This page contains a brief overview of topics we'll cover during a typical 12-week Bradley Method® course from PureJoy. Every class is unique in terms of which topics prove most useful to the group, but we'll always cover material from each topic.

"In every human society, the birth of a child has been welcomed as the dramatic event it is, the unifying event that binds husband and wife and children together as no other event in the life of a family can."

Exercise During Pregnancy

Giving birth to a baby is a physically active event, involving many special muscles and a lot of hard work. Other animals, including dolphins, prepare for birth by exercising during pregnancy. PureJoy classes stress the importance of regular physical exercise, plus special pregnancy exercises as well. Your physical condition when you give birth will make a difference.

Nutrition for Mom and Baby

Good nutrition in pregnancy is important for normal development, growth, and functioning of your unborn baby. Poor nutrition can result in a premature and/or low birth-weight baby with an increased risk of mental and physical problems. Proper nutrition is also important for the mother whose goal is normal reproduction, growth, energy, and health.

Understanding Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a time of joy. It is important to widen your understanding of how your body works during this time, learning how to work with the natural processes of your body to increase your comfort and safety. It's also important for coaches to learn about the physical and emotional changes that take place normally during pregnancy.

The Coach's Role

Coaches have an important role before, during, and after the birth. They are essential in the physical preparation of the body during training, long before the birth. They also prepare the athlete's mind so that there is a clear conception and understanding of the tasks involved. By their interest and enthusiasm, they should be living symbols to the spirit of the mother, motivating her to want to do her best.

Intro to the First Stage of Labor

A woman's body is designed to labor in preparation for birth. The average time of uninterrupted, rhythmic contractions is approximately 15-17 hours, but may vary greatly. Although there may be many bouts of pre-labor, real labor ends with the birth of a baby. This topic is designed to educate you about the natural processes of early labor and to teach you the many safeguards that nature provides to protect the mother and baby at this time.

Intro to the Second Stage of Labor

If your body is in good condition (low risk and no medication), it tends to push effectively, causing the baby to rotate, squeezing the baby to get rid of fluids, stretching the perineum and delivering the baby. This topic is designed to educate you about the natural processes of later labor and teach you how to work with your body to deliver your baby.

Planning Your Birth

The kind of pregnancy, labor, and delivery our children experience has a profound and lifelong effect on their health. This topic will help you to become aware of the choices available and help you to decide what things are important to you. Making a realistic birth plan encourages you to have good communications with your birth team so you can work together towards the goal of the safest and most positive experience possible.

Variations and Unexpected Situations

The vast majority of couple who complete a Bradley Method® course with PureJoy will never need to use this information, but in this class we will spend some time discussing unusual situations and unpleasant possibilities. We cover this information so that you can feel confident in your ability to handle such a situation if it were to happen, however unlikely.

Advanced First Stage Techniques

You can learn how to work with your body to shorten labor, reduce pain, and make your experience more enjoyable. When you know how to do something right, it is almost always easier. We cover a lot of different variables and teach a variety of techniques because you and your labor are one of a kind. The natural process is well-designed and accommodates many variations.

Advanced Second Stage Techniques

Labor changes now, and every labor is different. Second stage can be very short (only a few minutes), average (around 2 hours), or long (5 hours or more). No matter how long your second stage lasts, active participation is what is needed and you'll find that working with your body's natural impulses is productive and rewarding.

Being a Great Coach

Coaching is very rewarding, but very physically and emotionally challenging. The mother may be doing the hardest work of her life, so coaches must help her prepare with long-term good nutrition, physical activity, relaxation, and mental preparation.

Preparing for Your New Family

Going through pregnancy, labor, and birth is the way that we evolve into a new family. This is a new stage of life, wonderful in its own way, but also different and challenging. Just remember that millions of families have started out just like yours and have learned to flow with the changes. We'll take this time together to help one another prepare for the exciting new future that awaits your family!