Bump Pic and The Bradley Method of Childbirth

Week 36 has arrived, and we are counting down the days until we meet our little lady.

In preparing to meet Miss Adelaide, Chris and I have logged some serious class hours. We decided to take a Bradley Method Childbirth class and that class alone required 2.5 hours every Monday night for 12 weeks. We chose the Bradley class because we wanted more information about having a medication free birth, and we felt like the eight hour class the hospital offers may not be as in depth as we’d prefer. We also took the hospital class in addition to the Bradley class……which means we’ve logged a total of THIRTY EIGHT hours in childbirth class. This doesn’t include the baby basics class, Infant CPR class, or breastfeeding class….phew.

Analytical wife + Analytical husband = Intense decision making team with information monger tendencies.

OMG. WHAT HAVE WE CREATED.

The Bradley Method is an approach to childbirth that is medication free, focusing on education and preparation through diet, exercises, and management of pain using relaxation and partner who is called the “Coach” (Coach Chris!) Depending on what you’ve heard, you may think Bradley is for the hippie, granola loving kind of couple, and I’ve got to say that I disagree. I love granola, but I’m definitely no hippie. Chris and I are probably two of the most logical people you’ll meet, and we found it to be just that – very logical. The class information just made sense to us and no matter what stunt Miss Adelaide pulls during her grand entrance, we feel like we’re prepared to make the best decision for mom and baby.

Over the twelve weeks we watched at least ten different birth videos…

Probably ate more protein than I have cumulatively over the past FIVE YEARS, since mom is encouraged to eat 80-100 grams of protein a day….

Sonic half price shakes after 8?  That's what I'm talkin bout.  Chocolate banana is where it’s at, and this way I get protein AND calcium!  Chris and I have definitely been loving Sonic this summer.  

Alright.  So maybe this is what my food log actually looked like…

And I did more kegels than I care to count. Kegels were one thing that EVERY class really emphasized the importance of for a less painful childbirth (or after childbirth experience, if you know what I mean), so seriously if you aren’t doing them…START NOW. The best tip is to do them every day when you’re doing something you do, well, every day. Some suggestions were to do them while blow drying your hair, sitting at a red light, or when you go to Sonic to get your chocolate banana shake on.

Chris has been declared a certified coach and promises that since he got me into this, he’s going to get me out.

Can’t wait to sport that bling in the delivery room.

I’d absolutely recommend the class to anyone who has considered a medication free birth but is unsure about the process or what to expect. If you’re in the Kansas City area and curious about the class we took, here’s a link to the website, "Done Naturally". Check it out!

http://www.donenaturally.com/