First Bradley Class!

It seems to be quite a popular thing now for expecting couples to take Bradley classes for preparation for natural childbirth. I know quite a few people that are taking them this year. It is something that I heard about 2 years ago and always knew I wanted try if we ever got pregnant. For me, natural seems like a more rewarding experience and obviously has some benefits for our baby as well. The tendency is that labors go faster, there is less need for intervention (C-section, vacuum, forceps), recovery is quicker for mom, and breastfeeding often happens more quickly and successfully (although I don't think my epidural friends have had more trouble than my non-pain meds friends have with breastfeeding).

We've got our eyes wide open going into the process, however-- if the need for intervention comes (induction, C-section, episiotomy, etc.) we'll just have to roll with it and let the training do all that it can to help us anyway. We have great midwives set up to help with the birth at a top notch hospital with a NICU, so it is the best of both worlds in my opinion. The midwives will be patient with the labor process and provide more support for natural childbirth. But there are doctors and anesthesioligists on call in the hospital if the need for intervention arises. Both sides of the coin give me comfort.

Our first class was this past Monday night. It was really interesting to learn the background on Dr. Bradley and some of the foundational principles that the Bradley method is based upon. But I think that the best thing that I took away from this is how involved Greg is going to be both in these last 18+ weeks of pregnancy and in the birth itself. He has to help me do strength building exercises and relaxation exercises daily. We have to plan our meals carefully to account for my daily protein and calcium needs. Basically, we'll be doing this prep thing together and it ends up being such a team effort to bring our baby into the world. A little intensive and very time consuming? Yes. Our days just got a lot busier. A little hippy-ish? Yes. But worth it for our marriage relationship and for the baby? Definitely. I'll be curious to see if I have one of these "amazing", calm, joyful birth experiences that they rave about. I know it will be the most amazing moment ever no matter what the process looks like. But this just sounds like a neat way to do it. I am looking forward to learning more!