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November 2016 Moms
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The Bradley Method - Alternatives?

OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
in November 2016 Moms
So, I really had my heart set on attending Bradley Method classes for this pregnancy. I wanted to last time but I ran into the same problem this time. The website lists instructors and none are near me. The closest which are actually far have not responded to my inquiries and have dates on that website from 2014. This makes me really sad because when I search for alternatives I don't see anything. 

Hypnobabies is definitely not for me. Lamaze not for me. Bradley was perfect. Does anyone know of anything similar? 

I see this online Birth Bootcamp BUT it's as expensive as Bradley and not nearly as personal. https://birthbootcamp.com/ Does anyone have any experience with this? I have a feeling my husband wouldn't take it as seriously if we didn't have to go to classes. 


  

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Re: The Bradley Method - Alternatives?

  • TucknBoomTucknBoom member

    Sooo basically you eat healthy and excercise and have a supportive husband and that means that you won't need medical intervention? Hmmm okay then. You're also the one who thinks home births are the best options for most women, correct? Have you considered the medically proven effectiveness of an epidural and trained medical professionals? 
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  • EmmieAnn22EmmieAnn22 member
    Can I ask why you don't think Lamaze is for you?  H and I did a 4 part Lamaze class last pregnancy and it wasn't what tv and movies portray it to be. We really enjoyed the class.  Lots of going over positions, breathing, relaxation techniques, and how to be a supportive partner.

     I actually initially wanted to do Bradley classes but the instructors in my area seemed a little too crunchy for me.  We ended up buying the book and workbook and it turned me off.  I believe in the first chapter they equate the rise of heroin addiction to mothers getting epidurals.  Didn't keep reading and maybe I should have but that statement turned me off.

    Does your hospital offer classes?  That's where we found our class and it was taught by a doula.  
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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    EmmieAnn22 

    I had mostly decided that just from how I have seen it portrayed. Your description seems a lot more appealing to me. I appreciate you stopping by to share it. I will look into the lamaze a little further it seems maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to discount it! <3

      

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  • MollySmMollySm member
    My sister is a family doctor who delivers and she has seen quite a few women use hypnobabies quite effectively.  She got epidurals with her own children, so it's not like she did a ton of research into it, but she liked what she saw.  Maybe that is also worth looking in to?
    BabyFruit Ticker

    BFP 3.8.16  EDD 11.20.16

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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    edited May 2016
    MollySm said:
    My sister is a family doctor who delivers and she has seen quite a few women use hypnobabies quite effectively.  She got epidurals with her own children, so it's not like she did a ton of research into it, but she liked what she saw.  Maybe that is also worth looking in to?
    I am totally a believer in hypnobabies and think that there is a lot of evidence that it works for some women. So I'd totally suggest it to people as on option. Unfortunately, I have really looked into that one and it just can't work for me. I have an anxiety disorder and it's just not realistic for me to be able meditate in that way in fact the very thought of it is very unsettling to me. I also understand that there are steps to get to that point that it trys to help you through. Unforunately my mind just can't even settle enough to try it like I said I have a really unreasonable unsettled feeling about it that I just can't get past. I actually did have the whole thing last time and I just couldn't. I cannot focus on something quite like that. I understand that the relaxing and the point and that most methods or styles have some version of that but the hypnobabies in particular is to an extent that I just don't have the ability to follow through with unfortunately :(

    I do really appreciate you offering it as a suggestion though and I'm keen on it being on this board in case anyone else is looking for alternatives I'd highly recommend they at least look to see if it would work for them! I've read many many beautiful stories and reviews about hypnobabies and have even had suggestions from OB's and Midwives also so I have no doubt to it's effectiveness for the right person! 

      

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  • msu_galmsu_gal member
    I just love that @EmmieAnn22 said "crunchy"... I laughed out loud at that adjective. 
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    edited May 2016
    msu_gal said:
    I just love that @EmmieAnn22 said "crunchy"... I laughed out loud at that adjective. 
    Crunchy is totally the technical term. I definitely am crunchy. Although I honestly never particularly considered the Bradley Method to be crunchy ironically lol. 

    Google "Crunchy Mama's" it's a whole new world :) We're a special sorta people lol. Here this perfectly sums it up (and it will give you a giggle everyone loves to giggle):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVA-A0RqkhM

      

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  • jarethinafrockjarethinafrock member
    TucknBoom said:

    Sooo basically you eat healthy and excercise and have a supportive husband and that means that you won't need medical intervention? Hmmm okay then. You're also the one who thinks home births are the best options for most women, correct? Have you considered the medically proven effectiveness of an epidural and trained medical professionals? 
    Idk, bradley worked for me last time around. I think you're being a little harsh.  :/

    DD: 8/20/14; DS: 11/13/16; DD: 5/3/19; DD: 8/31/21; Baby #5 (team green) due 3/24/24



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  • grannysmith912grannysmith912 member
    Thanks for posting, OP! I'm enjoying reading the above suggestions.

    Does anyone have experience (or know someone who has experience) using an online course like the Birth Bootcamp mentioned above? I have a lot of friends who have used and liked Bradley, and that's probably what I'd like to do as well, but we're planning to move out of state sometime mid-pregnancy, and I worry that I won't be able to fit in a whole 10–12 week course on either side of the move. (We still don't know when or where we'll be moving, so FX that we do early enough for me to find and fit in a class wherever we end up.) The online course sounds like a good backup plan, in case the timing of the move made it such that I needed to start the course while we're still here and finish it once we get wherever we're going, but if the personal aspect is really important to a birthing class's success, would it really be worth it?
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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    edited May 2016
    @grannysmith912

    Seems like there isn't too much on any of the boards about the birth bootcamp. I see maybe 10 or so people who planned to use it but none posting their actual experience with it. I do see some comments about where they have found positive reviews. 

    https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/86488296#Comment_86488296

    https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/75898432#Comment_75898432

    (Not really much info I know :-/ Just trying to be proactive in finding some! )

    ------

    EDIT: 
    Oooo here is an article I like about the differences of Birth Bootcamp and Bradley! This is pretty helpful:

    https://www.birthchemistry.com/blog/birth-boot-camp-vs-the-bradley-method

      

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  • grannysmith912grannysmith912 member
    @Oakleypoozles Awesome! I'll check it out!
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  • elsie2014elsie2014 member
    I had the same problem, no Bradley's courses in my area. I just did some research and found some local natural birth support groups (maybe do some searches on google and Facebook and see if there are any natural birth groups in your area?). Through that I found a natural birth class that was wonderful and exactly what we needed...I think Bradley would have been a little too crunchy for my husband. Lol. 

    Also, are we just ignoring the snotty comment by @TucknBoom ?  :p
    28 years old. Married 5 years.
    DD born Oct 2014 via C-Section (footling breech)
    Baby #2 (AND #3...SURPRISE!) Due Nov 17, 2016. Found out it was twins at 18+5! 


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  • campbaby76campbaby76 member
    I did Bradley with my first and it was really beneficial.  Disclaimer: I did end up with a c-section due to placental failure.  
    The Bradley classes were good for dh and I because he knew nothing and isn't a reader.  We learned a lot more than just how to eat healthy etc.  
    one thing I would say is to remain open minded and know that it won't go exactly as you envision no matter what method you choose.  There is a Bradley book you can get and its kind of a workbook you and your so could do together.  
    I would also call birth centers and see if they have A Bradley instructor or see if the hold classes. 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    edited May 2016
    elsie2014 said:
    I had the same problem, no Bradley's courses in my area. I just did some research and found some local natural birth support groups (maybe do some searches on google and Facebook and see if there are any natural birth groups in your area?). Through that I found a natural birth class that was wonderful and exactly what we needed...I think Bradley would have been a little too crunchy for my husband. Lol. 

    Also, are we just ignoring the snotty comment by @TucknBoom ?  :p

    That's a good idea. Maybe I am too focused on these courses that have these wide spread names and not just groups that are around. I guess I didn't really think of that as being an option. It seems totally reasonable now that you mention it though. I'll do some googling and I'll be sure to let everyone know if I find any good resources. 

    As for the question, yeah I'm just ignoring it and using the handy ignore button. I don't see any reason to give power to the negative. I don't have any desire to fight either I made the board for information... not arguments :-/ I'm really pleased with how many people have come and positively participated here now. I really appreciate that some are taking my question seriously <3 Thank you. 

      

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  • elsie2014elsie2014 member
    Oakleypoozles said:
    elsie2014 said:
    I had the same problem, no Bradley's courses in my area. I just did some research and found some local natural birth support groups (maybe do some searches on google and Facebook and see if there are any natural birth groups in your area?). Through that I found a natural birth class that was wonderful and exactly what we needed...I think Bradley would have been a little too crunchy for my husband. Lol. 

    Also, are we just ignoring the snotty comment by @TucknBoom ?  :p

    That's a good idea. Maybe I am too focused on these courses that have these wide spread names and not just groups that are around. I guess I didn't really think of that.

    As for the question, yeah I'm just ignoring it and using the handy ignore button. I don't see any reason to give power to the negative. I'm really pleased with how many people have come and positively participated here now. I really appreciate that some are taking my question seriously <3 Thank you. 
    Yes, sometimes it's better to find something local rather than finding a Bradley or Hypnobabies chapter near you. I also found my doula through that class. If you haven't looked into a doula, I would highly recommend one, especially if you're attempting a VBAC (I think you mentioned that in another thread?). My doula was amazing, and even though I ended in a section due to footling breech, she and the natural birth class got me to 9cm dilated med free before we went into surgery.  <3
    28 years old. Married 5 years.
    DD born Oct 2014 via C-Section (footling breech)
    Baby #2 (AND #3...SURPRISE!) Due Nov 17, 2016. Found out it was twins at 18+5! 


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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    Yes, I am going to have a doula this time around! I'm unsure how helpful my husband will be as a partner or coach in the moment so it made sense to me to have someone that was used to it. I haven't gotten to meet with mine yet but I hope to soon! 

    That's really awesome by the way. It's wonderful you got to 9cm med free! I'm sad you didn't get to fully deliver the way you hoped but that's still pretty impressive and I bet it will make this time a breeze for you! 

      

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  • EmmieAnn22EmmieAnn22 member
    @Oakleypoozles I would ask your doula for recommendations for classes in your area.  A couple in our Lamaze class found it becuase their doula was friends with the one that taught the class.  
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  • OakleypoozlesOakleypoozles member
    I just found there is no Lamaze near me either. The only classes at all that I'm seeing even remotely locally are being held by the hospitals and they are one class only and categorized as just "Childbirth Education" I have some hesitation to want to go to these :-/ Hospitals are usually not the ideal place to help you learn about med free intervention free births you know lol. 

      

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  • elsie2014elsie2014 member
    TucknBoom said:
    jarethinafrock said:
    TucknBoom said:

    Sooo basically you eat healthy and excercise and have a supportive husband and that means that you won't need medical intervention? Hmmm okay then. You're also the one who thinks home births are the best options for most women, correct? Have you considered the medically proven effectiveness of an epidural and trained medical professionals? 
    Idk, bradley worked for me last time around. I think you're being a little harsh.  :/
    Oh I have absolutely no issues with birthing techniques at all. I have an issue with OP. In fact I think it's a great way to help you achieve a non- medicated birth if that's what works for you. However I'm not all for someone telling others what the "right way" things should be done. I.E. Comments like- home births are the best option for most people, pro-life b*llshit that may or may not be the best choice for mother or child.  If you don't like it being done to you don't do it to others. 
    Ah, I didn't realize there was bad blood. In the future, it might be better to direct your insults to the person you're mad at. Your comment came across as demeaning to anyone that has attempted a natural med-free birth or home birth, which isn't really fair and from your last comment, maybe wasn't intended. 
    28 years old. Married 5 years.
    DD born Oct 2014 via C-Section (footling breech)
    Baby #2 (AND #3...SURPRISE!) Due Nov 17, 2016. Found out it was twins at 18+5! 


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  • TinyAlligatorTinyAlligator member
    MrsDho11 said:
    Bringmemylongswordho said:
    Did you ever apologize for your insensitive comment on the NIPT thread? I mean, you don't want to give power to negativity right?


    So much this.
    I'm so glad they didn't remove it all. Not sure how this is a tou violation. Won't be long before the thread is closed.
     TinyAlligator born @ 36w, 3lb2oz, IUGR 
      BabyFlamingo due 11/30/16  


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