Karen Wallace

Childbirth Educator
Hickory, North Carolina
29 years of experience
5.0
About me

We have had 9 natural beautiful Bradley® births, and every one of them was an incredible experience. When I was pregnant with our first child, we took Bradley® classes together in Manhattan, where we lived at the time. Jeff learned how to be an effective labor coach. We gained a deeper understanding of birth and baby care—and things we did not even realize we needed to know, from the stages of labor to breastfeeding, to how to avoid unnecessary interventions. Teaching Bradley® classes is something we really enjoy. They are fun, interactive, and empowering for expectant couples. Jeff brings a bit of humor to the classes and draws from his experience as a father, husband, and coach. After 20 years of teaching in-person classes in four different states—Connecticut, New Jersey, California, and North Carolina—we transitioned to teaching online. Now, we have couples attending from all over the United States. Couples can take our classes from the comfort of their own homes—or wherever they are. Online Bradley® classes are so convenient. Over the years we have learned how to effectively convey information to expecting women and their partners so that they are prepared to give birth and know how to advocate for themselves, if they need arises. Our classes include games, break-out rooms so you can interact with the other couples in your Bradley® series, positive birth stories, and ample opportunities to ask questions. I gave birth to my first child at the age of 24 and gave birth to my ninth child at the age of 48. I have given birth in a hospital, a freestanding birth center, and at home. My most challenging births were my sixth and eighth babies. Our classes our appropriate for those planning hospital births, home births, and freestanding birth center births. We also provide information to VBAC moms, couples expecting twins, and parents who already have one, two, or more children.

Education

Masters in Curricum and Teaching, Teachers College, Columbia Universtiy (1993)

Bachelor of Arts, Barnard College, Columbia University (1990)

Certification and training

Bradley® Certified Childbirth Educator and Bradley® Doula (2025)

DONA International PostPartum Doula Workshop (2021)

DONA International Birth Doula Workshop (2020)

Bradley Method® Teaching Training, affiliated instructor (1997)

Memberships and affiliations

DONA International Member

VBAC Facts® Professional Member

American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth®

Evidence Based Birth Professional Member

Credentials
BA MA
Specialties
Childbirth Education Natural Birth Natural Childbirth Home Birth Hospital Birth Relaxation Techniques
Languages

English

Service introduction

Childbirth education is my primary focus. My husband and I teach live interactive Bradley® classes online in a Zoom classroom. Our classes include designing your personal birth plan, the stages of labor, comfort measures, effectively navigating the hospital system, advocacy, the coach's role, and a labor rehearsal. Our couples report that they understood the interventions offered and how to truly work as a team during the birth of their baby. Empowering couples is our primary focus.

Packages
Birth-Empowered Bradley® Childbirth Classes
Ten week series of Virtual Childbirth classes which includes access to the Bradley Method® online workbook and resource center. Interactive classes taught by a husband/wife team. Class 1 – Introduction to the Bradley Method® Class 2 – Nutrition and Breastfeeding Class 3 – Gestation and Choices Class 4 – The Coach’s Role Class 5 – Introduction to the Stages of Labor Class 6 – Planning Your Birth Class 7 – Complications and Variations Class 8 – Advanced First and Second Stage Class 9 – The Labor Rehearsal Class 10 – The New Family Virtual Class Reunion about one month after the last couple has their baby.
$449.00
USD Flat rate
Upcoming classes
Bradley Method® Childbirth Series, 10-Weeks, Tuesdays, April 28-June 30, 2026, 7-9:30 ET
Online event
Do you want an empowered birth? Do you and your partner want to learn to take control of your birth? Would you benefit from attending a childbirth class taught by a couple who have 9 children and have been teaching independent Bradley® birth classes for over 20 years? Jeff provides the male perspective and provides humor in these childbirth classes. Karen has personally given birth naturally 9 times. These convenient, informative online classes provide information on the process of labor, pain relief options, managing contractions, cesarean prevention, birth plans, and the postpartum period. In each class, couples discuss relevant topics with other couples in the break out room. Questions are always welcomed.
$479.00
USD
Learn more
Ratings and reviews
Average
5.0
# of Reviews
56
5.0

Karen and Jeff were great instructors! Every class was very laid back and informative. Having a class of other pregnant couples really makes the class feel like a little community. The amount of information you learn makes you feel prepared to meet your little one!

- Soraya Rose

5.0

This Bradley Method class is good and very informative, especially for understanding natural childbirth, partner involvement, and what to expect during labor. The material is thorough and practical. However, it does include some educational nudity in photos or videos, which may be uncomfortable for those who are squeamish or prefer more modest presentations. Overall, it’s a solid and helpful.

- Jacqueline Cardoza

5.0

Jeff and Karen were awesome and extremely friendly. They are great coaches and I highly recommend them and the Bradley birthing class. I wasn’t able to attend some classes due to conflicts but I love that the classes are recorded so you can watch them after. They are very professional, kind and informative. I loved following along in the book that is optional to buy/download as well. Thank you so much!

- Kirah Carney

5.0

Karen and Jeff were awesome at introducing and teaching us how to prepare for labor and postpartum. We had a great time together learning with games and other interactive lessons with other couples all over the country! It was bittersweet to end the classes but we were so happy we were able to be a part of The Bradley Method classes as we didn't have any in person classes in our area. Thanks Karen and Jeff you rock!

- Annie Bleil

5.0

The class was a great help, and we would recommend it to all expecting parents.

- Hannah Merck

5.0

Jeff and Karen were amazing Bradley Method teachers. This class was very informative and fun. It made us more prepared for childbirth and helped us to make more informative decisions for our birth plan. We highly recommend the Bradley Method class taught by Jeff and Karen.

- Kaleb Tayler

5.0

Absolutely loved them, so helpful and amazing!

- Hannah Tavai

5.0

Great!

- Kora Taylor

5.0

Hi, my name is Jason. I'm a Doula serving areas near Karen and Jeff. I have attended a complete series of their Bradly Method child birth class. Karen and Jeff are kind, highly knowledgable people, with a passion for increasing the chances of families having the most positive birth experience possible. I consider them friends, and I commend them for the sacrifice of time and emotion, by contributing to the birth communities. Expecting families are better off for them.

- Jason C.

5.0

Karen and Jeff's class was pivotal in our first birth last year. We had the home birth we planned, with my husband being my guide and protector the entire time. Our baby was born into his hands, which was such a precious moment. Both our doula and assistant midwife told us, in private, that we were the most prepared first-time parents they'd ever witnessed. Whenever I had questions pre or post-birth, Karen was always honest and helpful. Nowadays, there is so much unnecessary fear and pressure placed on parents when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. So much. I don't think I would've made it through early postpartum had it not been for her reassurance and resources. Birth and babies don't have to be complicated!

- Sarah M.

Frequently asked questions
How does the online virtual class format work?
Are these childbirth classes just for hospital birth couples or just for couples planning a homebirth?
What is the ideal time to take childbirth classes?
What do husbands say about your classes?
What are your qualifications as Bradley® birth instructors?
I want to have a VBAC. Are Bradley® classes a wise investment for me?
I have already had a baby? Are these classes worth my time?
Do you provide information about prenatal nutrition?
Will my health insurance company pay for childbirth education?
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