Bradley Banner

Albrecht, Sarah Joy AAHCC
Affiliated Instructor 2013

Home   About Me   My Classes   Why 12 Weeks?   Course Content
Looking for resources or information about the Bradley Method® before you decide if it's right for you?  Please feel free to contact me even if you are unable to sign up for a class. I am happy to answer your questions and connect with you supporting resources in our area.  It is my goal to be of help to expectant mothers and their families.

Photo from the Bradley Winter 2011 Class Reunion

"'Thanks to your class, we were able to deliver Alexander last night at 8:17...naturally! He's amazing and was so alert at birth. He weighed in at 7 lbs 3 oz and 21.25 inches long. Your class really helped us feel prepared and helped Brad understand what was going on to keep things on track. Thank you for everything!'
 'I can second that - I was amazed at how comfortable I felt discussing our birth wishes with everybody as Sarah focused on labor, I was able to discuss and guide the next steps of the birth based on Sarah's wishes. I understood everything that was happening throughout the process as the doctors did their work. I was also able to identify each stage of labor and provide the appropriate sort of support to Sarah throughout the process.'" - Sarah & Brad H. 

"People keep telling me how amazing I look and how awesome I am feeling after JUST giving birth only 15 days ago. It's all thanks to Sarah Joy Albrecht and The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth. Thanks Sarah for being an amazing teacher and doula. Thank you also to my amazing coach for not letting me "give up". - Elizabeth M.

"I am so glad that I took Sarah's class. I learned how to keep my body healthy with exercise and eating right during my pregnancy. Sarah is an awesome teacher and coach. She is compassionate, knowledgeable, and very experienced. Because I took her class I know I was more mentally and physically prepared for birth! I had more confidence than ever during my labor to speak up for myself and let my body relax during each phase of labor. I gave birth naturally 5 weeks ago and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Sarah was also my doula and having her by my side made me more relaxed and comfortable.  I highly recommend her class to anyone who is pregnant! I also highly recommend her as a doula!!" - Cathy L.


ALL expectant mothers and their coaches
 are welcome regardless of marital status!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! 

The Bradley Method® is a practical, natural approach to childbirth emphasizing purposeful nutrition, targeted prenatal exercises, pain-reducing relaxation techniques, all underscored by the training of fathers as labor coaches

The key to successfully having a natural birth is preparation. Over the course of 12 classes,  students learn to stay low-risk, avoid an episiotomy, make informed medical decisions... all while gaining a thorough and confidence-building understanding of pregnancy, stages of labor, optimal birth positions,  breastfeeding and more
!

What if I am not 100% sure about having a natural birth?


You’re still welcome to take Bradley classes!  As a mom of five, I know firsthand what it’s like to hear everyone’s birth horror stories (even from random strangers in the grocery store!) and to have a little anxiety before the baby arrives.  Bradley Method classes focus on staying low-risk during pregnancy. The healthier you are, the more options you'll have for your delivery.  Your body will be better prepared no matter how you choose give birth...and you'll likely recover faster, too!

Fathers-to-be don’t have it much easier. They hear stories from their friends and co-workers, many of them misinformed or negative, and it’s hard to know what to expect. While they may come to prenatal visits, they often feel ignored by doctors. When they are honest with themselves, they wonder if they will have what it takes to be good coach. The founder of the Bradley Method, Dr. Robert Bradley, was considered a radical in his time for his advocacy of fathers being present in the delivery room. He knew that, with proper training, dads-to-be make the best coaches, as they have one huge advantage over any doctor or nurse trying to soothe a woman in labor -- Love!

One thing that discouraged me about prenatal appointments was they were often rushed. Sometimes doctors made me feel like it was a hassle for them to stay longer in the room to answer questions. When I set out to become a Bradley Method teacher, it was my goal to help expectant parents approach pregnancy, birth and parenthood with confidence.  Questions are always welcome in our classes, and I make myself available to all of my students, even after hours, for encouragement when they need it most.

While not all of my students have a natural birth, either by choice or because of extenuating circumstances, many come to class with an open mind and end up having the natural birth they never thought was possible.  Being informed, preparing your body, and learning how to work together as a cohesive team with your coach can make all the difference. 

Upcoming Class Information:

Looking for summer classes? My colleague Shelley Snyder's classes series is from June 7th through August 23rd. Click here to visit her teacher site.

March 4th - May 20th (Class is Full) 
A twelve week Bradley Method course will be taught at Salus Chiropractic & Family Wellness Studio on Monday nights from 7-9pm.  For this class session, we will be using the newly-available latest edition of The Bradley Method® Student Workbook.  Guest speakers will include a massage therapist from Living Well Chiropractic (demonstrating relaxing massage techniques for pregnancy and labor), a doula from Well Born Baby (sharing the benefits of having a doula and tips on working with your birth team) , a La Leche League leader (covering the basics of breastfeeding) and a MOPS group leader (highlighting the importance of postpartum support and connection with other mothers). A few months after the babies arrive, we will have Bradley reunion to welcome them and share the stories of their births! 


August 5 - October 28th (No meeting on September 2nd in observance of Labor Day)

A twelve week Bradley Method course will be taught at Salus Chiropractic & Family Wellness Studio on Monday nights from 7-9pm.  For this class session, we will be using the newly-available latest edition of The Bradley Method® Student Workbook.  Guest speakers will include a massage therapist from Living Well Chiropractic (demonstrating relaxing massage techniques for pregnancy and labor), a doula from Well Born Baby (sharing the benefits of having a doula and tips on working with your birth team), a La Leche League leader (covering the basics of breastfeeding) and a MOPS group leader (highlighting the importance of postpartum support and connection with other mothers). A few months after the babies arrive, we will have Bradley reunion to welcome them and share the stories of their births!


Bring-a-Friend Discount

Do you have friends who are due around the same time as you? Invite them to take *Bradley Method® classes! Receive 10% OFF your tuition when your friends register for the same class session. Friends' payment must be received to qualify. *Offer only applies for classes taught by instructor Sarah Joy Albrecht, AAHCC.

 

Registration Information:

Email Sarah at birth@sarahjoyalbrecht.net to register. Please include your name, spouse's name, mailing address, phone number, baby's approximate due date, doctor's name and address, and planned delivery location (name of hospital, birth center, etc.).  

In the mail, you will receive a confirmation of registration, class schedule, and a Student ID / Login for the online Bradley Method Student Resource Center.


Students will need to bring to class:
Student Workbook - Provided on first night of class
Note taking items
Exercise/Yoga Mat
Two pillows - To sit upon, and for birth position and relaxation practice
Snack/Drink for the quick "stretch" break at 8pm

Please note that, while some seating is provided, much of our class time is spent sitting on the floor.
 
Tuition Information:

$420 ($35/class) Please bring cash or check payment (written to Sarah Joy Albrecht) to first class. Payment plans are available, but must be arranged at time of registration. Latest edition of The Bradley Method® Student Workbook is included.  Students may be eligible for reimbursement through their health insurance plans or tax-exempt medical Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).  


Recommended Reading:

(These books are available through Amazon.com, conveniently listed here.)
  • The Husband Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, MD
  • Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg
  • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Wiessinger
  • Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin


April 20th, 2013 at the Breastfeeding Coalition of Chester County's Resource Fair
Albrecht, Sarah Joy AAHCC<br />Affiliated Instructor
For More Info
(610) 308-0461
birth@sarahjoyalbrecht.net

Area Served:
CHESTER COUNTY, PA
DOWNINGTOWN/THORNDALE, PA

Series Schedule (Start Dates)
Monday, March 04, 20137:00 PM
Monday, August 05, 20137:00 PM

9334
The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth standard series is designed for small classes with lots of individual attention. The standard length of the classes is 12 weeks covering 12 units of instruction. The Official Student Workbook is supplied to every couple attending classes. It is 130 pages with over 75 pictures and illustrations. A Coach Card is also included. Your local instructor in The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth is an independent affiliated instructor. Some classes are video enriched and offer a Certificate of Congratulations.

This website contains information about my classes and is not the official website of The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth. The views contained on this website do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth™.

For the protection of the public, the terms, “The Bradley Method” and “American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth” are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Only those teachers currently affiliated with the Academy may teach The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth.

To contact The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth, please go to www.bradleybirth.com