Bradley Method book v class

[veenie]

Tl;dr : Has anyone read the book or taken the class? would just the book be enough?

With DD I didn't have a strong feeling for or against getting an epidural v going natural. the pain was very manageable until I was about 5 cm. I then was told I had a fever and had to labor in bed while getting antibiotics. I quickly asked for an epi, and still regret not trying a little longer.

Fast foward to pushing. I had no feeling. I labored down for an hour and still felt nothing. It took 1.5 hours, and I feel strongly that it was because I couldn't feel when or how to push. Hence, wanting to try natural.

Any help on how to prepare? Would reading the book be enough?

[Starbuck128]

Which book? We had three books in my class. I think the books are enough if:

-You know a lot about labor and interventions already.

-You get the workbook and you and your partner take the exercises seriously. They are ridiculous, but you need to try them to find the ones that will work for you, kwim?

-You partner is willing to take their role as birth partner seriously and learn the exercises and interventions.

For me, the class was helpful, but I probably could have done it with just the books. The class was helpful for DH because he needs to hear things from a non wife expert before they really sink in. I also think seeing the other dads in the class helped him see it was okay and actually really responsible to be involved in labor.

[robotpcr]

FTM but I'll just be reading the books (plus working with my doula). I'd be interested in the classes but I know there's some focus on what you eat and food logging and that's not something I can handle. Plus they are super expensive.

[rels09]

I would definitely recommend the class, but since you are a STM, I don't think it's 100% essential. I do think a doula is 100% essential to a natural birth.

[veenie]

Starbuck128 I didn't even realize there were different books! This is the one in my cart

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0452276594/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Starbuck128]

veenie There's also Husband Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley for the birth partner to read.

Also The Bradley Method student workbook, which I think is the most important of the books. It has all the labor techniques and exercises. It's by Marjie, Jay and James Hathaway.

[veenie]

Thanks Starbuck128 I will look into those!

[veenie]

robotpcr, they are super expensive and time consuming! I would have to start next month to be done in time!

[veenie]

rels09 my hospital offers doula services, I haven't looked into them, but I will! Thanks for the tip!

[CTri17]

If you do the natural childbirth the bradley way and do practice and other reading then yes Ithink you can

[DawnLilly]

Is there a website that would provide a list of classes in my area. The hospital 30 minutes away has a childbirth education class. I took it last time and DH and I never returned for the last two classes. It wasn't the hospital we were birthing at and this hospital still had a nursery and was doing standard episiotomies.

My hospital is an hour and a half away and they have classes listed on their website but they are all in that area.

[veenie]

DawnLilly‌, you should be able to Google bradley method classes in your area. They aren't necessarily taught at a hospital. I think the midwife group around here teaches them.

[DawnLilly]

Jan 22, 2015 16:35:40 GMT -5 veenie said:

DawnLilly‌, you should be able to Google bradley method classes in your area. They aren't necessarily taught at a hospital. I think the midwife group around here teaches them.

Thank you, I just did.The nearest class is in the same town as my hospital and hour and a half away. I'm looking to see if I can join an online class or if there are youtube videos available. I will get the book Starbuck128 recommended too. DH is dyslexic though so he needs to see something done. He's pretty great about birth though. He knows the basics because he delivers calves on a daily basis. He thinks its funny when I mention the things women are worried about like "birth juice" and pooping. He watched my entire CS too. I just want us to have all the tools available.

[copilot2012]

So, I signed up for a Bradley class after emailing and calling aboutn12 instructors around me. I gave the deposit, DH asked for those nights off from work (he's an air ambulance pilot, so asking off is a big deal to him), and at Christmas the instructors emails me to tell me shes changes days and times and hopes I can still attend her new schedule but if not she'd give my deposit back.

I said the new day wouldn't work for us as DH already requested the other evening off and that we would appreciate our deposit back. Now she's all "oh I can do private classes, they're so important Yada yada"

I'm totally pissed, lady we made a deal based on set dates and course material you already sent me, now you're changing and don't actually want to give me my money back ($100 down on an$350 8 week course). I don't want private classes, I was actually interested in meeting others locally in our same life circle so to say, maybe make some friends etc. plus what man doesn't feel more relaxed around other men learning the same things. Private just isn't the same and if I wanted it then I would have chosen one of the other instructors who only offered privates.

That being said: I got a free library card and checked out the three required readings at Christmas so I would say you don't have to spend $20/ book on Amazon.

Also, since Im sour at my instructors poor behavior, here's her recommended reading list thatbinalready "paid" for:

Required Reading:
1) “Husband -Coached Childbirth” Robert Bradley M.D. ( The only one required for dad)
2) “Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way” Susan McCutcheon
3) “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” Le Leche League International
Recommended Reading:
1) “The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth” Henci Goer
2) “Birthing From Within” Pam England
3) “Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering” Sarah Buckley M.D.
4) “Baby Matters” Dr. Linda Folden Palmer
5) “Attachment Parenting” Katie Allison Granju
6) “Birth Matters” and “Spiritual Midwifery” Ina May Gaskin
7) THE ENTIRE DR. SEARS LIBRARY! -“The Pregnancy Book” “The Baby Book” “The Attachment Parenting Book” “The Birth Book” “The Breastfeeding Book” “The Vaccine Book”.
8) “The Happiest Baby on the Block” Harvey Karp M.D.
9) “Skinny Bitch- Bun in the Oven” Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
10) “Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor” Mendelsohn M.D.
11) “What Your Pediatrician Doesn’t Know Can Hurt Your Child: A More Natural Approach to Parenting” Susan Markel and Linda Palmer
Infant, Baby and Parenting book recommendations:
1) “The baby book and the attachment parenting book” Dr. Sears
2) “ Raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor” Dr. Mendelsohn
3) “Happiest Baby on the Block” Harvey Karp- (From Oprah show)
4) “ What your pediatrician doesn’t know can hurt your child: A more natural approach to parenting” Susan Markel and Linda Palmer
5) “ Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering” Dr. Sarah Buckley M.D

[veenie]

Starbuck128 and rels09 did either of you get doula services covered by FSA? I found this and wondered how successful it would be

I resubmitted an itemized receipt which broke out the doula services into three categories:

1) Childbirth education (which is covered by FSA, and which was part of what my doula did during two prenatal visits)
2) Doula services & pain management
3) Lacation consultation (also part of what my doula did, but FSA only covers lacation consultations from a licensed medical providers as well)

Edit for spelling

[Starbuck128]

I've didn't have a doula last time and I'm still trying to get in contact with one this time. Thanks for the tips though! The one I'm trying to reach is a lactation consultant and Bradley instructor too. Getting her covered is worth a shot.

[copilot2012]

Yes I'm looking to getting a doula too now over my original just the class thought. I feel like my college education has taught me to learn well from ready but now, since my class got screwy, I'm think the day of support and encouragement may be better for DH and I, especially when we get tired. But I'm ftm so I'm also going off the concept that I have no idea what to expect.

[veenie]

A quick updat, I found a course around here that a doula teaches, it's her own curriculum, and only $195 for an 8 week course (material included.) I found it researching doulas, if you want to see if there is something similar in your area.

Also, I called my FSA provider, she said a detailed receipt in the categories I listed would be covered!

Now I just wish I had thought of doing this sooner do services would be easier to find!

[rels09]

Jan 23, 2015 9:23:55 GMT -5 veenie said:

Starbuck128 and rels09 did either of you get doula services covered by FSA? I found this and wondered how successful it would be

I resubmitted an itemized receipt which broke out the doula services into three categories:

1) Childbirth education (which is covered by FSA, and which was part of what my doula did during two prenatal visits)
2) Doula services & pain management
3) Lacation consultation (also part of what my doula did, but FSA only covers lacation consultations from a licensed medical providers as well)

Edit for spelling

I had hired a doula group last time but ending up releasing them once it was clear that I would be having a preemie, so I didn't end up using or paying for them. My experience with my epi-free, doula-less, pre-term induction is what led to my comment on the necessity of doulas. Good tips, though - thanks!

[veenie]

Jan 26, 2015 9:19:24 GMT -5 rels09 said:

Jan 23, 2015 9:23:55 GMT -5 veenie said:

Starbuck128 and rels09 did either of you get doula services covered by FSA? I found this and wondered how successful it would be

I resubmitted an itemized receipt which broke out the doula services into three categories:

1) Childbirth education (which is covered by FSA, and which was part of what my doula did during two prenatal visits)
2) Doula services & pain management
3) Lacation consultation (also part of what my doula did, but FSA only covers lacation consultations from a licensed medical providers as well)

Edit for spelling

I had hired a doula group last time but ending up releasing them once it was clear that I would be having a preemie, so I didn't end up using or paying for them. My experience with my epi-free, doula-less, pre-term induction is what led to my comment on the necessity of doulas. Good tips, though - thanks!


That makes sense!