Evidence Based Birth®

Dr. Rebecca Dekker and EBB Research Fellow Morgan Richardson Cayama tackle your questions about the ARRIVE trial and elective inductions at 39 weeks. They explore the evidence behind this controversial study, discuss the implications for Cesarean rates, and unpack the concept of patient autonomy in maternity care. Plus, they share practical tips for managing pressure to induce and delve into how the ARRIVE trial impacts outcomes like breastfeeding, epidurals, and costs. Tune in to hear this Q&A session originally broadcast to listeners worldwide.  

• Episode 334: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks

(03:38) How often are we seeing pressure from obstetricians to induce? (07:20) How can you manage pressure from an obstetrician to get an induction at 39 weeks? (12:00) What are the geographic trends in induction rates? (15:30) What are the statistics on infant death and mortality? (19:56) What happens if a midwife or obstetrician refuses a 39-week elective induction requested by a birthing person? (21:50) Why did the ARRIVE trial report such high rates of preeclampsia and hypertension? (32:16) Is induction considered to be more cost-effective? (34:54) Are inductions affecting breastfeeding and epidural rates? (36:54) Is there research around maternal satisfaction and birthing experience? (40:11) Why are IVF and advanced maternal age clients often pressured or offered induction? (41:24) What strategies can doulas use to support clients facing discussions about 39-week induction with their provider?   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.    

Dr. Jessica Brumley, a Certified Nurse Midwife and President of the American College of Nurse Midwives, joins Dr. Dekker to explore the transformative impact of respectful maternity care. Dr. Brumley reflects on her journey to midwifery, inspired by a lifelong commitment to equitable and compassionate healthcare. Together, they discuss the importance of supporting normal physiology in birth, the guiding principles of the midwifery model, and the need for systemic change to foster respectful care in hospitals. Dr. Brumley also shares insights from her work with the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, including initiatives to reduce unnecessary interventions and amplify patient voices. Tune in to learn how respectful care can improve outcomes, build trust, and why a “midwife for every community” could change the landscape of maternal health in the United States.

(00:07:30) Equitable and Respectful Maternity Care Advocacy (00:28:57) Promoting Respectful Maternity Care in Workplaces (00:30:28) Creating a Culture of Respect in Healthcare (00:30:49) Cultural Respect in Healthcare Settings (00:34:24) Promoting Equitable and Respectful Healthcare Practices (00:43:11) Elevating Midwifery Practice for Improved Healthcare (00:44:47) Retention Strategies for Midwifery Professionals   Resources:

• EBB 324 – Blending Birth, Science, Technology, and Storytelling with Erica Chidi, Co-founder and CEO of LOOM
• EBB 332 – Advocating for Yourself during Prenatal Visits with Retired Obstetrician Dr. Leslie Farrington, Co-Founder of the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood
• Read Protecting Your Birth: A Guide For Black Mothers in The New York Times.
• Learn about the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
  • and the ICM's RESPECT Presentation (mentioned by Jessica)
• Learn about the Florida Perinatal Collaborative
• Learn more about Dr. Brumley and her work
• Learn about the American College of Nurse Midwives

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, I’m joined by Camden Crane Wachowiak—a health coach, EBB Childbirth Class graduate, and new mom—who shares her high-risk pregnancy and birth journey. Camden walks us through her induction experience after her water broke at term and her decision to labor with non-pharmacological comfort measures. We also talk about Camden's approach to navigating unique health considerations during pregnancy, including antiphospholipid syndrome and a cardiac pacemaker. She reflects on the empowering choices she made with her partner, such as hiring a supportive doula, and the role of the EBB Childbirth Class in helping them feel informed and confident. Discover how Camden built a team of providers who respected her strength, addressed her concerns without excessive intervention, and supported her in achieving a safe and positive birth experience.

(05:45) Experienced Doula Enhancing Birthing Experiences (09:52) Personalized Obstetric Care Based on Medical History (17:50) Natural Methods for Inducing Labor Contractions (19:39) Natural Comfort Techniques During Medication-Free Labor (23:32) Enduring labor pains without medical intervention (25:05) Breathwork and Support in Intense Childbirth (35:26) Vital Importance of Newborn Resuscitation Training (37:27) Embracing Motherhood: Navigating New Priorities and Routines (43:26) Transformative Role of Postpartum Communities  

• Learn more about Camden’s fitness coaching business, Camden C3 Fit here.
• EBB 288 – From Birthing in the Pandemic to Birthing a Career as a Postpartum Doula and Chef with Malisa Dekker of Planted Postpartum
• EBB 305 – A High-Risk Pregnancy and Miraculous Birth with Krista and John DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Team EBB's Chanté Perryman, Rikki Jenkins and Sara Ailshire are taking over the podcast to share their tips for transitioning home from the hospital and supporting new parents postpartum! Rikki, a seasoned childbirth educator, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Instructor Program Coordinator at EBB, stresses the importance of having a strong support system and being open about postpartum mental health. Sara, a Research Fellow at EBB, draws from cultural practices and her own journey into parenthood to discuss the importance of accepting help and cherishing special moments with a newborn. Together, with Chanté, Director of Programs at EBB, they remind us to celebrate the transition into parenthood and practice self-compassion during this transformative period.   Don't forget to sign up for the waitlist for the new EBB Pocket Guide to Newborn Procedures!    (00:04:59) New Beginnings: Homecoming Baby Celebration (00:11:15) Building a Strong Postpartum Support System (00:12:34) Postpartum Support through Meal Trains (00:13:36) Setting Boundaries for Postpartum Support (00:31:04) Multilingual Breastfeeding Support and Resources (00:31:20) Partners' Support in Postpartum Hydration Plan (00:41:04) Neglecting Self-Care: Early Postpartum Warning Signs (00:46:48) Supportive Partner Role in Preventing Postpartum Depression (00:50:30) Navigating Postpartum Mental Health Challenges (00:53:28) Transformative Self-Compassion in Parenthood  

• Resources on Nursing and Pumping
• La Leche League
• UpToDate: Pumping Breastmilk
• Learn about the PUMP act, which protects many working parents.
• See the CDC’s Guidelines for Breast Milk Storage.
• Learn about common issues in breastfeeding.
• Watch Global Health Media breastfeeding education videos in a variety of languages.
• Resources for Car Seats
• Child Passenger Safety Certified Technicians
• The Car Seat Lady: Safe newborn head position
• Chicco newborn car seat position
• Resources for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
• Get an overview on PPD from The Office on Women’s Health
• Learn about PPA
• What to Expect: Postpartum Anxiety
• Support Organizations
• Postpartum Support International (PSI)
• PSI Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color

 

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

We're celebrating the upcoming release of the brand new Pocket Guide to Newborn Procedures! Join us as Dr. Dekker explores essential aspects of newborn care: the evidence on 1) pain management during newborn procedures, 2) baby's first bath, and 3) whether and how newborns should receive screening for low blood sugar. In this episode, you'll learn about newborn comfort techniques like skin-to-skin care, massage, "tucking in," and the use of pacifiers. You'll also walk away with a new appreciation for the evidence on delaying the first newborn bath to 24 hours, and the causes and management of newborn low blood sugars (also known as neonatal hypoglycemia).   (00:05:58) Parental Involvement in Newborn Comfort Care (00:08:34) Pain Relief Techniques for Newborn Procedures (00:12:01) Enhancing Newborn Comfort and Pain Management (00:20:22) Newborn Immersion Tub Bathing Advantages (00:31:45) Factors Contributing to Neonatal Hypoglycemia (00:39:31) Managing Newborn Hypoglycemia with Blood Sugar Testing (00:42:49) Enhancing Newborn Comfort and Pain Relief  

• Join the waitlist for the Newborn Procedures Pocket Guide here.
• Learn more about ingredients in infant cleansers here.

  Click here for the full list of references.   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Join Dr. Rebecca Dekker and EBB Research Fellow Morgan Richardson Cayama as we explore the ARRIVE Trial and its impact on elective induction at 39 weeks. Together, we'll break down what elective induction involves, examine the trial's findings and critiques, and discuss the latest evidence on this increasingly common practice. Elective inductions have surged since the Trial's release. In this podcast episode, we'll talk about the latest post-ARRIVE research, and the benefits, risks, and professional guidelines on elective induction at 39 weeks. Additionally, we'll focus on the crucial role of respectful maternity care when making decisions about induction.   This podcast episode is a companion to the Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article on "Evidence on: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks." You can access all of the resources, scientific references, and a free 2-page handout at ebbirth.com/arrive. If you prefer to learn via video, check the EBB YouTube channel for the video version of this episode.   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we're talking about uterine fibroids and their impact on pregnancy and birth with Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, a board-certified OB/GYN and nationally recognized expert in fibroid treatment. Dr. Gillispie-Bell shares her wealth of knowledge on this critical, yet often overlooked, topic—explaining everything from what fibroids are to the various treatment options available. We cover how fibroids affect reproductive health, debunk myths about Cesarean versus vaginal birth, and discuss the racial disparities in fibroid care that Black women face. Dr. Gillispie-Bell also opens up about her personal connection to this field, tracing her passion for fibroid treatment back to her own mother’s journey.

Content Note: This episode contains discussions of maternal mortality and pregnancy-related death. Please take care while listening.   02:30 Understanding Uterine Fibroids and Their Prevalence 04:22 Symptoms and Health Consequences of Uterine Fibroids 08:05 Dr. Gillispie-Bell's Interest in Fibroids and Racial Disparities 16:13 Minimally Invasive Procedures for Fibroids 19:12 Hysterectomy as a Treatment Option 21:55 Considerations for Fibroid Treatment in Relation to Fertility 24:19 Safety and Impact on Fertility of Certain Fibroid Treatments 26:11 Primary Surgical Procedure: Myomectomy 28:19 Hysteroscopic Fibroid Removal   Resources

• Follow Dr. Gillispie-Bell on Instagram here.
• Help prevent maternal mortality with the CDC – Hear Her Campaign.
• Learn more about fibroid advocacy by visiting the White Dress Project and the Fibroid Foundation.
• Follow the work of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative.

 

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker’s book, “Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered!” If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Dr. Leslie Farrington, an African-American retired OB/GYN, birth justice advocate, and co-founder of the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood, shares how her early experience with midwifery inspired her passion for patient-centered care. As a physician who later recognized the harmful effects of “physician supremacy” in the medical system, she details her transformation into an advocate for liberation and anti-racism in healthcare. She discusses how systemic issues impact Black maternal health and introduces the ACTT (Ask, Claim, Trust, Tell) framework, a powerful toolkit designed to empower birthing families to advocate for themselves during prenatal care. Dr. Farrington also offers practical strategies for building confidence, addressing power imbalances in medical settings, and ensuring patients are heard and respected.

(00:00) Empowering Pregnant Individuals in Prenatal Care (14:13) Advocating for Black Maternal Health Equity (17:55) Empowering Patients in Prenatal Healthcare Settings (26:23) Fostering Collaborative Relationships for Patient-Centered Care (32:50) Enhancing OB/GYN Care for African American Parents (42:00) Advocacy Training for Black Maternal Health

• Learn more about the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood here.
• Download the Irth App here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Chiropractor Dr. Lisa Vawter is all about women's health, especially when it comes to prenatal and postpartum care. With certifications in the Webster technique, Spinning Babies®, and BirthFit™, she's got all the tools to support expectant and new moms in a holistic way. Dr. Vawter is a firm believer in the power of chiropractic care to ease pregnancy symptoms like low back pain and sciatica, focusing on things like posture, muscle engagement, and body balance. Inspired by her own pregnancy journey, Dr. Vawter provides personalized and compassionate care to make sure birthing people have a safe and comfortable journey into parenthood. Listen as we talk about:

• Dr. Lisa Vawter's journey of being pregnant while in chiropractic school
• An overview of the anatomy of the spine, hips, and pelvis
• The kinds of normal bodily changes that happen in pregnancy
• How body mechanics and everyday movements can impact comfort in pregnancy
• Simple, bite-size exercises to help with re-alignment of your neck and pelvis
• Types of chiropractic adjustments used in pregnancy, including the Webster technique
• Information on the safety of chiropractic care in pregnancy

Visit Dr. Vawter's website here, or follow her on Instagram here.

Learn more about Spinning Babies® and BirthFit™.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we're joined by EBB Childbirth Class graduates Dr. Emily Guilfoy and her husband, Doug, as they share their unmedicated birth story. Dr. Emily, a chiropractor, walks us through her preparation for birth using self-hypnosis and the mental and physical strategies she employed for a calm, empowering labor. Together, they discuss their experience in the EBB Childbirth Class, working with their doula, and how they created a serene birthing environment in a hospital setting. Dr. Guilfoy also tells us how her personal history of having a hip replacement surgery impacted her pregnancy and birth options. From managing labor to navigating hospital policies, tune in to hear about how they achieved the birth experience they envisioned.

Resources:

• Learn more about Hypnobabies here.
• EBB 322 – Harnessing the Power of the Mind to Enhance Joy and Comfort in Childbirth with Kerry Tuschhoff, Founder of Hypnobabies

  For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we're exploring the fascinating science of blood types and blood incompatibility in pregnancy. You’ll learn about the basics of blood types, how they are inherited, and why knowing your blood type is crucial—especially during pregnancy. Rebecca and Sara also discuss the implications of Rh incompatibility, ABO incompatibility, and other rare blood types on maternal and fetal health.

(17:15) Rhogam Injection: Preventing Rh Incompatibility Complications (18:23) Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn: RH Incompatibility (20:24) Rh Sensitization: Newborn Hemolytic Complications (21:33) Rh Incompatibility Risk in Pregnancy Testing (22:45) Global Shortages Impacting Postpartum Rhogam Access (25:15) ABO Incompatibility Impact in Pregnancy (35:44) Critical Need for Anti D Immunoglobulin Access (35:44) RhoGAM: Preventing Newborn Disease through Donations   For the full list of references and resources, visit the EBB website here!   For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Neysha Reyes Cruz’s journey to becoming a birth doula was sparked by witnessing the inadequate support and resources during a friend’s hospital birth in Puerto Rico. Her personal experiences and those of her family have further fueled her commitment and passion for advocating on behalf of women, particularly within Hispanic and Latinx communities. Neysha recognizes the significant need for more bilingual doulas to ensure culturally competent care and clear communication for non-English speaking patients. In response, she is actively working to train and certify young Latina women as bilingual doulas in Kansas City, aiming to address this critical gap and improve maternal health outcomes.

• Learn more about Olas de Amor here, or follow them on Instagram here!
• Find resources from Nuture KC here.
• Get support from Parto En Casa here.
• Get support from Esperanza Birth here.
• Get the EBB pocket guide in Spanish here!

To view this episode's transcript in English or Español, click here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

We are joined by Kimberly Turbin and Michele Monserratt-Ramos, staunch advocates against obstetric violence driven by personal experiences and a commitment to marginalized communities.

Note: Read the transcript in English or español here! Or watch with closed captions on the EBB YouTube channel.

Kimberly's advocacy began after a traumatic birth experience in 2013, which she courageously shared publicly to ignite awareness and debate on obstetric mistreatment. Michele, with her extensive background in public interest and healthcare safety, collaborates with Kimberly to address maternal health issues, particularly affecting Latina women in California. Their joint efforts focus on systemic change, emphasizing the need for resources, education and support to ensure informed healthcare decisions and improved maternal health outcomes.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of obstetric violence. Listener discretion is advised.

 

Learn about Consumer Watchdog here. Watch Kimberly Turbin's birth video here. Follow Kimberly Turbin on Instagram.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Lisa Smith, a registered dietitian and host of the Pretty Well podcast, joins us on the EBB podcast to discuss the crucial topic of reducing toxins in the home during pregnancy and postpartum. Lisa shares her personal health journey, including her experience with Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune condition impacting the thyroid), and highlights the importance of reducing environmental toxins to promote optimal health. Listen and learn about the connection between toxins and gut health, how industrial chemicals are found in umbilical cord blood, and steps expectant parents can take to lower toxin levels in their environment. From understanding the dangers of heavy metals and "forever chemicals" to making informed choices about food and household products, Lisa shares practical tips to creating a healthier home for you and your family.

Tune in to Lisa's podcast Pretty Well, here, and follow the show on Instagram here!

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Following an emergency c-section due to HELLP syndrome in her first pregnancy, Jolene Brink was determined to have a different birthing experience with her second child. Through the support of a knowledgeable medical team and insights gained from her EBB Childbirth Class, she successfully achieved her goal of an unmedicated VBAC with the birth of her son, Guthrie, in 2022. Jolene's journey towards a VBAC was a transformative process of healing, empowerment, and reclaiming her birthing experience, showcasing the importance of advocacy and informed decision-making in maternal healthcare.

Resources:

• Check out Doulas of Duluth to learn from her instructors Cooper Orth and Dana Morrison, and follow them on Instagram!
• Learn about Jolene's work here!
• Read The Preeclampsia Foundation's article on HELLP Syndrome
• Follow the Preeclampsia Foundation on Instagram
• van Oostwaard, M. F. et al. (2015). "Recurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: An individual patient data meta-analysis." Am J Obstet Gynecol 212(5): 624.e1-17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25582098/
• Duley, L., et al. (2019). "Antiplatelet agents for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6820858/
• Listen to the Evidence on VBAC - EBB 113
• EBB Childbirth Class now includes a module all about planning a VBAC! Learn more about the EBB Childbirth class here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Erica Chidi joins us to share her journey from working as a full-spectrum doula to becoming an educator and leader in women's health. With over a decade of experience, Erica discusses how her upbringing in a medical family, coupled with her unique approach to doula work, led her to create LOOM, a health information app designed to empower women and non-binary individuals. She explains the app’s mission to provide accessible, science-backed health information and personal stories that help users navigate their reproductive and overall health. The two also discuss the challenges and advancements in maternal healthcare, particularly for Black women, and the importance of addressing racial biases in medical settings.

Learn more about LOOM here.

Follow Erica and LOOM on Instagram.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

 

In today's episode, we're diving into a mini Q&A session to address some pressing questions from our incredible EBB Pro Members. We'll explore the risks of radiation exposure during air travel in pregnancy, particularly for airline crew members. Then, we'll discuss the implications of low platelet counts and whether they necessitate induction. Lastly, we'll look at new research on the location of the placenta—whether anterior, posterior or lateral—and its impact on birth experiences. Tune in for evidence-based answers on these important topics!

View the full list of references for this episode here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Kerry Tuschhoff, founder and director of Hypnobabies®, brings a wealth of experience as a childbirth educator, doula, speaker, and hypnotherapist to the realm of hypnobirthing. Inspired by her own challenging birth experiences and a TV show about hypnosis for childbirth, she meticulously studied hypnotherapy and pain management to develop Hypnobabies®, which integrates hypno-anesthesia techniques for effective pain relief during labor. Her program not only empowers expectant parents to make informed decisions regarding interventions such as epidurals and episiotomies but also emphasizes the role of birth partners in maintaining a calm and supportive environment. Kerry champions the idea that consistent practice of hypnosis techniques, paired with a positive mindset and self-advocacy, can significantly enhance the birthing experience, making it more comfortable and holistic.   Resources:

• To learn more about Hypnobabies and the techniques mentioned in the episode, visit the Hypnobabies website here.
• Follow Hypnobabies on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class graduate Iris Casey is sharing her inspiring home birth story with Dr. Dekker. Iris opens up about her journey to motherhood, after grappling with the decision to become a parent and overcoming past traumas. She recounts the unexpected onset of labor, navigating the early stages with her supportive partner, and utilizing the knowledge gained from the EBB Childbirth Class and Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas," to create a tailored birth plan. Tune in to hear Iris's story of resilience, preparation, and the emotional experience of bringing her daughter, Roselle, into the world in the safety and comfort of her own home.   Resources:

Check out Iris' birth and postpartum support website, Mother Essence

• EBB 179 – An Empowering and Transformative Home Birth Experience with Trish and Mimi Ang
• EBB 225 – Trauma-Informed Childbirth Education with Mandy Irby, The Birth Nurse
• EBB 230 – An Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Shelitha Owens
• EBB 288 – From Birthing in the Pandemic to Birthing a Career as a Postpartum Doula and Chef with Malisa Dekker of Planted Postpartum
• The Evidence on: Waterbirth

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

The impact of epidurals on the second stage of labor has sparked a lot of discussion. Research suggests that epidurals can prolong this stage... and a prolonged second stage can be associated with increased risks of infection, severe tears and the need for interventions like forceps-assisted delivery or Cesarean. But does an epidural mean that you are higher risk for complications during the second stage of labor, or are there ways to lessen your risks?   In this episode, Dr. Dekker explores the physiological effects of epidurals (and how they impact your body's birthing reflexes), the correlation between epidurals and the duration of the second stage of labor, and nuanced perspectives from professional guidelines worldwide— including a brief discussion of "laboring down" (aka delayed pushing).   References:

• To access all the scientific references that go along with this episode, visit our blog article here.
• Access the rest of our EBB Pain Management series go to this page and click on “Pain Management Series.”
• Check out the EBB Pocket Guide to Comfort Measures here.
• Find an EBB Childbirth Class near you here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Dr. Rebecca Dekker's joined by Debra Pascali-Bonaro, host of the Orgasmic Birth podcast, to explore the connections between love, intimacy, and childbirth. A world-renowned speaker and doula trainer, and the creative force behind the documentary "Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret," Debra shares her origins into the world of childbirth education and her groundbreaking work. Debra and Dr. Dekker delve into how intimacy can enhance the birthing experience by promoting relaxation, reducing fear, and allowing for a more joyous and fulfilling labor. Learn how the power of pleasure and joy can transform the birth experience, and hear compelling stories that challenge conventional perceptions of labor and delivery.

Resources: 

• Learn about Debra’s 5 Essential Tools to Enhance Pleasure Centered Birth here.
• Follow Debra on Instagram!

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Dr. Liz Nutter, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of nursing and healthcare leadership experience, is bringing her expertise as a board-certified nurse midwife and national expert in waterbirth and hydrotherapy evidence-based practice. Dr. Nutter shares her journey from serving in the United States Army to becoming an assistant professor at St. Martin's University in Washington State. She discusses her pivotal role in advocating for waterbirth practices within the military healthcare system and maternal health rights within the military, including extending maternity leave to 12 weeks and providing support for service members experiencing pregnancy loss. From overcoming misconceptions to championing evidence-based protocols, she reminds us of the transformative power of waterbirth for birthing families and healthcare providers alike.

Check out Waterbirth Works, Dr. Nutter's online, evidence-based waterbirth continuing education program here!

Follow Waterbirth Works on Facebook here.

To view the Evidence articles that were mentioned in the episode, click on either link below:

• The Evidence on: Waterbirth (updated in 2024!)
• The Evidence on: Fetal Monitoring 

 

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Today, we’re sharing a replay of our podcast episode with EBB Childbirth Class parent, Angela Jones, about having an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth when labeled as high risk.

Angela is a macro-level social worker, wife to her husband, Tony, and mom to her son, Allister, and their cats, Pumpernickel and Lion-O. Angela and Tony graduated from the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with EBB instructor, Victoria Michonski. Both Victoria and Heather McCullough, who is also an EBB instructor, were Angela and Tony’s doulas for Allister’s birth.

In today's replay, we talk about Angela’s birth story and her experience having an easy, uncomplicated pregnancy and birth despite being labeled as high risk for multiple reasons. We also talk about data birth outcomes for people who have multiple high-risk labels.

Three years later, Angela shared this thoughtful update as she reflected on her birth story.

Update from Angela: When I am having difficult moments, I sometimes look back at the video of myself giving birth to Allister and feel such peace. Allister turned 3 this year, and recently he has been asking about how he came into this world. My husband and I have been showing him the video of him being born and when he sees it, he looks at me, almost in awe, with a big smile. He now requests to see it at least once per week. Going into my birthing time, I never imagined that I would have 41 hours of active labor. I still credit the EBB course and my amazing doulas with having prepared me well in understanding all of the tools that were available to me when, after 30 hours of not being able to tolerate any food or water, I decided that I wanted to depart from my original birth plan. Getting an epidural allowed me to eat, drink, sleep and then ultimately push my son out gently in the position of my choosing. This was the exact birth experience that I wanted. I still encourage women, especially those who are afraid (in particular, those who are afraid due to multiple "high risk" labels) to not settle for a care team that is anything less than supportive, safe, and empowering.

Content note: We talk about ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy losses, high-risk pregnancy complications, and perinatal morbidity.

Resources: 

• Learn more about EBB Instructor, Victoria Michonski, here. Follow Victoria on Instagram and Facebook.
• Learn more about EBB Instructor, Heather McCullough, here. Follow Heather on Instagram and Facebook.
• Sheen, J. J., Wright, J. D., Goffman, D., et al. (2018). Maternal age and risk for adverse outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Oct;219(4):390.e1-390.e15. Click here. 

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Have you ever wondered what the evidence is on epidurals for pain management during labor? Join us on today’s podcast as we discuss most recent evidence on epidurals, spinals, and combined spinal-epidurals! We’ll begin with some background on these methods, including how common they are in the U.S. and around the world, before moving on to the effectiveness, benefits, and risks for use during labor. We’ll also talk about alternative methods of pain relief during labor, and share recommendations from professional healthcare organizations. [Bonus addition to the podcast at 20:00: We talk about the study on epidurals out of Scotland [Kearns et al. 2024] that is generating lots of news headlines!] Join us to learn more about pain relief options during labor!   Content Note: Topics related to epidural use, how they’re provided (including needles and catheters), and the benefits and risks of this intervention. Discussion of assisted vaginal delivery (forceps and vacuum deliveries), severe maternal complications, surgery, perineal tears, and postpartum depression.     References:

• To access all the scientific references that go along with this episode, visit our blog article here.
• Access the rest of our EBB Pain Management series go to this page and click on “Pain Management Series.”
• Check out the EBB Pocket Guide to Comfort Measures here.
• Find an EBB Childbirth Class near you here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Brandie Bishop, CEO of the National Black Doulas Association (NBDA), joins us to explore the vital role of doulas in supporting pregnant individuals and families within Black and Brown communities. From her early experiences working with refugee families to her passion for advocating for marginalized populations, Brandie's unique journey into birth work led to her role today— continuing NBDA's mission of training the next generation of Black doulas. Through comprehensive trainings and mentorship programs, NBDA aims to empower doulas to make a meaningful impact in reducing maternal mortality rates and ensuring equitable access to compassionate care for all birthing people. Join us as we celebrate the principles, values, and ancestral knowledge driving the NBDA's vision for the future of doula care.

Learn more about the National Black Doulas Association here.

Check out Your Tribe Family Services here.

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, Dr. Dekker's joined by Gena Jaffe, an LGBTQ+ activist, attorney, and founder of Connecting Rainbows©️. Gena shares her personal story of embarking on reciprocal IVF with her wife and the legal hurdles they faced as a lesbian couple. From navigating complex parental rights to accessing inclusive healthcare, Gena sheds light on the challenges faced by some LGBTQ+ individuals and families on their path to parenthood. 

Gena's experience led her to creating Connecting Rainbows©️, a groundbreaking organization offering free legal and fertility resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community. Tune in for an empowering conversation celebrating diversity, resilience, and the journey of building loving, inclusive families.

  Resources:

• Learn more about Connecting Rainbows©️ here!
• Follow Connecting Rainbows©️ on Instagram.
• Find support from Fertility Out Loud here.
• Learn more about the Family Equality Council here.
• EBB 227 – Amplifying the Need for Intersectional Birth Support for QTBIPOC Birthing People with Xian Brooks of the Dandy Doula
• EBB 182 – Black-led Queer and Trans Birth Work with Mystique Hargrove, Kortney Lapeyrolerie, and Nadine Ashby
• EBB 180 – Trauma-Informed Care and Consent with Feminist Midwife, Stephanie Tillman
• EBB 179 – An Empowering and Transformative Home Birth Experience with Trish and Mimi Ang
• EBB 160 – Introducing Mystique Hargrove: EBB Featured Instructor

  For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Learn about the world of babywearing, including its impact on infant development, digestion, and sleep with Whitney Dula, a maternal child health advocate and founder of The Mama's Dula. Whitney shares her personal journey into babywearing, the rich cultural history of babywearing, its role in community-based child-rearing practices, and practical tips for parents. From fostering a close bond between caregivers and babies to being an affordable alternative to expensive baby carriers, learn how this practice could benefit you and your child.

Learn more about Whitney and The Mama's Dula here.

Follow Whitney on Instragram, TikTok and Facebook.

Check out the baby wraps and carriers mentioned in this episode:

1. Moby Wrap®

2. Tula®

3. Ergobaby®

4. Boba®

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, EBB Childbirth Class graduates Melissa and Brendon Smyles' share their experiences preparing for an unmedicated birth while embracing flexibility in their birthing plan. From the unexpected premature rupture of membranes to the decision to use fentanyl for rest during labor, Melissa and Brendon tell their birth story, emphasizing the importance of informed choices and personalized support. Join us as they reflect on the transformative power of evidence-based education and the profound impact of tailored guidance and informed decision making in achieving a positive birth outcome.   Resources:

• Get the Evidence on Injectable Opioids for Pain Management during Labor here.
• And learn about it on YouTube, here!
• Learn more about their doula, Alycia, here!
• EBB 267 - Debunking the Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN
• EBB 256 – Top 3 Recommendations for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction after Birth with Dr. Sarah Duvall, Founder of Core Exercise Solutions
• Find an EBB Childbirth Class here.
• Check out Melissa's pelvic floor therapist, The Pelvis Pro, here.

  For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Were you aware that beyond the standard epidural, there is an additional medication option for managing pain during childbirth? Today, Dr. Dekker discusses another common option, intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) opioids. Dr. Dekker explains the different types of injectable opioids available during labor, how they work, and the current evidence that you need to know to make an informed decision. Plus, learn about the benefits and risks of IV opioids for pain relief labor and an in-depth look at one opioid in particular: Remifentanil, which is commonly given through a “Patient-Controlled Analgesia” or PCA pump.

• EBB Pocket Guide to Interventions (https://ebbirth.com/shop)
• EBB Pocket Guide to Comfort Measures (https://ebbirth.com/shop)
• More YouTube videos mentioning IV Opioids among other options:
  • Pain Management During Labor, Regional Anesthesia - Maternity Nursing
  • Anesthesia Options for Labor & Delivery
• Prescribing Guidelines for Pregnant Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
• Narcotics for Pain During Childbirth

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

References:

• To access all the scientific references that go along with this episode, visit our blog post here. 

For Nurse's Week 2024, we wanted to share a replay of one of our favorite episodes at EBB, and that is an interview with Melissa Anne DuBois about shifting from hospital labor and delivery nurse to home birth advocate.

Content note: Discussion of obstetric racism and graphic description of obstetric violence.

Melissa Anne DuBois is an experienced perinatal nurse living in Central Massachusetts. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing in 2006 and has worked in a variety of perinatal settings since 2007 including in-patient labor and delivery, high-risk obstetrics, outpatient OB-GYN, homebirth, and postpartum home health. Melissa Anne became a childbirth educator in 2011 and a lactation counselor in 2014 and currently teaches childbirth classes for babiesincommon.com. Melissa Anne is also the mother of three children.

In today’s replay, you’re going to listen to Melissa tell her birth story, as well as her unique perspective on labor and delivery nursing, which came out of her own traumatic birth experience, witnessing obstetric violence and obstetric racism for many years as a labor & delivery nurse, and seeing outdated procedures being performed in hospital settings. Melissa went on to have a healing birth at home, and to get involved in advocacy for expanding home birth options for families. At the end of the podcast, we will share a brief update on what Melissa is up to now! 

Resources:

• Learn more about Melissa Anne DuBois and Babies in Common here. Listen to Melissa’s podcast, “Babies in Common Show” on Apple here and Spotify here. Follow Babies in Common on Facebook and Instagram.
• View “The Business Of Being Born” here.
• Learn about Krysta Dancy and Birth Trauma Support.
• Learn more about the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).
• Learn more about the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Click here to see the Evidence Based Birth® list of Birth Justice Resources, including research on racism and maternal health.

 

EBB Resources:

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Join us in diving deep into Myla Flores' incredible story of becoming a leader and visionary in the birth field! From Myla's early experiences as a birth doula to her ongoing advocacy for safe, dignified birth options, Myla's passion shines through as she discusses the challenges and triumphs of birth work. 

Discover how The Womb Bus, a mobile wellness hub, brings essential education, resources, and outreach to blossoming families in under-resourced areas. Learn about Myla's vision for The Birthing Place, a future birth center that will offer midwifery-led collaborative care, and about group efforts to expand access to safe, informed reproductive care for all. Tune in to hear firsthand accounts of the impact The Womb Bus has had on neighborhoods in NYC, providing vital services and support to those who need it most. From fibroid screenings to lactation support, Myla and her team are breaking down barriers and creating pathways to reproductive wellness and empowerment.

Learn more about The Birthing Place and The Womb Bus here! Follow The Birthing Place on Instagram here. Follow Maryam Reproductive Health + Wellness on Instagram here. The Birthing Place is launching a capital campaign! Learn more and support their growth.  

EBB Resources:

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Joyce Dykema, doula and EBB Instructor, and Brianna Fields, a labor and delivery nurse, to discuss advocating for positive shifts in birth culture, particularly in Nebraska. Joyce shares her journey into birth work and the impact of the Evidence Based Birth Instructor program on accessing research evidence, highlighting changes in hospital practices and provider attitudes that support more diverse birthing options.   Brianna discusses her experience in Joyce's EBB Comfort Measures Workshop—which covers the importance of language, positioning, acupressure, and eating and drinking during labor. Together, Joyce and Brianna talk about the need for ongoing education for nurses so that they can provide optimal support during childbirth. Joyce also opens up about the legislative challenges facing the birth community in Nebraska. Tune in to this episode learn about doulas and nurses advocating together, using research evidence to make positive changes in birth culture.   Resources: Check out EBB Continuing Education events (including the EBB Comfort Measures Workshop) for Professionals here. Get on the wait list for the EBB Instructor program here. Visit Joyce's website and see her upcoming events here! Follow Joyce on Instagram here.

 

EBB Resources:

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

What is a doula, and what are the different types of doulas? How many people use doulas during childbirth, and what does a doula actually do? Are there any randomized, controlled trials on doula support? What are the benefits and risks of having a doula, if any? And if the evidence shows that doulas improve health outcomes… then why are some hospitals around the world unsupportive of labor companions? And how can you find a doula if you’re interested in having one at your birth?   

Today’s podcast episode with Dr. Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA, is chock full of research from our peer-reviewed Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article: The Evidence on Doulas.  

To learn more, download a free one-page handout, and view all the research references, go to ebbirth.com/doulas.   

EBB Resources:  

• Access all the scientific references and a free 1-page handout at the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Doulas here.     

• If you’re a visual learner, watch a video about the Evidence on Doulas on the EBB YouTube channel here!  

• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship program, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a full-length printable PDF on "Evidence on: Doulas") by joining here. 

• Learn comfort measures and advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.  

EBB Podcasts: 

• EBB 195 – Grief & Healing through Pregnancy and Infant Loss with Full Spectrum Doula, Rose Rankin 

• EBB 207 – Gender Affirming Birth Work and Education with Full-Spectrum Doula and Childbirth Educator, Moss Froom 

• EBB 211 – Supporting Expectant Families through Birth and Lactation with Birth Doula and EBB Instructor Coordinator, Rikki Jenkins 

• EBB 229 – Evidence on Doulas with Community-Based Models and Reimbursement 

• EBB 252 – A Candid Conversation about Doula Advocacy with Doula and EBB Instructor Leslie Greene 

• EBB 285 – Creating a Sustainable Career in Birth Work with Jessica Diggs, Doula Mentor and Co-Founder of Centered.  

 

Curious which toxins should be most avoided for people of reproductive age and their children? In this episode, Dr. Tanya Khemet Taiwo, LM, CPM, MPH, PhD unravels the intricate connection between environmental exposures and their profound impact on pregnancy and birth outcomes. We will explore the hidden risks associated with heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.

You'll learn about the research on how environmental exposures contribute to issues like reduced birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital anomalies, and neurodevelopmental delays. Plus, Dr. Taiwo teaches about the unequal distribution of these exposures across populations, what parents can do to test their environments for unwanted elements, and how midwives can be part of the solution for environmental justice.

Content Note: Listener discretion is advised. This episode includes a stark discussion of common environmental exposures, social factors, and their impact on pregnancy and infant health outcomes. Toward the end of the episode [from 37:12 to 41:08], there is a brief discussion of traumatic historical events (including the Holocaust and chattel slavery) and their subsequent impact on environmental toxins.

 

Resources:

• Learn more about the Environmental Working Group
  • Download EWG's Healthy Living app here.
• Check your cosmetics with the California Breat Cancer Prevention Partners
• Check out The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE)

Read Some of Dr. Taiwo's Work:

• The Giving Voice to Mothers study: inequity and mistreatment during pregnancy and childbirth in the United States
• Maternal Prenatal Stress and Child Neurodevelopment
• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder and Reproductive Justice: Examining Unmet Needs for Mental Health and Social Services in a National Cohort

EBB Resources:

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

Follow Evidence Based Birth:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X

   

In this episode, Ellora La Shier, graduate of the EBB Childbirth Class, shares about her struggle with six years of unexplained infertility and how it impacted her eventual birth story. Listen in as Ellora describes the frustration of unexplained infertility, suffering through years of increasingly painful periods, and the relief of finally receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis. Despite facing numerous challenges and undergoing various treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), Ellora remained determined and resilient.   Finally, after years, Ellora underwent surgery to remove the abnormal tissue caused by endometriosis. Following surgery, she and her husband were overjoyed to discover that they quickly became pregnant. Although this pregnancy marked the end of a long and challenging infertility journey, Ellora still had to process the many years of healthcare dismissal and her complicated relationship with pain, and how this would impact her eventual unmedicated birth. Ellora's story highlights the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and finding supportive healthcare providers in navigating the complexities of infertility and reproductive health.   Resources

• Find evidence-based information about infertility here.

  EBB Resources:

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

  Follow Evidence Based Birth:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X

As we wrap up the celebration of World Doula Week, explore the transformative journey of pregnancy and childbirth in the Indian context with Divya Deswal and Neha Misra, founders of The Doula Collective©️. In this interview, Divya and Neha shed light on the unique challenges and triumphs faced by expectant families in India. You'll learn how The Doula Collective©️, with its culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approach, is reshaping the landscape of birth support! 

Also... have you ever heard of a year-long doula training program? Divya and Neha share the intricacies of their in-depth doula training program and how it goes beyond traditional methods to create a profound impact on both birth practitioners and families. Join us as we confront the barriers that doulas face in a system where their role is often misunderstood. We end with an exploration of the soulful aspects of birth trauma, physical challenges of birth and birth work, and the power of resilience.

Learn more about The Doula Collective here: https://thedoulacollective.in/

Follow their work on Instagram: @thedoulacollective.in

EBB Resources:

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

Follow Evidence Based Birth:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X

You're going to love this family-centered birth story with Dr. Dekker's brother John DeYoung and his wife Krista DeYoung! On today's episode, Krista and John (who are graduates of the EBB Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor Chanté Perryman) get vulnerable and open up about their complex pregnancy and son Eli's miraculous birth story. In addition to facing a pregnancy with a prior diagnosis of Crohn's disease, they also had to cope with lockdowns during the pandemic, genetic concerns including an initial diagnosis of triploidy, a HUGE and abnormally low-functioning placenta, potential growth restriction, a 39-week induction, and placental retention that led to abnormal postpartum bleeding.

In addition to being inspired by John and Krista's unique story, you will also learn about the emotional rollercoaster of confronting a fatal genetic diagnosis that turns out to be a false positive. You will also hear from John about how active participating in childbirth and parenting has been an incredibly healing process for him— as John was adopted as a child and had no known blood relatives before Eli was born. And don't miss the end of the episode, when you find out about a surprise condition that was the cause of Krista's placental abnormalities.

Tune in for an empowering and insightful discussion that sheds light on the complexities of high-risk pregnancies and the role of evidence-based care in navigating challenging pregnancy and birth scenarios.

Content Note: This episode discusses high-risk pregnancies, history of bonding difficulties related to being adopted, concerns about fatal genetic diagnoses that may result in termination, false-positive genetic diagnoses, medical interventions, the potential of losing a baby in pregnancy, autoimmune conditions, and abnormal postpartum bleeding. Although everything turns out okay for our guests in this episode, we recognize that not all pregnancies with genetic complications have happy endings.

Resources  

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here!
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

Other Resources

• Learn more about Antiphospholipid Syndrome here.
• Learn about pregnancy and Crohn's Disease here, from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

Follow Evidence Based Birth

• Facebook
• Instagram

Welcome to a special Q &A episode of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast! Today I address some of your burning questions on key childbirth topics!

In this episode, I share evidence on the (unproven) relationship between synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) administration and postpartum depression, the complexities of delayed cord clamping and the power dynamics around requesting delayed cord clamping, the use of Nubain (an IV opioid) for pain relief during labor and its potential impact on babies, and the latest insights into consuming the placenta—whether it's dehydrated, freeze-dried, or consumed raw.

EBB Resources:

• The EBB Pocket Guide to Interventions
• Evidence on: Pitocin During the Third Stage of Labor
• Effects of IV Opioids during Labor
• The Evidence on Placenta Encapsulation
• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we chat with obstetrician Dr. Danielle Jones, aka Mama Doctor Jones, about challenging norms in pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. Jones passionately advocates for patient autonomy as we dive into the resistance to eating and drinking from the anesthesia community, debunk myths on this hot topic, and call on healthcare professionals to prioritize evidence-based practices.

We also discuss the challenges nurses and obstetricians face in changing hospital policies, especially when confronted by powerful figures resistant to evidence-based approaches. Dr. Jones urges professionals to find allies and use data-driven discussions to challenge outdated norms. We wrap up by discussing other prevalent myths in pregnancy and childbirth, emphasizing the tactics of misinformation spreaders and the importance of critical thinking in evaluating online information.

Content Note: This episode includes discussions on the Dobbs decision, abortion for fetal abnormalities, and life-threatening medical complications.

EBB Resources:

• Evidence on: Eating and Drinking During Labor
• The Evidence on: Breech Version
• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

Keep Learning from Mama Doctor Jones:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X

Delve into a powerful and emotional conversation with the incredible Kellie McKinnon, a military spouse, San Diego-based personal trainer, and graduate of the Evidence Based Birth®️ Childbirth Class! In this episode, Kellie shares her unique and challenging journey through pregnancy while her partner was deployed. We explore the emotional and logistical aspects of facing pregnancy and childbirth without the physical presence of a partner. Discover the importance of a doula, the role of childbirth education, and the unexpected challenges within the military healthcare system.

If you're an expecting military spouse, Kellie's experiences offer valuable insights into the strength, resilience, and the unique challenges faced by many military families during this transformative journey.

Content Note: This episode contains emotional discussions separation anxiety due to partner deployment, experiences of loneliness and isolation, and challenges within the military healthcare system.

Learn about perinatal and postnatal fitness with Kellie on Instragram: @kel.mck.fit  

EBB Resources: 

• EBB Signature Article on PROM
• EBB 75: Birth in Twilight Sleep—The Experiences of Rebecca's Mom
• EBB 83: Why Families Need Postpartum Care
• EBB 286: The Importance of Postpartum Support, with the Founder of InKind Boxes Maria Berglund
• EBB 114: Fighting for Birth Needs as a Single Parent, with Jenny Russell

                 

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Daphne Delvaux, Esq., widely known as The Mamattorney. As an award-winning trial attorney and founder of Delvaux Law, Daphne is a passionate advocate for women's rights at work, particularly focusing on motherhood discrimination cases. In this conversation, we dive into the complexities of workplace trauma, reasonable accommodations, and the crucial understanding of employment rights during pregnancy and postpartum.

Daphne shares her expertise on the vulnerabilities mothers face in the workplace, shedding light on issues like forced leaves and common misunderstandings about parental leave rights. We explore how the law serves as a powerful tool to protect both new parents and babies, offering insights into the challenges new parents encounter and practical steps to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Join us for an eye-opening discussion as we uncover the realities of creating a supportive and empowering work environment for ambitious parents.

Content Note: In this episode, we talk about workplace trauma, reasonable accommodations, and gendered language may be used. 

EBB Resources:

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

Other Resources:

• Learn more about Daphne's work here: https://www.themamattorney.com/
• Follow Daphne's work on Instagram @themamattorney and Facebook.
• Download Daphne's Employee Rights Guide here.
• Learn more about Chamber of Mothers: https://www.chamberofmothers.com/ 
• Follow Chamber of Mothers' work on Instagram @chamberofmothers and Facebook.

Is waterbirth safe? Are there any randomized, controlled trials on this subject? What are the benefits and risks of waterbirth? And if the evidence shows that waterbirth is a safe and beneficial form of childbirth… then why do so many hospitals “ban” this practice? And how can you access a waterbirth if that is something you are interested in?

Today’s podcast episode is chock full of research from our peer-reviewed Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article: The Evidence on Waterbirth.

To learn more, download a free one-page handout, and view all the research references, go to ebbirth.com/waterbirth.

EBB Resources:

• Access all the scientific references and a free 1-page handout at the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Waterbirth here. 
• If you’re a visual learner, watch a video about the Evidence on Waterbirth on the EBB YouTube channel here.
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a full-length printable PDF on waterbirth) here.
• Learn comfort measures and advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts:

• EBB 4 - Waterbirth and the Newborn Microbiome
• EBB 20 – Water Immersion during Labor
• EBB 223 - An Empowering Hospital Waterbirth Story with Samantha Parker and Justin Fontaine 
• EBB 230 – An Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Parent Shelitha Owens 
• EBB 258 – A Hospital Waterbirth Story with Cord Avulsion featuring EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Samantha Reizs, PhD 
• EBB 268 – Debunking Myths about PROM, GBS, and Waterbirth 
• EBB 287 – A Positive Hospital Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Katrina Hull

February 7, 2024 - For today's episode, we are highlighting one of our favorite home birth podcast episodes with the replay of a 2020 conversation with student midwife, Isis Rose, about her very own home birth.

If you are inspired during this listen, please support Isis in her midwifery journey! She is currently accepting support via her GoFundMe page and Venmo. 

-----

In this episode I talk with Isis Rose, a full spectrum doula, home birth mom, certified lactation counselor, and placenta encapsulation specialist. She lives in Urbana, Illinois. Isis is starting midwifery school in July, with plans to become a Certified Professional Midwife, and she’s a member of the Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives. Isis co-hosts the Homecoming Podcast alongside Chae Pounds, which launched in 2018 to tell stories of Black families who give birth at home. Isis and I discuss her birth story, including her unique approach to prenatal care, and hemorrhaging she experienced immediately after her home birth. We also talk about the ongoing advocacy work seeking licensure for CPMs in Illinois, and the latest research on the safety of home birth in the U.S.

Content Warning: Black maternal mortality, postpartum hemorrhage, infant death, stillbirth

-----

Ways to support Isis through her midwifery journey:

Follow her: www.instagram.com/urbanamidwife   GoFundMe Link:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-isiss-final-year-of-midwifery-school Isis also accepts funds to go towards midwifery school via Venmo @isis-rose (since GoFundMe takes a percentage of each donation).   Midwifery Supplies Registry Link:  https://www.myregistry.com/wishlist/isis-rose-urbana-il/2754220/giftlist   Isis Rose, MA, CLC Buy Me a Coffee Student Midwife and Doula   Co-Founder and Executive Director at BIPOC for Better Birth   Isis A. Rose, Birth and Postpartum Services www.isisarosebirth.com   Homecoming Podcast: Black Home Birth Stories www.homecomingpodcast.com     For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) and our Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

This episode is a deeply personal and inspiring journey shared by Naoma Kleisner, MSN, RN, and Mohamed Koraichi, who bravely chose a breech vaginal birth for their son. From the early discovery of a breech position at 25 weeks to the challenges of finding supportive care in Chicago, their story unfolds with determination and resilience. We'll explore their birthing experience, including acupressure, birth balls, and the choices they made to ensure a positive outcome. This episode is not just about breech birth; it's about informed choices, the strength within, and the importance of supportive care during a remarkable birthing journey.

EBB Resources:

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Access the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Breech Version with a free handout here. 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts about Breech: 

• EBB Podcast 111: Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin
• EBB Podcast 171: The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
• EBB Podcast 172: Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
• EBB Podcast 173: Evidence on Breech Version
• EBB Podcast 296: The Evidence on Breech Birth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA 
• EBB 298: Frequently Asked Questions about Breech
• EBB Podcast 298: Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist

Other Resources:

• Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here.

In this episode, join me in delving into the intricate world of breech births with esteemed maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Dr. Emiliano Chavira. From the disappearance of breech vaginal births in modern obstetrics, to the challenges faced by practitioners advocating for this option, Dr. Chavira shares insights from his unique career path.   You'll discover the renaissance of unmedicated physiologic breech births, the ongoing struggle of the rare providers who offer this choice, and the pivotal role of hands-on vs. hands-off approaches during breech delivery. Gain valuable perspectives on who is a candidate for breech birth, techniques for handling complications, and the quest for evidence-based practices in the realm of breech births.  

EBB Resources:

• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Access the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Breech Version with a free handout here. 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts about Breech: 

• EBB Podcast 111: Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin
• EBB Podcast 171: The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
• EBB Podcast 172: Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
• EBB Podcast 173: Evidence on Breech Version
• EBB Podcast 296: The Evidence on Breech Birth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA 
• EBB Podcast 299: A Breech Vaginal Birth Story with EBB Parents Naoma and Mohamed [Coming soon!]

Other Resources:

• Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here.

Hear Dr. Chavira on The Informed Pregnancy Podcast:

• Vaginal BREECH After Cesarean
• Gentle Cesarean
• Ep. 11 Breech 101 - Part 1
• Ep. 12 Breech 101 - Part 2
• Ep. 13 Breech 101 - Part 3

Follow Dr. Chavira on Facebook!

In the previous episode (EBB 296), we covered the evidence on breech vaginal birth. This week we are answering your questions!

Can a baby spontaneously flip from breech back to head-first position before birth? Is home breech birth safe or not? Which factors influence the chances you'll have a breech baby? On today’s podcast, join us on a Q & A all about breech birth!

If you want to get informed and empowered on the topic of breech positioning in pregnancy—either for yourself or for your clients—then this podcast is for you!

Content note: Discussion of statistics on mortality, serious morbidity (illness/injury), and home birth transfer related to breech birth.

EBB Resources:

• For the scientific references that go along with this Q & A, visit our blog article here. 
• Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Access the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Breech Version with a free handout here. 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts about Breech: 

• EBB Podcast 111: Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin
• EBB Podcast 171: The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
• EBB Podcast 172: Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
• EBB Podcast 173: Evidence on Breech Version
• EBB Podcast 296: The Evidence on Breech Birth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA 
• EBB Podcast 298: Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
• EBB Podcast 299: A Breech Vaginal Birth Story with EBB Parents Naoma and Mohamed [Coming soon!]

Other Resources:

• Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here.
• Watch a video of Dr. Larry Hinkson teaching the gentle External Cephalic Version Technique here. 

Have you ever wondered why doctors almost always recommend a Cesarean for breech? Is that because breech vaginal birth is dangerous? Which methods can help a breech baby turn? On today’s podcast, join us on a deep dive into the evidence on all things breech!

You’ll walk away with confidence in your knowledge on the following topics:

• Evidence on Breech Vaginal Birth vs. Breech Cesarean Birth – How a flawed study (the “Term Breech Trial”) led to hospitals banning breech vaginal birth around the world, and what other research studies have found about the safety of breech vaginal birth.  
• Evidence on External Cephalic Version – Learn about the effectiveness, benefits, and risks of the “hands-to-belly” turning procedure, as well as a new, gentler method being piloted by a few obstetricians.
• Evidence on Alternate Ways to Turn a Breech Baby – Uncover the evidence on popular ways that parents use to try and turn a breech baby, including moxibustion, chiropractic care, positioning, self-hypnosis, and more!

If you want to get informed and empowered on the topic of breech positioning in pregnancy—either for yourself or for your clients—then this podcast is for you!

Content note: Discussion of statistics on mortality and serious morbidity (illness/injury) related to breech birth. 

EBB Resources:

• Get all the scientific references and a transcript of this episode here. 
• Watch the video of this podcast episode (with graphics, demonstrations, and slides) on the EBB YouTube channel here! 
• Access the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Breech Version with a free handout here. 
• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here. 
• Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts:

• EBB Podcast 111: Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin
• EBB Podcast 171: The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
• EBB Podcast 172: Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
• EBB Podcast 173: Evidence on Breech Version
• EBB Podcast 297: Frequently Asked Questions about Breech with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA
• EBB Podcast 298: Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
• EBB Podcast 299: A Breech Vaginal Birth Story with EBB Parents Naoma and Mohamed [Coming soon!]

Other Resources:

• Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here.
• Watch a video of Dr. Larry Hinkson teaching the gentle External Cephalic Version Technique here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwskoAymdL4
• Find a chiropractor who is certified in the Webster technique here: https://icpa4kids.com/

*Request from Team EBB: We would love it if you left a review for us on your favorite podcast platform! Let us know one new thing you learned, and/or one thing you would like us to cover next year. 

In this episode, Dr. Dekker and EBB Research Fellow Sara Ailshire reflect on groundbreaking research published by Evidence Based Birth in 2023. Dive into evidence-based insights on Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy, Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM), and skin-to-skin care after a Cesarean. Discover alternative approaches, vital statistics, and the intersection of birth with climate change and infection risks. Rebecca and Sara will also reflect on the year's most popular episodes and give you a glimpse into exciting episodes and Signature Articles to come in 2024.

Content note: Preterm birth, interventions, climate change, infant mortality, serious infant illness, racism. 

Resources:

• Get on the wait list for the EBBirth Virtual Conference at https://ebbirth.com/waitlist

• Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to a doula mentorship PLUS trainings on postpartum hemorrhage, secondary trauma, and pelvic floor education. New (exclusive) handouts on Breech, RH, and vaccines coming soon for Pro Members only! https://ebbirth.com/membership

• Check out the Podcast Listening Guide at our shop: ebbirth.com/shop

• EBB Signature Article on Group B Strep: https://ebbirth.com/groupbstrep

• EBB Signature Article on Premature Rupture of Membranes: https://ebbirth.com/prom

• EBB Signature Article on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work: https://ebbirth.com/antiracism

• EBB Signature Article on Skin-to-Skin after Cesarean: https://ebbirth.com/cesarean

The Top 5 most downloaded episodes of 2023:

• EBB 166 [Replay] The Experience of a Powerful and MIiraculous Birth with Brooklynn and Hoang Pham

• EBB 264: Top 3 Tips for Exercise in Pregnancy with Mamaste Fit

• EBB 257: Updated Evidence on Group B Strep Part 2

• EBB 256: Top 3 Recommendations for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction after Birth with Dr. Sarah Duvall

• EBB 254: Evidence on GBS in Pregnancy

In this episode, I'm joined by Emilie Rodriguez and Guramrit LeBron, the dynamic duo behind Ashé Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory. Ashé Birthing Services is a collective of specially selected birth workers who provide full-spectrum care for families in the greater New York City area. Their approach blends evidence-based research with ancestral practices, offering families a unique individual experience often missing in mainstream maternal care.   Emilie and Guramrit share their personal journeys into birth work, highlighting the pivotal moments that led them to become doulas and advocates for birthing people. They discuss the challenges and racism they encountered within the healthcare system and the importance of finding providers who understand and respect your cultural and ancestral traditions.   We delve into how Ashé Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory are changing the landscape of perinatal care, making it more accessible, informed, and culturally sensitive. They also explain how their platform connects people with Black and Brown providers in the perinatal period and the importance of community-nominated Council of Elders in guiding their work. If you're passionate about empowering Black birth and improving maternal care, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation with Emilie and Guramrit.   Content note: Issues related to racism in healthcare and challenges in the maternity care system.

Resources:

• Get the free 1-page handout about EBB "Best Evidence" episodes here! 
• Learn about Ashé Birthing Services here.
• For more information and resources, visit The Bridge Directory.
• Learn about the Irth App here: https://irthapp.com/
• Follow Ashé Birthing Services on Instagram

EBB Podcast Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

• EBB 161 and EBB 220 with Kimberly Seals Allers of the Irth App
• EBB 260 with Ms. Divine Bailey-Nicholas about Plant Medicine
• EBB 261: Mini Q&A on Group B Strep
• EBB 10 about the ARRIVE trial

EBB Signature Articles:

• Signature Article on Eye Ointment (ebbirth.com/eyeointment),
• Signature Article on Circumcision (ebbirth.com/circumcision)
• Signature Article on Group B Strep (ebbirth.com/groupbstrep)
• Signature Article on Vitamin K (ebbirth.com/vitamink)
• EBB handout on the ARRIVE trial: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive

Get a FREE handout for each topic at the links above to help your informed decision making!

Want more support from Evidence Based Birth®? 

• Sign up for our newsletter here
• Join our Professional Membership here
• Apply to become an EBB Instructor here

Make sure to follow us on social:

• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/

• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth

• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EvidenceBasedBirth

• Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/

In this episode, I'm welcoming Eri Guajardo Johnson, the founder of Birth Bruja, a platform dedicated to decolonial approaches to healing and reproductive care. Eri, a queer, biracial, Latinx birth worker, specializes in supporting survivors of sexual violence and marginalized populations. We discuss the importance of centering Black and Indigenous wisdom, breaking down oppressive systems, and creating alternatives in the realm of birth work. Eri also shares insights on self-compassion and the practice of intimacy in their work. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how to navigate decolonial approaches to birth and healing.   Content Warning: supporting survivors of sexual assault, the impact of colonialism and racism in the context of reproductive care and healing.   Resources:   Follow Eri's work:

• Learn more here: https://www.birthbruja.com/
• Listen to the Birth Bruja Podcast here 
• Join the Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence here
• Learn more about the BIPOC Mentorship here
• Follow them on Instagram

Make sure to sign up for the email list on the Birth Bruja website! 

 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.   Follow us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

 

 

In this episode, I’m joined by Liesel Teen, a seasoned L&D nurse and childbirth educator and the creator of Mommy Labor Nurse, where she reveals the common myths surrounding pregnancy and birth.   Learn about the shocking misconceptions, such as babies running out of room, the impact of baby size on vaginal delivery, the importance of partner education, and the need for postpartum care. She also delves into the unexpected, and rare, scenario of giving birth in the car, and shares essential tips for partners and mothers on how to keep the baby safe and warm during this intense moment. Liesel's valuable insights will empower expectant parents to approach their childbirth journey with knowledge and confidence. Discover the truth behind these myths and how to prepare for a positive birth experience.   Content Warnings: emergency car births, risk of stillbirth, gendered language     Resources:

• Follow Liesel’s work: website, podcast, IG, Facebook, TikTok
• Learn more about Push Pregnancy on their website
• Check out some Mommy Labor Nurse podcast episodes:
  • Episode 197 - Pharmaceutical Pain Options for Labor (other than an epidural!)
  • Episode 199 - The Evidence on Natural Labor Induction with Dr. Rebecca Dekker

Listen to an EBB Episode:

• EBB 243 - The Importance of Kick Counting for Preventing Stillbirth with Stephaney Moody, Health Equity Ambassador of Count the Kicks

 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.   Follow us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In this episode, we delve into the latest evidence-based information on skin-to-skin care in the operating room after a Cesarean. I'm joined by co-host Sara Ailshire, a doctoral candidate in anthropology and the 2023 EBB Research Fellow, and we explore the history, benefits, and barriers surrounding this practice. Discover how skin-to-skin care positively influences lactation, stabilizes newborns, and enhances the birth experience, and learn why some hospitals and providers are hesitant to offer it and how these barriers can be overcome.   *If you want the Pocket Guides we mention at the beginning of this episode, you can see if we have any in stock here!    Content Warning: topics related to Cesarean sections, preterm birth, NICU stays, separation of parents and babies, infant mortality rates, and the impact of racism on Cesarean rates and lactation.   Resources: 

• For a full list of resources and references please visit our Evidence for Skin to Skin Care After a Cesarean page here.
• To read the full Signature Article on Skin to Skin Care After a Cesarean and download our 1-Page Handout, click here.
• To read the updated ACOG opinion on 'Optimizing Support for Breastfeeding as Part of Obstetric Practice,' click here.  

Relevant EBB Signature Articles:

• Evidence on Midwives
• Evidence on Doulas
• Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work

Listen to EBB Episodes:

• EBB 135 - The Need for More Indigenous Birth Workers with Miranda Kelly
• EBB 161 - Addressing Maternity Bias and Infant Care with Irth® App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers
• EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams
• EBB 214 - Supporting Pumping Parents in Lactation with IBCLC, Nichelle Clark
• EBB 265 - Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work
• EBB 278 - Creating an Innovative, Afrocentric Model of Prenatal Care with Hakima Payne, Founder and Executive Director of Uzazi Village

  For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.   Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Find out if our Pocket Guides are currently available by visiting our shop here!
• Check out our EBB Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here.
• Find an EBB Instructor here. 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

 

In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Nastassia Harris, a registered nurse and international board-certified lactation consultant, to discuss her extensive experience in the field of maternal and infant health. Dr. Harris shares her journey into this vital profession, highlighting her passion for improving breastfeeding rates in the Black community and eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health. She sheds light on the work of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative, a nonprofit organization she founded, and her newest venture, Ignite Maternal Health, aimed at providing essential education and support to mother-baby nurses. Dr. Harris offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by Black families and the critical role that education, culturally congruent care, and community resources play in saving lives and preventing adverse outcomes in the postpartum period. Tune in to learn more about the impactful work being done to enhance maternal health and support families during this crucial phase of life.   Content Warning: racism, Black infant and maternal mortality, preeclampsia   Resources:   Learn about Nastassia’s work, here:

• Perinatal Health Equity Initiative website
• Sistahs Who Breastfeed website
• Ignite Maternal Health website

Follow Nastassia’s work:

• Instagram @perintal_equity and @ignite_mh
• Perinatal Health Equity Initiative’s Facebook and LinkedIn page

Learn more about related efforts mentioned by Nastassia:

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance, website
• Black Breastfeeding Week, website
• Black Maternal Health Week, website
• Chocolate Milk Cafe, website
• Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Hear Her campaign, website

Read the book referenced, The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris, here

 

Listen to EBB episodes:

EBB 280 – Bringing Equity to Lactation Imagery with Nekisha Killings, IBCLC and Founder of the Melanated Mammary Atlas®

EBB 214 – Supporting Pumping Parents in Lactation with IBCLC, Nichelle Clark

In this episode, I'm joined by Siri Lachmansingh, who shares her remarkable journey of pregnancy and childbirth while managing type 1 diabetes.   Siri delves into the unique challenges and considerations for pregnant individuals with diabetes, including blood sugar management and medical monitoring. Siri also takes us through the choices she made during her induction process and the empowering moments she experienced during her second birth journey. Tune in as Siri's story highlights the importance of informed decision-making and the strength that can come from embracing evidence-based care during pregnancy and childbirth.   Content Note: This episode discusses topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy. While the conversation is focused on informed decision-making and evidence-based care, it may contain medical details and experiences that could be sensitive for some listeners— including a description (starting at 41 minutes) of obstetric violence, shoulder dystocia, and birth injury to a newborn. Please be mindful of your own comfort and emotional well-being while listening.   Trigger Warning: shoulder dystocia, birth injury to a newborn, and obstetric violence   Resources: Follow Siri's journey:

• Instagram @sirilachmansingh
• Siri's Birth Hour podcast episode

Find out more about Siri’s birth and childbirth education team here: Doula Aileen (https://www.doulaaileen.com/), Heather Christine Struwe (https://holisticcontinuum.com) and Rhonda Fellows (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/about.html) 

Find out more about the EBB Childbirth Class here.

Learn about Brachial Plexus social support systems:

• Erb’s Palsy Facebook page (for Brachial Plexus Palsy): https://www.facebook.com/enderbspalsy/
• Public support group (“Oliver’s Friends”): https://www.facebook.com/groups/OliversFriends/

Learn more about the evidence and research on shoulder dystocia :

• Research on team training for prevention and treatment of shoulder dystocia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25688719/
• "PROMPT" protocol from the United Kingdom is being applied in the United States. Click here to learn more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26513456/
• PROMPT training news video: https://fox4kc.com/health/training-program-helps-to-improve-outcomes-for-babies-and-moms-during-delivery/
• The PROMPT foundation website: https://www.promptmaternity.org/

Related EBB Episodes and Signature Articles:

• EBB 141 – Birthing and Disparities in Minnesota with Rhonda Fellows and Dr. Jennifer Almanza
• EBB 142 – Home Birth Transfer During COVID-19 and the Uprisings in Minneapolis with Jenae Herron and Marcel Malekebu
• EBB 143 – Birthing in a World with Reproductive Justice with Ihotu Ali, Daniela Montoya-Barthelemy, and Shayla Walker
• EBB 168 - Dr. Amber Warmsley on the 1-step vs. 2-step delivery approaches
• EBB Podcast and Signature Article on Birthing Positions
• EBB Podcast and Signature Article on Big Babies

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, I’m talking with Malisa Dekker, a Postpartum Doula and Chef based in Brooklyn, New York, about her profound journey through two contrasting birth and postpartum experiences that shaped her passion for postpartum wellness.

Malisa’s first birth took place during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, where interventions and a lack of support left her feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. With the desire for change, Malisa embarked on her second pregnancy, seeking empowerment and a holistic approach to birthing. She details her transformational shift to a home birth with the support of a dedicated midwife, her partner Taylor, and a community of friends who understood the importance of empathetic care and emphasized the profound impact having one’s emotional needs addressed during labor can have on a birthing person’s experience. Malisa’s experience led her to become a passionate advocate for postpartum wellness and support, driving her to become a Postpartum Doula. Through her unique combination of skills as a Doula and Chef, she aims to provide nourishment, care, and empathy to new parents during the challenging postpartum period.

Content Warnings: postpartum anxiety, a pandemic birth story with isolation and interventions

  Resources

• Follow Malisa’s work on Instagram: @plantedpostpartum
• Learn more about Malisa’s postpartum nutrition mentor, Alicia Allison: CloverandTimothy.com
• Check out training opportunities from:
  • the Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) website
  • EBB's parent workshops and classes calendar
  • Read “The First Forty Days” book to prepare for postpartum nutrition and self care needs

Listen to EBB Episodes

• EBB 229 – Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic, and Reimbursement with the EBB Research Team
• EBB 194 – Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols, RDN

  For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

Content Warning: postpartum hemorrhage, GBS Positive, antibiotics for GBS,   On this episode of the EBB podcast, I talk with Katrina Hull, a graduate of the EBB childbirth class about her positive hospital water birth story.   Katrina Hull is a former high school math and engineering teacher with over a decade of experience in the classroom. Her passion for education and entrepreneurship has led her to her current role as coordinating producer at PBS NewsHour Classroom where she develops lesson materials and resources for integrating invention education into classrooms across the country.   Katrina shares her experiences taking the EBB childbirth class and discusses in depth the education and work she put into preparing for her desired hospital water birth. In addition to finding her “Golden Ticket” birth team and desired location, she shares the details of her amazing and empowering birth story, despite having a few complications, including finding out she was Group B Strep Positive and handling a postpartum hemorrhage.   Resources:

• Learn more about Marnellie Bishop’s Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class here
• Learn more about the GentleBirth Pregnancy app here
• Read more about Rebecca’s experience with Hypnobabies in Babies are Not Pizza’s
• Learn more about the Evidence on Hypnosis for Pain Management here
• Learn more about the Evidence on water immersion for Pain Management here
• Learn about the research evidence on combining hypnosis and water immersion for pain: Madden, K., Middleton, P., Cyna, A. M., et al. (2016). Hypnosis for pain management during labour and childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev(5), CD009356.

Listen to Evidence Based Birth Podcasts:

• EBB 131: Evidence on: Pitocin During the 3rd Stage of Labor or read the Signature Article here https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/
• EBB 267: Debunking Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN

  Learn more about joining our Pro Membership for birth workers here, to take take our class on emergency management of PPH

I am so excited to share today's episode of Evidence Based Birth® podcast with you! Today, I am bringing you an interview with Maria Berglund, the founder of In Kind Boxes, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help families thrive after birth with a baby shower gift that gives back.   This episode is coming out just in time for our listeners who are doulas and midwives to apply for In Kind's partnership program! Tune in to get all the details!   Maria Berglund, is a Canadian mom living in the United States. Maria has three wonderful boys and her work as the founder of In Kind Boxes has been featured both on Good Morning America and in Entrepreneur Magazine.   Maria and I talk about why she started a nonprofit with a mission to help new parents thrive after birth and how that vision grew into a model to support and give back to families in vulnerable positions, like NICU families or refugee families. Maria speaks to her different experiences in the postpartum period between Canada and the US, and how that stark difference in support sparked this idea. In Kind Boxes are filled with tangible goods that support growing families, baby and parent alike with natural, organic goods that help families thrive.   Resources: Learn more about partnering with Maria and In Kind at www.inkindboxes.org Follow the work of In Kind on Instagram and TikTok    For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, I interview Jessica Diggs, midwife, doula mentor and co-founder of Centered about creating a sustainable career in birth work.   Jessica is a licensed midwife working in a solo practice in Los Angeles. Jessica supports people and families through holistic gynecological care, home birth services, and conception support. Jessica has a skill and love for making childbirth and reproductive education digestible and accessible for all people. She is the co-founder of Centered, a curated community for doulas and she is the former lead educator and curriculum developer at Doula Training International.     Jessica and I discuss not only her career path from doula to midwife but dive deep into a discussion about making birth work sustainable in the long run. Jessica shares a multitude of tips for our audience in avoiding burnout, setting boundaries to better serve yourself and your clients, as well as finding your joy and purpose in birth work outside just attending births. With over 10 years in the field and a thriving career, Jessica practices what she preaches and has a passion for teaching others not only about how to be a doula at a birth, but a doula making a living wage and sustainable career path.   Content Warning: Black maternal and Black infant death, Postpartum death, systemic racism   Resources:    Learn about Jessica’s work, including how to join Centered here:    Follow Jessica’s work: 

• Instagram @jessicadiggs and @joincentered 
• Substack: Midwifery is More 

Find the book The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker here    For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

In this episode, I'm joined by Hollis Wakefield, also known as The NICU Doula. Join us as we delve into a crucial topic: how to help NICU families find empowerment and healing during their challenging journeys.

Hollis is a former NICU parent turned birth worker, educator, and family advocate, and she shares her own powerful story of navigating a traumatic birth, early delivery, and the emotional roller coaster of having a medically complex baby in the NICU. She sheds light on the critical gaps in support and resources that many NICU families encounter, from the emotional toll to practical challenges, and highlights the importance of empowering NICU families during their transition from the NICU to home and provides insights into her work as an educator for doulas supporting NICU families.

Content Warning: The conversation includes discussions about birth trauma, PTSD, and the potential for distressing experiences in the NICU environment.   Follow The NICU Doula on Instagram Learn more about Hollis and her work below:

• NICU Doula website: nicudoula.com
• NICU Lovey's website: niculovies.org

Learn about Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Awareness Month

Click here for information from March of Dimes on preterm labor and premature birth.

For the Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article on Premature Rupture of Membranes, click here.

Listen to EBB episodes:

• EBB 281 - Mini Q&A about Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
• EBB 266 – Advocating for your Newborn during an Unexpected NICU Stay with EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Priscilla and Nathan Layman
• EBB 93 – Unexpected Pre-Term Hospital Birth with Melissa Cassity

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on

• Instagram,
• TikTok, and
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) and our Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

 

 

 

On today's podcast, I talk with Tania Silva Meléndez  and Tamara Trinidad González, CPM, birth workers and Evidence Based Birth® Instructors about giving birth and midwifery care in Puerto Rico.   Tania Silva Meléndez  is a certified birth, postpartum, and abortion doula serving families in Puerto Rico since 2009. She's also a certified childbirth educator and breastfeeding/chestfeeding educator and counselor. She is the general coordinator of the team of Caderamen, a nonprofit community-based organization that works towards reducing inequalities in reproductive care, and she also supports Alimentación Segura Infantil, a community-based organization born after the impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 to support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families in their lactation journeys, help them relactate their children when needed. Tania is also a human rights activist and advocate in her community and part of the Observatorio de Violencia Obstétrica in Puerto Rico and Las Mingas de Aborto, an abortion doula collective that offers free support in Puerto Rico.   Tamara Trinidad González, CPM, is a community parteira/midwife, perinatal educator and herbalist born and raised in Puerto Rico. Tamara is a mother of two children who were born at home with midwives and has been actively involved in birth work for 10 years. She holds a Master of Science in midwifery with foundations in botanical medicine from Bastyr University and is a certified professional midwife. Her midwifery and herbal practice is called Semilla Creciente, Midwifery & Herbalism.   In this episode, Tania and Tamara have a very candid conversation about the realities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care in Puerto Rico. They speak to how Puerto Rico’s birth landscape has been negatively impacted by the island’s history of colonialism, economic crisis’, environmental changes, and changes in political power. This has culminated in a system with far too few midwives and obstetricians, as well as high surgical birth rates, low VBAC rates, high prematurity rates, and more. Both Tania and Tamara educate our listeners on these issues but also raise awareness to the community organizations who have the trust of the pregnant and postpartum families they serve and the work being done to better support the families of Puerto Rico.   If you are interested in joining with Tania and Tamara and volunteering your time or skills to help them reform the maternal health system in Puerto Rico, they are currently looking for volunteers with experience in law, public relations, funding, data collection, research, and writing. OR if you have resources, or access to connections that could help fund their work, please email [email protected].     Resources: Read about the history of Puerto Rico: ·  How to hide an empire by Daniel Immerwahr ·  Puerto Rico: What everyone needs to know by Jorge Duany   · Learn more about Caderamen, a nonprofit organization that has a service program that is called SePARE, which offers education and doula services, midwifery services and naturopathic medicine services, social workers, mental health by clicking here. · Learn more about the Asociación de Parteras of Puerto Rico here. · Learn more about Alimentación Segura Infantil, a community-based organization born after the impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 to support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families in their lactation journeys by clicking here.  · Learn more about Observatorio de Violencia Obstétrica in Puerto Rico here. · Learn more about Las Mingas de Aborto, an abortion doula collective that offers free support in Puerto Rico here.    Check out the work by Puerto Rican journalist Biana Graulau here: https://www.youtube.com/@BiancaGraulau/videos   If you would like to read a transcript of this episode in Spanish, please visit the blog post here or you can watch the captions in Spanish on YouTube.   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

On this episode of the Evidence Based Birth podcast, I talk with Marea Goodman of Restore Midwifery and Ray Rachlin of Refuge Midwifery, all about their work and their new book Baby Making For Everybody- A Guide for LGBTQ+ and Solo Parents.   Marea Goodman, CPM, pronouns she/her/they, is the licensed midwife specializing in pregnancy, birth, postpartum and conception care for the LGBTQ+ community. She's the co-author of the new book Baby Making For Everybody- A Guide for LGBTQ+ and Solo Parents and the founder of PregnantTogether, an online community for queer people and their allies throughout trying to conceive pregnancy and the postpartum.   Ray Rachlin, she/they, is a licensed midwife, certified professional midwife, author, and founder of Refuge Midwifery. Since 2017, Ray has been providing fertility care, home birth care, and community education throughout the greater Philadelphia area and South Jersey. Ray is also co-author of the book Baby Making For Everybody, which just came out in April 2023. Ray and her family live in West Philadelphia.   Marea and Ray join me to discuss their practices as queer midwives and the work they are doing to make the fields of midwifery, fertility, and reproductive health more inclusive, more transparent, and more accessible to the clients they serve. Through their new book, they have demystified and provide comprehensive education on everything regarding baby making from nutrition to legal matters. Their work is the definition reproductive justice – by inviting more families to be included and safe in this space.   Resources: ·       Follow Marea’s work on Instagram @Restore_Midwifery ·       Follow Ray’s work @refugemidwifery ·       Follow the impact of Marea and Ray’s new book on Instagram @babymakingforeverybody and check for additional information and resources on their blog  ·       Join the community PregnantTogether  and on Instagram   Check out the following books: ·       Complete Lesbian Conception Pregnancy Birth. ·       Taking Charge Of Your Fertility    For legal information about family formation near you, check out Family Equality here https://www.familyequality.org   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

On today's episode we are bringing back one of the most popular Signature Article episodes on the Evidence on Birthing Positions. Listen and learn more about:

• How upright birthing positions benefit pregnant people and babies,
• How common are upright birthing positions and understanding your options,
• Which birthing positions are best supported by evidence, and,
• For people with epidurals, which birthing positions are best supported by evidence.

Read more about The Evidence on: Birthing Positions on the blog. 

For parents - learn more about your options and sign up for the EBB Childbirth Class here .

For birth professionals - get access to the full-length signature articles here.  Don't forget to join the conversation on social: 

• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

 

Content note: We strongly encourage you to listen to EBB Podcast Episode 277 The Evidence on PROM and check out our recently updated Signature Article on PROM here before listening to this episode.    Content Warnings: Discussion of viability, complications with preterm birth, causes of preterm birth, and racism.    On this episode of the EBB Podcast, we bring you a mini episode on the research on Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes. We are excited to share this episode as an extension of the recent Signature Article update on PROM.    In this episode, I will cover the following topics:  

• What is Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)?
• How Common is it? 
• What Causes Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)? 
• When does Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) occur?
• Treatment Options for Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)
• Risks associated with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)
• Prevention of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and Pre-Term Birth 
• Racism and Pre-Term Birth 

Resources for PPROM  

• The PPROM Foundation: PPROM Facts
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital: PPROM Facts
• Cleveland Clinic: Term PROM and PPROM Facts
• Continuing Education for Medical Practitioners: Premature Rupture of Membranes
• EBB Signature Article: Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work
• The March of Dimes: PPROM 

Read our Signature Article on GBS here 

Read our Abortion Resource Guide here

  Guidelines for PPROM

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2020 (addresses both PROM and PPROM, free text not available)
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK) 2022
• Queensland Health Clinical Guidelines 2018 
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2022
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada 2022 (free text not available)

  Listen to the following EBB Episodes and read the associated Signature Articles:  EBB 277 - Evidence on PROM  EBB 175 - Evidence on Midwives  EBB 265 - Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work  EBB 21 - Evidence on Doulas  EBB 240 - Top 5 Surprising Findings from the EBB Abortion Research Guide with Dr. Dekker & Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes    For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based BirthChildbirth Class.

 

On this episode of the EBB podcast, I talk with Nekisha Killings, IBCLC and founder of The Melanated Mammary Atlas®, all about cultural humility and educating clinicians and birth workers about identifying and diagnosing conditions that present in Black and Brown breasts/chests.   Nekisha Killings, holds a master's in public health (MPH) and is an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). She's an equity strategist and maternal and child health advocate who speaks, teaches and facilitates on topics related to equity and dismantling bias across various sectors. She is also a director of equity, inclusion, and belonging with the Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association and consults with organizations on implementing creative strategies to better support marginalized communities. As a leader in the field, she wrote the chapter titled Cultural Humility in the latest core curriculum for interdisciplinary lactation care and continues to wow audiences with new realizations that positively impact their approach to business and life.   Nekisha shares how she's working to change the face of lactation education and bring equity, inclusion, diversity and most importantly training and education to clinicians and birth workers around the normalization of Black and Brown breasts/chests, as well as, identifying and diagnosing clinical conditions that present on melanated skin. Not only is Nekisha working to revolutionize how we understand many pathologies in lactation, she shares how she has been entrusted to carry forward in the production of the pivotal Breastfeeding Atlas and ensure that future clinicians and folks vested in the lactation dyad have access to accurate, complete, and inclusive information.   Content Warning: Discussion of birth/lactation trauma and lack of diversity and inclusion in lactation training.   Resources:   Follow The Melanated Mammary Atlas® on Instagram  Follow Nekisha on Instagram    Learn more and subscribe to The Melanated Mammary Atlas® here  Learn more about Nekisha and her work here   Find The Breastfeeding Atlas here    Learn about the Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association  Learn about Black Breastfeeding Week    Listen to EBB episodes:   EBB 214 - Supporting Pumping Parents in Lactation with IBCLC, Nichelle Clark EBB 211 - Supporting Expectant Families through Birth and Lactation with Birth Doula and EBB Program Team Assistant, Rikki Jenkins EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

In this episode of the EBB Podcast, I talk with EBB Childbirth Class graduates, Dr. Maria Rosselson and Nim Guttman their surprise pregnancy, and equally surprising home birth.   Dr. Maria Rosselson is a physician practicing as a board certified ophthalmologist in the Chicago area. Her husband, Nim Guttman, is an architect. They've been married since 2016 and live with their dog, Asher.   Maria and Nim share their experiences taking the EBB Childbirth Class and how it resulted in an evolution of thought for Maria as a physician and discuss extensively what it was like to surprisingly grow their family well after they thought that chapter of their lives was behind them. Their life took a surprising turn when they found themselves unexpectedly expecting their first child, a baby girl, in the Fall of 2022. Their baby's arrival into the world was just as unexpected, an unanticipated, unplanned, unmedicated home birth.   Content Warning: discussion of unplanned pregnancy, unplanned home birth, and a 911 call. There is also a mention of witnessing a postpartum maternal death in medical school.   Resources: Learn about about the topics discussed in this episode at the following EBB resources:

• EBB Signature Article on Pregnancy at Age 35+
• Natural Induction Podcast Series
• Pocket Guide to Induction
• Podcast Listening Guide 

Learn about 312 Doulas here  Learn more about taking the EBB Childbirth Class with Heather McCullough here   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

On this episode of the EBB podcast, we interview Hakima Payne, founder and executive director of Uzazi Village, about her creation of the Village Circle, an innovative Afrocentric model of prenatal and postpartum care.    Hakima Payne, holds a bachelor's in nursing and a master's in nursing education. She is the founder of Uzazi Village, a nonprofit working to eliminate maternal health disparities in African American communities, as well as the founder of The Village Doula Program, which is a community-based home visiting community health worker program for pregnant families. She also created Chocolate Milk Cafe, a breastfeeding support group for Black families, the Village Circle, which is an Afrocentric group prenatal care model, and a curriculum called Culturally Congruent Care, which is an anti-racist medical education curriculum. Hakima sits on her local Fetal Infant Mortality Review board to address Black infant mortality and has been appointed by her city's mayor to serve as a health commissioner. Mama Hakima is a certified trainer for community health workers and she speaks nationally on the topics of Black maternal and infant health.    Ms. Payne works relentlessly to make birth safer, the village healthier, and to promote anti-racist models of care for African American families. She is the subject of a documentary that just came out called Sister Doula, and she's going to be featured in a second upcoming documentary called Pregnancy and Prejudice.    Hakima talks with us about her work in improving maternal health in Kansas City. Not only is Hakima bringing an innovative model of care to her community, that includes access to community-based, Afrocentric prenatal care, doulas, herbalists, a chef and more, she is proving that it works. Through partnerships with a team of epidemiologists and a local university, Hakima is able to measure and quantify their client experience and demonstrate how Uzazi Village improves birth and postpartum outcomes. Hakima discusses the unique aspects of the Village Circle model and why each piece is important to the care of the community.   Resources: 

• Learn more about Uzazi Village here (uzazivillage.org)
• Follow Uzazi Village on Instagram and Facebook. 
• Follow Hakima on Instagram @hakima_the_dreama
• Find a screening for the Sister Doula documentary here: sisterdoulafilm.com
• Watch the trailer for Pregnancy and Prejudice here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc43eQZX468

Listen to EBB Episodes: 

• EBB 274 - Honoring the Mothers of Gynecology with Michelle Browder
• EBB 260 - Midwifery, Community Birth Work, and Plant Medicine in Louisana with Ms. Divine Bailey-Nicholas
• EBB 229 - Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic, and Reimbursement with the Research Team 

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here  
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class. 
• Sign up for the EBB Newsletter here. 
• Check out the Birth Justice page here.

• For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. 

   

   

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, I am so excited to bring you brand new, evidence on premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term!      We are releasing today’s episode to celebrate the update of our Signature Article on the Evidence on PROM.     In today’s episode, I am going to cover the following topics related to PROM:

• What are the membranes, and what does it mean to say they’ve “ruptured”?
• Membrane rupture can help prepare the body for the process of childbirth—but why?
• What is it like when your water breaks before labor?
• What are some risk factors that might increase the chances of your water breaking before labor?
• What is the “24-hour clock for PROM,” and where did it come from?
• If you have PROM, how long does it take for labor to start on its own?
• How are GBS and PROM related?
• What does the research evidence say on Induction versus Waiting for Labor for term PROM?
• What are the professional guidelines?
• What is the Bottom Line?

Resources: For a full list of resources and references please visit our blog on the Evidence on PROM here.   To read the full Signature Article on PROM and download our 1-Page Handout, click here.   Watch our special video on PROM on our YouTube Channel   Listen to EBB Episodes:

• EBB 268 – Debunk the Myths of Premature Rupture of Membranes, GBS, & Waterbirth with EBB Founder, Dr. Dekker 
• EBB 275 – A PROM, GBS, and Birth Center Transfer Story with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Emily Helgerson

  For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

July 26, 2023 - For today's episode, we are highlighting one of our favorite podcast episodes with the replay of an interview with Lily Nichols, RDN, all about nutrition and real food in pregnancy.

Content warning: gestational diabetes, high-risk pregnancies, food insecurities, "failed diet therapy", NICU, and interventions

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Lily Nichols, RDN, about nutrition and real food in pregnancy.

Lily Nichols (she/her) is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and critical of outdated dietary guidelines. She is co-founder of the Women’s Health Nutrition Academy and the author of two books, Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily’s bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of families, are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses, and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally.

In this episode, we talk about the difference between eating real food and processed food in pregnancy, and the best ways to use nutrition to “stack the deck in your favor” for a lower-risk, healthier pregnancy. Lily talks candidly about the gap between evidence and nutritional practice, the importance of protein and choline in pregnancy, and why blood sugar management is so important in pregnancy.

Resources:

• Read the Evidence Based Birth article on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes here
• Visit Lily Nichols’ website here: https://lilynicholsrdn.com
• Find the books “Real Food for Pregnancy” and “Real Food for Gestational Diabetes” on Amazon or wherever books are sold!
• You can also buy “Real Food for Pregnancy” at Lily’s shop here
• Read Lily’s article about protein in pregnancy here: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/protein-requirements-pregnancy/
• Read Lily’s article about 9 Myths about Gestational Diabetes: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/9-gestational-diabetes-myths/
• Visit the Women’s Health Nutritional Academy here: https://whnacademy.com/
• Join Lily’s Gestational Diabetes course here: http://realfoodforgd.com/online-course/
• Follow Lily on Instagram @lilynicholsrdn

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

• Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/),
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/).

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/),
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On this episode of the EBB podcast, we are talking with Avital Norman Nathman, author and freelance writer about trends in birth and parenthood in the US.   Avital is a freelance writer and editor who focuses her work on motherhood, maternal health, gender and reproductive rights and justice. Her writing, which places a feminist lens on a variety of topics, including motherhood, maternal health, gender, reproductive rights, and cannabis, can be found in a variety of print and online articles for outlets like The New York Times, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, VICE, and more.    Her first book, The Good Mother Myth: Redefining Motherhood to Fit Reality, provides a platform for diverse voices that often get left out of the conversations surrounding parenting. Avital is currently working on two new books. She is a co-editor for an anthology on abortion, and her upcoming book, The Perfect Birth Myth, combines research, expert analysis, and narrative experiences to look at the intersection of the birth industry and the health care system to understand how this ideal of the perfect birth came about, why it’s a red herring, and how we can do better to ensure that all folks who are pregnant can have access to quality care and the chance at a birth that is safe and that they are comfortable with.   Avital discusses the evolution of “motherhood” from the early aughts and “Mommy blogging” to internet activism, connection, and the ongoing “mommy wars” of the internet. Additionally, Avital discusses her upcoming and ongoing projects related to writing about the current state of having a baby in the US healthcare system and political climate, while calling out the experiences of marginalized populations and bringing forth the less obvious but very important consequences of the Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.   Trigger Warning: abortion, miscarriage, hemorrhage, Dobbs decision, Roe v. Wade, maternal healthcare deserts, birth trauma   Resources: Listen to the following podcast:

• EBB 87 – Cristen Pascucci on How to Disagree on Birth Topics – Respectfully!
• EBB 240 – Top Five Most Surprising Findings from the Abortion Research Guide with Dr. Dekker & Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes

Find EBB's Abortion Research Guide here: Ebbirth.com/birthjustice   Follow Avital's work: https://www.themamafesto.com Twitter: @themamafesto IG: @themamafesto

In today's episode, we talk with Emily Helgerson, an EBB Childbirth Class Graduate about how taking the EBB Childbirth class helped her navigate transferring from a birth center to the hospital after experiencing premature rupture of membranes while being positive for Group B Strep.   Emily Helgerson holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in Spanish, with a minor in Italian, from the University of Minnesota and a master's in second language teaching with a focus on immersion from McGill University. Emily taught Spanish immersion elementary school before deciding to stay home with baby Teddy, after he was born. Her and her partner, Brad, live in Minneapolis with their toddler and two cats. In 2023, it was announced that Emily will be the new Dean of Skovsøen, the Danish language village in Northern Minnesota.   Emily shares how the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class provided tools, resources and preparation that her and her partner were able to practice throughout pregnancy and remain empowered when they faced a hospital transfer. Emily talks about her Golden Ticket team, with her partner, doula (who is also her mom!) and the team of midwives between the birth center and the hospital.     We will also introduce a newer research topic regarding placenta size, placental measurement and its correlation to newborn health outcomes.   Content Warning: Group B Strep, Antibiotics for group B Strep, Heart decelerations, birth center transfer to hospital     Resources:   Check out EBB's Signature Articles:

• EBB Signature Article on PROM
• EBB Signature Article on GBS

  Follow Emily Helgerson’s Parenting Group on IG @Common Ground Parenting    Listen to the following podcasts: 

• Listen to EBB 262 to hear about advocating for your newborn in the hospital
• Listen to EBB's Group B Strep Podcast Series here
• Listen to EBB's Webinar replay here
• Listen to Lisa Taylor’s Podcast Birth Matters

  Check out these pregnancy books   ·      Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth ·      The Birth Partner ·      Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Years ·      Pregnancy Day-by-Day book   Blooma’s Prenatal Yoga Learn more about Spinning Babies here Subscribe to Jen McLellans pregnancy week by week here Learn more about Sharon Quinn's EBB Childbirth Class here

On this episode of the EBB podcast, we talk with Michelle Browder, artist, activist, and the creator of the Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsy Monument in Montgomery, Alabama, established to honor the three Mothers of Gynecology.   Michelle Browder is a nationally recognized artist, activist, and amplifier, bridging the racial divide through art, history, and conversation. Michelle's artwork has been exhibited in art galleries around the world, most notably, the Rosa Parks Museum located in Montgomery, Alabama. In September 2021, she created a monument to honor three enslaved women, Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, in Montgomery, Alabama. This monument is a reminder of the inhumane treatment and experimentation on enslaved Black bodies. The medical procedures that we have access to today in gynecology have been perfected because of them. The monument honors these Black women and all those that came after to correct the historical narrative around the beginnings of gynecology.   Michelle shares with us how she originally learned about the dark history of Anarcha, Lucy and Betsy and the inspiration to create a monument about the true founders of the field of gynecology. Not only is Michelle working to correct the history of gynecology, she discusses her progress and future plans to bring access, care, and healing to families and practitioners in the 21st Century, at the same site of the torture of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsy, the Mothers of Gynecology. In the words of Michelle, y'all ain't ready!

Trigger Warning: anti black racism, the use of the N-word, experimentation on enslaved women, sexual trafficking and sexual abuse, postpartum suicidal ideation.

Resources: Follow Michelle’s Work Instagram: @anarchalucybetsey Twitter @mothersofgyno and on Facebook     Sign up for Michelle’s newsletter and learn more about the 2024 conference here https://www.anarchalucybetsey.org   Read the following books:

• Say Anarcha by J.C. Hallman and check out his informative YouTube series here 
• Take my Hand by Dolen Perkins and learn more about Relf Sisters here
• Medical Bondage by Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens
• Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa 

Learn about Africatown    Learn about what Evidence Based Birth is doing to fight racism and download free handouts here   Read more reproductive justice research on EBB's Birth Justice page

In this episode of the EBB Podcast, we dive into the updated research on Nitrous Oxide. I discuss the following topics: 

• What is Nitrous Oxide? 
• How is it used?
• How commonly is Nitrous Oxide used around the world? 
• How does Nitrous Oxide impact overall satisfaction in birth?
• What are the benefits of Nitrous Oxide?
• What are the risks of using Nitrous Oxide? 
• And lastly, as always, we will discuss the bottom line! 

Resources & References

For Practitioners 

• Association of Ontario Midwives: Nitrous Oxide Tip Sheet 

For Parents 

• EBB videos/articles:
  • Painless Birth and Pain Perception During Childbirth
• EBB Podcast:
  • Episode 15: Nitrous oxide 
• EBB Podcasts: Birth Stories (5 birth stories with nitrous) 

• • Episode 76: Pushing Through Anxiety in Birth with Parent Emily Fleenor 
  • Episode 147: Long Preterm Birth with Caitlyn Martens 
  • Episode 158: Empowering Hospital Birth Experience during COVID-19 with Fiona and Craig Castleton 
  • Episode 163: Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy with Nathalie Walton, CEO of Expectful 
  • Episode 202: A Fast First-Time Birth Experience with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Haley Grachico

• Other Resources: News Articles 

• • Contemporary OB/GYN: Nitrous oxide’s revival in childbirth 
  • Cosmopolitan: Why I Used Laughing Gas to Ease My Labor Pain 
  • The Atlantic: Using Laughing Gas to Relieve the Pain of Childbirth 
  • The New York Times: The Rise of Laughing Gas in the Delivery Room 
  • NPR: Laughing Gas Gives Women Another Option to Manage Labor Pain
  • NPR: Bill of The Month: $4,836 Charge for Laughing Gas During Childbirth Is No Joke
  • Today: Laughing gas for childbirth is on the rise in the US. What took so long? 

References 

For a full list for references, please access https://evidencebasedbirth.com/nitrous-oxide-during-labor/

 

In this episode we talk with Jessica King, an EBB Childbirth Class graduate, about their journey to parenthood and the importance of finding support networks before, during, and after pregnancy.     Jessica grew up in Upstate New York and then moved to Boston to get her Master's in architecture. While in Boston, she met her wife and fellow upstate New Yorker, Sarah. They started working on creating their family three years ago, and they welcomed their daughter this past November! Jessica and Sarah are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor, Anna Sutkowski. Their family currently lives in St. Louis with their two dogs.   Jessica and her wife, a surgical resident, decided to take the EBB Childbirth Class to ease their anxieties and demystify the process of labor and delivery.   In this podcast episode, Jessica opens up about her family’s struggles, setbacks, and joy in their journey from assisted reproduction to postpartum. Jessica also shares how she was able to use the skills and knowledge learned in the course to advocate for herself postpartum when she had difficulties with lactation and a postpartum mood disorder. We wrap up this episode by talking about how knowing you are not alone can make all the difference in the world.   Trigger Warning: assisted reproduction, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), pregnancy loss, bleeding in pregnancy, epidurals, preeclampsia, newborn jaundice, and postpartum mood disorders.   Resources: Learn more about Anna Sutkoski and her EBB Childbirth Class here   

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On this episode the EBB Podcast, we talk with Brandi Jordan, the founder of The Cradle Company and the Dear Doula podcast, all about supporting infant mental health using a whole family approach.   Brandi is a board-certified lactation consultant, pediatric sleep specialist, newborn care specialist, and a postpartum doula. Brandi's work as a consultant, parenting group leader and in-home practitioner have led her to develop a unique philosophy of gentle parenting techniques that are pragmatic, practical, and a healthy approach for the whole family. In 2018, Brandi founded the National Association of Birth Workers of Color and currently hosts the Dear Doula podcast.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California where she's also an adjunct faculty lecturing in infant mental health and culturally competent mental healthcare.   Brandi talks with us about how to find our unique skills and assets to bringing our whole selves into birth work. Once you know what sets you apart, you can connect with the right clients for you to make this work more sustainable. Brandi believes that whatever you think might be your deficit in this work – is actually your assets – it is exactly the type of support certain clients will need. Additionally, she discusses the growing field of infant mental health and how we can support families across the spectrum of development and bring a more holistic and comprehensive approach, a whole family approach, to caring for infants in the prenatal and postpartum periods.   Resources:    Follow Brandi's work:

• Follow Brandi on Instagram
• Follow the Dear Doula podcast on Instagram here
• Listen to Rebecca Discuss Circumcision, Water Births, and Evidence Based Care on Brani's Dear Doula Podcast here
• Connect with the Cradle Company here 

Listen to the following EBB Episodes: 

• EBB 118 – How to Have a Healthy Postpartum Transition with Dr. Alyssa Berlin

   

In this episode of the EBB podcast, we talk with Cheyenne Varner, the founder of The Educated Birth, about intersectional reproductive health and the importance of birth education to be more inclusive and representative.   Cheyenne, is a professional certified birth and postpartum doula and founder of The Educated Birth. The Educated Birth creates intersectional reproductive health education content, from online articles to social media posts to digital and print teaching tools for reproductive health workers. Cheyenne also publishes Everyday Birth Magazine, a print and digital magazine with the same mission to make information and education about pregnancy and postpartum more inclusive.   Cheyenne shares her journey from nonprofit work to doula work to now finding herself as the founder of The Educated Birth and the publisher of Everyday Birth Magazine. We discuss the importance of how we talk about pregnancy, how it is shown in pop culture and how most often, images and stories of pregnancy and childbirth are not realistic, representative, or inclusive of real people and their communities. Cheyenne has a passion for making everyone feel safe, seen and protected during vulnerable times. This is evident in how she centers all of her projects in the support, protection and education of communities who have historically been excluded from storytelling and imagery within the birth space.   Resources: Learn more about Cheyenne’s work at ·      The Educated Birth   ·      Everyday Birth   ·      Life’s work Documentary    Signup for one of Cheyenne’s workshops here   Follow Cheyenne’s work on Instagram: ·      The Educated Birth ·      Everyday Birth    Support Cheyenne’s work on her Patreon here    Learn more about Roots Community Birth Center here Learn more about the Richmond Doula Project here 

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this Mini Q&A episode of the EBB podcast, I will be answering a variety of questions that have recently been asked of us, including:   1.    What if my hospital won't let my healthy newborn go home before 48 hours? 2.    Are modern ultrasounds better at detecting big babies? 3.    What's the maximum time a vacuum can be used during a vacuum assisted delivery? 4.    Does EBB have any new resources I should know about?   References/Resources:

• Read the AAP Guidelines on Hospital Stays for Healthy Term Newborn Infants here 
• Visit the NAABB here
• Read the U.S. Department of Labor article on the Newborns' and Mothers' Protection Act here 
• Read the UpToDate article on vacuum assisted delivery (subscription only) here 

Resources

• Read the New Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work (and links to all the free handouts) here  
• Check out the EBB Pocket Guide to Interventions here 
• Listen to the following EBB Podcast Episodes:
  •  EBB Podcast 190 Updated Evidence on Big Babies  here
  •  EBB Podcast 244 Evidence on AROM, AVD and Internal Monitoring here 
  • EBB Podcast 265 Evidence on Anti-Racism in Healthcare and Birthwork here 
• Find an EBB Childbirth Class here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we will be sharing with you an excerpt from a live webinar featuring Dr. Rebecca Dekker all about debunking the myths of Premature Rupture of Membranes, GBS, & Waterbirth. 

We discuss the following topics:

1. The Updated Evidence on Premature Rupture of Membranes - There are two new meta-analyses on GBS-- but they have limitations and cannot be applied to countries that screen and treat GBS. New guidelines are included from ACNM, ACOG & the Association of Ontario Midwives.
2. The myths on GBS - We review what the microbiome is, the influence of probiotics, and why antibiotics are used.
3. How Waterbirth can be used for labor - We covered the differences in association guidelines of waterbirth, as well as, reviewed the significant results for the risks and benefits of waterbirth from the largest and highest-quality study on waterbirth to date!

This is podcast breaks down the topics for parents and professionals to be informed and empowered!

LECTURE HANDOUTS

• For lecture handouts from the webinar, click here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GBS-PROM-Waterbirth-Webinar-April-2023-for-Handout.pdf 

EBB SIGNATURE ARTICLES

• Evidence on Premature Rupture of Membranes https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-inducing-labor-water-breaks-term/  
• Evidence on Group B Strep: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/ 
• Evidence on Inducing for Due Dates https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducin...
• Evidence on Waterbirth https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/

EBB PODCASTS

• EBB 230 – An Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Parent Shelitha Owens
• EBB 223 – An Empowering Hospital Water Birth Story with Samantha Parker and Justin Fontaine
• EBB 261 – Mini Q&A on Group B Strep 
• EBB 257 –  The Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy: Part 2
• EBB 254 – The Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy: Part 1 

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Association of Ontario Midwives on PROM: https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/prom-term 

Full list of References can be found on our blog post here.

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

Content warning: We will mention labor, medical interventions (i.e. antibiotics, epidural), hospital transfer, waterbirth, pain, premature rupture of membranes, gendered language, medications in labor, vaginal/pelvic birth, Group B Strep, inductions, cervical exams

May 17, 2023 - On today's episode we are honoring Pelvic Floor Awareness Month with a replay episode from one of our most popular episodes, an interview with Dr. Juan Michelle Martin all about pelvic floor health in both pregnancy and postpartum.

Content warning: discussion of sexual function and dysfunctions in plain terms.

In this episode, I will be talking with Dr. Juan Michelle Martin. Dr. Martin is a pelvic floor specialist for 13 years and now an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor. Dr. Martin is the owner and founder of JMM Health Solutions. She's created a few programs for pregnant individuals as well as two coaching programs, one of them being a 12-week program for people with endometriosis, and the other being a four-week program for individuals suffering from dyspareunia.

We talk about the benefits of pelvic floor therapy for pregnancy and postpartum. We also talk about the importance of advocating for accessible pelvic care services.

• Learn more about Dr. Juan Michelle Martin here (https://www.jmmhealthsolutions.com/).
• Follow Dr. Martin on Instagram here (www.instagram.com/thepelvicperspective).
• View Dr. Martin’s pelvic floor topic videos on YouTube for JMM Health Solutions here (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNEkVefn_wLgrqlf4wyXHw). 
• Learn more about Academy of Pelvic Health (APH) here (https://aptapelvichealth.org/). Follow APH on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/aptapelvic/). 
• Learn more about Herman & Wallace here (https://hermanwallace.com/). Follow Herman & Wallace on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/HermanandWallace/). 
• Listen to recent EBB episodes about Pelvic Floor Health & Postpartum:
  • EBB 256 - Top 3 Recommendations for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction after Birth with Dr. Sarah Duvall
  • EBB 264 - Top 3 Tips for Exercise in Pregnancy with Mamastefit

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

• Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/),
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/).

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/),
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On this episode of the Evidence Base Birth® Podcast, we talk with Barbie Christianson, RN all about fundal massage. We discuss what the evidence actually says about this routine procedure versus what happens in everyday practice, and why this practice continues to persist in routine preventative care.   Barbie Christianson is a nurse, community educator and advocate, as well as a parent of four young children. Their mission is to communally dismantle oppressive structures specifically in reproductive/perinatal healthcare while contributing to the expansion of existing Black and/or Indigenous led community-based care structures. Barbie’s special focus is on addressing and eliminating obstetric violence using trauma informed perinatal advocacy, care, and education.   Barbie shares her passion and skills in trauma informed care with our audience by sharing useful scripts for obtaining informed consent, explaining how to guide patients in their own assessments and massage, and offers many ways to maintain a calm and compassionate nature to a procedure known as the “devil’s massage.”

Content Warnings: Uterine/fundal massage, obstetric violence and assault, pospartum hemorrgage    Resources:

• Learn more about active management in the thrid stage of labor in our Signature Article: The Evidence on Pitocin During the Thrird Stage of Labor here
• Follow the BadAssMotherBirther in Instagram here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

 

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, we talked with EBB Childbirth Class Graduates, Priscilla and Nathan Layman about how the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class prepared them for a home birth and their unexpected hospital transfer with a NICU stay.     Nathan and Priscilla are happy parents who live and work in San Antonio, Texas. Nathan is a pipeline engineer and Priscilla splits her time between caring for their 19-month-old daughter and providing part-time psychotherapy services, as a licensed clinical psychologist.     Join us as Nathan and Priscilla share their experience learning advocacy skills reviewed in the EBB Childbirth class and how they were used during their daughter’s unexpected NICU stay after their homebirth transfer. We also talk about their birth experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and how empowered they felt with their support team in birth and postpartum.     Content Warnings: 911 call, emergency transfer to the hospital for low oxygen state in a newborn, respiratory support for an infant in a neonatal intensive care stay.     Resources:

• Access EBB's Signature Article on The Evidence on: Waterbirth here
• Learn more about Deborah Persyn and Leche and Mimi lactation services here
• Find the book Bringing Home Baby and other resources by Gottman here
• Learn more about Lea-ann Goettsch's Evidence Based Birth Childbirth class and other services here 

References:

• Bovbjerg, M.L., Cheyney, M., Caughey, A. B. (2022). “Maternal and neonatal outcomes following waterbirth: a cohort study of 17,530 waterbirths and 17,530 propensity score-matched land births.” BJOG 129 (6): 950-958.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34773367/

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episodes listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s episode we are celebrating the release of Part 3 of our BRAND NEW Signature Article, "The Evidence on: Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work!"

EBB Research Editor Ihotu Ali, the lead author on this paper, talks with Rebecca Dekker about how  Evidence-Based Equity Tools are solutions that can collectively move Black and Brown voices, leaders, innovative programs, accountability conversations, supportive funding, and legislation from the sidelines to the mainstream.

You can find all three parts of our NEW Signature Article, The Evidence on: Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work here: www.evidencebasedbirth.com/antiracism

Join the conversation to learn more about:

1. Equity vs equality and diversity vs mending broken relationships
2. The Evidence Based Equity Triad
3. The Midwifery Model of Care - What about midwives in birth centers or other community spaces
4. Community-Based Doulas - Support and mentor a doula of color and expand sustainability of the doula profession through employee benefit models
5. Reparations and Transformative Justice - Transformative Justice in Leadership Challenges

Additionally, learn how you can answer the call as a birth worker and become an ally in the fight for reproductive justice. 

Resources: 

Find the Black Birthing Bill of Rights® from the NAABB here    Find The Evidence on: Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work here    All of our Free Handouts, including "Getting Started," "Quiz on Anti-Racism," "Afrofuturism in Birth" and "Fighting Anti-Black Racism in Birth" are available here

Listen to EBB Episodes:

• EBB 136 – Solutions for the Crisis in American Maternity Care with Jennie Joseph here
• EBB 161 – Addressing Maternity Bias and Infant Care with Irth App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers  Here
• EBB 170 Addressing Mistreatment in Childbirth Care with Birth Monopoly Founder, Cristen Pascucci here
• EBB 220 – Fighting Bias in the Birth Room with Irth App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers Here
• EBB 229 Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic and Reimbursement with the Research Team Here
• EBB 251 – Naseema McElroy, Founder of Financially Intentional, Shares her Courageous Story of Speaking up as a Labor and Delivery Nurse Here 

Watch videos on Tranformative Justice: 

• Watch Adrienne Maree Brown discuss transformative justice here

• An example of Restorative Justice: (the Tinkerbell story) told in a YouTube video here 

Find the Article, "Are corporations psychopaths?" here    Find the book on defensiveness: Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Livesby Joseph Burgo here    Find a black birth worker near you at www.systemmidwife.com   Learn more about: 

• The Sheppard Towner Act of 1921 here
• Maternal Mortality Review Commissions here
• The life and legacy of Loretha Weisinger , the mother and founder of the community-based doula here
• About HealthConnect One, who offers trainings for community-based doulas around the country
• The Birth Sanctuary 
• Earth's Natural Touch doulas
• National Black Midwives Alliance
• Melanated Midwives
• The National Association for the Advancement of Black Birth
• Commonsense Childbirth
•  A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife training
• Jamaa Birth Village
• Birth Center Equity
• Kentucky Birth Coalition
•  Learn Birthing Place BX and Womb Bus
• Follow Ihotu Ali’s work on Instagram here
• Follow the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing and their work in Minneapolis here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we talk with Gina and Roxanne, the sister duo behind Mamastefit about how fitness can keep you comfortable and pain-free during pregnancy and birth.   Gina Conley and Roxanne Albert are the sister duo of MamasteFit. Together they offer childbirth education, specializing in labor and pelvic biomechanics and pre and postnatal fitness programming. Located in Aberdeen, North Carolina, you can train with them in person or you learn from them all over the world with their Instagram account and online classes. Additionally, Gina, has her master's in exercise science, runs the MamasteFit in-person perinatal fitness training facility and she discusses how she supports families as a birth doula. Roxanne, is a labor and delivery nurse, recently serving as a birth assistant in a freestanding birth center and tells us how being a student midwife influences her understanding of the body in birth.   Today, we talk with Gina and Roxanne about their own experiences being pregnant and how it inspired the creation of Mamaste Fit. They explain how an understanding of one's body during pregnancy and birth can impact the birth experience. We talk about fitness and how movement and pelvic biomechanics can minimalize pregnancy-related discomfort and prepare your body for labor.     Check out the resources below to follow along and learn more!

Resources: Find MamasteFit on social media:

•  Instagram
•  Facebook
•  YouTube 

For more information about their courses and offerings, check out their website here

Listen to EBB Episode

EBB 256 - Top 3 Recommendations for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction after Birth with Dr. Sarah Duvall, Found of Core Exercise Solutions here

EBB 155 - Pelvic Floor Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum with Dr. Juan Michelle Martin here

EBB 196 - Pelvic Biomechanics and movement in Labor with Brittany Sharpe McCollum here 

EBB 224 - Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait with Ihotu Ali, Erin Wilson, and Rebecca Dekker here 

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

 

In this episode we talk with Sabia Wade about her new book, Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free.   Sabia Wade (she/ they) is the founder of Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, an accessible and inclusive training program for community care workers, and the founder of For the Village, a nonprofit providing doulas at no or low cost to low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego, California, as a coach, board member, investor, educator, and programming development consultant for organizations throughout the birth and reproductive health space. Every part of Sabia's work centers on liberation of all people through Reproductive Justice.   Sabia talks with us about the process of writing a book for birth workers about Reproductive Justice and how we can create the future we want for all birth people. Sabia introduces us to the ideas of Birth Neoterism and Black Luxury. Through these key concepts, Sabia shares how we can learn from our history, find hope in our present and recreate the future of birth in America. Sabia’s hope for the readers of their book, is that they are able to engage on their own journey in interacting with the book and connecting through the storytelling and working through the somatic exercises to work through trauma and towards healing. In those spaces of healing and caring for ourselves can we begin the process of collective liberation.                                                                                                                                        Resources:

• Find Sabia’s book Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free here

• Follow Sabia’s work here 

• Follow Sabia on Instagram here

• Sign up for The Birth Neoterist Newsletter here 

• Listen to EBB’s previous interview with Sabia, EBB 124 - Health Disparities, Advocacy and the Coronavirus with Sabia Wade here

• Listen to EBB 251 - Nasmeea McElroy, Founder of Financially Intentional, Shares her Courageous Story of Speaking up as a Labor and Delivery Nurse

• Find the book, Transformed by Birth by Brita Buchnell here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode we talk with Emily Chandler and Taylor Washburn, EBB Childbirth Class graduates about their experiences in the childbirth class; their informed and empowered hospital birth; and how they navigated an extended hospital stay for newborn jaundice.   Emily, is a marine scientist, and Taylor, is a teacher and rowing coach in the Boston area. Together, they love hiking, biking, rowing, and taking advantage of the great outdoors. And they're also very busy taking care of their baby. While pregnant, Emily dove headfirst into learning about pregnancy, birth, and the state of maternity care in the United States. Emily and Taylor took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with EBB instructor Chanté Perryman.   Emily and Taylor share their experiences in the EBB Childbirth Class and how that informed many of the decisions they made regarding their birth plan, including Taylor being both inspired and empowered to “catch” their baby. They also share how they used the advocacy skills learned in class to better communicate with their providers and each other. After experiencing the birth they desired, complications arose when Emily experienced difficulty breastfeeding and inadequate lactation support. Difficulty was further exasperated when their newborn was diagnosed with jaundice leading to an extended hospital stay.

Content Warnings: extended hospital stay due to newborn jaundice, “yellow baby,” difficulty breastfeeding, syringe feeding, lack of lactation support poor latch, heel pricks and bilirubin testing, treatment for elevated bilirubin, poor outcomes for Black and Brown infants with jaundice

Resources: Access the CDC article on Jaundcie here

Access the Evidence Based Birth® Signautre Articles on: 

• The Evidence on Premature Rupture of Membranes here 
• The Evidence on Group B Strep here 
• The Evidence on Pitocin® in the Third Stage here

Listen to EBB 145- Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JacMichael Perryman here

Listen to EBB 244 - Evidence on AROM, AVD and Internal Monitoring here 

Learn more about Chanté Perryman's EBB Childbirth Class and services here or on her Instagram account @babydreamsmc

Learn more about The Nest Collaborative for lacation support here

References: 

Here are the scientific references on jaundice for the blog article: ·      Dunn, P. M. (2003). Dr Erasmus Darwin (1731–1802) of Lichfield and placental respiration. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed;88:F346– 8. ·      Katheria, A. C., Lakshminrusimha, S., Rabe, H., et al. (2017). Placental transfusion: a review. Journal of Perinatology; 37:105-111. ·      McDonald, S. J., Middleton, P., Dowswell, T., et al. (2013). Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD004074 ·      Ashish, K. C., Rana, N., Malqvist, M., et al. (2017). Effects of Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping vs. Early Clamping on Anemia in Infants at 8 and 12 months: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr;171(3):264-270. ·      Mercer, J. S., Erickson-Owens, D. A., Deoni, S. C. L., et al. (2018). Effects of Delayed Cord Clamping on Four-Month Ferritin Levels, Brain Myselin Content, and Neurodevelopment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. ·      Andersson, O., Lindquist, B., Lindgren, M., et al. (2015). Effect of delayed cord clamping on neurodevelopment at 4 years of age: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr;169:631–8. ·      CDC article on Jaundice: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/jaundice/facts.html  

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

 

In this bonus episode, we wrap up our 2-part series on Group B Strep in Pregnancy, where I answer some of your questions following the first two episodes.

Here are the questions answered in this bonus episode:

1. Is it possible to retest between an initial GBS swab and going into labor? Are there things that can be done to get a negative test before labor occurs?
2. If you are GBS positive in one pregnancy, are you likely to be positive in subsequent pregnancies?
3. Discussion about an important limitation to one of the studies in our GBS update.
4. Discussion about risk factors and the “Other Risk Factor” approach vs the Universal Screening approach
5. Is there evidence for screening for GBS twice in the same pregnancy?

Make sure you listen to Part 1 and Part 2  to review the updated GBS research.

Resources:

• Listen to EBB 254: Group B Strep in Pregnancy Part 1 here
• Listen to EBB 257: Group B Strep in Pregnancy Part 2 here
• Listen EBB 87: Cristen Pascucci on How to Disagree on Birth Topics Respectfully! here
• Learn more about the use of antibiotics in labor in our Pocket Guide to Labor Interventions 

References:

• Parente V, Clark RH, Ku L, Fennell C, Johnson M, Morris E, Romaine A, Utin U, Benjamin DK, Messina JA, Smith PB, Greenberg RG. Risk factors for group B streptococcal disease in neonates of mothers with negative antenatal testing. J Perinatol. 2017 Feb;37(2):157-161. doi: 10.1038/jp.2016.201. Epub 2016 Nov 17. PMID: 27853322; PMCID: PMC5280520.
• Kabiri D, Hants Y, Yarkoni TR, Shaulof E, Friedman SE, Paltiel O, Nir-Paz R, Aljamal WE, Ezra Y. Antepartum Membrane Stripping in GBS Carriers, Is It Safe? (The STRIP-G Study). PLoS One. 2015 Dec 31;10(12):e0145905. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145905. PMID: 26719985; PMCID: PMC4697801.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we’re going to talk with Ms. Divine Bailey-Nicholas, midwife apprentice, doula, certified lactation counselor, and master herbalist about her career in birth work, advocacy and plant medicine in Louisiana. We learn how she utilizes a community model of care that brings resources and education to combat maternal health deserts in the Deep South of the US.   Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Divine is proud of her Delta, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia roots. Her cultural foundation breathes through her plant medicine and birth work. Currently, Ms. Divine is a charter member of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Louisiana chapter, where her role is historian. She’s a member of the Healthy St. Landry Steering Committee and member of the Community Partners Advisory Sub-Community for the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Divine is also the founder and executive director of Community Birth Companion, a nonprofit organization working to decrease infant and maternal mortality rates through childbirth education, breastfeeding support, and community doula support in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, where she resides with her husband and four children.   Ms. Divine shares the reality of maternity care in the Southern US, including high rates of morbidity, mortality, and poor infant outcomes, especially among Black women. Ms. Divine shares how she has been inspired by the work of Grand Midwife Shafia Monroe to become a resource to her community and is working to improve birth outcomes and combat maternal health deserts through her perinatal safe space, the Community Birth Companion. Through a community model of care, Ms. Divine is providing education and empowerment to the families she serves. Additionally, Ms. Divine shares insight into her work as a Master Herbalist and teaches courses to support families in pregnancy and postpartum.   Content warning: maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, maternal care deserts, health care inequalities, racism  Resources Follow Ms. Divine’s work on her social media channels:

• Instagram 
• Facebook

Learn about Ms. Divine’s services or sign up for Ms. Divine’s courses on plant medicine on her website here

Learn more about Ms. Divine’s work with Community Birth Companion on their website here    Follow the Community Birth Compnaion on social media: 

• Instagram
• Facebook

Additional Resources:

• Listen to EBB 152 – Shafia Monroe on Traditional Black Midwifery, Spirituality, and Community Advocacy here
• Learn more about Safia Monroe on her webite and follow her work on Instagram 
• Listen to EBB 56 – Listening to Black Midwives: Ms. Charlotte Shilo-Goudeau here
• Listen to EBB 156 – Nicole Deggins of Sista Midwife Productions on Navigating Systemic Racism in Birth Work here
• Read Kelena Reid Maxwell’s  Dissertation Birth Behind the Veil: African American Midwives and Mothers in the Rural South here
• Find the Black Birthing Bill of Rights here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

 

In this episode, we're going to talk with Ruth Greene, birth doula, Evidence Based Birth® Pro Member, and Co-owner of Having a Baby in China Consulting Services, about the challenges of giving birth in a foreign country and how pregnancy and childbirth can unite us despite our unique cultural & lived experiences.   After the birth of her second baby in a local hospital in China, Ruth began volunteering to support other foreigners as they struggled to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system. Ruth's passion drove her to seek formal training as a doula and childbirth educator. In May 2022, Ruth partnered with the creators of havingababyinchina.com to open an official Chinese company that offers breastfeeding, doula, and consulting services. Ruth’s clients hail from every corner of the earth, from South Africa to Brazil, to England, to Iran, and, of course, China. No matter the cultural or personal background, Ruth considers it an absolute privilege to be invited into the sacred space of pregnancy and birth.   Ruth shares her own experiences giving birth in China and how she came to find herself immersed in birth work and making a career of helping similar families navigate the process themselves. Ruth highlights the many differences and unique cultural traditions around having a baby in China, like the Zuo Yue Zi, or the “sitting month.” Despite the differences, Ruth has found that experiences of pregnancy and birth unite us all.   Resources:

• Check out Ruth's website here 
• Email Ruth directly at [email protected]
• Follow Ruth on Instagram - Having a Baby in China 
• Find Ruth on WeChat - ID: GirlTravelor
• Listen to her Podcast: Having a Baby in China 
• You can also find Having a Baby in China on WeChat from her podcast page linked above

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode we talk with Samantha Reisz, EBB Childbirth Class graduate about her experiences taking the class and preparing for a waterbirth in a hospital with her “Golden Ticket” birth team, who were skilled and prepared to manage a placental cord avulsion also known as cord snapping.   Samantha Reisz, she/her, is a Scholarly Assistant Professor of Human Development at Washington State University in Vancouver, Washington, just outside of the Portland, Oregon area. She completed her bachelor's in Psychology and master's in Infant Mental Health from Mills College in Oakland, California when she first began studying childbirth. Samantha then earned her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied infant parent relationships and the transition to parenthood. Samantha is a passionate scholar and educator. After years of studying these topics academically, she finally was able to live her own research with the birth of her first child. Samantha lives in Vancouver, Washington with her baby, partner, and two dogs.    Samantha shares how she prepared to give birth for the first time with the use of a doula who recommended the EBB Childbirth Course. Samantha and her partner planned for a waterbirth in a hospital with an OBGYN attending the birth. After experiencing the beautiful waterbirth she had desired, complications arose in the 3rd stage with a placental cord avulsion. Her “Golden Ticket Birth Team” was skilled and prepared to support her through this experience.

Content & Trigger warning: complications in the third stage of labor, active management of the third phase, umbilical cord snapping or avulsion, excessive blood loss

Resources:

• Find out more about Samantha’s work and research here.
• Find out about Scarlett Lynsky’s EBB Childbirth Education class here and listen to her EBB Podcast interview here.
• Read the EBB Sigature Article on The Evidence on Waterbirth here
• Read the EBB Signature Article on Eating & Drinking here
• Listen to the EBB Natural Induction series here
• Find out more about the Evidence on Nitrous Oxide in EBB Episode 15 here

Listen to all the EBB Podcast Episodes on Waterbirth and Cord Avulsion: 

• Find EBB 4 – Waterbirth and the Newborn Microbiome here
• Find EBB 11 – Evidence on: Waterbirth here 
• Find EBB 202 - A Fast First Time Birth Expereince with Childbirth Class Graduate, Haley Grachico here 
• Find EBB 223 – An Empowering Hospital Water Birth Story with Samantha Parker and Justin Fontaine here 
• Find EBB 230 – An Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Parent Shelitha Owens here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

References:   Bovbjerg, M.L., Cheyney, M., Caughey, A. B. (2022). “Maternal and neonatal outcomes following waterbirth: a cohort study of 17,530 waterbirths and 17,530 propensity score-matched land births.” BJOG 129 (6): 950-958. Access the article here     Burns, E. E., Boulton, M.G., Cluett, E., et al. (2012). “Characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of women who used a birthing pool: a prospective observational study.” Birth 39(3): 192-202. Access the article here     Schafer, R. (2014). “Umbilical cord avulsion in waterbirth.” J Midwifery Womens Health 59(1): 91-94. Access the article here     Sidebottom, A.C., Vacquier, M., Simon, K., et al. (2020). “Maternal and neonatal outcomes in hospital-based deliveries with water immersion.” Obstet GYnecol 136(4): 707-715. Access the article here 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we continue to bring you the Updated Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy. This is Part 2 of a 2-part series, where we talk about the evidence on alternative treatments for GBS and answer some of your FAQs about this hot topic.   In Part 2, we’ll be talking about:

• The “Other Risk Factor approach,”
• Alternatives to antibiotics for GBS, including Chlorhexidine and garlic,
• Vaccines,
• Probiotics,
• Topical use of human milk,
• Address frequently asked questions
• Review the Guidelines from 3 countries

We wrap up with the Bottom Line on the Updated Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy.   Content Warning: GBS-related stillbirth, infant death, critical illness of newborns, vaccines, antibiotics, and racial disparities in GBS positive results and GBS disease in newborns.   References and Resources:

• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode here.
• Find about more about colloidal silver here 
• Learn more about Neonatal Sepsis here 
• Learn more about the National Guidelines for screening and treating GBS in the USA, UK, and Canada: 
  • Guidelines in America:
    • ACOG Recommendations for Prevention of Group B Strep Early Onset Disease in Newborns 
    • AAP Guidelines for Management of Infants at Risk for Group B Strep Disease

• • Guidelines in the United Kingdom: 
    • United Kingdom National Screening Committee Recommedations 
    • Recommendations from the Royal College of Obstetrians
  • Guidelines in Canada 
    • Recommendations from the Society of Obstetrians and Gynaecologists 
    • Recommendations from the Association of Ontario Midwives 

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with physical therapist and founder of Core Exercise Solutions, Dr. Sarah Duvall (she/her) about connecting with your pelvic floor and preventing dysfunction after birth.    Dr. Sarah Duvall, CPT is the founder of Core Exercise Solutions, a center for continuing education and online programs focusing on the pelvic floor. She uses her platform to share her passion for empowering individuals to connect with their bodies in pregnancy and heal holistically after birth. 

When she's not hanging off the side of a mountain, Sarah is also a wife, mom, and adventure sports athlete who enjoys writing and presenting through her social media platforms and figuring out how her clients can continue to pursue their dreams and lead strong adventurous lives.   In this episode, we talk about the importance of pelvic floor physical therapy. Sarah walks us through several pelvic floor exercises to help us understand how to connect with our bodies and understand what types of dysfunction might impact our daily lives. Additionally, Sarah educates us on the importance of connecting with and caring for our bodies after a Cesarean birth.

Trigger warning: pelvic organ prolapse, Cesareans, incontinence, use of gendered language. Resources:

• Learn more about Sarah's work here
• Follow Sarah's work on Instagram here  
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In today's podcast, we talk with Laurisa Paul, a Registered Nurse, EBB Pro Member and founder of Girls Who Know® about her journey towards teaching girls what they need to know and respect about their bodies.   Laurisa was the winner of our EBB Pro Member September Circle Community challenge, where she won the opportunity to have her work featured on the podcast. I am excited to share my conversation with Laurisa where she talks about her passion for helping others love themselves fully and feel their inherent worth and power.

Laurisa resides in Texas where she is a mother of five and an outdoor adventurer. Medically trained, Laurisa stumbled across home birth when she was actively seeking to improve her own birth experiences and since then she has worked as a midwife assistant.   Laurisa is a mother of five, a writer, a Registered Nurse, home-birther and midwife advocate. She has a deep passion for diversity and a profound respect for people and their story. She is a lover of outdoor adventure and dreams of being a world traveler and story catcher.    In this episode, she discusses her own journey to motherhood and the experiences from her five births, ranging from high intervention births in a hospital to unmedicated and low intervention homebirths. Each experience shaped who she has become as a mother and as a nurse catapulting Laurisa into her passion of working with the next generation and educating high school students about the physiology of birth, not just how to prevent pregnancy. Laurisa is the founder of the organization Girls Who Know, which inspires girls to love who they are and to know and respect their bodies. Girls Who Know prepares girls with what they need to know to make courageous, informed decisions for their lives.   Content Warning: use of forceps & vacuum, episiotomy, forced to push on back, obstetric violence, trauma, suffering, postpartum hemorrhage, gendered language, discussion of a fatal motor vehicle crash

Resources: 

Check out Laurisa's organization Girls Who Know® here  Follow Laurisa on social media via Instagram here and her Facebook here 

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we bring you the Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy, in anticipation of the research update to the Signature Article on Group B Strep in Pregnancy.   This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In today’s Part 1, we’ll be talking about:

1. The evidence on GBS during pregnancy
2. The evidence on testing for GBS
3. The evidence on antibiotics, including the pros and cons of giving antibiotics during labor for GBS.

Content Warning: GBS-related stillbirth, infant death, critical illness of newborns, antibiotics, disparities, access to health care.

References and Resources: 

• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode here.
• Find the CDC GBS Prevention App for Obstetric Providers here 
• Find the ACOG GBS Prevention Guidelines here 
• Listen EBB 87: Cristen Pascucci on How to Disagree on Birth Topics Respectfully! here
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!
• For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In this episode we talk with Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class graduate, Leah Bergman about her experiences navigating a recommended 38-week induction due to a diagnosis of Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

Leah Bergman is a new mom and has recently made the decision to leave her full-time job as a church musician to be able to dedicate more time to her family and raising her daughter. When she's not involved in music or busy with the baby, Leah enjoys cooking, knitting, coloring, sewing, and going on walks with her husband, Gunnar, and dog, Winnie.

In this episode Leah shares how she was inspired by a friend to read Babies are Not Pizzas and on the recommendation of her midwife found the EBB Childbirth Class. Leah and her husband were planning for birth with as few interventions as possible, until an ultrasound showed signs of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In collaboration with their midwifery team, they pivoted their plans and began to prepare for an induction at 38-weeks. Leah walks us through the difficulties in trying to make informed, evidence-based decisions about pregnancy and how they opted to induce at 38-weeks. Additionally, Leah shares her long two-part induction story and insights into how she was able to use the EBB Childbirth Education to advocate for herself during her induction and after delivery. Despite not having the birth she was originally planning, Leah reminds us that with education and preparation, you can achieve the positive and empowering birth you want, even if it isn’t what you originally expected.

Content Warning: intrauterine growth restriction or fetal growth restriction, risk of stillbirth associated with IUGR, medical interventions to induce labor, labor induction, pregnancy complications, high risk pregnancy, frequent ultrasound and NST testing, mention of risk of Cesarean birth, mention of the risk factors for IUGR: placental insufficiently, genetic and congenital problems in pregnancy, anti-phospholipid antibodies, baby born small for gestational age

Resouces:

Find out more about Anna Sutkowski’s doula practice and EBB Childbirth classes here. Find out more about Rebecca’s book, Babies are Not Pizzas here.

Intrauterine Growth Restrictions: Listen to Dr. Nicole Rankin’s podcast in IUGR here.

Access a Medscape article on Fetal Growth Restriction (requires a free account) here.

UpToDate article on Fetal Growth Restriction (requires a paid account) here

Inductions: Listen to the EBB Podcast Episode 153: The Pros and Cons of the Foley and Dilapan-S for Cervical Ripening During an Induction here.

Listen to the EBB Podcast Episode 222: Navigating Induction and Pregnancy at 35+ with EBB Instructor and Birth Fusion Founder, Jennifer Anderson here.

Obtain a copy of EBB Pocket Guide to Labor Inductions here.

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode we talk with EBB Instructor Leslie Greene, about doula advocacy and empowering families through the EBB Childbirth education class.   Leslie Greene, pronouns, she/her, is a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, baby wearing consultant and Evidence Based Birth Instructor and founder of Peridot Births. Leslie's work reflects her passion for birth justice, and she has a special interest in supporting Black and brown birthing families and members of the LBGTQIA+ community. Leslie is also the mom of a rising first grader and loves to spend her time with her adopted Shih Tzu and tabby kitten when not working.   We talk about the importance of doula advocacy. Leslie talks about her personal journey to becoming a childbirth educator and a doula, as a form of activism to address the Black maternal health crisis in American. She describes how to step into the birthing space as a collaborative advocate to center the parent's experience for their birth.    Content Warning: discussion of the murder of George Floyd, maternal mortality for African Americans, Black maternal health crisis, systemic racism, politics, obstetric violence, racism, forced cervical exams, perineal massage with baby shampoo, poverty, substance use, teen pregnancy, lack of prenatal care, colonization, slavery, and the COVID-19 pandemic

Resources:

Listen to EBB 218 – The Evidence on Perineal Massage during Labor with Dr. Rebecca Dekker here   Check out and follow all of Leslie’s work: o   Leslie’s Evidence Based Childbirth Education site can be found here o   Leslie’s Doula Services can be found here o   Follow Leslie’s work on Instagram here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

Today, I am excited to share a replay of one of my favorite birth stories featured on the Evidence Based Birth® podcast. EBB childbirth class graduates, Brooklyn and Hoang Pham, share their power and miraculous birth story, which became an instant classic and truly touched my heart.  

As a content warning, we talk about the significantly high rates of maternal mortality among Black and Brown individuals and racism in birth work. 

On today’s podcast, we will be talking with Brooklynn and Hoang Pham. Brooklynn and Hoang currently live in Davis, California, and are the parents to Marvel, who turned seven months last December. Brooklynn is the senior managing director of Teach For America in Sacramento, and Hoang is finishing up his final year of law school at UC Davis School of Law. They took the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth class with EBB instructor, Shalin Butterworth, and are here to share their birth story.

We will talk about Brooklynn’s and Hoang’s empowering experience when they attended the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth class and how it prepared them to feel ready for their powerful and miraculous birth with their doula and EBB instructor, Shalin. 

Resources: 

Sign up for the EBB Newsletter here. 

Learn more about the EBB Instructor program here and find an instructor or course here. 

Hoang and Brooklyn's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBNp5cuEQpBDY3-3Bnl6eQ/ Instagram: @_hoangpham Twitter: @_hoangpham

Birthplace Lab: You can explore the maps at https://www.birthplacelab.org/maps/. There is a How To video with tips on using the interactive maps: https://www.birthplacelab.org/how-to-explore-the-maps/. Visit BirthPlaceLab.org to learn about your state’s score!

Research References: Balde, M. D., Nasiri, K., Mehrtash, H., et al. (2020). Labour companionship and women's experiences of mistreatment during childbirth: results from a multi-country community-based survey. BMJ Glob Health. 2020 Nov;5(Suppl 2):e003564. Click here.   Bohren, M. A., Berger, B. O., Munthe-Kaas, H., et al. (2019). Perceptions and experiences of labour companionship: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD012449. Click here.   Bohren, M. A., Hofmeyr, G. J., Sakala, C., et al. (2017). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jul 6;7(7):CD003766. Click here.   Vedam, S., Stoll, K., MacDorman, M., et al. (2018). Mapping integration of midwives across the United States: Impact on access, equity, and outcomes. PLoS One. 2018 Feb 21;13(2):e0192523. Click here.

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast we talk with Naseema McElroy, Labor and Delivery nurse and the Founder of Financially Intentional about racism, workplace trauma, and inequities in the US healthcare system. We also discuss how to find your voice and stand up for human rights within the system.   Naseema McElroy started as a Labor and Delivery nurse and later became the Founder of Financially Intentional, a personal finance platform normalizing Black wealth. Naseema is the mother of two daughters and loves sharing her passion for financial independence and nursing with her followers on Instagram and through her Financially Intentional Podcast: Nurses on Fire.   Naeema discusses her personal experiences in raising concerns about patient safety within a hospital system and how to protect yourself, legally and financially, in the process. She also shares her story regarding her viral Instagram video about the importance of representation in healthcare and the potentially far-reaching consequences when representation is lacking. 

Trigger Warnings: mental health, workplace trauma, obstetric violence, systemic racism, racism and inequities in the US healthcare system, patient safety, Black mortality, Black morbidity

Resources: 

Follow Naseema's Instagram account Financially Intentional here

Learn more about Financially Intentional here

Listen to Naseema's Podcast, Financially Intentional Podcast (formerly Nurses of Fire) here

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this week’s episode, I'm going to cover the “2022 A Year in Review” and reflect on all the projects and research we accomplished at Evidence Based Birth®. I share my favorite projects and podcast episodes from this year; the top five most downloaded episodes in 2022; and discuss the research recap on the four updated Signature Articles: o   Signature Article on the Evidence on Birthing Positions o   Signature Article on the Evidence on Eating and Drinking in Labor o   Signature Article on the Evidence on IV fluids o   Signature Article on the Evidence on Freidman’s Curve and Failure to Progress + 1-page handout on Debunking Pelvic Shapes   Thanks for tuning in and supporting Evidence Based Birth® in 2022! Because of you we were able to surpass over 4 million downloads –putting us in the top 5 percent of all podcasts! Thank you for helping us to uplift birth workers and empower families with evidence-based knowledge.   Content Warning: abortion & medical interventions

Resouces:

Find the updated Signature Article on the Evidence on Birthing Positions here

Listen to the associated Podcast episodes on Birthing Positions:

• 196 – Pelvic Biomechanics and Movement in Labor with Brittany Sharpe McCollum
• 221- Evidence on Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practices for Protecting the Perineum
• 241- The Updated Evidence on Birthing Positions

Find the updated Signature Article on the Evidence on Eating and Drinking in Labor here

Listen to the associated Podcast episodes on Eating and Drinking:

• 198 & 233 – Updates on Eating During Labor

 

Fina the updated Signature Article on the Evidence on IV fluids here

Listen to the associated Podcast episodes on IV fluids:

• 235 – Evidence on IV Fluids with Dr. Rebecca Dekker
• 208 – Advocating for Your Rights in Birth with EBB Childbirth Class Graduation Cheyanne Saenz
• 104 – The Evidence on Saline Locks

Find the updated Signature Article on the Evidence on Freidman’s Curve and Failure to Progress here

Listen to the associated Podcast episodes on Failure to Progress:

• 224 – Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait with Ihotu Ali, Erin Wilson, and Rebecca Dekker
• 196 – Pelvic Biomechanics and Movement in Labor with Brittany Sharpe McCollum
• 75 – Birth in Twilight Sleep – the Experiences of Rebecca’s Mom

 

Debunking Pelvic Shapes Handout and the Abortion Research guide can be found here.

Free Public Webinars:

• Spring Webinar: Failure to Wait
• Fall Webinar: Evidence on Pitocin

Rebecca’s Favorite Projects:

• Protecting the Perineum Series
  • 221 – Evidence on Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practice for Protecting the Perineum
  • 218 – The Evidence on Perineal Massage During Labor with Dr. Rebecca Dekker
  • 216 – The Evidence on Perineal Massage for Preventing Tears in Childbirth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker
  • 206 – Evidence on Perineal Tears and the Importance of Avoiding Episiotomy with EBB Founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker

 

• Abortion Research Guide
  • 240: Top Five Most Surprising Findings from the EBB Abortion Research Guide with Dr. Dekker & Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes

 

• Reproductive Justice
• 217 – Disability Justice in Birth and Parenting with Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu
• 234 – Tackling Fatphobia in Lactation with Kristin Cavuto
• 243 – Importance of Kick Counting for Preventing Stillbirth with Stephaney Moody, Health Equity Ambassador of Count the Kicks
• 227 – Amplifying the Need for Intersectional Birth Support for QTBIPOC Birthing People with Xian Brooks of the Dandy Doula
• 238 – Black Fatherhood and Fighting Anti-Black Racism with Brandon Diggs Williams, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• 228 – Uplifting Radicalized Birth Work with Anna, The Pocket Doula
• 229 – Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic and Reimbursement with the Research Team

Most downloaded Episodes in 2022

• #5 - 235 – Evidence on IV Fluids with Dr. Rebecca Dekker
• #4 – 222 – Navigating Induction and Pregnancy at 35+ with EBB Instrutor and Birth Fusion Founder, Jennifer Anderson
• #3 - 224 – Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait with Ihotu Ali, Erin Wilson, and Rebecca Dekker
• #2 - 221 – Evidence on Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practice for Protecting the Perineum
• #1 – 241 – The Updated Evidence on Birthing Positions

Watch Bringin’ in Da Spirit Trailer here

Listen to Team EBB’s 2022 Spotify Playlist here

 

 

 

 

In this episode, we are talking with Scarlett Lynsky (she/her) from Hatchings Doula all about her experiences as an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor and two-time gestational surrogate.

Scarlett Lynsky was born, raised, and practices as a doula and childbirth educator in Portland, Oregon. Fascinated by childbirth from an early age, and inspired by Grantly Dick-Read's Childbirth Without Fear, she decided to become a Childbirth Educator and Doula in 2009. Over the last 13 years, Scarlett has attended over 200 births. She is passionate about informed consent, bodily autonomy and tuning in to each birthing person's needs at any given moment. Scarlett has two children of her own as well as completing two "extra credit births" in the form of gestational surrogacy. She continues to be in awe of the transformative power of birth and the strength and bravery of every birthing person.

In this episode, Scarlett shares how she came into birth work and why she chose to pursue two very different but equally beautiful surrogacy journeys. We discuss the nuances of being a surrogate and the importance of open and clear communication between the gestational carrier, the intended parent(s), and their support and care teams.

Content Warnings: fertility/infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, bleeding in pregnancy, subchorionic hemorrhage, abortion,  pregnancy termination, assisted reproduction, IVF, 3rd party reproduction, gendered language, adoption, maternal mortality, high risk pregnancy, discussion of down syndrome, pregnancy complications related to uterine loss

Resources and References:

Find out more about Scarlett’s EBB Childbirth Class and Doula services on her website here and follow her on Instagram here.

Childbirth Without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth by Grantly Dick-Read (1959), find a copy here

Learn about agency Scarlett worked with in Oregon, Northwest Surrogacy Center here.

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we talk with Jencie Richtman, an Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class graduate, about her experience taking the EBB Childbirth Class to help navigate her VBAC.

Jencie and her husband are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class with EBB instructor Julie Fors. Jencie is a mother of two living in the north suburbs of Chicago with her husband. Jencie used the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class as a tool to help her with her VBAC with her second child.

In this episode, we hear both of Jencie’s birth stories. Her first birth was an induction that resulted in a Cesarean, and the second, was the healing VBAC experience she was hoping for. Jencie explains how the EBB Childbirth Class helped her and her support team to plan for the birth she desired. She shares how important it was finding a provider and a hospital that supported her choices which helped her to process and heal from the trauma she experienced during her first labor and birth.

Content Warnings:  induction, failed induction, BMI, Cesarean, vaginal birth after Cesarean, birth trauma, informed consent, birth guilt, use of coercive language, obstetric violence, high intervention birth, delayed bonding, gendered language, difficulty breastfeeding, COVID-19

Resources and References

Read EBB’s Signature Article on Skin-to-Skin Care after a Cesarean here. 

Evidence Based Birth® Podcast Episodes regarding VBACs: 

• EBB 113 – The Evidence on VBAC
• EBB 209 – Providing Unbiased VBAC Access and Support with VBAC Facts® Founder, Jen Kamel
• EBB 79 – Life of a Doula Part 1. – from Cesarean to VBAC
• EBB 232 – Advocacy, VBAC, and Becoming a Home Birth Midwife with Melek Oz

Find out more about Julie For’s EBB Childbirth Class and other services on her website Journey Forward here and follow Instagram here 

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Certified Nurse Midwife and Founder of The Vagina Chronicles, Aiyana Davison (She/Her), about her transition from hospital midwifery to a home birth practice.     Aiyana is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner currently practicing in Southern California. While she has worked for the past six years at a large hospital-based teaching facility, she recently started her own home birth practice and has plans to open a birth center. Aiyana has been featured on a wide variety of platforms including ESSENCE, Peanut, Elvie, Ovia Health, and Mama Glow.

Aiyana uses her social media platforms and website, The Vagina Chronicles, to help bridge the knowledge gap in people understanding their bodies as well as taking charge of their health care. Aiyana focuses her work on healing long-standing historical trauma within the Black community by sharing and vocalizing stories and supporting Black people as they traverse the healthcare system. 

In this episode, we talk about the midwifery model of care in the United States and Aiyana's experiences working in a hospital-based setting, her home birth practice and her associations with a free standing birth center. Additionally, we talk about the excitement of new Black midwives entering the field, and, conversely, the associated apprehensions of Black midwives due to professional burnout and lack of interprofessional collaboration and community support.   Content Warning: Poor birth outcomes, professional burnout, miscarriage, abortion, trauma, home birth, Black birth, birth work    Resources: The Vagina Chronicles Aiyana's Pregnancy Prep Course can be accessed here. All sales through 12/3/22 are at a discounted rate in honor of The Vagina Chronicles 5 Year Anniversary. 

Find The Vagina Chronicles on Social Media: ·      Instagram ·      Twitter   You can learn more about Aiyana’s home birth practice, Village House Wellness, here and follow Village House Wellness on Instagram.   Learn more about Kindred Space Birth Center here.   Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Molecular Biologist and Founder of Free to Feed, Dr. Trill Paullin (She/Her), about misconception in infant feeding and infant food reactivity. 

Dr. Trill is mother to two beautiful daughters who had severe infant food reactions to proteins transferred from her diet to breast milk. After processing the painful fact that she could hurt her children through breastfeeding, she started researching how to produce breast milk they could properly digest. 

Dr. Trill has discovered that many parents experience the same troubling situation. She has created a place for parents to find answers to their questions about infant food reactivity and empower them to reach their feeding goals. Free to Feed was born to provide the research, resources, and support she wished they had early on. They have started this mission by creating an annual subscription to empower parents through their food allergy journey, a tracking app built specifically for this space, personal consultations, as well as an allergy friendly post-natal multivitamin. Free to Feed’s team is working hard towards launching an at-home test strip that will allow parents to analyze their breast milk for allergens.

We talk about the misconceptions of allergy versus intolerance, what food reactivity actually looks like and how it occurs, and the common foods infants react to and how to remove them from human milk. 

Content Warning: fear of a child dying, a description of a serious infant food reaction with bloody diapers, and gendered language related to lactation. 

Resources:

Free to Feed 

Find Free to Feed (@freetofeed) on Social Media: 

• Instagram
• Facebook 
• TikTok

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

To celebrate the upcoming release of our Intervention Pocket Guide, we are going to share with you some of the new research on interventions! Last week I had so much fun on Episode 244 sharing the research on amniotomy (or AROM), assisted vaginal delivery (also known as forceps or vacuum assisted delivery), and internal monitoring. Today I’m going to reveal information from the Pocket Guide on 3 more interventions-- Pitocin Augmentation, Regional Analgesia (Epidurals and Spinals), and Cesareans.   Content note: discussion of the benefits and risks of these interventions, including the risk of mortality.

Resources: Make sure you're on the Pocket Guide wait list by going here  Pitocin Augmentation: ·       Webinar on the Evidence on Pitocin  ·       EBB #131 Evidence on Pitocin in the Third Stage of Labor ·       EBB #224 Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait webinar (also on YouTube with PowerPoint slides)   Regional Analgesia: ·      EBB YouTube series on Pain Management https://evidencebasedbirth.com/category-pain-management-series/   Cesareans ·      EBB 113 Evidence on VBAC ·      EBB 236 Unexpected Cesarean after a normal vaginal birth with Katie Kane ·      EBB 226 Emergency Cesarean with Mandy Childs ·      EBB 62 Unplanned Cesarean with Michelle Wilson ·      EBB 79 From a Cesarean to VBAC with Chanté Perryman ·      Breech Series episodes 171 (vaginal breech story with Janae and Andrew Rick), 172 (Breech Vaginal Birth evidence with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes), 173 (evidence on ECV for breech)

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest  

Ready to get involved? 

Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 

Find an EBB Instructor here 

Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

EBB 244: Evidence on Artificial Rupture of Membranes, Assisted Vaginal Delivery, and Internal Monitoring.

 

We are so excited to announce the upcoming release of a new Evidence Based Birth(R) Pocket Guide, all about Interventions! To give you a sneak peek to the Invention Pocket Guide,  we are diving into the research and evidence on artificial rupture of membranes, assisted vaginal delivery an internal monitoring.

 

Content note: Discussion of the benefits and risks of these interventions, including forceps and vacuum-assisted deliveries, which can be associated with birthing trauma for birthing people and babies, as well as the risk of mortality.

Resources:

Make sure you're on the Pocket Guide wait list by going here 

Amniotomy References:

• Kawakita, T., Huang, C-C, and Landy, H. J. (2018). Risk Factors for Umbilical Cord Prolapse at the Time of Artificial Rupture of Membranes. AJP Rep 8(2): e89-e94. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29755833/
• Simpson, K. R. (2020). Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition. AWHONN Practice Monograph 24(4): PS1-S41. https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-019-2491-4
• Smyth, R. M., Markham, C. & Dowswell, T. (2013). Amniotomy for shortening spontaneous labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 6:CD006167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23780653/
• Alfirevic, Z., Keeney, E., Dowswell, T., et al. (2016). Methods to induce labour: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. BJOG 123(9):  1462-1470. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27001034/ 
• de Vaan, M. D. T., ten Eikelder, M. L. G., Jozwiak, M., et al. (2019). Mechanical methods for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 10: CD001233. https://www.cochrane.org/CD001233/PREG_mechanical-methods-induction-labour
• Simpson, K. R. (2020). Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition. AWHONN Practice Monograph, 24(4), PS1-S41. https://nwhjournal.org/article/S1751-4851(20)30079-9/abstract

 

Assisted Vaginal Delivery References:

• NHS article on forceps or vacuum delivery https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/forceps-or-vacuum-delivery/
• Bailey, P. E., van Roosmalen, J., Mola, G., et al. (2017). Assisted vaginal delivery in low and middle income countries: an overview. BJOG 124(9): 1335-1344. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28139878/
• CDC Wonder Database
• Feeley, C., Crossland, N., Betran, A. P., et al. (2021). Training and expertise in undertaking assisted vaginal delivery (AVD): a mixed methods systematic review of practitioners views and experiences. Reprod Health 18(1): 92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8097768/
• Crossland, N., Kingdon, C., Balaam, M. C. (2020). Women’s, partners’ and health care providers’ views and experiences of assisted vaginal birth: a systematic mixed methods review. Reprod Health 17:83. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7268509/
• Hook, C. D., Damos, J. R. (2008). Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery. Am Fam Physician 78(8): 953-960. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1015/p953.html
• Tsakiridis, I., Giouleka, S., Mamopoulos, A., et al. (2020). Operative vaginal delivery: a review of four national guidelines. J Perinat Med 48(3): 189-198. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31926101/
• Verma, G. L., Spalding, J. J., Wilkinson, M. D., et al. (2021). Instruments for assisted vaginal birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005455.pub3/full

 

Internal Monitoring References:

• Euliano, T. Y., Darmanjian, S., Nguyen, M. T., et al. (2017). Monitoring fetal heart rate during labor: A comparison of three methods. J Pregnancy 2017: 8529816. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5368359/
• Neilson, J. P. (2015). Fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) for fetal monitoring during labor. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12: CD000116. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000116.pub5/full
• Harper, L. M., Shanks, A. L., Tuuli, M. G., et al. (2013). The risks and benefits of internal monitors in laboring patients. Am J Obstet Gynecol 209(1): 38.e1-38.e6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3760973/
• Bakker, J. J. H., Verhoeven, C. J. M., Janssen, P. F., et al. (2010). Outcomes after internal versus external tocodynamometry for monitoring labor. N Engl J Med 362(4): 306-13. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa0902748?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Frolova, A. I., Stout, M. J., Carter, E. B., et al. (2021). Internal fetal and uterine monitoring in obese patients and maternal obstetrical outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 3(1): 100282. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33451595/
• Bakker, J. J. H., Janssen, P. F., van Halem, K. (2013). Internal versus external tocodynamometry during induced or augmented labor. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8: CD006947. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006947.pub3/full
• van Halem, K., Bakker, J. J. H., VerHoeven, C. J., et al. (2011). Does use of an intrauterine catheter during labor increase risk of infection? J Maternal Fetal Neonatal Med 25(4): 415-418. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14767058.2011.582905

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest  

Ready to get involved? 

Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 

Find an EBB Instructor here 

Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Stephaney Moody, a Health Equity Ambassador and an advocate for Healthy Birthday and Count the Kicks about the importance of kick counting to prevent stillbirth.

Stephaney Moody’s passion for stillbirth prevention came after her family experienced loss, when her sister lost her daughter. Upon learning about the inequities that persist in stillbirth outcomes in the African-American Community, she felt led to join the fight against preventable stillbirth and strive for equity.

Stephaney is also the Founder of Black Women's Health and Wellness Webcast which addresses issues that impact the health and wellbeing of African-American women. She also serves in her community as a Pastor at New Beginnings Discipleship Ministries and as a Chaplain to the Des Moines Police Department.

We will talk about the importance of kick counting in the third trimester to prevent stillbirth. Stephaney shares how her family has been affected by stillbirth and how she became involved in Kick the Counts, an evidence-based stillbirth prevention public health awareness campaign for expectant parents in the 3rd trimester. We will discuss the evidence on kick counting and how Count the Kicks and Healthy Birthday’s public health and awareness campaigns are having a direct impact on stillbirth rates in the United States and abroad. A video with this episode will also come out later today at our YouTube channel here.

**Content warning: pregnancy loss, stillbirth, racial inequities in healthcare, maternal mortality, maternal morbidity infant mortality**

Resources:

• Count the Kicks Evidence and Resources here.
• Download the Count the Kicks App here 
• Healthy Birthday Resources here

Find Count the Kick on Social Media: 

• Instragam
• Youtube
• Twitter
• Facebook

Stephaney moderates the Black Women's Health and Wellness group here.

Research discussed:

Tveit, J.V., et al. (2009). "Reduction of late stillbirth with the introduction of fetal movement information and guidelines - a clinical quality improvement." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 9:32: http://europepmc.org/article/PMC/2734741

Sadovsky, E. and Yaffe, H. (1973). "Daily fetal movement recording and fetal prognosis." Obstet Gynecol 41(6): 845-850. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/1973/06000/Daily_Fetal_Movement_Recording_and_Fetal_Prognosis.8.aspx

Leader, L. R., Baillie, P. and Van Schalwyk, D. J. (1981). “Fetal movement and fetal outcome: A prospective study.” Obstet Gynecol 57(4): 431-436. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7243088/

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest  

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we have a fun episode where we talk with Labor & Delivery Nurse and the founder of Bundle Birth, Sarah Lavonne, about supporting families so that they can have a confident and empowered birth experience.  

Sarah Lavonne, pronouns she/her, a pioneer in nursing and birth education, is the founder & CEO at Bundle Birth, A Nursing Corporation. Sarah is a Registered Nurse Certified in inpatient Obstetric Nursing, a certified childbirth educator, and a certified lactation education counselor. With a vision to unite patients, support persons and medical personnel together through education and support, Sarah and her team at Bundle Birth have fearlessly developed a community of learning and inspiration across labor and birth. Sarah dreams of all birthing people having, not only a healthy birth with safe outcomes, but healthy birth memories. She offers a spectrum of services from support to on-demand classes to a robust online YouTube presence. 

In this episode, Sarah shares her journey to helping families and nurses shift from nervous and overwhelmed to confident and transformed. 

This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video 

**Content Warning: Mention of pediatric loss.**

  Resources:

Sarah Lavonne, Bundle Birth

• YouTube channel
• Instagram
• TikTok 

We talked about Ana Paula Markel's doula training program, check it out here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest 

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth®  Childbirth Class.

Have you ever thought about what position you would like to use to give birth? Most movies and television series depict birthing positions such as back-lying or semi-sitting in bed. But many people, if given the choice, instinctively choose a more upright position for birthing their baby—such as hands-and-knees, squatting, or kneeling. What is the evidence on the different positions that can be used to help push your baby out? And why are the lying or semi-sitting positions so frequently recommended (or even required) in hospital settings? Join Dr. Rebecca Dekker, the founder of Evidence Based Birth, as we explore in-depth evidence on this topic! To learn more about the research on this topic, and to download a free 1-page handout, visit ebbirth.com/birthingpositions. This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video. Content Note: perineal tears, the lithotomy position, forceps and vacuum deliveries, and obstetric violence related to being coerced or forced to push and deliver on your back.  

Resources:

• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode
• Check out our Signature Article and download our 1-page handout... Evidence on: Birthing Positions 

Other relevant episodes:

• EBB 196: Pelvic Biomechanics and Movement in Labor
• EBB 221: Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practices
• EBB Podcast Series on Protecting the Perineum
• EBB 224: Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait
• To listen to stories from parents who switched providers after learning the evidence, visit EBB Podcast episodes #127, 186, 208, 223, and 231 For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on:

• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth)
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ), and
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ).

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ),
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth  Childbirth Class.

October 5, 2022 – In honor of National Midwifery Week, I am so excited to present to you a podcast replay with the esteemed midwife Jennie Joseph. 

Jennie was featured on EBB episode 136 in 2020, and since then she has gone on to become the first Black midwife to own an Accredited Midwifery school (Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery) in the U.S.. Jennie was also announced as Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year in 2022!

If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, you should!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time Jennie was talking— she blew me away with her passion, her wisdom, her ability to call out nonsense, and her storytelling prowess.

So, if you’re interested in learning more about the crisis in U.S. childbirth care, and what we can do about it… please educate yourself with this replay of Episode 136 with Midwife Jennie Joseph, a true change agent!

Replay – In this episode I welcome Jennie Joseph, one of the world’s most respected midwives and authorities on women’s health. She’s a true advocate for systematic reform that puts families first in health care. Jennie is the founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth, Inc., and is also creator of The JJ Way®, a patient-centered model of care. 

Jennie has worked in European hospitals, American birth centers, clinics, and home birth environments. She’s been instrumental in the regulation of Florida midwives, and currently owns a Florida-licensed midwifery school, the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery. Jennie speaks worldwide to doctors, other practitioners, policy makers, and members of the U.S. Congress, including testifying at Congressional briefings on Capitol Hill. 

Jennie and I talk about solutions for the crisis in American maternity care. Don’t miss this powerful conversation.

Trigger Content Note: This episode contains discussion of hysterectomy with non-consented ovarian removal, slavery, the prison and medical industrial complexes in the U.S., racism causing preterm births, racial discrimination during postpartum hemorrhage, and there will be use of gendered language. Resources: 

• Click here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/) for information on Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and here (https://savinglives.biz/the-jj-way/) to learn about The JJ Way.
• For more on the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery, click here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/midwife-and-doula-training/).
• Learn about the National Perinatal Task Force here (https://perinataltaskforce.com/).
• Follow Jennie Joseph on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MidwifeJennie/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iamjenniejoseph/?hl=en), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/JennieJoseph?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), 
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/), and
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth) 

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/),
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/),
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In today’s episode, hosted by Evidence Based Birth® founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker, along with Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes, we talk about the five most surprising findings from compiling the EBB Abortion Research Resource Guide:

5) Research on the demographics of who has abortions as well as statistics on who supports/opposes abortion,

4) Historical research on the last time abortion was illegal in the U.S., and how the historical oppression of midwives relates to past campaigns against abortion,

3) Statistics on why so few people view adoption as a viable "alternative" to abortion,

2) History (past and present) of officials trying to "protect" fetuses while abusing pregnant people in immigrant detention centers, and

1) the funding and goals of crisis pregnancy centers, which outnumber abortion clinics in the U.S. threefold. The Abortion Research Resource Guide that we discuss in this podcast is available at: ebbirth.com/birthjustice. The Birth Justice page also features a video that our team recorded, explaining how the overturning of Roe v. Wade impacts our audience of childbearing families and birth workers, what we decided to do in response, and our boundaries for engaging with the public on this topic. TRIGGER WARNING: in this topic we will be talking openly about abortion research and history, which can be a very triggering topic. If, while listening to this podcast or reading the transcript, you feel your heart rate going up, or feel foggy, angry, intensely emotional, or unable to shake a past memory, it could be that you are experiencing a trigger. A trigger is a sign that you need to turn inward to process these emotions, and not outward to lash out at us. Some tips for inward processing include journaling, going outside, meditating, praying, breathing, holding and being physically close to a loved one, or talking with a trusted friend or counselor. We will also not shy away from talking about the history of racism, genderism, and how these topics inter-relate with abortion. We will also use a mix of gendered and gender-inclusive language, depending on the era of when the research was published and the population that was being studied. Other topics discussed include: · Maternal mortality · Slavery · Abuse in Immigrant detention centers · Religion · Adoption OUR BOUNDARY: prior to sending questions or comments to us on this topic, that you first watch the video mentioned above (or read the transcript) and then read the “Read Me First: FAQ” document inside of the Abortion Research Resource Guide, as your questions are most likely answered inside that document. IF you still have questions after looking at the Read Me First document, then you can submit feedback via the feedback form inside the Abortion Research Resource Guide. The feedback form is the best way to communicate your thoughts with us. We thank you for respecting our boundaries in this matter. Resources & References:

• SisterSong Reproductive Justice Definition 
• For a full list of scientific and book references, see the blog post that goes along with this topic. 
• Access the FREE EBB Abortion Research Resource Guide hosted at ebbirth.com/birthjustice.
• This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video: https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com. Find us on:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ )
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth)
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth)  

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our EBB Professional Membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ).
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

A Dream Preterm Birth Experience in Brazil with EBB Parents, Luciana Arraes and Jonathan Moyer On today’s podcast, we’re talking with EBB Childbirth Class parents, Luciana Arraes and Jonathan Moyer, about their preterm birth experience in Brazil and how their preparation and knowledge paired with a "Golden Ticket" birth team provided the birth of their dreams. Luciana (she/her) is a Brazilian violinist who plays in the National Theater Symphony in Brasilia, Brasil. Luciana is married to Jonathan (he/him), who is an American pianist who has a large studio of piano students. Together, they welcomed their baby in July at 35 weeks gestation. We talk about their experience taking the EBB Childbirth Class, where they learned how to recognize all the phases of labor, and how having a "Golden Ticket" birth team helped them get exactly what they wanted in the birth of their baby. We also talk about supporting the baby, by providing care for the birthing parents.  Content Warning: Pre-term labor, jaundice, infant weight loss, bodyfeeding supplementation with a cup, advocacy, and gendered language.

This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video.

Resources:

• Livre Maternagem and follow on instagram @livrematernagem
• Birth Reborn (O Renascimento do Parto) - Documentary 
• March of Dimes - Preterm Labor & Baby
• Follow Luciana and Jonathan on Instagram @luciana.arraes and @jomopiano, respectively. 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ),
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ), and 
• TikTok  

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ )
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Brandon Diggs Williams (he/him), BSW, MSW, LCSW, about Black fatherhood, parenting in partnership, self-care, and fighting anti-Black racism. Mr. Williams currently works full-time at the Durham VA Medical Center (DVAMC), providing individual, couples, and (primarily) group therapy through the VA. He specializes in personal/spiritual development, transformative thinking, and cultural competency with a focus on the Black community. Mr. Williams is involved in multiple efforts that contribute to ally-ship, diversity and inclusion, and anti-Black racism efforts at the departmental and facility level at the Durham VA. He created, developed, and facilitates “The Invisible Struggle” therapeutic group which focuses on providing clinical mental health care for veterans dealing with stress unique to Black people in America. And serves on multiple boards/teams at the DVAMC including: The Antiracism and Black Equity Advisory Board, the Diversity and Inclusion Workgroup, and the Social Work Service Social Justice Committee. He created and leads a community organization called “Lion Tamers” that is dedicated to the holistic development of Black men. In this episode, we talk about Mr. William’s balance of self-care, and self-awareness in the changing family dynamic, and the partnership between he and his wife. Content Warning: We mention anti-Black racism, internalized racism, and Christian beliefs related to gender roles. This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video.

• EBB 145 – Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JaMichael Perryman
• EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the YouTube episodes listed above!!
• Follow Brandon Diggs Williams on Instagram @thediggsmethod
• You are The Best Thing by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown
• White Fragility by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
• Key & Peele - Black Ice Video
• Jane Elliot Experiment - PBS - Frontline - “A Class Divided”
• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
• The Mis-Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson
• The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker, PhD

 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®,

• Visit www.ebbirth.com
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ )
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ )
• Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Nikki Hunter-Greenaway, Nurse Practitioner and IBCLC, about the formula shortage this year and meeting your community at where they are to provide the concierge reproductive health care they deserve.

Nikki Hunter-Greenaway, AKA, Nurse Nikki is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Nikki is the proud owner of Bloom Maternal Health, which provides Telehealth and house calls to pregnant and postpartum families in both Texas and Louisiana. 

In 2018, she co-founded the New Orleans Breastfeeding Center and Café au Lait Breastfeeding Circle for families of color, and co-founded Nikki and Nikki Lactation Career Consultants to help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color demystify the path to becoming an IBCLC. Her goal is to improve maternal health outcomes through community education, peer mentorship, and patient-centered care.

We will talk about challenges and insights Nurse Nikki experienced during her journey to becoming a lactation consultant. We also talk about cultural barriers in lactation, the importance of meeting folks where they are, and the effects of the formula shortage on the communities she serves.

Content warning: We will discuss the cultural barriers and in the field of lactation, gendered language (breastfeeding), plus mentions of historical trauma, horizontal violence, formula shortage, maternal mortality rates, infant mortality rates, abortion, postpartum depression, classism, Black maternal disparities, and racism.

  Resources:

• Nikki's FNP and IBCLC practice: Nurse Niki NP
• Cafe au Lait in New Orleans
• Follow Nikki on Instagram @nursenikkinp and on YouTube at "Nurse Nikki NP" 
• EBB 189 – Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams 
• WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast - Milk Substitutes 
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of YouTube episodes you listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ),
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth), and
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ).

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Apply to be an EBB Instructor here (https://www.evidencebasedbirth.com/instructor )
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In today’s podcast, we’re going to be talking with EBB Childbirth Class Parent, Katie Kane about the birth of her second baby. Unexpectedly, her second baby was in a breech position, leading to a surgical birth after the unmedicated vaginal birth of her first baby.   Katie Kane is a high school counselor who lives in New Jersey with her two daughters, husband, and dog Roscoe.   Katie is the first EBB Childbirth Class graduate to tell both of her birth stories on the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast!   Katie talks about her journey with a breech baby, including all of the tools and techniques she used for support throughout her pregnancy. Ultimately, the baby persisted in the breech position, and she was able to experience a family-centered cesarean by speaking with her birth team.   Katie’s story is perfect for anyone planning a cesarean or writing a cesarean birth plan. She talks about healing physically, and emotionally, and speaks of advocating for her family’s wishes amid an unplanned surgical birth.     Content warning: breech birth, unexpected cesarean birth, fear of death, postpartum anxiety, perinatal anxiety, postpartum rage, thoughts/fears of maternal death and includes some gendered language.

 

Resources:

• Listen to Katie's first Interview with Rebecca here: EBB 127 – An unmedicated hospital birth with Katie Kane
• Chiropractic Prenatal Care & the Webster Technique: https://icpa4kids.com/training/webster-certification/webster-technique/
• Spinning Babies (for fetal positioning/breech babies): https://www.spinningbabies.com
• EBB 111 – Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin
• EBB 171 – The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
• EBB 172 – Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
• EBB 173 - Evidence on External Cephalic Version for Breeched Positioned Babies
• Take the EBB Childbirth Class and find an Instructor near you! https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ 

  In today’s episode, hosted by Evidence Based Birth® founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker, we talk about four major topics related to updated research evidence on IV Fluids: 1) research on how IV Fluids can affect the length of labor, 2) research on how IV Fluids can impact breast/chest/body feeding, 3) the relationship between fluids, newborn weight, and blood sugar levels, and 4) finally, review the current recommendations surrounding IV use in labor. This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video  As a content note, this episode includes a discussion of newborn weight drop, newborn feeding struggles, and Cesareans.  The current episode is taught by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN (she/her). Dr. Dekker is a nurse with her PhD, who is the founder and CEO of EBB.   Content warning: Cesarean, breastfeeding/chestfeeding struggles, infant weight drop  

Resources:

For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode

Check out our Signature Article blog post and download our 1-page handout on:

• Evidence on: Eating and Drinking During Labor
• Evidence on: IV Fluids During Labor
• Evidence on: Failure to Progress 

Additional podcasts to listen to include:

• EBB 12 - Epidurals & Breastfeeding
• EBB 104 – The Evidence on Saline Locks

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the YouTube episodes you listed above!!   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. 

• Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ),
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ),
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ).

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Become an EBB Instructor with Applications opening April 24th! https://www.evidencebasedbirth.com/instructor 

Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this week's podcast I interview Cheri Grant RN, ICCE, CLC, ICD, CLD, CD BDT(DONA), known in the birth world as "the peanut ball lady.” She is the founder, chief contributor and inspiration for Premier Birth Tools. For over 45 years, she has served women as a labor and delivery nurse, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, national speaker, author, doula, and doula trainer. She has helped with well over 2,700 deliveries in the span of her career. Cheri is also the founder of Tulsa Doulas, a community group that has helped train and support doulas for over 20 years.

Cheri’s interest in peanut balls began when she first saw their use in labor in 1985. At that time, they were just straddled. In the 2000’s, the usage of peanut balls was refined to the side-lying position, and interest in them began to grow among birth professionals. They are used with and without an epidural, and can be effective in shortening labor. Premier Birth Tools promotes education via its website, as well as Peanut Ball Ambassadors and Authorized Peanut Ball Trainers. Cheri discusses peanut ball positions and other new information on this tool.

Content Warning: Episode contains gendered language. 

Resources:

Connect with Cheri at the Premier Birth Tools website and Facebook page.

Purchase her book The Peanut Ball: Basic and Advanced Techniques.

Contact Premier Birth Tools for a free information packet for doulas, L&D nurses, midwives and nursing instructors.

Learn more about the Evidence on: Birthing Positions Signature Article here

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Instagram, and Pinterest. Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options), our Instructor Program and, for parents, check out our Childbirth Education Classes 

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with the founder of Every Baby Eats, licensed clinical social worker, and IBCLC, Kristin Cavuto Kristin Cavuto, pronouns she/they, is a licensed clinical social worker in IBCLC and private practice in central New Jersey. Her practice specialties are low supply, parental and infant mental health, and the intersection of ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender in the care of the new family.   Kristin is the mother of two children who nursed full-time despite maternal insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) and who are now 16 and 13. Kristin is also an anti-racist activist and an LGBT+ activist, a member of Transformative Works fandoms, and makes fighting for a better world part of their daily life. We talk to Kristin about supporting families struggling with feeding infants in a realistic, family-centered, and non-disparaging way. We also talk about fatphobia as a form of oppression and marginalization in medicine and birth and what we can all do to challenge bias and model acceptance Content warning: We mention the intersection of fatphobia and racism.

 

Resources:

• EBB 99 – Plus Size Pregnancy and Birth with Jen McLellan 
• Harvard Implicit Bias Test
• Fat Phobia Scale Revisited by Robinson, Bacon, et al. 
• HAES (Health at Every Size)
• The Body is Not An Apology 
• National Association for the Advancement of Fat People 
• To follow Kristin on Facebook 
• Kristin's current project: https://www.everybabyeats.com/

Today, we are going to explore brand new updates to the Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article, Evidence on: Eating during Labor! We talk about four major topics: 

1. Nutritional needs during labor
2. New info on gestational or pre-gestational diabetes and eating during labor
3. New research on anesthesiology and its relationship to eating and drinking during labor, and
4. Finally, how body mass index and fatphobia relate to anesthesia concerns, and what that has to do with eating during labor.    Content Warning: pregnancy-related death, anesthesia-related death, fatphobia and anesthesia, microaggressions related to health care workers' reaction to ethnic foods   Resources:

• Refer to previous podcast episode: EBB 198 - Evidence on Eating & Drinking (linked on blog post below)
• Check out our Signature Article… Evidence on: Eating and Drinking during Labor at
• Check out our Signature Article... Evidence on: IV Fluids on Labor
• Check out our Signature Article... Evidence on: Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
• Fat Phobia and It’s Racist Past and Present: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/893006538
• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode

Today, I am so excited to present to you a replay of one of our most popular episodes on the Evidence Based Birth® podcast, and that is an episode from 2020 with special guest, Shafia Monroe. Before we get started with the replay, I wanted to let you know that this episode contains discussion of Black infant and maternal mortality related to racism, slavery and Jim Crow, and racism that continues to affect people’s lives today.   Shafia gave us such an inspirational episode in 2020, that we wanted to bring it back for those of you who are new to EBB, or for those of you who’ve listened to it before. Whenever I listen to this episode, it fills me with a sense of awe for Black traditional midwives, and it gives me hope while it reminds me of the tenacity of the human spirit. So join us today as we replay this episode and you go on a storytelling journey with Mama Shafia Monroe about spirituality and traditional midwives. In today’s podcast episode, we’re going to talk with Shafia Monroe about the role of the traditional midwife.

Shafia Monroe is a public health professional, a midwife, a motivational speaker, founder of the International Center for Traditional Childbearing, or ICTC, which was the first US-based black midwives and doulas professional organization. Shafia is also an author, infant mortality prevention specialist, doula trainer, and president of Doula Ready, LLC. Since 2002, she has trained thousands of people in doula trainings, with one-third of them going on to become midwives. In 2012, Shafia received her Master of Public Health from Walden University. In 2014, she opened Shafia Monroe Consulting, a cultural competency training service. Shafia has received numerous awards for her work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Midwife Hero Award.

In this podcast, Ms. Monroe discusses the history of Black traditional midwifery and incorporating spirituality into birth work. We also talk about Shafia’s experience becoming a traditional Black midwife, along with her passion for advocacy in birth work through her doula program and her community.

**Trigger Content Warning: This podcast episode discusses racism and infant loss.** Resources

• Learn more about Shafia Monroe and SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training here (https://shafiamonroe.com/).
• Follow Shafia on Instagram and Black Midwife Cooking here (https://www.instagram.com/shafiamonroe/).  
• Follow Shafia on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/Shafia_SMC).
• Follow Shafia on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/shafiamonroeconsulting/). 
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/birth-justice/) to see the Evidence Based Birth® list of Birth Justice Resources, including research on racism and maternal health.
• More resources are listed on the the blog post at https://www.evidencebasedbirth.com/152  

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Melek Öz about vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC), advocacy, and becoming a home birth midwife!

Content note: Mention of weight loss and racism. Melek Öz (she/her) is a home birth midwife living with her family in South Austin, Texas. She moved to Austin in 2001 to attend the University of Texas, where she completed both her undergraduate studies and law school before transitioning to birth work. Melek has been active in birth advocacy for more than a decade throughout her childbearing years and now as a home birth midwife. With her first pregnancy, Melek was told by her OB that her pelvis was "too small." She was pressured into an early induction that turned into a preventable Cesarean. Fresh out of surgery, Melek's OB told her, "Now that you've had one Cesarean, all your babies will have to be born by Cesarean." In this podcast episode, Melek goes on to share her subsequent birth stories, in which she had a CBAC (Cesarean Birth after Cesarean) under general anesthesia, as well as a vaginal birth after 2 C-sections (VBA2C). Midwifery care helped her have "a really joyous and an incredible experience, and I'm lucky that I had all 3 experiences that I did, because it helped kind of round out and balance my views on birth." Melek went on to pursue a career as a doula and eventually a home birth midwife! In this episode, we talk about the power of midwifery care, unpacking racism/classism and how it affects midwifery students, and how we can advocate for VBAC access in our communities. She also gives great tips for people who are considering a VBAC or thinking about going into midwifery!

Resources:

• Follow Melek Öz on Instagram (@midwifemelek) and visit her website at http://www.midwifemelek.com/
• EBB Podcast #113: The Evidence on VBAC
• EBB Podcast #209: Providing Unbiased VBAC Access and Support with Jen Kamel of VBAC Facts
• Visit the VBAC Facts website: https://vbacfacts.com
• Visit the International Cesarean Awareness Network website https://www.ican-online.org/
• EBB Podcast #224: Failure to Progress (info on racist beliefs about pelvic shapes)
• Tema Mercado teaches workshops on decolonizing apprenticeships at La Matriz Birth (https://www.lamatrizbirth.com/) and @matrizmidwife on Instagram
• Luz de Atabey (https://www.instagram.com/lampatx/) project in Austin focused on accessible perinatal care and support (QTBIPOC-led)
• Kmom passed away in 2019, but her blog, "The Well Rounded Mama," is still maintained by her loving family at https://wellroundedmama.blogspot.com/, where you can find many articles about fat phobia and VBAC.
• EBB Professional Membership (includes scholarship options!) https://evidencebasedbirth.com/membership '
• Non-profit fundraising organization Black Home Birth Matters: https://www.blackhomebirthmattersatx.org/

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with EBB Childbirth Class Parents, Lisa Mangini and Anand Swaminathan about their high-intervention birth story! So many people have negative associations with interventions— but Lisa and Anand's story shows how you can still experience a joyful, empowering birth, even in the midst of complications! Lisa Mangini is a writer living in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, Anand and young son. She teaches English and creative writing at a university and is in the early stages of writing a book about becoming a parent. I think Lisa is the first person I've heard of who found the EBB Childbirth Class through a neurologist! During her first pregnancy (which ended in a miscarriage), Lisa had her first tonic-clonic seizure. Lisa had to dive into a journey to manage her seizure disorder and several other health conditions, all while trying to conceive and then eventually getting pregnant. Lisa and Anand's story is perfect for anyone who is facing a high-risk pregnancy or supporting clients who are high-risk! Lisa talks about dealing with prenatal anxiety, switching hospitals and providers, deciding to hire a doula, and how a calm, experienced midwife can be a huge asset during a high-risk birth situation. Content warning: We mention miscarriage, prenatal anxiety, high levels of medical intervention, seizures, and fear of dying during childbirth

Resources:

• Follow Lisa at @lisaquarius and Lisamangini.com
• Find an EBB Childbirth Class at https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirthclass
• EBB Signature Article on doulas at https://evidencebasedbirth.com/doulas
• EBB Podcast episode 175 on the evidence on midwives https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-midwives/
• EBB Podcast episode 186 on a high-risk pregnancy with Angela Jones https://evidencebasedbirth.com/a-positive-pregnancy-and-birth-outcome-with-multiple-high-risk-labels-with-ebb-childbirth-class-parent-angela-jones/

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with EBB Childbirth Class Parent, Shelitha Owens about her inspirational home waterbirth story. Shelitha Owens (she/her) is an environmental policy manager who lives in Oaklawn Illinois, a suburb of Chicago with her husband Bobby, their dog, Reeses and their new baby, Alexander, who was born on June 18, 2021. Having a biology background, Shelitha has always been fascinated with anatomy and was curious about pregnancy and birth. After having her son at home with a planned water birth, Shelitha’s interest in birth work skyrocketed as she enjoys talking to new and expecting parents about their birth stories. We talk about how her experience in the EBB Childbirth Class supported her positive mindset related to the stages of labor and birth. She felt confident with the knowledge helping her and her partner prepare for their home waterbirth. Content note: We mention grief, implicit bias/racism, and medical trauma, and there is gendered language related to finding out baby's sex.

Resources:

• Signature Article on Waterbirth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/
• Research on Racial Disparities and Systemic Racism in Childbirth YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUmqcRCXysM
• EBB Childbirth Class: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/

In today's episode, hosted by the EBB Research Team, we are sharing the audio from a private livestream we did with our Pro Members at Evidence Based Birth. We talk about three major topics related to updated research evidence on doulas: 1) research on the pandemic's effect on the doula profession around the world, 2) research on the difference between community-based doulas and private or traditional doulas, and 3) new info on paying or getting reimbursement for doula care in the U.S. [NOTE FOR LIBSYN ONLY]: This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video of our team teaching, and a screenshare of some of the evidence we're talking about! As a content note, this episode includes discussion of COVID-19, racism, and how a lack of postpartum coverage is in some cases tied to the same places that have abortion bans. Today's episode is taught by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN (she/her), Ihotu Ali, MPH (she/her), and Erin Wilson, MPH (she/her). Dr. Dekker is a nurse with her PhD who is the founder and CEO of EBB. Ihotu is a community-based doula, Maya abdominal massage therapist, doctoral student in chiropractic medicine, director of the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing, and Research Editor at EBB. Erin is a clinical researcher, doula, childbirth educator, policy advocate, and Research Editor at EBB. Together, we will share with you some research we were compiling about the evidence on doula care!   Content warning: Discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic, racism, and how a lack of postpartum Medicaid coverage is in some cases tied to the same places that are issuing abortion bans.   Resources:

• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode
• Check out our Signature Article... Evidence on: Doulas at https://evidencebasedbirth.com/doulas
• The Sista Midwife Productions Black doula/midwife directory is here: http://www.sistamidwifedirectory.com/
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of all our podcasts! (including PowerPoint presentations when used)
• Check your state's status on whether or not they're funding doulas through Medicaid here: https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/#:~:text=Read%20the%20Report-,Current%20State%20Doula%20Medicaid%20Efforts,-The%20National%20Health
• Check your state's status on whether they're expanding Medicaid postpartum here: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-postpartum-coverage-extension-tracker/
• Donate or apply for the Hello Seven doula fund for Black families here: https://helloseven.org/
• If you support this work, we encourage you to use your voice and speak up, and to caution against low reimbursement rates and expensive licensure/certification processes that have created barriers to entry in certain states that are actively reimbursing doulas. We at EBB want to see all doulas earn a living wage, regardless of which type of clients they serve (Commonwealth Fund: Issue Brief, 2021).
• Doulas can apply for a National Provider Identification (NPI) number. Here is a guide on how to apply and here is a link to the application through CMS. If you can get an NPI, it will increase your chances of getting paid through insurance/help your clients receive insurance reimbursement.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com . Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth  Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with the founder of The Pocket Doula, Anna Balagtas, about uplifting queer, and trans-care.  Anna Balagtas (she/siya) is a queer, Pinay full circle birth worker, educator, facilitator, energy worker, and pleasure advocate. Her practice is rooted in the decolonization of birth work, radical QTBIPOC care, and queer reproductive justice, taught to her by king yaa. Anna's deepest joy comes from witnessing her communities thrive through community care, mutual aid, and abolition work.  We talk about how Anna started The Pocket Doula and her journey to decolonized birth work. We also talk about Anna’s experience with radicalizing perinatal care for QTBIPOC communities by creating empowering spaces centered on queer reproductive justice.  Content warning: We mention abortion, the upcoming Supreme Court decision on abortion, queerphobia, transphobia, medical trauma, medical racism, death, miscarriage, and loss. 

Learn more about the founder of The Pocket Doula, Anna Balagtas, here. Follow Anna, The Pocket Doula, on Facebook and Instagram. 

Learn more about Decolonization is for Everyone here.

Learn more about Birthing Beyond the Binary by king yaa here.

Learn more about Cornerstone Birthwork Trainings here.

Learn more about Whole Body Pregnancy here.

Learn more about Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings here.

Learn more about Gender Affirming Birthwork + All Genders Birth Class by Moss Froom here.

Learn more about king yaa here.

Learn more about Teaching Resistance by John Mink here.

Learn more about The Care We Dream Of: Liberatory and Transformative Approaches to LGBTQ+ Health by Zena Sharman here.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with the founder of Dandy Doula, Xian Brooks, MPH, about the importance of intersectional birth work and amplifying the need for intersectional birth support for queer, trans, and BIPOC birthing bodies.

Xian Brooks (he/him) is a public health professional from Louisville, Kentucky, where he is a community-based birth doula and a Master of Science in Nursing student. Xian completed his Bachelor's of Science in Public Health Education at North Carolina Central University and his Master's of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Colorado. Over time, Xian has accumulated a lot of experience in queer, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming reproductive health education. Xian's training has equipped him to understand the root causes of perinatal death rates among Black individuals, especially how race, gender, sexual orientation, and class are not mutually exclusive when it comes to health disparities. Xian's lived experience recognizes that health disparities are more than just numbers on a page. Xian is currently working towards becoming a nurse-midwife because representation in healthcare is extremely important to Xian. He firmly believes it is necessary to overcome negative health outcomes and revolutionize healthcare.

We talk about what inspired Xian to dive into the work of community and behavioral health as well as his journey as a nurse-midwife. We also discuss what intersectional birth work looks like and the importance to amplify the need to create safe perinatal spaces for queer, trans, and BIPOC birthing bodies. 

Content warning: We mention transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming, racism, police violence, and birth trauma.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Xian Brooks and The Dandy Doula here. Follow The Dandy Doula on Facebook and Instagram. 

Hoyert DL. Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2019. NCHS Health E-Stats. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:103855.

Hunter, L., McMahon, E., Graves, B., Wooten, A., Kriebs, J., Pickett, E., Tanner, T., Garcia, R., Apatov, N., Burkman, R., Hodges, K., & Bright, C. (2019). (rep.). 2019 Demographic Report (p. 1). Linthicum, Maryland: American Midwifery Certification Board.

Loewenberg Weisband, Y., Klebanoff, M., Gallo, M. F., Shoben, A., & Norris, A. H. (2018). Birth outcomes of women using a midwife versus women using a physician for prenatal care. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 63(4), 399–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12750

Taffe MA, Gilpin NW. Racial inequity in grant funding from the US National Institutes of Health. Elife. 2021;10:e65697. Published 2021 Jan 18. doi:10.7554/eLife.65697. 

Tikkanen, R., Gunja, M. Z., FitzGerald, M., & Zephyrin, L. (2020). Maternal mortality and maternity care in the United States compared to 10 other developed countries. Issue briefs, Commonwealth Fund. 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with EBB Childbirth Class parent, Mandy Childs and her doula, Dana Patterson, about having an emergency cesarean due to Bandl's ring. 

Mandy Childs (she/her) is a first-time parent to her son who she gave birth to in Greenville, South Carolina in March of 2021. Living now in Lynchburg, Virginia, Mandy is a trained elementary school teacher and currently a program coordinator for a nonprofit called Global Autism Project. Mandy lives with her husband, Ben, their son, Jack, and their dog, Penny. Mandy is also a graduate of the EBB Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor, Dana Patterson.

Dana Patterson (she/her) is an upstate South Carolina native and owner of The Doula Group, which offers birth doula support, postpartum doula support, and childbirth education. Dana has been involved in the upstate birth community for 15 years and has been a doula for eight years. 

We talk about Mandy’s experience taking the EBB Childbirth Class with Dana and what she learned as a first-time parent to apply to her own birth experience. We also talk about what Bandl’s ring is and how it led up to Mandy’s needing an urgent emergency cesarean. 

Content warning: We mention gendered language, grief and loss, perinatal death, cervical dilation check, epidural, uterine rupture, Bandl’s ring, resuscitation of a newborn, the urgency of an emergency cesarean, fear, birth trauma, and labor.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about EBB Instructor and founder of “The Doula Group,” Dana Patterson here.

Learn more about the Bandl's Ring Facebook Group here.

Learn more about  VBAC after Bandl's ring here. 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with board-certified labor nurse and creator of the Birth Nurse, Mandy Irby, about trauma-informed childbirth education.

Mandy Irby (she/her) is a board-certified labor nurse with 13 years of experience, supporting survivors of assault and trauma through pregnancy, birth planning, and at their bedside during childbirth and pregnancy loss. After her own birth trauma, Mandy quickly learned that the birth care system is not centered on human rights, patient choice, and the individual experience.

In 2020, Mandy made education her full-time career as she now teaches and supports parents and nurses on how to improve centering one’s voice, choice, and physiology in birth. It's Mandy's mission to change the birth culture so that it's parent-centered, trauma-informed, and safe for all. 

Content warning: We will mention birth trauma, childbirth, assault, obstetric violence, fear-mongering, and perinatal loss.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about The Birth Nurse Founder, Mandy Irby, here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we will be sharing with you an excerpt from a live webinar featuring Dr. Rebecca Dekker and the EBB Research Team that was taught for our Evidence Based Birth® Professional Members, all about failure to progress versus failure to wait. 

What is the history of “Failure to Progress”? What are the top 5 factors that influence labor progress?

Dr. Dekker and the EBB Research Team will talk about the history and background of "Failure to Progress" and how we have the definition all wrong. They will also talk about the updated research and evidence on the topic, the top 5 factors that influence the length of labor, as well as how to prevent a "Failure to Progress" diagnosis.

Content warning: We will mention labor, medical interventions (i.e. Pitocin, epidural), cesarean, hospital transfer, racism, pain, nonconsensual vaginal examinations, forceps, episiotomy, gendered language, medications in labor, eugenics, microaggressions, and vaginal/pelvic birth

RESOURCES:

EBB SIGNATURE ARTICLES

• Evidence on Failure to Progress https://evidencebasedbirth.com/friedmans-curve-and...
• Evidence on Big Babies: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/
• Evidence on Inducing for Due Dates https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducin...
• Evidence on Waterbirth https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/
• Evidence on Birthing Positions: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-birthing-positions/

EBB PODCASTS

• EBB 221 – The Evidence on Birthing Positions
• EBB 196 – Pelvic Biomechanics and Movement in Labor
• EBB 188 – Birthing A Posterior-Positioned Baby
• EBB 75 - Birth In Twilight Sleep-The Experiences of Rebecca’s Mom
• EBB 55 – Advocating for Evidence Based Care
• EBB 45 – How Do Peanut Balls Support Labor
• EBB 16 – Movement and Positions

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with EBB Childbirth Class graduates, Samantha Parker and Justin Fontaine, about their exciting hospital water birth story.

Samantha Parker (she/her) is an environmental scientist with the State of California and an avid runner. Samantha’s husband, Justin Fontaine (he/him) is a principal systems engineer and a CrossFit: Level 2 trainer. Samantha and Justin live in Rockland, California with their almost 10-year-old son, and now their happy baby girl, Kira. Samantha and Justin are graduates of the EBB Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor, Laurie Suggs. 

We will talk about Samantha and Justin’s experience taking the EBB Childbirth Class. We also talk about Samantha and Justin’s hospital water birth story and the feeling of empowerment during the labor and birth experience. 

Content warning: We mention labor, fear, gendered language, COVID testing, contractions, and cervical checks during labor.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about EBB Instructor, Laurie Suggs, here.

Learn more about EBB Childbirth Class here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Birth Fusion founder and Evidence Based Birth® Instructor, Jennifer Anderson, about her work as a childbirth educator and doula while serving families who get pregnant via in vitro fertilization and those over the age of 35.

Jennifer Anderson (she/her) is an RN, doula, childbirth educator, birth photographer, and Evidence Based Birth Instructor. Jennifer provides labor support to couples in the Sacramento, California region and she also teaches the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class online to families everywhere.

In 2011, Jennifer started Birth Fusion to provide labor support and childbirth classes to couples in Northern California. Today, Jennifer has supported more than 225 births in the Sacramento and Bay Area. In 2019, Jennifer was one of the first instructors to begin teaching the EBB Childbirth Class, and she's taught more than 45 classes in three short years. While keeping her license active in nursing, Jennifer likes to say she practices community nursing. Jennifer's core demographics include IVF couples and those over the age of 35, as she guides couples in understanding their risks through the lens of their values. Jennifer's superpower is educating and supporting families and navigating labor inductions by taking away the element of surprise while thinking outside the box to help her clients gain agency and autonomy in this process. 

We talk about Jennifer’s work assisting individuals and families who become pregnant through in vitro fertilization, as well as individuals over the age of 35. We also talk about Jennifer’s work as an EBB Instructor and her experience serving families in need during the pandemic.

Content Warning: We mention gendered language, pre-eclampsia, labor induction, the COVID pandemic, epidural, labor pain, in vitro fertilization, stillbirth, and miscarriage related to being 35 and older.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Jennifer Anderson and Birth Fusion here.

Learn more about the ARRIVAL trial on EBB episode 10 here.

Listen to EBB episode 176 here. 

Listen to EBB episode 177 here.Listen to EBB episode 178 here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we are finishing up our series on protecting the perineum by talking about the evidence on birthing positions and how upright positions help prevent tears! We’ll also discuss tried-and-true protective practices that midwives have passed down through countless generations (hint: it's simpler/easier than you think!) Head's up... if you haven't listened to EBB Episode 206 yet, I recommend listening to that episode first, since it covers introductory information about perineal tears. You can also go back to Episodes 210, 216, and 218 for more info about other proposed methods of protecting the perineum.

Content warning: we mention tears of the vagina, severe tears from the vagina to the rectum, obstetric violence related to episiotomies, and being forced to give birth on your back.

 RESOURCES:

• Support the work of Mercy In Action in the Philippines (and check out their U.S.-based midwifery college) here https://www.mercyinaction.com/
• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode
• Check out Episode 206 of the EBB Podcast to learn about perineal tears and avoiding an episiotomy, Episode 210 to learn about warm compresses and hands-on vs. hands-off techniques, Episode 216 to learn about perineal massage during pregnancy, and Episode 218 to learn about perineal massage during labor.
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of all our podcasts! (including PowerPoint presentations when used)
• Visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/  to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class
• Take a continuing education class on this topic (and earn a contact hour) by joining the EBB Professional Membership  here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Irth® App founder, Kimberly Seals Allers, to update us on Irth® App's mission to fight against racism and bias in perinatal and infant care. 

Kimberly Seals Allers (she/her) is an award-winning journalist, five-time author, international speaker strategist, and an advocate for perinatal and infant health. A former senior editor at Essence, and writer at Fortune Magazine, Kimberly is a leading voice on the racial and socio-cultural complexities of birth, lactation, and parenthood. Kimberly is the founder of Irth®, a new Yelp-like app for Black and Brown parents to address bias and racism in perinatal and infant care. Kimberly also created Birthright, a podcast about joy and healing in Black birth that centers positive Black birth stories as a tool in the fight for birth justice, and to reverse the narrative of negative statistics that is common in mainstream media coverage of Black perinatal health.

We talk about the updated research from Irth®’s movement to eradicate racism and bias in perinatal and infant care. We also talk about the importance of actively implementing strategies for safer birthing spaces for Black and Brown birthing people. 

Content warning: We mention racism, bias, Black perinatal death, and trauma. 

RESOURCES: 

Learn more about Kimberly Seals Allers here and the Irth® App here. Follow Kimberley on Instagram. Follow the Irth® App on Facebook and Instagram. Listen to the Birthright Podcast here. 

Listen to EBB 161 here.

Learn more about Dr. Carla Williams here and her feature on the Birthright Podcast here. 

Learn more about March of Dimes here.

Learn more about the White House Maternal Day of Action press release here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with student midwife and Evidence Based Birth®'s new Program Team Manager, Chanté Perryman about life as a student midwife. Chanté Perryman (she/her) is a midwifery student studying to become a certified professional midwife in Central Kentucky. She owns Baby Dreams Maternity Concierge and has a goal of opening a freestanding birth center to continue to provide community support, education, and advocacy for birthing families. Chanté is the new Program Team Manager here at Evidence Based Birth®. She is also a professionally certified birth and postpartum doula, a certified childbirth educator, an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor, and a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator. Chanté also volunteers with the Kentucky Birth Coalition helping to advance legislation for midwives and families. In her spare time, she loves reading, lettering, drinking hot tea, and traveling with her family to explore local museums and restaurants. 

We talk about Chanté’s passion to become a future midwife and what motivated her to start her journey as a student midwife. We also talk about Chanté’s dream goal of owning a freestanding birth center and the barriers she has faced as a Black student midwife. 

Content warning: We mention racism and trauma.

Learn more about Chanté Perryman here. Follow Chanté on Facebook and Instagram. 

Listen to Episode 79 here. 

Listen to Episode 136 here. 

Listen to Episode 145 here. 

Listen to Episode 183 here.

Learn more about Indiana Black midwife, Amanda Chandler, here.

Learn more about Karie Stewart and Melanated Midwives here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we are continuing our series on protecting the perineum by talking about the evidence on whether prenatal perineal massage during labor (more specifically, during the pushing phase) is effective at preventing severe perineal tears. We’ll also discuss the importance of critically analyzing research, and poor quality meta-analyses can have a negative impact by spreading inaccurate information! Head's up... if you haven't listened to EBB Episode 206 yet, I recommend listening to that episode first, since it covers introductory information about perineal tears.

Content warning: Discussion of perineal tears during childbirth, severe tears, obstetric violence, and episiotomy.

Resources:

• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode
• Check out Episode 206 of the EBB Podcast to learn about perineal tears and avoiding an episiotomy, Episode 210 to learn about warm compresses and hands-on vs. hands-off techniques, and Episode 2016 to learn about perineal massage during pregnancy.
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of all our podcasts! (including PowerPoint presentations when used)
• Visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class
• Take a continuing education class on this topic (and earn a contact hour) by joining the EBB Professional Membership  here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/ ), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu about disability justice in birth and parenting. Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, (they/she) is a white, queer, and non-binary disabled, neuro-divergent, a survivor of sexual violence in the psychiatric system. They show up for their communities as a disability justice educator and organizer, parent, somatic and non-clinical healer, writer, transformative justice practitioner, and, as the founding director of Project LETS, which you can check out their website at projectlets.com.

Stefanie's work specializes in building non-carceral peer-led mental health care systems that exist outside of the state and re-imagining everything we've come to learn about madness. Stefanie is the editor of Abolition Must Include Psychiatry and the author of We Don't Need Cops to Become Social Workers. Stefanie is an experienced facilitator, mediator, curriculum, developer, and strategist for Anti-ableist Leadership, Mental Health and Disability Policy, and Access Centered Practices. They're located on unceded Narragansett in Wampanoag land in so-called Providence, Rhode Island. 

We talk about Stefanie’s personal experience with trauma and ableism, along with their work as a disability justice educator. We also talk about what is disability justice and its importance in birth work. 

Content warning: We mention self-injury, disability, neuro-divergent, eugenics, reproductive trauma, ableism, epilepsy, seizures, trauma, sexual violence, medical violence, and history of sterilization.

Learn more about Stefanie Lyn Kaufman here. Follow Stefanie on Facebook and Instagram.

Learn more about Becoming Disabled Again for BADT.

Learn more about Birth and Disability Course with Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings.

Learn more about Crisis Response for Birthworkers. 

Learn more about Disability in the Family: A Course for Parents + Caregivers here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.