About the Instructor

Susan Myers, AAHCC

Local Affiliated Bradley Method® Instructor

Thank you for your interest in my Bradley Method^® classes!  I hope that you are able to find a Bradley^® class that works for you!  If you are not in the Charlotte, NC area, visit the AAHCC national website for a listing of teachers in your area.

Although I have been teaching Bradley Method^® classes for over 10 years, at first I was a mom-to-be just like you - exploring my different options for childbirth classes and trying to find the right 'method' for me.  I knew that I wanted to try to avoid pain medications during labor, but didn't know how to make that happen.

It just didn't make sense to me that birth had to be such a 'medical' event.  I knew women have been having babies for millions of years without epidurals and IV medications, so why couldn't I?  If truly 1/3 of babies had to be cut out of their mom's tummies to ensure their survival, human beings would never have lasted as a species.  I knew that my body was designed to carry and deliver a baby, and so I knew that I had to have the power within myself (like every woman) to birth my baby without drugs, given a little luck that no true complications arose.  The question was which preparation class would be most likely to help me unlock that power that I knew was there?

I found the Bradley Method® at the time we were considering starting our family.  A co-worker of mine mentioned it while telling her birth story.  She had wanted a natural birth but it didn't happen for her.  She told me that she had wished she had taken a Bradley class like a friend of hers did, rather than the hospital class, which she found to be inadequate to help her achieve the natural birth she had wanted.  That was the first I had ever heard of the Bradley Method®.   I began doing some reading and was attracted to the Bradley Method® preparation because of it's 'common sense' approach to working WITH your body to avoid unnecessary pain during labor.

When we found out we were pregnant, I was happy to find a local teacher and we signed up for class.  Taking the class series was the best decision I made to help me achieve my goal of an intervention-free, unmedicated birth.  My husband and I were prepared to labor as a team.   We knew specific relaxation techniques and comfort measures to deal with the contractions.  We were familiar with the progress of labor and prepared for common variations.  We were aware of common hospital routines and which ones were 'optional' and might interfere with a natural labor.  We were confident to handle any challenges we might face. 

My first labor was a 'textbook'  17 hour labor and with the support of my coach, I was able to achieve a completely un-medicated birth.  The 'high' I felt when my daughter was born was the best feeling of my entire life.  I felt like I could do anything!  One of the first things I remember saying after our daughter was born was 'that was awesome... lets' do it again!'.  My OB laughed and said he had never heard anyone ever say that in the first 10 minutes after birth.  We went on to have wonderful natural births with all four of our babies, thanks to the Bradley Method®.

After my second baby (another great natural, hospital birth experience), I decided to pursue becoming a Bradley® teacher.  I felt a true calling to help other couples make the most of their own birth experiences.  I began teaching my first series when my third baby was just a week old, following his birth at home.  I birthed my last baby in 2002 - another super, all-natural hospital birth, caught by his dad, with his siblings in attendance. My labors were all different, and some more challenging than others, but I can honestly say that I would not trade a single contraction, or any of the discomforts I experienced during labor for one minute of giving up control due to medications.  Giving birth naturally is one of the most powerful and empowering experiences for women!

My teaching philosophy is to empower my students to handle whatever labor may throw at them.  I focus on giving you the tools and techinques you will need to birth your baby naturally rather than using 'scare' tactics.  I stress preparing coaches on how to be pro-active, hand-on and a true support to moms in labor, rather than feeling helpless or not knowing what to do other than stand on the side-lines timing contractions.  We also spend a lot of time talking about when things aren't going smoothly - how do you evaluate the situation?  How do you gather the information you need to make the right decision for YOU as far as interventions, etc?  How do you work in a positive way with your birth team?

I would love to send you a  FREE information package.  Take some time to fully explore my website to find comments and photos from former students and more about the specific topics covered in class.  My current class schedule can be found on the Registration page.  Contact information is at the bottom of the page.

I've had the distinct honor of helping over 300 couples learn to birth the "Bradley Way"® and look forward to helping you too!

My Best Wishes to You for a Healthy, Natural & Safe Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond!

Susan Myers, AAHCC