Bradley - Lamaze - Birth Coach
So you've heard about the "Bradley Method" and also Lamaze Breathing Techniques, and probably you've heard one is great while the other sucks. Like Mac vs. PC, people tend to grab onto what has worked for them (or what has not) and throw away the other system (not too bright, neither in computers or birthing techniques -- we need Pentium technology to constantly push the envelope, and also the Macintosh so that non-literate users can actually operate computers [plus aren't those new colors really, really cute?] and we need Lamaze for down-and-dirty hands-on tools that work, and also Bradley because you need the low-down about what drugs do to your baby, and to you, and where control should be, in your hands, or in the hands of the medical profession).
In my opinion, for a first pregnancy, take Lamaze classes first (first and foremost, you need the Lamaze Breathing Techniques). Lamaze is a little more laid back than Bradley, and offers the very best tool for ensuring a successful "natural childbirth" experience: the fabulous hee-hee-hooos; in other words, a great breathing technique for managing pain (these hee-hee-hoos are the best weapon against pain, and the best tool in keeping the delivery going, keeping both Mommy and baby healthy, seriously, learn and practice the invaluable hee-hee-hoooooos!!!).
If you can survive natural childbirth without resulting to drugs or dangerous spinal blocks (the epidural), then for your next pregnancy, TAKE THE BRADLEY CLASSES, by all means. Of the two methods, Bradley is the more complete, the more involved, offers the most hard truth, and urges natural, natural, natural -- and hey, you've made it through the first pregnancy with Lamaze, you can definitely do it now with Bradley (statistically, first-timers with Lamaze are more likely to successfully complete the "natural" route, whereas first-timers with Bradley generally fall back on drugs).
Lamaze. As to the breathing technique. You NEED the hee-hee-hoooo (taking a short, fast inhalation of breath before each hee, and a longer inhalation before the hoo). It is about the best pain-management technique you have in your toolbox, outside of drugs. The many short breaths force a lot more oxygen into the blood -- much like a swimmer just before a race, hyperventilating.
Bradley. As to the breathing technique. Long, deep, relaxing breaths of air, a MUST for the intervals BETWEEN contractions. This technique does nothing for managing pain, but is necessary between contractions, to ensure the most rest and relaxation possible.
Use the techniques of both, if you desire a natural childbirth. Both techniques are necessary, the Lamaze breathing to BATTLE the contractions, and the Bradley breathing to REST between the contractions. You have to battle, and you have to rest, your success depends upon it. And also, read below, for either technique to work, Lamaze or Bradley, a very GOOD Birth Coach needs to present and in charge (not watching TV).
The "Birth Coach" is probably the most important factor (next to Lamaze breathing) when considering "natural delivery," or even a low-drug birthing event. The Coach needs to soothe Mommy if she becomes agitated, needs to reassure her during especially powerful contractions, needs to keep time on the contraction as it makes a potent "we can get through this one" attitude if the coach can say: "Okay, we're halfway through this contraction, okay, only about twenty seconds left to go, you can feel it letting up now, it's easier, you can start to relax..." -- also, the coach needs to determine when to pick up the speed of the "Hee-Hee-Hoos" during larger contractions.
When the contractions are at their longest and most powerful, the "hee-hee-hoos" (double "hee") need to turn into "hee-hee-hee-hoos" (triple "hee") to better capitalize on oxygen and blood flow. As the contraction nears its strongest point, the coach needs to urge: "Okay, we're switching to triples!" while keeping a close watch on the time of the contraction (and also being extremely sensitive to Mommy, reading all her body language) so that when the contraction begins to ease the coach knows to switch back to doubles.
Lamaze breathing is beautiful, it works, it really works, but can't work without a very good Birth Coach. The Birth Coach needs to be there, in Mommy's face, the whole time, the whole nine yards, making certain that she is with the program.
Between contraction bouts the coach must ensure that Mommy is hydrated AND breathing deeply (the Bradley techniques, relaxing, and strongly and deeply filling the lungs with air, holding a moment, and slowly exhaling), and constantly encouraging her ("You're doing great, I can't believe how well you made it through that one, you were so brave!").
The Birth Coach should also practice intense eye contact with Mommy. During contractions she should be looking into the eyes of the Coach, not at a pleasant teddy bear, or a picture of the ocean -- these techniques are good, too, in their place (hint, between contractions, while practicing Bradley breathing, deep slow, oxygen-rich breaths, filling the lungs, this is when Mommy should be relaxing, looking at beautiful paintings, or woodcut of a teddybear mugging a penguin). But during contractions Coach and Mommy need to be eye-to-eye and stay that way.
Since this eye-to-eye closeness means the face of the Coach is going to be in Mommy's face, the Coach had better have fresh breath, keeping some Altoids (the curiously strong peppermints) close at hand, to pop into the mouth between contractions (not DURING contractions, as the Coach needs to be doing a lot of talking and coaching, and doesn't need the extra distraction of a mint bouncing around on the tongue). Along with keeping Mommy hydrated, the Coach better drink quite a bit of water too during the whole process, and had best keep the bathroom breaks as short as possible.
Mommy NEEDS to trust the Birth Coach, and the Birth Coach has to be confident enough to take charge. The Coach needs to be the bodyguard, the cheerleader, the wise commander, and the snap-judgment nurse's aide. The Coach should be proficient in various massage techniques, and should have strong arms so that Mommy can twist and squeeze to her heart's content. And EMPATHY, strong, strong EMPATHY, the Birth Coach better be sympathetic and empathetic, or else the job needs to go to someone else. For up to 30 hours straight, the Birth Coach needs to be sensitive to Mommy's needs, and not be shy about talking to nurses and doctors.
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