I’ve been spending some of my time reading a book called, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth (recommended by my pregnancy guru, Ohio Becky…really great read, thanks poochy!).  Ina May Gaskin is the leading midwife in the nation.  She operates her midwifery practice out of a farm in Tennessee, called “The Farm.”  In her book, are real-life stories of everyday women whose desire is to give birth naturally and in a homespun and personal environment, surrounded by midwives who care for the highest in natural childbirth.  The book reads like a documentary and is mostly full of wonderful birth stories — some of the stories are a little holky, but for the most part I have been inspired and energized by the majority of them. 

Greg and I attended our second Bradley Method class last evening, which was taught by our teacher’s husband.  Our teacher was actually in Tennessee attending a weeklong midwifery program taught by Ina May.  You could say that I was just a wee bit jealous that she got to visit The Farm.  : )

I walked away from last night’s Bradley class with something powerful that was shared in a video.  This is not word for word, but it goes something like this: “People trust technology more than they trust nature.  These days women are afraid they cannot give birth naturally, instead they completely trust in their doctors and in the status quo.”

I’ve never given birth, so I can’t vouch for this with any of my own real-life experiences, but something deep down in me tells me that this is true.

We had our first childbirth class last evening.  Based on the recommendations of people we trust — who have birthed naturally — we signed ourselves up for The Bradley Method birthing classes.  I thought it would be more informative and natural than the typical class the hospital offers, or even the common Lamaze class.  It was.  It’s a casual class that meets in the home of the teacher, which makes the class feel nice and homey.  There were about 6 other couples there who sat on the floor or couches all around the cozy room.  (Oh, and there was a dog that would go around the room and shake people’s hands throughout the 2.5 hour duration of the class.) 

The teacher was peppy, funny, and chock-full of information I typically would never get in a doctor’s office.  What I enjoyed the most out of it?  I love the fact that I can trust my own body to do the work it needs to do and what it is designed to do.  I love that I don’t just have to trust that the doctor/hospital knows what they are doing, but I can make decisions about my birth plan and the importance of bonding time after the birth.  I love that I am informed.  I love that labor can be embraced as something our bodies are capable of handling, and the pain bearable if I am prepared and mentally ready to handle the various stages of labor. 

(A small caveat:  Hopefully, by God’s grace (which I believe is available to me even during labor), there won’t be any complications during my labor that would require medication, induction or a caesarean.  If so, I am not opposed to medication or surgery if the circumstance calls for it.)         

The Bradley Method.  What is it?

“This method embraces the idea that childbirth is a natural process and that, with the right preparation, most women can avoid pain medication and routine interventions during labor and birth. It’s named after American obstetrician Robert Bradley, who developed the method in the late 1940s.

The program lasts 12 weeks and is more intensive than other childbirth education classes. Proponents claim that over 86 percent of Bradley-trained couples have had spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal births.

The Bradley philosophy says that it takes months to prepare for childbirth and parenting — mentally, physically, and emotionally — and prides itself on addressing all aspects of natural childbirth, as well as many pregnancy and postpartum issues. The course also emphasizes educating partners to be effective coaches.”