Bradley Method: What Is It And What Are Its Advantages

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The Bradley method of childbirth is the method that emphasizes mainly the techniques of relaxation as a major part of childbirth and also empowers women to have confidence in their strength. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports state that about 61% of women who opt for vaginal delivery seek the assistance of epidural or anesthesia while in labor (1). In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also recommends using an epidural for expectant mothers upon request (2). Read on to know more about the Bradley method and its benefits.

What Is The Bradley Method Of Childbirth?

It is a natural childbirth method designed in the late 1940s, by the American obstetrician Dr. Robert Bradley. The Bradley method aims to encourage women to go into labor and deliver the child without taking any pain medications. It seeks to offer natural, painless, and pleasurable birthing experience to expecting moms.

Bradley’s method is a 12-week program that tells the expecting couple about diet, nutrition, relaxation techniques, labor, postpartum experiences, nursing, and the husband’s role. It is more comprehensive than other prenatal education programs.

This method is also known as ‘husband-coached childbirth’, as the husband plays a key role in helping the wife with postures, breathing exercises, and techniques to manage pain during labor.

And this elaborate preparation needs to begin way before your due date.

When Can You Attend The Classes?

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You can start attending classes from the fifth month of pregnancy so that you have enough time to practice labor techniques. It is a 12-week course.

Usually, the Bradley institute instructors conduct the classes at your home, so that you are comfortable enough to ask queries if any.

What Is Taught In Bradley Childbirth Classes?

The Bradley’s method emphasizes the natural birthing experience, but it also prepares the couple for unexpected complications and emergencies that might require a C-section.

Here is a brief overview of the 12-class course (3):

• Classes 1-3 focus on nutrition, exercise, and pregnancy. The Bradley Method follows Dr. Brewer’s diet. These sessions also teach you kegel exercises, tailor sitting, squatting, and pelvic rocks, which help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and get the baby into the right position.

• Classes 4-5 focus on the role of the coach (husband) and introduce the parents-to-be to the first stage of labor. This session helps you adapt to new habits and attitudes, understand the process, and apply what you have learned.

• Class 6 introduces the second stage of labor.

• In class 7, the couple makes a birth plan not exceeding 15 pages.

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• Class 8 prepares you for unexpected situations during delivery and also focuses on the postpartum preparations.

• Classes 9-10 teach about the pain management techniques for the first and second stages of labor.

Anna Runyan, a mother of two, followed The Bradley Method for her deliveries. Sharing her second childbirth experience, she says, “Initially, contractions felt like very light period cramps, so I kept telling myself not to get my hopes up. I laid in bed for two hours, just letting them come and go because they weren’t consistent or very painful at all.

“I woke up and walked around to see if the contractions continued. They did, so I knew this was it… I laid on the couch in a side-lying position I learned in our Bradley Method class. It was the same position that I used in early labor with Mila. The position was unbearable this time and so much more painful than I remember. I wanted to scream during my contractions, but Mila was still around having breakfast, so I didn’t want to freak her out… Everything I learned from the Bradley Method made me know I could not push yet since I was not in a hospital. At the hospital… Sienna just needed three little pushes, and she flew out (ⅰ).”

• Class 11 teaches the husband how to be a good coach. The couple is asked to rehearse and practice all the techniques they have learned.

• Class 12, which is an optional session, covers topics on breastfeeding, care for the newborn, and parenting.

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Above all, the course aims to teach you techniques that ease the labor pain by relaxing the body.

Relaxation Methods Taught In Bradley Classes

Here are a few relaxation techniques of the Bradley Method you can practice at home.

• Sleep imitation is one of the best relaxation techniques to practice during the first stage of labor when the pain is frequent. Begin by resting on a bed with your eyes closed and face relaxed. Slowly start breathing, consciously, with your belly. This helps you relax and sleep. If you are able to sleep during the early contractions, you will have enough energy to prepare for the next stages of labor.

• The breathing technique taught in the Bradley method helps you to focus on counting the breaths. Also, the length of the breath you exhale should be longer than the length of the breath you inhale. This helps you deal with labor pain better.

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• Creating a pleasant ambiance in the room: A quiet room with diffused lighting and soft music creates a recreational environment, which works well for you during the first stage of labor. Combined with the controlled breathing technique, a relaxing ambiance can help you deal with the labor pain effectively.

Besides these, you may also learn other relaxation techniques, some of which may work for you and some may not. The aim is to find the one that best helps you deal with the pain.

So, how good or bad is Bradley’s method? Let’s see next.

Quick tip

Wearing loose clothes and emptying your bladder may help you relax better during labor (7).

The Benefits Of Bradley’s Method

Here are some good things the method has for the mothers (3):

• Teaches a woman how to relax during labor and childbirth.

• Explains about the complications that may occur during pregnancy. Informs about the risks of using medications or drugs during labor and the necessity of a c-section during delivery.

• Also focuses on nutrition during pregnancy, while teaching the mom how to stay healthy and minimize the risk of complications in pregnancy.

• Emphasizes partner involvement or coach’s support during labor and delivery.

• Helps develop a great bond between the mother and the baby.

Things to know

Women with low-risk pregnancies may choose natural birthing techniques to avoid possible side effects of medicines (8).

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The only disadvantage of this method is that it appears to be biased towards cesarean deliveries as it promotes physiological birth This can make some women reluctant to opt for the procedure even in the case of a medical emergency.

Bradley Method Vs Lamaze Method

Some subtle similarities and differences between Bradley and Lamaze childbirth techniques include:

• Bradley’s method involves the husband or partner in the childbirth process and advises women to prepare for natural birth without medical intervention. On the other hand, the Lamaze method focuses on breathing techniques that would help women divert their focus from pain and experience more relaxation during the birthing process.
• Bradley’s technique teaches parents about the different labor phases and instructs them to respond to the changes in the mother’s body. It advises parents to employ deep breathing and relaxation methods to cope with labor. In contrast, Lamaze focuses on pleasurable memories to distract the mother from the pain. Changing labor positions and using birthing balls and hot and cold packs are also often mentioned in Lamaze classes to ease contractions.
• The Bradley method rejects the concept of ‘distraction’ as a labor coping mechanism and opposes the use of painkillers and cesarean sections unless necessary. On the other hand, Lamaze is a more accepting approach that offers a neutral stance about painkillers and other medical and surgical treatments, allowing the couple to make independent decisions (4).
  Frequently Asked Questions

Infographic: Bradley Method Of Childbirth And Its Advantages

Labor and childbirth can be challenging; therefore, many childbirth classes, including Bradley classes, help prepare the pregnant woman and her partner for labor and delivery. The following infographic explains some relaxation methods in Bradley’s childbirth and their benefits.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Bradley Method: What Is It And What Are Its Advantages

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

Know how to have natural childbirth with the Bradley Method! Discover the tools and techniques to help you have a safe and empowering birth experience.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Erica AndrewsBA

Erica Andrews wears several hats as a midwife, anthropologist, storyteller, and placenta aficionado. With over 10 years of experience as a midwife and in the alternative medicine industry, she advocates female empowerment and considers giving birth sacred.

Read full bio of Erica Andrews

Sakshi MishraMSc

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. She has worked on a research project, “In silico ligand designing exhibiting anti-diabetic activity derived from responsible phytochemicals of selected herbs.

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Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das