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What is The Bradley Method®?
The Bradley Method®
teaches natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our
belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a
loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. The Bradley
Method® is a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and
her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing
self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning
in to her own body. The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust
their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and
education.
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How is The Bradley Method® Unique?
1. The Bradley
Method® teaches couples ways to stay low risk. While occasionally
there are risk factors out of your control, staying healthy and low risk can
help to avoid complications. Low risk mothers have more choices.
2. Relaxation is the Key to The Bradley Method® during labor.
It is the safest and most effective way to reduce unnecessary pain and to
handle any pain that you do experience. While other methods seek to control the
sensations of labor (emphasizing distraction as their Primary labor control
technique), The Bradley Method® encourages mothers to trust their
bodies (emphasizing relaxed abdominal breathing and relaxation throughout
labor).
3. The term Bradley® is a registered trademark to ensure you
are getting quality childbirth education. All Bradley® instructors
are highly trained to help you learn how to give birth.
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Why Natural Childbirth?
The kind of pregnancy,
labor, and birth our children experience has a profound and lifelong effect on
their health, including their mental, emotional, and physical health. The
Bradley Method® attempts to give babies the best possible start in
life by teaching how to have a natural pregnancy and a natural childbirth.
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Why should I choose a Bradley® Instructor?
Your local Bradley
Method® instructor is a professional trained to help pregnant
couples obtain the birth experience the desire. Bradley® instructors
are experts in the field of natural childbirth. All Bradley® instructors
have gone through intensive training with the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth® and are required to re-affiliate each
year in order to continue teaching The Bradley Method®. The American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® is proud of its affiliated
teachers for their personal attention and outstanding success in training
natural childbirth students.
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How much do classes cost?
The cost of Bradley®
Classes varies depending on individual teachers and the area in which the
classes are offered.
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When should I start?
Healthy nutrition,
appropriate exercise, and pregnancy information can be of benefit throughout
the entire pregnancy. For most couples, the fifth month is the suggested time
to begin a Bradley® class series as they seriously start training
for labor and for their upcoming role as parents. The earlier you start, the
better prepared you'll be physically, emotionally, and mentally. In many areas,
early pregnancy classes are also offered.
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How long are classes?
A Bradley® class
series is 12 weeks and is designed to give both mother and coach adequate
preparation time for the birth of their child. Labor can be a strenuous
physical activity, but mothers and coaches can prepare both physically and
mentally and with the help of their Bradley® Instructor to make
their birth experience an even more beautiful and joyous event.
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What does The Bradley Method® Teach?
1. Natural childbirth
- Nearly 90% of Bradley® moms having vaginal births do so without
pain medication.
2. Active participation by the husband as coach.
3. Excellent nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and baby).
4. Avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, unless
absolutely necessary. No drug has been proven safe for an unborn baby.
5. Training: "Early Bird" classes followed by weekly classes starting in the 5th
month and continuing until the birth.
6. Relaxation and NATURAL breathing - can be effective pain management
techniques with training according to the National Institutes of Health.
7. "Tuning-in" to your own body and trusting the natural process.
8. Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby.
9. Breastfeeding, beginning at birth provides immunities and nutrition.
10. Consumerism and positive communications.
Parents taking responsibility for the safety of the birth place, procedures,
attendants, and emergency back-up.
Parents being prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth
and cesarean section.
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Are there any books I should read before I start?
There are numerous
good books on childbirth and pregnancy at your local bookstore, library, or
even on-line. Books that we have found helpful and recommend include:
Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, M.D.
Natural Childbirth The Bradley ® Way by Susan Mc
Cutcheon, AAHCC
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding distributed by La Leche League
International
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Sweet Dreams - A Pediatrician's Secrets by Dr. Paul Fleiss, M.D., M.P.H.,
F.A.A.P.
Children at Birth by Marjie and Jay Hathaway, AAHCC * Currently
Being Revised - Available at some local libraries
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Are there Bradley® Instructors in my area?
To see a complete listing of Bradley®
Instructors
or
Contact The American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®:
The Bradley Method®
Box 5224
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413-5224
(800) 4-A-BIRTH or (818) 788-6662
www.bradleybirth.com
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