Brio or Bradley?
August 1, 2011
If you are looking for a childbirth class, please check out the classes available from briobirth.com (many former Bradley instructors) or bradleybirth.com.
Announcing new affiliation with Brio Birth!
January 9, 2011
After 9 years of teaching the Bradley Method, I have decided to recertify with a new group, Brio Birth, which is carrying on the principles of the Bradley Method and combining it with the most recent evidence-based information about birth. I am excited about this new opportunity to offer my students the best in childbirth education! Check out the website http://www.briobirth.com/ to find out more about this new childbirth organization.
Jessica gives birth to baby #3 on Aug 2, 2010!
August 18, 2010
Announcing the birth of our third boy, Asa Wesley, on August 2nd, 2010! He was born naturally at home, in a waterbirth tub with a midwife in attendance. We are so thankful for another healthy baby and a great birth. It seems that birth always has unexpected events. For us we had prolonged rupture of membranes for 3 days, but the way these things are handled can make a big difference in the outcome. We are grateful for the precious memories of a peaceful and safe birth surrounded by love in our home.
How do you want to give birth? Watch this YouTube video!
May 22, 2009
I found this great video on YouTube that I think would be great for expectant parents to watch as they are considering their birth choices.
Natural Birth Video
Make sure you watch both parts of this video and learn from these other expecting couples! This video explores the common experiences of couples preparing for their birth and making decisions about whether to use a doctor or a midwife and where to have their baby.
Let me know what you think!
So, the reason I liked this video right now, is we just got back from our vacation and we spent some time with my uncle, an OB/GYN, and his daughter, my cousin, who just had her second baby. She had been seen by all the “best experts” in medicine for her normal pregnancy. (She got special treatment at the hospital because she was the daughter of an OB.) Her labor progressed very well and relatively easily, even though progress was inhibited by an epidural once she got to the hospital. It was interesting talking to them and I was struck by how different views of birth people have. In their minds the “best care” would be from the top neonatologist available. From my experience, the “best care” (for a low-risk woman) is usually a skilled midwife who knows you personally and relates to you as an individual and is present with you from beginning to end. But, there are so many different situations to consider.
In my classes, I talk with many couples who are trying to decide where to give birth and who to have for their caregiver. I think it can be a good thing to open up all your options available to you and consciously make a choice of where to have your baby, and not just go with the mainstream and assume that the hospital is the best place for everyone. No matter what people end up choosing, I think it’s good for people to know why they choose what they do and be educated about their choices.
Introducing new website and blog
March 5, 2009
I am excited to welcome you to my new, updated website and blog! There are always interesting things going on in the “birthing world” and new things to learn and share. I hope you will enjoy reading along and sharing your comments and stories. If you have recently given birth or taken Bradley Method® classes, I’d love to hear from you. Does anyone have anything they have learned from their own experience that you would like to share with others? How did Bradley® classes make a difference your birth experience?
Thanks to Janna Kasza, who has worked hard on this website and done a great job to make it new and improved!