Bradley class for single women?

[Raven67]

This is cross posted on the Pregnant forum. I am a single, 35yo woman who is choosing to have a child alone. I am going to do a homebirth, and I am very interested in taking a Bradley class to prepare. I love the natural philosophy, but I am turned off by the whole "husband coached" emphasis. I have a friend who will be with me at the birth. Would it be proper to have her come to the class? Will it be totally weird to be in the class with no "husband coach?" Any advice?

[Moon]

I really loved my Bradley class and felt like I learned a HUGE amount from it. For me, the most important thing was learning to advocate for myself. It was invaluable....but, the emphasis on "husband coached" rather than partner coached could be a real issue, I guess, depending on your level of sensitivity. My teacher substituted "partner" for husband pretty easily, which was good cause we had a female couple in our class, but she was unable to do anything about the preprinted stuff, or the videos.

I'd ring the Bradley teachers in your area and ask them point blank.

I hope you find one who can meet your needs.

The other class I wanted to look into was "BirthWise", which seemed really interesting, and more about mama power but I never got the chance.

Good luck.

[kama'aina mama]

Like Moon said, the written material may get on your nerves but I expect the instructor could easily tailor her remarks to include you. Many Bradley instructors I have known have taught same sex couples before. Best of luck with your pregnancy!

[sugarmoon]

Well, the emphasis on "husband coached" got on my nerves AND my husbands. We quit after the first class. It may vary by instructor, but the written material (there's a workbook and everything) won't change.

I didn't end up doing any "childbirth classes". My dh and I both read Birthing From Within, and I also read tons and tons of birthstories on the web (go for the homebirth ones, not just b/c you are planning one, but also b/c they are the ones that actually tell you about the labor and birth in enough detail to be useful). Your friend could read The Birth Parter. Well, so could you! It has lots of great info for everyone at a birth.

So basically, what I'm saying is that I don't think classes are neccessary!

Good Luck

[TiredX2]

I also think that another person could easily replace the husband and have it be "partner" coached.

That said, DH & I didn't take the classes, just read the books and practiced the excercises. If you are having a home birth you won't be pressured to have drugs and you will be in a comfy environment (presumably) so you shouldn't have to worry that much

Healthy birthing,
Kay

[cottonwood]

Well, I'm with gus'smama, but that is just a personal preference. If you are really into the bradley method, I do not see why it could not be tailored to your situation. But if you are open to other "natural birth" methods/outlooks, there are other types of birthing classes available that don't put a focus on "husband coaching". I have heard good things about Birthing From Within and Birthworks. Also there are independent CBEs who don't subscribe to any particular theory -- if I was looking for one, I would try to find an ALACE certified instructor. ALACE, which was started by Rahima Baldwin (author of Special Delivery) is really closet to my own philosophy, as far as midwife-attended birth goes.

[starfairy]

I never took the Bradley classes (the one instructor in my area took a vacation when I needed the classes!), but with my second birth I read the books & it was my most managable labor out of 4. It was still very painful, but often my dh had no idea I was in labor, thought i was sleeping! LOL! If you dont like the classes you can try the books. I'm hoping to take classes with this pregnancy. HTH!

~Anne-Marie