Bradley Method - is the book enough?

tmoore319 · January 2013

Hi all! DH and I have started reading Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. I have also signed us up for a regular 2 week childbirth class offered at our hospital. I wanted to take this in case I have to do meds or a c-section. But my plan is to do it all naturally, so my question is, if you've used the BM, what type of preparation did you do? The only legitimate classes I can find are 12 weeks long, and we really wanted to avoid that. If we read the book and practice at home, is that enough to be fully prepared, or would you definitely recommend a class? Thanks in advance!

MamaDailey · January 2013

My DH and I took a hospital based childbirth class for DD1 because there were no Bradley classes within 2 hours of us. I bought the Bradley book and read it over and over again and practiced the exercises alot. I had a successful non-medicated, natural birth. For DD2 we didn't take any classes, but I again read the book and had another non-medicated, natural birth. DS is coming soon and I've read the book again.

I guess it depends on the person, but I felt like reading the book was enough. HOWEVER if there was a Bradley class within an hour of here, we certainly would have taken it!!!

MitoRachel · January 2013

DH and I couldn't attend a class so I read the book and tried in vain to get DH to do the exercises. I also read Husband-Coached Childbirth by Bradley which was only moderately helpful and The Big Book of Birth. I liked TBB of B because it left me feeling like I had even more ideas to get through childbirth than just reading the Bradley stuff alone. I felt prepared for birth and had a positive natural childbirth with DS.

abell77 · January 2013

If you can be very disciplined to do all of the daily exercises and practice relaxation with your husband, it probably could work. We took classes and although I was very motivated on my own, I admit knowing I was going to see an instructor who would hold me accountable kept me on track. One idea is that you could contact a Bradley instructor in your area and see if they are willing to do a condensed course for you, this is what we did because we knew of a friend who had done it. The instructor came to our home once a month in the third trimester for three hours each. Lots of homework for us to do in between. It wasn't any more expensive than the 12 week class would have been. It worked for us. Good Luck.

BabyMayinMarch · January 2013

Im currently taking bradley method classes, and I find lots of the items we discuss are on video or just oral discussion in class. Many of the topics aren't layed out in detail in the book. I think it is a great idea to still take the 2 day class you mentioned, and then get what you can from the bradley book.

aylafsu88 · January 2013

abell77:
If you can be very disciplined to do all of the daily exercises and practice relaxation with your husband, it probably could work. We took classes and although I was very motivated on my own, I admit knowing I was going to see an instructor who would hold me accountable kept me on track. One idea is that you could contact a Bradley instructor in your area and see if they are willing to do a condensed course for you, this is what we did because we knew of a friend who had done it. The instructor came to our home once a month in the third trimester for three hours each. Lots of homework for us to do in between. It wasn't any more expensive than the 12 week class would have been. It worked for us. Good Luck.

This. For us the class was essential, especially for H. I enjoyed reading and researching birth so I probably could have not taken a class. However, H was not going to read up or research childbirth on his own. The class was great because it taught him how to be a coach and what to expect during L&D. I think one of the biggest things you need is a positive, supportive person at your birth. At some point during L&D you may doubt yourself and having someone who it prepared to coach you through that point is key. If you H is willing to read and study natural birth on his own, then you probably do not need the class. If you have a doula, you probably do not need the class. I am of the mindset that you can never have to much information because education is power and confidence. GL!

tokenhoser · January 2013

How into it is your husband? Bradley relies on your husband being prepared to be your coach. Without the class, it also means he has to be willing to learn everything just with you or on his own.

Frankly, my husband is not that into it. He prefers that we hire a doula to tell him how to be helpful. Reading is always good, for both of you, but if you have your doubts that DH will prepare fully in advance, a doula is a great option that doesn't require 12 weeks. Honestly, if you're thinking of a natural birth with twins, backup is probably a good thing.

BLPL101 · January 2013

I definitely recommend taking the classes (DH and I thought they were fun!), but I'm sure just reading the books would be enough.

pepomntpat · January 2013

I think it depends more on your husband than anything. My husband has to attach a monetary value to what he does. That's just how he is. Since we paid money for the class he participated and did the exercises. Had I just asked him to read the book with me, he'd have been too busy and it would have turned into a nag fest. That's just my husband though.

RockyMtnMama · January 2013

To be honest...anything worth doing takes time (and often money), so IMO, no, the book isn't enough. I know 3 friends who prepared on their own or with just a short hospital-based natural birth class and did not get the births they wanted the first time. I also know 4 women who super prepared (classes for 8-12 weeks, books, everything) and 3 of those 4 got the births they wanted the first time. Oh and of those 3 that didnt' get what they wanted the first time (i.e. unmedicated, uncomplicated birth), they all took birthing classes (8-12 weeks) after that and all had great birth outcomes the second (and third) times.

tmoore319 · January 2013

Thanks everyone!

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