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Suggestions for an effective labor rehearsal
Posted on July 25, 2014 at 11:45 AM |
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Originally published February 2011 ~ Updated July 25, 2014 The class topic last night was first stage labor. This stage is characterized by a
progressive intensification of the sensations in labor. A mom will experience her contractions,
or her “surges”, getting increasingly stronger and longer with less time
between them, as she gets closer to the pushing phase of her labor. Why do a "labor rehearsal" when labor is so unpredictable?? Mostly to train you and your partner into some "muscle memory". By practicing different positions and reminding yourself when/why they are effective, that body of knowledge is more readily accessed when you are in labor. Even if you forget your "playbook", you have some tools that you can use without referring back to a print-out of labor positions. (Although, HERE is one that I share with students. I used it to prepare for our births and often use it as a reference in our classes.) We had our couples do an active labor rehearsal. As a reminder to them, and as a
practice tool for anyone reading this who is striving for a natural labor, here
are our tips on having a good labor rehearsal. 1. Have a
good guide at your fingertips. This
is important for the following reasons: You will know if you can do them – if
it hurts, maybe it’s time to do more stretching, or find other positions that
have similar benefits without being uncomfortable. You can also start making a list of the ones that feel
really good, keeping in mind that this list may change as you are progressing
through labor. 2. Once
you are in a position, don’t change it or move around during a
contraction. That’s
not to say that you will stick to one position during the course of your
labor. It’s likely that there are
several positions that you will try, and you may eventually gravitate to a few
that seem to be the most effective. 3. If mom
has to go to the bathroom, someone needs to go with her. In
actual labor, a coach or one of the assistant coaches must always stay with
mom. She is in a vulnerable time,
PLEASE stay by her side. If mom is
not comfortable having you in the bathroom, getting over the emotional hurdle
will be better dealt with outside of labor. It sounds weird, maybe? It is possible that emotional barriers can keep labor from
progressing. Who would want
bathroom issues to extend the amount of time you are having contractions? Another thought: why delay meeting your
baby? This is what we personally experienced: if you leave mom
alone, she may fall – this could drastically alter the course of your
labor. Additionally, there is no
guaranteed labor pattern – just because you have been having surges 5 minutes
apart and you think she has five minutes before her next contraction doesn’t
mean she should “go” alone. If she
starts having contractions on the commode, she isn’t going to be able to
move. It is possible, since the
bladder is emptied, that the contractions will feel stronger after she has voided
since it has made room for baby to descend, and she will want your help
handling the stronger sensations.
From our own personal experience, I know we hit “transition” in the
bathroom in 2 of our 3 labors. It
was a good thing to have someone with me to help me manage the mental gearshift
and the sensations. 4. Coaches need to practice multi-tasking with every simulated contraction. Coaches,
you have a good job during labor.
You are the person that can make all the difference in mom’s confidence
in herself and her ability to birth.
Prepare by working out your “athlete” at home and learning how to be the
best coach for your team well before labor starts. Regarding
such things as touch, music and environment: do you know her likes?
Dislikes? Do you know which
relaxation techniques work for her?
Can you massage, talk, and time her contractions simultaneously? If
you answered no to any of these questions, then we encourage you to start
finding the answers! And practice
until you are doing several things at once without having to think too much
about what you need to be doing to keep your partner completely relaxed through
her labor. 5. Watch
mom’s key tension indicators. The
three main areas where mom will hold tension are her face (especially the jaw and brow areas), her hands and her feet. Can
you do the checkpoints in #4 and observe her for relaxation, too? Most coaches need lots of help learning
to do all these things at the same time.
You can find an assistant coach who is there to help support coach as he
strives to do all these things.
Or, the assistant can help the coach to get mom as relaxed as possible
so her body can get down to the business of having the baby. The more efficient her labor, the
sooner you will all be holding your baby in your arms. Some other tidbits from class: TRANSITION No first stage labor rehearsal in class is complete without a
discussion about "transition", the time between the active stage and the pushing
stage of labor. Although it might
be an emotional time, transition is a good thing – it means your labor is
almost over. Question directed at Bruss: Which one of your labors had the
worst transition? Answer: There
was not really a worst. You need to look for signs and prepare yourself ahead
of time, prepare yourself now. Since transition occurs at the end of labor and
you are caught up with the whole process of labor, know what to look for. There will be distinct signs and they
are different for everybody. In
our case, Krystyna got really abrupt.
Up to that point, she would communicate with “this feels”…or, “please
try”… transition was marked with, “I told you not to do that!” I also reminded our class of a birth story they had heard
where the couple’s only sign was a physical sign: mom started burping out of
the blue, and it lasted a little while.
When she calmly announced, “I think I have to push”, it turns out she
really and truly was ready without having the self-doubt or the pendulum swing
of emotions. (For the whole story,
go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDI61YWV5G0 ) HOSPITAL CARE We were lucky enough to have two nurses join our class last
night. They were attending as
assistant coaches-in-training for one of our moms. I took advantage of the situation to ask the nurses who
makes the best patient. My goal
was to illustrate the point that you are the labor you bring with you,
especially in a hospital situation.
We encourage our students to write a birth plan to use as a communication
tool, and to use positive communication (important at all birth venues). The idea is that you are all on the
same team and you wouldn’t be there if you didn’t feel some element of safety
in the hospital. As long as labor
is progressing without complications, a couple is reasonable in their requests,
and the care provider has signed off on the birth plan, it should not be
difficult to have the hospital staff support your choice to have a natural
labor. Question: Who
makes the best patients, or who are the patients that are the easiest to work
with? Answer: They
are willing to work with patients who want to work with them. They also appreciate patients who
respect their medical training.
When it comes to requests, i.e. birth plans; patients who are nice get
their way! PRACTICE MAKES PREPARED I want to encourage you to make the effort to practice what
you want to happen on your baby’s birth-day. We encourage our couples to do ten minutes in the morning
before they get started on their day, and right before bed at night. What better way to help mom feel safe,
secure and stress-free? She can go
about her day knowing that she and baby are important enough to merit the
time. At night, she will sleep
better after a good relaxation session. We can attest to the fact that yes, it is hard to find the
time. In reality, you don’t find
time – you have to make the time available. It is worth it – even if you end up with interventions, the
fact that you gave it your best effort makes for a labor that you can look back
on with an element of pride. The
natural labor and birth you want is a reality – and the more you practice, the
more likely you are to achieve the birth story you want for your family. There is another element to a successful labor beside
preparation – and that is a well-rested team – and that is a post for another
day. Happy Practicing!! Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to
determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in
Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy
of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
What Is The Bradley Method?
Posted on September 23, 2013 at 2:12 PM |
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Top Ten Reasons To Take A Bradley Method® Class
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:46 AM |
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Top Ten List: Reasons To Take A Bradley Method® Class We had the privilege of starting two new Bradley Method® Class Series last week. We are teaching a Friday night series with First-time parents, and on Sunday we are teaching our Bradley Method® "Next Class" with alumni families who are expecting baby number two. Some of the thoughts shared when we asked our students "why are you here today" inspired today's post. The first time moms who have been hearing that they are "crazy" because they want to "go natural" were so relieved to see a roomful of people who were making the choice to prepare for a natural birth, just like them. Healthy, whole food nutrition is a foundation for a healthy, low-risk pregnancyNutrition – Although it is seemingly basic, it is one of the
easiest things that a couple can control in their efforts to have the birth
that they want. More and more studies
are confirming what Dr. Bradley and Dr. Brewer knew – good nutrition is one
of the foundations for a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome. By making good, whole food choices that yield
a daily protein count between 75-100g of protein, a family can lay a good
foundation to have more options during a normal, low-risk birth. Comprehensive Education – Yes, we are definitely the
“longest” childbirth class among the list of recognized “brands”. By choosing our class series that is 12-weeks
long, you are choosing a method that covers many different aspects of
pregnancy, the process of labor, natural labor coping techniques, birth plans,
variations and complications of labor (and knowing the difference between the
two), postpartum care, breastfeeding and newborn care on top of the weekly
focus on communication, exercise and nutrition.
While there are other “brands” that teach shorter sessions, we are
confident that our approach allows couples the greatest opportunity to prepare
for the birth that they want and life together as a new family. Would you add anything to this list? Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Relaxation Practice
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:07 AM |
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Our relaxation session in our last class was for both the
mother and the coach to make a list of positive things the mother could think
about during labor. They were then to
use these ideas during our relaxation practice/labor rehearsal portion of
class. Coach had a great list going that
included what he called his “secret weapon”.
It was going to be his “go to” story to tell his wife when the going got
tough in labor.
The time for relaxation practice/labor rehearsal
arrived. We dimmed the lights, put on
our relaxation music, our students got into their first “practice position”
from our diagrams of labor positions.
Then we did our first “practice”.
I timed the contraction by announcing how many seconds had elapsed (I
call out 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds).
Coach started with one of the ideas his list. Mom did not like it – the story made her
laugh instead of relaxing her.
We did our second practice, trying out a different labor
position and the same scenario with music and lighting. I timed again and Coach went back to the
verbal coaching we have been using up to this point in classes, “words of
encouragement”. Mom reported feeling
much more relaxed and Coach made an “uh-oh” face.
I asked him what was going on since he had just coached his
wife through a great minute of relaxation.
He replied that his “secret-weapon” is a story that is along the same
lines as the story that made her laugh, and she prefers words of
encouragement…what was he going to do?
We reminded our couple that this is exactly why we practice
in class and we encourage them to practice at home. We are teaching them several ways that are
effective at managing the discomforts of labor so that they can fill their
toolbox with several different ways of relaxing mom. If you don’t practice before you get into the
hard parts, it’s unlikely you will be able to improvise since there are so many
ways to manage labor.
By the same token, we tell couples every labor is unique, so
it’s important for a coach to have a “Top Five” list of moms’ favorites so they
know what to try first. On top of that,
we remind them that the most important factor for coaching is to be
flexible. Sometimes coaches find that
the things that work in class do not work in labor. Sometimes the list of “Top Five” turns into
the one thing that works. And it has
happened that none of the coping techniques the couple liked in class helped,
and they pulled from some of the other relaxation techniques we had covered and
that they had practiced at home “just in case”.
It is exactly for those reasons that home practice is
vital. Mom can review techniques on her
own and create her list of favorites.
Coach can review techniques and practice scenarios in his head while he
is on his own. The most important
component is to practice together for the direct feedback. Practicing together builds the coach’s
confidence that he knows what he is doing and he will do well as a labor coach. It builds the mom’s confidence that she will
be able to rely on her coach. Our
personal experience is that this sense of safety and security, which leads to the
ability to complete surrender during the labor experience, is the key to
allowing labor to progress to the intensity that helps us meet our baby
earthside.
We reassured Coach to keep those stories in his toolbox
because laughter is actually a great coping technique. It’s not comfortable during a contraction
because it adds tension to an already tight body part – not ideal when a mom is
trying to work with her body. However,
laughter is great tool to reduce adrenaline.
This is a huge plus because adrenaline inhibits oxytocin. Receptors in the body can only accept one or
the other, not both. The other plus to
laughter is that it releases endorphins, which can act as analgesia and promote
a sense of well-being – both good things for a mom in labor to welcome their
child. We encouraged Coach to bring
those stories out between contractions – they definitely deserve a place of
honor in their personal toolbox.
I don’t liken labor to a final exam because sometimes the
most prepared couples end up with a birth that doesn’t go according to their
wish list and I don’t want to convey to them a sense of failure. It is true that labor will test the couple in
ways that they probably have not been tested before, and the more they practice
at home, the better prepared they are for their experience. Although the weekly assignment is for twenty
minutes per day, even one minute of practice is better than none to build a
couple’s confidence. Being prepared for this experience will definitely improve
the likelihood of having the labor they have practiced for. Whether they have a “textbook” birth or a
birth with variations, our happiest couples are the ones that feel they used
their information from class and worked together to choose the birth of their
child as a team for a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome.
What has been your experience? More about laughter and endorphins:
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorphin
More on labor positions: Disclaimer: It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Natural Labor Coping Techniques
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:27 PM |
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Here are some of the ways we recommend our students
manage their labor without analgesics or anesthetics. Even when they are used in labor, we are so happy that our couples use them as tools to manage a long labor and their children are born nursing vigorously and with high APGAR scores. Through the course of The Bradley Method® class series,
parents are taught about what to expect as “normal” in labor, what the
variations on normal might be, the different options and interventions in
labor, and how to recognize a complication that warrants a change in the plan
for a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome. We also teach positive communication, something intended to
strengthen the parental bond, as well as serve for positive interactions in the
birth space with care providers and support personnel. Our goal is that parents have the tools they
need to evaluate labor, communicate their needs to care providers, and ask the
questions they need to make informed decisions about the choices they may have
to make in labor.
An athlete with an eye on crossing the finish line does four
things: They train, they rest, they
nourish and they hydrate. Dr. Bradley
called his patients “obstetrical athletes”. His nurse, Rhonda Hartman, designed a training program just
for moms to prepare them for labor. We
are still teaching our couples this training program, starting with week one of
class and continuing until the time of birth.
We also “train” relaxation. Each
couple is encouraged to take the weekly technique and practice at least 15
minutes per day so that there is muscle memory for relaxation when it is needed
in labor. We continually harp on the importance of sleep in the weeks
leading up to labor and once labor starts.
We learned this lesson the hard way, and as excited as we know our
students are going to get as they anticipate the birth of their child, we want
them to try to rest. Getting to the
magic number of “10 cm” is only the first part of labor – once they reach 10
cm, they also need energy for the second stage of labor to welcome their child
into this world. We also echo Dr. Bradley’s advice to eat if you’re hungry,
drink if you’re thirsty. He makes the
analogy that going through labor without eating or drinking is like playing a
full game of football without any substitutions. The body is working and burning energy to
birth your baby, it makes sense to follow mom’s physical cues. As long as mom is okay and baby is okay, we
have found that mom’s appetite will naturally decrease as labor intensifies;
and as with an actual marathon, that the need to hydrate is as important in
early labor as it is when mom is close to crossing the finish line.
Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson Water is your friend. As stated above, a hydrated mother makes for an optimal
obstetrical athlete. She is hydrated for
energy and optimal hormone distribution throughout labor. Water is also a excellent relaxation tool. It works magic in labor: the warmth and the sensation move tension away
from the body and adding a layer of relaxation as it works to soothe the
mother’s body. I have heard it called, “The
Midwives Epidural”. Many hospital moms now have access to the birth tubs that
are used very effectively at birth centers or at home births. If using a birthing tub or home bathtub is not an
option, then the shower can also be an effective tool. The sensation of water will still massage and
soothe the body. With a shower hose
attachment, the water can also be directed at the body where it is the most
soothing for the laboring mother. Abdominal breathing is taught in many settings to deepen
relaxation – yoga, hypnosis, meditation, stress relief, and in The Bradley
Method® of natural childbirth classes!
Abdominal breathing is also known as diaphragmatic breathing. Basically, you are allowing your belly to
rise and fall as you breath instead of your chest. If you watch children breathe, or if you remember
what it was like to breathe before someone told you that you needed to suck in
your stomach, you will know what it means to breath with your abdomen. Abdominal breath is an important foundation for
relaxation. It slows down our mind and
it allows or bodies to release tension.
We teach abdominal breathing in class 2 so we can build on it through
the rest of the series.
Coach needs to know what relaxes their partner. Does mom respond to physical touch? What kind of touch? Does she like a strong counter-pressure or
gentle effleurage? Does she like a
relaxation script, a prayer or a story read to her? Does she feel safe in her birth space? By the end of The Bradley Method® class series, we have
covered these, and many more questions, to help the Coach be a relaxation
expert on their partner. We also teach
11 different relaxation techniques for coaches to put into their “toolbox” to
use as needed as labor progresses.
Champion sports teams have a stellar assistant coaching
staff. The head coach doesn’t try to do
it all – he delegates and finds the best person to train his team so that he
can keep his eye on the big picture and continue leading and motivating his
team. We have noticed that couples with an assistant coach
generally end up with births that are closer to the birth wishes they made in
preparation for their labor. The extra
set of hands, the extra energy in labor make a difference. The couples that hire doulas also have an
experienced birth professional to help them manage the map of labor. A good birth doula doesn’t take over the
birth, she will help the couple to recognize the signs of progress and make
suggestions for coach to support the mom. Even if you feel like you want to be just Mom and Coach,
you can benefit from an assistant coach coming in for a period in labor. When we labored with Angelika, a dear friend
of ours came in and labored with me when Bruss needed rest. I had been laying down the first day, resting
and napping since we know we have long labors.
Bruss had been checking in on me, taking care of our older children
while we waited for family to arrive to tend to them, and he took care of
feeding all of us. He REALLY needed to
sleep after dinner that night. Andrea
came, labored with me as long as she could, and when it was time for her to get
back to her own family, Bruss was rested and ready to be head coach again. I am forever grateful for her time that night
– it allowed for Bruss to rest and restore for the long work we still had ahead
of us.
We break the Fear by teaching couples what to expect in a
normal labor, along with the many variations on “normal”. We also break the Fear by discussing the complications
and sharing strategies and options for them to consider if they are among the
small percentage of people that face complications in labor. We break the Tension by teaching Mom and Coach to be
relaxation experts. We break the Tension
by teaching couples to communicate together, and how to communicate with their
care team for effective and positive interactions. We break the Pain by reminding mothers that labor is an
athletic event. It isn’t always easy,
however it is doable. We invite couples
from the previous class come share their stories with our current class. I have seen the “light bulbs” click for both
Moms and Coach when the other “first-timers” share their stories. It makes it more realistic to hear that other
newbies had Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcomes by using the information they
learned in class. It reassures them that
the intensity is brief compared to the joy of holding their children. The new parents confirm that the work is
worth the effort, and that staying the course and/or making Healthy Mom,
Healthy Baby choices are rewarded with a happy family outcome. We also encourage couples to find affirmations, prayers,
scripts and/or music to draw energy from in labor. Labor is an exercise in intensity that ebbs
and flows. Having something to focus on
besides the intensity that is growing helps to focus mom on the work that she
is doing. They can also restore and
encourage her when she wants to give into the pain. By having knowledge, training and tools, couples are well
on their way to a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome.
What was a natural labor coping technique that worked for
you during your labor?
Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational
purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to
determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House,
LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences
of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains
information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is
not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or
the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Mental Relaxation
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 4:55 PM |
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Today's post is from Bruss' perspective. He led class on Monday and told a story he had never shared in a class setting before...here it is along with an introduction that shares the line of thinking that went along with the story... An important part of The Bradley Method® (some say the most important) is relaxation. The superficial view I had of relaxation going into our first Bradley class and subsequent birth was that of *physical* relaxation. Krystyna and I were/are regular Yoga practitioners and my mental picture of relaxation was the final Yoga posture where one lays prone on the floor after a hard workout where the only option is total physical relaxation. In my own mind I thought that getting Krystyna to the physical state of relaxation was the goal/benefit to her in pregnancy and labor. The Bradley Method® instructs various methods of physical relaxation to the couples and encourages them to explore others that are meaningful to them. Among the methods are message, stroking, hot showers etc. Combined with physical relaxation, The Bradley Method® teaches the importance of emotional and mental relaxation. Initially I considered these relaxation themes of less importance than physical relaxation. My thought process was if I can help get Krystyna to relax *physically* than the other relaxation components would take care of themselves. I have come to find out through our Birth experiences as well as the dozens of students that we have help teach/mentor that my initial approach to relaxation in pregnancy and birth was exactly backwards. Physical relaxation is the *end* result and dependent on emotional and mental relaxation, Mom needs to be in a good emotional state, accepting of the baby and ready (as possible) to take on her labor, ready to be a Mother, has effectively dealt with any family dynamic issues *prior* to going into labor or any other *emotional* issues that may impact Mom's readiness for labor and beyond. As a strong compliment to emotional relaxation, Mom's ability to focus her mental energies effectively in pregnancy and labor can dramatically effect the outcomes for better or worse. I think of mental relaxation is the ability of Mom to affect her state of mind positively to overcome any externalities such as physical discomfort, emotional and environmental challenges. What I have found through experience is that if Mom is not relaxed emotionally and is not able to focus her mental energies positively then *physical* relaxation is all but impossible. Conversely, by concentrating on emotional relaxation and positive mental focus then physical relaxation seemingly just happened and labor was able to progress more effectively. ..... So what does all that mean? For me as a husband and labor coach, what this means is that I have to (1) understand the importance/impact of emotional and mental relaxation to pregnancy and labor and (2) be ready, willing and able to effectively work/communicate with Krystyna on these components of relaxation during pregnancy, labor and beyond. ...... I'll end the post with a story from our first labor. In our first labor Krystyna's water broke and labor contractions started soon thereafter. We went to the hospital after 6-8 hours and labored there for another dozen plus hours. While we were out walking the halls attempting to get labor to progress, Krystyna visibly became chilled and shaky. I reached up to her forehead and, sure enough, she was warm and very likely running a low grade fever. Krystyna told me, adamantly, 'do not tell the nurses/doctor that I have a fever or they're going to give us a C-section'. OK, here I am as first time father, birth coach, with little or no experience, what to do? Here's what went through my mind at the time. 1. Fever is sign of infection and potentially very dangerous to Krystyna and baby (we didn't know boy or girl yet) 2. Krystyna is *very* mentally strong and her mind is completely set on an intervention *free* labor and delivery. 3. Krystyna is *very* emotionally invested in this labor being natural and intervention free. 4. My last thought before coming up with a plan was I need to be careful how I handle this. Krystyna is very tired after 20+ hours of labor and on edge. If I don't handle this correctly there's a chance that she will just give up and then we're highly likely to be getting a C-section. So here's what I did. I told her that she was doing such a great job and was laboring really, really well. I also reminded her that she worked so hard in preparing for the birth with nutrition and education and I was *proud* of everything that she had done for our child. She was/is the absolutely the best and that I love her. Next I looked at her and told her that she/we had done all these things to have the best outcome possible and the end goal of all this work was ultimately for her and the baby to be healthy and happy. Then and only then did I tell her that the fever was dangerous. It was dangerous to her and the baby. And that we were not going to *hide* the fever from the birth team because that would go against our primary goal of having her and the baby be healthy. Then I said that I was there for her and that we were going to do this *together* regardless of what labor interventions we might be faced with even if that meant we were looking at a C-section. After that conversation we walked back to the room and told the nurse that we likely had a fever and started to discuss the options. The option we chose was to start a penicillin drip to take care of any infection. Several hours later (and 2 more interventions) Krystyna delivered Ysabella vaginally. Mom and Ysabella were healthy and Krystyna and I were *very* happy. So my role as a coach in this birth was to help Krystyna deal with the emotional and mental challenges in being faced with medical interventions in labor despite her *very* strong emotional and mental investment in a natural, *intervention* free birth. In my opinion the emotional and mental aspects of this birth were the primary challenges that we had to get past *together* so that Krystyna could relax physically, let go and deliver Ysabella into this world. In the moment and in retrospect it was one of our very best days as husband/wife and new *parents*. Disclaimer: It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Bradley Day Family Picnic
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:20 AM |
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The Bradley Method® has been helping women and their partners to have safe, satisfying birth experiences since the 1950s and it still works. Area instructors affiliated with The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth will be hosting a Family Picnic on Saturday, May 5, 2012. The public event will be hosted on Amphitheater Island at Encanto Park in order to celebrate the Father of Fathers, Dr. Robert Bradley, the pioneer of allowing fathers into the hospital room to be at the birthing mother’s side. Robert A. Bradley, M.D. (1917–1998) developed what he called Husband-Coached Childbirth, now more commonly known as The Bradley Method® of natural childbirth. Dr. Bradley first articulated this method of natural childbirth in a 1947 clinical trial, and it was popularized by his book Husband-Coached Childbirth, first published in 1965. Now in it's fifth edition, Dr. Bradley's method of natural childbirth had been used successfully by couples all over the world. Dr. Bradley's idea that unmedicated childbirths were possible in a hospital setting was revolutionary in the era of anesthetized births. He was "allowed" to do his first clinical trial on unwed mothers. When they did not have adverse outcomes, he was next "allowed" to do a trial on hospital nurses that volunteered to be in his trial. After seeing the great results in the unwed mothers, he had no problems finding trial patients. At the bedside of one of these married nurses, she was overcome with joy and emotion after the natural delivery of her child. As her "thank you" to Dr. Bradley, she kissed him straight on the lips! It was at this moment that Dr. Bradley realized that husbands (now we say loving support person, or "coach"), not doctors, should be coaching these mothers through the labor and birth process. It was from that day forward that Dr. Bradley started advocating for husbands to join natural birth mothers in the labor and delivery rooms. Now all birthing families in a hospital setting can benefit from Dr. Bradley's idea that coaches who are willing should be allowed to be at the laboring mother's bedside. His method articulates the six needs of a laboring mother and the steps to take to provide a laboring mother with the help and support from a loving, trained coach. His methods proved themselves through his patient practice. He likened his role as an obstetrician to serving as a lifeguard, stepping in only when his patients needed him. Dr. Bradley had a 94% unmedicated birth rate throughout his years of obstetrical practice. We are excited to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Robert Bradley on May 5, the anniversary of his retirement. The Bradley Day Family Picnic is open to the public. Past students, current students, and anyone interested in the many options available to birthing families in Arizona are welcome to join us. No matter what kind of birth experience you had or you want, we invite you to celebrate the man who normalized fathers being present at births in the hospital setting. The Bradley® Day Family Picnic will feature child-friendly booths and games, as well as offer information on The Bradley Method® and other natural living options. The instructors will provide the fun; guests are invited to bring their blanket and a picnic lunch. The Amphitheater Island at Encanto Park is located at 2605 North 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. For more information on the picnic, please call Krystyna Bowman at 602-684-6567, or visit our Facebook Fan Page. If you would like to RSVP, click here. For vendors interested in hosting a booth, please contact Krystyna Bowman at 602-684-6567, or via email [email protected] The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Coach's Pep Talk
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 10:07 AM |
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Coach's Corner Bruss reveals his secret to being a great coach today...this is my first insight into his process, too. He has been an amazing coach at all of our births - now I know how he does what he does for our baby and me!~Krystyna We are regularly contacted by our Bradley® students as they go into labor. For first time parents there is almost an universal excitement.
It is great to talk to the Dads and hear the excitement in their
voices...the nervous, anxious energy as they start the wonderful
experience of child-birth with their partner. When I talk to the Dads as Mom's labor starts I like to give them a little pep-talk as follows: OK.
You've been working very hard to prepare for this moment. You have
chosen a great medical team. You've studied about labor and delivery,
you've done the pregnancy and relaxation exercises, you've focused on a great diet. You are ready. Your job as labor coach is to pay very close attention to Mom. Keep mental track of all the following: - Energy level, mood, complexion color, pain level, ability to relax, ability to concentrate, hunger, thirst, fever, headache. - Notice how Mom is doing in all these areas and note any changes. Regarding the contractions: - How close are the contractions? - How intense are they? - Can Mom talk through them? Or are they intense enough that she has to focus all her energy on them and can't talk or focus on anything else? - Is there a pattern? - Is the pattern changing? Do the contractions (pattern, intensity...cadence) change with: - change in position? - walking? - laying down? - sitting down? - shower? - other? Note all of these attributes and be aware of changes. What stage of labor do you think you're in? (Note: ask this question of yourself a lot) Remember
what you and your medical team decided ahead of time about when you
would head to the hospital or when you would call in the midwives for a
home birth. Pay close attention to those thresholds. Now
while paying attention to all the little details about Mom's physical
condition and how the contractions are progressing you have to focus on
everything that you can do to support Mom as she labors. - Keep Mom hydrated - Make sure she has food (if she wants) for energy. - In early first stage labor make sure Mom rests as much as possible so she has energy for later in labor. - Help her relax through her contractions with your practiced methods. - Don't ever leave her alone. - Help her or be by her side whenever she's up and around. - Take care of all the external things so that Mom can focus on the labor. If you have any questions, concerns or intuition that something is not right contact your medical team immediately. Enjoy the process. The birthday of your child is one of the best days of your life. What coaching tip can you share with our student dads? Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to
determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in
Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley
Method®. The views contained on this blog do not
necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
Spring Series
March 5, 2012 to May 21, 2012
For more information or to register, please call us at 602-684-6567 or email us at |
Coaching Ideas
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 6:11 AM |
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We taught Class 3 and had our first “scenario” coaching
exercise last night. I can see that it
is hard for the coaches and the moms in our class to imagine being in the midst
of labor. Most of our students start
class between 20 – 26 weeks gestation. They
are enjoying their baby’s movements, having baby showers and wrapping their
minds around parenthood. The fact that
this baby in mom’s uterus is coming out has yet to become a reality. For now, they are only taking our word for it
that they are going to need all the information they are learning about
relaxation and motivation. So, Coaches, how are you going to motivate mom to relax
through the surges when their intensity keeps building and the frequency
increases until they are back to back? One
of the reasons the Bradley Method® course is intentionally 12 weeks long so
that Mom and Coach have enough time to fill their relaxation toolbox with
strategies to manage labor and so that they have time to learn to work together
as a team. Here are some ideas shared about managing labor by other
families who have recounted their birth stories: Take one contraction at a time. Mother Nature is very kind. She gives us time between surges to catch our
breath, change position if necessary and wait for the next wave of sensation to
build. These sensations build up over a
period of time, and hardly ever do we have them on top of one another. When we do have one surge on top of another,
it’s probably because we are getting close to transition and we need to be
reminded that we are so close to meeting our baby! Remind Mom why she is doing this and why it’s important
and worth it. When you are still
pregnant and comfortable, take the time to talk about the reasons why you are
choosing to follow the course towards a natural birth. Write them down if you think it will help you
remember them during labor when things are starting to get more intense. Keep your eye and mom’s focus on the “worth
it”. The effort and the work of labor will
lead to a sweet baby in your arms and in your lives. When you have a narcotic-free or at least low
narcotic birth, you usually have a vigorous baby who is alert and who has a jumpstart
on breastfeeding. Some moms, I being one of them, put together a “play book”
for coaches to refer to. Some highlight
their important pages in the student workbook, physical positions to use during
different stages of labor, and maybe pull together prayers, meditations or
relaxation scripts for Coach to read during labor when we need help to relax
and let everything go so labor can progress.
In order to gain full benefit from this play book, make sure your coach
knows where to find it and that you want him to use it. Hold her hand, tell her that you love her. This has always been the best “epidural” for
me during our long labors. Bruss’
constant support, his presence by my side in the fortieth hour that is just as
loving and attentive as it was in the early hours of our labor when we were
excited at the prospect of getting to meet our child; he is the reason why I
have finished our “marathon” labors. Even
when I don’t want him to talk to me or touch me, his hand in mine reassures me
that we are in this together and when I am ready to come out of my “zone” he is
still there with me, working with me to meet our baby. Praise, encourage and reassure her. Don’t just give her a cursory pat on the
back: pour on the praise – give her constant verbal support. Praise her in front of your care team to
build everyone’s confidence in her work.
Encourage us: read mom the letter she wrote to the baby about how she’s looking
forward to meeting him or her. Most of
us have a hard time doing something for ourselves, but mention our children and
we can do just about anything to ensure their well-being. Through the course of class we learn the signs and the
progression pattern of a low-risk labor…as things progress and follow this
low-risk yet challenging cycle, Coach can reassure mom that this is indeed,
what they learned about and prepared for through the course of our classes. Although labors must get intense in order to
get to the contractions that produce a baby, it makes it do-able to relax
through those contractions when your mind accepts that this is normal and many
women before you have walked this path and had Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby
outcomes. If things deviate from the low-risk course and you have to
make some decisions about how to manage your labor, we also teach our couples
some tools to have a constructive and informative conversation with their care
team. The ultimate goal of any Bradley®
birth is to have a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome. When Moms and Coaches work together with
their care team, you will always find yourselves making decisions that lead to
this happy beginning to your new family. Expecting Mommas and Coaches: What do you think will work
for you during labor? Birth Mommas and Coaches:
What was your favorite labor “tool”? Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Spring Series March 5, 2012 to May 21, 2012 For more information or to register, please call us at 602-684-6567 or email us at |
Our Homebirth Story - Part 2
Posted on October 14, 2011 at 8:19 AM |
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Click here for Part 1 of "Our Homebirth Story" My mom
arrived from Chicago to relieve my aunt at around 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon.
She came in to see how I was doing. She asked, “How are things going?”
which of course started the tears again. Being a woman of great faith,
she said a beautiful prayer over us, then gave me a kiss and left the room to
go take care of the kiddos. I pulled myself together and decided I wanted
to go see our children. I missed them and one of the benefits of a
homebirth is having those you love near to you. We took a quick cruise
around the house and saw the kiddos, and we decided it was cool enough to try
walking outside again – maybe just one more time – to see what would happen.
This walk
confirmed our suspicions. This baby wanted me on my side. Nothing
upright was working to progress the labor. I lost it again – why was this
happening to us? Why couldn’t just once, my body work like a “normal”
woman in labor??
Up to this
point, we had had student midwives checking vital signs on mom and baby.
I asked if we could have Wendi check me the next time just to be sure that we
were both doing as well as they thought we were doing. I wasn’t concerned
about infection despite the fact that the membranes had ruptured going on 18
hours. I had been good about taking Vitamin C every couple of hours, we
hadn’t had one vaginal exam or external vaginal probing that was introducing
germs “upstream” as we say in class. My concern was simply that although
I felt strong and the baby sounded good, we had been going at this since 5:00
am on Thursday morning and I wanted peace of mind that we could continue at
whatever pace the baby needed.
Bruss and I
also talked about having the midwives go or stay, and we were not sure what to
ask of them. We conveyed this to Wendi when we talked to her. I
felt so bad having them stick around for “nothing”. At the same time, I
was wondering when we would call them back when our labor finally picked
up. Having spent so much time with us at our prenatal visits, they knew
our birth history and knew that this had been our labor pattern in our previous
births. They assured us that they were comfortable, and happy to continue
waiting patiently for baby to make her appearance.
In the
meantime, this birth also confirmed our choice to have a homebirth. We
had been in labor for 36+ hours now. If we had been in the hospital, we
would have been subjected to multiple vaginal exams by now. If we had
gone home and then returned after our water broke, we would have had a very
hard time leaving again without signing a multitude of forms when it was clear
that labor was not progressing. I had declined the GBS test since we made
an educated decision to take supplements that supported a healthy vaginal
track, and I was confident that Dr. Ross’ KST check confirming that I was GBS
negative was accurate. Under medical care from an OB, I would have had to
have the GBS test and had I tested positive, I would have been pumped with
penicillin and IV fluids every four hours. By now my hand would be
swollen at the hep lock site, and my feet and face would be puffy and
uncomfortable.
At home, we
were allowed to have the gentle birth we wanted for our child. We
listened to my body and followed the cues, however unbelieving that
"this" was our labor. We were able to sleep and eat to keep our
energy up. Our baby was monitored with a Doptone monitor every hour for a
few seconds, which let us go back to the position we needed to be in for her
more quickly. Our midwives were supportive and encouraging that we were
doing well and to keep going like we were going.
Bruss kept
in touch with Andrea and Dr. Ross via text throughout the day and night – they
were our doulas by text!! As they made suggestions he would try them if
we hadn’t tried them already, as they gave us words of encouragement he would
convey them.
I would say
I finally “accepted” the birth around 8:00 pm. Bruss had given me
wonderful assurances that this was the labor our baby and I needed every time I
had started to cry. He assured me that he was ready to labor just he and
I – it had also become clear that having all the people around was starting to
stress me out. Despite the fact that a doula would be there to support
us, he wasn’t willing to call in another person to add to the group of people
in the house already.
We decided
to watch a movie and both proceeded to fall asleep. The midwives
continued to come in and monitor us through our sleep. I was still
getting up every 45 minutes to use the restroom. One thing we did REALLY
well is stay hydrated. We found that we still had the contractions when
we stood up and moved from the bed to the toilet. As I accepted that this
was our labor, I remember reading birth stories about women who slept through
labor until they woke up in time to push. I figured that we might as well
give it a try – who knew – maybe this could be our birth story since short and
sweet was definitely out!!
It was my
perception that the contractions were every half hour. I could sense that
I was moaning in my sleep, yet they didn’t feel so strong that they woke me up
until it was time to use the restroom. The midwives told me later that
they had watched and felt my belly when I was sleeping, and I was having
contractions about five minutes apart in my sleep.
Somewhere
between 10 and 11 pm, I could no longer sleep through contractions. We
decided to use the shower again. We put a birth ball in there and let the
water wash over me. You know what happened – the contractions spread out
again. Since our baby was CLEARLY happier with labor when I was lying on
my side, we set up a layer of towels in the shower and made a towel
pillow. I lay on my side, and sure enough, they contractions started getting
hard again. Although they were uncomfortable, I was happy to bear with
them since I knew these were the type of contractions that were going to get us
to the point of meeting our baby.
Before we
knew it, the shower stopped working as a relaxation tool, too. I had a
strong need to void, but I couldn’t do it anymore. We decided to move
back to the toilet to see if I could void in the toilet. It didn’t take
me two seconds before I declared that this baby was coming out *now*. The
birth stool that had been taunting me for 24 hours was finally going to be put
into use!
We got on
the birth stool. I asked our midwife Wendi if this was really it. She
asked me to try pushing and if I didn’t feel any pinching, to go for it and
work with my body. The next contraction came and I could push without
pinching – so we did. This is the one time when we could have used an
extra pair of hands. Since we didn’t have them, Bruss got behind me and
supported me in a dangle position off of the stool so I could bear down and also
use more gravity behind the push. Trying to be mindful that we were
capturing this on video for possible use with future students and for our
children to see, I made every effort not to yell out too strongly.
We asked
one of the student midwives to go wake up our children and my mom since it was
clearly time to push. Squatting didn’t feel as good as it had with our
other children. After a few pushes in the squatting position, I felt like
it would be best to move to my hands and knees, so there we went. Bruss
ended up on the floor with me, and as a contraction came, I would lean all my
weight on him and bear down. This is the first time I have been clearly
conscious of the baby moving through my vaginal canal – it was amazing. I
could feel her crowning, and I remember that Night Owl looked at my bottom and
said, “I see the baby!” I told him to talk to her and tell her to come
out, which he did! A couple more pushes and I could feel that we had
delivered her head. Before I knew it, I was holding our lovely little Angélica in our arms and overjoyed with the wonder of
the work we had done together.
We pushed a
total of 20 minutes – the most amazing 20 minutes of our birth. My mom
and Night Owl got to watch the majority of the pushing phase. Puma came in just as Wendi was passing Angélika ("Otter") up
to my arms. Our photographer who we have known for six years got to
capture the birth of our new family. Our midwives were there supporting
and loving on the whole process, one of whom was able to capture the birth on
film. It was a room full of love and joy.
Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to
determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in
Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy
of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
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