Recently a popular Podcast interviewed a Lamaze instructor about recommendations for Childbirth classes. Naturally that person recommended what she was most familiar with. Unfortunately she also took that moment to criticize her competition – namely The Bradley Method(r). Now as an instructor of Bradley Natural Childbirth classes for 26 years, and one of the founders of Rochester Area Birth Network, I was rather dismayed. These type of negative remarks for the sake of competition always make me sad. Birth workers who are striving to improve health conditions, and birth experiences for pregnant families should not be competing with each other.
Let me start by introducing myself: I am a Bradley Certified Childbirth Educator, who has been teaching and researching for 26 years, and a certified Paralegal. I have taken both Lamaze and Bradley classes, and birthed with, and without, pain medications. I have also breastfed both my sons. So, having been teaching for almost twice as long as the person interviewed, I feel that I am qualified to comment on the idea of a Lamaze instructor criticizing another type of class that she has never attended (to my knowledge). Sadly, this is not a new state of affairs. I have been hearing comments like the ones below since I started teaching in 1995.
“Bradley is outdated” – Well, considering how much time I (and all my sister Bradley teachers) spend doing research to make sure what we teach is totally evidence/research based, I beg to differ. 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 2018.
“Bradley classes are too long” – They are designed to be incredibly comprehensive, and it takes time to cover everything. 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.
“Not everyone has (or wants) a Husband” – Yes. And Bradley classes welcome, and educate, birth partners of all kinds. In my 26 years of teaching I have had students and families of many kinds. Great effort is made to be respectful to all present, and meet their individual needs. But commonly, families who take Bradley classes want their beloved partner to be present, and to have the knowledge that allows them to be present without fear.
“Teachers have to have experienced an undrugged, vaginal birth, and breast/chest fed their babies” – Yes, and no. But that actually might not be a bad thing, since they have to teach it. I personally know a former Bradley instructor who became a teacher after having a long labor, and a Cesarean birth. It did not stop her from certifying. Dr. Marsden Wagner published a piece called “Fish Can’t see water”. He meant that if you only experience one type of thing then it is hard to depart from that. It may be that the best teacher is the one who has the broadest experience, and is the most creative. But, most families who choose The Bradley Method desire a natural birth. If that’s one of your goals, isn’t it best to learn from someone who has that experience?
In the mean time, find a class that is the most comprehensive (covers the most information, and teaches many different techniques), and meets YOUR needs. Interview the potential instructor. If I had listened to the Midwife who told me not to take Bradley classes, I would have had a very different life. Go with your gut, and don’t hesitate to research all your options. And if you need help in that endeavor, let me know. I would be happy to help you find what you need, not just what others think you should have.
To find out more about Bradley classes in the Rochster Area check out our schedules page.
Happy Baby to you!
Amy
Amy V. Haas, BCCE
ajvhaas@gmail.com
www.healthybirth.net
PS. You can also find a teacher in your area by checking out the National Bradley Instructors list on the main website: http://www.bradleybirth.com/Directory.aspx
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