How to Start a Childbirth Education Business (Legal & Practical Steps)

Sep 26

Starting a childbirth education business is one of the most rewarding ways to support families — but let’s be honest, the setup part can feel overwhelming. Between certification, legal paperwork, branding, and figuring out how to get students in your classes, it’s a lot.

The good news? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. In this guide, we’ll walk through the legal and practical steps to launch your childbirth education business with confidence — plus share resources to make your journey easier.

Whether you’re fresh out of training or just starting to explore the idea, this blog will help you take action without getting lost in the details.

Step 1: Decide on Your Business Structure

Before you print flyers or post on Instagram, you’ll need to choose how you’ll legally structure your business.

Your main options:

Sole Proprietorship – The simplest way to get started. You and your business are the same entity. This works well for many childbirth educators just starting out.
LLC (Limited Liability Company) – Provides personal asset protection and makes your business look more professional. A great option once you’re established.
Nonprofit or Community Model – Some educators choose to set up a nonprofit to focus on outreach and education.

👉 Tip: If you’re unsure, start simple. You can always adjust later.

Step 2: Register Your Business and Handle Legal Basics

This is the step that separates a hobby from a professional practice. Parents are far more likely to trust an educator who looks official.

Depending on where you live, you may need to:

Register your business name with your state/province.
Apply for a business license.
Set up a business bank account.
Look into liability insurance (especially if you’re teaching in-person).

👉 Don’t skip insurance. Even if you’re confident in your skills, coverage protects you and reassures your clients.

Step 3: Create Your Professional Presence

Now that the paperwork’s handled, it’s time to look the part.

Website – Even a one-page site goes a long way in making you trustworthy.
Branding – Choose colors, fonts, and a style that feels warm and approachable.
Photos – Skip the cheesy stock images (you know the ones 🙄). Use authentic birth and parenting images instead.

This is exactly why we created BirthPro Market — a stock photo membership made just for birth professionals. You’ll find images for websites, social posts, and class handouts that actually reflect the work you do.

👉 Use this link to get 50% off your BirthPro Market membership

Step 4: Develop Your Curriculum

This is where your educator training meets your teaching style. Parents sign up for classes because they want clear, useful, and empowering information — not medical jargon.

When creating your curriculum, think about:

The flow of your lessons (from pregnancy basics to postpartum prep).
Including visual aids like slides and handouts.
How to adapt for different learning styles (discussion, activities, visuals).

👉 You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — start with your training materials and refine them to match your voice.

Step 5: Get Your Financial Systems in Place

Even if you’re not a “numbers person,” this step is key to long-term success.

Choose a payment system: PayPal, Stripe, and Square all make it easy.
Decide how you’ll invoice: Will clients pay upfront? Per class? In packages?
Track your numbers: Use QuickBooks, Wave, or even a simple spreadsheet.

👉 Pro tip: Open a separate bank account for your business. Mixing personal and business money is one of the fastest ways to create tax-time stress.

Step 6: Choose Your Teaching Format

One of the biggest questions new educators face: Should you teach in-person, online, or both?

In-Person Classes – Great for building community and offering hands-on practice.
Online Classes – Expand your reach beyond your city. Perfect if you want flexibility.
Hybrid Model – Many educators offer both, giving parents options.

Your choice may depend on your local demand, your personal energy, and your goals.

Step 7: Price Your Classes

This is where many new educators hesitate. But here’s the truth: your knowledge is valuable, and families are willing to invest in it.

When setting your price, consider:

Local market rates.
Your expenses (supplies, rent, insurance).
The value you deliver (education, confidence, reduced fear).

👉 Remember: pricing too low makes it harder to sustain your business long-term.

Step 8: Market Your Services

Now that your business is ready, it’s time to find students.

Some of the best marketing strategies for childbirth educators:

Referral networks – Partner with doulas, midwives, and OB offices.
Social media – Share birth tips, parent stories, and class announcements.
Local outreach – Flyers in maternity shops, yoga studios, and community boards.
Email list – Start one early! Even if it’s small, it builds relationships.

Step 9: Teach Your First Class

Congratulations — this is where it all comes together. 🎉

Use your curriculum outline as a guide.
Prepare your visuals and handouts ahead of time.
Leave time for questions and discussion.
Ask for feedback — it will help refine your next class.

👉 Pro tip: Don’t wait until everything feels “perfect.” You’ll get better with each class you teach.

Step 10: Plan for Growth

Think beyond your first set of students. Ask yourself:

Will you offer private or advanced classes?
Do you want to add workshops (breastfeeding, postpartum, newborn care)?
Could you create an online course for passive income?

By planning ahead, you avoid the “I’m busy but not making money” trap that many educators fall into.

Final Thoughts

Starting a childbirth education business doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does require thoughtful steps. From legal basics to curriculum design to pricing and marketing, every choice you make now builds the foundation for a sustainable, impactful business.

And remember: you don’t have to do it alone.

👉 Bookmark this blog for reference.
👉 Explore our full blog series on launching your childbirth education business.
👉 Join “Launch Your Childbirth Education Business”
👉 And don’t forget your 50% off BirthPro Market membership. Because nothing says “professional” like having the right images at your fingertips.

Jillian Brand https://www.jillianbrand.com