Would you recommend a second time mom take Bradley??

[Amieee]

I wanted to take Bradley the first time around. But by the time I learned about them it was too late.
I did **not** have a natural birth last time. After 4 or so days of prodromal labor (did I spell that right?) I had an induction at 42 weeks, and 8 hrs of pitocin before I gave into my OB and nurse who kept asking me if I wanted an epidural. (I had a doula, too. She kept saying "It's your choice. It may help you relax. " )
I do **not** want to go through that again. I checked the book out of the LLL library and I already know a lot of the stuff in the book. I already feel like I pretty much understand the basics of labor and I kind of feel like I know what I did wrong last time.
I don't know if it would be worth it for my husband and I to go through the whole class the second time around.
It costs a lot and we would have to pay a sitter for 12 weeks and leave our 18 mo old once a week for 12 weeks. But if it would be good to take the class I can work out those things.
This time around, I am shopping around for a different caregiver, which I will post about later. I am going to have a different doula whom I know is a good advocate and has a higher rate of natural births. I am even thinking of a birth center or as of yesterday, I am considering home. I need to ask questions about that, too.

The people in the class are first time parents. So, would it be worthwhile to do it the second time?
Thanks!

[JMom]

Yes. I think it is very much worth it! I took the classes my second time around and went on to have a very beautiful, natural birth. The classes really helped to get my husband and I focused on the same goals for the birth. Hope everything goes well for you.

[CatherineS]

I too think it would be worth it. Just as Storknet gives us a place to "connect" and relate to other like-minded moms, a Bradley class will give you the encouragement, support and information you need from what what you are learning, from the experience of the teacher, and from the connection of other moms who hope to acheive the same goal.

Friends that I know who've taken Bradley classes or other natural childbirth classes outside of the hospital often think back on them fondly. I do of the one I took. It is also a wonderful place for your husband as well, who might understand better by having the information go beyond a book, and to be around other husbands taking the class too.

HTH!

[karin]

I also think that it would be a good idea. You might also look around for classes taught by an independent childbirth teacher focusing on out of hospital birth if you decide to go that route. I took wonderful classes with Penny Simkin, and they absolutely helped. The class was lots of fun and very informative. You will learn and practice lots of coping techniques that will be valuable during your birth.

[keem]

I am taking a bradley class now. I think it is worth it. Most places offer up the first class as a no strings trial. When you go, they expain how their method works and what you need to do and then you can make a more informed decision as to whether or not you want to do it. :)

[TwoForUs]

Yes yes yes! :)

I think that I got SO much more out of the class than was in the book. I learned what was NORMAL about labor so I was super informed (things like natural dilation plateaus etc) AND it really strengthened my belief in why I wanted to do it without medication.

[tina & bean]

I teach Bradley and I have to say that I think it's a great idea for both you and your hubby. There was a second time mom and dad in my last class who were quite pleased with the amount of info they had learned and could use that wasn't taught to them in their hospital Lamaze class. This time they went on to have a beautiful VBAC waterbirth in a birthcenter. I was there with them, and I can tell ya- boy, did they ever do a great job!