The Bradley Method

Last night (Wed) PJ and I attended our first childbirth class - we are approaching this pregnancy, labor, and delivery with the Bradley Method. Just to give you some background - Dr. Bradley was an OB in the 40's and 50's - he often worked in rural areas. Through his work he started observing how animals approached birth. He wondered why humans did not follow their instincts like animals did. Anyway, he started working with women on natural childbirth, adopting the methods of animals, which we can assume are somewhat instictive to humans as well (and that we have all but tuned out our instincts). Turns out women raved about this method - there was less pain during labor, but best of all, because they weren't drugged, they were able to hold their baby immediately following the birth and immediately start breastfeeding (Hello - who wouldn't want that?!).

It was so wonderful to attend this class . We will go for about 10 weeks and there are 9 other couples taking the class with us. I get so tired of people telling me I am crazy for wanting a natural childbirth and that I need to keep an open mind - of course, I know that and would never put my baby in danger, but in my opinion, western medicine is OVER MEDICATED (yes, I am about to get on a soapbox), so it is great to take a class with others who agree with our philosophy of birth. Now, since this is my blog, I have decided that I get to say what I want and don't really care if others agree. I would never push this method on anyone and believe all mothers have a right to choose what they believe is best, but deep down, I think that the reason most people choose medicine/pain relief in labor is because 1) they are scared, 2) it is "strange" not to 3) it's what the media tells us we should do (just look in movies - all women give birth on their backs with an epidural!) 4) not doing the norm would be inconvenient 5) we are trained not to question medicine, and/or 6)natural is wierd (though we are in an organic food boom right now!). Now, I will also quickly tell you how I feel about induction - which is that it sucks. Of course, 2-3 weeks past a due date, I realize that there is reason to induce, medical reasoning, though for centuries babies were born without induction. Doctors induce for fear of the baby being born too big. Yet, I was born three weeks late and was only 7 pounds. Can you imagine how I might have been if they had induced my mother (Mom - I know it was hot and humid, but thank you!). Same with PJ - he was late as well - and we were both fine. But with induction, we might have been born underdeveloped! Anyway, why should we interfere with nature? Doctors have created due dates, which are really false. No two babies are alike and no two babies gestate for the same amount of time. They will come when they are ready. And that is how I will proceed, god willing. It may not fit with a timeline and may happen at an inconvenient time, but that's just the deal - it is a part of life and why should our doctors interfere?

Back to natural childbirth. Yes, I am sure childbirth is painful. But I have yet to hear from anyone that is not - drugs or not. Yes, I realize with the epidural, women stop feeling - but who wants that? Of course birth is painful - why shouldn't it be? But with proper preparation, most women can handle it (again, yes, there are times when medication or c-sections are necessary - but not the % that they happen in the US!). Would you run a marathon without preparation? You could - but it would HURT more than they already do. With training, marathons are still painful, but you learn how to mentally and physically prepare and follow through with the feat - same idea with the Bradley method. With a marathon - by training week after week and putting in miles and miles, your body gets used to the training. Your mind also becomes trained to deal with the hours of running. With the Bradley method, you also train your mind and body. Each week, we will do more to prepare. We start with basic relaxation and stretching, each week building up - just like marathon training. Since this method uses the husband as an active participant - the coach - PJ is very much included in all of the classes and preparation. We are a team in this! It took two to get here, and will take two to raise Baby McCool, so why not two to birth baby as well?

I know I can do this. I also know it won't be easy. I know it's not for everyone, but I wish this were a more widespread practice. It makes me sad to think that so many women are passive in the labor and delivery process, putting all their trust in the doctor and medical team and giving no thought to birth ahead of time except, "doctor knows best" and "give me the epidural". We know our bodies best, and if we learn to listen to our bodies, can help make the best decisions for our children. No one has ever studies the long term effects of an epidural - though it is well known that is causes grogginess in a newborn, effects that last for a while. That is something I know I don't want - I want to hold my baby right away, and to breastfeed right away and have it look in my eyes right away. It will be a few hours before they can pry the little one from my hands!

It is okay to question common thought and challenge mainstream culture. I hope that my experience will encourage others to consider this method, or to at least have them start questioning why we just accept so much of what is offered. Just because something is mainstream doesn't mean it is best.

This was such a brief rant - please accept my apologies. But, if I have inspired you to learn more - read Dr Bradley's book -Husband Coached Childbirth. Also, visit the website www.bradleybirth.com - enjoy! We'll see how my thoughts change as I do have 20 weeks to go - but I have to say, I have wanted natural childbirth for as long as I can remember - I am just glad that now I have reasons to back up why - but it was always just what seemed right. And for good reason.

CHANGING TOPICS!
Okay - so next Wed we will hopefully know what Baby McCool is - a boy or girl? Just for the record, I have had one dream about a girl baby and two dreams about a boy baby. My office also has a bet going, and boy is winning at the moment. One of my colleagues is due 2-3 weeks before me and the office correctly guessed she was having a girl (though we were split almost 50/50 in her case!). We'll see!

The house searching continues tomorrow!

Thanks for reading all of this - through my rant and beyond!