NEXT CLASS STARTS SOON. CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES. You will be redirected to a new site for scheduling.

Birth Mentorship Services now available

This is a service for people who want some handholding. It’s very normal to feel overwhelmed by all there is TO DO when you discover you’re pregnant!

You’ll have a guide to help you make decisions related to your pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery and early parenting. Think of it as a consultant for your childbearing year. Sometimes it helps to have someone there to ask you the right questions and then show you your options. You’re not supposed to know everything about this YET! I have been having children, operating a business, and working in this field in the Austin, TX area since 2008 and I would love to share my experience and expertise with you.


You might only need a little bit of time to focus on one specific topic. I’ll spend an hour with you to find out as much as I need to know, then I’ll either give you what you need during our meeting, or I’ll stay in touch by email or phone over the next week to follow-up.

Choose as many appointment times as you need in one week. We’ll meet to discuss any new questions and follow up on previous meetings. Appointment times can even include helping you find a stroller or interview a doula or nanny! I’ll continue to follow-up with you by email or phone to be sure all questions and concerns have been addressed.

Choose as many appointment times as you need in one month. We’ll meet to discuss any new questions and follow up on previous meetings. Appointment times can include anything mentioned above and more.

Some examples of things you might do or discuss during an apointment:

  • Learn about options for and choose a provider and/or location for your prenatal care and birth.
  • Learn about options for and choose other providers such as doulas, photographers, educators, breastfeeding support, childcare, massage, acupuncture, therapy, etc.
  • Learn about options for food preparation/nutrition.
  • Learn about baby shower/celebration options and how to plan.
  • Learn about birth and postpartum planning.
  • Go on outings to shop for important items, tour facilities, or meet providers.
  • And more….

Call or email for any questions or to set up an appointment.

ali@joyfulbeginningsbaby.com 512-587-6812

CLASSES are being taught in a LIVE VIRTUAL format and also in person!

Most classes are taught by me, Ali Weatherford. I am a Birthing From Within™ trained mentor, and am also certified by the ICEA.

The classes are for pregnant people and a partner, if available.  They will usually be entering the third trimester of pregnancy.

More information about classes:

This is a 4-week series. These classes meet virtually on 4 consecutive Monday evenings.

These classes are held at least one Sunday or Saturday a month. If you are nearing your due date and don’t have time for the comprehensive birth class, consider the Quick Childbirth Class. You can take this class virtually OR in-person.

This class is all about coping with labor pain without medication. The content is included in the comprehensive birth class, but is a great supplement to the QUICK CLASS, especially if you are planning an unmedicated birth. These are scheduled for one Thursday evening a month.

This is a class about postpartum recovery. The content is also covered in the comprehensive birth class, but this is a great supplement to the QUICK CLASS. These are on one Thursday evening per month.

One Thursday evening per month. This class is designed for people who are planning to support someone through labor and birth. FOR PARTNERS ONLY PLEASE!    

This an individual service. These are 1 hour private virtual sessions to help you make a birth plan. It’s best to do this AFTER taking a birth class. It includes some online assignments to get started including a Preferences Questionnaire, and one face-to-face virtual meeting. I will use the answers from your questionnaire to know a little more about you and design a rough draft to give us plenty to go over during our meeting time.  

What can I expect from a Joyful Beginnings class?

A lot!  I try to cover topics that are important for you, so I love questions. You will learn about anatomy, the stages of labor, pain coping, complications, interventions and decision making, and lots more! The content is important, but not more important than our depth of discussion. It’s not just about what you know, but also about how you feel when you leave.

My goal is to make this class fun, and for you to feel inspired and empowered. You will learn a lot, and possibly discover much about yourself. I want to hear from you, and I want you to find fun, joy, and wonder in the amazing changes you are experiencing. My hope for all future parents is that you enter your journey into parenthood not with a clear and definite plan, but with a clear heart and mind. I hope that you can be open to experiences as they come, because your birth story, whatever that ends up looking like, belongs to you and your children.

Comprehensive birth class topics include:

∗Pain coping practices

Eating in awareness, prenatal and postpartum nutrition

∗The stages of labor and physiology and hormones of birth

∗Birthplace and decision making

∗Psychological and emotional preparation

∗Laborland

∗Cesarean birth

∗Pushing and birthing

∗Welcoming baby and decision-making for baby

∗Postpartum adjustment