Rooted Beginnings Childbirth Education
Rooted Beginnings is the childbirth education branch of The Herbal Compass — evidence-based, warmly-taught classes that prepare families for labor, birth, and the fourth trimester with clarity and confidence. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, or something in between, our classes meet you where you are.
Under the umbrella of The Herbal Compass, Rooted Beginnings holds space for expectant families to learn how birth actually works — physiology, comfort skills, informed consent, and the emotional landscape of becoming a parent.
Classes are intentionally small so every question gets attention and every family feels held. Taught in person in Cincinnati or live online, by Cheryl Smith — Certified Childbirth Instructor, Doula, and Herbalist.
Visit rootedbeginningscbe.com
Rooted Beginnings has its own home online. Visit the site to check out every class we offer — in person in Cincinnati, virtual on your own schedule, and live virtual with Cheryl and your cohort joining in real time. See full class details, upcoming dates, and the format that fits your family best.
- In person
Hands-on classes in Cincinnati — comfort skills practiced together, questions answered in the room.
- Virtual
Lessons you can revisit any night of the week, on your own schedule.
- Live virtual
Real-time sessions with Cheryl and your cohort, with room for every question as it comes up.
Cheryl Smith
Certified Childbirth Instructor · Doula · Herbalist
Cheryl is the heart of Rooted Beginnings — a Certified Childbirth Instructor, Birth & Postpartum Doula, and Clinical Herbalist who has walked alongside families through home births, hospital births, and everything in between. Her classes blend evidence-based physiology with hands-on comfort skills, honest conversation about informed consent, and the sacred emotional work of becoming a parent.
She teaches the way she supports families in labor: warmly, patiently, and with room for every question.
Choose the class that fits your birth
Both are open to any family — expecting, planning, or preparing.
Rooted Beginnings Childbirth Education
Join our 6-hour Rooted Beginnings Childbirth Education Class, designed to equip you and your family with the tools, confidence, and understanding needed for an empowered birth experience. Whether you join virtually or in person, this immersive, evidence-based class helps you prepare for labor, birth, and the postpartum journey with clarity and confidence.
- Evidence-based care & advocacy
- Comfort measures & partner support
- Stages of labor & interventions
- The fourth trimester
- Feeding & newborn care
Home Birth Education Class
This 3-hour Home Birth Education Class provides expectant parents with clear, evidence-based education on planning a safe home birth and understanding midwifery care. The class covers safety standards, candidate selection, emergency and transfer protocols, and what to expect before, during, and after birth. Families will also learn how labor typically unfolds at home, how parents and babies are monitored, how to prepare the birth space, and what postpartum and newborn care looks like in the early days.
- Home birth safety & eligibility
- The role of the midwife & birth team
- What labor looks like at home
- Comfort measures & partner support
- Emergency planning & transfers
- Postpartum & newborn care