Frequently
Asked Questions
How
is The Bradley Method® Unique?
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 you to avoid complications.
Low risk mothers have more options.
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).
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 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 they
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 and 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, make their birth experience
an even more beautiful and joyous event.
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What
does The Bradley Method® Teach?
- Natural childbirth
- Nearly 90% of Bradley® moms having vaginal births do so
without pain medication.
- Active participation
by the husband* as coach.
- Excellent
nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and baby).
- Avoidance
of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, unless absolutely
necessary. No drug has ever been proven safe for an unborn baby.
- Training:
"Early Bird" classes followed by weekly classes starting
in the 5th month and continuing until the birth.
- Relaxation
and NATURAL breathing - "can be effective pain management
techniques with training" according to the National Institutes
of Health.
- "Tuning-in"
to your own body and trusting the natural process.
- Immediate
and continuous contact with your new baby.
- Breastfeeding
- beginning at birth - provides immunities and nutrition.
- 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.
*Your coach
does not have to be your husband, but can be anyone whom you trust
and is dedicated to helping you have a safe and joyful birth.
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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® Teachers 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
-American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®
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