Bradley Method

Re: Bradley Method

• geraghtygal

  December 2007

  I haven't delivered yet, but thought I'd try and address your other questions.  Since I am all about avoiding interventions and a c-section, I knew that I needed a more comprehensive, less hospital-centered child birth class.  I love my Bradley class.  It's so informative, and the classes are so small that you can ask questions anytime. 

  I didn't have much choice in terms of my instructors, but we both like the one we have and she's been teaching for 17 years.  (I'm from the NJ area)

  My husband was very supportive, but mostly because he felt that the way I wanted to labor was my decision.  Since attending the classes he feels even more strongly about natural child birth, or at least minimizing hospital/OB interventions that may not be necessary.

  My husband is usually the kind to be somewhat skeptical of anyone who is is a passionate advocate of anything b/c he thinks they're too biased, so he went into this with a healthy does of skepticism, but he now feels as if he's gotten an education about birthing that he wouldn't have gotten elsewhere.  Plus, Bradley's whole point is that the husband is the main support system to the wife, so much of the class is geared towards getting him to understand what role he plays and all the stages of labor, etc.

  I highly recommend the class, just from an educational point of view, regardless of your stance on natural v. medicated child birth.  I'm a big fan of being an educated consumer. 

  Hope that helps and good luck to you.  If you're considering preparing for a natural birth, you should also look into hypnobirthing...check back in 3 months and  hopefully I'll be able to tell whether I've achieved my goal of a natural birth.

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• koyangi member

  December 2007

  Hi, my response is late, but we had a Bradley delivery and we were both so glad to have the knowledge and preparation. We got exactly what we wanted and avoided any medication or interventions, and it was a great natural birth.

  We chose our instructor off the Bradley site's list of instructors. I found the names of the instructors in our area and googled to see if anyone had any recommendations mentioning them. Our original first choice was actually out of the country for the time we would've needed to take the classes, but we were more than thrilled with the instructor we ended up with. She was very informative and welcoming, and we still get together and see her family and the families we met at class now that the babies are born.

  My hubby was pretty laid back and said whatever I wanted to do he was cool with, but was wondering initialy why it cost so much more than the hospital's 1-day class. It costs so much more because it's worth so much more! The knowledge and practice you get is wonderful, and I think it really helps you grow as a couple at a critical time.
  
  In the end he is very glad that we took the classes and told me several times during the 12 weeks how glad he was that we went. It helped him a lot in preparation for the delivery and he turned out to be an excellent coach. I was impressed at how involved the classes got him. I think it helped him to know every fact you could possibly want to know about pregnancy and birth and to feel involved in the birth of his daughter as opposed to being out waiting in the waiting room.
  
  Like I mentioned, I was able to avoid any IV or medications, and we had a beautiful natural delivery with no tearing or need for episiotomy. I can't say for sure because this was our first but I whole heartedly believe my recovery time was faster because of it as well. Within hours I was up and around. Energy was the only thing that really even affected me but I'd think anyone who just pushed a baby out has that problem.
  
  Hope that helps! Take the classes they are so worth it! And if you can't find an instructor at least read some of the books!

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• bakerjod

  January 2008

  we chose our instructor simply based on proximity.  She was 10 minutes down the road, and seeing as we'd be driving there every Saturday for 3 months, we didn't want to spend forever in the car.
  
  DH was supportive of a drug free birth.  He was more annoyed that there were so many classes, and that they were so LONG.
  
  After the classes... we both were a bit put off with how repetitive the instructor was.  It seemed geared toward people that need an idea drilled into their heads (dare I say high school students?) (I dare, only as I teach HS Spanish (too?))  Anyway, after having read the book - if you buy into the concept - which we did, it makes perfect sense to us - the  book gives you 90% of the tools you need.
  
  I think the class was valuable in its pushing of the diet, which was good.  It was helpful in pushing the exercising.  It definitely educated me on what the stages of labor would be like, so I was prepared for each step and the feelings that were associated with it.
  
  In the end, I have had two successful Bradley Births.  One of which involved a huge emergency episiotomy and vaccuum extraction (still no drugs)  The other, some major back labor (still no drugs). 
  
  If you're committed to the idea of the method, then you'll be fine. Obviously, there are situations in which you have to bail on the plan.  Baby's safety was always number one for us (and for 99% of parents) 
  
  Anyway, I'm rambling. Have you read the book yet?  It was required reading for our class, along with two other useless books (one was just another woman's interpretation of the Bradley book, the other was the breastfeeding book)
  
  if you have questions feel free to email me
  mrsgottmann@yahoo.com
  
  jody  
  

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• bryans4

  January 2008

  We took Bradley classes with both our DD's and yes, I was able to have a natural birth with both.  The 1st delivery was harder because I had to be induced with pictocin but I had a doula which helped tremendously.

  We found out about the Bradley classes from a local store here called the Nursing Station.  There's not a lot of Bradley classes here but the two instructors we used were wonderful.  Check out www.dona.org to find a doula in your area and they could probably tell you about local bradley classes.
  
  Good Luck and check out my bio for birth stories.

  :-)

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• bryans4

  January 2008

  Oh, DH was NOT supportive at all with the 1st but once we started taking the classes he got into it.  He was NOT onboard with having a doula either BUT after our 1st DD was born he was very glad we had her there to help.

  When we found out we were expecting our 2nd DD, DH's first question was, "Have you called the Doula?"

  :-)

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• StaceyB930 member

  February 2008

  stg

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