I read so often, "Birth doesn't go as planned so you don't need to take a class" and it just totally blows my mind. Birth doesn't go as planned and that's exactly why you DO need to take a class. An in depth class. Britta's class. I approached my pregnancy as a 9 month grad school class. I took it upon myself to read books, journal articles, blogs, engage on online discussion groups, listen to podcast... really everything I could to learn the ins and outs of this journey I was on. My husband read a book. Kind of. He definitely skimmed it. I knew that our vocabularies were so different that we needed to find a class that would allow us to have a shared lexicon to properly communicate. I researched (like everything else) just about every class type offered in the greater Los Angeles Metro Area and I was just called to Embodica. My husband likes to refer to a lot of what I'm into as "hippie s**t." From that statement, it's clear he is not. I spoke to Britta on the phone before the class began, worried that her class would be too "wooey" for him, but after our conversation I knew she was grounded and funny enough that he would be won over. Because man did he have to be won over when I showed him the website. Our first class was an eyeopener for both of us. We were one of 6 couples, all due within two months of each other. My husband saw the focal point in the middle of the circle and arched an eyebrow--he just knew we paid a lot of money for woo-woo crap. Then Britta began to talk and I saw him perk up and really began to listen. When Britta demoed what a real contraction could look like, he was all in. Later that evening when we practiced comforting our partners while holding ice, I learned that he thought singing "Henry the VIII I Am" and some Queen son were appropriate comforting strategies, and so the revelation I they were not before labor probably saved our marriage and/or his life. Over the six weeks of class, we learned so much. Despite my exhaustive research, actually learning from someone as knowledgable and grounded as Britta allowed me to put all the information I was learning in context. My husband was able to learn the ins of out of the technical side of all things pregnancy/labor. Together, we developed a coping strategy that worked well for both of us. So yes, you cannot prepare for birth. I was pretty sure when push came to shove, I would lock myself in a room by myself and push everyone away (the perks of a homebirth is that I really could do this!). Yet, when things actually started, I needed my husband to be there for me. We used everything we learned in Britta's class over the course of my 55 hour unmedicated labor. My husband was able to truly comfort me and meet my needs in a way I know for a fact he wouldn't have been able to do before our class. We now talk to a lot of the other couples through a private little FB group one of the mom's created and are planning on meeting up soon so all the babies can meet. My husband and I also reflect on our time in that class often as we navigate the "4th trimester." As a parting gift, Britta gave each member of the class a labyrinth necklace. I haven't taken mine off since I put it on shortly before I went into labor and my husband's cord just broke as he would thumb the pendant so often. It's a reminder that our journey is continuing and to give ourselves patience and grace as we navigate this new world of parenthood. My husband and I will both be forever grateful for our experience in Britta's class and wholeheartedly recommend it to every couple preparing to welcome their child into the world. Oh, and as an aside, I really love how Britta used non-gendered terms even though we were all heterosexual, cis couples. "Birthing partner," "supporting partner," etc. Speaking to trans and lesbian couples, I know finding a safe and supportive birthing class can be difficult, so I think it's important to point this out. read more

My husband and I felt so lucky to have attended this workshop. We had not taken any other childbirth classes but we both felt more than sure that we ended up at the best one in the world. Britta's skill as a mentor, storyteller, listener, and communication guide are unmatched and I cannot possibly imagine anyone better suited to exactly the work she does with parents-to-be. I learned so much, yet never felt overwhelmed with information since she made the day so interactive. There is so much that I took with me not only into labor and childbirth but in parenting, life, and my relationships with my partner, my self, and my environment - without a specific to-do list or set of stock instructions. I loved how all the learning was connected to deep reflection into the senses for I believe that this is how real learning takes place - in the whole self.... After we had our baby my husband and I went to Britta for couples counseling and we had another great experience. The three of us sat in her lovely studio and she helped mediate difficulties we were having. Things have been so much better ever since that one session!! read more

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BIRTH CLASS!! This class was such an amazing experience for my wife and myself, both as a couple and as future parents. Britta is so knowledgeable/ insightful and is truly passionate about what she does. She attracts special people to her class and they have become our friends. Men: If you are looking for ways to support your wife throughout this process, this class is for you! read more

For the dads, I can't recommend this class enough. We took the two day course and I took pages and pages of notes from Britta's wisdom and advice and guidance that helped us throughout the birthing process. Rarely in your life will you have an experience as intense and unprecedented as the birth of your child. Taking this class helps you have an understanding of what you are going to go experience, and how to prepare you and your wife to achieve your birth goals. It was invaluable. Thank you Britta! read more

I can't begin to describe how empowering Britta's workshop was for me and my husband. It demystified the birthing process in a way that no book could, and helped us frame this momentous experience as a tremendous rite of passage. My baby is due any minute and the confidence and excitement I feel for this birth is in stark contrast to the fear and trepidation I see in other expecting friends. Britta created a truly magical space where all birth plans are welcomed, without judgment, and with unconditional support. Actionable tools, real life scenarios, and tips for communicating with medical professionals were all given, along with an inspiring, mythical exploration of pregnancy and birth. My husband and I walked away feeling more connected with each other, more resourced for our future, and more ready than we could ever imagine to be parents. Thank you Britta! read more

I want to leave this review while my mind is still fresh from this absolutely life changing experience. My husband and I have just finished (tonight!) Britta's six week childbirth class, both with tears in our eyes and with the confidence that we could do this, no matter how many curve balls birth could throw at us. We started this class knowing that we wanted to have a natural childbirth, but we were not at all prepared for the transformation it brought to our relationship as a couple and individuals. The wonderful part about Britta herself and this class, is that it will take you through the path that you are meant to take, and reinforce that in yourself that you thought was lacking. Although the class has a very intense and specific curriculum, it does not have an agenda. Please DO NOT hesitate about taking this class, you will not regret it, and you will soon find out that it has a way to complete parts in you that you didn't even know we're missing. It also has the plus of meeting a human being like Britta, who is a force of nature. Britta if you are reading this, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!! You will be in our hearts forever!! read more

This class was fantastic! Britta puts her heart and soul into every minute of the program so that soon to be parents feel ready for their birth - in a realistic way. Some great lessons for the moms are how to surrender, cope with pain, and use breathing to get through contractions. For dad- he will get some tools to provide support and learn how to navigate the birth and feel useful and an active part of the process. If you have an open mind and want to treat yourself to a truly empowering and lovely experience take this class!!! read more

My husband and I took Britta's 2 day intensive birthing class. IT.WAS.INCREDIBLE!! She's so utterly talented at this! This was at her home...so it felt so open and inviting. There were only 7 other couples so it was an intimate setting and everyone felt free to share fears/worries/excitement with each other. We were all super supportive and that all came from Britta's lead. She knows how to let the class "flow" according to what all of the couples need, and yet gets all the pertinent information out. I feel SO READY for ANYTHING that comes with my birth. And on top of that my HUSBAND feels ready to support me. He told me he was so grateful that I picked this class. We got closer to each other and more in touch with ourselves on this big crazy journey of becoming first time parents. If you've read this far - then THIS IS THE CLASS TO TAKE! You will be SO glad you did! Thanks Britta and Birthing From Within. read more

britta is an awesome teacher. i'd often show up to class exhausted, straight from work - but she was so engaging and interesting, the class quickly became the highlight of my week! she really brings 100%. you'll see what i mean. embodica was great for us as a couple. it shaped our expectations, opened our minds, and has helped us know how to support each other. a really creative and informative course. for the first time in my life i feel truly prepared for parenthood! best of luck to all expectant moms & dads reading this. read more

Britta is amazing and I feel so fortunate to have had the experience of going through her class. My husband and I learned so much and enjoyed the process. Highly recommended for couples on the journey of birth. read more

My husband and I were so excited to find a weekend intensive child birth education workshop. I was familiar with Birthing From Within education and the manager at our birth center had nothing but great things to say about Britta. In our two day intensive my husband and I not only learned about child birth, we learned about ourselves, our relationship, our fears (tigers), tools for labor, and so much more. We bonded, learned, cried & laughed. My favorite moments after our workshop included practicing our labor tools, the numerous times my husband said to our midwives "Britta taught us" or "Britta said...", and the personal lessons I learned & my ability to grow & let go of the things that no longer served me. But the most important part of taking the time with my husband & taking Britta's workshop is that it truly helped my labor & my delivery - the tools for working through my contractions, my husbands confidence, new found knowledge & support, and our ability to stay present in all the stages of my labor. It's still hard to put into words the appreciation we have for Britta & how many ways our workshop has benefitted our lives. We are so very grateful. read more

Britta Bushnell's 2 day childbirth preparation immersion is spectacular. Britta is gold and her methods are deeply wise and informed by all things good, strong and beautiful. She is highly skilled, knowledgable and passionate about what she does and inspires deep transformation. Britta embodies a perfect balance between warrior strength and feminine sensitivity. I highly recommend this class for anyone looking for the real deal. read more

Although I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully articulate how much Britta's classes meant to my husband and I, I just want to say a deeply grateful thank you for everything. In Britta's Embodica class, my husband and I both felt as if we had been able to work on solidifying the foundation not only of our (then) impending parenthood, but of our relationship as a couple. What an incredibly special experience for us. Her classes also allowed me to grow and process so much of the rapidly changing momentum in my own life, and to embrace it instead of avoiding it. Our son is now almost a year old, and throughout this whirlwind of a year, we have been so lucky to take all of the lessons Britta imparted on us, and use them to embrace the wonderful and challenging journey that is parenthood. Thank you, Britta. We are forever grateful. read more

Britta is amazing! My husband and I had the BEST time learning about the birth process during our two weekend long birthing course with Britta at her studio in Topanga! We have gained so much knowledge, and feel so much more confident about a natural home birth. We definitely recommend her classes to parents to be. It was a fun filled two Saturdays in row and we felt like we learned so much about the natural birth process. We are so happy our midwife recommended Britta and her courses! read more

I'm not sure how to express fully the depth of gratitude My husband and I feel for Britta and the experience we had during our time with her. We participated in her 6 week Birthing from Within class at the Del Mar Birth Center in South Pasadena. Just weeks prior we were scheduled to participate in an alternate class when we came across her website. As we began to read over her heart and mission we were hooked and certain our experience with her would be a good fit. We were so right! We feel that the time spent each week under her care and guidance, was integral to a healthy birth experience. We have built strong relationships with those we spent each week with and are still in contact with Britta to this day. We are grateful for both the relational and the experiential aspect to her teaching. She is a gift and a valued part of our birth story. read more

For those of you who have seen the "Oh, my beautiful baby" teary eyed "I loved my labor and birth" movies and think it isn't possible, I am reviewing Britta's class to let you know it is! I took childbirth preparation classes with each of my first 4 children (resulted in all "successful" undrugged vaginal hospital births) and it was Britta's class with my 5th pregnancy which was in a word - transformative. With the first 4 I huffed and puffed and blew my way through, focusing on my focal point, my partners eyes - you name it, just trying to just get through the contractions and away from the pain. I heard this "go into to it and through it" new age stuff in Britta's class and thought "well, whatever we'll see if it works". What a difference! Instead of trying to get away from it all (good luck baby because it ain't going away) I was able to be completely present to both what my body was doing (wow I am strong!) and my baby. For the first time ever I felt totally connected to my baby and could feel the sensation of my sweet boy moving down as I prepared to meet him. Birth is unpredictable and uncontrollable. An important part of preparation is learning how to "roll with it" and Britta does an excellent job of preparing you to do just that. #5 was a planned home birth with visions of a calm water birth dancing in my head. Alas baby boy arrived in a hospital 6 weeks early - and it was a beautiful birth. My ability to "roll with it" as I found myself in triage, on a gurney under fluorescent lights with nothing but a curtain between me and who knows who, was the direct result of Britta's guidance and I actually started laughing remembering the class where she helped us to prepare for the unexpected. I highly recommend Britta's class! read more

Speaking as a Dad-to-be, I can't emphasize enough what a wonderful class this is. My wife and I did a weekend immersion and were blown away by the power of the experience. Britta is quite simply one of the best teachers I have ever had for any subject. With a background in mythology, Britta guides you through the birth process in a way that not only gives you a complete sense of all the logistics you'll need to know, but really empowers both you and your partner to take on birth as an experience of awe, respect, and deep psychological transformation. By the end of the weekend, my wife and I felt so much more equipped to face the enormous journey we are about to embark on, so much more connected to the love we have for each other, and so much more inspired to dive into our future as parents. read more

Britta will always be a part of our daughter's birth story, because of the work she did with us in the Birthing from Within class. I can't recommend her highly enough. I heard of the class from a friend and after research, found that one of the most highly-trained practitioners in the country was in my back yard of Topanga. She lived up to every hope I had for this 6 week class. She created a place where we could all process whatever might be coming up around birth - fears, hopes, logistics, concerns, community, joy. She met each of the class members where they were. Never pushing an agenda, but encouraging each of us to find our best path, whether it was a home birth, hospital, with pain meds or without. She brought a sense of adventure, humor, sacredness, and non-judgement to the group. Obviously it all comes down to the actual birth and my husband and I used so many of the tools we learned with Britta. We felt prepared and on the same page. It empowered my husband to be present and in partnership. It gave us confidence that we could get through every stage of labor. I can honestly say that I had no fear during our birth, though it was long and somewhat complicated. Britta was a huge part of that and we will always be grateful. And of course, I recommend Britta to all my pregnant mamas. read more

Britta's intimate class setting and thoughtful curriculum created an environment perfect for learning and exploring our feelings around the birth experience. We came away from the class empowered and excited about what we are about to do and with a new level of intimacy between each other which was a lovely bonus. read more

I'm so grateful to have found Britta and experienced her teaching of the Birthing From Within method. I felt transformed by the end into an empowered woman and mama who can let go and roll with whatever happens in this birthing journey . It goes beyond any traditional class of breath work and positions into processing our deepest fears that birth and motherhood bring up . I feel like I've walked into the other side and now feel more ready , empowered and connected to my partner and my babythan ever before. Thank you so much Britta for a mythical , and highly informative experience. Amanda and marcus read more

My husband and I experienced Britta's 2-day childbirth education immersion, and honestly, it's more like a couples retreat with incredible hands-on and experiential learning that perfectly blends science/concrete information with the cultural, sociological, and mythological backdrop in which we all exist (in birth and postpartum and in our regular lives). Not only do we both feel primed for childbirth, but we also had the experience of a lifetime connecting with each other and within the unique dynamic of the group - both a testament to Britta's brilliant ability to create a safe, juicy space for everyone to share and learn together. It was exactly what we needed - childbirth education with heart, soul, and meaning. It was truly incredible, and I recommend this to everyone who is seeking education and experience that truly honors birth and postpartum as a rite of passage while speaking to relationships and life in general. Britta is a dynamic, engaging teacher and presence; we laughed and cried and loved it all! read more

As a soon-to-be first time father I found this experience to be pretty amazing. I highly encourage fathers/partners to take the course. We did the two day immersion in Topanga. Some details that stick out: Britta brings a lot of knowledge but it doesn't overwhelm or dominate the discussions. She is very good at weaving information with story into what feels like an organic experience. Mostly you are dealing with your expectations and preparing the mind for a shift in life... birth and postpartum. This is big deal for a lot of us modern dads and moms. Are we ready to be parents? Are we capable?. And I feel like the course really gives you some essential tools to understanding the shift and look at it empowered and encouraged. A big thing that contributes to this is the group of parents you take the course with. Imagine seven sets of parents (in our case all really invested and thoughtful people, but each with different ideals and concerns) sharing their expectations, asking questions, and being invested. You understand that we all experience the birthing process differently and no one way is the right way. You are encouraged hearing other parents figure out what is best for them. You learn about things you wouldn't have thought of because someone else brings it up... because it was important to them. I saw a lot of dads leave the course with more confidence, including myself. Mom's too. But what sticks out is seeing both parents find trust in each other's abilities and come together for the journey. On a practical note, the location is beautiful. I highly recommend the weekend immersion because you get to know everyone really well. It is pretty cool to spend that much time with other expecting parents. You're totally comfortable even with full day sessions. Lots of snacks and drinks are provided. You can sit, recline, bounce on a ball, or stand and move around... crucial for someone that gets tired of sitting! read more

Britta is magic, pure and simple. My husband Chris and I showed up that first Saturday of the intensive exhausted and unmotivated but within minutes of meeting Britta we knew we were in for something special. By the time the next Saturday rolled around we were the first ones there and stayed an extra hour past the class ending just to chat more with Britta and our new friends. What I'm trying to say is Britta isn't just a teacher. She's a motivator, an educator, a mentor, a story teller, a truthsayer, a guide, a friend, a confidant. She prepared us for parenthood in ways we didn't know we needed. She "opened" us up to the possibilities of what lies ahead for us and encouraged us to take those steps with confidence. Plus, she's just really, really ridiculously cool. We both learned so much about ourselves over the course of this intensive and we have Britta to thank for that. She's special. And her class is special. We will never forget our time with her. Do yourselves a favor and sign up. You won't regret it. read more

This past weekend, my husband and I completed a birthing immersion workshop with Britta. I have not stopped raving about it since. Embodica came highly recommended to me by several women that I trust in the birthing and motherhood community. I could not be more grateful for those referrals. Through this workshop my husband and I became closer than we have ever been. Our personal history is a long one and we've known each other for 30 of the 36 years we've both been on this Earth...but I tell you what...we discovered new ways to support each other, to care for each other, and to empower one another this weekend. Several people have asked me what this workshop discussed and delved into. The experience was so much more than words can say but what I find myself sharing is this; My husband and I became closer, my husband learned new ways to support me in the birthing room and through contractions while learning to protect and help keep this experience sacred for us both, I learned ways to breath-deal with mental hurdles- and create steps for myself to ask for help and create a safer space when I need it, and most importantly, in this workshop we spoke of the unspoken, things were too afraid to say out loud...and we demystified and worked through the fears; we embraced the unknown, we welcomed the worry, and we processed and workshopped how to support ourselves through it all. I do not know exactly what our labor and birth journey will look like, but I am supremely confident in my strength and in the strength of my partner to carry each other through this amazing path to baby. I say again...I am so grateful for the experience that Britta and Embodica shared with my husband and I. read more

Britta is, quite simply, THE BEST. My husband and I took a birthing class with her in Topanga a few years back when we were pregnant with our first. The class was amazing and REALLY prepared us for birth. Not just any birth- a beautiful birth. We knew what to expect, we were prepared and totally educated by the time I went into labor and I attribute our great experience mostly to Britta. Very grateful to have found her. We are heading back into a refresher class with her to prep us for welcoming our 2nd baby in fact. We love her! read more

Britta's Birthing from Within workshop was essential for the birth of our daughter and our transition into parenthood. I came to the class with a vague sense about labor and birth, and unsure how I could be the best support for my wife throughout the process. In just two full days with Britta and three other couples, we dove deep into a wide range of issues, facing fears and exploring uncertainty. My blissful ignorance evaporated and I left with a new set of tools, knowledge, and confidence as our baby's birth day approached. While no birth experience can be considered easy, Britta's teaching and wisdom stayed with us and lifted our spirits throughout the long labor. Without a doubt, Britta's class is the best preparation for birth, parenting, and growing a family. read more

Nothing can quite prepare one for the experience of birthing a human being, but if anything can it would be Britta's classes. Britta is a gifted educator, coach and mentor. Her class was full of information, playfulness, depth, sharing, fun, and love. I always looked forward to what would be coming up next and Britta delivered the goods each week, every week. Birthing babies is an inward, solitary experience surrounded by community and although Britta wasn't at my actual birth, she was there, in my head and heart, through each step and transition. At times, I almost couldn't believe how loud her voice was at my birth. I thought I was going to childbirth prep classes, what I walked away with was that and so much more. I walked away armed with all the tools I needed to birth with awareness and that alone made my experience priceless. I can not say enough about this woman! read more

My husband and I attended Britta's weekend immersion class in Topanga over this past weekend. It is difficult to articulate how meaningful this experience was for us. As other reviewers have said, Britta is a phenomenal teacher. Two full days of anything when you are pregnant can feel like a lot, but Britta kept our attention and our hearts present the whole time. She uses a mix of effective exercises, story-telling and a little bit of simple lecturing to equip you for childbirth. And the way she equips you is so much deeper than any information you could get from a book or frankly, from most other teachers. I came away feeling like I had a better grip on exactly what kind of physical journeys could lie ahead of me. But more than that, I felt empowered to feel the entire range of emotional and spiritual experience that becoming a parent brings - happiness and joy but also fear and grief. I cannot express my gratitude enough for that. Britta created a space where several couples who had never met each other felt safe in sharing expectations and fears. I was surprised at the depth of experience we all had. And what's more, the workshop facilitated a deeper emotional connection between my husband and me than we had previously enjoyed, particularly over the upcoming birth of our son. We have been together for the better part of a decade and have done a lot of emotional work together. But I was blown away by the effectiveness of this two-day experience for our relationship. We left feeling closer and emotionally equipped for what lies ahead. If you are considering taking an Embodica class of any kind, do not hesitate. You will not find a better use of your time and money. Thank you Britta - we bow down to you! read more