Book Review
Husband-Coached Childbirth : The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, Ashley Montagu
Dr. Bradley revolutionized American childbirth when he began, in the 1940's, insisting that husbands coach their wives during childbirth. This was when fathers were relegated to the waiting room, and childbirth was treated like a disease that the good doctors "cured".
Bradley examined the situation for himself, and realized that it was preposterous for childbirth to be handled the way it was. And a good thing for us that he did this!
In this book he explains his research, and his experiences as a doctor. He also gives the practical information that expectant fathers need, and he advocates such wonderful things as breastfeeding and "taking your wife out once a week for a date!"
Some women today might find him to be a bit "patriarchal", but I think he's charming, and he's obviously got a lot of respect for women and the natural processes of the female body. He does tell the husbands to make sure they get their wives to do certain things, but I think it's great that he expects husbands to take so much responsibility! In those days, childbirth and pregnancy were not in the "man's domain" at all.
He also advocates drug-free childbirth as being the safest route for mother and baby. He gives a method of childbirth that helps ease the pain, and I advise pregnant women to read this section carefully, and do the exercises! It really does help!
I recommend this book to anyone who is expecting, or plans to be expecting, a baby. As an advocate of natural childbirth, I give this book 2 thumbs up!
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Great Birthing / Baby Sites
Baby Snark
Gentle, Silent Birth
Attachment Parenting
Thumbshots - Attachment Parenting
Skywalk Directory - Attachment Parenting
Nursing Life - Attachment Parenting
Big Happy Family
What Fetus Can Hear Inside the Womb
Tom Cruise, Scientology Silent Birth
Parenting Quotes
Raising Responsible Children
Scientology Families
Live and Grow
Scientology Religion
Raising Kids - Giving them Hope for the Future
Helping Children
How to Live With Children
Nurturing our Children
Silent Childbirth
Natural Childbirth Story
Scientology Counseling Helps Expectant Mother
Scientology volunteer ministers
