Bradley Method Childbirth Classes

First of all, I want to point out the positives. Jan is a very kind, caring, knowledgeable and passionate person. She has a lot of resources and experience in everything childbirth-​related.
Second of all, the Bradley Birth philosophy is well worth looking into. I believe the idea behind it is empowering, and just being exposed to the information is inspiring enough to help many couples have a natural birth.
That being said, I felt a lot of time in the class was purely wasted. Two hours a week for twelve weeks, and I felt there was very little information learned in class. Jan has a tendency to go off topic rambling on and on about people she knows and other miscellaneous topics …
Much of the class will be spent watching videos from the 70s… many of which drill into your head how wonderful it is to have a midwife and a home water birth, while bashing having an OBGYN and the typical hospital birth experience. Fantastic, because at the point of your pregnancy where you would take this class, you most likely have been seeing a OB and chosen your hospital. So you get to sit there and feel like crap.
Also, some of these (expensive) classes will be largely taken up by recent couples who have had successful Bradley Births who come in for «show and tell» to talk about their birth story. It is meant to be inspiring and it’s cute to see newborns. But what happens is these guests come in at 7pm and end up taking up an hour and a half of a two hour class. And if we’re being honest, hearing other people’s stories gives you absolutely NO insight into what is going to happen during your birth. Not to mention, you have taken time out of your busy schedule and driven to class to hear someone’s natural birth story.
Oh, by the way, not all the «natural» birth stories are nice easy births. We heard some that involved excessive bleeding and general anesthesia after the birth.
Those were somehow fine to share with the class… but one thing you will NOT see or hear of in Jan’s class is a birth story from someone who has gotten an epidural or a c section. So if you take her class and end up having a less than natural experience, do not expect to be invited back to share your cute little bundle with future parents taking her class. Even if you have a positive experience, if your birth involves drugs of any kind, your story is not worthy of sharing with aspiring Bradley parents.
My advice: read the books!

Jan was teaching these classes when I was a «trepedatious-​yuppie– buying– $ 40-​worth-​of-​books-​pregnant –Mom-​2-​B.» I was so happy with her classes that I have since referred her dozens of times and even PAID for my neighbor’s maid to go to her classes. The maid’s husband learned from the OTHER Dads in the class that men are expected and WILL change diapers, too!
You should know that Jan wrote the seminal work in her field:
” Teaching Natural Birth: Deciding to Teach and Establishing Your Own Successful Business.“
There are two class series per week from 7 – 9 p.m. and she alternates between starting a Monday series and a Tuesday series.
If you’re not sure, she has a FREE, introductory Healthy Pregnancy Class every three months or so. Go to her website for the current schedule.
Of course you know that you bring two pillows when you bring your spouse to the first class. These pillows determine your place in the pecking order of the class. Don’t bring those ratty things from the back bedroom, and don’t do as we did and specially buy brand-​new designer silk pillows. Do remember they will be on the floor, so you wont want to sleep with them later unless you double pillowcase them, and plan on keeping them in the trunk until the class is over. It looks bad when you forget the pillows. You don’t want to be known as the idiot couple who couldn’t remember their pillows: what: are you going to forget the kid next?
Jan distributes tons of handouts, and is super thorough about answering questions (and my gosh there were some stupid questions. Not me, of course, I had already read each and every page of those $ 400 worth of books: [say it togther class: OCD] How my kid turned out so great is a complete mystery to me. I can only imagine it was Jan’s classes that influenced her to normality.)
There are 8 couples, and you tend to network with them, have baby parties with them, exchange baby-​info with them, etc, for the next twenty years.
If you get the chance to meet Jan’s husband, Lee, you’ll love him. Such a doll, and so discreet and charming!
One last thing: Jan has the most phenomenal memory I have ever seen. She remembers every single kid, the kids birth experience, all of their siblings and parents and often their relatives, the birth doctor, and tons of other data. She never forgets a birthday and if she sees a kid on the street TWENTY YEARS LATER, she will still recognize and remember that child, even all grown-​up If you saw Erin Brckovich you know what I mean.
She is such a humble, gracious and godly woman, you wont realize at first how smart she really is. Oh yes, and she has a beautiful singing voice, too.
Finally, those of you who want a wonderful birth experience owe it to yourself to spend the time in these classes with your spouse. Seriously, you’ll thank me.