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12-05-2012 at 12:18 PM
chance_enc...
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Joined on 07-30-2009
Sparks, NV
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chance_encounters is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 8:47 AMSilver

Bradley Method/Drug Free Birth question...

I would like to know if any of you used the Bradley birthing method.  Did it work for you? Any tips or advice to go along with it?  This is my 3rd child BUT I had an epidural with both of them for different reasons. The last time they scraped my spine with the needle and it hurt for over a year. Plus I get severe headaches for a month and I am trying to avoid that. Going natural scares the crap out of me but the benefits outweigh the fear :)  Thanks ladies for any advice you give!!!

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12-05-2012 at 12:53 PM
viking15
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viking15 is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 8:09 PMNewbie
I used the Bradley Method. I found the classes to be very informative. It made me believe in natural birth. I can't say that labor was easy breezy, but I got thru it and now I don't even remember what it really felt like anymore. Your significant other will need to be on board. My husband went to almost all the classes. His work schedule really sucks. It helped having him coach me, and when he wasn't paying attention to me it really made me very angry. I told him a couple of times if he didn't put down his iPhone I was going to throw it in the toilet.
Now, I have to disclose that I ended up with a csection delivery. I pushed for 5 hours, and my girl just wouldn't come out. She was sunny side up and 9 lbs 2 ozs. I was told by my midwife that she was not sunny side up and that she should be coming out no problem. I don't know if she just screwed up or if she was trying to encourage me. I didn't know she was malpositioned until the csection was well under way. There were things that could have been done to help positioning, but according to the head midwife I spoke to after the fact they probably wouldn't have helped.
So, as a prep class I really felt empowered and educated about child birth and the options. I recommend it. My instructor said to me afterward that it is about knowledge of options and healthy baby and healthy mom are the most important outcomes.

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12-05-2012 at 1:21 PM
CLLDLL
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Joined on 08-22-2011
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CLLDLL is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:26 AMSilver
I didn't take Bradley classes, but did have a med free birth.  Wanted to say that probably the best thing you can do is find a way to get over any fears you have about birth/the pain.  Bradley, Hypnobirthing, even just reasearching an reading other's NB stories can do that. Then it's just a matter of believing in yourself.  Will your birth go exactly as you picture it? Probably not, but if you go into it educated and not afraid you'll be able to make the right choices for you and LO.  Good luck to you and congrats on the pregnancy!!

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12-05-2012 at 2:16 PM
BLuvsE
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Joined on 02-28-2011
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BLuvsE is not online. Last active: 05-12-2013, 4:49 PMBronze
Read the Bradley book, but didn't do classes. My birth went 'as planned' until the end. I labored for 22 hours and pushed for 2.5 then my body lost all it's energy and contractions stopped. They had to take him with the vacuum.

I recommend doing the exercises religiously. I keep wondering how it would have been different if I had. Also, my midwife yelling at me to push harder was just frustrating and i wish I'd had the balls to tell her to hush so i could focus. Don't be afraid to be rude to protect your child.

 
12-05-2012 at 3:24 PM
CurlyQ284
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CurlyQ284 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 9:20 AMSilver
I read the book but didn't do the classes. DH was a fabulous coach andi had a doula. Unfortunately, I got stuck at 7 cm for four hours and my cervix started thickening again. I had to get an epi and pitocin to move me along. Up until then it went OK though. Not sure if this helps or not...

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12-06-2012 at 12:15 AM
anonsouthe...
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Joined on 02-26-2009
Baltimore, MD
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anonsouthernbell is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 11:03 PMSilver
Did the class first pregnancy and have had two med free births.  It was great and empowering for me (both the births and the classes).  I'd totally recommend them and hiring a doula.  GL!

 
12-06-2012 at 3:45 PM
joules235
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Joined on 10-30-2009
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joules235 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 2:53 AMBronze

I did Hypnobabies and loved it! I don't know anything about the Bradley method but I'm all for drug free childbirth. I gave birth at a freestanding birth center with a midwife. I would strongly suggest hiring a midwife even if you do a hospital birth, they are better then the doctors at facilitating a natural birth! When I interviewed my midwife she was open, honest and didn't sugarcoat anything. She laid out her credentials, her history in the practice and her experience in a matter of fact way not in a boastful manner. She was also warm and motherly and I felt totally at ease in her care. My baby was 8lb7oz and 21 inches long, good sized baby, and thanks to my midwife coaching me through pushing I didn't tear. Which was remarkable because LO had her hand on her face and a rather large head, tears are common in medicated/doctor facilitated deliveries when babies are born in this position.

Find a birthing program you are comfortable with and seek advice/guidance from a midwife. Interview a few until you find one you are comfortable with, I couldn't have done half as well without my midwife. I'm actually kinda bummed that I'm not still pregnant cause I don't get to go see her every week now... jk but really, midwives are amazing!


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12-06-2012 at 8:55 PM
snowsjo
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snowsjo is not online. Last active: 04-14-2013, 1:03 PMNewbie
I read the book but didn't take a class and had a natural delivery. From my first contraction until my son was born was about 13 hours and I was stuck at 3cm for a long time. I asked for an epidural after about 6 hours of laboring but I waited too long and by the time they were finally going to give it to me, my water broke and my son was born minutes later. In the end I took two things away 1 I wish I did more research into other pain management options as a plan b since you cannot predict or plan labor. 2 labor is a lot more mentally difficult, in my opinion, than physically difficult and I was so happy when my son was born that I did not get the epidural and he arrived naturally. I really think that you should go into labor with an open mind and be prepared for all possible scenarios.
 
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