I loved my Bradley class. I signed up through UCLA-Santa Monica for the 8 week class. It was such an amazing/eye opening process. We really became informed consumers of the birthing process and our own bodies. It was wonderful to truly have a 'husband coached childbirth'.

this method teached valuable methods for dealing with labor and can help you have a pain free birth- really

The Bradley Method is what my husband and I chose after looking into all the alternatives in our area. Bradley focuses on natural childbirth, which means planning for a vaginal birth with medical intervention only as needed. Even if you want or plan to be medicated during your birth, I still think you should attend Bradley. Why? Because its like getting a Ph.D in childbirth - it goes through all the physical aspects of giving birth, and makes you feel much more aware and in control of what is happening. The core of Bradley is that childbirth is an athletic event, which requires physical and mental training for strength and stamina; and which requires relaxation and support for comfort and confidence. ALSO - it is GREAT for your husband or partner - they are really made a part of the process, which led my husband to be an enormous support to me. Because of Bradley classes, my husband gives me a full-body massage almost every night. He has read a whole mess of books on childbirth, and has watched a number of movies showing real women giving birth without medication - which he says makes him much less squeamish about the whole ordeal, and much more confident in how to keep me relaxed and happy during labor and birth. I would say he has a healthier worship for the strength of women now. A good Bradley teacher will not make you feel ashamed if you DO want or need to have medical intervention (i.e. painkillers or a C-section, etc.), but she will explain to you the pros and cons of each of these choices. And its good to know that. Classes also cover nutrition, exercise, and breastfeeding. You can get a list of Bradley teachers in your area by going to www.bradleybirth.com.

I enjoyed the class even though I did not wind up with a Bradley Birth, because I had a c-section.