Episode Transcript
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It's the Best Birth Podcast, wherewe interview experts that elevate
you as you prepare your heartand mind to have the best birth.
Each episode will interviewprofessionals so you are prepared
for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Our experts will build your confidenceand empower you to trust your
intuition throughout your pregnancy.
This audio is takenfrom videos on YouTube.
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Watch the entire episodes onYouTube at Birth Made Mindful.
The Best Birth [00:01]
Welcome to the Best Birth podcast.
We are excited today to welcomeour guest, Amanda Taulbee.
She is a birth educator for theBradley Method and has amazing things
to share with us today about how wecan prepare for labor and delivery.
Welcome Amanda.
Amanda is due any day with her third boy.
(00:49):
She has been teaching theBradley Method for three years.
She loves decorating.
So nesting has beenreally fun this go around.
She soaks up the sun whilewalking, hiking, and enjoying
the beautiful outdoors.
And it's so fun that we share that.
All of us have three boys.
Thank you so much for joining us, Amanda.
We want to start out by justasking, tell us a little bit
more about the Bradley Method.
(01:11):
Amanda [00:41]
Okay, so I love the Bradley method Iwas introduced to it by my aunt and a
few of my cousins when I was having myfirst baby and as I looked into it, I
just loved how it was sort of the mostlike well -rounded approach that I could
find like it talked about relaxationnutrition exercise tons of education
(01:36):
Teaching you basically everything that'sgonna happen during labor what to expect
And so I just love that and itmade me want to take the class.
The Best Birth [01:17]
So after taking the class, thenyou became an educator yourself.
Amanda [01:20]
Yeah, so actually it was during my secondpregnancy, I did the certification.
(01:58):
The Best Birth [01:28]
And what were some of the differences inthis method that drew you to become the
birth educator for the Bradley method?
Amanda [01:35]
I loved how prepared I was for birth andI just felt like everyone should have
the opportunity to just not feel scaredand nervous, to have their first baby.
Or even I have, lots of couples inmy class who it's maybe their second
(02:20):
or third baby and they just haven'tloved how like it's gone previously
and they just want to be ready.
And so I've loved that about it.
I don't even feel like it's work to me.
Like when I have a class, it's just fun.
I just love talking about it andhelping people just understand
like, this is how our body works.
(02:40):
This is what's happening.
The Best Birth [02:13]
So how is the Bradley method effectivein reducing pain or managing pain?
Amanda [02:18]
Yeah, so relaxation iskey to the Bradley Method.
So we start in week one, basically,learning just kind of how to relax
all the muscles in your body.
And then eventually you transfer thatto like having practice contractions and
(03:04):
you practice in the different positions.
So
the key is relaxing during thecontractions, relaxing all the muscles in
your body so your uterus can work without
like the strain of stress.
If you're not really prepped and youstart having a really intense active labor
contraction, you would probably just wantto hyperventilate, but that's not helpful.
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So we just start from the basicsof like learning how to relax.
And then we do some like laborrehearsals and practice that way.
The Best Birth [03:04]
I absolutely love that because Iremember my very first contraction
with my first baby and it was unreal.
It was unlike anythingthat I was expecting.
And then like no othercontractions came along.
(03:47):
The next morning my water broke and nocontractions came along then either.
But it was a very, very differentfeeling than I had anticipated.
So having, you know, like thatrole play of what we can actually
anticipate, that seems like so crucial.
Amanda [03:33]
Yeah, it's really helpful.
And I feel like I tell them, like,there's not a lot you can do to
(04:08):
know exactly what it will feel like.
But like, and I always tellthem, like, all of this will
make sense when you're in labor.
Like, even if some of it isn'tclicking now, like, once you're in
labor and you feel that for the firsttime, you'll be like, this is why,
this is why I was practicing this.
And then you're able to justuse it and make it through labor
(04:29):
because you were practicing.
The Best Birth [04:02]
How do women use the Bradleymethod and get access to it?
Is it just more learning about itand then you can use it in your
pregnancy or is there anythingthat's a barrier before using it?
Amanda [04:13]
So I feel like people usually justresearch different methods they want and
then they just contact an instructor.
(04:51):
I don't think I could have doneit without taking the class.
I had a book before and I was readingabout it, but taking the class was
really helpful, especially to haveother couples there was really cool.
And just to be able to ask somebodywho's had multiple kids using the
Bradley method what it was like
(05:11):
So they can just go online to the Bradleywebsite and then find a teacher near them.
So that's kind of the easiest way.
And it's super easy to like sign up.
You don't have to have any pre-qualifications or anything.
The Best Birth [04:53]
That's helpful.
Is the Bradley method usefulin other areas of life or
is it mostly birth specific?
Amanda [04:59]
so I would say it'shonestly helped me a lot.
(05:32):
even in this pregnancy, I've beenhaving these Charlie horses and I just
use the relaxation while I was havingthese really intense pains in my legs.
and that was really helpful.
Also like the nutrition is helpful.
I would say it's like specifically forpregnancy and birth and postpartum,
but I feel like it's really justhelped my life a lot in other ways too.
The Best Birth [05:22]
(05:52):
Well, we'd love to know maybe two or threeexamples of what a woman could do in labor
to help manage those strong sensations.
Amanda [05:31]
Yes, so the Bradley method, so the firstthing that I feel like is so important
that I always teach everyone, the Bradleymethod teaches is called the Duh Face.
And it looks really stupid.
(06:13):
But the purpose is to relax like allthe muscles in your like face and jaw.
And so you're basically just gonna like.
The Best Birth [05:51]
Okay, we're gonna do it with you.
Amanda [05:51]
I'll look like that.
Okay.
The Best Birth [05:54]
Is that kind of the look?
Amanda [05:56]
Yeah, but your eyes closed too.
The Best Birth [05:58]
eyes closed.
Amanda [06:00]
and your shoulders arekind of just dropping.
Yes, it's hard, it's hard becauselike, yeah, so shoulders dropped,
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jaw relaxed, eyes closed.
The Best Birth [06:03]
yeah, my shoulders aredefinitely not dropped.
I need to probably get ready.
And during this phase, is therevocalization that's going on
there or is that mainly justkind of like the basic face?
Amanda [06:14]
You guys got it.
So that is gonna kind of help kickstartyou to just be relaxed everywhere else.
(06:56):
I feel like once you start withthe jaw and shoulders, you're
like, okay, now I can relax this.
So the first thing we start withis a progressive muscle relaxation.
And then basically by the timeyou have the baby, you should
instantly sort of just be ableto do the da face and just relax.
And this really, really helps.
It seems so silly, but onceyou get into that position,
(07:20):
It's almost like when you're havinga contraction, you can like notice
it, but separate yourself in a way.
Like you're focusing on relaxingand you're not like focused on the
pain or trying to get rid of it.
And so that is probablythe most helpful thing.
I just remember every time Ihad a contraction, I just go to
the, the duh face is what I say.
(07:42):
And then there's like a checklistfor moms and dads during...
a contraction or during labor.
It's like the mom is supposed tojust be in a like super relaxed
position, have like the duhlook, not talking, not moving.
And then the coach or dad, whoever ishelping the mom, will be kind of checking
(08:05):
like, okay, does she seem really relaxed?
Like, is she tense anywhere?
Does she need anythingduring that contraction?
Like making sure she's not disturbed.
The Best Birth [07:44]
It reminds me a lot ofhypnobirthing as well.
Are there some crossoversto those two methods?
Amanda [07:49]
Yeah, yeah, there definitely are.
I had someone actually take my class.
She was having her third baby and she haddone hypnobirthing the first two times.
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And she was like, a lot of thissounds really similar, like during the
contraction and relaxation part, but shejust wanted a little bit more of like,
I think what's unique too about theBradley method is that they also call
it husband coach childbirth, or likehonestly, whoever is there with you.
But it really, really focuses on the,
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husband or dad partner being the coach andreally having tons like a huge part in it.
And so she, she wanted that as well.
And some more of the like education part.
The Best Birth [08:30]
Are there cons to the Bradleymethod or times when it may not
be the best fit for someone?
Amanda [08:34]
I would say like to me it's sort oflike if you if you're interested great
(09:12):
I'm going to like teach you everythingI don't know but if you feel like it's
not for you or you're not interested indoing a natural childbirth then I'm not
going to like try to force my opinionson you or like everyone is so unique
I've even done some shorter coursesfor couples who aren't necessarily like
Maybe they're just planning to getan epidural, but they want to know
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what's going to happen to their bodyand postpartum and breastfeeding.
And so I've done some likejust shorter courses with them.
Best Birth [09:12]
I think it's pretty amazing when you'relooking at birth education, like a
lot of times it's a first time mom,but you will have people come in who
have had either a bad birth experienceor maybe they had a failed epidural.
And so they're looking for moresupport, trying to feel like they
(09:53):
have a little bit of control intheir birth experience, right?
There's so much that wecannot control in birth.
And there's so many twists andturns, I think that will manifest
themselves throughout a process.
Amanda [09:30]
Exactly.
The Best Birth [09:39]
Having that confidence that I'velearned what my body is going
to physiologically go through.
I have some tools that can help me andnow my partner is involved and like
(10:15):
actively participating in the birth.
That is so powerful.
You mentioned you havethose shorter courses.
How long is your courseon the Bradley method?
Amanda [09:59]
So the Bradley Method course,it has 12 lessons, 12 weeks.
I usually do it in 10 just because likethe first, I like to combine the exercises
and the nutrition at the beginning.
(10:38):
But yeah, there are 12 differenttopics that it goes through and
usually it's like 10 to 12 week course.
The Best Birth [10:17]
Yeah, the whole premise of our podcast,these 40 weeks that we can prepare our
hearts and our minds so that we areready for the best birth and to have
a great postpartum experience as well.
Can you think of anything thatyou would suggest for our mental
preparation with the Bradley Method?
(11:00):
Amanda [10:34]
So that's a really big part too.
So when we talk about relaxation, wealso talk about, we talk about like
physical relaxation is kind of whatI've been geared towards, but then
there's also like emotional and mental.
And so I've had several people take theclass that just said afterwards, their
like kind of emotional like distresswas so much lower because they kind
(11:24):
of knew, they knew what to expect.
It's just such an unknownfor the first baby.
And so I think just like being educatedin like pregnancy and labor and postpartum
is like a huge, huge way to kind of tackleany like type of mental or emotional prep.
The Best Birth [11:17]
So a lot of what we say is gearedtowards first time moms, but if there
(11:47):
is a mom that it's their first timedoing a natural birth or a VBAC, what
would you have advice for as far asthe Bradley method in that situation?
Amanda [11:32]
And so I would just havethem take the class.
Like I've had several secondtime moms who it just didn't
really go the way they wanted.
And so they take the class and Iwill like ask them, I feel like it's
(12:11):
pretty valuable to the other studentsas well to hear someone else's
experience on how it went for them thefirst time, because it's going to be
different than how my experience was.
And so I would just, like myrecommendation would be just take
a class, take a childbirth class.
and prep almost like it's your first,but then you're gonna have like kind
(12:32):
of a head start in some of that.
The Best Birth [12:08]
Yeah.
The head start is so needed.
I like to think aboutit, just like a toolbox.
And during one birth, you might needyour hammer and your screwdriver.
And then during your next birth, youmight need your level and your measuring
tape and some other things, because,looking back, it's like, I loved a
tens unit during my second birth,but then during my third birth, like
(12:53):
I did not want to have anything todo with those sensations on my back.
I was like, get this thing out of here.
And so just knowing that you have,
Amanda [12:33]
Mm -hmm.
The Best Birth [12:34]
pretty much anything that youcould turn to is necessary.
And I think that releases a lot ofthe shame or guilt or embarrassment
about not knowing some of thesetools and resources in the beginning.
(13:13):
You can adapt and change with eachbirth as you learn more, as you grow.
Each birth is not the same, and so eachbirth experience is different as well.
Amanda [12:54]
There's one of the classes in theBradley Method is kind of about
how to navigate like unexpectedsituations that happen in labor.
Because not every, it's not always gonnago the way you have planned or you want.
(13:34):
I had somebody who just had theirbaby a couple of days ago and she
was telling me how she like shewas planning a home birth and.
was laboring 28 hours at home and thenpushing for four hours and eventually
had to be transferred to the hospital.
But anyways, I feel likewe talked a lot about that.
It's almost like, well,I'm having a home birth.
(13:55):
Maybe I don't need a birth plan.
But I suggested to them pack a bag incase you need to go to the hospital still.
Make a modified birth plan ifyou need to go to the hospital.
What are we going to do just in case?
And so I feel like...
that's really helpful too as part of theBradley Method is just being prepared for
no matter what happens and no matter whathappens, your baby is here in the end.
(14:18):
Like you prepped and even if you endup having to have a C -section epidural
interventions, like all of thesethings that you did to prep are going
to help you in postpartum as well.
The Best Birth [14:05]
If you're comfortable, I'd loveto hear your birth experiences.
What was it like with your firsttwo as compared to how you're
preparing with your third?
Amanda [14:13]
(14:39):
Yeah, so I would definitely sayit was interesting because the
first one, you just don't know,you don't know what to expect.
You, you, you learn in theclass and you're, you're kind
of prepared, but then when itactually happens, you're like, wow.
Like I get why all this stuff mattered.
So I feel like I was likepretty good about like doing all
(15:01):
the exercises and relaxation.
And then also like,
they suggest like eating dates at 36weeks and red raspberry or at leaf tea.
I was like, okay, gotta do it.
And then afterwards, I was like,okay, with my next one, I need
to do even more prep because Irealized how that would have helped.
(15:23):
So with the second one, I feellike I was like, okay, I get why
this works and how helpful this is.
And these are the things I'mgonna focus on this time.
For example, I feel likeI could get really, really
relaxed during a contraction.
but then emotionally between contractionswas just kind of hard for me.
Like there's a point where I waslike, how long is this gonna go?
(15:44):
Like I would just like get into my head.
And so I kind of wantedto try to work on that.
And then this third one, it's beenlike, I feel like kind of similar to
the second, but also just a little bitmore relaxed because I know my body has
done this two times and that's probablymy best, my most helpful resource.
(16:05):
And so I'm doing all the things butit's almost like a little bit more
intuitive, I guess and then Likeokay every day I have to do this
with like one day I'm like too tired.
I'm like, I'm listening to my body rightnow So I feel like that's kind of how
they've all been a little different
The Best Birth [15:54]
trusting your intuition.
That is one of our main mantras forany woman who is pregnant and is
(16:28):
getting ready to have that baby.
Well, every week we share a mom squadsecret and I just wanted to bring that in.
This week we have Alisonand she said, preserve your
bandwidth as much as possible.
Borrow the lazy geniuses phrase todecide once anytime you can make
(16:50):
a decision where you can just usethat until it's no longer effective.
She says use that and that willfree up some of your bandwidth.
That's incredible.
Amanda [ We just wanted to ask ifyou had any other resources or advice
that you would give to our listenerswho are preparing for their births.
Amanda [16:44]
Yeah, so along with that, I kindof loved the, when it talked about
(17:12):
making a decision and going for it.
So I think just kind of dedicatingyourself or like committing to a natural
birth is one of the most importantthings because if you're just like
maybe, maybe not, like it's probablynot going to happen the way you
want if you're not preparing enough.
And so I think that...
(17:34):
just kind of deciding and thenhaving like a partner committed
is so important and so helpful.
The Best Birth [17:18]
And I love that there's been alot of talk, I think recently
in the birth community that likeall births are natural, right?
Like a C -section is natural, a vaginaldelivery with forceps is natural.
and then there's just like adifference if you're choosing to have
an unmedicated delivery or using themedication that's available to you.
(17:57):
using the preparation that you havedone through the Bradley method or
other methods to be able to, managethe discomfort that comes with labor.
Amanda, thank you so muchfor being on our podcast.
We have absolutely loved gettingto know the Bradley method a
little bit more and where can ourlisteners go to find more about you?
Amanda [17:52]
So they can just search the Bradleymethod on Google and then it will
(18:18):
find all you'll find all the infoon like what the classes are, what
they entail and then instructors.
The Best Birth [18:04]
And if people want to work specificallywith you, where do you live and
teach out of your home, correct?
Amanda [18:09]
Yeah, so I teach classes in mybasement and we live in Bluffdale.
So I feel like it's kind of centralin the middle of Salt Lake Provo.
(18:39):
The Best Birth [18:17]
Thank you so much.
It has been a privilege to haveyou on the Best Birth podcast.
Amanda [18:21]
Thank you so much.
Thanks for joining us on today's episode.
We hope you've been elevated andinspired by this week's expert.
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(19:02):
Please note that the informationprovided is based on the expert's
insights and personal experience.
It is not intended as medical guidance.
Please seek the advice of yourmedical provider as it applies
to your specific condition.