[YHannahh]

My Bradley Method class began yesterday and I loved it!<br><br>
It's great to hear natural childbirth explained in a logical way. It reminds me why I intended on going drug-free, etc. in the first place.<br><br>
I'm also so glad I'm taking a class, because it's already kicking my butt to do things I was avoiding / putting off, such as:<br><br>
-Kegels (I don't know why I was avoiding these, but I was)<br>
-Eating more protein (Recommended 100 g / day of protein...that's a lot)<br><br>
She is also encouraging us to practice squatting. Man, those muscles are so weak on me...I'm going to need a lot of practice in case I end up wanting to give birth in this position.<br><br>
Another reason to love the class: the instructor brought awesome snacks. I love taco dip!

 

[expat-mama]

Yey! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy"><br>
We couldn't find a Bradley class in our area (or even our country!), but we have a couple of Bradley books and some of the actual class materials we managed to score. DH and I have been practicing for a while now and we totally have the routines down (DH coaching and supporting, me relaxing, visualizing, breathing, and keeping in mind how to help DH support me) and are feeling pretty good about it! I've also been practicing squatting a lot as part of my prenatal yoga- it really was awkward and difficult at first, but seriously after a little while it just clicked and now it's easy!<br><br>
We cycle through the different practice exercises- I think as we get closer to the birth the only thing we really need to work on is getting familiar with/comfortable with different positions for labour and pushing and DH has got to sort of compile a list of remedies/comfort measures to try at different stages of labour so that he can remember what to do.<br><br>
I'd be interested to hear more about your class and how it's progressing as you go through it!<br><br>
Any other Bradley couples out there?

 

[Amynf1]

I took Bradley in my first pregnancy. The relaxation methods are great, learning to relax from the top to the bottom is very important in my opinion and I try to teach this in my classes and to my doula clients. I didn't particularly like the side lying position that Bradley likes so much and I could never imagine using it in labor. Also the visualizations aren't my thing but that's not a Bradley thing, that's just period. I think the best part of Bradley is the couple focus. Expat, it sounds like you and your husband are doing a good job of working together on it even without a class, that's great. The class in person really works towards that too. It was a turning point for me and my husband, we had only been married three months after a mostly long distance relationship when I got pregnant with #1 so we needed a couples focused class like Bradley. I have considered certifying as a Bradley teacher when we get back to the States too.