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How is Bradley Childbirth Education different from other childbirth methods?

Dr. Robert Bradley developed the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth in 1947. It is a series of twelve weekly classes, with limited enrollment to ensure personal attention, educating through instruction, discussion, labor practice, communication exercises, and birth films. One of the major differences between the Bradley Method and other childbirth techniques is the focus of concentration. Bradley trained laboring moms concentrate on and work with their bodies. Other childbirth techniques often teach distraction methods to their couples.
The Bradley Method:

• Emphasizes birth as a natural process and encourages mothers to trust their bodies.

• Believes that women benefit from active labor support in many ways, including a reduction in the need for pain medications and other interventions.

• Teaches partners a variety of effective labor support techniques and comfort measures to enable them to effectively assist their partners during labor and birth.

• Focuses on natural abdominal breathing to enhance relaxation and reduce pain.

• Promotes communication skills in preparation for a positive birth experience.

What is a doula?

Doula comes from the Ancient Greek and means “woman servant”. A birth doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support for both the laboring mom and her partner. The doula is knowledgeable about the entire birth process, possesses skills to help a laboring mom cope with the pain and emotions of labor and understands the importance of this event in the life of the couple. The doula will advocate for mom and baby by helping mom formulate questions, gather information, and discuss the options available with the medical staff. The doula will never advise a woman, however, she will clarify the information received so the laboring mom may give her informed consent regarding any medical procedures. Most importantly, the doula uses her skills to complement those of the woman’s partner and medical providers, helping to ensure a satisfying birth memory.

What are the benefits of a doula?

Studies* have shown the use of a Doula during labor can:

• Reduce the chances of a cesarean section by 50%.

• Shorten the length of your labor.

• Reduce the need for pain medications.

• Lessen the chances of complications that require an extended hospital stay for you or your baby.

• Help you have a more satisfying birth experience.

• Encourage and promise a satisfying breastfeeding relationship.

*Adapted from Mothering the Mother. Marshall Klaus, M.D.; Phyllis Klaus, M.Ed., and John Kennell, M.D.

Why do I need a doula if I have a partner?

The presence of the partner is very important and as doulas, we use our skills to complement those of the woman’s partner and care provider, helping to ensure a positive birth memory. A quote from Peggy Vincent’s book Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife (Scribner, 2002) states it best:

I remember my husband’s comment after (our third child’s) birth: “I was so glad all those women were there to take care of you. I could never quite get the hang of how I was supposed to ‘coach’ you the previous times, when I’ve never had a baby. It was such a relief not to have the pressure so I could be there for you, however you wanted to use me.”

I am planning on getting an epidural, would a doula still be helpful?

A doula will still be helpful, offering emotional and informational support both to the laboring mom and her partner. Often, laboring moms will wait until their labor is well established before choosing an epidural. A doula can help you with the physical support and comfort measures during this time of your labor. Once the mom has made the decision to get an epidural, the doula may still offer assistance by offering ideas on pushing positions, reminding mom to have her bladder emptied or giving the partner a break to grab something to eat. Any medication or medical procedure is bound to be more effective if you feel informed and supported during the process.

Since I will have a nurse and a doctor / midwife, why would I need a doula?

Your doula and the nurse make a great team. The nurse is responsible for charting, monitoring, reporting to the doctor/midwife and sometimes checking on other patients. Your doula will be a constant presence, focusing entirely on the laboring mom and her partner. Physicians are trained as medical experts and since birth is a normal life event, the physician stays in constant contact with the nursing staff and arrives if there is a problem or shortly before delivery. Midwives are becoming more common and are a wonderful choice for women. The practices of midwives are growing and changing. Some midwives rotate call with physicians, some deliver at more than one facility and they have office hours in which to see their patients. Your doulas job is not to replace the medical team, merely complement their roles by providing constant support and information to the mom and her partner.

How do I become a certified doula?

For detailed information, please go to www.dona.org