Bradley or Hypnobabies?

[anne1140]

I know that both can be great, but I can't figure out which one would be right for me. I have never given birth before, so I can't say from experience what would help me the most. Here are some questions:

I am having a hospital birth. I know Bradley is often successful with hospital births, but what about Hypnobabies? Has anyone here done it successfully?

I would like to have a doula. Will I need to find a doula that specializes in one of the above methods? Which would be easier to use with an unfamiliar doula?

If I have a doula, will that interfere with DH's role as "coach" if we go with Bradley? How do the doula and husband work together in that situation?

I am an anxious person by nature, so I need something that will really calm me. If you've tried both, was there one that worked better in this area? If you've only tried one or the other, how effective was it at calming your fears and really helping you to relax? (esp. in a hospital setting)

Any feedback would be REALLY appreciated. I know there have been many posts on this, but none pertaining to my specific questions (that I can find, anyway).

[St. Margaret]

I don't know about Bradley, but I love HynoBabies. I used it for my first birth, in a hospital. It is HUGEly about relaxing and calming fears. You CAN find a doula who is cert. in HBs, but I had one who wasn't and just copied the CDs for her ahead of time and she was fantastic. And I personally would never go to a hospital without a doula! She and DH were my awesome team. The nurses happened to be awesome, but these two were my familiar rocks, there the entire time, supporting me. DH was right there beside me, the doula could run for a blanket or talk to a nurse or massage me/push on my hips/etc. (she also helped set up the room when we got there, after being at our house, so we would really know when to go, to not go too early, but anyway she and the nurses helped dim the lights and put on the music, and everyone was great about being gentle and quiet). Honestly, I was so calm from the HBs, I just curled up on the bed and zoned out and relaxed and made it through each wave, and transitioned to pushing very easily. I was definitely ready to be done, or rather, glad to know it probably wouldn't take too much longer, but that was more about worrying about my stamina, which did not run out; I was utterly calm.

Good luck!

[Jayray]

HB helped me be calm and relaxed prior to the birth and probably even during the birth--but it didn't help me with the pain and I wasn't very relaxed. Although I didn't bring the CDs with me and DH was a bit out of it as far as what we had talked about him doing.

Honestly, for a first baby, I think I would recommend Bradley over HB just to give you more practical things to do--because if HB doesn't "work" once you're in labor and you have no other "tools," then you're basically screwed. [But HB will recommend that you not take any other birthing classes that might interfere with the hypnotic suggestions. We did take another class, so maybe I screwed myself?]

[Cassaba]

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't given birth yet, so you may want to totally disregard my commments!

BUT, we took Bradley and I also did the Hynobabies homestudy. Both DH and I were kind of overwhelmed after Bradley because it gave us SO many tools that we didn't really know what to focus on (breathing, music, a visual focal point, etc). I like HB because it is giving me a very specific approach to relaxing my body. However, I am glad that I took Bradley because I learned so much about the birthing process. Yes, the HB materials talk about a lot of the same things, but that was great review after having had the "live" Bradley classes. I am also glad that I have my Bradley "toolbox" including specific techniques for dealing with back labor if needed.

We hired a doula who is neither HB nor Bradley trained. But I think she will be great. I am "coaching" her on some of the HB lingo and counting on her to help keep the atmosophere peaceful and quiet. I don't think there's any conflict at all between having a doula and DH being a "coach". My DH is really glad he is going to have someone there to support him.

So, I guess what I am saying is that I'm glad I studied both Bradley and HB because I feel very prepared for my birth!

[branbran54]

Is it possible to learn the Bradley method without going to the classes and how do you go about that? I live in west Tennessee and there are no natural childbirth classes closer than Nashville(three hours away). I am thinking of doing Bradley or Hypnobabies, too. I was thinking maybe do the Bradley stuff before I do the Hypnobabies course. I am determined to go natural and want to have as many tools as I can.

[philomom]

Bradley is like a college class in childbirth.

You shouldn't need a doula if your hubby is Bradley trained and has practiced with you.

I had amazing, intervention free, natural childbirth in the hospital with the Bradley method. I did not consider my dh to be my "coach", only my primary support person and because we took the class, he knew exactly what I needed and what stage I was at. Awesome experience.

[staryla]

Get a Doula either way!

We took the Bradley classes with our first child. We asked about doulas and our Bradley instructor basically said that the more support and encouragement you have the better. Even so we decided we didn't want to fork over the extra money for a doula (because dear hubbie should know everything after the intense Bradley classes).

I really wish I could go back in time and redo the decision to not get a doula. I am normally a very tense and anxious person also. I just COULD NOT relax during the labor. (I strained so much during pushing that I burst blood vessels in my eyes!) Hubbie tried, but I felt like I was going it alone. The only point where I felt he had a real impact on things was right before transition when I had pretty much had enough and told him I might want drugs. He looked me in the eyes and said "no." Other than that he was at a loss as to how to help, or at least that's the impression I had.

I think that having a doula might have helped, especially someone who has given birth before. If nothing else, they could have spelled each other during the 12 hour labor. By the time our son was born we had both been awake for over 30 hours (and DH had worked a 12 hour shift as a line cook--a tiring day in itself). We gave birth in a hospital which uses midwives. After all the tests had been done and I had been sewed up the birthing room was deserted. It was just me, hubbie, and new baby. Then hubbie promptly fell asleep on the couch! I was alone with this new baby that I had NO idea what to do with. I wasn't supposed to even get up and go to the bathroom without help (because I had very bad tearing). I was starving and couldn't reach the button to call for food or help, and it was cold. I felt so alone, overwhelmed, and exhausted. This is when a doula would have been a godsend!

Pros of the Bradley classes:
-you learn A LOT about birthing
-they explain all the interventions the hospital will try to push on you
-you learn different birthing positions and when each might work best
-your husband learns all this stuff with you and it can be a relationship boost

Cons of the Bradley classes:
-for me the various relaxation methods taught didn't work at all
-maybe this was my particular instructor, but I got the feeling that anything other than a drug free birth would have been a 'failure' and I would have been ashamed to go back to my classmates and admit that.
-the underlying premise is that your husband will coach you through birth. The success of this depends on you both and your relationship with each other.


I'm glad to have taken the Bradley classes, I feel like the in depth learning you do about birth is worth it. With that said, I just found out I am pregnant and if all goes well with this pregnancy I plan on taking the hypnobirthing classes. I don't know if it will work for me, but the relaxation methods learned in the Bradley classes sure didn't.

Whatever way you go I highly advise getting a doula. It would in no way interfere with anything you learn in the Bradley classes (unless your husband is REALLY bothered by someone elses presence-and in that case he needs to get over himself and focus on you).

[philomom]

Originally Posted by staryla

Whatever way you go I highly advise getting a doula. It would in no way interfere with anything you learn in the Bradley classes (unless your husband is REALLY bothered by someone elses presence-and in that case he needs to get over himself and focus on you).

As the MDC official anti-doula person... I don't care for this attitude that having a doula is always better. I have personally seen doulas mess up the "couples birth energy" that can exist between a man and woman at this special time. Fathers can be amazing birth partners... let them rise to the occasion.

[phathui5]

If I have a doula, will that interfere with DH's role as "coach" if we go with Bradley?

That depends on who your doula is. When you talk to doulas, be clear what you're looking for and what you envision her role as being.

How do the doula and husband work together in that situation?

Even when a dad has prepared for a coaching role, many couples still benefit from having a doula at their birth. The doula can help remind you about things that you learned in class (particularly if she has taken the Bradley classes herself). She can be there to "mother" both of you, to take care of you and your partner during the birth.

** When I was pregnant with my second, my husband and I took the 12 week Bradley series. I still had a female friend at my birth because I wanted another woman there. She was as helpful for dh as she was for me and he said that it took pressure off of him to be the only support person. **

[Veritaserum]

When I was trying to decide, I read birth stories. Most of the Bradley birth stories described a lot of pain and hard work. Most of the hypnosis births were described as comfortable and easy. I picked hypnosis and I am SO glad I did. I really love Hypnobabies. It gave me hypno-anesthesia techniques, which are far more powerful than basic relaxation. I could also combine my Hypnobabies techniques with all the other typically-recommended tools of movement, massage, water, vocalization, etc. Those things are taught in Hypnobabies as well.

As a control freak who was terrified of pain, I especially enjoyed that I could use Hypnobabies by myself or with assistance. I felt much more comfortable and confident about not having to rely on anyone else if I didn't want to. Also, the Fear Clearing recording was invaluable. I had some trauma from my first birth (including the pain) that I was able to process in a way that enabled me to approach giving birth again with confidence and calmness.

Bradley and Hypnobabies are both good choices. Hypnobabies was the best choice for me.

Here's a chart that goes through various options of childbirth prep that may help you decide:

http://www.birthnaturally.org/childb...tionsguide.pdf

[MegBoz]

Could you try talking to the local instructors & seeing who you like best? Maybe get some input from your tribal area too. There aren't many Bradley instructors in my area & the one I took class with taught a condensed version (BIG 'no no' in Bradley) & wasn't all that well-informed on the current birth climate (she told me homebirth is illegal in Maryland! Um, no.)

Whereas the doula I had is also a Bradley instructor, but lives like a 50 min drive away & I would rather not have made that trip once a week for about 12 weeks! So, something to consider.

I have to say that my reading of stories seems to confirm what Veritaserum wrote - Bradley women often "white knuckle it" & just get through the pain, whereas the HB ladies often have little to no pain.

However, the idea of Hypnosis was so utterly unappealing to me personally that I didn't even consider it. I've heard it said before that Bradley women are "Type A" - Ha! that's me! I'm also very analytical, logical, present & in-the-moment. I can't even imagine trying to 'perceive' the ctrx as something different. It's just not for me. But, I also have a high pain tolerance & little fear of pain. Bradley definitely suited DH & I well.

All decent doulas will be skilled at helping your DH help you - facilitating his role (whatever YOU BOTH want his role to be, so "coach" if that's your choice as a couple). I wouldn't worry about that or worry about needing a specifically trained doula.

I would also expect most experienced doulas to at least be familiar with both methods too anyway. Actually, one who didn't at least have SOME knowledge of both methods would be a red flag for me. It would show she doesn't really read up a lot on birth & keep current.

I agree to get a doula either way UNLESS:
1. You & DH are both really confident in his ability to be a good coach
(i.e. not get intimidated by the medical professionals, not get overwhelmed & forget major things, not feel bad that you are in pain & feel upset that he can't 'make the pain go away.')**

2. You're VERY confident that you're birthing at a good place (i.e. you're not going to have nurses pushing cEFM, encouraging you to stay in bed & be quiet so you don't disturb other patients, pushing hourly vag exams, pushing pit to rush things, doing AROM without consent, etc. etc.)

I would personally want a really REALLY high degree of confidence in ALL the MWs in my practice AND the nurses (& since you can't get to personally know all the nurses in advance, you'll have to rely on other people's input.)

I admit, about 95% of my motivation in hiring a doula was for a 'body guard' because even though I liked 2 or the 3 CNMs in my practice, I was still scared of nurses & the hospital in general. I wanted someone who would SPEAK UP if they were about to cut me, put something in an IV without telling me, etc. etc. Yeah, a doula isn't supposed to speak FOR you, but they certainly can speak UP & warn you if something is about to happen without your consent.

That's a lot of "IFs" so, yeah, I vote doula too.

**Incidentally, I don't think it's BAD for a DH to think he needs help! I mean, he's very likely never been present for a birth! As many say, it's like hiring a sherpa to help you climb Mt. Everest - even though you have to do a LOT of work yourself to get prepared, it still helps to have a guide who has BTDT. Also helps to have someone support you if DH needs to rest, eat, pee, etc.

[MaryMarg]

Originally Posted by branbran54

Is it possible to learn the Bradley method without going to the classes and how do you go about that?

Yes! I first read Bradley's book Husband Coached Childbirth as an intro to the method, then read, studied, re-read and practiced Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. The first book tells about the method, but not HOW to do it. The second covered the HOW in great detail. My husband and I spent about 4 months practicing before the birth of our second child with no outside classes (none available where I am in AL either). We had a great natural birth in the hospital and are planning to use Bradley again for (surprise!) number 3 in late March! Best wishes!

[St. Margaret]

Now that's true, I did take another course b/c I wanted a live class with my hubby and all, and it was a blend of hynobirthing (generic), birthing from within (mostly this I think) and just whatever. So we learned about birth and practiced BFW techniques, but also did relaxation with a few cues. I LOVED the artwork we did and discussions we had-- it was amazing! DH and I really connected through it. But HB still worked for me I did take that class early... but it was how we found our doula I agree a doula isn't always better, but if you interview and find the right one, she can be invaluable, ESPECIALLY if you are going into a less than supportive birth environment. Some people don't get to choose what OB/hospital they use, and a doula can help run interference