​Bradley Method® Natural Childbirth Education

At Zenith Birth Services, we believe that childbirth education is important! Why? Because  knowledge dispels fear. And fear is your enemy during childbirth. 

We teach the Bradley Method® of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.  Dr. Bradley  started practicing obstetrics in the 1940's, and he wrote his  first book in 1965. He entitled it "Husband-Coached Childbirth," because he would train husbands to support their wives during labor. That was a radical idea at that time; most husbands nervously sat in the waiting room.

Today, not every pregnant woman has or wants a husband. In revised editions of his book, Dr. Bradley made it very clear that his method of childbirth is for every woman, regardless of marital status! He just asks that the mom brings someone to class, someone who wants to be trained as her labor coach. It could be anyone from her husband to a sister to a best friend. 

Classes run in a 12-week series, with each class lasting two hours. That's 24 hours of class time! We believe the Bradley Method® is the most comprehensive natural birth course out there! 

Birth Doula

We like to compare a birth doula to a wedding planner. You can have an amazing wedding without a planner, but everyone knows that it’ll be better with one! Same with a birth doula. She is there for you, to provide unbiased support, to be that objective confidant, to encourage you to advocate for yourself.

Your birth doula will work for you, not for your healthcare provider or hospital. She doesn't make decisions for you, but she’ll help you get any information you may want to make an informed decision, and she'll support you in those choices.

Your birth doula will:

• provide physical, emotional, and educational support
• provide reassurance and perspective
• make suggestions for labor progress and positioning
• help with relaxation and massage
• help to include dad/partner in the birth process
• use other comfort techniques

Postpartum Doula

In the weeks following your birth, we’ve got you covered. Need a nap? We will care for your newborn. Breastfeeding struggles? We will help with that, too. Wondering if your baby’s behavior is normal? (Hint: it probably is.) We will be there to reassure you. We will be that well-rested, clear head that you need in those first few weeks. The relief you get when we walk through your door is hard to put into words. You are worth it!

Your postpartum doula is an expert in nurturing newly postpartum women and newborns, and she  will:

• help with your physical recovery from birth
• provide emotional support and a non-judgmental listening ear
• provide evidence-based newborn care education
• assist with breastfeeding
• wash baby bottles/pump parts and fold baby's laundry
• light housekeeping including dishes and meal prep

Placenta Encapsulation

While ingesting your placenta has only recently made a comeback in the United States, it has been done for thousands of years around the world. Some of the benefits are thought to be:

• Helps alleviate the “baby blues”
• Increases energy levels and heightens mood
• Releases oxytocin which helps the uterus shrink down
• Lessens postpartum bleeding
• Restores iron
• Slowly weans your body off of pregnancy hormones
• Improves breast milk supply

Your placenta contains corticotropin-releasing hormone, which can reduce stress. It also contains iron, oxytocin, protein, stem cells, and many other vitamins and nutrients helpful to the postpartum period.

As you can see, placenta encapsulation may offer many benefits. Please contact me for more information about my process and to set up your encapsulation today!

*Disclaimer* These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. As always, please talk with your doctor if you have any medical concerns.

​Lactation Support

Did you know that 60% of women do not breastfeed as long as they want to? Why do you think that is? There are complicated and varied factors, but one reason is lack of support and education. That’s where we come in!

In the comfort of your own home, we will evaluate you and baby for common breastfeeding problems and help you write up a plan for breastfeeding success!

Zenith Birth Services serves Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Waverly, Grundy Center, and surrounding Northeast Iowa towns.

request more information