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Is 16 weeks to early to start Bradley classes?

MamaWombatMamaWombat member
edited August 2013 in Natural Birth
Hi, I'm a first-time-mom due Feb. 16, 2014 and I'm really hoping to do a medication-free birth. There are two Bradley classes near(ish) to me. One of the teachers hasn't responded to my email inquiry yet, so I don't know her schedule, but the other one wrote to say that her next class will be starting in early September and ending in November. 

That puts me at starting classes around 16 weeks...with 2 1/2 months to go between the end of classes and the beginning of labor. Is this too soon? Will I forget everything? 

Also, I had a miscarriage last summer, so even though everything looked great this time at my 12 week appt., I'm a little scared to commit to classes before 20 weeks...
 
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BFP #1 08/05/12. EDD 4/15/13 m/c 08/27/12
BFP #2 06/05/13. EDD 2/16/2014 (Team Blue). Baby Wombat born 2/20/2014 7lb. 11oz and 20 in.
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Re: Is 16 weeks to early to start Bradley classes?

  • tndallestndalles member
    It's recommended to start Bradley classes at the beginning of your 2nd trimester and many instructors offer free follow up classes until birth.
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  • aylafsu88aylafsu88 member
    Is the Bradley method the method you are set on?  Does this schedule work well with your H/SO schedule?  If so then I think you should take the classes.  You will be done early but it is recommended to finish most classes between 34-36 weeks in general.  We knew that we wanted to take the Bradley classes and there is only one instructor in my area.  I signed up and we were going to take the classes regardless of when they started/finished.  If I remember correctly we were lucky and started taking them somewhere around 22 weeks.  We finished around 34 weeks.  During the time off H and I re-read parts of the Bradley workbook and still practiced the exercises/relaxation techniques.  If you know the classes finish early you can plan to keep up with the material and set time aside for it.
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  • Arielle27Arielle27 member
    I've never understood why people are recommended to only take classes/hospital tours until very late in pregnancy (except in high risk situations).

    Do what is convenient for you. If this is the only class available during your pregnancy, then take it! Personally, I think it's better to take it earlier than so late that you don't actually finish the course before giving birth!

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  • MamaWombatMamaWombat member
    Thanks, guys! I'm not 100% set on Bradley, but I feel like of the options available here, it probably gives me the best chance of having the tools I need to do natural birth. 

    I think I'll wait a few days to commit to see if the other teacher's schedule is a little later, but it sounds like starting early could even have some benefits. 
    imageimage
    BFP #1 08/05/12. EDD 4/15/13 m/c 08/27/12
    BFP #2 06/05/13. EDD 2/16/2014 (Team Blue). Baby Wombat born 2/20/2014 7lb. 11oz and 20 in.
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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  • katharine25katharine25 member
    edited August 2013
    I would see what the other instructors schedule is like. Our Bradley classes ended at 30 weeks (she didn't offer a later summer class) as now in sitting here twiddling my thumbs, and DH has definitely lost motivation practocing relaxation techniques wih me and such. While the exercises and nutrition are good I information to have earlier on, I would have loved for classes to finish more when I was 34-36 weeks so they're feel fresher now, and the labor discussions would feel more pertinent based on my own situation.

    The classes did help a ton with my pgal anxiety, and it was good to talk that out earlier so there was definitely a benefit to the earlier classes.

    I do wish I had read the hypnobirthing book before we committed to Bradley. I think I would have preferred to go that method instead (though they have some very similar principles). I listen to the HB cd now as part of relaxation practice.
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  • tndallestndalles member
    I am planning on doing both classes. With Bradley Classes starting at week 16 and hypnobanies ending on week 36.
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  • tndallestndalles member
    I am planning on doing both classes. With Bradley Classes starting at week 16 and hypnobanies ending on week 36.
    [url=http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers][img]http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt181db8.aspx[/img][/url]
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  • MamaWombatMamaWombat member
    Update: Thanks to all for your input and advice!

    I got in touch with the second Bradley teacher, and she is teaching a class from November to mid-January, which should work out a lot better with a February due date. 

    DH is pretty squeemish about the whole birth process, and even aside from that, I think we'd both have trouble keeping up the motivation to practice for 3 months after finishing the classes. 
    imageimage
    BFP #1 08/05/12. EDD 4/15/13 m/c 08/27/12
    BFP #2 06/05/13. EDD 2/16/2014 (Team Blue). Baby Wombat born 2/20/2014 7lb. 11oz and 20 in.
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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