If any of you have taken a Bradley childbirth class, can you please give me some feedback to let me know what you thought of it? Did you take it locally? I'm debating on whether to take it, take a traditional birthing class, or not take anything at all. Thanks for all your help!
Since you are looking at Natural Childbirth to begin with, I would skip the traditional hospital run classes. I did incorporate Bradley into my laboring knowledge.
And Started by reading up on Bradley:
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way-http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Childbirth-Bradley-Way-Revised/dp/0452276594
Loved this book for it's physiological information about birth, etc.
Husband Coached Birth by Bradley-http://www.amazon.com/Husband-Coached-Childbirth-Fifth-Bradley-Natural/dp/055338516X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
Was harder for me to read because of the "woman is the homemaker" aspect.
The Birth Partner-http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Partner-Everything-Childbirth-Complete/dp/1558320105
Great book for your partner to read. Reassurance and calm are essential during childbirth.
The Doula Book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738206091/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1558320105&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CYD8BBAQC499ZW68B3V
Just some more information. I was happy to have a doula.
Also, look at Birthing from Within, they also have classes in addition to their book too: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/teachers
For me, personally, I chose not to take the classes. I did enough reading, though, to take any reservations out of my mind about the process. There's sooo much bad information thrown at us regarding birth through TV shows and the media that education really is the key to having a birth your way.
The Thinking Women's guide by Goer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399525173/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1558320105&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CYD8BBAQC499ZW68B3V
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
All of these books have great information in them about the childbirth process.
I know I'm throwing a lot out there for you to look at, but regardless of whether you birth in a hospital or at home or on a mountain top, I feel very strongly that education is best thing we can do for ourselves as women. It really helped take the fear away and created such an empowering experience for me.
Congratulations and best of luck to you. You CAN have a natural childbirth.
Sincerely, Danelle
Mom to Carmen Marie, born at home May 2007.