I assume that you are here because you want something
different than "the norm" for your birth experience, and that you
want to find out what else is available "outside of that norm."
I am excited to help you begin this journey to explore and
achieve your goals of having a positive, healthy, satisfying, and empowering
pregnancy and birth experience. Additionally, there are so many changes
that take place after your baby is born. I would also like to help you
smoothly transition into your role(s) as a parent(s).
Please click on the "About Me" tab to learn more
about my background and experience. You'll find a list of everything that
is included in the class fee under the "My Classes" tab.
I readily acknowledge that many family units today are not
the "traditional mom/wife and dad/husband" ones and my classes
reflect this, so please do not be put off by the whole "husband
coached" thing. I have had many "non-traditional" families
in my classes and welcome the diversity.
The Bradley Method® isn't just about
"natural childbirth." Other aspect to consider include:
- Healthier mom and
baby...staying healthy and low risk during pregnancy means you
automatically reduce your risk for unnecessary interventions.
- Ways to make your
pregnancy more comfortable (for instance, "back pain or heartburn or
what is that stabbing pain I keep getting?").
- Lots of tips and techniques to
help you successfully manage your labor (physical, mental, and emotional)
which translates into a shorter and easier labor.
- Relaxation is the key to
natural childbirth. Our first reaction when we are in pain is not to
"let go." It is to tense up (and maybe say a few choice
words). So, relaxing/letting go when we are in pain isn't
natural. That means that we have to learn how to do that.
There are 3 different types of relaxation...physical (which we are
probably most familiar with), mental, and emotional. All 3 are
essential for complete relaxation (the key to natural childbirth).
In the Bradley Method, we start out with physical relaxation and then
incorporate the mental and then emotional aspects...And, we are highly
successful with these techniques.
- Greatly reduced risk for
cesarean birth and all other interventions...Last year 79% of my couples,
who started labor on their own [not induced or a scheduled cesarean], had
their babies naturally. Wichita had a 44% cesarean rate in 2013, the
national epidural rate is 90-95% and the induction rate is about 24%.
- Positive
communication between couples and between couples and their
caregiver. This is absolutely essential to have a good birth.
- Knowledgeable
couples making truly informed decisions leads to a positive/satisfying
birth experience.
- Breastfeeding, okay,
WOW...not only is it great for babies (superior nutrition, immunological,
and developmental wise), it's great for mom and the whole family
unit. From a personal perspective, I can say with complete
confidence, that breastfeeding my babies was one of THE most incredible
things I have done in my life. I am also a huge advocate of sleeping
with your baby (under the right conditions) and this contributes to
successful/extended breastfeeding as well as increased infant brain
development.
- Decreased postpartum
issues. You will learn how to successfully navigate the initial
postpartum period. In childbirth prep classes, we focus so much on
the "birth" day that we often don't address all that happens
after you take your baby home. In this class we address how to
successfully make that transition. Your life will never be the same
(and that is great), but it does involve a lot of changes that you may not
have considered. Additionally, I provide postpartum support to my
parents.
Here's what one of my Bradley moms had to say recently,
after starting the class:
"Just wanted to say a quick thank you to you, Wendy,
for last night's class (class 4). Originally I kinda had to convince J that we
should take it, but today he texted me this: 'Thanks for initiating us taking
this Bradley method class. Last night was sort of a 'light bulb' moment for me
seeing the difference between induced babies and the naturally birthed ones. It
all made me feel like this way is going to be worth it.'
We really appreciate all the time and advice that you're able to give us...So,
thanks so much already for helping us get a grasp on what all is involved
throughout the birthing process and for helping us not feel overwhelmed. I know
we're going to be able to be in control, and that already gives me so much
peace going into it." DJ
Call or e-mail for a detailed information package. I
would love to talk to you more about The Bradley Method® and how I
can help you have a truly Happy Birth-Day!
References available upon request.