Mathematician's rendering

Clink through the link below to see a sample of "From Conception to Birth," a really cool digital rendering of a developing baby as well as the baby being born, presented by Alexander Tsiaras, a mathematician, artist, and design theorist from Yale. It is amazing to see how the baby helps itself be born with the stepping reflex shown as he appears to push with his feet from the inside of mom, as mom is curving her back during the contractions to push him out.

Time for Coach to Relax

The tables are turned in Class 3 and instead of coaches focusing on helping their pregnant partners to relax, coaches get to appreciate the importance of relaxation and a good coach to help you get there. Pregnancy is such a wonderful time for both parents to soak up time with each other before the baby arrives. Make sure to enjoy this precious time with the one that you love.


Although it is not a good for pregnant women to lay on their backs for long periods of time, we have the coaches lay on their backs for this one. The pregnant partner tailor sits with the back of the coach's head on a pillow in her lap, his body extending straight away from her. She SLOWLY goes through the following head/neck/shoulder massage using slow and deliberate touch to help with physical relaxation. I've written it all out completely rather than using (3x, etc.) for ease of use if you do read it aloud.
...


Say "hello" to the face with a gentle touch of the fingertips over the face.


Neck and Shoulders
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
With fingertips bent, stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, digging into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
With fingertips bent, stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, digging into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
With fingertips bent, stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, digging into the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.


Face
Smooth across the forehead, massaging temples in circles with thumbs.
Smooth across the forehead, massaging temples in circles with fingertips.
Stroke across the eyebrows with thumbs, ending in circles at temples.
Stroke under the eyes with thumbs, ending in circles at temples.
Stroke down the nose and across the cheeks, ending in circles with fingertips.
Stroke across the mouth areas, ending in circles with fingertips.
Using your hands, deeply massage the jaw, chin and cheeks.
Feel around the ears with fingers.
Massage ears with palms.
Trace convolution (shape of ear), shut off sound, and retrace.
Massage area of head behind the ears.


Finishing strokes
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, end by squeezing head gently between hands.
Gently stroke neck, shoulders, and back of head, ending with head cupped in hands, then...
Lift and lower head very slowly.
Lift and lower head very slowly.
Lift and lower head very slowly.
Rotate head side to side very slowly.
Rotate head side to side very slowly.
Rotate head side to side very slowly.
Lower head down to pillow very slowly.
Cover the eyes with fingers resting gently on eyelids for a few moments to allow meditation.
Slowly, place flat palms very close to the face without touching.
Lift hands very slowly, while you allow the person to re-enter at his own pace.


Adapted from The Bradley Method® Teacher's Manual material r246 (from Laurel Institute, Incorportated)

It's getting hard to get "comfy"

In addition to the many great comfort suggestions given in "Being Comfortable in Pregnancy" in the Bradley Method workbook in Class 3, I have a few things that I'd like to add that worked for me personally during my pregnancies. Please feel free to chime in with a comment if you have something to add that has worked for you!

• Heartburn
• Avoiding spicy foods helped, but I sometimes ate it knowingly because it wasn't too uncomfortable or a health issue :)
• When I did have some heartburn, I'd prop my head up at night with extra pillows. Yes, my hubby had very little room in bed with me, the baby belly, and all the pillows.
• Varicose Veins
• I put a small box under my desk at work so I could uncross my legs and keep them slightly elevated
• Leg Cramps
• Eat more potassium-rich bananas
• Hemorrhoids/Constipation
• Prophylactically increase fiber (you do not want hemorrhoids!!!)
• Try to "go" at the same time every day to key into your body's signals
• Eat pears (not as strong as prunes and taste much better to me!
• Backache
• I made a small a small pillow and would bring it everywhere for lumbar support
• In a pinch, I used a book or folded towel behind my back 
• Sleeping Problems
• I drank more fluids during the day and slightly less in the evening to avoid having to urinate as often at night, which helped me wake a little less often (like 2 times, instead of 3 - at least it was one less time having to fall asleep again!)
• Hip pain - this one isn't listed in the book, but I had pain in my hips with my first pregnancy especially!
• I would have my hubby (Andy) squeeze my hips while I was on all fours (usually after pelvic rocking) - called the Double Hip Squeeze, which can also be used during labor
• I'd ask Andy to put firm constant pressure on my pelvis/low back (very low) with one palm while I was on all fours - called counter pressure, which can also be used during labor

Pelvic rocking and relaxation are two of the best things to help keep you comfortable! Make sure to try those, no matter what ails you!