Bradley Method Class... Help me decide

Vegasbb · April 2012

I'm having trouble deciding when to start my Bradley Method Classes. I have 2 options (both with the same instructor). I am due October 16th.

I originally signed up for a class that begins in mid-July and ends September 30th. It made me a little nervous cutting it that close, but I guess 2 weeks before my due date is probably safe.

The instructor emailed me last night asking if I would consider taking a class that starts next week. There's only one couple in the class and she prefers to have 2 couples. This class runs from late April - mid July.

I'm so torn! I'm thinking it *might* be nice to get it out of the way early because if there are exercises and what not, I'd love more time to practice them before the birth. Also the nutrition advice and advice on birth plans and things might be nice to have a little earlier on. That being said, I'm worried if I take it too early I will forget everything.

From ladies that have taken it before... WWYD ?

DiveFrog · April 2012

Take the earlier class. From my experience there is a lot of material that is covered in regards to preganancy itself and the earlier you have that the better. Plus, it gets your DH educated and makes him a part of the pregnancy from earlier in the process.

Plus, I wouldn't want to cut it so close as ending two weeks before your due date. I'm only 30 weeks and I have so much on my plate in terms of geting ready and I'm starting to feel really tired/big. I doubt I would want to be having to go to a 2hr class when I am so close to the end. There is a woman in our class now who is 4 weeks ahead of me and won't finish until she is 37weeks and she is pretty uncomfortable during our class (has to cahnge positions/chairs, gets up to use the bathroom often etc.)

pixieprincss · April 2012

I would go for it. The information you learn about nutrition and exercise will be helpful now. That said, could you ask that as you get later in the PG if there is something you feel you aren't recalling, the leader will give you a free "brush up" session or allow you to sit in on that one session with the late-summer group?

pepomntpat · April 2012

I would take the earlier class. My instructor also welcomed us to pop into her future classes if we needed brushing up on an area after our class ended. You could ask if that is an option for you as well.

stahlop · April 2012

Go for the earlier class. The exercises and nutrition that you learn are better the earlier you start IMO. We ended ours about 2 months before DS was born, and we ended up being the only ones left in the class because the others went into labor before the class ended.

charmschool · April 2012

My classes will end when I'm 37 weeks, which I like because I feel like it will still be fresh. BUT I also wish I had gotten the benefit of the classes on exercise and nutrition earlier in my pregnancy. I do feel like it's good that its ending so close to the end of my pregnancy though. Not only will I remember things better, it also just feels a lot more "real" now than it did a few weeks ago, so I am paying better attention and feel better equipped to make decisions than I did a few weeks ago.

I think the best set up for the class would be to have a couple of classes (the first ones about nutrition & exercise) at around 16-20 weeks and then hold off on the rest of them until the end of pregnancy.. but that's not how they work! I say ask the instructor if you could take the earlier round of classes, but then maybe also come back and sit in on last few of the second round of classes that will be right before your due date, or at least get a refresher.

CurbsideProphet · April 2012

I would take the earlier class. I don't think you will forget everything and it will give you more of a chance to prepare/practice. It is quite possible that you could go into labor two weeks (or earlier) before your due date.

Vegasbb · April 2012

Thank you ladies so much for all the input! I have decided to go ahead and start next week - I feel much better knowing it's not completely crazy to do this during 2nd trimester.

LesleyT · April 2012

Hey Vegasbb! I'm here in Vegas too- Look into "Well Rounded Mamas"- they have a variety of classes, times, locations- even thru various other providers.

I was also advised by my Doula to take more than one type of birthing class- I took Lamaze and Hypnobirth because we missed the Bradley classes- since there's waaay more classes for Bradley than any other (15cl vs 5 for HB). But I really loved the hypnobirth approach.

Overall, I agree- the more "tools" for labor- the better prepared- parts of labor may go better for you with one type of practice - i.e., Bradley- and you can pull in other practices throughout ....

I'm kinda glad I took my classes later, but as you say- some of that info is good to have earlier on...

Vegasbb · April 2012

LesleyT:
Hey Vegasbb! I'm here in Vegas too- Look into "Well Rounded Mamas"- they have a variety of classes, times, locations- even thru various other providers.
I was also advised by my Doula to take more than one type of birthing class- I took Lamaze and Hypnobirth because we missed the Bradley classes- since there's waaay more classes for Bradley than any other (15cl vs 5 for HB). But I really loved the hypnobirth approach.
Overall, I agree- the more "tools" for labor- the better prepared- parts of labor may go better for you with one type of practice - i.e., Bradley- and you can pull in other practices throughout ....
I'm kinda glad I took my classes later, but as you say- some of that info is good to have earlier on...

I'm taking them at WRM I'm considering doing hypnobirthing too.. something to consider if the methods can be complementary. Did you deliver at a hospital or at home?

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