About the course
Online childbirth course for couples
Clear, practical and evidence-based preparation for birth
Pregnancy Course Online is a no-nonsense online childbirth course that explains what happens during labour and birth, and what you and your partner can do.
It’s mainly a theoretical course with practical tools, such as breathing techniques and ways to cope with contractions. Suzan explains a lot, so you understand what is happening during childbirth. Nothing airy-fairy: just clear, scientifically supported information you can really use.
You follow the lessons together, at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. Questions are always welcome, and you get a handy summary of the tips & tricks.
The course at a glance
Who it’s for
Expectant parents, ideally between 28 and 36 weeks pregnant. Designed for couples: partners are explicitly part of it.
How it works
4 video modules in English. Watch online on any device, pause whenever you like and rewatch as often as you need.
Access
7 months with Premium, 9 months with Gold. Start straight after payment.
Who made it
Childbirth educator Suzan Doeswijk: 18 years of experience and more than 10,000 couples prepared.
Reimbursement
Reimbursed by most Dutch health insurers with supplementary insurance. You download the invoice yourself.
In 4 video modules
What you will learn
From pregnancy to birth: the topics covered in the course.
Your baby during pregnancy
- What happens in your womb
- Facts and fun facts about your baby
- Which changes and signals are normal
Hormones and birth
- Which hormones are active during labour
- What they do and where they are produced
- How you can influence them positively
Contractions and the stages of labour
- What a contraction is and what it feels like
- How long contractions last and why they are needed
- The different stages of labour
- When to go to the hospital
What you and your partner can do
- Ways to cope with contractions
- Tasks for your partner (active support)
- What not to do
Pain relief and medical choices
- Medical pain relief: pros and cons of each option
- What if labour goes differently
- Interventions and hospital procedures explained
Breathing techniques
- Simple breathing techniques
- When to use which technique
- How to stay calm and focused
- Practising at home
How to get started
Pick your package
Choose Premium or Gold, then fill in your name, email address and a password.
Pay securely online
Pay with iDEAL, credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal. Ordering from abroad works too.
Start right away
After payment you’re logged in automatically and can begin module 1. Your invoice is under Member pages → Invoice.
Good to know
Why take the course together?
Knowing what happens to your body during pregnancy, birth and the time after gives you confidence. Taking the course together means you both know just as much. Your partner learns what they can do during the birth, and that is a lot.
I live or give birth outside the Netherlands. Is the course suitable for me?
Yes. How labour works, the role of hormones, breathing and coping techniques, pain relief options and how your partner can support you are the same everywhere. The course is in English and online, so you can follow it from anywhere.
Suzan works within Dutch maternity care, so some practical details, such as the role of the midwife and when to go to the hospital, follow the Dutch system. Maternity care differs from country to country: always follow the advice of your own midwife, doctor or hospital.
Can we also take the course for a second pregnancy?
Yes. It’s often good to refresh your knowledge, and you always learn something new. With the experience of your first birth, you can also put some of the information into context better.
Is the course also suitable if I’m expecting twins?
Absolutely. Twins can be born naturally or by caesarean section; both are covered in the course. Send us an email after your purchase and you’ll receive extra information especially for parents expecting twins.
I’m also taking another pregnancy course. Can I combine them?
Yes, the course fits well alongside other pregnancy activities, such as pregnancy yoga or swimming.
Do I have to take a childbirth course?
Of course you don’t have to, but it is highly recommended if you are giving birth for the first time. About 80% of women take a course during their first pregnancy.