Frequently Asked Questions

       The Bradley Method^® teaches natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. The Bradley Method^® is a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method^® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.

1.        How is The Bradley Method^® Unique?
1. 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 to avoid complications. Low risk mothers have more choices.
2. 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.
3. 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.

2.        Why Natural Childbirth?
The kind of pregnancy, labor, and birth our children experience has a profound and lifelong effect on their health, including 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.  Bradley Method® parents are often transformed by the birthing experience.  Their birth stories are often filled with beauty and power, not pain and fear. 

3.        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. If desired, local Bradley® instructors can also offer a list of care providers who embrace the Bradley Method.

4.        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 as they 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.

5.        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 to make their birth experience an even more beautiful and joyous event.

6.        What does The Bradley Method^® Teach?
1. Natural childbirth - Nearly 90% of Bradley^® moms having vaginal births do so without pain medication.
2. Active participation by the husband or other support person as coach.
3. Excellent nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and baby).
4. Avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, unless absolutely necessary. No drug has been proven safe for an unborn baby.
5. Training: weekly classes starting around the 5^th month and continuing until the birth.
6. Relaxation and NATURAL breathing - can be effective pain management techniques with training according to the National Institutes of Health.
7. "Tuning-in" to your own body and trusting the natural process.
8. Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby.
9. Breastfeeding, beginning at birth provides immunities and nutrition.
10. Consumerism and positive communications
11. Parents taking responsibility for the safety of the birth place, procedures, attendants, and emergency back-up.
12. Parents being prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth and cesarean section.

7.      Where do I find a supportive birthplace and care provider?

Bradley Method® students choose to have their babies in a variety of places.  Choices include a hospital, birth center, and home birth service.  If you desire, your instructor can offer a list of supportive birth places and care providers in your area.

8.        Are there any books I should read before I start?
Your Bradley Method® Instructor has an extensive lending library of books and movies available to students. Books that we feel are a good place to start 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