This class was recommended to me by my OB/GYN Dr Laurie Green that's why I followed her recommendation. I was DISAPPOINTED with the time and money I spent on it. I walked out shocked and took more issues out of child birth than I came with. 1. Sarah McMoyler shows her background as a registered nurse and the whole class is all about her personality, acting skills and her awesomeness. 2. The class had way too much PRODUCT PLACEMENT, too many references throughout. 3. Introduction of the class was WAY TOO LONG, not informative at all. Class could have been an hour or two shorter if product placement, lame jokes and sucky intro were removed. 4. The breastfeeding and newborn care portions were too short, I expected more. 5. Information on labour and delivery seemed very hectic, NO STRUCTURE. I didn't learn much at all. No breathing technics except useless hee/haw and aaah. 6. Two live videos of labour that she showed in class were very DISTURBING and I don't see how they are supposed to be helpful. 7. A VERY PRICY class for what you get out of it: $400 for you and your partner. Overall, I left the class filled with DISGUST, I wish I had done something more useful that day and I wish I could claim my money back. The only USEFUL part was Infant CPR and Choking Relief section of the class and we got to practice on dolls. But you would be better off taking online certification for as much as only $40. read more

I want to first start by saying KUDOS to Sarah McMoyler and her wonderful, well-prepared lectures on the child birthing process, all the way up to the first few weeks with your new baby! I think it's important to start by acknowledging her ability to deliver such a thorough compilation of materials in such a short amount of time. Although there are alternatives to Sarah's classes, I have yet to hear about one with such a hands-on, interactive format. My wife and I attended both the 101 and 102 weeknight sessions lasting over a two-week span. In terms of the course structure, we've had friends that have taken the weekend session as well and can attest that having options (weekend vs. weekday) is perfect. My wife and I have found out how important our weekends are now (she's 6 weeks shy or her due date), so having weekday sessions was huge. In terms of the environment, the class takes place in a large quasi-lecture hall in a California Pacific building. We found this to work just fine for the group of 30-40+ people, especially since Sarah does a great job on walking the aisles to ensure that everyone sees and hears her. Also, she provides pillows, refreshments, and of course, who can forget - cookies! All in all, not to say that this little bit of information really matters, it at least makes for a more "comfy" class setting. The content, what most of you care about, was spot on. What do I mean by "spot on"? Well, for one, you will receive course booklets covering everything you will EVER need to know pre and post-labor. Yeah, plenty of books out there have more or less the same information, packaged more or less in a similar fashion. However, it is important to note that Sarah does a fantastic job going through the most important material in such a way that slowly but surely answers your questions before you even realize you wanted to ask them. As a new father, I can attest that I had plenty of pending questions that were ultimately addressed by Sarah throughout the course. So yeah, buy all the books you want regarding child birth, and the first few weeks, but I can promise you that you will have Sarah's course lecture books by your side at the hospital come delivery time. The last thing I want to comment on is regarding the last piece of course 102. Let me just tell you that having the ability to see a "real" family come in with their newborn (in our case the newborn was 20 days old) and swaddle, change, bathe, and even sooth the baby, was more than invaluable. I liken it to the whole indoctrination vs. hands-on learning environment. Nothing compares to seeing it in action, right in front of your face. The take away is this: in a world with more information than you or I even know what to do with, it's very easy to convince yourself to save the money and self educate. I for one am totally of that mindset. What I realized with this class was that it's impossible to know what to care about come "go-time". That is, Sarah does a solid job of educating you on the most important takeaways when you're in the moment. Yeah, you probably will only retain and adopt only 10% of the information much like you did in college, but remember, you have the course booklets, a network of parents, and even Sarah McMoyler to answer your questions well after the class is over. Good luck to all of those new parents out there! read more

I came about Sarah's class through a colleague of mine who raved about this workshop as a first-time terrified parent such as myself. Originally, I was going to sign up through UCSF but decided against attending multiple 4 hour classes at $100 a pop. For two nights, Sarah gave you the lowdown on what to expect during labor, the birth itself and tending to your infant afterwards in an interactive and informative way. When I left the class, I felt better informed and prepared than when I arrived. I am now writing this review 5 weeks post partum and the information I obtained during Sarah's workshop helped me through labor and delivery, and also caring for my newborn. The most important thing that I took away from this class during my delivery was the breathing techniques when I was going through 24+ hours of active labor. Also, during my recovery at the hospital, my 2 day old daughter started choking and I instinctively knew to turn her over and started patting her back before I had a chance to press the nurses button, I thank Sarah's class for having drilled that into my head. I've read many reviews here criticizing the class, but honestly, ever birth experience is different and there's only so many hours available for Sarah to cover the depth and the breath of what your labor and delivery experience could be. Overall, this class was worthwhile for me and $400 is a small expense to pay when it comes to your child. read more

This class was recommended to me by my OB/Gyn, Dr. Laurie Green. 23 months after attending the McMoyler Method class, I know that it was relevant and played an essential role in providing me with the confidence to go into labor without fear and welcome my daughter into our lives. The class covered the following topics (and more): - LABOR Stages of labor, managing contractions, pain management, writing your birth plan - NEWBORN CARE Breastfeeding/latching, swaddling, bathing, nail care - INFANT CHOKING & CPR It covers the basics and you do practice with a doll, however I do recommend you take another more comprehensive class and actually get certified or take a refresher course when your little one starts sticking things in their mouth. In many ways, you will see that Sarah McMoyler shows her background as a registered nurse and addresses these things from the perspective of someone who has had first hand experience in the birthing room. She doesn't believe in the necessity of the Angelcare baby monitors, which are designed to warn you if your baby stops breathing but sometimes gives you false alarms if your baby moves off the sensor. We actually did buy one after our daughter was born and loved the peace of mind it gave us. It's always better to be safe than sorry. While this class covered the basics that every new parent (or those who haven't had a baby in a while) needs to know, your first lesson as a parent will be to discover that not every labor or child fits a mold. We still had a difficult time getting a good breastfeeding latch, our swaddles frequently fell apart, and I watched choking & CPR videos before nearly every meal when my daughter started eating solid foods and we had to go the baby-led weaning route because she just didn't want purees at all. There is just no one size fits all to parenting because many pregnancies are unique and most babies are different. But THIS class gives you basic knowledge and something even more valuable - a little more confidence. Still, unless you plan to read a few pregnancy, labor, and newborn care books (I strongly recommend What to Expect When You're Expecting) AND get CPR certified, I would recommend this class to any new parent. It was worth the $400 I paid for my husband and I to attend the one day format. (SPOILER: There will be prizes for participation of significant others and partners!) read more

My wife and I took the birthing class 101 and infant care 102. I loved these classes and I could not recommend them highly enough! Responding to some of the guys reviews before me... Before we signed up I was very hesitant. Many of my friends had taken the class and a few of the guys were a little grumpy about it. We almost chose another class until one of my mates told me, "John, you will be fine. You want to be involved. You have a sense of humor. You can make fun of yourself a bit. You will learn a ton." Yes dudes, you may have to participate in the class. You may have to change a diaper on a doll or help with the demonstrations (or if you are shy, give out cookies at break time). But lighten up and have fun. Stop being a consumer and be a participant in life. This is your baby and guess what? Sarah knows what she is doing - she makes the lessons sink in. You'll remember this stuff. It is entertaining. I never got bored for a second. Enough about the style. The information is excellent and unbiased - especially the sensitive personal choices. I was pretty nervous two weeks ago, but I feel much better now. read more

For first-time parents: all that you never wanted to know about delivery, breastfeeding, infant CPR, and basic infant care. Our OB, Dr. Laurie Green, recommended these classes, and we loved them. Here is why you should go to the McMoyler Method: - Sarah McMoyler who is teaching the classes has 30 years of experience as a nurse delivering babies and 2 kids of her own. She knows what works in the delivery room. - Her approach puts the partner in charge during the delivery so that the mum can focus on labor with a formidable coach. No more scared dads hiding in a corner or smoking cigarettes outside. - She explains all the alternatives for coping with pain, including epidurals and other procedures without passing judgment. - She explains all the various things and procedures that happen or can happen during delivery so that one understands when thrown into it. - The infant caring class is very reassuring. I had never held a tiny baby before and I felt totally comfortable jumping into it and breastfeeding thanks to her class. By the way, during the delivery I was the one telling the nurses where I was in the process and each time they wouldn't believe me at first because my labor was progressing so fast, but each time they admitted I was right when they "checked". What a tremendous help to know what is happening to your body and your baby in such an intense and scary moment! My husband ended up being such a wonderful support thanks to this prep. This was a very bonding experience for the two of us. I felt we did it together. I am a fan! PS: Too bad she charges even her graduates for access to the website... read more

I would say this class was just ok. We took it at the recommendation of my OB who I love, but at the end when my husband and I walked out, we said to each other at least we learned something but meh, could have been better. We felt pretty gypped at how much this cost - at $400/couple it is NOT cheap. That was the most painful part for me... I am of the thought that doctors and nurses know what they are doing and I plan to listen to them throughout my labor as they are the experts. If this is not your philosophy, I think you would take more issue with this class. Sarah is very friendly & has a wealth of knowledge after being a labor/delivery nurse for quite some time. I appreciated her expertise in this area. However, as an overall class I would really only rate this two stars. I've kept it short & sweet with pros/cons below. Feel free to make your own decision! PROS: - We feel better prepared for birth, slightly less terrified. - CPR & choking section was really good info and I plan to share with anyone taking care of our little guy. - We enjoyed the brand new baby + family coming in at the end, sharing their experience, and Sarah showing us how to soothe the baby & do a bath. - Sarah was lively, friendly, and very knowledgeable. CONS: - The product placement was god AWFUL. I thought my husband was going to poke his eyes out. Way too much, too many references throughout, felt like an infomercial. I appreciate recommendations, but this was too much. Class could have been at least an hour or two shorter if removed. - The breastfeeding and newborn care portion was a bit lacking, I expected more. I thought at least my husband would learn how to change a diaper & practice swaddling a bit more. - This class seems tailored to the Marina folk with lots of $$$ to throw at their babies. Case in point, families with baby nurses were referenced frequently. read more

I highly recommend this class for any mama's and papa's to be out there! Sarah is so energetic and honest and my absolute favorite thing about her, is how she involves the partners/daddys! She really focuses on what their role is going to be in the childbirth process and how they can help in caring for a newborn. After walking out of 101 last week, my husband turned to me and said "We so got this babe! I am ready for baby girl to come!" Hearing those words made me feel so happy and comfortable and assured that hubs was very prepared about what to expect. We are currently in the middle of 102 this week and already so pleased with what we have learned so far. We are super excited to meet the "star couple and newborn baby" that will be coming to class tonight! If you live in San Francisco or the East Bay (like we do), don't even bother researching other prenatal childbirth and newborn care classes. Just book this one and you will be completely satisfied. The class setting is conference style with long tables and chairs. They provide pillows for the preggo mama's and a chair on the other side of the table for you to put your feet up if you want. If you take the evening classes like we did, be sure to eat beforehand or pick up some food from somewhere or else you will be hungry. An hour and half into the class, Sarah gives a cookie and milk break which is nice too. read more

We were looking for classes that were not wedded to any particular agenda, and didn't give you a shame trip regarding medication, non-medication, etc. What we needed was something practical and flexible. My partner and I did the 101 (the having baby), and the 102 (how to handle new baby) classes and loved them. They have a great blend of medical knowledge (our instructor was an RN and a midwife) and emotional knowledge. They get to the heart of the matter and they get the partners heavily involved, which was helpful since mine has never changed a diaper and is a little nervous about the "not knowing" part of this process. I hear tell that Sara will be starting a twins/multiples class in the near future, that we will not be able to attend as the due date is close, but I'm sure it will be fantastic. Granted, this is an expensive set of classes, but it is well worth the cost. My partner is far more comfortable, we have ideas of what to expect, and none of it was overlayed by cloying affect or preciousness. read more

My wife and I took the first half of the birthing 101 class tonight and just wish we had taken the class & met Sarah McMoyler sooner. I am looking forward to Part 2 tomorrow night. As another male reviewer mentioned I feel less nervous and frankly more excited after tonights class. Sure you can read books and we have, but for us being in a group setting in the same boat with other first time parents brought elements we really needed. The facts are that Sarah has helped deliver 1,000's of babies, has had her own children, that we are learning from a professional are all feel goods. Her passion for what she does is what really made me write this positive review and her passion is a feel great! The negative reviews about Sarah being "very patronizing to men" and taking "pleasure in embarrassing the men" WAS NOT our experience in the slightest. If you are thinking about taking this class...yeah she actually had us get involved and yeah guys (including me) got up in front of the group. If being embarrassed is the worst thing that happens to us guys in the process and the Gal's get a few laughs....great ALL very well worth it. Getting out of my comfort zone woke me up and that helped me get more engaged. Sarah took any and all questions, stayed after to answers any and all questions....so it wasn't our experience that any topic was "not allowed" Sure she has her opinion and yes its giving birth in a medical facility and yes she has a method she recommends.....hence the name of the class :-) read more

My husband and I finished up 101 last night. I was a bit hesitant after reading those 1 star reviews on Yelp. I was concerned that maybe my husband would my husband feel belittled or annoyed. This was not the case at all. We both thoroughly enjoyed the class. I think this was the first time I have even seen my husband NOT check his blackberry for three hours. He was that engaged. Sarah is an excellent teacher with a wealth of experience. She is funny, practical and kept the entire room engaged in a thoughtful way. She is very much couple/ partner oriented, and encourages active partner participation. This is extremely important as most of you know, pregnancy is usually focused on the woman, which can be alienating to a partner. Two negatives (but not not negative enough for me to dock a star): 1. I found Sarah was way too quick to dismiss doulas and birthplans. I agree with her, but I think she could have tempered her strong opinion a bit (this is San Francisco after all). 2. Minor annoyance about Sarah's push for her personal referrals (event planners, photographers, cafes, cord blood banks, the Giggle bag filled with more advertisements, etc). Yes your "commercial break" was only for 5 minutes but it seemed highly inappropriate. It would be better to have a link on your web site like www.mcmoylermethod.com/deals. You can tell each class to visit the link. Or include the link on a confirmation email after people register for the class. Overall - a truly excellent class with a highly motivated teacher/entrepreneur. My husband and I feel much better prepared for what lies ahead. Thank you Sarah! read more

Just finished the class. It was excellently made. Exceeded my expectations. I must point out that I and my wife have read a lot on the subject prior to attending the class, so there wasn't so much we didn't know. But the class itself is extremely valuable if you didn't spend a lot of time reading on your own. Even if you did spend a lot of time reading though, I still recommend it because you will get some hands on experience with stuff like infant CPR and Heimlich manoeuvre which can be a life saver. It's also good as a way to confirm what is true from everything you've read and what is just myths. Overall I think Sarah McMoyler did an outstanding job and was a great presenter and educator! read more

My wife and I just completed the Birthing 101 course last night and I have nothing but great things to say. Sarah is amazing. She's informative, blunt and entertaining. I have so much more confidence and truly feel like my wife and I are armed with so many different tools going into the actual birth. Incidentally, we're doing a home-birth, told her that up front and she showed extra care in our perceptions of the class with the words "hospital" and "doctors/nurses" coming up so often in discussion. What my wife and I happily realized while taking the class was that while we're both aware of a possible hospital visit as a back up plan if needed, we didn't have any information on what to expect if we have to go. McMoyler Method has given us the proper information and we'll be prepared if the case arises for a hospital visit. We're scheduled for the 102 classes in a couple of weeks and I'm excited to go learn more about how to care for our daughter who is due in a month. One more note: As for the reviewer who talked about being threatened with embarrassment, I have to roll my eyes a little bit. I'm sensitive to people who don't want to get up in front of others, but it's an interactive class where real life examples help where text and illustrations in a book simply cannot. As the guy who got chosen to do what might be considered the most embarrassing act to volunteer for, I can say that I was glad I got chosen. The degree to which I was slightly humbled pales in comparison to my wife giving birth to our daughter in front of other people and my experience made me love her that much more for it. read more

Okay this class is a must do for any new parent. When we were looking for birthing and parenting classes, we figured we'd save some money and just take classes through CPMC. Every parent we talked to who went through the MCMoyler Method said it was a lifesaver. We changed our mind and decided to give the classes a try. FIrst off DO take both classes!! I recommend starting with the parenting classes. I'm so glad we did this. Her methods seemed a little hokey and I wasn't sure if I was buying into it all, but when she brought in the star family it all changed my mind. She demonstrated a baby bath and when the baby started screaming she put her methods to use to soothe the lil guy. I was soooooo impressed how it all actually worked!!! This stuff was no BULL and at that moment we completely bought in to her ways. Had we not taken her classes. I cringe to think of how unprepared I would've been when our baby was born. I was naiive thinking that since I wasn't an Olympian I'd get an epidural and be fine. Ya well that's completely unrealistic. She gives you the reality of what to expect on game day and doesn't shame people for not wanting to breastfeed, the desire of natural child birth and empowers mothers and their partners with the tools to help progress through the INTENSE phases of the birthing process. My heart goes out to the women who's men posted that Sara likes to publicly humiliate men. That's such BS! FIrst off how the hell do you expect a women who's 9 months pg demonstrate aspects of parenting and the process of delivery. She keeps things funny, engaging the audience and most importantly does not sugar coat. read more

Very informative, very efficient class on the birthing process, as well as tips/tricks for health and safety of newborns. We learned a ton and feel much more prepared and confident for this experience together. The accompanying book we received in class will stay close by throughout the first year as it has twice the info and specifics as the class itself. Partners are heavily featured and included in class, which was nice to reinforce that this is not just mother's work! read more

We are first time parents who attended the all day Saturday session. After reading the reviews I went into the class thinking it would be a lot of product pushing but it really wasn't. It is a long day and $$$ but the information is great. Sarah really helped us understand all aspects of labor and delivery and provided me more confidence for what's in store in a couple months. She's knowledgeable and loves what she does - we both found the class extremely beneficial and would recommend it to any first time parents. Every couple will prepare for a new baby differently - but if you want to know all the nitty gritty of what to expect take her course. Thanks for everything Sarah! read more

Sarah is your best friend in childbirth preparation! She's non-judgmental, caring, compassionate, and makes a point in getting your partner truly involved in her classes. As a McMoyler graduate, I recommend her classes because they really open your eyes to what's to come in the future. I love her! She's fantastic! Her classes are a must-have for first time Mommies-to-be like myself! Don't be the one to miss it, if you can help. read more

AWESOME!!!!! If you're debating between McMoyler/DayOne/CPMC/etc...I can't say enough about how much my hubby and I BOTH loved McMoyler. She makes it all about the partner...his role while you are working your way through labor, etc. It was absolutely engaging and helps give the partner focus so he knows what to do!!! We have part 2 tonight of "101" and are both looking forward to it (I mean, really...who looks FORWARD to a 3-hour class on birthing???). Sarah McMoyler was born to do this...she is a fantastic teacher who is passionate about preparing expecting parents for the uncertainty that lies ahead. I can't say enough! read more

The Best Birth - McMoyler Method - Adult Education Near Me - San Francisco, California

Attended the Childbirth 101 today and we both got a lot out of it. We were surprised at how big the group was, but Sarah kept the entire place engaged throughout the day. A lot of much needed information was given, from all stages of labor, to pain management, and how to cope. Despite the big group, people felt pretty safe to ask ALL types of questions. She does ask for volunteers (the partners) for demonstration and at no time did she pull an unwilling someone from the crowd. The guys who volunteered were good sports and the group was pretty humorous. A lot of the class is focused on how partners can help expectant moms cope with labor, and how crucial their role is in the whole childbirth experience. I thought that was great. The class will benefit expectant parents who have chosen the path of hospital births so if you have not, you might not enjoy the class as much. Definitely glad to have attended it. At least we have an idea of what to expect when the time comes! read more

I loved these classes. I mean, having your first kid is so exciting, and the last weeks of pregnancy are such a happy time, and this makes it even more wonderful. I had some anxieties about the process of actually having the kid, whether to get an epidural, etc. It was amazing how her classes helped me sort out what kind of birth experience I wanted, and how to modify my expectations should things not go the way I expected. The other very important thing about the class was how it gets the partners involved. Sure, some guys really don't like Sarah's approach, but I found that my sweet husband really started being more involved in the pregnancy after the class finished. He understood more, he felt that he could have an active role in the birthing process, and the whole thing started (finally) to become more real for him. It was great to see that. Ultimately, on the day of delivery, he was (again) my hero, but he wouldn't have been able to really get what was happening had he not gone to that class. The class seems expensive, but I actually thought it was very reasonable, when all was said and done. If you can take this class, I would not pass it up! read more

Just completed our 2 night baby course with Sarah & couldn't speak more highly of the experience! My husband & I feel like she did a really great job forcing us to deal with some things we weren't yet ready to cope with... but in a memorable & engaging manner. I felt there was more detailed emphasis on night 1's "Birth Preparation," than on night 2's "Newborn Childcare." Meaning, not an "in-depth" overview of breastfeeding & diaper changing... but I'm assuming that's b/c once you go down that rabbit-hole, you've pretty much used up the entire 3 hours of class. She did redirect us to her stellar manual to get more in-depth details on the particulars though. Good amount of time on CPR, which is perfect! That's not something you want to just run to a manual for, so she really put thought into what should be covered in-depth vs what can the manual suffice to elaborate on. As first-timers, this is really overwhelming stuff & while I can't say I feel 100% confident in my soon-to-be parenting abilities (who can!?)... I totally feel I have all the tools, resources & support info to get us on our way... plus Sarah's only an email away. Her classes are more like an 'event' versus a boring curriculum. She's animated & SO passionate that you don't even need to question her methodologies... I trust her & all her years of experience. So should you! Thanks Sarah :) ~ Jon & Josie Decker read more

My husband and I live in a town where only one child birth preparation class is offered through the local hospital. Unfortunately with our schedules this class did not work because of the days / times it was offered which lead to me searching for another alternative for us. I was so thankful when I found Sarah McMoyler's class. I first read her book and connected with her approach to labor and delivery. After consulting with my husband we thought Sarah was a great match for us as a couple and decided to enroll in the class. We just completed the one day live class in San Francisco (we drove from Santa Barbara) and we are so thankful. The class provided us with wonderful information. Everything discussed was relevant and taught with a realistic and non - "shaming" approach. We loved that the main emphasis was all that matters is a healthy mom and healthy baby. Everyone in the class was involved (especially the partners) and asked wonderful and helpful questions. It was great to be surrounded by other couples that were interested in asking the same questions we had. We can't thank Sarah and her team enough for such a great and informative day. We feel much more prepared going into the final weeks before our baby is due. I know that we will continue to use the helpful information taught to us for years to come - especially the class book that is going to be our "labor and delivery bible" (literally already packed in our hospital bag). THANK YOU to the McMoyler & Best Birth Team for everything. Best, Kendle & Trey read more

We thought these classes were good, but they weren't what we were expecting. We had done a lot of research and homework about childbirth and, when we sat down to talk to our OB about different options, our OB said that before we make any decisions we needed to take Sarah McMoyler's class to get truly informed. So we went to these classes with the mindset that we were going to learn a lot about different approaches to childbirth, including info about midwives, dulas, home births, etc. That's not what these courses are about. The McMoyler Method course (the baby 101 course) is basically 1/3 about techniques to use in a hospital to progress through labor, 1/3 lesson about what happens in hospitals during labor and delivery, and 1/3 subtle but persistent message to stay out of the way of the health professionals so that they can do their thing. It's basically an extended orientation to childbirth in a hospital setting. The pros of taking this class are: - You get a lot of information. - You learn some good techniques. - You learn a lot about what happens in hospitals and, let's face it, that's where most people in SF give birth. The cons of taking this class are: - If you want to know about alternative methods of labor/childbirth this is NOT the course for you. She very very briefly discusses other methods and, while she says she is neutral, delivers the message that the hospital is definitely the way to go. - She can be very patronizing, especially to the men in the class. She uses the men as props. Part of this makes sense: she needs to demonstrate things and the women in the class are, well, pregnant and not very mobile. But she has a strong tendency to ridicule the men. At one point in our class one of the men asked a very important question about when to ask for help and she prefaced her response with a sarcastic (and very unprofessional), "it's interesting that this question comes from a man." That was the last time any male participant asked a question that night. I wouldn't go so far as to say that her humor is cruel, but she undoubtedly and deliberately fosters an atmosphere where the men in the class volunteer to do things so that they won't be picked on at a later point. That's not helpful. - She can be overconfident to the point of implying things that just aren't true. One of the participants in our class was from another country and she asked several questions about different labor positions, avoiding meds, cesarean sections, etc. McMoyler was somewhat dismissive of her concerns and strongly implied that hospitals do things in the USA because they are safer for moms and babies. The data do not support this conclusion. The USA has one of the highest rates of mother and infant mortality among industrialized countries, as well as the highest rate of labor/childbirth in hospitals. The data do not support the conclusion that giving birth in a hospital is the paragon of healthcare. At another point McMoyler said that hospitals don't like to do cesarean sections because it's a revenue loser. Well, hospitals might not want to do cesarean sections (because vaginal births are usually preferable), but it's demonstrably false that this is a money loser for a hospital. Granted, the McMoyler class isn't the appropriate place to have a healthcare policy debate, but it would be more helpful if she disclosed her biases up front, rather than disclaiming them throughout while simultaneously implying that other options are potentially dangerous. It's confusing. Frankly, I think we would have gotten more out of the classes if she would have helped us to get into a proper frame of mind from the outset. I would have appreciated an opening statement like this: "Thank you all for coming to my McMoyler Method classes. I am a practicing labor/delivery nurse and have done so for many years. I have helped to deliver thousands of babies. My assumption is that all of you will give birth in a hospital. This class is designed to give you the information you need to deliver a baby in a hospital setting. I'm going to teach you some techniques to use, as well as what to expect in the hospital and how to take direction from the hospital staff. Remember, once you check into the hospital you are in our territory and it's a lot easier for us if you just do what we tell you to do; I'm going to teach you why things are happening to you. Male partners, I'm going to use you to inject some humor into the course and I'm sorry in advance if the humor happens at your expense." In conclusion, if you are planing to give birth in a hospital and want to know more about the process, this is the course for you. If you are male go in with a thick skin. Remember to be a critical thinker. If you aren't sure if a hospital birth is the way you want to go and you are looking for more information about all of your options, this is NOT the course for you. read more

My wife and I attended both classes, and in general found the classes very helpful, especially for first-time parents. We did not, however, drink the Kool-Aid as so many of the reviewers here seem to have done, and here's why: 1. Sarah has some strong opinions, as would be expected of any professional with years of experience, and in fact those opinions are in part what you pay for when you sign up for the classes. Sarah, however, conveys her medical opinions as facts which are not open to discussion, and becomes pretty defensive and dismissive when asked to back up her opinions. I get that she needs to keep the class moving along and doesn't want the dialog to devolve into unnecessary minutiae, but she did loose credibility with us for her inability and/or unwillingness to back up her oftentimes very strong opinions. 2. The numerous commercial plugs were just tacky, especially given her disingenuous caveats that she does not endorse specific products or services. Not credibility enhancing. 3. Sarah clearly has gotten presentation coaching and certainly has taken it to heart. So much so, that to us she came across at times more like a TV talk show host than a medical professional. Not that that detracted from the information being conveyed, but from a style perspective, I'd much rather learn from a well-considered thoughtful professional than an at times glib, dismissive personality. A few reviewers mentioned the use of men as props as a negative. I actually found it pretty humorous (even as a participant) and it makes the class more energetic. The points listed above were annoyances that I hope will be addressed for the benefit of future attendees (take it down a notch, Sarah). These issues notwithstanding, my wife and I do recommend the classes; just be prepared for the drill, and remember that opinion is not fact. read more

My husband and I took this class over the weekend, and did not have such a great experience. I know there are a lot of great reviews of the class on yelp, and think that others who were in the class with us seemed to be enjoying it, so respect the fact that the class may really work for some. For us it did not. To begin with, the amount of product placement/ advertising is just overwhelming and awful. Each person is presented with a "gift bag" on their table, but it's just a bunch of advertisements for everything ranging from photography to baby gear. Sara (the instructor) also shamelessly promotes products throughout the class, and does a hard sell for cord blood banking (for a specific company that has their material presented there of course). Much of the way that the information in the class is presented is quite gimicky, and is based on narrow gender-based stereotypes (ie guys would rather be golfing than thinking about anything baby related, etc.), which I found to be pretty offensive. Sara relies on this type of humor throughout the class, getting male volunteers to do what she sees as embarrassing role plays to get some laughs. It was unclear how these role plays were informative regarding preparing for birth or the care of a newborn. The class is also totally heterosexually biased, and seemed alienating to same sex couples. Some of the basic information presented could be useful, particularly if you have not read any books or spoken to any friends or families about their birth experiences. But if you have some basic knowledge about the birth process, I did not think that there was much to learn from the class. Even though it is called the McMoyler Method, there is no special/ unique "method" she teaches (ie she seems to consider breathing through a contraction part of her "method", but I do not think she invented that technique!). Lastly, the class is completely overpriced for what is offered. It's clearly a great business venture for Sara, considering the 60+ people attending our Saturday class alone, and all of the deals she has with the businesses she promotes through the class. The class definitely targets the marina/ pacific heights type, so if you think you might be more comfortable in a different type of environment, I'd highly recommend looking elsewhere for an experience that is less commercial, and more about preparing for the big event at hand in an informative and meaningful way! read more

My girlfriend's ob-gyn was rather insistent that we take McMoyler's class, and after attending both the birth and the child-care sessions, I understand why. There's definitely a medical intervention bias in the presentation of the material, which is understandable since Sarah is an R.N. While there was some helpful information, the overriding message was one of disempowerment instead of confidence-building: listen to the doctors, do what they say, don't question, don't get in the way. Most of the people seemed fine with this so we didn't see the point of challenging any of it during the classes. Leaving the pro-intervention/medical bias aside, Sarah's presentation was far too histrionic for our taste. It bordered on the absurd and embarrassing at times. But, again, I feel the need to qualify that a good number of the participants seemed to find her approach highly amusing and entertaining, so maybe we just don't watch enough day-time TV. All the tie-ins and provider-pimping was vulgar and seemed grasping and unnecessary. I understand that it's a business venture, but having already paid for the classes, participants are bombarded by commercials for providers that must be giving McMoyler a back-hander if not a full-on reach-around. Core blood storage. Photography. Clothing. Baby gadgets. It was like paying to receive junk mail. We subsequently took a course with a woman named Rachel Yellin who is on the other side of the spectrum--hypno-birthing, holistic, non-intervention-oriented, natural-directed, non-commercial (aside from the fee she charges)--and we love it. So I'd say that if you watch a lot of television and just want to get the baby out of the womb by bag snag or c-section, then Sarah gives some decent birth info and fair-to-middling baby-care (the child C.P.R. course was excellent). If you are concerned about unnecessary procedures and want to find out how to have a more natural birth, then I would look elsewhere. Also if you have a hard time with informercials and spam. Final note: Sarah seems like a wonderful, kind, and caring person, someone who is passionate about children, loves babies, and is a capable and motivated entrepreneur. She seems like she'd be fun to have a glass of wine with, but I wouldn't want her in the delivery room when my son is born. read more

My husband and I took the 101 class this last weekend. I thought it was fantastic. She really teaches the moms to set goals and prepares you for a plan B. Her approach for learning is very interactive and she definitely gets the guys involved in a fun way. She does not humiliate men...C'mon Cameron and Dan, have a sense of humor ;-). Its true she will make a few men get up on stage and role play a labor situation. If that bothers you #1-take a chill pill & #2-remember that your wife or S.O. is going to be pushing your blockhead baby out of her vagina in front of a team of people. Ok, maybe your baby is not going giant skull like my baby (You would understand if you saw my husbands big noggin) but you get what I mean. I highly recommend this class if you are planning to give birth in a hospital and want to know what you are in for. Sarah is very knowledgeable, experienced and will give you the full run down of what to expect. read more

My husband and I took both classes, one as the full day and the other in two parts Pros: 1) The teachers were engaging 2) The days went surprisingly quickly (considering I was really pregnant and uncomfortable!). 3) They make your partners do silly things for free-bees 4) They give you a nice book that we ended up referencing quite a bit. 5) They have graduates from another class come in, answer questions, and give their cute little baby a bath Cons: 1) I would have hoped for a little bit more hard-core information (I'm a nurse and didn't learn that much) but it was great for my husband. 2) its expensive 3) would have liked more info. on breastfeeding, but they did talk about it 4) would have liked to have made friendships with other first time parents. read more

Just got done with Sarah's classes and I thought they were fantastic. She covers a mountain of material, keeps the class moving, is consistently engaging and interesting as well as being warm and funny. I thought Sarah was frank about what was medical fact vs. myth and clear when sharing about her opinions and recommendations. Sarah is experienced and credible, happy to take questions and talk individually on breaks or after class. The critical reviews here seem to be from people who were really focused on alternative/natural childbirth methods, had issues with her style or felt they were being pitched. Since Sarah covers a ton of material, someone who is focused on learning a particular style of childbirth should probably take a class focused on that method. Sarah's class offers so much information it's not practical to spend a ton of time on info that may only apply to a small percentage of people. I found Sarah's style engaging and entertaining--I thought I would be a bit bored in a childbirthing class but I was pleasantly surprised that I found it interesting. I never felt pitched to and didn't mind the bag of info from businesses since it's helpful to know what resources are available. You can chuck it all if you're really up on the baby/parents marketplace. Overall I enthusiastically recommend McMoyler classes. read more

if you can afford it, i would recommend this to ANYONE AND EVERYONE having a baby for the first time! just like the other reviewer mentioned, sarah mcmoyler has years of experience and knowledge and is extremely gifted in teaching. my friend had recommended it and even though it was all the way in the city (1 hr commute each way for us)...it was definitely worth it! at first my hubby was not thrilled to attend and wondered why we couldn't just rent a video or "you tube" it but in the end what we learned was invaluable and we felt a bit more confident going into the whole birthing and parenting process. i would recommend taking both the 101 (childbirth prep) and 102 (infant cpr, breastfeeding & newborn care) classes (around $400 for both). mcmoyler method courses are reality based, current, factual information taught by healthcare professionals. who knew that breastfeeding didn't have to mean cracked, bleeding nipples (sorry if TMI)! we took our 101 at the new marin class (taught by sherry who is awesome) and 102 in SF (taught by sarah). the classes are informative, fun, and if anything more for the spouses/partners to get in there and know their part since most mom's might be out of commission due to the pain! i'll let you know if i remember all the coping strategies/techniques when i deliver! read more

Way too many emotional opinions here instead of reviews. A lot of that is pure crap (both the glowing rambling 5's and the "Sarah challenged me" 1's). Pro's; * Sarah imparts tons of useful information for first-time parents. * Direct and clear method of communicating that information. * Years of experience delivering babies * Clear desire to make the process as good as it can be for parents. * Attempts to inject some humour into the process, helping retention. * Forceful positioning of "partners" (the men) into the support role (this is by design, and is what many men rail against here on Yelp). Partner participation is mostly a bit of fun and helpfully informative. If you're overly sensitive just try to avoid being the guy who gives birth (last demonstration of the 101 course). Con's; * Discussion of Cord Blood banking extends to mentioning private companies that Sarah assessed well, and little more. * No information on regulation of such private companies, backstops to ensure someone else takes over when they go out of business (this is obviously not a question of "if", but "when", these are private profit-driven co's) * No information on international issues around cord blood and cord tissue transfers No questions are allowed in the public forum (fine in private) on cord blood/tissue banking as it's a nascent topic. This suggests we shouldn't discuss it *at all* in clas. Sarah may come across as a bit condescending occasionally with overly sensitive men; go in with a bit of good humour and you'll be fine; she is a fine teacher, accept that. Summary (101 course); Well worth the money; tons of useful information for first time parents; very good for mothers; and soundly reminds fathers of their place - as support for the INTENSE process of birth. read more

While I didn't love the class experience, when my husband and I walked out at the end of the day we looked at each other and said "I feel prepared now." Bottom line - we got more than we expected from the class, and subsequently cancelled RSVPs at two additional classes at CPMC (newborn care and breastfeeding). Cons: Presentation was a bit theatrical for my taste, and I would have preferred more interaction between class participants (at least an introduction round). I was probably the grumpiest and most reserved person in the room, but that said I'm totally baffled by the 1- and 2-star reviews. Pros: Comprehensive walk-through of labor process, medical terminology, pain management options (with zero judgement or preference, which seems rare in SF), CPR, newborn care, breastfeeding and more. While it would be impossible for a class to cover every topic in depth, it touches on the most important topics, and the class textbook provides all the detail you could want. It has become my go-to reference for just about any question I have as my due date approaches. There's a reason SF OBs recommend this class. If a friend was expecting, I would definitely recommend McMoyler Method. read more

My husband and I did the 102 class a week ago, and the 101 class a week before that. I am SO happy that we went for these classes instead of the classes at the hospital. First, Sarah does an incredible job of giving you all the information you need in the form of a very nicely printed course book, and during the class, she addresses the areas that warrant more discussion. I thought Sarah was engaging, funny, direct, super smart, and did a great job of getting to the heart of what really matters. I have spent many hours over the last 7 months of my pregnancy reading books, but having this class really gelled things for me. My husband, who had not spent quite as many hours reading as I did, LOVED the class and now feels totally confident and prepared for the birth and caring for the baby. The McMoyler methods really resonated for me. I particularly liked the ideas of "options" and having "goals" vs. "plans" so that you are prepared, given labor and birth can be unpredictable, and there is no way of knowing how yours is going to go. I also appreciated her emphasis on the partner's involvement in the birth process and care of the newborn. The classes really took that idea from a great theory to actually practicing and experiencing what that will look like. I think the highlight was the last hour of the 102 class when a "star family" came in with their brand-new newborn (5 days old). We were mesmerized and at the same time reassured that if these people like us can do it, so can we! We left the classes super excited, confident, and reassured. PS: The snacks, cookies and milk, leg chairs for the pregnant girls to put their feet up, and welcoming environment were much appreciated. read more

The online classes have been amazing. I recommended to my sister who was having her second child, she loved the class and especially appreciated the infant and child CPR component. She loves being able to review the CPR and to share it with caregivers too. read more

Amazing class. As a first time mom I learnt so much! We chose the Saturday session all day long and at first I was a bit worried as I am 8 months pregnant. I was under the impression it might be too long but not at all. Sarah is an amazing teacher ( I am a tough critic as I am a teacher myself:)). When you have a busy schedule this all day long session is perfect. I highly recommend this class. read more

My husband and I attended Sarah's 2-night evening series this past week and are so happy we did! Sarah is the best! She's so energetic and engaging - the time flew by. I know my husband was not thrilled at taking 2 evenings to go to a class after a long day of work, but he liked it so much so that he went up to her afterwards and the first words out of his mouth were, "Sarah, you're the best!" He's right. We loved the classes for so many reasons: 1. class atmosphere is so comfy! they provide chair pillows for the mamas and chairs to rest your feet on, as well your own water pitcher and some healthy food bars. Everything is clean and ready to go when you show up - very organized. 2. we learned a ton - everything from the different stages of labor to how to bathe a baby! Highlights for us were infant CPR and learning about why labor can be slow and tips to speed things up! 3. the time flies - it's over before you know it - you will wish it hadn't ended! 4. she provides you with a super helpful booklet of everything you learn in class plus a ton more so you have a reference guide. we will for sure be bringing this with us to the hospital! Plus you can show family members and clue them in too. 5. she involves the partners so my husband felt engaged, not just on the side lines. He had a ball and even volunteered during one of the exercises. I'm not sure what the other husbands below are complaining about in their reviews - they seem like a bunch of cry babies with sensitive egos to me! My husband had fun participating and he most definitely volunteered - he was not called on out of nowhere. We never saw her do that. I would recommend this class to all mothers and their partners who want to learn more about the birthing process and childcare in a comfortable, fun, engaging environment taught by a complete professional who has clearly been doing this her whole life! We both feel ready and armed for what's to come thanks to Sarah! read more

Very informative for the first-time parent (which is what I think this was intended for), this isn't our first rodeo so some of the info wasn't new to us but the CPR portion was great and her inclusion of the partners was great. She was very sweet and very passionate, and did a good job getting everyone to participate. I haven't given birth in 4 years so I just wanted to get my head back in the game and get us on the same page, this was a nice little refresher course and it was great to set a little time aside for the baby. I would definitely recommend, especially for first-timers! read more

Sarah McMoyler is a wonderful teacher and I would highly recommend her classes to expectant parents. She took the fear and anxiety out of the birth experience for me and my husband. Her classes were both informative and fun. We felt well prepared for the birth of our daughter. If you are not in San Francisco and want to benefit from Sarah's knowledge check out her new book The Best Birth. read more

These classes are wonderful! Very informative, lots of knowledge with no agenda. Do you want an epidural? Fine. Do you want natural labor? Fine. You will learn all about the various methods used, what happens when, etc. You will not be pressured to follow a path you might not want. Sarah McMoyler is engaging & dynamic. She has years of experience as a Labor & Delivery RN so she's seen it all. She will address your questions & fears without embarrassment. She encourages (demands?) that partners take an active role. Partners are given jobs & a thorough understanding of what is needed from them. These classes answered a lot of questions and made me feel ready for childbirth. Worth every penny. read more

Amazing and fabulous!! My husband and I took this class this weekend and it was well organized, thoughtful and entertaining. Sarah and her team are the real deal!! Highly recommend. read more