Bradley Method - switching OB practice?

garciamariaf · February 2013

I'm new to this board, but felt this would be best group of moms to get some feedback/advice from.

We had quite a lively discussion with our OB at our appointment this morning - mainly, this was our first opportunity to ask her about how receptive she was to Bradley Method couples whose goal it is to deliver a healthy baby via an unmedicated birth (avoid pitocin, epidural). We just started the class a few weeks ago, so this was my first real opportunity to do so.

In a nutshell she told me "we don't do Bradley Method," and proceeded to tell me that the Bradley Method teaches couples to be confrontational and this makes it difficult for her and the hospital nurses to do their jobs during L&D. While our plan isn't to impede the medical staff from doing their jobs, we also would like advocate for ourselves and wait out the need for interventions as much as possible. I was quite taken aback by our OB's rather curt and brusque reaction and now feel like we have to make a decision to either suck it up and stick with the practice and see how best we can diplomatically advocate for our birth plan when the time comes, or jump ship and look to another practice or midwery center (with OB/Gyn affiliation) that will be better aligned to our goal of an unmedicated birth. We're leaning towards the latter, but a little worried it would be difficult to do so.

I know this is long, but I kinda needed to vent, so thank you for hearing me out. :-) The question is, how easy/difficult has it been for other moms to switch practices? Any advice you might have to make it an easier transition?

tokenhoser · February 2013

Jump ship. Do it as soon as possible. You will not regret it. Ask your Bradley instructor which doctors are more open to patients that have an educated opinion.

No advice on switching as I haven't had to do it, but it's possible and I would say if you want a great birth experience... probably necessary.

AmyRI · February 2013

If that's her response, switch now. If she generalizes to "all couples who use Bradley are impossible to work with" then I wouldn't want her generalizing my care so that I fit her timeline like everyone else. She's not willing to treat you as an individual case, and that would worry me.

I switched at 34 weeks, although for completely different reasons. My best advice is to switch right away so you can start developing a relationship with your new care provider. Ask now for a copy of your medical records from your current OB and have it in-hand for your first appointment with your new doc/MW. It was a little uncomfortable for me to switch, as I had seen the same OB for 5 years and she was there for the birth of my DS... I was nervous seeing someone new. I wish I didn't have to switch at 34 weeks, but I'm glad I did and it all worked out in the end. It just would have been nice to know the midwives a little better.

preckles12 · February 2013

I switched from my OB to a midwife practive for the same reasons. It was super easy! I did some research on the different midwife options available in the area, interviewed a few, and choose that one that I felt the most comfortable with. They gave me a form to sign and give to my OB practice to have my records sent over. Done!

bunnie712 · February 2013

I encounteed this when pregnant with DD. Both DH and I are pretty stubburn though, so we figured it would be okay.

What I've heard from my Bradley instructor is that traditionally the Bradley Method got a bad reputation for creating pain-in-the-rear moms to be. I explained that I understood that with my OB practice. Even the L&D triage nurse told us we had better sign the anethesia paper anyhow, because most moms that plan med-free don't follow though (I imagine those moms-to-be also don't take the proper classes which is why they don't follow through).

I made my pain med-free hospital birth work out okay. However, I sometimes question if it would have been more helpful to have a midwife or doula to help coach me through pushing. Pushing for me was 2 hours and I had a hard time knowing when I was contracting - I felt like I was always contracting at that point.

I see you are 25 weeks which I would think would give you time to switch practices. I chose not to switch (first time mom fears), even after our birth instructor indicated she was worried about our med-free success chances. DH and I made it work pain med-free and were happy with the results on DD's birth. But with that said, this time around we are planning a home birth with a midwife.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your explicit questions, but I did want to help give you the confidence that if it doesn't feel right, then I would switch.

mb314 · February 2013

Definitely switch. If that's your OB's attitude, then you won't get the birth experience you want and you will end up with confrontations at the hospital. Bradley couples aren't confrontational by nature, but it does teach you how to question your care provider, so I think that's why a lot of OB's get worked up over it.

I once saw a midwife in my practice who made a comment that made me think she didn't like Bradley couples. She wasn't my primary midwife, but the comment was subtle and it was by no means saying that they wouldn't work with Bradley couples. So I let it slide.

garciamariaf · February 2013

Thank you all for your honest feedback and advice! I agree that we certainly need to accept that continuing to see this OB just isn't going to work out with our desired birth plans. We're going to talk with our Bradley Instructor to see what she recommends, and begin researching other midwifery practices.

aylafsu88 · February 2013

I will say that I had a similar experience with my main OB. I asked her about the Bradley method and she had a neutral/slightly negative reaction. I am one of those people that gets directly to the point so I asked her why she was negative towards that method. She said that the Bradley method tends to make couples very rigid and unwilling to deviate from their birth plan. She said that they also tend to be more emotional when things do not go 100% according to their plan. I acknowledged that and told her that we liked the method because it educated us on childbirth, interventions, and taught my H how to be a great coach. We stuck with the practice (there were 8 OBs in the practice) because they were very positve towards NB in general but not huge fans of the Bradley method. The OB who was on call when I delivered was great and I did not have any issues. If you OB is extremely negative about the plan you might want to consider switching though.

Mrs.AmyDylan · February 2013

Switch! I did at 32w for similar reasons. I found a birthing center that I loved.

My OB wasn't as vocal about yours regarding Bradley, but when my records transferred my MW showed me that they had written "Bradley method" under the problems/risks section of my chart.

Additionally, the birthing center has been an awesome resource for breast feeding, etc.

Strozyk Hayes · February 2013

Switch now its your birth not theirs. I didn't have prenatal care until 36 weeks as i didn't have insurance thy asked why the delay and accepted my answer. Find someone who respects you.

tantdylf · February 2013

SWITCH! ASAP!! HUGE red flag, and NOT something you want to fight in labor! Look up local recommendations or ask the bradley instructors because they will know good OBs in the area!! GL!

abell77 · February 2013

Wow! Run, run as fast as you can and find a different provider. There will be a few hoops you have to jump through, but it will be worth it. I switched from an OB to a midwife practice (still delivered in a hospital) at 30 weeks and I have a friend who switched at 35 weeks so it really is almost never too late. Find a provider you like and then call insurance and find out what you have to do to get it covered. Good Luck to you.

Celyn · February 2013

I switched practices with both my pregnancies (the first time because I changed insurance, and the second because my CP wanted to schedule a section for a breech baby at 22 weeks gestation...) Both times, it was simple.

garciamariaf · February 2013

THANK YOU all so much for your encouragement and advice - really, it means so much. We are going to do our homework this evening and place some calls tomorrow, so that we can land in a NCB/Bradley friendly practice sooner rather than later.

nosoup4u · February 2013

Well, at least she was honest and you didn't find out when you showed up in labor, right?

My sister switched at 32 weeks or something really late. It shouldn't be too hard for you guys.

If you have an active local ICAN chapter, I would email them and see who they recommend in the area, since most of them know the low-intervention/pro med-free providers. hth and good luck!

nyki06 · February 2013

With my first I switched at either 30 or 31 weeks. It was a hard choice to make but I knew that I needed providers who would support my med free decision and I also decided at that point that I wanted a home birth. If they are already fighting your choices you need to get out. Interview midwives and you should just have to sign off on your medical release papers. It wasn't a difficult process for us.

cecilyandgautam · February 2013

What does it mean to "not do Bradley"? Bradley teaches about half a dozen different relaxation techniques and then discourages mothers to get routine interventions just for routine's sake. Are they opposed to relaxation? What are they going to do - tell you to stop breathing? Tell your husband to stop saying encouraging words? (BTW - My midwife/doula team accused me of being "too relaxed" and said I needed to get "more uncomfortable" with my contractions, so I guess it's possible to do "not do Bradley" in that sense - I was not a fan!)

And regarding the routine interventions, like putting an IV in a non-dehydrated woman - you're free to decline and they can't make you.

Your OB's response makes zero sense.

danuli8 · February 2013

garciamariaf:
I'm new to this board, but felt this would be best group of moms to get some feedback/advice from.
We had quite a lively discussion with our OB at our appointment this morning - mainly, this was our first opportunity to ask her about how receptive she was to Bradley Method couples whose goal it is to deliver a healthy baby via an unmedicated birth (avoid pitocin, epidural). We just started the class a few weeks ago, so this was my first real opportunity to do so.
In a nutshell she told me "we don't do Bradley Method," and proceeded to tell me that the Bradley Method teaches couples to be confrontational and this makes it difficult for her and the hospital nurses to do their jobs during L&D. While our plan isn't to impede the medical staff from doing their jobs, we also would like advocate for ourselves and wait out the need for interventions as much as possible. I was quite taken aback by our OB's rather curt and brusque reaction and now feel like we have to make a decision to either suck it up and stick with the practice and see how best we can diplomatically advocate for our birth plan when the time comes, or jump ship and look to another practice or midwery center (with OB/Gyn affiliation) that will be better aligned to our goal of an unmedicated birth. We're leaning towards the latter, but a little worried it would be difficult to do so.
I know this is long, but I kinda needed to vent, so thank you for hearing me out. :-) The question is, how easy/difficult has it been for other moms to switch practices? Any advice you might have to make it an easier transition?

Leave. Get out. Do it now. At least your OB was honest with you. I switched from an OB to a midwife (CNM) at 27 weeks for the same reason--the OB was not on the same page regarding my desire for a natural birth and we ended up going 10 rounds over delayed cord clamping (which she refused to do). So I fired her and I AM SO HAPPY I DID. I asked my doula for midwife recs and immediately interviewed the one who sounded like the best fit over the phone. I have had two appointments with the midwife so far and I really like her.

GraceInCA · February 2013

I would switch without hesitation. When I said the word "Hypnobabies", you should have seen the face of one of the OBs in the practice I used to see. It was like I had said "Puppy Killer" or something. It was one of several reasons why I switched to a reputable midwife practice in a hospital.

KmfMjf1024 · February 2013

I got the same BS from my OB at 12 weeks and pulled the trigger to switch at 22 weeks, once I found a replacement. Have not regretted it one bit. I also did Bradley. Another woman in my class is still with the practice I initially was and I think she is regretting it (although I can't speak for her).

aracelyluna · February 2013

I switched Ob at 37 weeks because after leading me to believe she was for it started to push an induction date. I got out there quick and found a Bradley friendly doctor. Even better my doctor had 3 Bradley births at the time now 4. It was the best thing I could have done.

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