Birth Boot Camp: Class 3, Part 1

Birth Boot Camp Class 3 is divided up into two parts so I am also going to divide it up into two posts.

Part one is about choosing where to have the baby.

Setting Up Camp: verb – establishing your post. What should a couple look for when choosing a birth place? Whether you are planning to birth at home, at a birth center, or at a hospital, this class will empower you to know what questions to ask your care provider. Hear first hand some of the differences in various birth places. 

There are three options, hospital, birth center or at home. There are pros and cons to each and we actually made a list of the pros and cons. I'm not sure if I remembered all of them, but I tried my best.

I know there a lot of other pros and cons, but this what I can remember that we came up with. We chose a Birth Center at about 16 weeks along and we have really loved our midwives and the center.

Notes from our instructor:
"As you learned in class, where you choose to birth will impact how everything plays out.

If you choose to birth in the hospital, here is an article with some tips on how to do so successfully. Remember that choosing to birth in a hospital does not mean you can’t choose midwifery care. Many CNMs (certified nurse midwives) work in hospitals and may offer a more natural approach to your birthing care.

This link on finding a midwife has information on the legality of midwives in each state.

This article has information on the different types of midwives and how they vary.

Knowing the C-section rate of your hospital is excellent information. We would highly recommend not only checking on the rate of your hospital but also of your care provider. Be sure to ask them direct (but kind) questions relating to information you need for your birth. The Unnecessarean has a comprehensive list here of C-section rates by hospital throughout the country.

New Evidence confirms birth centers provide top-notch care!

This website has lists of birth centers by state, which are a great option also. Birth centers tend to be close to hospitals in case of transfer and sometimes work better for insurance reimbursement. Though often similar in safety to home birthing, a birth center may feel like a safe option for many couples."

*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.