How to Become a Bradley Childbirth Instructor

Dr. Robert Bradley designed The Bradley Method or Husband-Coached Childbirth for expectant couples. The goal of couples who take Bradley classes is a natural childbirth and the classes teach couples how to do this using various philosophies. If you're interested in working with pregnant couples, endorse natural childbirth and don't want the restriction of working for a hospital, becoming a Bradley Childbirth Instructor may be for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Take a Bradley class during pregnancy and have a successful Bradley birth. If you have not done this, then a board will review your application and the board may have other requirements for you.

2. Go to the official Bradley Method website.

3. Read the required five books, including "Husband-Coached Childbirth" by Dr. Robert Bradley and "Natural Childbirth, The Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon.

4. Pay the fee which includes workshop costs, costs for reading materials and other information.

5. Attend a workshop. At the workshop, you will be given exams that you must pass (you get two attempts) in order to continue in the Bradley program. Topics at the workshop include how to teach expectant couples, what the Bradley Method is, breastfeeding, teaching aids, common interventions during births and other information.

6. Go through a student teaching phase. During this phase, you'll be teaching expectant couples but you'll have to submit evaluations about your classes once a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Budget your time carefully; you have only three months after completing the workshop to finish your other requirements to become an instructor.

Resources

• Bradley Method Website

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