Hypnobirthing or Bradley Method?

RachelD158 · June 2012

Forgive me if this has been discussed before...but which method would you recommend? Is there a huge difference between the two? I was doing some research and saw that the Bradley courses are 12 weeks, so the ones in my area of started by now. Is it too late? I would love your thoughts and recommendations!

sschwege · June 2012

I did Hypnobirthing and had an amazing experience. We are going to use it again this time. The key with Hypnobirthing is to practice... a lot! It's not enough to just take the classes and read the book, you really have to do spend some time practicing the techniques so when the day comes, it's second nature to you.

There are definitely differences between the two, but they are not so different that they oppose each other. I know because there was a couple in our class who was also doing Bradley at the same time and benefited from both classes. I think the principle difference is the way they approach labor in general. Bradley teaches (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong) that while childbirth is uncomfortable it's pain with a purpose. Hypnobirthing is more about letting go of fear and helping you to embrace the idea that while labor is intense and you are going to feel something, it won't be pain. Kind of more of a mind over matter idea. They even use different terminology than what is traditionally used (for example: contractions are called surges).

Read up on both of them, one might call to you more than the other. But I know people who have had wonderful births using both methods, so I think you will do well as long as you are committed to it.

AndromedaEclipse · June 2012

I did my Bradley method classes starting at 24 weeks, so you still have time. I would do both if possible. I had a friend who did hypnobirthing and loved it. I really liked that my Bradley class went into detail about interventions scientifically (I'm a geek like that).

poison489 · June 2012

I took Bradley with my first. It was very informative and helped me stand up for myself against pushy hospital staff when they tried to push unnecessary interventions, and kept using fear tactics to try and get me to cave. My husband felt well informed as well, and better able to advocate for me. This time around I am studying hypnobirthing. I did feel that the Bradley pain management techniques were insufficient, and hypnobirthing seems to have what I was missing the first time around.

dmhrn13 · June 2012

where are you giving birth?

RachelD158 · June 2012

dmhrn13:

where are you giving birth?

Hartford Hospital in CT

Temp174496125006552 · June 2012

sschwege:

I did Hypnobirthing and had an amazing experience. We are going to use it again this time. The key with Hypnobirthing is to practice... a lot! It's not enough to just take the classes and read the book, you really have to do spend some time practicing the techniques so when the day comes, it's second nature to you.

There are definitely differences between the two, but they are not so different that they oppose each other. I know because there was a couple in our class who was also doing Bradley at the same time and benefited from both classes. I think the principle difference is the way they approach labor in general. Bradley teaches (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong) that while childbirth is uncomfortable it's pain with a purpose. Hypnobirthing is more about letting go of fear and helping you to embrace the idea that while labor is intense and you are going to feel something, it won't be pain. Kind of more of a mind over matter idea. They even use different terminology than what is traditionally used (for example: contractions are called surges).

Read up on both of them, one might call to you more than the other. But I know people who have had wonderful births using both methods, so I think you will do well as long as you are committed to it.

All of the bolded parts are exactly what I was going to say.

I researched both HypnoBirthing and Bradley when I was newly pregnant with Ben. I thought Bradley had some good aspects, but HypnoBirthing just made so much sense to me and seemed like the right choice for us. I'm glad that's the method we chose and plan to use it again with this baby (I'm 35 weeks).

GL with whatever you choose!

ETA: FWIW, I had a hospital birth with a MW for Ben and will have a hospital birth with an OB this time around.

Ecarabeo217 · June 2012

I'm an OB and have had a few patients who have done hypnobirthing but haven't had any experience with Bradley. The ones that did hypnotic thing, however, had FABULOUS natural deliveries! It has been amazing to me (as a physician) to see just how wonderfully these patients do with their techniques and what calm and controlled and pleasant deliveries they have had! I strongly recommend and have even been looking into becoming trained in the technique as a teacher. I'm TTC now, and definitely plan on hypnobirthing, myself.

That being said, I agree with the previous recommendation about going to the classes that "speak" to you...I hunk ate the biggest key in picking a birthing class. It has to make sense to YOU and nobody else!

Good luck!

Ecarabeo217 · June 2012

Ugh...auto correct! Not hypnotic thing and not hunk ate, lol!

LindseyJW · June 2012

poison489:
I took Bradley with my first. It was very informative... I did feel that the Bradley pain management techniques were insufficient, and hypnobirthing seems to have what I was missing the first time around.

this.

i also now teach HypnoBirthing.

there is a post on this topic in the FAQs! see my siggie for a link.

Toni79 · June 2012

I took a Bradley class. Somehow my instructor did it in 10 weeks. I took it from 23-33 weeks. I'm crossing my fingers that it prepaired me! I've still got a few more weeks to go! I decided to go with Bradley becasue it seemd to be more inclusive and detailed about all stages of pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. Some discussions included how nutrition can keep you low risk (Brewer Diet), understanding various drugs and interventions, obviously stages of labor. They also go into some pain management (breathing, counter pressure, relaxation techniques).

Whereas I felt that hypnobirthing only focued on the "relaxation techniques" for dealing with pain. However I never took a hypnobirthing class, so I don't know this for a fact.

So far I am very happy that I took a Bradley class. It really educated me and prepaired me to ask specific questions to my OB and hospital so that I could be a more informed patient about thier policies. Initally I thought my OB and I were on the same page, but while taking the Bradley class, I learned to ask her more specific questions and I found that she and I were not on the same page. At 30 weeks I switched from my OB to a midwife (at a differant hospital), and I could not have been happier with this decision. I understand that the baby might have his/her own plan, but now I at least feel like me and my provider are on the same page.

I am however a little concerned how I will handle the pain. I'm hoping that the techniques I learned will help. I'm a FTM, so I really don't know what to expect. If I would of had more time, I might have taken them both! But I am so surprised how quickly the weeks have flown by!

BesosToAll · June 2012

Hypnobirthing!!! I did a Hypnobirthing class for my first and had a beautiful, peaceful, medication-free, and painless delivery. I HIGHLY recommend it. I'm now pregnant with my second and enrolled in the class again. Make sure it's The Mongan Method and practice the recordings daily. I also recommend you stay away from people with scary birthing stories and avoid television shows like "Bringing Home Baby" or "A Baby Story". Those tend to create more fear. There are also affirmations in the book, print those and place them somewhere you spend a lot of time at, for example your desk at work. I also read the book twice before my baby?s due date.

RachelD158 · June 2012

Thanks for all the advice ladies! When I first heard about both I thought that the Bradley Method sounded like it was right for me. But I read a book that was more along the lines of Hypnobirthing I think and it was so calming for me. I'm really nervous about the birth, so it's great to hear all of your positive stories! Thank you!

sschwege · June 2012

RachelD158:
Thanks for all the advice ladies! When I first heard about both I thought that the Bradley Method sounded like it was right for me. But I read a book that was more along the lines of Hypnobirthing I think and it was so calming for me. I'm really nervous about the birth, so it's great to hear all of your positive stories! Thank you!

Happy to help! I think everyone gets nervous sometimes, even us second and third timers! If you haven't done so already you might want to check out the book, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." The first half of the book is filled with the most inspirational stories, truly beautiful births. For me reading that section gets me totally pumped to do it again!

brchance · June 2012

I would also look into Hypnobabies - they have a pretty comprehensive and intensive home study course that I hope to put into good use very soon!

RachelD158 · June 2012

sschwege:

RachelD158:
Thanks for all the advice ladies! When I first heard about both I thought that the Bradley Method sounded like it was right for me. But I read a book that was more along the lines of Hypnobirthing I think and it was so calming for me. I'm really nervous about the birth, so it's great to hear all of your positive stories! Thank you!

Happy to help! I think everyone gets nervous sometimes, even us second and third timers! If you haven't done so already you might want to check out the book, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." The first half of the book is filled with the most inspirational stories, truly beautiful births. For me reading that section gets me totally pumped to do it again!

I will definitely get that book...thank you!!

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