Thursday, March 29, 2012

BRADLEY CLASS (PART 2 OF 2)

Click here for my take in explaining the big picture of the Bradley class and what it's about.


So today I want to share more about why Marcel and I choose the Bradley method as our first approach in preparing for the childbirth.

Why are we interested in the natural childbirth without medication?
First and foremost, Marcel and I believe in God and the purpose He has with and in our lives.  It is written in Genesis that He has designed my body to do these: getting pregnant, enduring labor, and giving birth.


Secondly, our mothers and grandmothers gave birth to ALL their children (raging from 2, 4, 13, to 16 children per mother) naturally and without medication.  The mothers and children turned out healthy to these days (or in majority of their years while they're still alive).  Our parents and grandparents are our inspiration.


Thirdly, all throughout the pregnancy, we are to avoid drugs and medications.  Even eye drops to dilate eyes need to be avoided.  So I find it contradictory to use medication for pain treatment during labor and childbirth after the 40 weeks we have to avoid them.  After all, labor and childbirth are not created for us to suffer.  They are going to be painful ... but it's pain with purpose the way I see it.


Lastly, in our research of pain medication options available these days, not only that we learned the medications are fairly new (ex. = epidural for pain treatment was not found till 1980's) but also all have side effects.  It's too premature for me to understand that the benefits outweigh the risks because the children born and mothers gave birth with medications are still well into their younger age.  We haven't seen the full cycle of the side effects yet.  Whereas natural non-medicated birth has been proven since the beginning of time (ever since women could get pregnant and eventually give birth).


Why the Bradley method?
We researched several childbirth methods around.  It wasn't till Ci Kiki shared with me about this Bradley method that we finally read more about it.  Maybe because unmedicated natural childbirth is NOT a mainstream practice these days; thus, the Bradley method did not come up first in my search results.


I'm forever grateful for Ci Kiki in sharing the Bradley method and her experience giving birth to Wesley naturally without medication.  After further reading, discussing, and praying, Marcel and I decided that we want to use the Bradley method as our primary guide to childbirth because the approach and what the method values are in alignment with what we strongly believe in.


Why taking the Bradley class?
  1. First of all, I cannot be more grateful for a willing husband.  For us and his work schedule, it just so happened that being in a classroom will be more conducive to our learning and team work building
  2. We are blessed to have a free night that matches the class' schedule.  Why not utilize the free time for something beneficial for us right?
  3. Our teacher just so happens to live 3 minutes away from us
  4. We need the support system to comfortably ask and get encouragement from.  And the class allows that
  5. Finally, from earlier in the pregnancy, Marcel and I realized that there are many things we cannot control during labor and childbirth (from how long the labor will be until the on-site birth team at the birth place).  However, coming into these special life-changing moments (of pregnancy, laboring and giving birth) with knowledgewe believe, will help us to prepare, ask the right question to make informed decisions, and work better with the birth team.  And the class equips us with these and the tips/experience from other couples who had Bradley babies in the local birthing facilities (including our hospital)
So what's next?  A Bradley baby?
Even after taking the class, reading the books, and practicing the homework, these things do not guarantee that I will have a Bradley baby.  Marcel and I are at the point of comfortable with the things we have learned to prepare for a great and happy start with our baby.


Of course we are hoping to have a Bradley baby.  If for any reasons other alternatives need to be considered during the actual labor and childbirth, we do not regret having done all the preparation the Bradley way as this has equipped us with the knowledge we did not have before.


Below are some books you can read about the Bradley method.
 


If you or someone you know are looking into non-medicated natural childbirth, I hope this sharing will bless you.  I definitely will post again about our labor and birth experience once those happen.  For now, you can help by praying for the rest of our pregnancy period, our labor, and childbirth experience.


Have a blessed rest of the week.  And please do let me know if there is anything I can be praying for you today.

1 comment:

Kiki said...

Praying for your family, sisters. I wished we attended the Bradley class instead of the regular childbirth class we took. So grateful for the Bradley's book. They're right when the pain got overwhelming that means that the baby is almost out and it's time for pushing. :)