Should i become a bradley instructor

Sadly, this is not a new state of affairs. I have been hearing comments like the ones below since I started teaching in We are constantly updating our classes to include the latest research. The course book — Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way — was just revised and re-issued in But, truthfully 3 months is how long it takes for a human being to fully integrate a new thought process, nutrition or exercise plan.

Information is layered, and taught in different ways, so that birthing people and their support partners develop muscle memory. This allows to them fall easily into the support patterns, and comfort measures they have learned while working together.

They learn how to stay healthy and low risk, what their rights are, and how to communicate with their birth team. Students leave with the ability and knowledge they need to make tough, but informed choices, that are right for them, and their families.

As a result, Bradley has the highest unmedicated, vaginal birth rate of any other method, and is ranked by the Sears parenting library as the best class if you wish to avoid a cesarean. And Bradley classes welcome, and educate, birth partners of all kinds. Shortly after giving birth to our daughter, we found out that our instructors would be moving very far away. This would be leaving a gap in our community that I felt called to fill.

Giving the expecting parents in our area more options for childbirth education than just hospital classes. I have been teaching this class for over 2 years and in that time I have realized some things.

It is also not just in my area. Numerous professional doulas that I think highly of had some very harsh feelings towards this method. I continued to defend it and my choice to teach. It took a while though to realize things about myself. They were right! While I feel there is a lot of merit in the information that is taught, there are also many things I do not agree with.

One of the biggest is hearing how some students not mine feel like failures or ashamed of their birth experience after taking the class. There was art and love with motherblessings with belly henna and beads , and bellydancing, and yoga, and a Mommy Goddess tank top, and I could go on about other help and healing modalities, but the point is: It took a village to have a VBAC.

I drew probably a lot more than I realize on what I learned in Bradley, but I am not a one-approach kind of gal. So goodbye, Bradley list.

I wish you well, and I will speak highly of your owners. I loved having a home birth! It came after 6 hospital births — no midwives around! Which of course totally went against the norm but then who cares? Other elements, like nutrition, relaxation, and coaching, help to create a calm and healthy environment for a natural birth. Whether you prefer a home birth, birthing center, or hospital, here are a few key components of The Bradley Method childbirth experience:.

The Bradley Method typically includes 12 weekly classes of instruction for you and your partner with review sessions up until you give birth. The preparation course includes the following 12 units:. From the final stages of pregnancy to early parenting, The Bradley Method classes teach both you and your partner prenatal nutrition and exercise, relaxation techniques for easier birth, and parenting skills.

Your partner will learn coaching techniques to help you manage stress throughout labor and birth, and you will learn breathing and relaxation techniques to aid your body in an unmedicated birth. While mental and emotional preparation is key, childbirth is physically demanding. With The Bradley Method, you will receive a student workbook with a variety of physical exercises and stretches to help you prepare for delivery throughout your third trimester.