Customer Reviews

Husband-Coached Childbirth (Fifth Edition): The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

My husband and I purchased this book because we have neither the time nor money to attend classes. The book does offer some valuable information but the particulars of exercises are not described. Instead the book says that you/ your wife will learn the particulars from her Bradley teacher. The book does a good job of offering encouragement and making natural childbirth seem like an enlightening joyous occassion. Although most of the information doesn't seem dated, the refrences to opposition does. The book thinks that having a husband in the delivery room will be faced with great opposition. There are also several sentences and phrases that get repeated throughout the book as if it is trying to brainwash these ideas into your mind. Although it is a good refrence to have, it could not replace taking an actual class or having more detailed instructions.

I had high hopes for this book, but instead I feel like I'm reading an anthropological treatise from the 19th century.
It's old-fashioned, boring and outdated. Difficult to get through.
I definitely should have gone with something more interesting and relevant.
It was probably very revolutionary when it first came out.

I had a drug-free childbirth, thanks in part to the Bradley Method. To prepare, I took Bradley classes and read both "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon and this book. The thing that disturbed me most about this book is that Dr. Bradley insinuates repeatedly that childbirth doesn't really hurt as long as you follow his instructions. Believe me, it hurts. I think Dr. Bradley has since passed away, but if he were alive, I'd really like to ask him how many times HE gave birth. I prefer to get my information from a more reliable source -- a woman who has given birth herself. If you're only going to read one book, read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." If you're an information junkie like myself, read this one too. There's certainly a lot of info and it makes for interesting reading.

One reviewer writes, "quite egotistical and sexist in tone, and very biased in pushing one way of viewing childbirth"

Who cares? What about the content? ... As a "husband", here's my review ... The Goods: 1. The content. 2. He "pushes" the approach. If you understand natural childbirth, you should feel OBLIGATED to "push" this approach out of respect and care for other mothers-to-be. The Bads - the time is takes to understand or "picture" the content. If a picture is worth a thousands worth, than save me an hour - show me the picture. A more effective solution is to read "Natural Childbirth, the Bradley Way". This book is loaded with pictures and photos to explain the process far more effectively.

I am so tired of books that deal with only the mother! Two people created the baby and two people should be involved in every stage of his or his/her life! We loved the book! It was so refreshing a change from all the other ones out there. The book was very informative and we don't know what we would have done with out it! Thanks Bradly!

I would highly recommend this book to any woman really wanting to try her best for a 100% natural and drug free childbirth with limited amounts of pain. The book teaches women the importance of self-confidence in ones own body, gives daily exercises to prepare the body for labour as well as has small assignments that the couple can practice together (and more). Although you never can 'guarantee' your desired birth plan because of unforeseen medical circumstances etc. like I said, you can do your research, be prepared, and be in the right mindset, and I think this book equips you to do just that! They even mention an 80%+ success rate. My husband has just started reading this himself too and is getting the confidence he needs to help me through.

I've never read the book, however my mom and dad were one of Dr. Bradley's "guinea pigs". In 1957, it WAS unheard of for the father to be in the delivery room, coaching his wife. The book may sound a bit out-dated, but my mother is a strong believer, even to this day. I was her third child, and I am the only birth she remembers as an enjoyable experience. She only has GREAT things to say about Dr. Bradley. Try the book - and just remember that Dr. Bradley was delivering babies in the 50's - but it's the same way we give birth today!

My husband and I read this book, among others, as part of a Bradley natural childbirth class. I have to agree with previous reviews that I found the information to be dated- particularly the hospital horrors he describes are simply no longer existant in our community. And his take on painless childbirth didn't work for us. I did go completely natural, it did hurt, but I don't regret it and will do the same for the next one. I was a little put off by the way he makes it sounds like he invented the idea of drug-free childbirth. There are other books that I felt better informed me of what to expect and what choices I would need to make- "The Birth Partner", "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way", "Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally", or "Good Birth, Safe Birth". Good luck to all of you wanting to go natural- it's a beautiful experience!

I am the mother of seven children. Four were hospital births, one a breech c-section. Two homebirths and a planned hospital birth for the little one I am currently carrying.

When I told my husband I was thinking of looking into the Bradley Method of childbirth, I think he thought I had lost my mind. After all, a woman who has had six children should be able to WRITE a book! But even with my homebirths I was searching for something that had been missing in my past births.

On recommendations from readers at this site, I bought McCutcheon's book instead of Bradleys. Later, a friend lent me her copy of Bradley's book. I enjoyed Bradley's book so much more! I believe McCutcheon adds to what Bradley says in this text and personally, we like the commentary *without* all the nude pictures!

If you are interested in a better birth experience, try Bradley's methods, and go to the source!

Being the dutiful book-worm that I am, I thought I should go to the "source" to understand the Bradley method. I would say that only 10-20% of this book was useful. It is hopelessly outdated, despite being a "revised edition"; Bradley spends the majority of the time railing/advocating against "standard" birth practices (heavy use of anaesthesia, no dads in the delivery room, etc.) that may have been the norm when he first began developing his method, but are no longer. In short, he's preaching to the choir. I read the whole thing and promised I would pick out the salient parts for my husband...those parts would comprise maybe 10 pages. So, my advice is: skip this and get McCutcheon's book instead, which is more up to date and more practical.