The Fully Informed Birth Plan Mastery Course
- Education - Gain an in-depth understanding of birth plans and your options.
- Customization - Develop your ability to create a plan that reflects your values.
- Advocacy - Strengthen your communication skills to navigate your maternity care with confidence.
While this class is free and open to the community, I do want you to go through the learn more page so you know what to expect from this class. Make sure it’s a good fit for you. Don’t let the open access give you the impression it’s a basic class. This is a comprehensive class that you’ll need to work through like a regular online class.
Welcome!
Welcome! Come on in :) I invite you to slow down in this busy life and take time to sit with the upcoming birth. Breathe. Let your shoulders rest. Let’s prepare for your maternity care. The way you are treated in birth matters. I want you to go into labor and delivery being informed of your choices and knowing how to navigate your maternity care.
At its core, this class is about healthcare navigation for women who will be giving birth in the U.S. maternity care system. Taught by an author who is a birth educator and doula with a degree in health sciences and a background in healthcare, you'll get a balanced perspective that sees both sides and can help you bridge that gap in communicating the type of care you want or knowing how to ask the right questions and make the most out of your appointments with your OB or midwife. Being created by a well-seasoned author, you can rest assured the curriculum is comprehensive and has enough years of wisdom woven into it that students will be elevated above the rest after completing this class.
Take a moment to explore the learn more page. I’d love to teach you how to make a birth plan that aligns with your values and communicates well with your care team so you can have a better birth experience.
- This is a class that offers you structured education. No spending months searching the internet for answers low-key frantic with uncertainty. You’ll learn what you need to know here.
- This is a space where we build from the foundation up. The modules build upon each other, and you’ll develop depth in your understanding as we go throughout the lessons and reflection questions.
- This is a class that doesn’t push you one way or another with a teacher who supports all types of births.
- This is a gentle approach, a calm space, somewhere you can lay your fears to rest and leave with peace of mind.
- Come out on the other side of this class a woman who is well-informed, able to navigate her birth decisions, has clarity, developed effective communication skills, and feels calmly prepared.
At its core, this class is about healthcare navigation for women who will be giving birth in the U.S. maternity care system. Taught by an author who is a birth educator and doula with a degree in health sciences and a background in healthcare, you'll get a balanced perspective that sees both sides and can help you bridge that gap in communicating the type of care you want or knowing how to ask the right questions and make the most out of your appointments with your OB or midwife. Being created by a well-seasoned author, you can rest assured the curriculum is comprehensive and has enough years of wisdom woven into it that students will be elevated above the rest after completing this class.
Take a moment to explore the learn more page. I’d love to teach you how to make a birth plan that aligns with your values and communicates well with your care team so you can have a better birth experience.
What this class is about
This class isn’t just about what birth plans are. It’s about making your birth plan. Know your options. Choose what’s right for you. Develop your ability to make an effective birth plan. This class is about introducing you to this area of women's health care. Think of it as an introduction to maternity care for your labor and delivery experience. What to expect? What type of monitoring and routine interventions or common interventions are going to be offered to you? What's standard? What's optional? What questions should I ask about these things? How do I communicate with the staff? How do I decide what to do? This class is here to give you information on all these things so you can be empowered and lead your care.
A birth plan is primarily about planning out your healthcare decisions and preferences for your maternity care from labor and delivery to postpartum and making those first medical decisions for your baby. We also talk about practical decisions you'll need to plan out and we talk about postpartum plans as well. We'll touch on support plans and thinking about how you want the environment to be. Birth itself cannot be planned or controlled; it can only be navigated. Many of your healthcare decisions can be planned and you can become educated on all of the routine practices. There are more options in labor and delivery than ever before - and I love that menu of choices. It can be overwhelming though if you're not familiar with your options. You don't want to wait until you're in labor to learn what these things are. That doesn't give you much time to think it over. I encourage you to talk to your doctor or midwife in prenatal appointments. That said, I know appointments are usually just a few minutes and there's not much time to talk. This class will teach you what questions to ask your care provider so you can both make the most of your time.
Everybody makes a birth plan because everybody has to make decisions about their birth and maternity care as well as infant care. You want to be an informed and well-educated woman who can make a good quality birth plan that covers what it needs to and effectively communicates with the care team joining your birth journey.
A birth plan is primarily about planning out your healthcare decisions and preferences for your maternity care from labor and delivery to postpartum and making those first medical decisions for your baby. We also talk about practical decisions you'll need to plan out and we talk about postpartum plans as well. We'll touch on support plans and thinking about how you want the environment to be. Birth itself cannot be planned or controlled; it can only be navigated. Many of your healthcare decisions can be planned and you can become educated on all of the routine practices. There are more options in labor and delivery than ever before - and I love that menu of choices. It can be overwhelming though if you're not familiar with your options. You don't want to wait until you're in labor to learn what these things are. That doesn't give you much time to think it over. I encourage you to talk to your doctor or midwife in prenatal appointments. That said, I know appointments are usually just a few minutes and there's not much time to talk. This class will teach you what questions to ask your care provider so you can both make the most of your time.
Everybody makes a birth plan because everybody has to make decisions about their birth and maternity care as well as infant care. You want to be an informed and well-educated woman who can make a good quality birth plan that covers what it needs to and effectively communicates with the care team joining your birth journey.
Who is this for?
This class is for first-time parents or experienced parents. It is directed at women birthing in a hospital, but can also be useful information for women birthing at home or in a birthing center.
This is for women who like to be educated and well-informed. We're going to go through a lot of information here. It's a good class to take if you like to lead your healthcare, know what your options are, research things, and be actively involved in the decision-making process.
This is also intentionally for women who make their own choices. It is not a natural birth class. It does not push you to birth one way or another. I respect whatever you decide is right for you. If you want to go all natural, this class will provide information on interventions and how to communicate your plans. If you want to get an epidural, this class respects whatever pain management is your preference. If you want an elective induction or to choose any intervention by your own desire, this class will help you be well-informed on what those options are and the pros/cons of that.
This is also a guide for navigating important choices such as where to give birth and what resources to look for.
Taught by a birth doula with a degree in health sciences who is familiar with the healthcare system, I'm here to help you navigate your maternity care experience with wisdom and optimal communication.
This is for women who like to be educated and well-informed. We're going to go through a lot of information here. It's a good class to take if you like to lead your healthcare, know what your options are, research things, and be actively involved in the decision-making process.
This is also intentionally for women who make their own choices. It is not a natural birth class. It does not push you to birth one way or another. I respect whatever you decide is right for you. If you want to go all natural, this class will provide information on interventions and how to communicate your plans. If you want to get an epidural, this class respects whatever pain management is your preference. If you want an elective induction or to choose any intervention by your own desire, this class will help you be well-informed on what those options are and the pros/cons of that.
This is also a guide for navigating important choices such as where to give birth and what resources to look for.
Taught by a birth doula with a degree in health sciences who is familiar with the healthcare system, I'm here to help you navigate your maternity care experience with wisdom and optimal communication.
The class experience
You'll enter a calm classroom - no chaos or loud opinions like social media. Cozy up in your pajamas and get comfortable.
You'll receive information in a structured way that builds upon the previous modules. Many women spend months Googling questions or asking Facebook groups about things they've heard about here and there. They can get a lot of conflicting information or heated thoughts. It can be so overwhelming. They also may not know what to ask or if they've thought of everything. It's stressful having to try and put the fragmented pieces together over months with what you can pull from different social media posts. You don't have to worry about that with this class. We go over a lot, but don't worry if something unfamiliar comes up in your maternity care. We also talk about how to ask the right questions so you are fully informed.
You'll come into a space without agendas. Natural birth goals? You can do that here. Epidural goals? You can do that here. Declining meds/interventions? You are respected here. Choosing interventions or medications? You are also respected here. Truly, I want you to choose what's right for you. Make your own recipe of the kind of care you want.
You can go at your own pace. It's all pre-recorded. You can also go back and review sections again. Each video is under 20 minutes; most are under 15.
It's convenient for your schedule. You can take the whole class in a day if you want to. You can also take one module a day. You could even do one video a day. You can spend as many weeks as you want to. You can do an overview in a day and then go back over each module. I'm so excited to have this online so women everywhere have access to education. This easily works with your work schedule and your husband's schedule, your older kid's bedtime routine, and even your toddler's nap time. Do the modules at the times that are best for you. If you want, listen to the videos while you're folding laundry or cooking dinner. It's flexible and fits a family-friendly schedule. Don't worry about your husband not being able to make it to class. You can do class together when it works for both of you. Feel welcome to pause the videos and discuss things along the way. There are no time limits.
Taking a formal class is receiving all the information you need in a structured curriculum. It's walking away from confusion and signing up for clarity. It's laying down the stress of "What do I need to research? What should I ask?" and sitting (virtually) with a seasoned teacher almost as if we are having tea together and I'm sharing wisdom in digestible bites 20 minutes or less so you have time to think it over. There's peace in not having to stress about figuring it all out yourself.
You'll receive information in a structured way that builds upon the previous modules. Many women spend months Googling questions or asking Facebook groups about things they've heard about here and there. They can get a lot of conflicting information or heated thoughts. It can be so overwhelming. They also may not know what to ask or if they've thought of everything. It's stressful having to try and put the fragmented pieces together over months with what you can pull from different social media posts. You don't have to worry about that with this class. We go over a lot, but don't worry if something unfamiliar comes up in your maternity care. We also talk about how to ask the right questions so you are fully informed.
You'll come into a space without agendas. Natural birth goals? You can do that here. Epidural goals? You can do that here. Declining meds/interventions? You are respected here. Choosing interventions or medications? You are also respected here. Truly, I want you to choose what's right for you. Make your own recipe of the kind of care you want.
You can go at your own pace. It's all pre-recorded. You can also go back and review sections again. Each video is under 20 minutes; most are under 15.
It's convenient for your schedule. You can take the whole class in a day if you want to. You can also take one module a day. You could even do one video a day. You can spend as many weeks as you want to. You can do an overview in a day and then go back over each module. I'm so excited to have this online so women everywhere have access to education. This easily works with your work schedule and your husband's schedule, your older kid's bedtime routine, and even your toddler's nap time. Do the modules at the times that are best for you. If you want, listen to the videos while you're folding laundry or cooking dinner. It's flexible and fits a family-friendly schedule. Don't worry about your husband not being able to make it to class. You can do class together when it works for both of you. Feel welcome to pause the videos and discuss things along the way. There are no time limits.
Taking a formal class is receiving all the information you need in a structured curriculum. It's walking away from confusion and signing up for clarity. It's laying down the stress of "What do I need to research? What should I ask?" and sitting (virtually) with a seasoned teacher almost as if we are having tea together and I'm sharing wisdom in digestible bites 20 minutes or less so you have time to think it over. There's peace in not having to stress about figuring it all out yourself.
The outline of the curriculum
- Module 1: What a birth plan really is
- Module 2: Choices
- Module 3: Options
- Module 4: Decisions
- Module 5: Adaptations
- Module 6: Summarizing your goals
- Module 7: Postpartum plans
- Module 8: Plan for faith (bonus module for Christian parents)
Click through this slideshow to see a more detailed outline of what is in each module.
Why take this class
Everyone makes a birth plan. They may not call it that or write it out, but everyone makes decisions for their birth. Learn what decisions you will have to make and what options you have in a birth plan class. We talk about the purposes and benefits of birth plans, foundational decisions that will set you up for success in aligning with the healthcare style you value, what your values are, how to communicate these things with your care team, how you make decisions, all kinds of options and what those things mean, things to consider, and so much more.
What style of class is this?
This is a pre-recorded class. Nothing is live or requires attendance at certain times. It's perfect for introverts. You can do this class anytime day or night.
This class is formatted similar to an online college lecture. I wrote my own curriculum, taught it for several years in person, and decided to put it online so I could reach more women with this education. I created PowerPoint slides, recorded audio to go with each slide, and created it as a video. It is a traditional approach to higher education. These are not social media style videos. These are slides with audio. Everything on the slides is spoken. So, if you prefer, you can listen to it like a podcast. Play the videos on your computer, tablet, or phone.
Sensory friendly
While there is light nature sounds in the background, this is intended to be a sensory friendly approach to online education for those who are like me and struggle with sensory hypersensitivity + auditory processing. There are no clips of me talking on camera (minimizing multiple sources of sensory input) and the tone is intentionally calm. I naturally talk softly and at a slower pace. If you are neurodivergent and don't do well with processing a fast-pace, I've kept that in mind. If you want to speed it up, that is an option under the Vimeo settings. If you struggle with keeping attention, I've kept that in mind too by keeping videos shorter, able to play while you move around, or you can pause as you need to and come back when you're ready to focus again.
This class is formatted similar to an online college lecture. I wrote my own curriculum, taught it for several years in person, and decided to put it online so I could reach more women with this education. I created PowerPoint slides, recorded audio to go with each slide, and created it as a video. It is a traditional approach to higher education. These are not social media style videos. These are slides with audio. Everything on the slides is spoken. So, if you prefer, you can listen to it like a podcast. Play the videos on your computer, tablet, or phone.
Sensory friendly
While there is light nature sounds in the background, this is intended to be a sensory friendly approach to online education for those who are like me and struggle with sensory hypersensitivity + auditory processing. There are no clips of me talking on camera (minimizing multiple sources of sensory input) and the tone is intentionally calm. I naturally talk softly and at a slower pace. If you are neurodivergent and don't do well with processing a fast-pace, I've kept that in mind. If you want to speed it up, that is an option under the Vimeo settings. If you struggle with keeping attention, I've kept that in mind too by keeping videos shorter, able to play while you move around, or you can pause as you need to and come back when you're ready to focus again.
How long is class?
The videos total about 3 hours.
There are 8 modules. The entire class is conveniently on one-page with a section for each module. Some modules have multiple videos as I have kept each video under 20 minutes (most under 15min) to be easier to go at a pace that's right for you. (Friendly consideration to snack breaks.)
You can complete the class in one day if you want to or you can take your time. Try doing one module at a time and filling out the optional worksheets to help you develop your decisions. There is no rush. Take your time thinking over these things.
There are 8 modules. The entire class is conveniently on one-page with a section for each module. Some modules have multiple videos as I have kept each video under 20 minutes (most under 15min) to be easier to go at a pace that's right for you. (Friendly consideration to snack breaks.)
You can complete the class in one day if you want to or you can take your time. Try doing one module at a time and filling out the optional worksheets to help you develop your decisions. There is no rush. Take your time thinking over these things.
How much does it cost?
This class is freely open to the community. There is the option to purchase digital downloads or make a donation. If you are able to donate, I deeply appreciate your support.
What will you get from this class?
You will get guidance on how to navigate the healthcare side of your birth.
You will get pro tips from someone who has been a doula since 2008 and has a healthcare background for that insider perspective.
You will get insight to all the monitoring and routine interventions you may be offered. This class will bring understanding to the what and why, pros and cons, and the balanced perspective of looking at both sides.
You will get an introduction to this area of women's health care. If this is new for you and it will be your first time receiving maternity care, that takes away so much of the unknown and the unease that comes with that.
You'll get knowledge.
You'll get wisdom from a seasoned birth pro that doesn't work for the system and doesn't have any agendas on how you should give birth. I'm here to teach you what you need to know so you can make the decisions that best align with your values.
You will do a deep dive into your own values and decision-making approaches so you can find the care and resources that align with your health and wellness lifestyle.
While you will have the option to purchase templates for filling in your birth plan, what you'll really receive is the understanding you need to know how to make your own plan that feels right for you.
This class isn't a short lecture on how to make a stereotypical list of dos and don'ts. This class is education that brings you understanding so you can have the knowledge to navigate your birth's health care and the peace of mind that comes with being prepared.
This class will transform you into a woman who has deep understanding of the decisions she's making and leads her own path with knowledge and wisdom.
You will get pro tips from someone who has been a doula since 2008 and has a healthcare background for that insider perspective.
You will get insight to all the monitoring and routine interventions you may be offered. This class will bring understanding to the what and why, pros and cons, and the balanced perspective of looking at both sides.
You will get an introduction to this area of women's health care. If this is new for you and it will be your first time receiving maternity care, that takes away so much of the unknown and the unease that comes with that.
You'll get knowledge.
You'll get wisdom from a seasoned birth pro that doesn't work for the system and doesn't have any agendas on how you should give birth. I'm here to teach you what you need to know so you can make the decisions that best align with your values.
You will do a deep dive into your own values and decision-making approaches so you can find the care and resources that align with your health and wellness lifestyle.
While you will have the option to purchase templates for filling in your birth plan, what you'll really receive is the understanding you need to know how to make your own plan that feels right for you.
This class isn't a short lecture on how to make a stereotypical list of dos and don'ts. This class is education that brings you understanding so you can have the knowledge to navigate your birth's health care and the peace of mind that comes with being prepared.
This class will transform you into a woman who has deep understanding of the decisions she's making and leads her own path with knowledge and wisdom.
What do you move on with?
Once you complete this class, you'll move forward in your journey with education, knowledge, and wisdom.
You'll leave with the information you need to make decisions on the different options in your maternity care.
You'll move on in your maternity care knowing how to communicate with your care team better. (And you can take those communication tips into your healthcare experiences across the lifespan.)
After taking this class, you'll have developed the ability to make a birth plan that is actually customized to you (no cookie cutters) with your own recipe that aligns with your health and wellness values. You'll be able to make a birth plan with confidence.
And you'll have peace of mind that you wisely chose to invest time in education so you could be prepared to navigate your healthcare in labor and delivery for both you and your baby.
You'll leave with the information you need to make decisions on the different options in your maternity care.
You'll move on in your maternity care knowing how to communicate with your care team better. (And you can take those communication tips into your healthcare experiences across the lifespan.)
After taking this class, you'll have developed the ability to make a birth plan that is actually customized to you (no cookie cutters) with your own recipe that aligns with your health and wellness values. You'll be able to make a birth plan with confidence.
And you'll have peace of mind that you wisely chose to invest time in education so you could be prepared to navigate your healthcare in labor and delivery for both you and your baby.
Are you ready?
Start today and get access to an intelligent, comprehensive class on making your unique birth plan. The sooner you start learning the sooner this stops being a stressful "I have to make a birth plan, but don't know what to put" to a confident "I've made a birth plan and I have a deep understanding of what this is really all about."
Seek education. Gain knowledge. Have clarity. Leave confident. Take comfort in having peace of mind.
Seek education. Gain knowledge. Have clarity. Leave confident. Take comfort in having peace of mind.
About the teacher
Leanna Mae is an Apostolic Pentecostal Christian. She is an author. She's also a women's health educator and birth doula.
She writes nonfiction books and blogs on a variety of topics. She published her first book in 2012 and has since published several books on different subjects. She also writes handouts as digital downloads and creates other digital downloads on birth prep.
Leanna's degree is in health sciences. She became a birth doula in 2008, a certified breastfeeding specialist in 2014, and a certified birth & bereavement doula in 2019. She graduated college in 2018. Patient education is her passion. She's also passionate about patient rights and healthcare ethics. Her favorite area of healthcare is women's health. She also likes ED, ICU, and cardiology.
After graduating, Leanna started teaching classes. After years of enjoying teaching in person, she launched her first online class in 2026 with many more to come. She loves to teach! Leanna immensely enjoys writing her own curriculum. A 1988 baby, she also likes that old-school style of traditional education. Teaching makes her heart happy. It fulfills her to create classes that are in-depth and offer deep transformation to develop the student's abilities. While freelance teaching is definitely the right path for her, she was in 5th grade when she started saying she wanted to be a teacher (maybe 2nd grade when she started saying she wanted to be a writer) and has always said she would love to teach on a college level. She started writing curricula for fun when she was in high school in the early 2000s.
She offers Christian birth doula services on a part-time basis in western Ohio.
When she's not busy writing, she's probably thinking about what to write next. She's always got a project to work on.
Leanna is a night owl that loves iced coffee, tea in mason jars, country drives, and staring at the stars at night while relaxing next to a campfire. A small town girl, her desire is to be surrounded by cornfields and old barns. String lights are a must. She's an introverted dreamer that wants readers and students all around the world.
Explore her website to learn more about her books, read her blogs, and check out the shop pages for shirts and cool downloads.
She writes nonfiction books and blogs on a variety of topics. She published her first book in 2012 and has since published several books on different subjects. She also writes handouts as digital downloads and creates other digital downloads on birth prep.
Leanna's degree is in health sciences. She became a birth doula in 2008, a certified breastfeeding specialist in 2014, and a certified birth & bereavement doula in 2019. She graduated college in 2018. Patient education is her passion. She's also passionate about patient rights and healthcare ethics. Her favorite area of healthcare is women's health. She also likes ED, ICU, and cardiology.
After graduating, Leanna started teaching classes. After years of enjoying teaching in person, she launched her first online class in 2026 with many more to come. She loves to teach! Leanna immensely enjoys writing her own curriculum. A 1988 baby, she also likes that old-school style of traditional education. Teaching makes her heart happy. It fulfills her to create classes that are in-depth and offer deep transformation to develop the student's abilities. While freelance teaching is definitely the right path for her, she was in 5th grade when she started saying she wanted to be a teacher (maybe 2nd grade when she started saying she wanted to be a writer) and has always said she would love to teach on a college level. She started writing curricula for fun when she was in high school in the early 2000s.
She offers Christian birth doula services on a part-time basis in western Ohio.
When she's not busy writing, she's probably thinking about what to write next. She's always got a project to work on.
Leanna is a night owl that loves iced coffee, tea in mason jars, country drives, and staring at the stars at night while relaxing next to a campfire. A small town girl, her desire is to be surrounded by cornfields and old barns. String lights are a must. She's an introverted dreamer that wants readers and students all around the world.
Explore her website to learn more about her books, read her blogs, and check out the shop pages for shirts and cool downloads.
