Thanks for coming to our
schedule page.
The schedule for our current and tentative series is below, subject to change
depending on student needs and due dates. Please email (or call) for details, most up-to-date schedule/class options and available discounts. We accommodate your
circumstances, calendar schedule permitting.
We teach our classes
in-person and live online for those who prefer to take distant classes!
Send us an email or call
and include
- your due date
- your availability- a series we have listed below or
other___ (we prefer Sat & Sunday eves but as available, sometimes weeknights
or by appointment)
We are offering live classes online (since March 21, 2020.) We can
teach anyone whom would like to join us.
- any other considerations/questions.
- Including "Bradley Class info" or similar in
the subject is helpful.
Please allow a few
business days for a full response unless you indicate need to join a class
right away.
On this page:
Ideal time to register
and pay your deposit for our series*: 2 or more weeks before the start of the
class. Try to take a series that will end 3 or more weeks before your due date. Other
needs/options can be discussed privately when you contact us. We recommend at
least 16 hours class time plus homework.
*A standard Bradley
series is 12 weekly lessons. You may wonder why. It was not always so. Dr. Bradley's classes were 8 lessons. When we took our classes, it was 10. You can read the rationale
on the AAHCC tab, "Why 12 Classes." which is provided by our
parent org, AAHCC and is their rationale. Most of our students have a minimum of 12 weeks to practice and prepare before the due date, though they may not have time for 12 classes. It is nearly impossible to teach 12 consecutive classes in 12 weekends too, because of holidays and special events. We know, and we do what we can to help everyone who wants the best possible birth.
If you
can't attend 12 traditional weekly classes. Reach out to us. You don't have to miss out. We can still help
you have the best possible birth!
After registration and
deposit is received, you will get a detailed email that includes homework to
read before the first class. Try to allow at least 3 weeks between end of
series and your anticipated due date. Earlier is fine. You can always attend
extra classes from an ongoing series until your due date if you start earlier.
Late registrations may be accepted at our descretion; contact us for more info.
Since our schedules are fluid based on demand and due dates, contact us for the most up to date schedule info.
CURRENT and TENTATIVE SERIES SCHEDULE:
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DUE DATE BETWEEN SERIES?
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Contact Nancy about
all options available; series schedules can often be adjusted and a
series can be added if our schedule permits.
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#134 live online and in person group or private series for Aug/Sept+ due dates
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Series has ended. .
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#133 live online and in person Sunday eves for mid July+ due dates
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Series has ended.
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#136 live online and in person Private or group series for Dec/Jan+ due dates, Sat or Sun evenings 5:30 pm or other time slot.
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Series in progress; registration is closed. |
| #137 live online and in person Private or group series for Feb, Mar due dates, Sat or Sun evenings 5:30 pm or other time slot. | Contact
us regarding your due date and location, etc. so I can plan the next series
or two. No classes Christmas week through Jan.1 2025.
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(Tentative) #138 and beyond: live online and in person Private or group series for Mar, Apr 2025+ due dates or later, Sat or Sun evenings 5:30 pm or other time slot.
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Contact us
regarding your due date and location, etc. so I can plan the next series or
two.
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When is your due date? Do you have a preference for location
and day of week?
We'll see what we can work out with you if it is not already scheduled.
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Future series are scheduled based on needs of the
community…
Let us know your due date and location so we can schedule accordingly.
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When our schedule permits, we offer customized,
private and/or non-standard series when your circumstances
prevent you from attending a standard group series and our schedule is free
to do so.
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*SPECIAL
SITUATIONS
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Another
baby? Short on time? Need to make-up classes to catch up? Email or call to discuss. CONTACT
US NOW TO PENCIL IN YOUR SCHEDULING NEEDS. It is never too early to ask!
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VBACS,
LABOR/BIRTH/POSTPARTUM DOULA CARE
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Our lessons are
ideal for couples preparing for a vbac. If you desire a doula, I can
provide references for doulas experienced with Bradley couples. Rest assured,
the expectant dads and others who attend our classes are well prepared to as
their partner's doulo (labor support.) That is a major distinctive
of the Bradley Method®.
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Our classes are adapted
to work around holidays and other disruptions, so allow
extra time if your series coincides with holidays or winter weather.
If you would like to
host a group series in your home (especially outside of greater
Bridgeport/ Fairfield) and there is at least one other couple who enrolls
and your home is within a reasonable distance from our regular class location,
we will do a group series. Otherwise, it will be a private series which is a
different cost. Contact us for more information. (Go to top of page)
*Running out of time? Due date creeping up on you?
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If we do not list a class that
suits your due date and you contact us soon enough, we may be able to work
something out for your particular needs or will refer you to another instructor. Our goal
is for you to be well prepared for your birth, and we will do our reasonable
best to accommodate you as our schedule permits. (Go
to top of page)
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ABOUT OUR CLASSES:
George & I teach
about the natural process of birth and share time-proven, evidenced based
information on how to avoid unnecessary pain, natural ways to handle
contractions and many other topics with the official Bradley the official
worktext and supplemental resources.
Click above, Course Content for details of Bradley class content.
Research (Listening to Mothers at childbirthconnection.org) has
shown that continual support in labor results in shorter labor, more satisfaction and less interventions. Your support
person or coach, usually the baby's father, your "doulo,"
learns and practices how to provide continual support in labor and how to be
your advocate during pregnancy, labor and birth.
You are welcome to bring a doula and/or additional labor support person to our
classes also. There is no additional charge for your labor supports to attend.
Standard group classes are typically 2 to 2.5 hours long (24 hours class plus self-study time.)
Homework involves some self-study and provides class
prep and review, maximizing class time for discussion and practice. (The
official worktext is not intended to cover all content presented in class.)
(Go to top of page)
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USUAL LOCATION for In Person CLASSES:
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1. Live online, serving all areas.
Times stated are eastern standard time.
Conventional in person classes:
2. Shelton, convenient to get to Rts 110, 15,
8, 34 |
COST:
Please email or call for our tuition rate. The cost is vey reasonable, but we are not permitted to
post our rates at this website per AAHCC's requirements. We are
able to keep cost down because we have free locations to meet.
Note: Differences in
cost regionally and nationally for Bradley classes are determined by the individual instructor
and do not reflect on the quality of the lessons. Bradley class size is smaller
and far more comprehensive than hospital crash courses and other
internationally recognized childbirth classes, which may be shorter but less
comprehensive, mother, not parent oriented and typically focusing on just one
technique. (See pink box below.)
Please do not choose
your childbirth course based on cost or convenience. Get it right the first
time with us. Ask what the
cesarean rate is when considering different methods of childbirth prep and
different instructors. AAHCC (American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth)
is the only organization that tracks this. 85% or more births are vaginal with
no or little pain medication for labor and few interventions. Our cesarean
rates are less than half the local and national averages, some areas as low as
12%. If you are checking out other classes, ask what their national and local
c-section rates are.
Locally, the practice
with the lowest c-section rates in our area has required childbirth classes, their clients to us because they have observed that our couples are the
best prepared, increasing the odds for healthy outcomes and low/no intervention
births.
As you learn more
about natural childbirth, you may have doubts about your provider. Check what
their c-section rate is and how often they do inductions and augmented labors.
If they dodge your questions or cite research to justify a routine protocol
that interferes with the natural birth process, they are often practicing
conventional rather than evidence based medicine.
Check out websites like ebb.com (evidence-based birth) for up
to date birth topics.
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*Most community childbirth classes cater to the typical expectant
woman, focusing on preparing her for a heavily managed medical and/or
surgical event, not a natural life event. Some classes focus on one unusual
technique for labor management, so if that doesn’t work, there is nothing else
to fall back on. Few provide time for nutrition, exercise and relaxation
practice and other essential strategies for a healthy pregnancy and
satisfying natural birth experience.
Bradley instructors are well-rounded, and recognize the need for a variety of
alternatives, respectful of the occasional need for medical interventions for
the health of the mother and/or baby. Therefore, we prepare our students for
these possibilities along with preventative measures and possible
alternatives, plus decision-making skills for common variations in labor and
birth. With Bradley classes, you can count on being well prepared and
satisfied with your choice for childbirth preparation!
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A non-refundable deposit
of $50 toward registration ($100 for a private series) is required to hold
your spot in the class and to assure getting your materials on time. The
balance is due in full at the second class
unless other arrangements have been agreed upon.
Make-up classes: We can discuss other options if the need arises.
(Go to
top of page)
*DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE:
PLEASE NOTE: Although we
offer a couple types of discounts, this is our choice and is not a standard
practice of other instructors. Contact us for details.
1.
Military, police and fire/rescue discount for those
full time or in reserves (with proof): ask about our service discount.
2.
High school, tech, College & Grad students half time or full time (with
proof): ask about our student discount.
3.
Alumni Discount: Available only to students who have completed a Bradley series
with us. Contact us for details.
4. Coupon
discount card when you attend one of our special events (symposiums, "earlybird" foundation class) and pay for a group or
private series.
*There is a limit of one discount per couple. (Go to top of page)
SERIES OPTIONS:
1. Group Series (2 to 8 couples*): Cost: most
economical*** and include official student worktext, handouts and lending library.
Students may continue attending at no additional cost until birth.
*Sometimes enrollment for a group series ends up with one or two couples enrolled. If being in a larger group is important to you, please understand that we can not control due dates, or predict enrollment. We wish every practitioner recommended childbirth classes, especially Bradley classes!
Schedules are tweaked slightly depending on due dates and student/teacher flexibility.
1. Private Series: see
our info email for details. If you request private classes, cost and and the schedule will be adjusted.
2. "Earlybird," refresher classes; other variations: contact us for more info.
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PAYMENT OPTIONS:
We accept PayPal (to
optimalchildbirth@att.net), Venmo (to nancyberntsen),
credit cards (via Squareup), Zelle, checks, money orders and
cash. Contact us for registration and payment specifics, including a link to
register and pay online if desired.
Medical Insurance/Health
Savings Plans: Some medical insurance plans may cover the cost of childbirth
classes. Other plans permit reimbursement via medical savings plans. Check with
your employer to see if you are eligible for funding. Appropriate form with
codes available upon request.
Gift Cards: Let your
family and friends know that we offer “gift cards” toward tuition, available
via Paypal or by snail mail (money orders or
certified checks only.) Only valid for classes taught by us. Link and details
available by email. If you use a baby registry, you can even ask for gift money
for your classes.
Payment Plan: Ask for
more information. (Go to top of page)
WHAT IF YOU DON'T
HAVE A COACH?
Although most expectant dads attend the classes as the coach, that is not
always the case. If a dad is not available or otherwise unable to attend, the next best
choice would be a close friend or relative who is able to to
commit to the classes and your goals as well as attend your labor and birth. If
you prefer to hire someone as either your primary coach or as an assistant
doula, or for postpartum care, Nancy can provide recommendations. (Go to top of page)
WHAT IF YOU CAN'T COME TO ALL THE CLASSES?
Please contact us regarding your particular needs.
We want you to be well-prepared for your birth and will have options for most circumstances.
(Go to top
of page)