Bradley Birth Method? (Dropping by from PGAL, added intro)

MsAmandaPants

Hi there!

FTM here (for those on mobile, I am 23 weeks) starting to think seriously about birth plans and approaches. Did any of you use the Bradley Birth Method during your pregnancies/deliveries?  It looks like the standard classes are 12 weeks, so I guess I need to get it together and decide soon if I am going this route.  Does anyone have any opinions or experiences to share?  Are the classes worth it or does a book suffice? Are there better approaches? Other things to consider?  I welcome any and all advice/opinions/experiences.

I should add that I like the idea of natural childbirth, but I am also not 100% committed to it and an epidural is definitely an option that is not entirely off the table. . . Even if not committed 100% to natural (although leaning that way) would I still get something out of these classes?

Thanks!


ETA:  So sorry, did not mean to be rude and just drop in with no introduction whatsoever.  I'm clearly not thinking straight.  Anyway, I am 36, my fiance is 41 and this is our first. It has been a very, very long road to get here: one missed miscarriage, one complete molar pregnancy and a host of infertility diagnoses (DOR, endometriosis, low morphology), all on top of being AMA.  After a handful of failed IUIs and medicated cycles we had finally been told by the docs that we had to move to IVF.  We were waiting until January to make that decision when we discovered that I had managed to get pregnant on a treatment break.  I can't even express the gratitude. All of this has translated to me being a very nervous pregnant lady. We're going to be delivering at a local hospital and are starting to wrap our heads around this really being our take home baby.  We will be having a boy and my EDD is 8/22. 

aylafsu88

Congrats! This is a really laid back board with a lot of supportive and helpful ladies.

I did Bradley and loved it. My H is not the type to read a book or research child birth on his own so the classes were great. My H learned a lot in the classes and it really did pay off when I was in labor. The biggest thing that I loved about the class was the amount of education we got and the confidence to question the doctor if something came up. It was great to be educated ahead of time so that we could avoid panicking or fear driven reactions in L&D. In the class we went through lots of positions for first stage and second stage labor, which came in really handy for me. I had an OP baby and spent lots of time on my hands and knees during labor. I was also pretty calm throughout my labor (I was vocal by moaning) but I never freaked out during first stage as the classes prepared me for how the pattern of labor went, how to deal with contractions, and my H/doula were there to support me. I did freak out in second stage as pushing was a bit intense for me (my LO had a nuchal hand).
 I will say that the one thing I did not like was the time we spent in the side lying position for early labor. Bradley found that laying in the side position in early labor is helpful for the woman to relax. I actually found the opposite. For me I moved or was on my hands and knees my entire labor. I did not lay down and the one time I tried it, I was miserable. Some woman may find it helpful but for me I found it to be uncomfortable.

Bradley also focuses on diet and exercises to prepare for L&D. I did them pretty regularly and found them to be helpful when it came time to deliver.

Overall I recommend it and felt like it really prepared me for labor and when interventions were and were not needed.

aylafsu88

The class is usually 12 weeks but many instructors offered consdensed versions (like 6 weeks or 8 weeks) so you can always ask an instructor in your area about that.

MsAmandaPants

aylafsu88

Thanks so much for this. It is really helpful.  I'm very nervous about labor and I think the best way to prepare myself and alleviate some of that is to be as educated as possible, which is one of the things that most appeals to me about this method.  It also seems to be very focused on developing confidence and knowledge in your partner, which I think is also very important.  It is good to know that you felt well prepared!

mb314

I loved our Bradley classes.  I felt super informed and prepared after the 12 weeks.  What was most useful for me and DH was learning about the different common interventions and when they may or may not be necessary.  We focused a lot on being informed so that you can make the right decision in many different situations.  That came in handy when my MW recommended an induction for me at 40 W.

It was also great because DH is not the type to read up on his own about being a coach.  Those 2 hours a week (plus the 30 minutes we spent in the car discussing the birth) was a great way for us to communicate and make sure we were on the same page.

Also, we met some great friends in the class.

In the end, I went into labor on my own before my scheduled induction, and I did get the natural birth I wanted. 

DebateThis

OMG, Amanda, congrats!!

 I did somewhat of a combo of Bradley and Natal Hypnotherapy from the UK and I definitely preferred NH to Bradley. Having MH touch me or talk to me at all was not what I needed and actually made me angry during labor.  I  retreated within myself and realized I just needed to focus on my own. DH telling me "one more contraction! you're almost there!" was laughable. I was SO convinced he was following the Bradley "script" that I didn't actually believe I was almost there and it really made me panic because I was convinced that I had ages to go (when I was 10cm/complete and involuntarily pushing, haha) I called him a fucking liar at one point.

The NH tracks were soothing and calming and really helped me focus.

sschwege

Welcome and Congratulations!  

I know people who have done really well with Bradley, so it's definitely a good fit for a lot of women.  For me, I used Hypnobirthing for both of my babies and loved it.  They are both great programs, I think it's more about what fits your personality type.  

hlm184

We love Bradley.  DH cannot say enough good things about it.

marriedinaugust

We did Bradley and liked it a lot. My husband also will not read books/study so it was great prep for him. He was my advocate in labor and encouraged me to try different things. Bradley gives you a big bag of tools. We didn't use many of them but it's good to know they were there if needed. It also gives you info on the interventions that are possible so you are informed and nothing gets pushed on you without consent.

runrinserepeat

We did Bradley. I'm not sure I loved the classes by any stretch of the imagination, but they did educate us both on our options and help us make decisions. By the end, DH was confident in what we wanted, and he was able to speak up for me in L&D when I was busy working through transition.

margaritachikita

We did a modified Bradley class and loved it. Like PPs have said it was great for DH to learn about what normal labor looks like. Even if you are sure you want an epidural, there are still a lot of things to cope with during labor and it is important to go into it educated on your options. Also, definitely consider hiring a doula. However you envision your ideal birth, a doula will help you achieve it. I had a doula for my first birth, have since become a doula myself, and am still hiring one for my second birth. they are priceless!! Congratulations, and best of luck!!!