Bradley Method of Childbirth and Useful Bradley Method Exercises

Embracing nature throughout birth is the greatest way to end pregnancy and the healthiest way to begin your baby’s life.

In the late 1950s, natural childbirth began resurgence after a half a century of delivery interventions.

By the end of the 60s, Dr. Robert A. Bradley had begun teaching Husband–Coached Childbirth. This new method rivaled the more popular Lamaze technique.

Exercise encourages a healthy pregnancy and prepare mother and baby for the work out ahead.

Yoga, swimming, and walking are great low-impact choices. Some exercises in particular are perfect training for childbirth.

Squatting, pelvic rocking, tailor sitting, and leg lifts make stronger and stretch the groin and lower back area where the majority labor pain occurs.

The Kegel exercise should be at the top of the work out. It’s done by contracting, holding and release the vaginal muscles.

This method embrace the idea that childbirth is a natural process and that, with the right preparation, most women can avoid pain medication and routine intervention during labor and birth.

It’s named after American obstetrician Robert Bradley, who urbanized the method in the late 1940s.

The second class expands further on the dietary needs of the mother and teaches proper techniques of breast feeding.

The third class teaches the eager parents about the enlargement of the baby and the changes that are captivating place inside the mother’s body.

The fourth class covers the role of the father throughout the birthing process.

The fifth class discusses the first stage of labor. Parents are encouraged to practice rehearsing the labor procedure from this point on.

The method was first popularized by Dr. Robert Bradley in his book, “Husband-Coached Childbirth”.

Fundamental to the Bradley birth attitude is the belief that with adequate preparation and support from a loving, supportive coach (your partner), most women can obviously deliver their children. No drugs or surgery necessary!

Since the moment we first exposed that I was pregnant with our daughter, my husband and I were like sponges – we were committed to learning as much as possible about pregnancy and how I could best nourish and sustain our growing child.

The Bradley method was really suited to us for these reasons – it is not simply a method of delivery, it’s an teaching.

The Bradley method emphasizes the importance of healthy babies, healthy women and healthy families.

Bradley’s Method

So, what was Bradley’s secret?   Bradley supposed that women could be trained to work with their bodies, rather than next to their bodies, during labor.  

To date, of the 200,000 women (and their husbands) trained in the Bradley Method, their figures show that over 86% of them have had natural, vaginal deliveries.  

Today, couples who are paying attention in learning the Bradley Method sign up for a 12 week Bradley course taught by a expert instructor.  

Each couple receives a 125 page Student Workbook which contains the class curriculum, study guides, and in order on pregnancy, birth, doulas, etc.  

The workbook leads the group from side to side the 12 week course, ensuring that all courses are taught in a like style and with the same curriculum.