Questions about Bradley Position

anmllwyr · July 2010

Hi all.

I'm hoping some of you can help me out. DH and I are using "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" to prepare for L & D. We did our first practice exercise last night. I cannot, for the life of me, understand how the recommended position for contractions is comfortable! Maybe I'm doing something wrog, but I couldn't get my neck to relax with my head turned that way, and the arm behind me was really uncomfortable as well. Does anyone have any tips on how to make that position work better? Right now, I'm thinking it will be better to be in a position that is truly comfortable for me, or I may not be able to relax. Isn't that supposed to be the whole point of the recommended position...to help you relax? Help please!

AJM796 · July 2010

anmllwyr:

Hi all.

I'm hoping some of you can help me out. DH and I are using "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" to prepare for L & D. We did our first practice exercise last night. I cannot, for the life of me, understand how the recommended position for contractions is comfortable! Maybe I'm doing something wrog, but I couldn't get my neck to relax with my head turned that way, and the arm behind me was really uncomfortable as well. Does anyone have any tips on how to make that position work better? Right now, I'm thinking it will be better to be in a position that is truly comfortable for me, or I may not be able to relax. Isn't that supposed to be the whole point of the recommended position...to help you relax? Help please!

Are you talking about the side lying relaxation position? It should be similar to how you sleep...do you sleep on your side? I used to put my arm up by by ear (bent and resting my pillow on it) as opposed to not behind my body. Could you try that? Is your head being supported by your pillow. The one pillow should go along your side/belly and under you head and your other pillow should be in between your legs supporting your belly/knees. Your knees should not be together but apart (almost like in a running position with your top knee in front od the back knee, if that makes sense) and your belly should far enough over that it is resting on the pillow/floor.

anmllwyr · July 2010

Thanks. Yes, I'm talking about the side lying relaxation position. The book specifically says not to tuck your arm under you (like I do when I sleep on my side) because it will fall asleep and become a distraction. But I found it to be a distraction to have it behind me because it was uncomfortable. I had 3 pillows under my leg, supporting from my knee to my foot as suggested. The pillow under my head was straight across the top of the bed though, so I will try putting it along side me instead of above me. I am also wondering if I should try the floor instead of the bed. Our mattress is pretty good, but maybe it was too soft?

Thanks for the help here. I guess I'm just hesitant to mess with the position in its exact form, because the book stresses so much how any little distraction can keep you from relaxing fully through a contraction.

AJM796 · July 2010

anmllwyr:

Thanks. Yes, I'm talking about the side lying relaxation position. The book specifically says not to tuck your arm under you (like I do when I sleep on my side) because it will fall asleep and become a distraction. But I found it to be a distraction to have it behind me because it was uncomfortable. I had 3 pillows under my leg, supporting from my knee to my foot as suggested. The pillow under my head was straight across the top of the bed though, so I will try putting it along side me instead of above me. I am also wondering if I should try the floor instead of the bed. Our mattress is pretty good, but maybe it was too soft?

Thanks for the help here. I guess I'm just hesitant to mess with the position in its exact form, because the book stresses so much how any little distraction can keep you from relaxing fully through a contraction.

I teach Bradley, and a few others on this board do too, so hopefully they chime in :-) but honestly, I labored in the side lying relaxation position for 7 straight hours with my arm under my head and I never had a problem so if it works, it works. You will hove to modify some of the positions to fit your comfort level and the ultimate goal is to have mom be comfortable and labor effectively, if it means having your arm up by your head for a period of time then that's what you do :-)

You could try the floor (that's where my students do their relaxation exercises) but most will be on their bed since the floor can be hard. And using that pillow under your head long ways will help support your upper body and will make it more comfortable. You want to imitate sleep with this position as much as possible.

autumnbaby2010 · July 2010

Lurker here :-) We're going into our 3rd wk of Bradley classes & pp is exactly right about how many pillows you should have (2) & how they should lie.

I put 1 arm over the pillow & 1 under it (kinda loosely hugging it). Our instructor said that's a good way for hubby to see if you're tensing up so he can relax / massage you if needed.

GL!

drewiekc · July 2010

Bradley is meant to be pretty flexible. Based on everything we've learned so far in the first 10 weeks of classes, the most important thing is to figure out what works for YOU, not to try to adhere strictly to a certain position.

anmllwyr · July 2010

Thank you so much ladies! This was exactly what I needed to hear! I guess I just needed someone to tell me that it's OK to tweak the position in a way that works best for me. Much appreciated!! Big Smile

AutumnBride929 · July 2010

Did you try using a bunch of pillows? That helps a lot. Just prop them up wherever you need them.

Honestly though, I did spend some time laboring in that position but it was my least favorite. My favorite positions were anything that involved my belly being somewhat "suspended" if that makes sense. Like sitting on the birthing ball and leaning over to rest my head on the bed where my belly was just kind of hanging. That was my favorite position. I also pushed on my hands and knees. Everyone is different though. You will find that you move around to different positions often while you're in labor.

Pamela05 · July 2010

I've started trying this position and at first having my arm back was really uncomfortable, but after a few nights it's gotten better as my shoulders/back have stretched/loosened up I guess. Also, I sometimes need a double stack of pillows alongside my body to really get my alignment right, but I'm sure some of that will change as my body shape changes.

kegallagh · July 2010

When I was preparing and practicing with DH, I found that position really comfortable. It was how I slept for the last few months of pregnancy. BUT when it came down to it and I was actually in labor, you couldn't have paid me enough money to make me lie down like that. I had to be either on my feet or sitting cross legged otherwise I was completely uncomfortable. So most of my labor was spent sitting cross legged (on floor or in bed) with my upper body sort of slouched over and relaxed. Just something to think about. I don't think that position is for everyone... especially in the moment.

anmllwyr · July 2010

Thanks for all the input ladies! I will definitely try to make the position work, at least for the exercises so that I can train myself how to relax properly. If it doesn't work for me during labor, then out it goes!

SageBeginnings · July 2010

Eh, I taught for 3 years and used Bradley concepts for most of my births... and NEVER could labor in the side lying position. I was an active, upright birther until the time the babes came barreling down the birth canal. I am right there with the pp who said that Bradley is not about rules, but about options. Do what your body tells you to do in labor, that is why you are taught so many different relaxation techniques and scripts.

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