What Is a Spinning Babies® Class?

What Is Spinning Babies®? What to Expect From a Spinning Babies Class

You’ve likely heard about Spinning Babies® and are curious about what Spinning Babies® is. As a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator, I’m answering the most common questions I hear from expecting moms.

What Is a Spinning Babies® Class?

A Spinning Babies® Parent Educator Class is a 3–4 hour prenatal class that focuses on creating optimal alignment in the pregnant body to support a smoother, more comfortable birth.

The goal is to help the baby find an ideal position for labor while reducing the risk of common birth challenges, including:

• Shoulder dystocia

• Baby being posterior (sunny-side up)

• Breech or transverse positioning

• Prolonged or painful labor due to poor positioning

This class also addresses common pregnancy discomforts such as:

• Pelvic girdle pain

• Pubic symphysis pain

• Sciatica

• Low back pain

By improving balance and space in the pelvis, Spinning Babies® can also reduce labor discomfort that often comes from a poorly positioned baby. You’ll learn how and why these techniques work, and how to use them proactively throughout pregnancy.

Who Should Take a Spinning Babies® Class?

Honestly, every pregnant mom can benefit. This class is especially helpful if you:

• You are a planning a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

• Have had a previous or current breech or transverse baby

• Have experienced a posterior baby in a prior pregnancy

• Are you dealing with pelvic pain, pubic symphysis pain, or sciatica

• Want to reduce the likelihood of a cesarean birth

If your goal is to support physiologic birth and avoid preventable complications, this class is a powerful tool.

Is This a Childbirth Education Class?

This is not a full childbirth education class.

While we do discuss labor progression and comfort measures, this class does not go in depth on:

• Hospital or home birth procedures

• Medical interventions

• Advocacy or decision-making during labor

Think of Spinning Babies® as a body-based preparation class that complements childbirth education rather than replaces it.

My Doula Knows Spinning Babies®. Do I Still Need This Class?

It’s wonderful that your doula is familiar with Spinning Babies®. That said, it’s important to understand what “trained” or “certified” means within Spinning Babies®.

Before 2024, many doulas attended foundational Spinning Babies® workshops, which introduced some of the Three Balances®. These workshops did not provide certification.

As of 2024, Spinning Babies® began offering the Spinning Babies® Certified Birth Professional credential. Before that, the only certifications available were:

• Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator (for teaching parents)

• Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner (available only to certain licensed health professionals, not doulas)

If your doula is not an Aware Practitioner or a Spinning Babies® Certified Birth Professional, taking this class is highly recommended. Even if she is certified, many moms still benefit from taking the Parent Educator class.

Here’s why:

• This class teaches you how to prevent issues before labor begins

• You’ll learn how to recognize signs in your own body when techniques are needed

• Your birth partner will learn how to help you at home when your doula isn’t present

• Doulas often use Spinning Babies® techniques reactively during labor, while this class focuses on prevention and preparation

There are also techniques and concepts taught in the Parent Educator class that are not covered in foundational workshops. Certified Parent Educators receive advanced training specifically for teaching families.

How Is This Different From a Body Ready Birth® Workshop?

Body Ready Birth® addresses alignment of the entire body—mind and physical structure—while also helping position changes become second nature through repetition during pregnancy.

Spinning Babies® focuses more specifically on:

• Creating space in the pelvis

• Supporting optimal fetal positioning

• Addressing and reversing poor fetal positions

While Body Ready Birth® includes some Spinning Babies® concepts, Spinning Babies® goes deeper into fetal positioning and pelvic balance.

I offer a Prenatal Body Alignment Workshop Series that combines the benefits of both approaches for moms who want comprehensive preparation.

Can My Doula Attend the Class With Me?

Doulas are not permitted to attend this class as a “birth partner.” Spinning Babies® encourages doulas to attend workshops or pursue certification separately.

You are welcome to bring one birth partner—someone who will be present at your birth and support you physically. This class is limited to five couples, so space is very limited.

I’m Due Very Soon and Can’t Attend the Class in Time. What Are My Options?

If you’re due any day now and won’t be able to attend a full Spinning Babies® class in time—especially if your baby is currently breech—you still have options.

Private One-on-One Support

I offer private, one-on-one sessions for moms who need last-minute guidance. These can include:

• A personalized body alignment assessment

• Targeted Spinning Babies® techniques based on your specific presentation

• Practical tips you can implement immediately at home

Private sessions enable us to tailor our approach to what will be most beneficial for your body and baby during the remaining time.

Spinning Babies® Breech Resources

If your baby is breech, Spinning Babies® offers additional resources I strongly recommend:

• Help My Breech Baby Turn – a downloadable resource you can purchase and start using right away

• Breech for Pregnant Parents – an in-depth course specifically designed for parents navigating a breech pregnancy

These resources pair very well with private support and provide clear guidance you can use daily.

What About the Spinning Babies® Mini Crash Course?

Spinning Babies® does offer a mini crash course, which can be helpful if time is extremely limited. However, it does not cover everything and is best used as a supplement. For optimal understanding and application of the techniques—especially in a breech situation—in-person learning or private guidance is strongly recommended.

If you’re feeling the pressure of time, know that even small, well-chosen adjustments can make a meaningful difference. Support doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, and last-minute help can still be very effective.

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