Bright Futures

What is The Bradley Method^R?

The Bradley^R Method is a system of partner-coached natural childbirth.  It is a simple way of increasing self-awareness and of teaching you how to deal with the stress of labor and birth.  Bradley^R classes:

• Are small enough for individual attention
• Include 12 units of instruction with review sessions until birth
• Teach both of you relaxation, physiology, nutrition and parenting skills
• Emphasize good coaching techniques for labor and birth management with stress control
• Advise you on how to be an intelligent consumer of obstetric services, emphasizing positive communication with birth attendants

Bradley^R teachers urge their couples to find what is comfortable for them in labor.  While other methods seek to control the sensations of labor (emphasizing distraction as their primary labor control technique), Bradley^R encourages mothers to trust their bodies (emphasizing relaxed abdominal breathing and relaxation throughout labor).

We teach and endorse the following ideas:

• Natural childbirth
• Active participation by the partner as coach
• Excellent nutrition as the foundation of a healthy pregnancy
• Avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding
• Weekly classes starting in about the 6th month, continuing until birth
• Relaxation and natural breathing
• "Focusing in" and working with your body
• Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby
• Breastfeeding, beginning at birth
• Consumerism and positive communications
• Parents taking responsibility for the safety of the birth place, procedures, attendants and emergency back-up
• Parents prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth and cesarean sections

 Why should you take a Bradley^R class?

Imagine that you have a fear of water.  You have never been swimming, and have never taken lessons.  You are told that in 8 short months you will be thrown into the deep end of  pool, like it or not.  What would you do?  Would you wait until that day comes and then hope for the best, figuring that the lifeguard can always jump in and save you?  Or would you spend those 8 months learning to swim?  Chances are you would take advantage of those 8 months and physically and mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming task.  Yet when it comes to childbirth, many women wait until the day of the birth arrives, then attempt to figure out what to do as they go, looking to the nurses and doctors to tell them what will come next.  The birth of your child is one of the most important and miraculous moments of your life. If you are well prepared, you can feel empowered and in charge of your baby's birth.

A natural childbirth is safest for both mother and baby, yet many women question their ability to give birth naturally.  Unfortunately, we live in a society that has turned childbirth into a medical event, something to be fearful of.  Bradley classes will allow you to learn about pregnancy, labor and birth in such great detail and with a sense of normalcy so that you are able to gain the confidence you need in your body.  80%-90% of all Bradley couples achieve the natural birth they desire. We feel these numbers speak for themselves.  Apparently we are doing something right! 

Many childbirth classes cover everything from labor to birth to bathing baby in just a few short weeks.  While these classes may teach valuable information, it may be covered quickly.