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Thoughts on Bradley Method classes

JS09JS09 member
edited March 2014 in Natural Birth
Hi all, I'm looking to have an unmedicated hospital birth and from all the reading I've done seem to kinda like the Bradley method. My general thoughts about the whole natural childbirth thing is my body is built for this and I can do it, but figure it's a good idea to be prepared with somewhat of a plan to deal with the inevitable discomforts of labor. There are a few places where I feel I might modify Bradley (like not staying in one position through the whole first part) but I have read the books and have considered taking the Bradley classes instead of the standard childbirth class offered by the hospital. Any mommas familiar with Bradley, did you feel the classes were worth it?? Or would the standard birth class be fine? TIA
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Re: Thoughts on Bradley Method classes

  • aylafsu88aylafsu88 member
    We took them and loved them. The class focuses on education and on teaching your support person to be a good coach. My H got a lot out of the classes especially since he was not going to read a book in his free time. It was also a good way for him to learn about signposts to know where I was at in labor. Overall we thought they were worth the money and came in handy for our L&D. I will say that the one thing I did not like was their stress on the side lying position for early labor. They spend a lot of time on that and for me the last place I wanted to be was lying down. They did teach a good variety of positions and techniques for dealing with active labor, transtion and pushing.
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  • mb314mb314 member
    We took them, and I thought it was a great experience.  We had a great instructor, and I felt like I really learned about all the different interventions in labor and what to do if your doctor/midwife is pressing you for an intervention (and we put that training to use when my midwife recommended induction for me at 40 weeks).  It was also great for DH, who at first didn't understand why I wanted a natural birth, and who is not the type of person to just read and research these things on his own. 

    Like pp, I didn't get that much out of the positions and some of the relaxation exercises, but maybe that's because I had a quick labor.  But I still found it to be useful. 

    We also made some great friends in the class, as an added benefit. 
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  • kat4905kat4905 member
    We took the Bradley Method classes and loved it! I like how much of a role the partner plays in labor. I think it really helped motivate my husband to be so involved in my pregnancy and upcoming labor. He was before, but I think this helped to reiterate his importance in the process. I really enjoyed the exercises and the methods and theories seemed to make a lot of sense to me. I think it's definitely worth it.

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  • JACKIE_RS88JACKIE_RS88 member
    We took them but I still did a lot of the hypnobirthing techniques and had a doula.  DH wasn't very much into the classes - we both loved the wealth of knowledge we attained but as far as his participation it wasn't all there.  For that reason I looked into hypnobirthing so I didn't rely on him to be there and the doula for experience.  When it came down to it the doula really engaged DH and it was an awesome experience.  
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  • jmknoxjmknox member
    We are in the middle of our Bradley classes and are really enjoying them. They are really informative and fun.
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  • JS09JS09 member
    edited March 2014
    Thanks ladies!!! Really appreciate all the feedback!! After reading your replys I Think we are gonna give them a try. Figure it can't hurt! Glad to hear a few of you agree about the side lying position, I figure I'll give it a go, but I know when I'm in pain I want to move! :)
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  • ChichigoChichigo member
    My husband was an excellent coach, and i think it was because of the classes. He had no choice but spend 12 hours with me preparing! :) but I'll admit that our instructor cheated. She did six 2 hour classes because too many people couldn't commit to twelve weeks.
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  • hopeangel2023hopeangel2023 member
    edited March 2014
    We took the Bradley classes (right at a year ago,) I loved it, but husband not so much. He is not an outgoing person, so practicing in front of the class was not for him. It helped me a lot though, and our teacher was great. she even gave us her cell so we could call if we needed reassurance during. (she is a doula...) We are now expecting #2 (not as spaced out as I would like.) and I am debating if I want to take it again, or just brush up with the books. If it had been longer in between pregnancies then I would definitely take it again, just maybe look for a smaller class for dh. 

    and as far as using what you learn, even with a long labor, you still don't use most of it, but I found the breathing and relaxing info helpful. 
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  • hopeangel2023hopeangel2023 member
    edited March 2014

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  • JennaRaekJennaRaek member
    edited April 2014
    We didn't take classes of any kind. Like in your post... I believe your body knows what to do to have your baby. I went in and had a med free delivery with just the encouragement of my husband and doctors. I walked around a lot, soaked in the Jacuzzi tub, and just tried to relax as much as possible. During the contractions I would just tell myself to relax my shoulders and breath deep. It worked for me. Our son was born 16 hrs after my water broke. Good luck!!

     

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