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Benefiting from the Bradley Method
'Intervention' Is Not a Naughty Word
By Joe Cooke
We picked up the card that read, "Fetal monitoring."
"Now pick up another one," the instructor said.
We picked up, "No drugs."
The game went on like that, and we mentally acquiesced to Pitocin, an epidural, episiotomy, forceps and finally even a Caesarean. The only card left on the ground was the one that read, "Healthy baby." As I glanced around the room, I realized every couple had left the same card on the ground.
For us, the game turned out to be prophetic. Our daughter Katie was a bundle of complications. Because of a single-vessel umbilical, she was not thriving. Because she was not thriving, Dr. Prescott induced. The Pitocin caused continuous contractions, and the baby's heart rate kept dropping. As day progressed into night, we took advantage of every medical intervention other than a Caesarean. Even so, we ended up with a healthy, smart, amazing little girl.
After comparing our first birth experience with Hiebert's, we decided to take the Bradley class from her when we became pregnant with our second child. Bradley classes are purposefully small, so we bonded quickly with the other two couples – Jim and Lorna and Shelby and Guy. Every Sunday afternoon for 12 weeks, we gathered together at Hiebert's house and learned the Bradley way. Much of the time was spent discussing nutrition, relaxation and what a husband could do as coach.
During my first child's birth, I was quickly trained as coach by the harried nurses so they could attend to the monitors and get all the emergency equipment lined up in case it was needed. After going through the Bradley classes and becoming a certified husband-coach, I coached again when our second child, Carter, was born. In my case, coaching was a "hands-on" experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
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