Searching for the Perfect Childbirth Class near Tampa, FL? Meet Megan Ciampa, Birth Boot Camp Instructor

Let’s meet Megan…

On a whim, one fateful day in 2008, I accepted an invite from a friend in the throes of nursing school to go see a special screening of The Business of Being Born at the University of South Florida. That night, with motherhood seemingly years away from me at that point, my eyes were opened forever. I was surrounded by doulas and medical professionals, as well as moms and dads who cared passionately about birth, and decided that whenever the time came for me to have a child, I would do things differently. Little did I know, less than a year later I would become pregnant with my first child and begin researching all things related to childbirth. And at 28 weeks, I did a very brave thing, and my husband and I transferred care to a local birth center to increase my chances of having a natural birth. 11 weeks later, my first child was born on a very peaceful, sunny and serene day at the birth center. After she was born, despite several obstacles she and I both had to overcome after her birth, I became a huge birth advocate.

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What first got you interested in birth work?

Between my first and second pregnancies, I had some changes in my health that prevented me from delivering at a birth center again. I heavily researched all my options for the best hospital at which to deliver and what care providers to work with, and consulted with my doula and felt like a walking encyclopedia of information. I became really passionate about women having access to information and empowerment in their choices for birth and knew then that I needed to channel that passion into something productive.

Do you have any particular passions concerning birth?

I have a soft spot for first time moms and moms experiencing breastfeeding challenges as those were areas I encountered difficulty and want to support moms through those challenges, should they occur.

Why did you choose Birth Boot Camp as your certifying organization?

I took an online birth class before my 3rd birth that really inspired me to go down the path of childbirth education. I was looking for material that approached pregnancy and birth from all angles, with a holistic approach. I came across a Birth Boot Camp instructor at a birth expo in Tampa, FL, and skimmed through her materials and was really impressed with its thoroughness and message. I later asked a doula friend if she had any recommendations for organizations to go through for certification and she said, “If I had to do it over again, I would go with Birth Boot Camp.” When I heard that, I was sold.

Tell us a little about your Birth Boot Camp training experience?

It was great to finally start doing the things I had been preparing for for so long. I was excited to see the materials and what teaching tools were recommended and all the tips and tricks there might be. I trained with the fabulous Amy Anderson at Community Roots Collective, in Tampa, FL.

How did your training help prepare you for teaching?

Training helped me most of all by showing me the access I had to a wide array of teaching tools, research, and experienced and knowledgeable individuals. I did not realize before training just how big the Birth Boot Camp family is and how much other instructors and doulas and the headquarters team want to see you succeed. After training I realized I was lucky to have such support.