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!

18 weeks!

Today I am 18 weeks along - almost 1/2 way through the pregnancy!

Things are going well - I think I might be feeling the baby sometimes, but I can't tell. Everyone describes it as a different feeling, and what I have been feeling reminds me of a clenched fist in my stomach. It is interesting - hard to tell for sure. My appetite has definitely increased, but I cannot eat as much at a time anymore, so just eating more often, more like all the time! I am hungry as I write this! People are starting to be able to tell that I am prego as well - not shy about asking!!!! :) The other thing that has started happening is I get lightheaded if I get up too fast, so I am trying to be slower, which is tough for me!

Am headed to my local maternity consignment shop today to see if they got anything new in stock - need some tops finally - though they will still be too big. PJ and I are going to drive around some neighborhoods as well. Start our Bradley Method class next week - looking forward to that!

Went to A and N's wedding last weekend - funny picture of me dancing - enjoy!

15 week update

Things are going great - I feel good, I have more energy - thank goodness for the second trimester!

JOB UPDATE - alert alert......yes, I was promoted to "Senior Advisor" in my office. Woohoo!! I am going to help coordinate our learning community program and coordinate special events for the advising center in addition to my regular advising responsibilities (though I will spend less time on those to have time for new things!). I am really excited about the new opportunities that await me. I officially start on April 1, though I really started already. And there is a lot to take care of!

BABY UPDATE - baby McCool is doing great! Had a doctor's visit this morning and things are going fine. I need to drink more water, which I can swing. Honestly, I thought I was drinking enough - I am so thristy all the time and drink a lot already! I have gained a total of 8-10 lbs since I found out I was pregnant (sometimes I like to quote my pre-prego weight at my ideal weight and maybe I was a little heavier than that - especially since I hadn't been running due to my IT band). Anyway, my doctor is not concerned in the least. It seems like a lot, but most people still can't tell I am pregnant unless they know me really weel and don't think I have gotten much bigger! I am eating well, working out, sleeping lots, all the things I should be doing! I tried running last week - ha ha, that was a joke, but want to try again this weekend. Walking seems like the easier option now.....

We heard the heartbeat on the doppler today - it was really fast, maybe 168! The baby is really low too....probably why my pants don't fit! What do the wives tales say about that? Girl? Boy? :)

At my appt, my doctor and I discussed my desire for natural childbirth. Obviously, I would never put my child at danger and if need be, am open to changing the plan at the time. But, PJ and I are going to start a Bradley Method class this April - I am so excited! My doctor also recommended that we look into hiring a doula, which is something I had previously thought about. She said the Bradley method and support from a doula complement each other. Evidence proves that an experienced doula CAN help labor and often women who choose to have a doula have a lower % of c-sections and less need for other medical interventions. They also tend to have shorter labors (BONUS!). Yes, I know, it all depends on the situation and how things are going along at the time, but I think a doula is worth the money (it's like going out for a fancy steak dinner, which we enjoy, so we'll just have to skip one to pay for the doula!). I had done some research previously at dona.net and think I will start doing that again. My doctor actually encouraged me to bring whichever doula we select to a few appts so they can get to know each other. Great plan!

Starting next month, I will be seeing a doctor from my regular family practice since my doctor is having a baby in April! I will continue with the other doctor until she returns, but am happy to see either doctor, as they are both fantastic!

Next month we will also be scheduled to have our ultrasound to determine the gender of the baby. Can't wait! I am headed home in April for Courtney's marathon, and hope we can get the ultrasound scheduled before then, which would allow us to share the news with my family in person!

My pants are tight

Just two days since my last post, when I mentioned my clothes fit fine, but all of a sudden last night my jeans were tight, and I can feel tightness in my work pants today! What a quick change! Maybe I am just eating too much, oh well!

Went to a great class last night about Birthing Options at the hospital I hope to deliver in. It is so wonderful b/c the two OBs I will be seeing are both really into the natural approach, as is this hospital. The hospital totally supports the birthing plan on the mother and respects her wishes, with flexibility of course! We were able to tour some various Labor/Deliver/Recovery (LDR) rooms as well. They have 4 with birthing tubs in them, which are first come first serve, but I guess September is not a busy month. It was fascinating to see last night - and made me feel even MORE comfortable and excited about this all!

I also ordered a book online that I recieved yesterday called Active Birthing. It is all about the natural birthing process and discusses positions, breathing, preparation, all sorts of things to help you through. When you think about the typical Western medicine way that women often give birth, you can tell that it is not very natural - our cervix is not flat, nor does gravity go sideways, so sitting up, squatting, using a birthing ball, all of that, moves with the natural positions of the women's body. And active birthing encourages movement - which means not being all hooked up to monitors, but having intermittent monitoring of the baby and mother, which is JUST as effective! I love the idea and philosophy behind it all and feel that this approach will put me very much in touch with the way my body is feeling and the things that I will be going through!

Counting down to see the doctor!