II. Background
- Established by Mayo Obstetrician 1947
III. Technique
- Father coaches labor
- Bradley originated the Father's involvement
- No Labor Anesthesia used in 94% of patients
- Various labor positions
- Maximize health habits
- Non-distraction oriented relaxation
- Interpret stimulus as Sensation other than pain
- Imitate sleeping position
- Emphasizes a comfortable and relaxing environment
- Imitate breathing during sleep
- Deep and slow abdominal breathing
- Imagery
- Visualize uterine Muscles contracting
- Analogy to "Birth Climax" (Birth as type of orgasm)
- Imagine floating the wave of a contraction
IV. Disadvantages
- Very critical of Lamaze Method
- Classes may be as expensive as $500
V. Resources
- American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth
- http://www.bradleybirth.com/
- Address: Box 5224, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
- Phone: 800-4ABIRTH