Conscious Childbirth Choices:

Bradley Method Natural Childbirth Classes

& Doula Service

Our program teaches:

1. Natural childbirth - Nearly 90% of Bradley^® moms having vaginal births do so without pain medication.

2. Active participation by the husband or someone close to the mother as coach.

3. Excellent nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and baby).

4. Avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, unless absolutely necessary. No drug has been proven safe for an unborn baby.

5. Training: Weekly classes starting in the 5^th month and continuing until the birth.

6. Relaxation and NATURAL breathing 

7. "Tuning-in" to your own body and trusting the natural process.

8. Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby.

9. Breastfeeding, beginning at birth provides immunities and optimum nutrition.

10. Consumerism and positive communications.

11. Parents taking responsibility for the safety of the birth place, procedures, attendants, and emergency back-up.

12. Parents being prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth and cesarean section.

13.  Birth art, journaling, and communication, and visualization exercises to honor the spiritual dimension of pregnancy & birth.

                                                      

 

For more information on the Bradley Method, click here.

 

Email us to learn more about Childbirth Classes and Doula Services

What is The Bradley Method®?

It is a method of Husband-Coached Natural Childbirth that promotes self-awareness and teaches both the the mother and her coach to deal with the stress of labor and birth.  Bradley®  classes:

* are small, allowing for individual     attention

*include 10 classes with review sessions until birth

*teach both mother and coach relaxation, physiology, nutrition, and parenting skills

*emphasize labor support so that the mother feels protected and supported in labor    

*advise parents on how to be    an intelligent consumer of obstetric services, emphasizing positive communication with birth attendents.

 

How is The Bradley Method® different from other childbirth classes?

While other methods teach distraction  and unnatural breathing, Bradley® encourages mothers to trust their bodies and for couples to find and utilize what is comfortable for them in labor. The Bradley Method® emphasizes relaxed abdominal breathing and relaxation throughout labor.

 

Why Natural Childbirth?

Natural Childbirth is the safest for mother and baby and facilitates a joyfully aware birth experience and strong family bonds.

What is a doula?

 

Doula is a Greek word meaning woman servant.  Doulas are professionally trained to provide physical, emotional, spiritual, and informational support to a laboring mother and her partner.  The doula’s job is to help the woman have a safe and empowering birth experience no matter what kind of birth the woman is planning—home, hospital, medicated or natural. 

 

Having another woman who has experienced childbirth herself can be a very supportive and nurturing presence for a birthing woman.  A doula is not meant to replace the partner in labor, but to be an assistant to both the mother and her partner. 

 

What does a doula do?

 

Doulas can provide comfort through pain relief techniques such as relaxation, visualization, massage, breathing, suggesting effective positions, and offering reassurance to the laboring woman. 

 

Doulas are also available to answer questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and baby care.

 

Why have a doula?

 

Many studies have shown that having a doula present in labor has many benefits.  Woman who have a doula present in labor report a more fulfilling birth experience.  The following study revealed that having a doula present has the following benefits:

 

· 50% reduction in the cesarean rate

· 25% shorter labor

· 60% reduction in epidural requests

· 40% reduction in oxytocin use

· 30% reduction in analgesia use

· 40% reduction in forceps delivery

·  

Information was obtained from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993).

 

About me

 

I am a mother of two children, one whom was born in the hospital with the intervention of Pitocin, but no pain medication.  My other son was born at  home in a water birth.  Both were incredibly joyous and transforming experiences.  I felt so connected and empowered through pregnancy and childbirth and I am inspired to share my experience and knowledge with other women so that they may have a transforming birth experience as well.  I have been a certified Bradley Method instructor since 2004.  I am currently working on my certification as a doula through DONA.   

Contact Jessie Crow Mermel at serendipitree@gmail.com or call 815-623-9878 if you are interested in doula services. 

 

My Rates

 

While I am in training, I am offering my services at an incredibly discounted rate of only $100.  Parents who are taking the Bradley Method class can hire me for free as a doula while I am in training.  I also offer my services for free to women who otherwise couldn’t afford a doula.  Once hired, I am on call for 2 weeks before and after your due date.  

 

 

“If the success or failure of this planet and of human beings depended on how I am and what I do . . .

 

How would I be?

What would I do?”          ~R. Buckminister Fuller

 

Sign up now...our new series begins in Mid April!

Call Jessie at 815-955-0653