What Is the Bradley Birthing Method?

The Bradley Method of childbirth preparation is one of many programs that teach parents how to have a medication-free childbirth experience. According to the Bradley Method's official website, 86% of parents trained in its techniques have an unmedicated vaginal birth.

The idea that people could give birth without medication and only with a partner by their side was radical in 1947, when Dr. Robert Bradley invented the method. By this time, hospital births had become the norm, and partners were not invited to the birthing room. They stayed in the waiting room and only entered after the baby was born.

As long as you have someone to support you during birth—a romantic partner, close friend or family member, or professional doula—the Bradley Method can work for you.

History of the Bradley Method

Dr. Bradley grew up on a farm where he witnessed animals giving birth with minimal stress. In contrast, the people he saw giving birth appeared to be in tremendous pain. Why would animal birth be so different than human birth?

Dr. Bradley noticed that animal births rarely required intervention. In hospitals, a doctor's intervention during birth was the rule. In the early 20th century, pregnant people were typically given strong sedatives during labor, and by the 1940s, epidural pain relief was becoming increasingly common.

Dr. Bradley studied what animals seemed to do instinctively and tried to apply the same principles to the childbirth process. With his guidance, his patients were able to experlabor without pain medications, participate in deliveries, and avoid interventions like episiotomies or the use of forceps.

How the Bradley Method Works

Dr. Bradley believed that only a small percentage of births require medical intervention. He believed that the vast majority of people can give birth without drugs or special tools and that the doctor should only be summoned in an emergency.

According to the Bradley Method, to have an intervention-free birth, a laboring parent needs a variety of things in place.

Dark or dim lighting 

Very different from the bright lights of most hospitals, Dr. Bradley felt a laboring parent needs dim lighting to give birth in a relaxed state.

Solitude 

While a partner is helpful, having a crowd of onlookers would not be beneficial, according to Dr. Bradley. Extended family or coworkers may not be the best guests for the labor room. Only the person or people closest to the laboring parent should be present.

Comfort 

Dr. Bradley emphasized that the laboring parent should be completely comfortable to reduce any unnecessary stress during childbirth. Someone should bring them socks if they have cold feet or a fan if they get hot. The idea is that a person should focus only on the labor and delivery process and relaxation techniques to get them through.

Familiarity 

Being in a strange or foreign environment may cause labor to stall and increase feelings of anxiety. For hospital births, this means that taking one or more tours of the facility before the actual birth is highly recommended. 

Sense of safety 

To completely relax into the birthing process, a parent must feel safe. The role of the labor coach is essential here. Knowing someone is keeping guard and catering to the laboring parent's needs helps build that sense of safety.

Confidence 

A parent needs to believe that their body is capable of birthing their baby without drugs or intervention. The widespread notion that labor is miserable and painful without medication is part of what makes it more difficult for people to believe they can do it, according to Dr. Bradley.

Dr. Bradley acknowledged that for a parent-to-be, there comes a time of natural self-doubt that they can get through the childbirth process. He taught that this is a good sign that the end of labor is close. The labor coach’s job is to reassure a person in labor that they are strong and capable.

Physical relaxation 

Physical relaxation is key in the Bradley birthing method. The laboring parent should be in a position in which they can completely relax. Tension causes labor pains to feel worse.

Controlled breathing

Dr. Bradley believed that natural (but controlled) breathing is best for the laboring parent. Something like sleep-breathing is ideal.

Some birthing methods encourage focusing on breathing patterns to distract from labor. Dr. Bradley thought that the laboring parent doesn’t need to be distracted from the process, but an inward focus instead. Calm breathing helps with that.

Sleep-like relaxation 

Especially when labor gets intense, a parent using the Bradley Method may appear to be sleeping. They are not sleeping but intensely focused inward to remain calm and relaxed. The idea is that you can’t feel free to close your eyes if you feel unsafe. This is another reason why a labor support person is essential.

Breastfeeding directly after childbirth

Dr. Bradley also believed that a parent should put their baby on their breast immediately after delivery to facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. A parent is the ideal “baby warmer." 

Where To Learn the Bradley Method

Bradley Method classes are typically more comprehensive than other childbirth preparation classes. They discuss in depth how to have a healthy pregnancy and what you can do to be successful with breastfeeding.

When considering childbirth instructors and classes, you can ask for a curriculum outline to get a better idea of what may be covered. You can expect to learn about:

• The birthing process and how it works
• Why birth is a natural (not dangerous or medical) event
• The risks of interventions and medications
• Prenatal nutrition
• Prenatal exercises to prepare for the birth (squatting, pelvic rocking)
• Relaxation techniques (with time to practice during class)
• How the coach can ensure the comfort of the laboring parent
• Positions for labor and delivery
• Practical advice on preparing for the birth
• Breastfeeding and infant bonding
• Basic infant care
• Detailed instructions for your support partner
• How to create a safe, supportive environment for the laboring parent
• Time to practice techniques in class and lots of encouragement to practice outside of class

You can take a Bradley Method class with a certified instructor or teach yourself by reading books or online articles on the technique.

Alternatives To the Bradley Method

If having a medication-free birth is important to you, studying the Bradley Method could be a step towards achieving that goal. But there isn't one method of having a baby that is research-proven to be “the most” effective or “the most” successful.

Two other popular childbirth methods are:

• Lamaze: Many hospitals and health care providers will direct you to a Lamaze childbirth class, since labor and delivery departments frequently host or sponsor these courses. People using this method employ conscious breathing to shift focus away from the pain of contractions and other tools, like exercise balls. It can lead to a medication-free birth but some people who use this technique ultimately choose to have medication or other interventions.
• HypnoBirthing: People who study this method learn self-hypnosis techniques to inspire confidence and lessen stress during childbirth. They are encouraged to tune into the muscles they use during labor and delivery while staying relaxed and focused mentally.

Talk to your health care provider about all the options to help you prepare for your big day. Know that whether you choose to try the Bradley Method, another style of childbirth preparation, or prepare in your own way, the time you spend learning about your body and the birthing process will be time well spent.