Birth Boot Camp: Class 8

Class 8 – The Fog of War: Keeping a Clear Head in Labor Fog of War: phrase – term used to describe the uncertainty and disorientation experienced in the thick of battle. The Fog of War is about all the things you can do to avoid a cesarean section and when they are actually necessary. You will also be prepared for unexpected circumstances that may come up during labor or birth.

Legitimate Reasons for a C-Section:

1. Placenta Previa

2. Placental Abruption

3. Prolapsed Cord

4. True Fetal Distress

5. Transverse Baby

6. True CPD

7. Bicornuate Uterus

Situations that are Commonly C-Section but are not always necessary:

1. Twins

2. Breech Baby

3. Transverse (often turn last minute)

4. Herpes

5. CPD

6. Previous c-section

Notes from our instructor:

The focus of class 8 is learning the reasons for C-sections and ways you can avoid them. As your instructor made clear, carefully choosing a care provider is one of the most important things you can do.

Let’s look at some research on some common things that can lead to C-section.

This article, written by a midwife, offers research links and lots of valuable information concerning the “measure of progress” in labor. She talks about a common diagnosis for C-section: failure to progress.

This article, by the same midwife, discusses real safety and risk of waters breaking and waiting for baby to be born. Don’t forget that for most women, water breaks towards the end of labor.

Here you can learn about the amazing ways that the bag of water protects the baby and why you might want to avoid breaking it for no reason.

Here is a great article on the posterior baby. Though we often fear this happening, sometimes there is a reason. Women do often naturally birth their posterior babies, but sometimes their labor patterns look a little different than those of anterior babies. This is still a normal position, just less common.

Sometimes babies DO pass meconium (their first stool) while still in utero. This article covers meconium, what to do, and what not to do.

(All of the above mentioned articles have footnotes to research if you are feeling adventurous enough to do some additional reading).

C-sections ARE sometimes necessary, but being knowledgeable will help you navigate avoiding one and knowing if one is necessary for you.

Relaxation Exercise: Visualizing Birth

“The Fog of War: Keeping a Clear Head in Labor” dealt with a variety of situations you may (or may not) encounter during labor or birth. File this information away and retrieve it if it becomes necessary. The mind is very powerful. “Visualizing Birth” will help fine-tune the vision of what you hope for in your own birth.

Prodromal labor: http://birthbootcamp.com/prodromal-labor-what-is-it-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/