Three Bradley^® boys born at our home

We have three children, all of whom were born 100% naturally, in the comfort of our home. We felt confident to have unmedicated births due to the education we received by attending Tami and Ken Maloney’s Bradley^® Natural Childbirth classes.The discussions and materials presented in class, as well as extra outside reading were extremely interesting and helpful in getting us to the point where we wanted to have our baby(ies) naturally.

1999

Our first son, Ben, was the longest labor, as it pretty much lasted almost 24 hours. The contractions started late on a Saturday night, and I had one full Sunday of contractions coming 20 minutes apart very consistently. To help alleviate pain, I sat backward on a chair, while my coach applied strong pressure to my lower back. The best relief came, however, as I sat in our jacuzzi tub. When I was finally checked, I was 8 centimeters dilated and, per my midwife, tried to give a little push during the next contraction. The pushing actually felt good, and after 20 minutes of pushing, out came Ben weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

2001

With my second son, Sammy, the water birth really wasn’t planned, but after being in the water off and on during heavy contractions, I just couldn’t see getting out of the tub. The water really helped alleviate my lower back pain and the pressure in my pelvis. Labor started in the afternoon, but contractions became very regular and a bit more painful by 11:00 that night. We went to bed, but by 2:00 a.m. that next morning I was sitting in the tub in order to get more comfortable. The midwife came over by 4:00 a.m. and knew I was in the serious stage of labor just by the look on my face during contractions. I was in and out of the tub a little, but it always felt better to get back in. By 6:00 a.m. I was absolutely not getting out of that tub and it became time to push. I can’t remember if I was checked or not, but once I started pushing, it only took 7 minutes and Sammy was out. Surprise, here was our second son weighing in at 8 pounds 4 ounces.

2003

With my last son, Josh, I knew from the start that he would be born in the water. There would be no getting in and out of the tub. He was 5 days late (my first two were born right on their due dates), and I knew for sure it was the real thing one Saturday morning during breakfast. Finally! We were having breakfast around 9:30, then had the boys picked up by my parents by 10:00, and I was in the tub by 11:00. My contractions became consistent and were lasting for over one minute early on. So, we called the midwife right away. When she arrived at noon, I was curious to be checked. I was 5 centimeters dilated already. By 1:49pm Josh was born. I had to push only twice – once for his head, and once for the rest of him. He came out really fast. I spent a lot time in the tub in the squatting position, and I think that really helped. Josh weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

In addition to all the natural childbirth and water birth information that I could get my hands on, I also found Yoga to be extremely helpful during my last two births. I think combining Yoga with the exercises learned in the Bradleyâ classes were great for before, during and after childbirth!

C and J of Marietta, Georgia

For more information on The Bradley Method^®, for an international listing of instructors, or to contact the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth^® directly, please contact: The Bradley Method^®, Box 5224, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413-5224 - (800) 4-A-BIRTH or (818) 788-6662 - www.bradleybirth.com