Being an educated consumer of birth services has never been more important.
While staying healthy and low risk continues to be the main theme of a Bradley prepared birth...a good childbirth education and a well prepared partner are the keys to a low intervention birth!
As a well informed couple, you will arrive at your birth with the confidence, the knowledge, and the skill to accomplish your birth goals.
You will discover the keys to a healthy pregnancy and how to stay low risk through proper nutrition, exercise, and relaxation. We will cover the stages of labor, the role of hormones in birth, positions for labor, and pain coping techniques.
Testimonial from Holly Warren, MD "I am so thankful that we had Susan Rotman to prepare us for the beautiful, unmedicated birth of our son, Jude. I had decided while I was in medical school that, when the time came, I would do whatever I could to avoid having the doctor-centered labor and birth process that I had witnessed time and again. I was particularly horrified by the slippery slope of unnecessary interventions I saw which led to unnecessary c-sections. There is simply no good reason for one of every three babies in our country to be cut out of Mom. So, when the time came, I researched natural childbirth classes and decided to study the Bradley Method. Susan was the first Bradley instructor I called, and I never needed to call another! She immediately took me under her wing and exuded confidence to me that she would be able to help us gain the knowledge we needed to allow for an unmedicated birth, even in today’s radical birth culture that encourages mothers to succumb to interventions far too quickly. Susan welcomed three other couples and us into her home and guided us passionately through the Bradley Method. She fed us healthy and delicious food each week, and kept our attention with various types of activities and even special guests! She kept up with us through the week to make sure we were doing okay and still learning. We had incredible fun and were full of joy as we gained the confidence to be able to have our son naturally. I was especially grateful that she taught my husband what to expect and how to be my coach. Using the knowledge she shared, he was awesome! Our labor and delivery was everything we hoped it would be. I am very proud to share our birth story. I am very proud to look at my precious son and know that he was given a peaceful entrance into this world without drugs or any other unnecessary shocks to his system. I wish every expectant couple had a Susan Rotman. I’m sure glad we did!"
"As a physician, I have been exposed to much of the science and medicine of birth in medical school, but never really got a lot of the humanistic component. During Susan’s class, I was able to take the science and the miracle of pregnancy and birth and merge the two to not only make the birth of my son an extremely memorable experience, but to make the care I give my patients about more than just delivery. This class gives Dads tools to handle birth with confidence and to give Moms the support they need and deserve.
—Chris Colvin, D.O.
Thanks again for an awesome class!!
Chris Colvin"
"My husband and I took Susan's Bradley Method class before the birth of our son. The Bradley Method fit our hopes for a low intervention, natural birth. Throughout the twelve week course, Susan explained the birth process and helped us understand what we could do to work with my body during labor. During several classes we had the opportunity to role play labor situations and learn hands-on techniques such as massage and various labor positions. Susan provided videos, books, online links, CDs, and other materials provided to everyone in the class to support and enhance our learning. My husband and I reread one the provided books, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, several times as we found it so helpful. We were sad to give up our bag of materials at the end of the twelve weeks! My husband said several times that just understanding the birth process was the most important piece as it helped us to understand what was happening and not be worried about what was normal and what was not. It was also wonderful to take the class with six other couples who were expecting around the same time we were, and to share what was happening to us all each week. In addition to the Bradley content, the breastfeeding, and infant care class helped me to feel prepared for my son after he was born. For our son's birth I ended up being induced at 41+ weeks due to very low amniotic fluid. Although I was scared about being induced, we were able to use what Susan taught us to avoid all other medicine and drugs. I believe that the information she provided help us to remain calm during the process and to understand how to advocate for myself and our baby. For any parent-to-be I believe it is important to choose a supportive prenatal provider, but equally importantly, to take a childbirth class and find an instructor whose beliefs align with your wishes for your child's birth."
"My son was born 3 years ago, almost to the day!I have been meaning to write a rave review, well, since my son was born.Time flies!I will start by saying that taking Susan's 12 week Bradley class was one of the best decisions we made before the birth of our son. We have an older daughter, I did not prepare for her birth and I thought I did! I read a few books and online articles,I gathered information on my own, but it wasn't enough! Durning my daughters birth and after,I was lost,utterly lost.In the weeks and months after her birth,I couldn't help but think I could have,and should have,known more.That if I had been more aware of what was going on with my body,especially after the birth,I would have felt more in control,more empowered,and felt more fulfilled afterwards.That feeling of empowerment is exactly what Susan's class gives to expecting parents. While pregnant,everything comes at you so fast, the information and resources you learn from the class gives you the certainty that you did everything possible to prepare for the big day.Susan's class covers everything from nutrition, readying the mind through relaxation, biological changes,the powers of a great birth coach,lactation consultation, hospital-birth center information, and postpartum care.Really,the list goes on and on.Susan is super informative and supportive.She was the support we needed that we did not receive from the doctors or midwives. We looked forward to the class every week.It was an opportunity to share time asking questions and learning all about our baby and my body.I always sing the praises of this birth class.A 2 day birth class just does NOT cover it all.I have recommended this class to two of my pregnant friends and both couples loved it and had the birth they wanted. If you and your partner want to empower your selves,have a wonderful teacher during the journey,and know your birth,pre and post baby,this is definitely a class you need to take."
Message to prospective couples...I have stuffed all I can fit into this little site to encourage you to reach out and contact me. You may also visit my personal website at rotmanmassageandbirth..com for additional information or my doula profile on Doula Match at http://doulamatch.net/profile/4883/susan-rotman-aahcc-cddona I WISH YOU THE BEST BIRTH!