Husband-Coached Childbirth (Fifth Edition): The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth Reviews

• This book helped more than my Bradley Classes

  
  By A2D9IOX4UJX1JJ on 2000-08-16
  I read about the Bradley Method of Natural childbirth during my early months of pregnancy, was intrigued, and bought this book. I really found it helpful-- I got my husband to read it too. While the book's complete lack of pictures tended to be frustrating at times, especially in the exercise section, I found that having to read the actual description made me pay more attention and helped me remember what to do. After I read and understood the description, I wasn't dependent on the picture to do it right. The breathing description Dr. Bradley gives is the best thing I did during my labor -- before going into labor I found it also helps with headaches :) -- and they did not teach it in my Bradley class. After finishing Husband Coached Childbirth, I ended up wanting a book with pictures, and bought Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way as well. Between these two books I had a very pleasant birth experience with no pain medications. And after reading them, the Bradley classes themselves were overkill.

  I did like Husband Coached Childbirth quite a bit and got a lot of information from it, however, I do not think you need to own it. After reading it through once, I never felt compelled to go back and read it again. I would suggest checking this one out from your local library, reading it through, especially the breathing description, and purchasing Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way instead.
  
  

• Buy "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" instead

  
  By A34CUEPCZ1JCVH on 2000-12-13
  I had a drug-free childbirth, thanks in part to the Bradley Method. To prepare, I took Bradley classes and read both "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon and this book. The thing that disturbed me most about this book is that Dr. Bradley insinuates repeatedly that childbirth doesn't really hurt as long as you follow his instructions. Believe me, it hurts. I think Dr. Bradley has since passed away, but if he were alive, I'd really like to ask him how many times HE gave birth. I prefer to get my information from a more reliable source -- a woman who has given birth herself. If you're only going to read one book, read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." If you're an information junkie like myself, read this one too. There's certainly a lot of info and it makes for interesting reading.
  
  

• If Your Ideas About Childbirth Were Formed by Claire Huxtable...

  
  By A2ILUDA4PYFGK5 on 2006-01-08
  ...who said that it's like taking your lower lip, stretching it over your head, and stapling it to the back of your neck, then you're thinking, like most women,
  "Why on EARTH would I want a natural childbirth?"
  
  Well, I've done it both ways now. After years of hearing horror stories from friends & Hollywood, but stubbornly deciding that since women had been doing it for eons, I could, too, I tried birth naturally with my first child, scared to death about it ... and failed miserably. I didn't know any alternative laboring positions, or to relax, or anything - I just braced for each contraction for 36 hours until I hurt so much I asked my husband to kill me. The inevitable epidural left me hurting for a week.
  
  Well, wasn't that fun?
  
  Then I took a Bradley class. Instead of teaching fancy breathing techniques and how to be a convenient patient for the OB, they taught relaxation - "You CAN do this; and fear only creates tension, which increases pain" - and what a difference. Without me fighting the contractions (which tensed up the very muscle the contractions were trying to relax), the pain went from unbearable to manageable. Sure, it hurts to have a lineman stand on your foot, but who's going to take an epidural for it?
  
  Bradley taught me that if you're thoroughly relaxed and labor feels excruciating, something needs to change - position, environment, something. If it's still agonizing, something is dreadfully wrong - but if I were under an epidural, I wouldn't know that. Bradley taught that if you've been doing everything great for hours and suddenly you feel you can't take it anymore - that you're in transition and will soon be pushing and have a baby! (How true that has been!) The relaxation techniques I learned helped with the early labor (remember, you can't get an epidural before 4cm or after 10cm), the excruciating afterpains of a subsequent birth, and the discomfort of sitting on a sore bum, not to mention all of life's inevitable pains ever since.
  
  Natural childbirth left me with so much more energy afterward that my 60-something in-laws are converts, too! They can't believe that the totally drained, beaten woman they saw after Birth #1 (who was afraid to use the bathroom and couldn't sit for a week) is the same who walked from the delivery room and immediately dressed and left at 24 hours for Births #2 and #3 (and suffered very little postpartum pain after the uterine-shrinking contractions ended).
  
  Lastly, Bradley taught me better breathing (my trumpet-playing is vastly improved!), sitting, posture, and lifting techniques for the rest of my life. And gave me a few good laughs while he was at it. Love him!
  
  

• This is Daddy's guide to Mommy's Pregnancy

  
  By on 1999-07-17
  I don't believe this book is sexist! I do, however, believe it is written to the husband and is intended to interest him and involve him in the process of pregnancy, BIRTH, and parenthood. I started reading it, and then shared it just a little bit with my dear husband, and he ended up finishing it before I was able to! If we weren't able to read it aloud together, we actually argued over who got to take it to work! I appreciated the way Dr. Bradley understands childbirth and the frankness with which he describes the "normal, and natural" procedures of the mother's body **so that her husband can understand.** The emphasis is on proper mind and body training to prepare for an athletic event that everyone should look forward to "joyfully"! I also like the practicality of the nutrition and excercise recommendations. If you are looking for a thoroughly healthful, husband-inclusive guide to "do it yourself" pregnancy, you will enjoy this book! If your situation is something different from mine, you may want to look for other options, but there is still a lot of helpful info you can take from Husband Coached Childbirth, and the Bradley Method. Good Luck Everyone!!
  
  

• Completly Useless

  
  By AUVZYC0NAWRAU on 1999-11-03
  A waste of money if you want to learn the basics of the Bradley Method without having to become an expert on everyone else's techniques. Also, a difficult book to read even if you understand the concepts involved. Skip this book and move on to Childbirth the Natural Way.
  
  
• Skip this and get Ms. McCutcheon's book instead
  By A20PFIABMFJJGV on 2003-07-13
  Being the dutiful book-worm that I am, I thought I should go to the "source" to understand the Bradley method. I would say that only 10-20% of this book was useful. It is hopelessly outdated, despite being a "revised edition"; Bradley spends the majority of the time railing/advocating against "standard" birth practices (heavy use of anaesthesia, no dads in the delivery room, etc.) that may have been the norm when he first began developing his method, but are no longer. In short, he's preaching to the choir. I read the whole thing and promised I would pick out the salient parts for my husband...those parts would comprise maybe 10 pages. So, my advice is: skip this and get McCutcheon's book instead, which is more up to date and more practical.
  
  
• Push in the right direction
  By A1OYBBMFY7I8WO on 2006-01-02
  My husband and I are now big believers in natural childbirth the Bradley way. My son is 8 months old, delivered completely naturally, and I am 4 weeks pregnant with our next child, who we also plan to deliver without drugs.
  
  This book gave us confidence in our decision to deliver without drugs when all our friends were telling us, "You must be crazy!" Resting assured that for thousands of years, millions of women had gone before me and done the same thing, Dr. Bradley puts natural childbirth into perspective. Seriously, it does not take a super-woman to give birth without an epidural. If I can do it, any other woman can as well.
  
  This book discusses WHY and SOME of the hows to giving birth naturally. YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THE BRADLEY CLASSES ALONG WITH READING THIS BOOK. I did not know we would need to take a 13-week course on birth before I read it. "Husband-Coached Childbirth" is NOT a complete directive on how to give birth without drugs, it simply motivates you to do it. The class is designed to instruct you; the book is designed to motivate you. It really does have helpful information in it.
  
  We encourage all our friends to read it and consider natural childbirth. It really did give us a "push" in the right direction. :)
  
  
  
  
• Dr. Bradley's Method
  By on 1997-06-13
  Well, it's true, the tone of this book is sexist and dated. HOWEVER- Bradley's method is well worth learning about. This book is worthwhile, but for a more updated and balanced approach to the same material, check out "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg
  
  
• Relevant content. Diffcult to read. Needs pictures.
  By ALFNOXE3SVX0A on 2000-06-06
  One reviewer writes, "quite egotistical and sexist in tone, and very biased in pushing one way of viewing childbirth"

  Who cares? What about the content? ... As a "husband", here's my review ... The Goods: 1. The content. 2. He "pushes" the approach. If you understand natural childbirth, you should feel OBLIGATED to "push" this approach out of respect and care for other mothers-to-be. The Bads - the time is takes to understand or "picture" the content. If a picture is worth a thousands worth, than save me an hour - show me the picture. A more effective solution is to read "Natural Childbirth, the Bradley Way". This book is loaded with pictures and photos to explain the process far more effectively.
  
  

• very opinionated and somewhat outdated
  By A28R744JH4QQC on 1999-09-17
  Dr. Bradley has a wonderful method of natural childbirth as far as breathing and relaxation but he has very outdated views on circumcision, episiotomies, and attachment parenting. As a La Leche League Leader and a future Bradley Instructor, I would say read the book and take with you what works, such as the breathing, relaxation, and postpartum information, and leave what won't work for you.
  
  
• An Excellent Introduction to the Bradley Method
  By AZ323EPLWP3BN on 2000-12-15
  This was Dr. Bradley's original work on natural childbirth. This visionary OB helped women to reclaim the natural, joyous method of birthing for which their bodies had been designed. I read it and immediately sought out a Bradley instructor to learn the method. My daughter was subsequently born after a short, relatively painless labor (hard work, but no "pain"), with dad coaching. :)

  I found it less helpful in describing the mechanics of the birth (for that, see "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way"), but it was a very good overview and one which I recommend for folks who have heard of Bradley but are unfamiliar with the method.
  
  

• Old fashioned, patronizing, conservative approach
  By on 2002-08-05
  I was extremely disasppointed with this book. The tone caters to the lowest intellectual common denominator with overly simplistic, obvious commentary. The language and voice are stilted, and Bradley ruins content that could otherwise be useful. His statements regarding the impact of diet and drugs on the fetus are in many cases inaccurate and misleading. In addition, he makes continual references to god which are unnecessary and add no value.

  I would not recommend this book to anyone.
  
  

• There are better books for natural childbirth!
  By on 2003-12-16
  My husband and I read this book, among others, as part of a Bradley natural childbirth class. I have to agree with previous reviews that I found the information to be dated- particularly the hospital horrors he describes are simply no longer existant in our community. And his take on painless childbirth didn't work for us. I did go completely natural, it did hurt, but I don't regret it and will do the same for the next one. I was a little put off by the way he makes it sounds like he invented the idea of drug-free childbirth. There are other books that I felt better informed me of what to expect and what choices I would need to make- "The Birth Partner", "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way", "Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally", or "Good Birth, Safe Birth". Good luck to all of you wanting to go natural- it's a beautiful experience!
  
  
• ....
  By A1S9PQRVDFZIJH on 2005-07-06
  This book is a good start on natural childbirth. It gives a lot of reassurance, in case you're not sure if you can manage drug-free labor (most books about childbirth tend to be quite scary). I personally found the first few chapters very useful. The theory behind this method is quite reasonable, and the author goes at length explainig why he believes that the things he teaches should work, which I really appreciate. It is much easier to learn something when you understand why it is expected to work. Lamaze books rarely give you any reasoning behind their techniques. My advice is to also use Susan McCutcheon's "Natiral childbirth the Bradley way" and "The birth book" by Sears. Husband-coached childbirth is not a practical guide, it is more of an overview of the general principles and the theory behind the Bradley method. Although it is important to read it to understand why the method works, Susan McCutcheon's book is a practical course in preparing for labor. Sears's book contains a more up-to-date info on the state of the art in american obstetrics.
  
  I rather liked this book in general, but it has some flaws that it is good to be aware of. Most importantly, I found that the list of four references on baby-care suggested in chapter 11 is not enough. For example, Dr.Mendelson's book was written more than 20 years ago and is a bit outdated. Chapter about vaccines in it will not clear your confusion or help you make an informed decision. It doesn't even contain all the childhood deseases that kids are currently vaccinated against. Dr.Bradley sais: "consult your doctor, midwife or pediatrician about anything that" is "not cleared up by advice in these books". Well, type "vaccine" in amazon's search engine - you'll find about 20 books on vaccines that talk about things which will make your hair stand on end. But your pediatrician will most likely not tell you about any of these things even if you ask.
  
  
• Wonderfully Fascinating and Informative Book!
  By AAWKRCVTIV27L on 1999-10-22
  This is an excellent book for those seeking to understand thenaturalness of childbirth! Dr. Bradley's insights into childbirth,both the physical and emotional aspects, are very educational. This book is geared toward those interested in natural, husband-coached childbirth and is not meant to offer 'the middle ground'.

  There are parts that are a bit sexist, but taking into consideration when the book was initially written and the age and background of the author it is not terribly offensive for even feminists like myself!

  Excellent book! For all readers who believe in the ultimate naturalness of birth and our bodies ability to do the things it was designed to do...this is a MUST HAVE book!
  
  

• We used this childbirth method with our 6 children
  By A2LW9E5PPXWOHN on 2001-04-05
  Dr. Bradley revolutionized American childbirth when he began, in the 1940's, insisting that husbands coach their wives during childbirth. This was when fathers were relegated to the waiting room, and childbirth was treated like a disease that the good doctors "cured".

  Bradley examined the situation for himself, and realized that it was preposterous for childbirth to be handled the way it was. And a good thing for us that he did this!

  In this book he explains his research, and his experiences as a doctor. He also gives the practical information that expectant fathers need, and he advocates such wonderful things as breastfeeding and "taking your wife out once a week for a date!"

  Some women today might find him to be a bit "patriarchal", but I think he's charming, and he's obviously got a lot of respect for women and the natural processes of the female body. He does tell the husbands to make sure they get their wives to do certain things, but I think it's great that he expects husbands to take so much responsibility! In those days, childbirth and pregnancy were not in the "man's domain" at all.

  He also advocates drug-free childbirth as being the safest route for mother and baby. He gives a method of childbirth that helps ease the pain, and I advise pregnant women to read this section carefully, and do the exercises! It really does help!

  I recommend this book to anyone who is expecting, or plans to be expecting, a baby. As an advocate of natural childbirth, I give this book 2 thumbs up!
  
  

• The ONLY way to give birth!
  By A2LFR7AAXZVTSB on 2002-07-26
  You CAN achieve your ideal birth with the Badley Method. You may not even know what your ideal birth is until you enlighten yourself with this natural childbirth method that is really just common sense. I believe that the key to good parenting is having the desire & ambition to gain knowledge in order to make educated decisions on the health & well-being of your child.

  I am a 22 year old woman who, 3 months ago, gave birth to a beautiful 9 1/2 pound girl; in the water, in the privacy of my home. I wouldn't change a thing about the decisions we made for my pregnancy or her birth & infancy. In fact, I believe in the Bradley Method so much I am now training to be an instructor. It is essential to take the 12 class series in addition to reading this book. ...
  
  

• I'll have another one
  By AZI2WCSW8Z4SG on 2000-12-26
  This and all the books written by Dr. Bradley has made labor FUN for me. I love being in labor. It is a wonderful refreshing way of envisioning labor. I had one child in the hospital (horrible experience). I NEVER would want to have a happy in the hospital! The other two at home with the siblings watching and good friends and family watching nearby (midwives and assistants too). Those were the most wonderful moments of my life. I can't imagine giving birth any other way. My son who was age 3yrs at the time of the youngest birth still remembers it this day. My kids have a wonderful relationship and understands where they came from and how they are related. I often feel terrible when I hear of other people's awful "hospital, overintervention, stressful and painful labor situations" because I have experienced both and know how wonderful it is to have a beautiful labor. What helped me most about Dr. Bradley and books are the visualizations of the flower opening during labor (representing your cervix) and riding the waves out (representing the contractions). There are no silly breathing techniques for each stage of labor (who on earth can really remember those while you are in the middle of labor-much less listen to person screaming at you to breath this way or that). This book and all of Bradley books are must haves for all expecting parents! Even if you chose to go the hospital route or the medicated route Bradley can still help you through the process.
  
  
• A Pregnancy Must Read
  By on 2003-08-16
  I am the mother of seven children. Four were hospital births, one a breech c-section. Two homebirths and a planned hospital birth for the little one I am currently carrying.

  When I told my husband I was thinking of looking into the Bradley Method of childbirth, I think he thought I had lost my mind. After all, a woman who has had six children should be able to WRITE a book! But even with my homebirths I was searching for something that had been missing in my past births.

  On recommendations from readers at this site, I bought McCutcheon's book instead of Bradleys. Later, a friend lent me her copy of Bradley's book. I enjoyed Bradley's book so much more! I believe McCutcheon adds to what Bradley says in this text and personally, we like the commentary *without* all the nude pictures!

  If you are interested in a better birth experience, try Bradley's methods, and go to the source!
  
  

• good background info.
  By A3389XGKJMIO2A on 2004-09-07
  I Recommend this book as a companion to Natural Childbirth the Bradley way. The book has a lot of great background information and is interesting to read. It does not, however, have the practical information that you would need for childbirth, look for that in Natural Childbirth the Bradley way. It is this book that got me interested in Natural childbirth in the first place.
  
  My mom had a horrible labor when she gave birth to me. I expected a simlar ordeal when I had my daughter. I thought for sure that I would need drugs, because if women who had drugs told me how bad the pain was it must be awful without them. When I read this book it made me feel that labor might not be so bad after all. My husband and I took the bradley classes and by the end felt educated and confident about the birthing process. I had my daughter naturally 20 days ago with no intervention. My mom was present and was amazed at how well the birth went. I am recommending this book to all my pregnant friends.
  
  
• Learn about Natural Childbirth
  By on 1999-06-03
  I felt that this book was very well written. I got it as a gift from a friend and was very grateful. I thought that to have a baby you needed to be drugged to fight the pain, this is an untrue myth that a lot of people believe. The Bradley Method allowed me to have a drug free birth with my second child and it was the most empowering experiences that I have ever had. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about natural child birth the way God intended.
  
  
• Excellent book for parents-to-be
  By on 1998-08-23
  This book is a wonderful tool for expectant parents. The Bradley method of childbirth is by far the best way for mother and child. Dr. Bradley takes you through everything you need to know to have the easiest natural childbirth. Including exercises, relaxation techniques, and correct positioning. I recommend this book for anyone even considering having a baby.
  
  
• It really works!
  By on 2002-01-04
  This book is excellent preparation for Natural Childbirth (if you also take the Bradley Method Classes). My husband and I read this book and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon. Both are essential if you want to have a wonderful pregnancy and childbirth experience. We planned on a hospital birth with an OB/GYN, but eventually switched to a birthing center and a midwife. It was the best decision! We had a perfectly healthy delivery & little girl... or should I say big girl at 8 pounds 12 ounces! We had NO interventions at all! My husband was an excellent coach, and I don't think I could have done it without his help. The Bradley Method really gets the husbands involved. This book should be read before you even get pregnant or soon thereafter!
  
  
• Self promotion
  By ATQI13WK5XB6O on 2004-01-20
  My husband and I purchased this book because we have neither the time nor money to attend classes. The book does offer some valuable information but the particulars of exercises are not described. Instead the book says that you/ your wife will learn the particulars from her Bradley teacher. The book does a good job of offering encouragement and making natural childbirth seem like an enlightening joyous occassion. Although most of the information doesn't seem dated, the refrences to opposition does. The book thinks that having a husband in the delivery room will be faced with great opposition. There are also several sentences and phrases that get repeated throughout the book as if it is trying to brainwash these ideas into your mind. Although it is a good refrence to have, it could not replace taking an actual class or having more detailed instructions.
  
  
• Dr. Bradley was my mom's doctor in 1957
  By AKE4XTBTBLXN1 on 2004-01-21
  I've never read the book, however my mom and dad were one of Dr. Bradley's "guinea pigs". In 1957, it WAS unheard of for the father to be in the delivery room, coaching his wife. The book may sound a bit out-dated, but my mother is a strong believer, even to this day. I was her third child, and I am the only birth she remembers as an enjoyable experience. She only has GREAT things to say about Dr. Bradley. Try the book - and just remember that Dr. Bradley was delivering babies in the 50's - but it's the same way we give birth today!
  
  
• Don't get this book!
  By A3R9XHTW4FBXSV on 2004-08-13
  This book is so outdated it is pathetic. Save your money and get something else. According to this book the choices are to go natural or to be totally drugged out. Give me a break. I am preparing for my second birth in a couple of months. For the first I had an epidural, and was by no means drugged out. I was alert and aware the entire time. Also a husband in the delivery room is no longer radical by any means. Also as a woman who is still suffering the consequences of an episiotomy I did no appreciate the line where he says he winks at the husband as he picks up the scissors to make the cut! He approves of the procedure because we can't feel it when it is done. That is true, but the months of pain during sex as well as going to the bathroom are the real problems. Even to this day sex is not the same. He is a sexist, outdated doctor. If you want a natural birth read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth". Save your money for the real information! If I could I would have given it no stars!!!
  
  
• For those of us who need convincing!
  By A1CC2RD5NJTXVI on 2005-02-10
  I'm currently reading "Husband-Coached Childbirth" for the second time with my second pregnancy. "HCC" gave me more reasons and ammo (for those who thought I was crazy) to "go natural" with my first child. While this is a wonderful book full of labor and delivery theory, I find that Dr. Bradley is a little unrealistic about the intensity of childbirth. He states that "many women feel pain and discomfort." I felt LOTS OF PAIN AND DISCOMFORT! Couple this book with "Naural Childbirth the Bradley Way," Bradley Classes and a Doula. It provides wonderful reassurance that you aren't crazy, and YES, you can deliver without medication!
  
  
• This is a wonderful book
  By A2B5G6ATE5OXRA on 2005-09-24
  This is a very good resource. Dr. Bradley was my physician over 24 years ago when I was pregnant with our first child. I've had 5 more since then, and haven't taken so much as an aspirin during labor or delivery. This book offers excellent confidence for young parents-to-be. I knew nothing about pregnancy, but soon found myself feeling like an expert from this book and the classes.
  
  Dr. Bradley did so much to help make giving birth a family experience and not one just for the mom. I admit that having been his patient may have been an advantage, but this is a great book with timeless advice and encouragement. One thing though. If you do decide you want, or need, meds, by all means don't let yourself feel any guilt. Dr. Bradley's book, which explains his method, should reassure you that the health of the mom and baby is most important. Needing meds is important, if you need them.
  
  This book is so worthwile to read.
  
  
• Truly natural childbirth
  By A3ILP2ELRXYJI on 2001-08-18
  This book and the teachers qualified under this method have changed the way that parents look at childbirth. It is dynamite and provides the ONLY natural view of childbirth. It is must reading for all prospective parents.
  
  
• I'm Very Grateful For This Book!
  By A13MS9P9T5MHVC on 2006-05-23
  I was told I could never have a normal birth due to my hip size by a military doctor back in 1990. A good midwife, the book Childbirth Without Fear, and a wonderful Bradley childbirth education class using this book rescued me from a small comment that could have affected how I delivered the rest of my babies. I went on to have a wonderful birth experience, became a childbirth instructor, doula, doula trainer, and ultimately wrote the book Christ Centered Childbirth that is based on the principles of this book and the book Childbirth Without Fear. If you want a normal undisturbed birth, I would highly recommend this book!
  
  

• Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book)
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
• The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
• The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (Sears Parenting Library)