Bradley Method of Childbirth (no medication) – Week One in Review

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

If you would like to learn about the Bradley method, there are a few books that you can check out, especially if you do not want to go to or pay for a class. Click on each of the images below to see the different books and read reviews and descriptions.

Here are some other options for Natural Childbirth


I know this is a smaller demographic I am serving, but I still want to put information out there for those interested.

WEEK ONE IN REVIEW
Seeing as I am 6 and a half months pregnant, my husband and I are in childbirth classes because I want to give birth without any medication. This is a choice way beyond environmentalism and “going green” for me. I have never reacted well to almost any medication and it has been a desire of mine for as long as I can remember.

In order to prepare for this, I again did my research on what the best course of action would be. In my research I found so much on the Bradley Method and it just seemed to be the right fit for me even though I plan on having a hospital birth with my doctor. I know I need classes, but you can also just go through the book too. As of last week, we started the class with about 4 or 5 other couples and a handy-dandy workbook. And starting today, I will do each of the twelve weeks in review.

First, the class – We started the class, like I said, with a living room full of couples and a workbook. We went through introductions, how far along we were, yada-yada. Then, we explored the hows, whys, and whens of exercises and nutritional goals. Overall my favorite concept of the night that had me sold from the start… AS IF TRAINING FOR A MARATHON, CHILDBIRTH IS A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT NEEDS PREPARATION. Wow! What a concept. It really made me think that so many women go into childbirth with the wrong mindset and do not see it as a training program from day 1. Well, at this point I knew this was the perfect class for me

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Now for the week and the homework – After learning how and why to do exercises and what nutritional goals I needed to try to implement, the week started! So I am going to go through what I did this week, why they said it was important, and my thoughts and feelings about it. 

• Walking at least 5 minutes a day – ok, check. That’s easy. Even a large parking lot requires five minutes of walking to and from your car. Easy.
• Tailor sitting often—also known as “Indian style” or “sitting on your pockets"/"criss-cross applesauce" if you have a 5 year-old. I can do this. Just a little bit of work training myself to favor the floor over the comfy couch. Apparently this is supposed to train your baby to not cling to your spine, rather sit forward and also can help lessen or prevent varicose veins because it increases circulation and moves the uterus forward. Not a problem, just some adjusting for this one.

• Squat often—this one… not on the normal side. It is supposed to strengthen your thighs and legs, but do you really want to squat down and stay down to pick up your shoes? NO! Just bend over and get them… but that’s no longer an option apparently. Squat to load the fridge, squat to pet a dog, squat to get in a cabinet, oh the squatting! I can’t handle it. Not a fan. And apparently some women voluntarily choose to give birth like this? Count me out. Even though I don't want to do this one, people do it because it can shorten the birth canal and open the pelvis up to 10% while birthing. So, I will make-do and do them anyway. And I just might eat my utterings of hate for them later.
  
  
• Butterfly stretch with tension 3x—I use a band for the resistance, whereas they recommend your partner. It is just easier for me to do it on my own time and not bother him. This is fine. Stretches my thighs and it’s not squatting.It is supposed to help in the second stage of labor because it helps build muscle to reduce shaking during labor.
• Pelvic rocks at least 40 in a day—this position is basically me on all-fours rocking my hips back and forth. It's the cow and cat positions in yoga if you're familiar. It is supposed to tone and condition the low back, which is great, I am just sore because it’s not altogether natural and now I am starting this strange workout almost 7 months pregnant. It is also supposed to relieve pressure down there which really would make a great exercise for when in labor because it also makes the baby come forward and away from your spine. So, like I said, I am sore, but that’s only after I do the exercise. While I do the exercise I feel awesome! This exercise can also help with circulation, getting baby to flip if breech, and in digestion
• 50 Kegels a day – One word: ick. I don’t know what it is about them, but they’re not comfortable to me. BUT I will do a million in one day if they truly do cut down on pain in childbirth. So I have done them, hoping I am doing them right (because, really, how do I know?)
  
• Complete a Nutrition worksheet—This is supposed to see what kind of protein you’re already ingesting. Bradley Method recommends 80-100g per day for pregnant women. This was super easy, just write down what I ate and record the protein count. (See week 2 and nutritional guide)
• Relaxation—The point of this is to have your partner understand what different parts of your body feel like when you’re tense and when you’re relaxed so that in the coming weeks, he too is preparing for childbirth and can play an active, helpful role. This went ok. It is hard for us to find time to do it, but I did some of the relaxation techniques on my own and we did the couples’ version a few times.

IN SUMMARY:

It was a good week. I learned a lot and read through all of the information in the workbook a lot. As a teacher, I like to educate myself… and teaching high school you get to teach the same thing 6 times in a row, finding better ways to teach it each time…so why not learn and go over something that many times?

I am definitely looking forward to week 2… all the way through 12… and can’t wait to see how it goes.

UPDATE:
After going to class, we found out that we were going to have another couple join the class. SO, I highly recommend going through the course and who knows, maybe you can still attend even if you miss one or two classes so contact your local teachers to find out. 

The following is a comprehensive at-home guide to the Bradley Method w/pictures if you aren't taking the class. (Click on images at the top of the page as well for other resources on the Bradley Method)