Bradley Method & Doula

[OC Doula 2 Be]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first real live post...so please move it if I am in the wrong section.

I am working on certification. And I have a couple that are going through the Bradley classes. I picked up a few books on it, since I have never been to a Bradley birth. My question is, do you do anything different when supporting a Bradley couple? I guess since its supposed to be "Husband Coached Childbirth"...where do you find yourself being needed by Bradley couples? I know that every couple and birth are different, but if you could please give me a general idea if there are areas you find yourself doing more or less or something special.

Thanks for your help!

[amymaew]

I don't have an answer as a doula, but my second baby (henry) was a Bradley baby. Granted, dh didn't go to many classes b/c he was driving over the road, but anyways. I had a doula - she was actually my instructor. She didn't make it until after he was born, but that's a whole other story lol/

[heather_c]

I recently audited a Bradley class for my DONA certification requirements and also had a client from the same class. Our local Bradley instructor highly recommended doulas for her students.

During the birth, the father had issues remembering what the birthing mother needed and how best to help her. He was very thankful to have me there to help guide him. He did more hands-on relaxation techniques than most partners I work with, but he still wanted help when he was tired or unsure of how best to help.

My advice would be to spend some time with mom and dad and see how they view your role at the birth. Some dads may only want a doula as a back up for them, while others look to the doula for guidance. Only talking with them will help you figure out where they fall on that spectrum. Good luck!

[napualani]

I've had two clients and both couples took Bradley, and it was lovely, because they were so well-informed and the dads were so supportive and right there with their wives. Like Heather suggested, it would be good to ask the mom and dad how they view your role in the birth, and take their leave. If dad plays a very active role, he may need your help for more suggestions, or for you to take over when he needs a break. And there's lots that the both of you can do together.

Good luck!

Darlene

[OC Doula 2 Be]

Thank you for your help and encouragement. I have now gone deeper into the books and they have also been a great resource.

[DL]

I totally agree with the above posters. I've had several Bradley couples, and just like any other dad in a birth scenario, they are all somewhat different. Most of my Bradley dads have been a very good support for mom, but like stated earlier, they still benefit from encouragement, suggestions, information, and a partnership with the doula. I did have this one Bradley dad, however, that was very stand-offish. I doula-ed for their fourth birth/fourth Bradley birth. Although he knew his stuff, this dad just stood in the corner and took pictures the whole time; I was mom's main support person (he said that is why they hired me ). I thought that was pretty odd, and it's certainly not my favorite way to attend births! My favorite births are those in which dad is very present for mom, supporting and loving on her. Out of all of my dads, that particular Bradley dad has been the most unsupportive of mom to date. That's one birth in which I can say that I honestly don't know what she would have done without me!