The Bradley Method: A Breech in Our Plans

The Bradley Method is a natural childbirth option that educates both the mother and the father over a twelve week time frame. So for one day each week, my husband and I attended classes at our instructor‘s home and prepared ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally for childbirth.  It prepared both my husband and myself to be ready for birth and to not be afraid of complications. However, we did not realize that the Bradley Method would be so vital in helping us get through labor and that a cesarean was ultimately what was in our future.

Background Story:

From the time that I could truly feel the shape and outline of my precious baby in my womb, I felt like she was a breechling. Early on, this was no cause for concern. But, as I drew closer and closer to my due date, it became more and more worrisome. I posed the question of whether she was breech or not to my doctor and he swore to me that she was not. Unfortunately, it took getting into a car accident and an extra ultrasound to prove to my doctor that momma knew best. At this point, I was already very far along in my pregnancy and there was little that could be done. Even having done the Bradley Method exercises regularly, it didn’t help. Regardless, I tried chiropractic adjustments and the Webster techniques. I foolishly laid on an inclined ironing board in my living room with a bag of peas, a heating pack, and a flashlight. I worked on acupressure points. Everything… and nothing would get my girl to flip.

A breech baby does not have to be a cesarean sectionAt 38 weeks I went in for my weekly appointment and an ultrasound to see if she had moved. Verdict: Frank Breech. Response of Doctor: “How many kids do you want? …5? I can do 5 c-sections.”

Wow.

This took my breath away. A flood of emotions hit me so hard that I felt like I was living some horror story. I had invested so much time and effort into not taking medications, in preparing for a natural childbirth, in taking Bradley Method classes… and now no option was presented to me but a scheduled c-section. I still get emotional thinking about this. The anger, the sadness, the feeling of utter hopelessness. I clung to Lamentations 3:19-33 which reminded me that even at the bottom, I was not alone.

So, instead of taking the road of c-section with a doctor I had seen through the entire pregnancy, I jumped ship at 38 weeks. The very next morning I was able to get in to see basically the only doctor in the state that is willing to deliver frank breech babies naturally. Talk about an open door and a blessing. He went through four main options, but natural childbirth was the only one I cared about. He was extremely supportive and very abrasive, but in the end it’s what I needed. I didn’t want anyone to sugar coat things. I knew it would be hard, but I was willing.

Frank Breech presentation safe for natural childbirth after 37 weeks.

 

He told me that in order for it to work, I couldn’t have any drugs at all because I would have to push the baby out on my own. That was fine, that’s the goal anyway, the whole point of the Bradley Method. He told me that she needed to stay frank breech because butt+thighs=same circumference as head and she needed to stay small. I’m not very big so no problem and she hadn’t moved in 38 weeks so why would she now? He said I needed to have the perfect labor. Well, I could pray for that!

After explaining the parameters, he told me he had faith in my abilities. He also said that he would prefer that I not come in until I was at least 5-6cm dilated, but because that’s hard to check at home, basically stay home until I couldn’t take it anymore.

My Bradley Method Labor:

Two days before: low back aches and cramps and very emotional.

5am the day of: Water breaks. Literally just thought I was peeing myself even though it was a good-sized gush, but called my husband in to smell my pants (sorry). As he was making his way in, I kept trickling and knew that it was my waters. I started to worry because my new doctor said he would like for me to come in with waters in-tact. He also said I would need to start labor within three hours if I wanted a natural birth.

5:15am-10am: What I thought was mild cramping started, but they were really contractions. They never radiated to the front of my body, just stayed in my back. Little did I know at the time that I was in back labor and frank breech labor. I was definitely in “putsy-putsy” mode and wanted to clean the house, do laundry, etc. just so things were done for coming back home from the hospital. I started out at 7-8 minutes apart and progressed to 6.

10am: My mom arrived and we all went to Green Bambino. We were just going to go on a walk because I found that it sped contractions and felt better than sitting, lying, or anything else. This allowed me not only to walk around, but it also helped take my mind off of actually being in labor. Granted, when those strong contractions hit, there’s little else on your mind. It was just a nice break from focusing on what was happening and if it would truly work out or not. I was having LONG and INTENSE contractions about 5 minutes apart at this point.

12pm: We went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things and to just walk around the store. By this point, they were very intense and continually getting closer together. They were still just in my low back. We did not nearly finish there when I needed to go home. I was continuously drinking water which was keeping me hydrated and was continuing to replenish my amniotic fluids. I was also eating food to maintain a higher energy level. I had a regular breakfast and then at lunch I had a fruit smoothie for nutrients, but nothing I had to work at eating. Fun fact, definitely sat down during a rough contraction only to leave an amniotic fluid puddle at the Wal-Mart bank. Take note Belle Aisle Wal-Mart, you were marked. 😉

1pm-2:30pm: We got home and I decided to try to nap to conserve energy. I was around 4 minutes apart – sometimes more, sometimes less. The nap put them further apart, but they quickly resumed when I got up. After my nap, I worked on prepping some of our cloth diapers that had not been done yet and I taught my mom how to do it so she could finish.

2:30pm-3:30pm: I did lunges up and down the hallway to try to relieve some pressure just like we were taught in the Bradley Method. It was extremely intense. I also awkwardly laid on the bed when I couldn’t take it anymore. Then all of the sudden I started shaking uncontrollably. I knew this was the point I NEEDED to go into the hospital and I was pretty sure that I was entering transition. My husband was my rock and my rock star. He knew everything that was going on because of our Bradley classes and that was very reassuring. I was also moaning a lot at this point. Again, I didn’t know that I was having back labor, but it makes sense now.

4pm: Literally walked into the hospital… no wheelchair… (leave me alone nurses was my thought). They laughed at my husband when he told them I was in transition. Then we laughed when I was leaving a trail of blood.

4:15pm-5pm: I was fully admitted to the hospital, checked, and moved into a birthing room. Upon arrival I had a “paper-thin cervix” and I was 8cm dilated! I was so excited. The nurse told me I was her hero and that she wanted me to help with her birthing classes because most people came in thinking they were in transition but were only at a 3 or so 🙂

The bradley method of husband coached childbirth - in the hospital5pm-7pm: I labored an excruciating labor. Frank Breech + Back Labor = completely awful. I was able to make it to fully effaced and 9cm and I owe it all to the Bradley Method classes and everything we learned. I could NOT have done it without them and without an informed husband that believed in me. However, after a little while, my baby decided not to descend anymore and I returned to an 8 and I couldn’t progress anymore. I remember at this point telling my husband that I couldn’t do it anymore. Not only was I in pain, but she moved back up so high I couldn’t breathe and therefore I couldn’t relax. I also remember telling him that I had nothing left in me. And I really didn’t. I had no energy and I felt so lifeless. I had felt like I gave my everything and it was just kicking me while I was down. I had to have a c-section and I was devastated, but knew it was now what was best. My doctor came in and held my hand and told me that I had done an awesome job and he was very impressed and very sorry that I couldn’t have the birth experience I had hoped for.

7pm-7:54pm: I was prepped for surgery and the baby was delivered! She got minimal medication because of the emergency c-section and it’s all I could ask for. I remember the nurses talking about looking at my alternate birth plan. Though I didn’t want a cesarean, I knew it was a possibility and wanted to prepare for it. While not everything was followed, they ensured I got breastfeeding safe meds and that everything went fast and smooth.

8pm: Recovery. Enough said. I also got to hold and breastfeed my newborn who did latch!

Though I did not get the Bradley birth I had really wanted, I have the most beautiful baby girl and we are both very healthy. I praise God for the child I have today and the journey we underwent for her arrival. I know that there are reasons for everything and  I am so blessed to have at least gotten to labor and try to have her naturally.

Meeting my child for the first time after cesarean

The day after surgery, my doctor came in and talked to me. He told me that I was far from being a “weenie” and that I was incredibly strong. He said I could have easily given birth, but that she just wasn’t changing stations. It was reassuring both then and in the operating room hearing that my baby wasn’t descending… therefore my cesarean was not all bad, it was necessary, and there wasn’t a single thing I could have done differently. He told me that I am an excellent candidate for a VBAC, and now as I am expecting number two, I anxiously await the opportunity to give birth at home!

What are your Frank Breech stories or your successful VBAC stories?

 

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Kara Carrero
Kara is married and has one daughter and plans to have a large family. She loves being a eco-conscious mom and is a huge advocate of the organic, all natural, and "leave no trace" kind of lifestyle. She is a certified History and English teacher and uses her degrees to write freelance curriculum and run www.ALLterNATIVElearning.com. She is a Christian, an environmentalist, a researcher, a teacher, a mom, and an entrepreneur. She and her husband blog about DIY and renovating their OKC house at http://rehabit.at

12 COMMENTS

  1. Kara, that’s an amazing story. I’m in awe of your bravery! Can I ask who was the OB willing to deliver breech? We moved here six months ago from Albuquerque, where I was under the care of CNMs and have birth at a birth center. They also did well woman care, but I can’t find anything like that here. Any suggestions?

    • Thank you so much Melanie!

      I went to Dr. Robert Ryan. He unfortunately retired this past October. However, Dr. Alyson Willis was training under him when I was his patient and she actually did a lot of the hands on work with me both in labor and preparing. She is now his “replacement” so to speak and is at the Center for Integrative Women’s Health at St. Anthony’s.

      I am currently pregnant and am having to make tough decision because I really don’t want to have a hospital birth. There are CNMs at OU children’s and they are phenomenal. It’s not a birthing center, but it’s still a great option. There is a birthing center in Norman and a group of midwives also willing to travel called Community Midwifery Services. There are also several homebirth midwives such as Anne Coffe, Dawn Karlin, Margaret Scott, etc.

      Oklahoma Birth Network is probably the main resource I would recommend to explore the options in the area!

      Good luck finding what works for your family! 🙂

  2. I’m so impressed you found a doctor willing to do a breech birth. We have a midwife in the area who will do them if it isn’t your first baby, but I don’t think any of the hospitals around here will try. Good job trying momma! I bet your VBAC will be awesome!
    My first was a section due to breech presentation. My second a VBAC. It was amazing! Good luck!

    • I was too! He was truly my rockstar doctor and he did not play around. He told me from the moment I walked in his office wanting the chance to attempt the Breech birth that I couldn’t have meds, needed to come in at least 6-8cm, and that I better not have that kid on a Saturday. 😉 He said all of this because he knew the hospital technically wouldn’t allow it unless I walked in ready to give birth.

      That’s awesome that you got your VBAC! I have heard the experience is very liberating. Thanks so much for your comment!

  3. Wow! What a fabulous story! Good on you for being informed and empowered!

    I was lucky to have a great OB too… he didn’t pull any punches, but that worked for me and it pretty much saved my twins life when he knew when to leave them in and when to deliver them to give them their best chance at life (We had TTTS and they were born at 29 weeks and are now ten!)

    I was also lucky that my dr was pro VBAC and that we had such a good relationship as it meant I was able to negotiate my way to VBACing my next child at 42 weeks and 3 days… I delivered a 10 pound 3 oz baby after a painless labour without any meds that I thought would never happen! I also went on to have one more VBAC which was fast and furious.

    Keep fighting for what you want and what your babies needs… you’ll VBAC like a rock star!

    • Thanks so much Kate! That is so wonderful that you were able to have a healing and empowering VBACs. I have heard several ladies have fast deliveries the next time around; I hope I can be so lucky 😉 I love hearing the stories of strong women VBACing large babies — it’s possible and it is incredible!

      Your encouragement means SO much. I am focusing on a smooth, easy, and healing VBAC. It will happen and I know it.

  4. Kara, thank you for your story. I didn’t have a VBAC but I have has two home births with a midwife and I hope and pray that your next experience with birth is wonderful. It truly can be. Have faith that your body will do what it is designed to do. And have Chris tell that baby to get in the right position. I think they really do listen to their daddies better, even in the womb.

    • Absolutely. I am more than glad to share it because I know too many moms are ready to just “fall in line” and not truly explore their options. There was so much pain in succumbing to a c-section, but in the end, there has been healing from telling my story and knowing all of my options. Thanks for your prayers! I know we are going to need them just because it is more nerve wracking. And I will definitely tell him – he does seem to have a commanding personality too. 🙂 Thanks for your comment and encouragement!

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