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About Me
Hello! My name is Sarah Finnegan, and I'm your friendly Bradley teacher! I was married in June, 2002 to one Mr. Tim Finnegan. He's a swell guy, and you'll see him skulking around the house trying to get kids to bed and helping out with snacks and such. He contributes to the coaching classes sometimes, too. Six months after our marriage, we decided to have a baby, and we were instantaneously pregnant. We thought it might take a few months, so we were in a bit of shock!
I'm a reader, and I believe that all things can be accomplished with the right knowledge and a bit of effort, so I trekked off to the book store immediately, and started interrogating everyone I knew who had ever birthed a child. When a co-worker and friend heard me saying that I didn't want a needle in my spine, she recommended that we take these classes called "The Bradley Method". So, every Friday night for 12 weeks, we journeyed all the way across Phoenix to take these classes. We were impressed. We learned so much that we never even knew that we didn't know, ya know? (Continued below)
I'm a reader, and I believe that all things can be accomplished with the right knowledge and a bit of effort, so I trekked off to the book store immediately, and started interrogating everyone I knew who had ever birthed a child. When a co-worker and friend heard me saying that I didn't want a needle in my spine, she recommended that we take these classes called "The Bradley Method". So, every Friday night for 12 weeks, we journeyed all the way across Phoenix to take these classes. We were impressed. We learned so much that we never even knew that we didn't know, ya know? (Continued below)
Our first born son came into the world about nine months later. It's a good story...I'll tell you all about it in Class 1. We enjoyed the experience so much that I knew I wanted to share what I had learned with others. A few months later I began my training as a Bradley Method® instructor. In the middle of my second series, I had my second child--a healthy, happy girl! (Another good story!) In 2004, I completed my training and became a fully certified Bradley Method teacher through the Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth. In the years since I have continued my education through conferences, books, webinars, trainings and doula work.
In 2008, we moved from Phoenix to Tualatin, and I started teaching birth classes again right away. At this point, I've taught over 100 couples and have enjoyed hearing about each of their unique birth experiences. I've also attended births as a doula. Being in the hospitals and birth centers has taught me so much about birth in the modern world, and I share those experiences with you through out the class.
As a certified middle and high school teacher, I know how to present information to you in such a way that you will learn it well and remember it later. I don't just read aloud to you from the workbook, or talk for three hours at a time. I use video, games, quizzes, discussion, contests, note-taking, and lots of supplemental materials. We talk and eat and learn and share until everyone has all of their questions answered. All information is presented to you multiple times, and I make sure that you are aware of what resources are available to you. Finally, you can contact me anytime day or night with any concerns or questions.
Natural birth classes and the medical establishment don't have to be at odds. Through positive communication and understanding of common goals, each birth experience can be enjoyable. You don't have to "fight" to get what you want, whether you are in a hospital, birth center or at home, or with an OB or a midwife. I encourage couples to work with their medical teams cooperatively, and give you skills for accomplishing this goal. My classes will teach you what your options are and how to use your knowledge, birth beliefs and intuition to decide what is best for your family.
