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 BRADLEY METHOD® OF NATURAL CHILDBIRTH

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF THE BRADLEY METHOD
The Bradley Method of natural childbirth was created in the '50s by Dr. Robert A. Bradley, OB/GYN and popularized by his bestselling book "Husband-Coached Childbirth."  The Bradley Method emphasizes measures that can be taken by mothers to help ensure a healthy and low-risk pregnancy, thus avoiding drugs or surgery during labor and delivery. It boasts of having helped over a half million couples have natural births, 96% of the births did not require drugs or other interventions.

What is it used for?
BRADLEY METHOD BENEFITS
In October of 2002, The Maternity Center Association released a national survey of women's childbearing experiences called the "Listening to Mothers" Survey.  One element that stood out clearly; it was difficult for the average mother to have a natural birth in the current hospital environment.  By contrast, a high percentage of Bradley mothers who are able to deliver vaginally, do so without drugs. The rate of cesarean sections for Bradley mothers are known to be considerably lower than the national average.  While there are many effective drugs available to make women more comfortable during childbirth, the Bradley Method stresses that they all have potential side effects that can often negatively impact the experience for both mother and baby.
 
For the mother these may include:
 
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness (analgesics/general anesthesia)
- Heaviness or difficulty moving legs (epidural/local anesthesia)
- Having to lay flat on back for 4 to 8 hours after delivery (spinal block)
- Loss of urge to push, requiring IVs, fetal monitors and forceps delivery (spinal block/local anesthesia)
- Incomplete pain relief (epidural)
- Blood pressure drop/grogginess after birth which can make it difficult to hold and bond with baby (general anesthesia)
 
For the infant they may include:
 
- Respiratory difficulties, poor sucking, slower reflexes at birth (analgesics)
- Maternal blood pressure drop may decrease oxygen flow to baby (epidural/spinal block)
- Drugs may cross placenta and affect baby (general anesthesia)
- Head trauma sue to forceps or vacuum (general anesthesia)

First measured at less than 5% in 1965, and national United States caesarean section rate has been increasing steadily over the past decades. Today over one-third of mothers delivers by caesarean section, the highest rate ever recorded in the United States.  The survey of mothers noted that women who had cesarean sections cited pain at the incision site as a major (25%) or minor (58%) problem in the first two months postpartum. Seven percent had persistent pain for six months or more. The rate of cesarean sections for Bradley mothers is much lower than the national average. 

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF THE BRADLEY METHOD
Dr. Bradley conceptualized his method as an alternative to what he coined “knock ‘em out/drag ‘em out” obstetrics.  "Twilight Sleep" and general anesthesia were common in hospital deliveries. A former Kansas farm boy, Dr. Bradley believed that human women, like the animals he had observed while growing up, were designed to give birth naturally and safely. He envisioned a "hands off" approach that taught women to do what animals did instinctively.  In his busy Colorado obstetrics practice, he began to test his method using pregnant nurses as a trial. 

Dr. Bradley noted that a father’s involvement during the birthing process enhanced the mother’s chance of delivering naturally. He became a pioneer in including fathers in the birth process and eventually expanded his childbirth method to include extensive instruction of the father or partner as labor coach.

Begun by Dr. Bradley in 1970, the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirthâ educates those wishing to teach the Bradley Methodâ.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF THE BRADLEY METHOD
The Bradley Method is based on the tenet that a natural childbirth without drugs or unnecessary interventions is most likely to produce healthy babies and maintain the mother’s health.  Substantial aspects of the method include the use of relaxation and breathing practices to manage the discomfort of labor, and the importance of the father as the mother’s coach and partner during labor and delivery.  The expectant couple is educated in the variety of services and procedures available in the birthing process so they may make beneficial decisions.

How is it done?
WHAT BRADLEY METHOD CLASSES ARE GENERALLY LIKE

Class 1 - Introduction
Will learn the history, philosophy and goals of the Bradley Method.  Study ways to maintain health and introduce pregnancy exercises to encourage a low risk pregnancy.  Discuss how to handle pain and how to possibly avoid unnecessary pain during labor. Practice relaxation exercises. 

Class 2 - Nutrition
Focus on the important nutrients needed, and proper portions.  Evaluate diet and encourage ways of improvement if necessary.  Discuss sex during pregnancy, and breastfeeding.  Continue to study ways to maintain health and low risk status; along with reviewing pregnancy exercises.

Class 3 - Pregnancy
Discuss changes the body goes through during pregnancy; focus on anatomy and physiology for better understanding to both mother and coach.  Go over common discomforts and ways to handle them naturally.  Begin to discuss some choices you may face in regards to labor and birth.

Class 4 - The Coach's Role
Primarily focuses on pregnancy and childbirth from the coach's view. Goes over the importance of natural childbirth, coaching during pregnancy, bonding, and the partner's role in breastfeeding.  Discusses drugs, myths, and concludes study on maintaining a low risk pregnancy.

Class 5 - Intro to First Stage Labor
Will cover the anatomy and physiology, and how the body works in first stage labor.  Affirm respect for the natural process, and examine built-in safeguards.  Teach basic coaching techniques, and how to practice them together.  Prepping procedures for standard hospital procedures will also be covered.

Class 6 - Intro to Second Stage Labor
Will cover the anatomy and physiology, and how the body works in the second stage of labor while continuing to stress respect for the natural process.  Will discuss the natural alignment plateau and the fetal Heimlich maneuver.  Cover pushing techniques, second stage positions, and the coach's role.  Brief discussion of the third stage.

Class 7 - Planning your Birth
Covers consumer information, and how to make a birth plan.  Discuss your choices, evaluating your feelings, listing priorities, and how to present them in a positive way to your medical team. Also, a first stage labor rehearsal.

Class 8 - Variations, Complications and Postpartum Preparation
Cover various complications that may occur, and how to possibly avoid them.  How to evaluate when it may be necessary to intervene, and how to handle it. Also, covers information about care for mother after baby is born.

Class 9 - Advanced First Stage Techniques
Advanced coaching to well prepare you for the first stage of labor.  Also, have labor rehearsal and some role playing.

Class 10 - Advanced Second Stage Techniques
Begins with advanced labor rehearsal to pull all of the information received to date.  Will also cover the Second Stage of labor to insure that there is a full understanding and preparation for it.

Class 11 - Being a Great Coach/ Are you Ready?
A comprehensive review of the Bradley Energy Saving Technique (B.E.S.T.) covering important points you will use during labor.  Gives coaches information on how to handle possible challenges the may face during the labor process.  Discussed emergency childbirth to ensure preparation for unforeseen complications such as delivery in an unplanned location.  

Class 12 - Preparing for your new family
Begins with advanced labor rehearsal, and will then go over the conclusion of the program called "your labor and birth."  Will conclude with an overview of newborn care, mothering, fathering, breastfeeding, handling a baby crying, and adjusting to changes you may face during this time.   

Who does it?
PRACTITIONERS OF THE BRADLEY METHOD
Bradley Method instructors are certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (AAHCC.) Instructors must be certified by the AAHCC to provide education in the Bradley Method, and the phrases “Husband-Coached Childbirthâ and “The Bradley Methodâ” have been registered to protect this process.

Bradley Method educators must complete a three-pronged training comprised of academic education, instructor training seminars, and student teaching.