Customer Reviews

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition

5 star:		(145)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

My first child was born after we attended Lamaze classes. Nothing in that birth was as I 'planned' and everything I did not want to happen...happened. I was an observer of a process that did not feel related to me.

During my second pregnancy we bought this book and attended the Bradley classes. This birth was excellent and wonderful!! I delivered a 10lb 3oz. baby boy with absolutely NO interventions (IV, drugs, epesiotomy etc.) and LOVED every minute of it. It was MY birth!

This book and the associated classes made all the difference in the world!! This book is not meant for those looking for the 'middle ground'. Bradley childbirth is NOT the 'middle ground'. If you are looking for reassurrance, practical relaxation techniques and guidance for your coach AND you are planning for a natural, personal childbirth THEN this is the book for you!!

I found this book extremely informative on Bradley technique but kind of scary when talking about alternatives and hospitals. After having two babies using medications, I was desperate to find another option. The book is extremely good about detailing the feelings you have during pregnancy and childbirth. Working on the birthing techniques with my husband was priceless and helped create a special bond between us. After having our third child without medication I have got to tell everyone how much better a drug free birthing experience can be! I only paniced once. I had praticed the pushing visualization so well it only took three pushes for our daughter to be born! The scary part can be avoided by skipping the information on Lamaze, hospitals, and doctors. It is out-dated and frightening. Move on to the excercises and have a wonderful birth experience!

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way is an excellent resource on the Bradley Method. Author, Susan McCutcheon introduces you to the Bradley Method, explains how it differs from Lamaze, discusses how to choose your childbirth educator and your doctor, explains the importance of nutrition and how to prepare yourself for this life transforming experience.

In addition to the general information she provides in helping you to prepare, she thoroughly walks you through the Bradley Method. Through exercise, illustration, nutrition, and practice, McCutcheon completely covers how you should prepare and deal with both First and Second Stage of Childbirth. Finally, she closes the text with a discussion of various childbirth controversies -- episiotomies, caesarean sections and homebirth.

This book excels in preparing you for a Natural Childbirth, as defined by the American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth -- a birth that is without unnecessary medical intervention. However, some view her tone as "fear tactics" or "outdated" ideas. I disagree. Rather, she educates you on the principles of Bradley and provides you with the ability to recognize when the medical personnel are undertaking a procedure for their convenience or for your best interest. In short, she provides you with information and proven tools to make informed decisions and take responsibility for your birth.

Despite the strengths of this book, I highly recommend that, whenever physically possible, the reader enroll in a Bradley class to supplement the reading in this book. If you *really* desire a Natural Childbirth, the class will provide you with the knowledge, practice and support you need to achieve your goals. Though this book is excellent, your instructor is almost essential -- she can guide you in recognizing when you need medical assistance and when you do not!

After having tried the Lamaze method and ending up with an epidural and feeling very "out of control" during my first delivery, I went in search of more information to help me through my second delivery. I happened upon this book at a garage sale and decided it was worth a gander.

While I agree with other reviewers that the book had some dated photos and information, this did not interfere with my personal purposes for buying the book.

Having gone through the process once, I was seeking a method which:

*informed me in detail about what my body was doing through the birthing process and how I could work "with it" (rather than "escape" from it)

*gave me natural alternatives for relaxation and bearing the pain (rather than "panting techniques," how to balance on a birthing ball, focusing on imaginary "special places," getting an epidural when I couldn't take it anymore, etc.)

*gave me exercises to prepare my body ahead of time for the physical demands of labor

*gave my husband information so he could be part of the process and feel confident in his ability to coach me through

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way proved to be the book that would meet these needs. Putting this information to use during my second labor was amazing. I was able to use the relaxation techniques at home for as long as possible. My husband was able to correctly judge when to get me to the hospital. We were able to get through the transition stage, knowing what the signposts were and that I was "almost there." I was only at the hospital an hour before my son was born. I felt great afterwards without drugs and was more than ready to go home the next day.

Having read this book "with a grain of salt," overlooking the harsh opinions about the medical profession, my husband and I used it as a tool to educate ourselves about my body. It gave us the confidence that with God's help and with an understanding of the design for birth, we could make it through. I was personally also grateful to have a very capable doctor and nurses who were very willing to work with me, and actually stated that they were very refreshed to see my husband and I working together for a "natural" birth.

In conclusion, every birth is different, but I see this book as a great tool to be used with an open mind, not knowing exactly what your personal labor will be like. It is important, however, to invest time in learning and practicing the methods in the book if you really want to reap the benefits.

i find the formatting of this book makes it an easy read. some pregnancy books i have read are overwhelming. the author takes the basic facts and makes them clear and simple, and i like the notations for the dads (birth partner) to zero in on. i noticed the dated photos but the birth process hasn't changed so i don't know why reviewers bother to mention it. i found her nutrition information to correlate with dr. tom brewer's studies on protein (author of "what every pregnant woman should know")and followed them in my pregnancy and did quite well. we found the relaxation information to be extremely helpful when we were in labor.

i wish that i had discovered this book (and taken a bradley class) when i was pregnant the first two times. it would've saved me from unnecessary interventions and provided me with the know-how to communicate with the doctors, and know that i had other alternatives in my births and didn't have to follow suit with routine procedures. this book has a very common sense approach and even though some people disagree with the author's statements regarding doctors because they didn't have a negative experience, i am glad that this information was in the book when i read it. if i had this information previously, i would've have had better birth experiences.

i highly recommend you put this book on your list. it really helps you to understand the importance of trusting your body's ability to give birth and how to manage your labor. bonus points for teaching our partners how to read our body signals, emotionally and physically! there really aren't books out there that are geared toward our partners (dads) helping us in labor. and this book really made a difference for us in our birth.

For a book that was revised in 1996, the information about hospital practices is very dated, and the author is antagonistic towards hospital personnel. As a labor and delivery nurse I know of no hospital (in my area at least) that straps a woman to a delivery table or condones the "routine" use of episiotomies and assisted births (forceps or vacuum). Also, rooming in (mom and baby not being separated) is the norm, rather than the exception. The descriptions of what happens pysiologically during labor and delivery are good and I find the relaxation information helpful, not only for my next birth, but to help the mom's I'm working with relax. Get the book, skip the skewed views on hospitals and medical personnel or get the low down on the hospital you'll birth in from several people who have birthed in the same hospital

If you are commited to natural childbirth, or even if you are only considering it, this book is a MUST read. The text presents a very detailed and easy to understand description of labor and birth - including many accurate illustrations and photographs. In addition, it provides a wealth of information for the husband (or birth "coach") - in far greater detail than I have found in any other resource. Many husbands today, are nothing more than "observers" in the delivery room. But with the Bradley Method, your husband will learn to be your advocate, your encouragement, and will have an active role in the birth of your child.

All three of my children were delivered (using the Bradley Method) without any medication or intervention, and I can ASSURE you that the techniques in this book are practical, logical and very effective. And my husband cherishes his important role in all of the births (as do I!).

I was a Bradley Method instructor and I think that this book is an excellent summary of the material I taught in the class. The illustrations clearly show what is happening physiologically during labor and I just love the photographs. The best thing about this book is that it clearly shows that a totally natural birth is really possible. For many of us, when we first decided to "go natural" we got no support from our friends and family. This book will reassure you that you aren't "crazy!"

The down side of this book is that it can seem hysterically negative about the medical profession and about Lamaze. To me, that isn't productive. I am afraid that the tone can be something of a turnoff, especially for people who are undecided about natural birth. And for those already committed to the idea of going without drugs, they don't need further convincing!

All in all, worth the money if you are interested in natural birth. I had a son with the Bradley Method and it was a wonderful experience.

Nine years ago I found myself pregnant with our second child. After attempting (and failing) a natural childbirth with my first chid I was desperate for anything that would help. The hospital taught "birthing" classes were usesless and spent more time talking about what to expect from an epidural. I had heard about the Bradley method but unfortunately the nearest class was 3 hours away. Then I found this book. My husband and I read it cover to cover and religiously practiced the exercises. That is the key. When you are in the midst of labor, you have to be able to instinctively do these relaxation/breathing techniques. It won't work well if you do not practice. A few minutes every night is good. My son's birth was amazing and nearly pain free- or at least it seemed that way because I was able to deal with the intensity of the contractions instead of being overwhelmed by them. I used this method with my 3rd child as well, again with the same results. This book is a must for any pregnant woman, whether you intend to go all natural or not. It will help you deal with the contractions and not feel so scared, and out of control. It will help you birth your baby by giving you confidence in yourself and your body's abilities. Buy this book!!

I couldn't take a Bradley class, so I got this book, among others, and read and practiced the techniques. When my first birth got complicated, I knew enough not to be afraid. My second birth was easy and drug-free, using this method. You don't need to be afraid of hospital personnel, as this book implies-- just get an idea of what to talk to your doctor about. This book helped me feel well-informed and able to take charge of our health care.