|
- What is The Bradley Method®?
- How is The Bradley Method®
Unique?
- Why Natural Childbirth?
- Why should I choose a Bradley®
Instructor?
- How much do classes cost
and how do I sign up?
- When should I start?
- How long are classes?
- What does The Bradley Method®
Teach?
- Are there any books I should
read before I start?
- What is The Bradley Method®?
The Bradley Method® teaches natural childbirth and views
birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women
with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving
and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally.
The Bradley Method® is a system of natural labor techniques
in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is
a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a
woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in
to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers
to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation,
nutrition, exercise, and education.
- How is The Bradley Method® Unique?
1. The Bradley Method® teaches couples ways to stay
low risk. While occasionally there are risk factors out
of your control, staying healthy and low risk can help to
avoid complications. Low risk mothers have more choices.
2. Relaxation is the key to The Bradley Method® during
labor. It is the safest and most effective way to reduce
unnecessary pain and to handle any pain that you do experience.
While other methods seek to control the sensations of labor
(emphasizing distraction as their primary labor control
technique), The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to
trust their bodies (emphasizing relaxed abdominal breathing
and relaxation throughout labor).
3. The term Bradley® is a registered trademark to ensure
you are getting quality childbirth education. All Bradley®
instructors are highly trained to help you learn how to
give birth.
- Why Natural Childbirth?
The kind of pregnancy, labor, and birth our children experience
has a profound and lifelong effect on their health, including
their mental, emotional, and physical health. The Bradley
Method® attempts to give babies the best possible start
in life by teaching how to have a natural pregnancy and
a natural childbirth.
- Why should I choose a Bradley®
Instructor?
Your local Bradley Method® instructor is a professional
trained to help pregnant couples obtain the birth experience
the desire. Bradley® instructors are experts in the
field of natural childbirth. All Bradley® instructors
have gone through intensive training with the American Academy
of Husband-Coached Childbirth® and are required to re-affiliate
each year in order to continue teaching The Bradley Method®.
The American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®
is proud of its affiliated teachers for their personal attention
and outstanding success in training natural childbirth students.
- How much do classes cost and how
do I sign up?
The cost of Bradley® Classes varies depending on individual
teachers and the area in which the classes are offered.
- When should I start?
Healthy nutrition, appropriate exercise, and pregnancy information
can be of benefit throughout the entire pregnancy. For most
couples, the fifth month is the suggested time to begin
a Bradley® class series as they seriously start training
for labor and for their upcoming role as parents. The earlier
you start, the better prepared you'll be physically, emotionally,
and mentally. In many areas, early pregnancy classes are
also offered.
- How long are classes?
A Bradley® class series is 12 weeks and is designed
to give both mother and coach adequate preparation time
for the birth of their child. Labor can be a strenuous physical
activity, but mothers and coaches can prepare both physically
and mentally and with the help of their Bradley® Instructor
to make their birth experience an even more beautiful and
joyous event.
- What does The Bradley Method®
Teach?
1. Natural childbirth - Nearly 90% of Bradley® moms
having vaginal births do so without pain medication.
2. Active participation by the husband as coach.
3. Excellent nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy
and baby).
4. Avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding,
unless absolutely necessary. No drug has been proven safe
for an unborn baby.
5. Training: "Early Bird" classes followed by
weekly classes starting in the 5th month and continuing
until the birth.
6. Relaxation and NATURAL breathing - can be effective pain
management techniques with training according to the National
Institutes of Health.
7. "Tuning-in" to your own body and trusting the
natural process.
8. Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby.
9. Breastfeeding, beginning at birth provides immunities
and nutrition.
10. Consumerism and positive communications.
11. Parents taking responsibility for the safety of the
birth place, procedures, attendants, and emergency back-up.
12. Parents being prepared for unexpected situations such
as emergency childbirth and cesarean section.
- Are there any books I should read
before I start?
There are numerous good books on childbirth and pregnancy
at your local bookstore, library, or even on-line. Books
that we have found helpful and recommend include:
Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert A.
Bradley, M.D.
Natural Childbirth The Bradley ® Way
by Susan Mc Cutcheon, AAHCC
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding distributed
by La Leche League International
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
by Henci Goer
Sweet Dreams - A Pediatrician's Secrets
by Dr. Paul Fleiss, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
Children at Birth by Marjie and Jay Hathaway,
AAHCC * Currently Being Revised - Available at some local
libraries
Home
• About Us • FAQ
• Schedule • Contact
Testimonials • Birth
Stories • Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy Tips •
Resources
|
|
