Childbirth Prep: "You're planning on what?!"

 When talking about wants and desires for childbirth it's always important to remember not everyone has the same views as you do. Every person you talk to has a different experience, scary stories, and why it was the hardest thing they've ever done.

I have started reading a book by Robert A. Bradley, M.D. called Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth. In the world of natural childbirth this method is widely spoken on and referred to as a go to guide. From checklists for each stage of labor to Dad’s role in coaching thru contractions and labor pain, everything is covered and discussed in detail.

“Building better, deeper, and more trusting communication skills with your partner in preparation for a drug-free childbirth.” (Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth)

                The first few chapters have been talking about how animals, when giving birth are instinctual in knowing how to give birth. Why would there be any reason that, as Human Beings, we cannot learn to be instinctual and birth our babies in the way God created our bodies to; to treat birth as a normal physical process and not a medical emergency.  He also heavily touches on the point that being prepared in all aspects of birth is essential. You do not run a marathon without ever warming up, or training. It is the same with giving birth. You must train your body in preparation for the huge job it is going to do in birth your baby into this world. And that is exactly what birth is: A Job. Not an emergency. Birthing my baby boy has become significantly less scary to me once I grasped this concept.  It makes so much more sense now as I am researching and learning more about it.

                This book is written so well it is hard to put down once you start getting into it. This is great information that is presented in a realistic and factual standpoint. Dr. Bradley gives you all the tools you and your support team (mainly my Husband) need to approach the birthing experience with a more calm and insightful outlook.  I can’t wait to share as I learn on my journey to achieve a more natural birth.