childbirth methods

[susan1]

Hi,

Do you girls feel you need to choose ONE childbirth method? Or can a doula be flexible ...and use different types of methods?

The reason I am asking is because a mom just ask me about the Bradley Method. I have not take taken Bradley class however I feel I could still help her. What do you think?

susan

[Pambug]

I don't feel we should choose one method over another but we should be knowledgable about all the different methods.

[Kalamazoo Doula]

I agree with Pam, it would be a great idea for you to see if you have a Bradley instructor that would not mind if you sat in a few of her classes so you could get the idea of how the method works! You could also get the book. I have heard it is a pretty good read, it is on my LONGGGGGGGGGG list of books on my wish list, so one day I'll get to read it! I was to, planning on seeing if I could observe a class. So I can get a better knowledge base.
Let us know what you do!

[tlcdoula]

I think you could still offer her something and like someone else said you should see if you can sit in on a class. I had a couple this past summer who took Bradley classes and then they would come back and educate me on how I could best and most effectively assist them.

[DL]

I've taken a Lamaze class, but have never taken Bradley. I have supported couples who have used the Bradley Method, however. I found the book, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon to be very helpful (an easy read, but very informative!). I don't recommend any one method over another (different approaches work best for different women), as I have found really good stuff about each of those that I've read about! I try to be flexible and learn about/use whichever method my client chooses to use.