The IBLP Childbirth Protocols Seem Weird To Counting On Fans

Counting On fans who watched the Amazon Prime docuseries, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets learned a lot about the family’s beliefs. In fact, people know that Jim Bob Duggar and his wife Michelle live and raise their kids under the tenets of the Institute of Basic Life Principles, (IBLP). But they didn’t know the ins and outs of it bar having loads of kids. Now the show is over, there’s a lot of discussion about the protocol for childbirth.

Counting On Spoilers – Fans Want More About The IBLP

After the docuseries ended, Cori Shepherd Stern who was involved in the production for Amazon, started a discussion thread on Reddit. There, many people related their own experiences with the IBLP. Meanwhile, a lot of questions got answers. And, it seems that there was so much to unpack that it couldn’t fit in one season. So, people want to find out more about the Institute of Basic Life Principles.

Viewers of Counting On who watched the show for so long, now feel a bit bad because by watching, they enabled what they see as an abusive lifestyle. So, they hope that another season comes along. Possibly, if Cori has anything to do with it, it might happen. In fact, she encouraged people to ask Amazon Prime more because it’s a real rabbit hole. This week, the recommended protocols for childbirth arrived on Reddit and stimulated more discussion.

Counting On Spoilers – Fans Discuss IBLP Childbirth Protocols

When u/in_thedeadofnight took to the r/DuggarsSnark subreddit, they shared the guidelines from “the Basic Care Booklet 7, “How to Avoid Unnecessary Cesarean Sections”, Medical Training Institute of America/Institute of Basic Life Principles, 1990.” Notably, it contained “a disclaimer that these are not hard and fast rules (after they spend 40 pages talking about the dangers of intervention.”

Counting On fans also noted that there is a recommended rule about getting pap smears, and it’s only “required for unwed mothers or women who have had multiple partners ?.” Well, set up with easy point-form instructions, many people seemed happy that the poster shared them. Naturally, it sparked a lot of discussion.

Counting On Spoilers – Weird Approach?

Counting On fans also saw a second page. In it, there is a specific instruction about emptying the bladder during childbirth. Under a section about “delivery procedures,” it says that the mom shouldn’t get a catheter. Instead, “the couple will work at keeping the bladder emptied.” That was a head-scratcher for Prudent_Honeydew_. They said, “How on earth does the couple work to keep the bladder emptied?”

Some other rules seem just plain weird, so u/Anthony’s Prayer Closet said, “Such a weird combination of totally awful BS and also birthing practices which are considered good today. I’m both flabbergasted and disgusted.”

Actually, other Counting On viewers agree that there are some good recommendations, but others seem really off. Commenting on that, u/helpanoverthinker opined, “I… was surprised by the mix of good practices and absolutely horrendous suggestions.”

There is a point about privacy, and to be honest “manual stimulation,” presumably of the clitoris to help the labor along seems to be a bit in vogue these days.

What are your thoughts about the weird parts of the recommendations in the IBLP? For example, what do you think of the IBLP not recommending that pitocin be used to assist with hemorrhages except as a last resort?  Let us know in the comments below.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with the Counting On alums right now. Come back here often for more Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets spoilers, news, and updates.