Birth Boot Camp: Class #1

On April 30th we had our first class of our ten class Birth Boot Camp. 

According to the Birth Boot Camp website class one  is all about defining the mission of natural childbirth. 

"Birth Boot Camp is about natural, unmedicated birth. You’ll learn why natural birth is best for baby, best for mom, and even best for dad. You’ll discover how the history of childbirth in America has set us on this course of medicated and surgical birth. Take part in an in-depth discussion on how drugs interfere with the natural process. You will walk away from the first class with a clear vision of your mission and its importance."

We didn't do a whole lot on the first class. We talked about the different drugs used and the benefits and the drawbacks, along with the history of birth. Bobby was wondering when doctors became so obsessed with epidurals, because man there are a lot of drawbacks and side effects when using one. While sometimes they are necessary, for the most part the drawbacks overwhelm the benefits. I tried to do some research to find the answer, but I didn't have much luck. 

Here are some notes from our first class from our instructor:

"One thing we talk about in class one is the “Cascade of Interventions.” This brief article describes in depth some of the common interventions and how they can lead to unnecessary cesarean section when used without need.

Natural birth has also been shown to have a clear and measurable impact on breastfeeding success.  For those women planning on breastfeeding, preparing for a natural birth is an excellent way to increase their chances of success.

The next nine weeks will help prepare you for a natural birth. This article discusses some of the things you will learn and help you achieve your goal.

Demerol, Stadol, Nubain, and Fentanyl are all drugs commonly used for pain relief in labor.  They all have potential negative side effects.  Reading package inserts is a great way to familiarize yourself with common side effects of drugs used in labor before the birth."

*Disclaimer: This post in no way replaces the Birth Boot Camp class. All things in this post either came from the Birth Boot Camp website, are my insights or my instructors insights from class which have been appropriately cited. I am writing this post in order to help with future pregnancies, labors and deliveries.