The Birth Nest of Cincinnati

09/23/2025

There is still time to register for the next Bradley Method class. This series starts October 6th and will finish before the holidays. Perfect for those late 2025 and early 2026 babies. www.bradleybirth.com/brandyfrederiksen

09/20/2025

Conclusion:
“Although term vaginal breech delivery was associated with slightly higher odds of the composite adverse neonatal outcome compared with cesarean delivery, the absolute risk remains low. Short-term maternal outcomes were better for individuals who underwent vaginal delivery compared with cesarean delivery, after exclusion of perineal lacerations.”

ysis to evaluate adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with mode of delivery among individuals with breech presentation at term. We used U.S. vital statistics data, which included information on all live births from 2015 to 2020. The eligible cohort was restricted to individuals who deli...

07/24/2025

The CUB is one of many tools taught in our natural childbirth series. Next class starts in October.

07/22/2025

This is why informed consent is so important.

You read that right.

Per the American College of OB/GYN's 2019 VBAC guidelines, the risk of maternal death during a planned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is 0.0019%.

Expressed another way, that is a risk of 1 in 52,600.

Did you have any idea the risk was that low?

Whereas the risk of maternal death with an elective repeat cesarean after one cesarean is 0.0096% or 1 in 10,000.

Again, both really small numbers but the risk of maternal death is five times higher in a repeat cesarean.

This is why when pregnant people are threatened with "you could die if you plan a VBAC," it falls flat.

But it is often really successful in coercing someone into a repeat cesarean... as well as eroding patient autonomy and any trust when the birthing person learns the facts.

As a L&D nurse told us, "There is no real informed consent anymore."

This is just yet another example.

ETA: Some people asked in the comments about the risk of fetal death. We discuss that here: https://vbacfacts.com/2012/04/03/confusing-fact-only-6-of-uterine-ruptures-are-catastrophic/

Others have asked about vaginal birth after classical cesarean: https://vbacfacts.com/2021/08/10/vbac-after-classical-t-j-incision/

… or after two cesareans: https://vbacfacts.com/vba2c

… or after three or more cesareans: https://vbacfacts.com/vba3c

Also, you can download our free resources including:

- a report debunking the top 5 uterine rupture myths: https://vbacfacts.com/report

- a handout busting the top 3 VBAC myths using national guidelines: https://vbacfacts.com/acogmyths

- and a VBAC planning checklist: https://vbacfacts.com/checklist

01/31/2025

01/02/2025

A great visual and information about the difference between storage capacity and production volume.

Can you produce more milk with your 2nd baby?⁠
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No 2 journeys are the same. What was your experience like?⁠
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👉️ Your “milk storage capacity” refers to how LONG you can likely go between nursing/pumping, NOT how MUCH milk you can make. We can imagine a cluster of grapes to demonstrate the storage capacity of the breasts while breastfeeding. The size and number of “grapes” determine how much milk your breasts can hold. How full or empty the grapes are, determines how much milk your “grapes” will make. ⁠
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👉️ Therefore, a smaller cluster of grapes has a smaller window to send signals to make milk, whereas a larger grape cluster has a larger window. The storage capacity can then affect the time between nursing or pumping to maintain your milk supply. ⁠
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👉️ When you have fewer or smaller grapes, your baby will likely feed more frequently.⁠
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👉️ When you have more or larger grapes, your baby will likely feed less frequently. This can be why some moms aren’t as affected by a longer time between nursing or pumping as other moms. ⁠
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👉️ What’s also fascinating is that a mother tends to have more grapes or larger grapes with their second baby because the mammary gland “remembers’ the first pregnancy and starts making milk more quickly the second time around. This might explain why mothers often find that they produce more milk for their second child than for their first child. ⁠
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👉️ The most important thing to remember is that your baby knows how much milk they need. They will send the cue to your body to make as much milk as they need with however many “grapes” you have. So you don’t need to know exactly how many milk-making sacs you have (grapes) or how big they are to determine how frequently to feed. Your baby always knows best!⁠
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👉️ If you have any struggles with breastfeeding and/or pumping, we always recommend reaching out to an IBCLC or your healthcare professional. ⁠
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To learn more and view citations, head to the link below:

https://www.motherlove.com/blogs/all/can-you-produce-more-milk-with-your-2nd-baby

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

12/26/2024

Expecting in the spring? Now is the time to register for the next childbirth class starting in January.

This 12 week class focuses on preparing your mind, body and support team for a natural and low intervention birth. Geared towards those who want to understand the birth process and feel empowered and confident.

Use the link below in the comments for more information and to register.

02/09/2024

The American Pregnancy Association states the benefits of taking a childbirth class includes:
~building confidence in your body's ability to give birth.
~discussing concerns regarding labor and birth with your instructor and other couples with similar concerns.
~creating a bond with your partner as he learns ways to support you during labor.
~learning pain relief options such as massage, relaxation and comfort positions.

The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth's comprehensive 12 week course covers all of the above and more! We teach the importance of nutrition and exercise, relaxation techniques, labor rehearsals, postpartum care, breastfeeding and advocacy for the family.

What did you find to be the most beneficial when taking Bradley classes?

02/06/2024

As a Bradley Instructor, one of the joys of teaching was being able to share my passion for birth with my husband, Mark. When I began teaching over 12 years ago, I taught classes in our living room and my husband would watch our littles and join classes to share his perspective as the “coach.” Some of my first students may remember him joining us for reunions and sharing his experiences and wisdom as a Bradley dad and childbirth coach. Sadly, Mark passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services are this Saturday 2/10 for those in the Cincinnati area. Details below.

Mark Allen Frederiksen will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. After a long and well-fought battle with Ewing Sarcoma, he passed peacefully on the morning of January 31, 2024. Mark was born to Pamela and the late Milton Fred Frederiksen on February 3, 1976, in