Did anyone take Bradley Method course?

ladipale · July 2010

I'm hoping to deliver naturally, and as such, want to prepare myself (& John!). I'm leaning toward using the Bradley Method, and think the best way to educate BOTH of us is to take the course.

Was it worth it?

BTW, I realized how much help John needed when we had a whole discussion last week about labor.. he didn't know ANYTHING about contractions, dilating, pushing, etc. Is there a book I can get him for a crash course? Or will Bradley course be enough?

angelabbf · July 2010

I'm pretty sure Renee (NCSW) did. You might want to ask her...

alibee09 · July 2010

I did! I was sort of overeducated going into it, so I didn't get as much out of it as DH did -- but it REALLY put him into the "coach" mindset and he was AMAZING during my labor as a result. He really supported me and my decisions and also knew exactly how to help me through the hardest times of my labor. I'd say that the Bradley course will be a great education for your husband, and he can then decide if he feels like there's more he needs to read up on.

I wouldn't recommend my instructor necessarily, but again, I was overeducated, so Ava (who was also in my class) might have a different take on her as a person. I'm not sure where you live, though, so it could be irrelevant.

StefandTodd · July 2010

HisMrs07 (Mary-Kathleen) did Bradley Method. I have a very good friend (related by marriage) who is an instructor in the Bay Area, (and she has had two of her own successful Bradley births in addition) so while I haven't taken the classes (obviously ), I am very excited to in the future.

Bradley really emphasizes husband-coached childbirth, so I think John will get a LOT out of the classes. I could also put you in touch with my friend (could connect you guys via a private facebook thread if you would like) so you could ask her any specific questions you have about what is learned/taught in each class/week, from an instructor perspective. She has done this before for another nestie friend who was interested in Bradley not too long ago. Let me know if you would like me to connect you guys. And good luck!!

ETA: Mary-Kathleen is a Sacramento nestie too, so she may have an instructor rec for you if you need one (or, maybe someone to avoid...I don't know)

**Mutley** · July 2010

We are doing Bradley classes. I love our teacher. We both feel that it has been very helpful in preparing us, not only for the birth but also for our lives after the birth. I have become much more confident about my ability to do a natural birth. It was something I truly wanted to do, but felt unsure before starting the classes. Now, I know that we can get through it together. DH is infinitely more prepared to deal with the labor and delivery process as well. He was fairly clueless before and was just going along with the 'natural' thing to appease me. Haha.

If you do a Bradley class, he doesn't need to get a book but it could help. During the class, they recommend that you read Husband Coached Childbirth by Dr. Bradley.

I am not sure when our instructor will be starting her next sessions, but I'd be happy to pass along her info. She does the classes out of her house in Davis.

ZoeMay06 · July 2010

We also did Bradley Method and took the course. It was extremely helpful, especially for DH. I was also sort of overeducated going into it, having been present at a few natural births in the past and having gone through a period where I wanted to be a midwife and reading all that I could on the subject of natural childbirth, but I still got a lot out of the course. We had a doula as well, so DH wasn't the only one coaching me, but the Bradley class still really helped him to prepare for the experience. Plus, as a side benefit, we met some really nice couples in our class that we are still in touch with.

In addition to the book the pp recommended above, I read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon after the course was finished and learned some really useful things (like the emotional signposts of labor and especially transition) that we didn't cover in much detail during the class.

Actually L, if you'll be in San Jose again soon I'd be happy to lend you that book and a few others that I have on natural childbirth. Just let me know if you're interested...I'll be back home on the 10th.

SarahCee · July 2010

We did. I really enjoyed the course, we used Ciana Keller (who was also HisMrs instructor). She was great. Honestly, we did a crash course ( I didn't know that we needed to start so far in advance), so I don't think that I got as much as I could have out of it. The books are great and it was a great bonding time with DH. I can get you Ciana's info if you'd like.

ladipale · July 2010

SarahCee:
We did. I really enjoyed the course, we used Ciana Keller (who was also HisMrs instructor). She was great. Honestly, we did a crash course ( I didn't know that we needed to start so far in advance), so I don't think that I got as much as I could have out of it. The books are great and it was a great bonding time with DH. I can get you Ciana's info if you'd like.

That would be great! You can email it to me at laura.doyle@mac.com

SarahCee · July 2010

ladipale:

SarahCee:
We did. I really enjoyed the course, we used Ciana Keller (who was also HisMrs instructor). She was great. Honestly, we did a crash course ( I didn't know that we needed to start so far in advance), so I don't think that I got as much as I could have out of it. The books are great and it was a great bonding time with DH. I can get you Ciana's info if you'd like.

That would be great! You can email it to me at laura.doyle@mac.com

YGM :-)

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