Success with the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth?

Have any of you studied the Bradley Method of Childbirth?  I have looked at several prepared childbirth classes and think I have decided on the Bradley Method.  I would appreciate hearing your experiences either pro or con.  Thanks!  :)

[RockRose]

I have real reservations about the Bradley Method.

I've taught childbirth to teens and other at-risk moms,  loosely based on Lamaze,  but with less breathing and more just education of body parts and what to expect in labor.  The more you understand,  the better prepared you'll be and the experience will be less frightening.

The reservations I have about the Bradley method is it sets up an unnecessarily adversarial relationship between the woman and the doctor with signed birth contracts that really don't give any heed to the numerous things that can happen quickly in labor,  and quick unimpeded action is needed on the part of the medical practitioner,  without any arguing.

Birth is such a short period of time compared to the child's whole life,    but the Bradley course seems to put unnecessary importance on doing it their way,  in a very rigid and inflexible framework.  

The goal here is to deliver a healthy baby - and if that means an emergency C-section or other medication that is needed to speed things up,  you need to feel the flexibility to go with what needs to be done at the moment,  not what you've written in a pre-birth plan weeks before labor began.

My own personal opinion here,  I think they're overzealous in the way that La Leche league is overzealous about breastfeeding.  Moderation is a good thing.   ;D

Best wishes for a healthy labor and happy baby!

[Hulahut]

Hi! My DH and I start our childbirth education classes tonight at our hospital, which are supposed to touch on all the methods out there.  I'm not sure if you've done this or know of them all, so if you're interested, I'd be happy to share what I learn.  

[specialteacher]

Wonderful comments, girls.  I appreciate the feedback!  It sounds like I should keep my options open and just be prepared for whatever happens. I agree that the best outcome is a healthy mother and baby no matter how it is born!  Thanks again!

[have 2 kids]

When I had my daughter I had a natural childbirth (no drugs) I did not follow one strict birth plan.  I mainly went with the flow and tried different coping techniques from various examples.    I think it's important to remember that the best thing is a healthy baby and you need to do whatever that requires.  Good luck!

[momof11]

As far as different methods to use I hated lamaze all that unessary breathing is ridiculous I hyperventalated (sp) with the others it was a combo of bradley and my own techniques it is focussing on deep breathing and relaxing letting your body do what it was meant to do, after 11 births this has worked for me, having a strong coach is a must my dh is mine cant do it without him.

[Pearl99]

I don't think Bradley promotes an adversarial relationship, quite the opposite--just that the mother is educated and comfortable with knowing what's going on. I was trained in it and remained flexible enough to have medical intervention when necessary without feeling guilty or upset (he had deceleration due to cord wrap); had another with nothing--both times Bradley helped a LOT. It promotes primarily RELAXATION from within so you don't try to distract yourself but yes to focus.  And it promotes how important your 'coach' (dad) is--.  La Leche too, you have to know how far to take it--me and my friend we went to a meeting to figure out how to hijack child-led weaning for our own schedules--even though we were committed to breastfeeding, we could still be ourselves and mix our priorities with those of the really excellent systems of both Bradley and Laleche. Many methods have something for everyone--it's not like an all or nothing deal. I also did yoga (good breathing, stretching) which might have helped even more.