Can't do Bradley Method classes- any suggestions?

amandaroseroe

Hi. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for me. I really wanted to do the Bradley Method classes, but there aren't any in my area closer than two hours away. Did anyone take another class (like Lamaze?) or do a home study course and had a successful natural birth? I would appreciate any and all advice you can offer!

aylafsu88

Maybe check with the Bradley instructor and see if she would do a condensed class?  I know my Bradley instructor offered condensed classes under certain circumstances and did two classes for a military couple. 

Also you don't have to take classes to have a successful natural birth.  There are lots of books that are very helpful that you can read on your own time.  My H really liked the husband coached child birth book that we read for our Bradley class.  It had things explained in a simple, straightforward way that he found easy to understand.  I loved the books by Ina May and felt that they were helpful for me.  Many woman recommend The birth partner by Penny Simkin. I found that reading and educating myself on natural birth, the stages of labor, and what to expect was a huge help.  Classes tend to do that for you but it is possible to do it on your own! 

I don't know about Lamaze but the doula I used teaches a class called "birthing from within."  It is a natural childbirth based class and there is a book as well that you can buy from places like amazon.  From what I hear it is a great class and I plan to take it with #2. Maybe they offer that class in your area. 

Arielle27

Any hypnobirthing classes available? Even if not, id suggest buying and using the 'method' (book and CDs). Was really helpful to me! You can probably also get other resources online (they have lots of handouts about breathing techniques, positions for labor stages, a guide for your birthing partner etc).

HanaLouise

Honestly, you could probably just buy the Husband Coached Childbirth book by Dr. Bradley and then the Bradley Method workbook and work through it on your own.

CLLDLL

Arielle27 said:

Any hypnobirthing classes available? Even if not, id suggest buying and using the 'method' (book and CDs). Was really helpful to me! You can probably also get other resources online (they have lots of handouts about breathing techniques, positions for labor stages, a guide for your birthing partner etc).

I just couldn't stomach shelling out the $ for Bradley classes.  We bought the Hypnobirthing book & CDs and went to a 2 hour "refresher" childbirth class at our hospital.  We successfully had a NB.  I think the two things that helped us the most were 1.) Me doing lots of reading on the birthing process so I wasn't scared/tense 2.) MH having lots of ideas of different things to try for pain relief like changing positions, counter-pressure, etc.

J&Jaggies06

We did an online class call Birth Boot Camp. It was 10 videos and they sent a manual to us with 2 CDs for breast feeding.

DebateThis

I haven't tried them but Birth Boot Camp offers a similar course that's online/web-based. You might want to look into that.

https://www.leslynotes.com/free-online-childbirth-class/#.Ujot1X-enkk Here are some free videos to help as well.

https://www.babycenter.com/childbirth-class

amandaroseroe

Thanks! This has been really helpful

babywisher

We took a one day Lamaze class. It was wonderful. We practiced our breathing afterward. It really helped A LOT. I was able to get in my own little world during the contractions and if my breathing got off dh was able to get me right back on track.

HarleyKins

I had been all gung ho about taking classes and reading books etc to prep for going Natural. In the end, I never made it past the first few chapters in any book. We took a class sponsored by our hospital for Holistic birth - the cost was minimal, as was the time invested.

With all that said, my DH was amazing, as was our nurse. My delivery went smoothly, naturally, and was a blur actually when I look back.

Just go over some pain management mantras to get you through. Everything I HAD read went out the window when the first contraction hit. Women have been birthing naturally in fields for centuries without books and classes.

You can do this. Remain positive!