You Shouldn’t Have to Fight for Your Rights in Labor

If you’re here, chances are you have an idea of what you want for your birth—or at least what you don’t want. But knowing what you want and making it happen in your birth setting can feel like two completely different things.

Maybe you’re a first-time mom, excited but also a little nervous, wondering:
👉 What are my actual choices in labor?
👉 Will my doctor respect my birth plan?
👉 How do I even know what to ask for?

Or maybe you’ve been through this before and thought:
👉 I wish I had known more the first time.
👉 I felt rushed, pressured, or dismissed.
👉 This time, I want to feel in control.

We're going to help you prepare so you are in control, confident, and ready for your birth! 

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to the Course Intro

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Course Overview

    3. Getting to know you

    1. Chapter 1 Intro

    2. Lesson 1: Informed Consent + Right to Refuse

    3. Lesson 2: Decision Making Capacity

    4. Lesson 3: Patient Rights + Provider Duties

    5. Lesson 4: Informed Decision Making In Action

    6. Chapter 1 Confidence Quiz

    1. Chapter 2 Intro

    2. Lesson 1: Choosing Your Support Team - Who

    3. Lesson 2: Selecting Hospital or Other - Where

    4. Lesson 3: Creating Your Birth Plan - How

    5. Chapter 2 Confidence Quiz

    1. Chapter 3 Intro

    2. Lesson 1: Healthcare Directives

    3. Lesson 2: Healthcare/Hospital Forms

    4. Lesson 3: Health Insurance

    5. Chapter 3 Confidence Quiz

    1. Chapter 4 Intro

    2. Lesson 1: Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act

    3. Lesson 2: Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act

    4. Lesson 3: Advocacy, Records + Birth Companions

    5. Lesson 4: Violations + Complaints

    6. Lesson 5: Childbirth In Action

    7. Chapter 4 Confidence Quiz

    1. Welcome to Motherhood Intro

    2. Fourth Trimester Overview

    3. Review + Thank You

    4. Your feedback is much appreciated!

About this course

  • 30 lessons

What we'll cover

You don’t need a law degree to advocate for yourself—you just need the right information presented in a way that’s easy to apply. This course breaks everything down into clear, doable steps so you feel prepared, not panicked.

  • Know Your Rights (Without the Legal Jargon). Learn the foundation of informed consent and how to make sure your “yes” actually means yes —and your “no” means no.

  • How to Handle Hospital Paperwork (Before You’re in Labor). Admissions forms, informed consent, authorization, etc — learn how to request, review, and revise these forms before labor and tips for how to tweak them to reflect your actual preferences.

  • How to ask the right questions so you know if your provider actually supports your choices. Red flags to watch for—because if your doctor isn’t on board, the best time to switch is now, not when you're in labor.

  • What If Things Don’t Go as Planned? (Emergency Prep). The most important decisions you should plan for ahead of time (without getting overwhelmed). What to do if you’re pressured to change your birth plan on the spot—and how to stay calm and confident in the moment.

Course Highlights

  • Learn important rights and laws within US maternity care

  • Establish a plan and prepare documents supporting your birth preferences

  • Gain self-advocacy skills for a better birth experience

You'll walk away with...

  • A birth plan that actually holds weight—not just a piece of paper the hospital glances at (hopefully)..

  • More confidence in your decisions (because second-guessing yourself isn’t part of the plan).

  • Clear next steps on how to talk to your provider, review your paperwork, and navigate last-minute surprises.

  • Peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

This is for you if...

✔️ You want to feel calm, confident, and in control walking into your birth experience.
✔️ You’re pregnant for the first time and have no idea how to navigate the system.
✔️ You’ve had a birth experience before and don’t want to repeat the last time.
✔️ You want real, practical ways to advocate for yourself without feeling like you’re in a battle.

What others have to say...

“IPC helped me understand my rights, communicate with my provider, and create a birth plan that actually meant something. When things didn’t go exactly as planned, I still felt in control and respected. This course should be a standard part of birth prep.”

Ashlan, mom of three

“I had already taken a hypnobirthing class and felt prepared for labor — but IPC showed me how to actually protect the kind of birth I wanted. I felt informed, calm, and empowered to speak up for myself. It completely changed the way I approached my hospital birth.”

Sara, first-time mom

Meet Your Instructor

Brooke Hartman, J.D., MBA

Founder/Educator

Brooke Hartman is a mother and lawyer dedicated to legal rights education and advocacy within maternity care. A firm believer that knowledge is power, Brooke seeks to empower women with a foundation of information to feel confident and secure in their maternity care plans and motherhood journey from pre-conception through postpartum.

FAQ

  • Is this legal representation?

    No. Mother Informed is an educational company, not a law firm nor a substitute for an attorney or law firm. Our goal is to minimize legal disputes, but should an issue arise, we help members locate attorneys to assist them.

  • Is the education applicable nationwide?

    Yes! Much of the information is based on federal law and ethical guidelines, applicable in all states. There are areas where state laws differ and we highlight some of those differences in our programs, as well.

  • Who will this course benefit?

    Anyone interested in legal education and planning surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. Whether you're trying to conceive, an expecting mom, a new mom, a growing family, a partner, or a birth companion. Not sure if this course is for you? Take advantage of our free preview lesson to learn more.

  • I’m already taking a childbirth class. Do I need this too?

    Your childbirth class teaches you how birth works, this course shows you how to advocate for it. It helps you plan, communicate with providers, and stay in the driver’s seat — even when the system pushes back or circumstances change. IPC is the missing link that helps turn the vision for your birth into a reality.

  • Is this course for birth professionals?

    Birth professionals will absolutely benefit from the information in this course and be better prepared to support clients. *Coming soon* A course specifically for birth professionals to become certified birth advocates!

  • Will this help me if I’m having a planned c-section?

    Yes! This course will empower you to make informed choices about your C-section experience — from who’s in the room to immediate skin-to-skin and newborn care. It also supports you emotionally and mentally in preparing for a positive, empowered birth no matter how baby arrives.

  • What if my provider or facility doesn’t agree with my birth preferences?

    You have the right to make informed choices about your care — even if that means going against routine protocols. This course teaches you how to advocate, how to communicate effectively with your provider, and when it might be time to seek out a more supportive team. This course is about helping you take control of your birth experience.

  • How long does the course take to complete?

    The course can be completed at your leisure and is available on demand. It takes approximately 4 hours to view all the videos. You can skip around as needed!

Ready to Feel Confident and Prepared for Birth?

Enroll now