Nicole Green was recommended to me and my husband by a friend of ours and his wife who were previous students. I wanted a natural birth, and I wanted to learn everything I could about it. The classes were amazing - I am a very shy, introverted person that typically likes learning on my own at my own pace. However, the atmosphere created by the friendly faces in the group, Nicole's comfortable home, and Nicole herself was what made The Birth School worth every penny for me. I learned a lot, and my husband/coach learned even more. We had the ability to ask questions and get feedback from Nicole and the others in our group, which was priceless for us. By the time the classes ended, I felt totally prepared for a natural Bradley birth. Unfortunately, I ended up having a c-section... But Nicole is still such a positive presence and mentor to me. She really does care about each and every one of her students, and just having that love from her and from the others in my group helped me get over a lot of the grief and fear I felt after having no control over my birthing experience. I would definitely recommend Nicole and The Birth School to anyone that's even somewhat considering a Bradley birth. Thank you, Nicole! You're the best! read more

This review is long overdue (I took the class starting in May 2012 and gave birth in August 2012), but I had to make sure I submitted my review for The Birth School because Nicole is amazing and my husband and I learned so much from her. With all the information given in the classes, it gave me such a positive attitude and outlook towards my pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery. Topics covered include: nutrition, labor positions, exercises you can do while pregnant, imagery, the different stages of labor, and the role of the coach. When my husband and I started the class, we were uncertain and insecure about the labor process. As each class passed, our confidence grew. And when it came time to give birth, we fought as hard as possible to get the labor experience that we wanted. I had several unexpected complications, so I did end up having some medical interventions during my labor. But with the help of our nurse (who was such an angel!) and the information we received from this class, I was able to avoid a c-section. I think it is very important to be as knowledgeable and prepared as possible. The Birth School really helped us in that aspect. One of the best things that resulted from taking this class was how involved my husband was during my pregnancy and labor. Partners who want to be involved can become great, encouraging coaches. This class also opened new doors that I never thought I would walk through including placenta encapsulation and natural living. I recommend any first time parent to take some form of childbirth education. And I HIGHLY recommend using The Birth School! read more

I would recommend this class to anyone. If you are wanting to do a natural birth, it is a must, however the education that Nicole covers in the class is so much more than that. My husband and I were referred to Nicole by another couple friend who also went through her class, and I am so thankful. The tools that Nicole provides during the class are priceless for you and your future family. Without Nicole's education my husband and I would not have felt as prepared and confident going into a natural birth (especially in hospital setting like we did). My birth experience did happen "as I had imagined" but the information we learned enabled us to make informed decisions throughout the labor process that got us to our end goal. Now that our little blessing is here (born February 2014) I can honestly say that The Birth School got us through the whole experience and set the foundation for us to raise our son in a healthy manner that WE have researched and decided on our own. Now a bit more about Nicole: Her method of teaching was excellent. With all the questions and uncertainty of birth, I often wanted her to answer my question with "this is what you should do," simply so I would not have to make yet another important decision. However it was quite the opposite, she created a supportive culture of learning in which we had the tools and basic knowledge to find the answers for ourselves - answers that would work best for our family, rather than what your nurse, doctor, friends, family, teachers, etc. are telling you. What an empowering feeling! Even though the class is over, we (okay to be honest I probably enjoyed that actual classes more than my husband but he too appreciated Nicole and the education VERY MUCH) know Nicole is still only a call or email away with any questions we may have. Based on her experience in the field she also has a priceless list of referrals and resources. Thank you again and again, Nicole! read more

Words cannot express how important and life-changing this class was for my husband and I. We had a beautiful, natural water birth in January 2014 and we know the preparation we received through The Birth School was essential. We learned so much (the important birth process data) but also about how we could work together as a team to bring our sweet boy into the world. My husband felt so empowered at the birth, and I was confident in my abilities to bring a healthy baby into the world naturally. Nicole is a knowledgeable and engaging teacher. Take this class!! read more

Nicole came highly recommended by friends of ours, and her birthing classes were everything they said they would be! Nicole's classes provide you with ALL of the details you need to make informed decisions about the entire birthing process - everything from what to expect physically with your growing baby to diet, medical procedures, breastfeeding, and postpartum. There is no guilting or shame for mamas who decide to go with an epidural. You walk away from these classes with the ability to make informed decisions about your own birth experience instead of reacting out of fear or pressure. Nicole provides bounds of support, encouragement, and empowerment. She's amazing! read more

As a first time mom I looked for someplace/someone that had everything I needed to know in one location and where I felt comfortable enough to ask those awkward or uncomfortable questions. Nicole's Bradley Method class was perfect for that!! My husband and I now feel incredibly prepared and ready for the arrival of our little girl after taking the 10 week course. Nicole is beyond amazing, kind, and willing to answer any questions you may have. I absolutely recommend her birthing classes! read more

Nicole is amazing!!! Taking her class was by far one of the best investments we made to prepare for our first baby. Nicole is an amazing teacher, she covered so many aspects of birth. She gave us a lot of tools and educated use on how and when to ask questions of our doctors and how to feel like we are in control of our birth process (even in a hospital setting). She truly cares about everyone in her class, is open to answering any question, effectively engages coaches/partners, and has a wealth of resources in the area to point you in the right direction for other specialists. My husband and I are so grateful to have crossed paths with her. read more

My wife and I were referred to Nicole Green by South Coast Midwifery. Nicole led our 10-week Bradley Method class and -- once we realized how amazing she was -- also agreed to be our doula. Let's begin with the class: it was wonderful. There were five or six expecting couples in our class. We met once per week, on Sundays, for about two hours. The class was equal parts educational, instructional, and inspirational. Although everything we learned in class was both interesting and useful, the most valuable aspect of it was that it gave my wife and I the opportunity to set aside two hours per week to pause our busy lives and to focus on this new life we were bringing into the world. This class is worth it for that alone. Plus, we shared lots of laughs with some new friends! Now, let's talk about the star attraction: Nicole. At the risk of setting expectations too high, she is incredible. My wife and I both knew within 15 minutes of meeting her that we wanted Nicole to be our doula. She is calm (almost zen-like!), positive, confident, well-informed, thoughtful, and nurturing; she generously drew from her own experiences as a mother, while ensuring we had enough room to find the path that was right for us. During the birth (which came about a month earlier than expected), Nicole was a rockstar. She offered guidance (in the middle of the night) as we navigated when to contact the midwives; she came to our house to assist in the early stages of labor; she timed our arrival at the center perfectly; she brought my wife (and me!) green juices as the labor continued; she comforted my wife when she needed it most; she stood up for us when we had an issue with one of the substitute midwives; and was right beside us when our baby boy joined our little family. Not content to stop there, she shuttled us back to our house, helped my wife up the stairs, and made us eggs and toast as we settled back into our new lives. Like I said: beyond incredible! My wife's first words immediately after our son was born captures the positivity of his birth: "That was amazing!" Post-birth, Nicole continued to be a fantastic resource. Not only did she offer lots of tips and information to help navigate those challenging first few days, but she coordinated with and among our lactation consultant, the midwives, and the rest of our care team. It was an enormous comfort to us that everyone we spoke to was on the same page -- which was largely a product of Nicole's efforts. In short, Nicole is amazing. We cannot recommend her strongly enough. If you are fortunate enough to take her Bradley Method course, or to have her as your doula, or, better yet, both, you are in the very best hands and I am confident she will be an asset in your pregnancy and birth. read more

Best birth education classes imaginable! Nicole is so knowledgeable and welcoming! She does a great job of covering important topics like maternal nutrition and exercise, the stages of labor, the role of a coach (dad) in the birth process, breastfeeding and so much more from a natural perspective! My husband and I don't consider ourselves crunchy but wanted a natural birth and Nicole provides such a balanced perspective while explaining the reasons that intervention free birth is best. She also has so many resources from books to recommendations on doulas, chiropractors and pediatricians! On top of all this, we made amazing friendships with other first time parents that share our philosophy! We have a Facebook group and all the mamas get together once a week! I don't know how I would be surviving parenting without my mama tribe. Thanks Nicole!! read more

My husband and I signed up for Nicole's classes because I was interested in a natural approach to childbirth that valued meditation and my partner's role. I had no idea how much more this class gave to us. Nicole always provided information on consequences and possibilities for everything related to birth. She was always willing to provide us with access to research and studies that backed up her claims and was open to class discussion of other points of view. She is open minded and also really good about backing up her claims and respecting her students. Nicole's class allows for truly informed or refusal of consent to routine hospital procedures. She explains thoroughly the way routine birth interventions work, times when they are appropriate, and times when they are used off label. This allows parents to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies. It gave me confidence that I would understand what was going on in my birth and prepared me to interact intelligently with the hospital staff. She always encourages asking doctors what their intervention does, if it can wait, and if there are alternatives. This series of questions has also been helpful dealing with doctors after the birth. Nicole gives ample attention to the emotional signs of labor as well as the physical signs of labor, which was actually extremely helpful during my birth because I had a very quick first stage labor at home and a rapid transition to second stage. It was clear I needed to go to the hospital quickly or risk a roadside birth. Nicole had us practice different positions for laboring so that we would have options on the big day. She also gave us the skills to communicate our preferred labor position to hospital nurses who expected us to just want to be on our backs. Because of Nicole I understood what my body was doing at every stage and could labor without worry. Although my pregnancy was extremely uncomfortable and downright painful at times, my birth was not. Everything came together and I was able to make informed decisions that allowed me to deliver with a lot of hard satisfying work but not pain. (My daughter was born in a natural unmedicated birth on 5/13/14). read more

My wife convinced me to go to this class with her and I agreed, although quite skeptically. I didn't know anything about natural childbirth or the Bradley Method before showing up to the first class and couldn't understand what the benefits truly were. We already has signed up at Hoag Newport, had a fancy Newport Beach OBGYN, and had our first ultrasound. What else was there to know? However, in retrospect it was one of the most useful, helpful, and worthwhile preparations we did prior to having a child. The class taught us much more than just the benefits of natural childbirth; it prepared us for birth and parenthood in general and gave us lots of tips & tricks to use along the way. Nicole is a wonderful and passionate teacher and the classroom environment was very informal, interactive and entertaining. She prepared us for the stages of pregnancy, what to expect around the due date (date night), and how to survive the first few days and weeks with the newborn. The class helped us make more sound and informed decisions, such as finding a more supportive OBGYN (Dr. Illeck, you are a rock star!), what to do when the water breaks, understanding our rights at the hospital, and bringing olive oil with us for cleaning up the baby's tush. The class isn't just for midwifery and homebirth couples, but for anybody who wants be properly prepared for childbirth. read more

We were was initially skeptical of taking Bradley classes, but now that we have finished the 10 week class I could not be happier with our decision to work with Nicole Green. Nicole was personable right from the start, from her detailed and helpful emails to her clear advice during class. The class was fun to take and encouraging to go alongside other soon to be parents and hear their stories as well. You can read as many books about childbirth as possible, but it is truly better to work with someone in person who can help you along each crazy step of the way. My attitude towards childbirth has changed for the better dramatically, please take classes from Nicole Green!! read more

The Bradley Method birth class from The Birth School, a.k.a. Nicole Green, was a turning point in my pregnancy. When I got pregnant, I knew nothing about childbirth; I was so uninformed and unprepared. I found The Birth School and took the Bradley Method birth class about halfway through my pregnancy. I enrolled myself and my husband but was worried that it would be too "crunchy" for my husband, a skeptical engineer type. After the first class, our worries were quelled... Nicole was not a nut! Nicole presented information to us with facts and evidence, as well as her own motherly wisdom. Nicole was not afraid to gently challenge our preconceived notions about birth and taught us how to take control and responsibility for our birth experience. She earned our trust, and my husband was highly impressed with her sound knowledge and professionalism. When it came time for my son's birth, my husband and I were able to handle a long, rough birth successfully thanks in large part to Nicole's class. I had a successful unmedicated delivery after 86 hours of labor! Before the class, I was so afraid of birth and insecure about my body's ability not only to birth my child but to be a mother, but after the class I learned to trust my body and my own maternal instincts. After it was all over, my husband kept saying to me how accurate Nicole's lessons had been about what to expect thoughout the trajectory of labor and delivery. He felt well prepared to help me through the roughest part of labor. I found strength and confidence I never had before, and I am so proud of what we accomplished. My husband and I are 100% convinced that, had we not taken Nicole's class, I would have had a C-section at the hospital because my labor was so long and unusual. I credit both Nicole and the team at South Coast Midwifery for enabling me, my husband, and my son have a truly life-changing birth experience. I now consider Nicole a friend. You will not regret investing in Nicole's class. read more

I would highly recommend The Birth School to any soon-to-be parents or anyone considering a natural childbirth. Nicole is a wonderful instructor, providing her students with much needed information and insight into childbirth and becoming a parent. Plus, she is extremely caring and supportive of all of her students. Me and my husband are so glad we took this course! read more

This class should be mandatory for everyone expecting a baby. After hearing about it from a friend who was taking it, I decided to enroll my wife and I. It exceeded every expectation we had and the education we got has empowered my wife infinitely more than I had hoped. Even if you weren't considering a natural child birth, this class has a lot to offer you. You wouldn't run a marathon without training for it, and pregnancy is a marathon and more! The instructor Nicole is a passionate, knowledgeable teacher and a wonderful person. She should definitely be part of your birthing team. The value of this class can't be overstated. read more

Nicole is AMAZING! Her class was recommended to me by a friend I really trust but to be honest I was still skeptical. I wasn't sure I wanted a natural birth and I really wasn't sure if I decided I did we needed a class to help us get there. My husband and I decided to enroll in the class after all and it was the best decision! Nicole's class is not only extremely informative on the birthing process (however you envision yours) but she is also extremely supportive and encouraging! He goal is to give you the knowledge and tools to feel informed and empowered when birth day comes - and that is exactly what she did for us! We spent less than two hours at the hospital before our healthy, happy son was born totally intervention/drug free and we have the confidence we gained from Nicole's class to thank for that! read more

This review is incredibly overdue considering my daughter is over a year old, but I still feel just as strongly now as I did when she was born that my husband I would not have had the amazing birth experience we did without Nicole and her Bradley Method class. Nicole taught us not only how to achieve a natural childbirth, but also how to maintain control over the entire event by educating ourselves on the childbirth process and learning how to effectively communicate with our medical team. We created a birth plan based on what we learned from Nicole, and upon seeing that my husband and I were well-educated on the subject, my doctor and nurses were very respectful of our desire for as few medical interventions as possible. We felt like the class brought us even closer together as a couple, gave my husband a way to be very involved in the pregnancy and birth, and provided us with a solid jumping off point into parenthood. Thank you, Nicole!!! read more