves
• Families planning a home birth who want thorough preparation for what to expect
• Those in rural areas or with limited access to in-person birth education options
• Second-time parents who want to address specific concerns from a previous birth experience

Session and Package Options

3

Hour Package

from $378

6

Hour Package

from $756

9

Hour Package

from $1,134

Each package can be divided into sessions of 45, 60, or 90 minutes — whatever schedule works best for you. Sessions can be spread across your pregnancy or concentrated in the third trimester. A la carte single sessions starting at $36 are also available for those with specific questions. Learn more and book here →

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a virtual birth preparation session different from a birth class?

A birth class follows a predetermined curriculum for a group. A virtual session with a Licensed Midwife is entirely personalized — we cover what you specifically need to know based on your pregnancy, your birth setting, your concerns, and your questions. Nothing is wasted on information that does not apply to you.

When during my pregnancy should I start virtual birth preparation sessions?

Any time in pregnancy is appropriate. Many families begin around 20–28 weeks to allow plenty of time to work through questions and preparation. Starting earlier means more time to process information. Starting in the third trimester is still very beneficial for focused, practical preparation close to your due date.

Can my partner join virtual sessions?

Absolutely — and I encourage it. Partners often have their own questions and anxieties about birth that deserve real answers. Sessions via Zoom allow anyone to join from anywhere, making it easy for partners with different schedules to participate.

Is virtual birth preparation available if I am planning a hospital birth?

Yes. The majority of virtual birth preparation clients at Birthstone Midwifery are planning hospital births. Understanding your rights, your options, and how to advocate for yourself is just as valuable — perhaps more so — in a hospital setting where you are more likely to encounter routine interventions.

Prepare for Birth With a Midwife in Your Corner

Virtual birth preparation with Tayna Chessman, LM, CPM gives you the knowledge, confidence, and clarity to walk into your birth — wherever it happens — feeling genuinely ready. Book your first session today.

Book a Virtual Session →

Tayna Chessman, LM, CPM (#784) is a California Licensed Midwife and the founder of Birthstone Midwifery,
serving families in Temecula, Murrieta, and throughout Riverside County. Virtual sessions available nationwide.