Bradley method

Ninjamama86

Hello ladies,

I'm a FTM looking into my options. I'm not 100 against meds, but is prefer not to, or at least get as far into the labor I can without them. I've read online Lamaze has pretty much been replaced by the Bradley method. The reviews ive fiund online are all addociated with the bradely website so i imagine they're biased. Have any of you tried it, what are your thoughts?

aylafsu88

We used it and loved the class.  I wanted my H to play a role in my L&D by supporting me throughout the process.  The class taught him how to do that and he was an amazing coach.  It also educated him on birth in general.  My H is not the type to read up on birth in his free time so the class was great because he got the information in a discussion based format.  Our instructor was great and we really loved her.  She answered all of our questions and because the class was small (3 couples) we really got to know everyone in the class.  The class talked about what interventions are needed and when, what to expect, ways to deal with pain, and emotional sign posts. I highly recommend the class and we felt like it was well worth the money.  I had an amazing birth and I attribute that to the class and my great support system. 

StefandTodd

NCC74656:

aylafsu88:

We used it and loved the class.  I wanted my H to play a role in my L&D by supporting me throughout the process.  The class taught him how to do that and he was an amazing coach.  It also educated him on birth in general.  My H is not the type to read up on birth in his free time so the class was great because he got the information in a discussion based format.  Our instructor was great and we really loved her.  She answered all of our questions and because the class was small (3 couples) we really got to know everyone in the class.  The class talked about what interventions are needed and when, what to expect, ways to deal with pain, and emotional sign posts. I highly recommend the class and we felt like it was well worth the money.  I had an amazing birth and I attribute that to the class and my great support system. 

All the bolded. We also hired a doula so that when DH needed help or needed a break I wasn't left without support. She was also helpful at reminding us of other things and positions that we had forgotten from our class.

Ditto all of this for my two awesome Bradley births with my husband and our doula.

cecilyandgautam

Overall, I'm glad I went through the course but I personally would have benefited from more coping techniques and less "here's what to say no to in the hospital" - we only really practiced 3 techniques in class and none of them worked for me in labor. We ended up using hot rice socks, which I had read about in non-Bradley materials - it worked, but I feel like having a few other options up our sleeves would have been nice. There were more covered in the books and it was just assumed we'd figure it out as homework but I would have benefited from a more hands-on class. 

SarahinMD

We used Bradley Method with DD and are for this LO as well. Loved it. Best experience I could have hoped for. We actually didn't do classes (timing didn't work out) but read a lot, and made sure to practice all the exercises. Your SO definitely needs to be fully committed, and you both need to be prepared. Classes seem to be best for most people, though for us books worked. We found the guidance to be very much in line with how our relationship is (DH is good an helping me relax generally :-) ) so that probably helped. But for us, it was great. Good luck choosing and preparing!

MrsG071809

We took the class, and our teacher actually ended up being our Doula - I credit her and the classes to us being able to successfully have the natural birth we wanted.  DH learned so much from the class, and ended up completely shocking me with how involved and supportive he was.  I would highly recommend the class to anyone!

LokiLahve

cecilyandgautam:

Overall, I'm glad I went through the course but I personally would havenbsp;benefitednbsp;from more coping techniques and less "here's what to say no to in the hospital" we only really practiced 3 techniques in class and none of them worked for me in labor. We ended up using hot rice socks, which I had read about in nonBradley materials it worked, but I feel like having a few other options up our sleeves would have been nice. There were more covered in the books and it was just assumed we'd figure it out as homework but I would havenbsp;benefitednbsp;from a more handson class.nbsp;

We are only on the 4th class of 12 and we have already gone over 4 or 5 relaxation techniques. This sounds like your experience was based more on the instructor than the Bradley class. I've only take 4 classes though so I could be wrong.

katharine25

cecilyandgautam:

Overall, I'm glad I went through the course but I personally would have benefited from more coping techniques and less "here's what to say no to in the hospital" - we only really practiced 3 techniques in class and none of them worked for me in labor. We ended up using hot rice socks, which I had read about in non-Bradley materials - it worked, but I feel like having a few other options up our sleeves would have been nice. There were more covered in the books and it was just assumed we'd figure it out as homework but I would have benefited from a more hands-on class. 

 

I have 1 of 8 classes left and this is how I feel about our Bradley course. And I feel our instructor even skimmed over the interventions and ways to reclaim your birth plan if necessary. I also have read A LOT so it might be that what what she was saying just wasn't new to me, I dunno. DH really enjoys the course and definitely feels he knows more than 7 weeks ago - and there's also NO WAY I could have gotten him to read everything I do, but being the control freak I am, it all makes me a bit nervous that he's really not equipped with being the "coach" yet. He's become a really great masseuse though I also really love the discussions we have in class - it's an excellent forum for discussion.

Ultimately what I got out of the Bradley Method was that it's very "information is power" more than "here's how to get through it". 

I plan on delving into the Hypnobirthing book/cd for the next 10 weeks for relaxation tips, and relying heavily on Henci Goer's book for more details on how to possibly cope if intervention becomes medically necessary for some reason.