[BETSRN]

You know, the recent mention on another thread about doulas and the Bradley Method gave me a thought. As a LDRP nurse and a childbirth educator, I am familiar with the Bradley method. Personally, I have always thought it to be a very good approach to comfort in labor.

My question for all of you out there is why are so many Bradley instructors so confrontational? I work in a very low intervention, progressive LDRP. We let people do their own thing as long as they and the baby are well (which is most of the time). On more than one occasion I have cared for Bradley prepared couples who, after the labor and birth are over, find that they are very unhappy with their Bradley training, citing the reason being that the instructor scared them unnecessarily and the experience, hospital, nurses, doc, personnel, etc., were not nearly as "bad" as the instructor had made them out to be. I find it so unfortunate that so many of these Bradley prepared couples come into the hospital already on the defensive.

Do you all think that is the mindset of the instructor, the mindset of Bradley couples (generalizing here) or what?

After studying the Bradley Method, I am always sorry that it gets such a bad reputation among health care providers. Sometimes I think these couples are set up to fail before they even start; mostly because they have been so prepared to expect the worst in the hospital.

Thanks for your input. Not trying to make any knocks on the Bradley Method or anything. Just curious as to what some of you out there might have to say about this topic.

[Browneyedgirl]

I'm a new Bradley instructor and for my part, I live in a relatively small town that well, to quote my OB/GYN (when i had a Bradley birth) He's been in practice for over 20 years and Mine was the first NATURAL no intervention on purpose birth he had ever seen. So for my part.....the interventions are standard at our hospital, I educate my parents about the choices that they CAN make and tell them to make sure they get truly informed consent. But I don't think my couple (only teaching one at the moment) will be militant or overly defensive when they go in. The Bradley method does STRESS, STRESS, AND STRESSSSS using positive communications in EVERY class. 5 good things for every 1 negative thing you say to anyone involved in healthcare.

I hope your experiences with Bradley couples and teachers improve.

[judy ann]

Having worked with Dr Bradley, I can understand the confrontational attitude.

[BETSRN]

It isn't that I ahve had negative experiences with the couples. They g=have been great. It's just the idea that they are upset with their instructor for having scared them unnecessarily, that's all.

[BETSRN]

What was Br. Bradley like?

[judy ann]

You don't want to know.

[Dayray]

I want to know =P

[BETSRN]

I also, think it wold be interesting to hear what Dr. Bradley was really like. If he was like some of his more "difficult" followers, I'm prety sure I can guess what he was like.

[mother/babyRN]

It has always been my feeling and practice to streamline as much as possible, my nursing care, whatever the area, to the patient and his or her family...Treating them as individuals...I may not agree with something but I never present my views without knowing theirs and make a point of not pushing ANY view...If more people, instructors, lactation people, nurses, doctors, etc. etc.. etc.. would and could do that, the more comfort patients would feel....Not long ago had an exhausted, nearly psychotic sleep deprived breast feeding mom tell me, after I assured her she could either pump or I could cup feed her screaming baby while she had a nap, tell me "Thats you...the other nurses told me I should never do that!" Who the hell cares what they think? THEY should present what the current standards are and then weigh the health (mentally and physically) of the patient.....This mom was ready to switch , but after her well deserved nap, went home every bit a breast feeding mother as she had wanted and planned...I think the same is true for childbirth classes.....Tell them to expect the unexpected and that the nurses are willing, able and HAPPY to provide as intervention free a birth experience as can possibly be provided.....Period....

[judy ann]

Okay, you asked for it. He was a very large man, tall and big boned with lots of "meat" on him. He was quite imposing. We knew if a patient came in with a husband that was less than a prime specimen, she was "in for it". He intimidated both his patients and their signifigant other and did not allow any arguement from them or the staff as to his "care". He was physically rough with his patients, especially those that he called "wimps". God forbid any of them asked for pain medication. I saw him pull hair, slap inner thighs, and generally batter patients. Yes, I (and other nurses )complained to the administration, but they seemed to be thrilled to have this famous man on their staff. He also insisted his babies go to breast immediately on delivery. Now I don't usually have a problem with that, but a baby with an Apgar of 1 at delivery is not going to nurse enough to "make that afterbirth turn loose" He had a big shouting match about that one when I sent that kid to the NICU as soon as the NNP and I got the kid somewhat stabilized. He went to the nurse manager about this, but luckily, she felt the baby belonged in NICU, not at the breast. I saw him drop babies into the kick bucket several times. We made it a point to put lots of padding in the bucket so as to cushion it for the baby. I could go on and on, but as I said, you don't want to know. Oh, I do not remember any pleasant experiences with this man.