We used the Bradley Method labor technique to welcome our second daughter into the world. This blog will share more about our experience with a natural labor in the hospital. The births of our children are stories I will never forget!
After nine months of waiting for this moment, our second daughter was born this March. Though the labor was quick (totaling just shy of five and a half hours of active labor and 5 minutes of pushing), the preparation began months in advance.
This pregnancy, I knew I wanted to experience a different type of birth. I had a wonderful hospital birth with our first daughter two years prior.
However, the major differences between these labors included overall time in labor, education on labor and delivery and a medicated vs. unmedicated birth.
I owe this a lot to my preparation and research to make sure I was going to delivery safely knowing I have a congenital heart defect. Because of my congenital heart defect, I have to give birth at a hospital due to needing additional monitoring during pregnancy.
I first heard of the natural childbirth Bradley Method for labor and delivery through a birth story podcast on Farmhouse on Boone. From the moment I listened to the podcast, I was instantly hooked on the Bradley Method process.
I even put the Bradley method book: ‘Natural Birth – The Bradley Way‘ in my Amazon cart months prior to becoming pregnant with our second baby.
Utilizing the Bradley Method labor techniques to prepare for birth changed my mindset in many ways – before, during and after birth.
1. The Bradley Method Position
The Bradley Method position is a very specific technique meant to relax the entire body. Bradley Method births recommend practicing this position as frequently as possible to help the body learn to relax. The position requires support from additional pillows to ensure optimal relaxation with through each phase of labor.
My technique was to keep everything limp and relaxed like the Bradley method labor technique teaches. However, I struggled to find the flexibility to feel comfortable with my shoulder placed behind me, like the Bradley relaxation position called for.
For this reason, I had both arms and hands placed in front of me. I looked like I was sleeping the entire time – despite my intense nose breathing during contractions. All the years of practicing yoga helped me during labor to relax each muscle from head to toe – allowing each contraction to flow through me.
2. Bradley Method Breathing Technique
There are a few steps to the Bradley Method breathing techniques utilized during the different phases of labor. To follow along with the Bradley Method breathing techniques, I did use a structure of 4-7 breathing. This was a breath in for four counts and out for seven counts breathing pattern.
With each contraction, I heard myself say ‘here comes another one’ and would ride the wave. I would focus on breathing in and out of my nose with each contraction. The only time I opened my mouth to breathe through a contraction was to pant during the ‘ring of fire’.
Towards transition, I remember having a mantra or two running through my head. What they were, I can not remember, but I do know this was the first thing I focused on before the peak of each contraction.
Before birth, I listened to the Christian Hypnobirthing app while in the tub. I also listened to it before bed to fall asleep on restless nights during my third trimester. This is originally where I learned the 4-7 breathing pattern and the mantras.
Fun fact, I listened to the positive birth affirmations soundtrack right before pushing with my first and within early labor for my second. This helped set my mind on all things positive when it came to birth and centering it on Christ.
3. Bradley Method Visualization
According to the Bradley Method, there are six needs of a laboring woman. While the details can be found within the ‘Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way‘ book, I did keep my eyes shut practically the entire time I was in labor.
I focused on the bag of muscles technique and thought about what my body was doing during labor. This really helped me to visualize each phase of labor.
A key for me to keep internal and focused was to keep my eyes shut. As my body was completely limp, I made sure to keep my eyes closed.
The only time I had my eyes open was to walk to and from the car, into the hospital, into triage, to peek at where I was going on a stretcher from triage to labor and delivery, and to look at Spencer before I started pushing. Outside of that, I kept my thoughts internal.
I actually packed my headphones and my blackout eye mask in my purse so I could stay focused if I needed additional support to block out everyone. I fully intended on using this as I prepared by going to bed each night with my eye mask to relax.
4. Bradley Method Phases of Labor
One of the best parts about the Natural Childbirth – The Bradley Way book was learning about the phases of labor. With this knowledge, the Bradley Method helps you trust your body is made for birth. It made me understand the general length of each phase of labor is also paired with emotional signposts.
I knew when I did not want to head to the hospital, that was when we needed to go. I knew when I started having turning serious or had any doubts about my abilities, I was getting close to transition. And I knew when my body started having the fetal ejection reflex, I was close to holding our baby in my arms.
This also meant I did not have to rely on a clock to make decisions or guess how fast I was progressing. Because of this, I did not time a single contraction to know how far apart they were.
Watching the clock caused me stress during my first pregnancy labor because I anticipated contractions and tensed up for each one. It was wonderful not to rely on a clock during this labor!
Overall, I would highly recommend the Bradley Method labor technique. I believe this natural birthing method combined with my prenatal fitness training (and labor prep course) through Mamastefit positively impacted my pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum experience.
Have you heard of the Bradley Method labor technique before? If not, what did you do to stay relaxed in labor? Let us know in the comments below!
