Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way

Revised Edition

By: Susan McCutcheon, Robert A. Bradley - introduction

Narrated by: Eliza Foss

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The classic guide to an unmedicated childbirth, fully revised for the 21st century with updated information.

For women birthing vaginally, 90 percent of Bradley births are drug-free!

The Bradley Method, used and praised by women for almost 70 years, prepares you for drug and surgery-free childbirth and puts you in control by providing the tools to navigate evidence-based care. Certified childbirth educator Susan McCutcheon, one of Dr. Bradley's first students, now makes this natural approach to childbirth more accessible than ever. You will learn:

• Exercises and nutrition to get your body ready for birthing
• To defuse fear by understanding all aspects of laboring
• How to involve your partner as a birth coach and a fully engaged participant
• What's driving the induction epidemic and how to avoid an unnecessary induction
• What's driving the cesarean surgery epidemic and how to reduce your risk
• How to get the information you need to make informed decisions about your birth

Includes a bonus PDF with images.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2017 Susan McCutcheon (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Instead of distracting yourself from the birth process… you are fully mindful and wholly engaged during Bradley’s method of natural childbirth.” (Natural Life)

“Robert Bradley put power in patients’ hands, reducing the number of Caesarean sections and episiotomies he performed and playing up natural ways of making childbirth less painful.” (Slate)

“The Bradley Method’s simple objective, through relaxation, breathing, and visualization, is a birth free of the interventions frequently offered to women in the different stages of childbirth: fetal monitors, drug-induced labor, anesthesia, episiotomy, and Caesarean section. [Its] other defining feature, the husband’s active participation in the delivery, is critical to this overall goal of an intervention-free birth.” (Mothering)

Just what I needed to prepare for birth.

Great, very informative book. I took a short course on natural birth, and this book complemented the course perfectly. I love how the process of birth and various medical interventions are explained in great detail. I got no questions left unanswered after reading it. Looking forward to giving birth and using the information I have learned!

extremely helpful! infinitely insightful!

I can't believe how much I learned from this book. as a father of four already I thought I would already understand much of what I needed to know, even though I'd never taken a Bradley method class. however, I was completely wrong and ended up learning tons of useful information from this wonderful guide. how grateful I am for this book.

Addressing others who say this book is biased

For those who say this book is biased:

The point of this book is for individuals like me who want to be educated about natural birth. The comments on how this book is biased are a bit confusing to me as the whole reason natural mothers feel the need to stick up for our wants is because of the biased information that was pushed for the past 20 or more years for profit. Please understand the need for a book like this and if you want unbiased information, you should read as many books as you can from all sides, then make your own judgment call. This is the only way to do it as these books are not meant to overrule the needs of you, your baby, and what your ideal birth looks like. Please remember not too long ago where the medical community demonized midwives as witches and spent money on advertisements that conveyed that only poor, low-class citizens gave birth outside of the hospitals. In reality, our bodies were made to do this. Unless you have a high-risk pregnancy, there really is no NEED to have an expensive hospital birth on your back (which increases your chances of ripping btw). I personally love this book because I knew I didn’t want to bring my baby into the world in a place that have germs that I might not have antibodies against! My baby is only immune to the germs I have antibodies against and, in my opinion, why risk it?

I love this book and all the information shared. It made me feel much better about working towards a natural birth. If you are on the search for a great natural birth book that will walk you through the stages and give you the confidence needed to decide on natural birth... this is the book that did it for me!

An absolute MUST listen!!

I recommend this book to everyone having babies or helping women having babies. I have read this book twice but hearing it read to me was even better! The narrator has is perfect ! The information is on point and amazingly detailed. I’ve had 3 Bradley Births all a little different but all the same in the aspect of watching for and understanding the stages! I could go but all you need to know is this book is “Gold”!! If you know anyone who helps with moms having babies make sure you give them this book!!! I have been in a delivery room 3 times and not one nurse or technician knew anything about birthing naturally. I’m not trying to be mean just prepare yourself with this complete book of information for you!!

Knowledge Is Power

Great read if you want to make informed decisions. There's no sugarcoating facts. I recommend women who are expecting.

Love this book

Super informative! I’m so glad I came across this during my pregnancy. I was able to avoid all of these unnecessary “test and procedures” the hospital wanted to give me.

Awesome Birth Resource!

You need to read/listen to it!
My husband & I are so glad that we did!

I learned so much!

This is the first pregnancy/birth book I’ve read and I learned so much! I’m excited to update after birth to see how much it helped!

Truthful Information on Birth

This book encouraged me tremendously for the birth of my 2nd child. After a bad experience with 1st birth in a hospital I needed an informative book to teach me how to give birth naturally. At first I was scared and unsure of my decision, but after listening to this book I was empowered like never before. I had a beautiful natural birth at a birth center in 2021 and just had my first homebirth in 2023. I listened to this book again for my 3rd pregnancy and wow it is just a good listen. I can trust the process because I know my body was made for this! The detail Susan goes into about how our bodies go into and do labor transformed my mindset on everything. Women are incredible and can do this! If you’re on the fence about natural childbirth give this book a listen and know that you are capable!

A Must-Read for All Preggers

This is such an important book with such good information in it. I definitely feel that EVERY pregnant woman should read this book. This is an evidence-based approach to natural childbirth absolutely full of need-to-know facts. Do yourself a favor and listen!!!!