Anyone here take Bradley Method classes? (XP from PG>35 - long)

kikibird

Hi everyone, I'm jumping over here from the Pregnant Over 35 board to ask a question I hope someone here can offer insight to. 

I'm considering signing DH and myself up for a Bradley child birthing class, but I'm conflicted.   We're already signed up for the child birth class at our hospital (lasts 3 nights; they go over some relaxation techniques, plus do a tour of the maternity ward, and explain all the interventions, c/s, epidural etc.), but wasn't sure if that would be enough, since I'm interested in at least trying to go med-free, but not 100% committed to doing so.

Possible Complication: I have high blood pressure (managed with medication) and fibroids, both/either of which may prevent me from delivering vaginally and/or med-free.  On of my OBs (in the practice I go to) suggests that an epidural would be helpful with regards to the high blood pressure, and that an epidural would keep me from "getting too tired to push."  I'm ambivalent about epidurals, however... I see their benefit, and might go for one after all, but am nervous about their downsides. 

I really like the idea of "training" for a non-medicated birth, and kind of feel like maybe doing the Bradley classes would help me prepare and possibly mitigate the need for interventions. 

Anyone have experience with Bradley classes, especially if you had risk factors?  Did you think they were worth it?  Did you do classes at your hospital too?  I thought about posting this on the Natural Birth board, but it seems like most of the women there had low risk pregnancies.  

Seems like the classes could have value even if in the end I can't go med-free, but I'm torn.  Also, I'm wondering if the classes will help my DH get more connected to the whole birthing/having a baby process - I think it's still all a bit unreal for him. 

Sorry to go on so long!  TIA for your insights!

stever

Hey Kiki!

I went med-free and only took the hospital-sponsored class. My labor lasted about 30 hours, about 12 spent in active labor at the hospital, and I pushed for 2.5 hours. It was a looooong day, but I wasn't too tired to push - I did require vacuum assistance for the last few pushes, but that's presumably because of my MS  and not a long labor.

Anyhoo, my point is that the regular Childbirth class worked for us, but one can never be too prepared, right?

Puckchick07

I took the Lamaze class and went med-free until they took me into for a c-section, 36 hours later due to baby not dropping. I was looking into the Bradley Method, but it didn't fit into my work schedule, as I work a couple of evenings. I have read many success stories from women who did this class, but Lamaze helped me.

I think if you feel strongly about having a med-free birth, that will definitely help you during your labor. Good luck!

Peppernut

Hai!

I didn't do the classes, there weren't any in Montreal when I was pregnant with Margaux, but I got my paws on a book and workbook.  The tone was sort of annoying to me, along with all the "Bradley birth (tm)" references, but it had some good advice and information.  That along with prenatal yoga helped a lot.

I had/have three fibroids, two of which are large.  My blood pressure was up, and they were tracking it with the idea they'd induce if it got scary-high.  I delivered at a hospital specializing in high-risk deliveries.  With all that, I had a med-free birth.  

Don't get me wrong, I was totally screaming for meds at one point.  Literally screaming.  It turns out I am what the Bradley folks call a "speedster," and my labor was only 2.5 hours from my water breaking naturally and me realizing I was in labor to delivering.  I thought I'd still have hours to go, when really I was in transition and almost done.  Now that I know how fast it can go, I think I could go med-free without whining, even though it really hurt and I'm a wuss.

I hope that helps? 

 

kikibird

Thank you all for your comments... they do help!  I'm definitely the type that likes to learn as much as I can about something before going into it, I just wasn't sure if it'd be overkill.  And it's so hard to know when you've never done something before, how you'll handle it. 

I've got a few days to decide if I want to take this Bradley class, which is the only one nearby that fits DH's and my schedule (DH works late several weeknights, so I know what you mean, Puckchick, about scheduling conflicts).

Thanks again for the input, and I can't wait to join you over here!

Sunny70

We took Bradley classes and I ended up getting an epidural with both of my deliveries. The first time I felt really bad afterwards as if I had failed because I got meds. The second time I kind of didn't care anymore about having a med-free birth. I didn't like our teacher very much, I think if the teacher had been less judgmental it might have been more worth it too me. I would get the book and read it if you're interested in the Bradley philosophy before you take the classes.

 

redheadedgirl

Sunny70:

I didn't like our teacher very much, I think if the teacher had been less judgmental it might have been more worth it too me. I would get the book and read it if you're interested in the Bradley philosophy before you take the classes.

Pretty much this.  I took the class (every Sat morning for 12 weeks) and ended up with an emergency c-section.  My LO would have suffered neck injuries without one so clearly it was the best thing.  In hindsight I would have read the book as Peppernut did and studied the techniques.  I personally am not one for all the Bradley dogma, but liked the techniques.  I also think if you are committed to going med free it almost needs to be a single minded focus and your partner and medical caregivers all need to know and support your birth plan.  At least for me when the pain hit had I not have told my DH no med's (clearly this changed for the c-section) I would have opted for the epi 20 seconds into labor.  That's not so say the epi is bad - not at ALL- just know you may need extra support if you want to go med free.

kikibird

Sunny70:

We took Bradley classes and I ended up getting an epidural with both of my deliveries. The first time I felt really bad afterwards as if I had failed because I got meds. The second time I kind of didn't care anymore about having a med-free birth. I didn't like our teacher very much, I think if the teacher had been less judgmental it might have been more worth it too me. I would get the book and read it if you're interested in the Bradley philosophy before you take the classes.

 

Thanks, Sunny.  I've been emailing with the instructor and am going to talk to her on the phone tomorrow, so I'll definitely try to get a feel for whether we would "click"... I agree that's probably crucial to liking the class.  I also am picking up a Bradley book tonight so I will try to read as much as I can before I talk to her.  So far her emails have seemed down to earth and understanding that med-free isn't always possible, so I'm hoping that proves to be the case.

choirgirl

I may have a slightly different perspective on the Bradley Method, because I loved, loved, loved, my teachers. She was a local (to me) Nestie, and while she was consistent with all of the materials, she was also great at presenting the material in a non-judgmental, practical way.

We ended up with emergency C-Section, and I felt a little guilty at first (until I realized how dire it would have been without it), and the mantra throughout the class was that the goal was" healthy baby, healthy mama," so that helped a ton.

I think what Bradley did for us was to make DH waaay more engaged with the process. We learned so much about stages of labor, so he knew to expect, for example, that if I started throwing up (which I did) it was probably serious but we still had time, or that once I got serious like labor was my job, we'd better be on our way, or that when I got kind of crazy and begged for meds or said I couldn't do it, I was probably in transition, etc.  He hadn't taken much biology (more of a physics guy) and really needed the education (not that I didn't but as a woman, you do know somewhat more about what your body is supposed to do, even though much about the stages of labor was really helpful).  We were just generally so much more educated about what is normal procedure in hospitals -- because of the classes, we knew what we wanted that would be consistent with an inconsistent with, many hospitals' protocols.  We delivered in Boulder, CO, and the hospital was very crunchy, so we didn't have to fight for anything we could have had to, and it just made us that much more grateful for their standard procedures. 

I found that many techniques we worked on didn't end up working in the moment because I was in excruciating pain--DS was posterior, so I had back labor, and at least for me that meant that every second I wasn't having a contraction, I was having back spasms.  Thinking about our vacation in Belize did not a damn thing.  After 4 hours of pushing, I gave in to my midwives' encouragement for me to have an epi to get a little break and give them a chance to try to turn DS. But he wasn't budging, hadn't budged since push #3, and we finally determined he was hopelessly stuck.  I don't feel bad about the epi because I knew we had naturally progressing labor for so long.

Anyway, I so, so highly recommend these classes, particularly if you can find a great teacher.  If not for your techniques, but for what you learn about labor, about hospitals, and for arming your spouse with the knowledge of what to expect and when.   FWIW, I know from my teacher that there is currently a schism happening in Bradley, so you might want to interview any prospective teacher about their perspective.

kikibird

redheadedgirl:

Sunny70:

I didn't like our teacher very much, I think if the teacher had been less judgmental it might have been more worth it too me. I would get the book and read it if you're interested in the Bradley philosophy before you take the classes.

In hindsight I would have read the book as Peppernut did and studied the techniques.  I personally am not one for all the Bradley dogma, but liked the techniques.  I also think if you are committed to going med free it almost needs to be a single minded focus and your partner and medical caregivers all need to know and support your birth plan. 

I'm hoping this class I'm considering isn't too heavy on the dogma either.  As for committing to going completely med-free, I think therein lies my dilemma.  I'm not yet 100% committed, but I want to learn all I can so I can make that decision.  I suppose my take on it is, if I can't manage the pain on my own, then I don't want my suffering to get in the way of being an effective participant in my child's birth.  But if taking these classes will help me manage the pain well enough to not tire out completely before the OB needs me to push, then I'd prefer that. 

It's so hard to know what I'm capable of, having never done it before!  

Thanks again, everyone, for your thoughts.

kimisuejoia

I didn't take the class, but got a doula and it was the *best* choice! She was wonderful and amazing and I can't say enough good things about her. 

My labor was 22 hours from the time I 'knew' to the time he came out. But my active labor was very short. We got to the hospital at 4p, got admitted at 7p and he was born at 11:33p! 

When we first got there I was only a 2cm. At that point I was ready to cave- I wanted drugs and lots of them. The contractions were registering very strong, but I didn't seem to be progressing. The doula talked me through it and convinced me that I was doing great and instead of an epi I could try just a light med in the IV to take the edge off (which was just enough to let me relax a little). Had we know how quick it was going to be I think I would have held out, but the nurses in triage were still saying that I could be 12-24 hours out and I knew I couldn't tolerate that amount of pain for that long!

During labor DH and my Mom were bouncing from me to the amount of pain and to the baby and were just all over the place. The doula's entire focus was on the process and my wishes and my best interests not my wants (if that makes sense).

She is the one who made sure there was ice chips, let the nurses know ahead of time my labor plan wishes, reminded me to breath and relax and stay hydrated, kept the music going, asked questions about progress and made sure we had pictures right after L was born.  She was just an oasis of calm and peace through the whole thing and made everything seem less scary and busy and clinical.

If you have any desire to go natural I would recommend you find a doula that you click with!

kikibird

choirgirl:

I may have a slightly different perspective on the Bradley Method, because I loved, loved, loved, my teachers. She was a local (to me) Nestie, and while she was consistent with all of the materials, she was also great at presenting the material in a non-judgmental, practical way.

We ended up with emergency C-Section, and I felt a little guilty at first (until I realized how dire it would have been without it), and the mantra throughout the class was that the goal was" healthy baby, healthy mama," so that helped a ton.

I think what Bradley did for us was to make DH waaay more engaged with the process. We learned so much about stages of labor, so he knew to expect, for example, that if I started throwing up (which I did) it was probably serious but we still had time, or that once I got serious like labor was my job, we'd better be on our way, or that when I got kind of crazy and begged for meds or said I couldn't do it, I was probably in transition, etc.  He hadn't taken much biology (more of a physics guy) and really needed the education (not that I didn't but as a woman, you do know somewhat more about what your body is supposed to do, even though much about the stages of labor was really helpful).  We were just generally so much more educated about what is normal procedure in hospitals -- because of the classes, we knew what we wanted that would be consistent with an inconsistent with, many hospitals' protocols.  We delivered in Boulder, CO, and the hospital was very crunchy, so we didn't have to fight for anything we could have had to, and it just made us that much more grateful for their standard procedures. 

I found that many techniques we worked on didn't end up working in the moment because I was in excruciating pain--DS was posterior, so I had back labor, and at least for me that meant that every second I wasn't having a contraction, I was having back spasms.  Thinking about our vacation in Belize did not a damn thing.  After 4 hours of pushing, I gave in to my midwives' encouragement for me to have an epi to get a little break and give them a chance to try to turn DS. But he wasn't budging, hadn't budged since push #3, and we finally determined he was hopelessly stuck.  I don't feel bad about the epi because I knew we had naturally progressing labor for so long.

Anyway, I so, so highly recommend these classes, particularly if you can find a great teacher.  If not for your techniques, but for what you learn about labor, about hospitals, and for arming your spouse with the knowledge of what to expect and when.   FWIW, I know from my teacher that there is currently a schism happening in Bradley, so you might want to interview any prospective teacher about their perspective.

Thanks choirgirl!  The bolded text is exactly what I'm hoping to get out of these classes.  So far the instructor I've contacted seems pretty down to earth, and now I'm curious to hear more about this schism and which side she's on.  Do you know where the dividing line is?  It does seem, that my possible instructor understands that med-free isn't always possible, but she wants to prepare us for whatever happens.

choirgirl

kikijbird:

Thanks choirgirl!  The bolded text is exactly what I'm hoping to get out of these classes.  So far the instructor I've contacted seems pretty down to earth, and now I'm curious to hear more about this schism and which side she's on.  Do you know where the dividing line is?  It does seem, that my possible instructor understands that med-free isn't always possible, but she wants to prepare us for whatever happens.

I think that was the biggest thing I got from the class was that I felt prepared for anything.  The first few weeks were, in some sense, about telling us about things that made us realize we knew nothing, and it was honestly a little scary. The rest of the class was about arming us with knowledge.  About biology, physics, medicine, hospitals, etc.

Despite this, the first thing I said to my teacher was "I'm sorry I messed up your 96% pain med free stat!" She laughed and said she was just glad we were all healthy. We had talked at length *why* one would not want an epi if it could be managed otherwise, but she was realistic, you know, modern medicine is there for a reason. My guess is if you do Bradley, you won't walk into labor *planning* to have an epi because among other things it can stall out labor and increase the likelihood of needing pitocin and ultimately a C-Section. But that doesn't mean you won't end up with one based on how your own personal labor progresses and your own comfort level.

I have to find out more about the split, but some are staying more true to the original, and some are veering off somehow. This may seem ridiculous, but it to me is strikes me as when Anglicans broke off from Catholics.  Not like going Lutheran, much less Hindu, but definitely a difference.  I don't know the specifics of the difference, but it's my understanding that people are being asked to certify in one or the other.

kikibird

Choirgirl, sounds like you and I are on the same page!  Yes, I think it's true that I don't want to "plan" to have an epidural... I would expect that I'd do it as a last resort of sorts.

Thanks for the info about the schism... I will see if I can get a read from the instructor I'm considering on what that's about.  I'll keep you posted!