Bradley classes, anyone?

Themetastic · January 2014

Sorry if this has been discussed but when I search just this board, it gives me all of them (annoying) and I can only scroll so much before my head hurts.

We did the whole regular lamaze thing the first time around.. I felt really prepared and then had an emergency c-section. I am hoping and praying for a VBAC water birth this time and my midwife strongly encourages either Bradley or hypnoborthing. I am leaning more toward Bradley, since I have heard more testimonials about it.. but to be honest the time commitment and price tag has me second guessing.

So who is going to be doing the Bradley Method of classes?

STMs, have you do this before and what can you say about it?

arrowmama · January 2014

I am thinking of taking these classes and was just going to search for this board to get more info! Thanks for posting!

gutsysneakers · January 2014

My husband and I were going to take the hypnobirthing classes, but now I have marginal placenta previa. I'm waiting to see if its moved before i take it - its like $500 for the classes!

Themetastic · January 2014

Jcrewgirl85 - I sure hope it does!

I have found Bradley classes for $300-350 and haven't even priced Hypnobirthing.. yowza!

pandadair · January 2014

We're doing Bradley. Our 12-week series of classes starts in a few weeks on Feb 1. $275 for the series at a birthing center.

DaisyTortilla · January 2014

I bought the books on amazon. That might be worth a try. The classes were way too much money for us, I'd rather use that on baby.

QOTR · January 2014

I just registered for it.

sweetky_06 · January 2014

I'm doing homestudy Hypnobabies this time. It was about $170 for the materials. My doula is also a certified Hypnobabies doula so she'll be able to help me out a lot as well.

FYI in case there is any confusion out there: Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies are 2 different courses of study and approaches.

chknma · January 2014

I don't have any experience, but also plan to do either the hypnobabies or blissborn homestudy.

I think that it is worth the investment of taking a good class. The natural board has frequent posts about different classes. Good luck with whatever you decide!

mrsbtobe20122 · January 2014

In my experience, I've seen patients be more successful with hypnobabies vs Bradley when going med free....

Whatever method you choose will not greatly impact whether you end up with another c section or not.

KatieP71312 · January 2014

I used the hypnobabies tracks last time and loved them.....listened to them all the way until 2hrs or so before birth when I did not want to hear her say that this was painless one more time!!

I didn't officially do the course or anything but really enjoyed the pregnancy affirmations and my hubby liked the partner tracks.

Themetastic · January 2014

mrsbtobe20122 - what do you do?

Also, that is my concern.. spending all this money and time/energy on classes and having to end up with another csection.

mnmello · January 2014

We have signed up for Bradley classes and I can't wait for them to start! I took them with my first child and loved them - learned a lot (it was so thorough), loved the techniques taught, the comradery between the others in the class (usually about 5 couples), etc. I ended up with a c-section due to the baby being face-up and a skewed head (didn't advance past 6 cm) - but want to take Bradley again now that I'm attempting a VBAC. I was single the first time, so I know I wanted DH to be up-to-speed with me in what I learned in Bradly and think that the commitment will be worth it for him to learn everything and for us to be on the same page towards this VBAC.

Themetastic · January 2014

mnmello - say you weren't going to have any more children.. would you have still be happy taking them with your first even though you ended up with a c/s? I worry about wasting all this time/energy and money only to end up needing a c/s in the end again and not being able to use any of these tools I learned.

mrsbtobe20122 · January 2014

Themetastic said:
mrsbtobe20122 - what do you do?

Also, that is my concern.. spending all this money and time/energy on classes and having to end up with another csection.

I am a labor and delivery nurse in CO (where Dr. Bradley is from). He is seen as a god here in the birthing community (CO in general). I don't really think his "method"is all that great to be honest, other than the healthy prenatal encouragement.

Themetastic · January 2014

mrsbtobe20122 said:

mrsbtobe20122 - what do you do?

Also, that is my concern.. spending all this money and time/energy on classes and having to end up with another csection.
I am a labor and delivery nurse in CO (where Dr. Bradley is from). He is seen as a god here in the birthing community (CO in general). I don't really think his "method"is all that great to be honest, other than the healthy prenatal encouragement.

that is really interesting and good to know, thank you for your input!

NorthernGal248 · January 2014

I am planning on buying books on the Bradley Method, it's to expensive to take classes.

1sttimemomma2013 · January 2014

I start the classes on weds. I am a nurse as well and was really interested in the classes ever since nursing school. So I'm going for preparation and curiosity

sthomas1222 · January 2014

Themetastic said:
mnmello - say you weren't going to have any more children.. would you have still be happy taking them with your first even though you ended up with a c/s? I worry about wasting all this time/energy and money only to end up needing a c/s in the end again and not being able to use any of these tools I learned.

2 out of 10/11 couples in my Bradley had a c/s. They will tell you 100% that it was still worth it. They did all that was absolutely possible & were fully informed on choices thanks to this class. I'm not doing it this time since December just marked 1 year from my class & I did my doula training this year which is nearly the same. I will be doing the hypnobabies home study this time around.

It all depends on what you're looking for as well. I loved the educational part of Bradley & how husband/partner focused it is. If you're a self-starter you could get the book husband coached birthing & do something like the hypnobabies course as well. Or hire a doula that does lots of education or teaches as part of their package. But I will say it is 10000000x worth the money to do the course.
Eta: if there's genuine need don't be afraid to ask the instructor for payment plans or discount. If it's offered through your hospital, ours was, they may do scholarships as well.

mnmello · January 2014

Themetastic said:

mnmello - say you weren't going to have any more children.. would you have still be happy taking them with your first even though you ended up with a c/s? I worry about wasting all this time/energy and money only to end up needing a c/s in the end again and not being able to use any of these tools I learned.

Yes - even if I weren't having another child, I'd be happy with my choice to take the Bradley class even though I ended up with a c/s. I still very much value the lessons I learned and the method's general ideas. My birth plan was more than thorough and my doctor was quite on board - everything was done that could've been done (other than me staying at home a little longer in the beginning...but it wasn't really something I could control as I was living with my parents at the time and mom wanted me at the hospital!). My doula and I were on the same page and felt very informed about the decisions made during the labor - even though it didn't go "textbook" per the Bradley method.

I guess I'm just fine with thinking of it as a knowledge investment. I don't feel like a "Bradley failure" because of the first c/s - and I really don't think I would if this VBAC wasn't successful. I like to go into things fully aware of what I need to know and be prepared (as does DH) - so the money & time is worth it to us - full well knowing that some things may get thrown into the wind, as a healthy baby & mom are most important.

Themetastic · January 2014

Thanks for all of the input ladies. I found someone who is completing her provisional training, so paying with my HSA or a payment plan isn't really an option. She is really sweet and even delivered via water birth with my midwives, so I feel like it's an awesome fit. I am having some reservations because it will mean time away from our son on my husband's only day off, but I think I just need to get over that because I want to go into this with my best possibly chances.

thanks again!

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