Birth for Joy

"Marisa was our Bradley Method Instructor and also served as our doula during our birth.  We had twin girls on July 28, 2007.  I was 38 1/2 weeks when I went into labor.  I was able to have the birth experience I wanted, a pain-medication-free birth, thanks to Marisa's teachings and assistance! The Bradley Method helped my husband and I prepare our minds and helped me prepare my body for the coming of our babies.  The "place" you have to be in at the time of labor is relaxed, serene, and confident.  Marisa's training assured that we were there when the time came!  We worked so wonderfully as a husband-wife team!

Marisa's assistance to us as a doula was invaluable!  Knowing the Bradley Method thoroughly, she did not take over my husband's position as coach, but yet was able to remind my husband and me of Bradley Method principles to help us through the tough times and decisions.  She was there to support my needs as a woman who has experienced labor and I felt comforted by her constant presence.  During the pushing phase, my husband had to help hold my legs and it was Marisa who assured I stayed hydrated!  She fit perfectly in the spaces left open where my husband couldn't do everything all at once, had helpful suggestions for positions and relaxation techniques, and always had the right words to assist us!  We definitely would not have had our dream birth if it wasn't for Marisa!"   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

- Laura Woinoski
Danby, NY

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"Taking the Bradley Method class with Marisa was the best decision we could have ever made.  We both knew that we wanted to give our son the best possible advantage in life by not exposing him to unneeded drugs and procedures.   We found Marisa through the Bradley website, and gave her a call at once.  Going into it, we both knew very little about childbirth.  Marisa was very compassionate and well informed.  Attending class was fun and conditioned us for what was going to be the most phenomenal experience of our lives.  Marisa prepared us for everything, including what to do when something unexpected happens.  And something unexpected did happen!  Our son decided that he wanted to be a breech. Thank god, our doctor was willing to proceed with our desire to give birth naturally, as I didn't want a c-section.  Thanks to Marisa's teaching, we were able to overcome our challenge with relative ease in the face of adversity.  It was hard work, but in the end we gave birth to our perfect baby boy, NATURALLY.  Marisa was there for the birth, not only as a teacher, but as an active participant and a friend.  We chose to use the Alternate Classic Position for the pushing phase, and Marisa was there right beside us giving us all the support we needed.  She helped make it the wonderful experience that it was.  Without the Bradley Method Classes I don't think I/we would have been prepared enough to have a breech birth naturally.  In the end it made us a stronger, closer family with a bond no one could ever break."

 

 

- Katrina Benac
Waterford, NY

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"My husband and I had heard of the Bradley Method® of natural childbirth from relatives and friends and decided to look into it.  We found Marisa through the Bradley Website and started taking classes, not really knowing much about the childbirthing process. The information that we learned from Marisa was invaluable and I couldn't imagine going through childbirth without the knowledge that we gained from taking Bradley classes.   We learned about the birthing process, and many useful techniques for laboring without using drugs, and it's a good thing that we did!  My daughter was in fetal distress when I went into labor, so we had to go into the hospital immediately for fetal monitoring and I did not get to labor the first stage at home.  As a result, my labor wasn't advancing quickly enough and there was talk about having to induce me if I didn't make some progress.  The Bradley method taught my husband and I natural stimulation and relaxation methods that sped up my labor and we were able have the natural birth that we desired.  It turned out that my daughter had the cord wrapped around her neck and my body needed the extra time to labor safely.  If we did not take Bradley classes, we would have been given pitocin and the baby may have been harmed as a result of the labor progressing too quickly.  Marisa was there for us during our labor and provided us with the guidance and support we needed to have a happy Birth-day!"

- The Powells
Burnt Hills, NY