Melinda, Shawn, Zachary and Benjamin.

"I am so glad we took the class. Having my husband there during labor was the best support for me. I knew I could rely on him to help me through it. I don't think I could have done it without him."

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We first discovered the Bradley Method of Husband-Coached Childbirth when we discovered that Zachary was on his way into the world. We wanted to be sure he was healthy and that birth would be as gentle as possible. We researched many approaches and felt that the natural, intelligent and responsible style of the Bradley Method^® was right for us.

We were impressed at how Bradley Method^® classes emphasize relaxation techniques, nutrition, exercise, understanding the birth process, creating your birth plan and involving the father as a coach. We found that helping each other through labor and birth drew us even closer together and provided a great start to our family! Our two sons were both born naturally, without drugs or medical procedures.

When we decided to start teaching the classes, we went through the Bradley Method® instructor certification process:

• First, we attended a Bradley class series while Melinda was pregnant with Zachary.

• Next, we delivered Zachary, naturally, using the principles from the Bradley Method.

• When we decided to become teachers, we started by taking an intensive 4 day teacher training workshop, which included pre- and post-tests.

• Surrounding the teacher training is a one-year study program. This includes reading over a dozen books, writing extensive reviews of each book, interviewing local hospitals, attending La Leche League meetings, and observing another teacher's class. During this time, we also delivered our second son Benjamin using the Bradley Method principles. We feel that our two beautiful children are the most important "diplomas" we have.

• Once all our academic work was turned in and approved, we taught a "provisional class series" and turned in outlines of each class.

• Following the provisional series, we passed an intensive final exam before becoming fully affiliated with the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth.

• To keep our affiliation, we must continue to study, reading and outlining new books and medical information every year.

• In addition, Melinda attends births as a doula, putting the advice of the Bradley Method to practical use. This also helps her classes remain up-to-date.

We now teach in Atlanta, Georgia starting a new natural birth class every month. Though Melinda is the primary teacher, Shawn often makes it to a few class sessions, and is always available for questions by phone or email.

Shawn's comments:
Melinda is a passionate advocate for natural health and natural birth. She devotes time to self-study of nutrition, pregnancy health and pregnancy issues every day. She provides support to all her students above and beyond the call of duty, and takes their well-being very personally. You can't have a better partner on your pregnancy team. Glad I married her before anyone else found out how incredible she is!

Personal Note: Support breastfeeding by helping to spread the word and get donations to human milk banks (they provide breastmilk to premature and medically fragile babies whose mothers cannot nurse them). Click below to find out more:

carcasherdotcom seocontest funding mother's milk