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: 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: Moby Wrap® Tula® Ergobaby® 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 169: The Importance of Postpartum Doula Care, with Ali Buchanan 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  

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 [Coming soon!]  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 [Coming soon!] EBB Podcast 298: Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist [Coming soon!] 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/

Happy New Year to all our listeners! Join us in listening to a short story about some big challenges we were facing in our field 5 years ago and what's changed since then. And you'll be the first to learn about a major event EBB is planning for you in 2024!  To get on the waitlist for the 2024 Evidence Based Birth® Conference (open to birth workers and expectant parents), visit ebbirth.com/waitlist  

*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 EBB 169 – The Importance of Postpartum Doula Care with Ali Buchanan   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  Learn more about Ali Buchanan, The Forty Day Doula a recipient of the doula partnership program 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, 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 EBB 169 – The Importance of Postpartum Doula Care with Ali Buchanan    

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: 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. The myths on GBS - We review what the microbiome is, the influence of probiotics, and why antibiotics are used. 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: Equity vs equality and diversity vs mending broken relationships The Evidence Based Equity Triad The Midwifery Model of Care - What about midwives in birth centers or other community spaces Community-Based Doulas - Support and mentor a doula of color and expand sustainability of the doula profession through employee benefit models 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: 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? If you are GBS positive in one pregnancy, are you likely to be positive in subsequent pregnancies? Discussion about an important limitation to one of the studies in our GBS update. Discussion about risk factors and the “Other Risk Factor” approach vs the Universal Screening approach 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: The evidence on GBS during pregnancy The evidence on testing for GBS 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 with Ali Buchanan, 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.  Follow Ali Buchanan on Instagram @thefortydaydoula 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:  Nutritional needs during labor New info on gestational or pre-gestational diabetes and eating during labor New research on anesthesiology and its relationship to eating and drinking during labor, and 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.

In this episode, we are continuing our series on protecting the perineum by talking about the evidence on whether prenatal perineal massage is effective at preventing perineal tears during childbirth. We’ll also discuss the importance of critically analyzing research, and what “predatory open access publishing” has to do with some of the research on perineal massage! 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 Episiotomy and Episode 210 to learn about warm compresses and hands-on vs. hands-off techniques Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of all our podcasts! 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/ Check open access journals to see if they are on beallslist.net (https://beallslist.net/standalone-journals/) as a potential predatory journal. Resource for authors to determine whether they should submit to an open access journal: https://thinkchecksubmit.org/ 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 talking with board-certified OB-GYN, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, about evidence-based information on reproductive health. Dr. Jennifer Lincoln (she/her) is a board-certified OB-GYN who currently practices as an OB hospitalist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Lincoln loves using social media to provide evidence-based, easy-to-digest information while busting the many myths surrounding vaginal and reproductive health. Dr. Lincoln is the author of, Let's Talk About Down There: An OB-GYN Answers to All of Your Burning Questions Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Even Asking. Dr. Lincoln is also a bonafide star on TikTok with more than 2.4 million followers about sex and reproductive health. Dr. Lincoln is married to a pediatrician and together they have two young boys. We talk about her journey to becoming an OB hospitalist to address the needs in sexual and reproductive health. We also talk about the importance of debunking reproductive myths and dismantling the shame in talking about sexual and reproductive health. Content warning: We mention sexual health, reproduction, and prevention of birth trauma. 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, to celebrate IBCLC Day, we're going to highlight and talk with IBCLC Nichelle Clark about supporting pumping parents in lactation. Nichelle Clark (she/her) is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC, wife, and mother of two residing in Chesapeake, Virginia. She is the owner of SonShine & Rainbows Lactation Services. Born and raised in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Nichelle joined the United States Navy in 2010 and served honorably for 7.5 years. In 2020, she founded Black Breastfeeding 365, an organization that seeks to bridge the gap between Black parents and the lactation professionals who serve them. When she's not spending time with her husband and children, she serves as a United States Lactation Consultant Association, or USLCA, advisory board member, and Clinical Lactation Journal social media editor. In her spare time, she admins multiple online support groups for people of color, providing breastfeeding support and lactation education to her community. As an exclusive pumping mom herself, Nichelle is a champion for breastfeeding parents to write down their own rules and breastfeed their way. We talk about Nichelle’s personal experience with being an exclusive pumping parent and the barriers she faced when advocating her choice to exclusively pump and re-lactate. We also talk about debunking pumping myths in lactation and how Nichelle serves parents of color in her community as an IBCLC to encourage making informed choices during one’s lactation journey.  Content warning: We mention COVID, trauma, and infant loss. RESOURCES: Learn more about Nichelle Clark here. Follow Nichelle on Facebook and on Instagram.  Listen to EBB 189 here.  Learn more about the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine here. Learn more about Black Breastfeeding Mamas Circle here. Learn more about Breast Milk Donation for Black Moms here. Learn more about Lactation Education Resources here. Learn more about the United States of Lactation Consultants Association (USLCA) here. Learn about the Black Birth Healer 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 talking with EBB's newest research editor and co-founder of the Minnesota Healing Justice Network, Ihotu Ali, about cultural appropriation and racial healing in birth work. Ihotu Ali (she/her) is a doula, Maya abdominal massage therapist, a doctoral student in chiropractic medicine, and now EBB’s newest research editor. Ihotu, meaning “love” in the Idoma language, is the granddaughter of a traditional Nigerian chief, of Polish-Irish farmers, and a graduate of Columbia University. Ihotu has conducted maternal health research with the United Nations before becoming a doula in 2011. Fascinated by the connections between Western and traditional medicine, Ihotu spent a decade study in Afro-Indigenous and global cultural practices for childbirth, ancestral, and wound healing. Ihotu is now alongside medical training in chiropractic care in the neuroscience of spirituality and meditation. Ihotu is a co-founder of the Minnesota Healing Justice Network, which was featured in Rolling Stone magazine for their focus on rest for residents and healers through the 2020 Uprising, and is now the director of the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing. We talk about what is cultural appropriation, the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, and how it can show up in various birth working spaces. We also talk about the importance of racial healing and how it can apply in birth work, especially for birth workers of color.  Content warning: We mention cultural appropriation, trauma, racism, and anti-Blackness.  RESOURCES: Learn more about Ihotu Ali and The Oshun Center here. Learn more about cultural appropriation in wellness spaces here. Learn more about exploring yoga and cultural appropriation here. Learn more about how culture can be appropriated here. See a complete list of resources for this episode on the show's blog page 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 EBB Childbirth Class parents, Kaya and Jess Tuchscherer, about their double rainbow baby in giving birth after two prior losses.  Kaya Tuchscherer (she/her) is a physical therapist, and Jess Tuchscherer (he/him) is a high school English teacher and river guide. They love good food, family, and outdoor adventures. Kaya and Jess live in Jackson, Wyoming with their son, Henry, and two chocolate Labradors, Eddie and Porter.  We talk about Kaya and Jess’ inspiring story of their challenges of trying to conceive, along with giving birth after experiencing infant loss twice. We also talk about how the EBB Childbirth Class facilitated by EBB instructor, Chanté Perryman, taught them how to communicate on how to achieve the birth experience they wanted with their double rainbow baby, Henry. Content Warning: We mention challenges to pre-term birth, miscarriage, attempts to conceive, placental abruption, COVID, cesarean, newborn loss, grief and loss of family members, and trauma.   RESOURCES: Learn more about EBB instructor, Chanté Perryman here. Follow Chanté on Instagram here.  Watch the “Life With A Newborn: Why It's So Hard To Take A Shower” video here. Listen to EBB 145 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 doula and EBB's program team assistant, Rikki Jenkins about empowering expectant families through birth and lactation support. Rikki Jenkins, pronouns (she/her) is a certified birth doula and lactation counselor. Rikki holds a bachelor's of science degree in maternal child health with an emphasis in human lactation and social justice. Rikki is the co-creator of Heart and Sol Collective, an inclusive pregnancy support center, where she hosts support groups and teaches childbirth education and lactation classes to expectant parents. Rikki also serves as a board member for the Southern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition and provides all-inclusive services to expectant families and birth professionals virtually in the greater Las Vegas Valley and surrounding areas.  We talk about how Rikki got started in birth work and how she transitioned into being an empowering support to the families in her community. We also talk about Rikki’s passion to help her community wearing many “birth working hats” such as being an EBB instructor as well as pushing herself to further her goals in the professional world of lactation. Content Warning: We mention COVID and birth trauma. RESOURCES: Learn more about Rikki Jenkins and Heart and Sol Collective here. Follow Heart and Sol Collective on Facebook and Instagram.  Find an EBB Childbirth Class here:  https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/. 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! In this episode, we will cover the evidence on using warm, wet compresses (i.e. washcloths) for lowering the risk of tears and increasing comfort during birth. We’ll also talk about the controversy on hands-on vs. hands-off...which technique should providers be using? 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, and episiotomy. RESOURCES: Listen to EBB 206 here. 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 Episiotomy Go to our YouTube channel to see video renditions of all our podcasts! 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 Jen Kamel of VBAC Facts® about VBAC or vaginal birth after cesarean.  As the founder and CEO of VBAC Facts®, Jen Kamel is an internationally recognized consumer advocate, whose mission is to increase feedback access through education, legislation changes, and amplifying the consumer’s voice. Jen travels throughout the United States training perinatal professionals, presents grand rounds at hospitals, and works as a legislative consultant throughout the US, focusing on midwifery legislation and regulations that threaten VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean, access. Jen envisions a time when every pregnant person seeking VBAC has access to unbiased information, respectful providers, and a community where they can plan the birth of their choice in the setting they desire. We talk about the statistics on VBAC access, as well as the difference between VBAC rates and VBAC success rates. We also talk about the misinformation about VBAC and the unbiased evidence based research that helps to support a person’s right to choose to have a VBAC.  Content Warning: We will mention cesarean, uterine rupture, placental abnormalities, and birth trauma.  RESOURCES:  Learn more about Jen Kamel here. Follow VBAC Facts® on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) here and ACOG’s information on VBAC here.   Lundgren I, van Limbeek E, Vehvilainen-Julkunen K, Nilsson C. Clinicians' views of factors of importance for improving the rate of VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean section): a qualitative study from countries with high VBAC rates. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015 Aug 28;15:196. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0629-6. PMID: 26314295; PMCID: PMC4552403.   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 graduate, Cheyanne Saenz, about advocating for her human rights during her birth experience. Cheyanne Saenz (she/her) is a fun, loving, and outgoing 27-year-old, who lives in Tulare, California. Cheyanne's faith and her family are the most important in her life. Cheyanne took the EBB Childbirth Class instructed by EBB Childbirth Class Instructor, Jennifer Anderson. Cheyanne uses her brain in puzzles, solving problems, and helping others.  We talk about Cheyanne’s birth experience while advocating for her human rights from what she learned in our EBB Childbirth Class. We also talk about Cheyanne’s beautiful support from her family during her postpartum recovery and her advice for every birthing person about the importance of researching and advocating for one’s rights during birth.  Content warning: We mention group b strep and COVID. RESOURCES: Learn more about EBB Childbirth Class Instructor, Jennifer Anderson here. Follow Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram. 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 non-binary doula and childbirth educator, Moss Froom, about gender-affirming birth work and education. Moss Froom (they/them), is a non-binary doula and childbirth educator living in Baltimore, Maryland. Moss offers trans and queer centered support services for people at all stages of their reproductive and family building journeys. Moss also teaches other birth workers how to provide support that's affirming and celebratory of trans and queer families. We talk about how Moss got started in their journey to become involved in birth and reproductive work as a non-binary professional in birth work. We also talk about the importance of gender-affirming practices in birth work to create safer spaces for queer and trans families. Content Warning: We mention misgendering, abortion, pregnancy loss, and infertility.  RESOURCES: Learn about Moss Froom here. Follow Moss on Instagram here. Learn more about Ray Rackllin here.  Learn more about Marea Goodman 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 kicking off a new series on protecting the perineum - starting with the evidence on perineal tears and the importance of avoiding episiotomies. In this episode, we will cover the factors that can increase or decrease your risk of tearing during birth. We’ll also talk about the types of perineal tears that can occur, as well as the consequences of perineal tears. Finally, we’ll wrap up this podcast by discussing why it’s so important to avoid an episiotomy during childbirth. Content warning: Discussion of perineal tears during childbirth, severe tears, episiotomy, and obstetric violence related to cutting episiotomies without consent. Resources: For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode. The Mayo Clinic has graphics that show the different types of tears: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/multimedia/vaginal-tears/sls-20077129 Read Dr. Klein’s story here https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/meet-dr-michael-klein-canada-s-father-of-family-friendly-births-1.4884557 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 team members of Evidence Based Birth®, about a wrap-up of this past year and what our goals are for next year.  Dr. Rebecca Dekker (she/her) is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® where in a world without allergies, you would find Rebecca running a garden center or maybe leading a summer camp for kids who love animals. Erin Wilson (she/her) is the research editor for Evidence Based Birth® where if Erin were stranded on a desert island, she would be fine with lots of coffee and a big sun hat.  After 10 years as an on-call doula, Erin is currently taking it slow in the mountains doing lots of cooking and exploring with her family. Ali Buchanan (she/her) is the operations coordinator and content team manager for Evidence Based Birth® where you can find Ali quoting movies, drinking coffee on the beach, and dreaming she was a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. Iya Mystique Faodugun (they/she) is the podcast coordinator and inclusivity specialist for Evidence Based Birth® where they are our table flipping, foodie loving unicorn who wants to heal all marginalized communities. Cat LaPlante (she/her) is the director of the instructor program and program team manager for Evidence Based Birth® where Cat delights in surrounding herself with the love of family and friends as she works hard along with her husband to keep five kids alive and thriving in a faith-centered lifestyle. We talk about our favorite team projects for 2021 such as past podcast episodes, our creative growth as a team, and the recent EBB Instructor retreat. We also talk about our future goals for EBB and what we look forward to in the future of Team EBB.  Content warning: We mention COVID, birth trauma, postpartum, obstetric abuse, and obstetric violence.  Listen to EBB 175 - Evidence on Midwives here. Listen to EBB 177 - Dimitri and Mera here. Listen to EBB 179 - Trish and Mimi Ang here. Listen to EBB 180 - Trauma-Informed Care and Consent with Feminist Midwife, Stephanie Tillman here. Listen to EBB 187 - Advocacy for Postpartum Medicaid Extension Coverage with Dr. Monica McLemore and Dr. Jamila K. Taylor here. Listen to EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams here. Listen to EBB 199 - Writing about Racism’s Effects on Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes with EBB Research Associate, Ihotu Ali here. Listen to EBB 200 - Taking a Stand Against White Supremacy and Creating Solidarity in Birth Work with EBB Founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker here. Listen to EBB 201 - Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Human Rights with Perinatal Nurse and Nurse Educator, Paula Richards here. Listen to EBB 202 - A Fast First-Time Birth Experience with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Haley Grachico 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 physician Dr. Stacy De-Lin about the spread of misinformation online about COVID, particularly COVID and pregnancy.  Dr. Stacy De-Lin MD (she/her), is a board certified physician whose specialty and area of practice is gynecology and family planning. Dr. De-Lin is an Associate Medical Director at Planned Parenthood and works to provide access to full-spectrum reproductive healthcare no matter what. In addition to her busy practice, Dr. De-Lin works to combat online misinformation through her Instagram account @stacydelin_md.  We talk about the rise of misinformation online about COVID regarding pregnancy. We also talk about how evidence based research about COVID can assist pregnant people and their families to make informed decisions about their health.  Content Warning: We mention COVID, COVID-related deaths, abortion, and miscarriage. RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. Stacy De-Lin and follow her Instagram here. Learn more about Planned Parenthood here.  Learn more about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.  Learn more about the American Academy of Pediatrics here. Learn more about EBB COVID resource page here. Learn more about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 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 talk with Haley Grachico about her intense, fast birth experience at a freestanding birth center. Haley and her husband, Dr. Ismael, are graduates of the EBB childbirth class with EBB Instructors Marnellie Bishop and Ali Buchanan. For the birth of their baby, Josefine, they hired Marnellie and Marnellie's backup Ali Buchanan as their doula. Iz completed his general surgery residency at Oregon Health and Science University just 13 days before Josefine's arrival. A week after Josefine was born, the Grachico family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where Is joined a private practice general surgery group. Haley is enjoying time with Josefine and their two dogs, Duke and Bentley. Haley has since then started a new parents group in town and is exploring options to possibly become a doula and to support families in a different way in their new community. We talk about Haley and Dr. Iz's experience taking the EBB Childbirth Class, and the importance of them having a doula to help with their different perspectives on birth and medicine. We also talk about Haley’s intense, fast birth and how the influence of her empowering birth support inspired her in wanting to become a future doula to support other families in her community. RESOURCES: Learn more about the Oregon parenting group, “The Parent Trip” here.  Learn more about EBB Instructor, Marnellie Bishop here. Listen to Marnellie’s EBB 191 episode here. Learn more about EBB Instructor, Ali Buchanan here. Listen to Ali’s EBB 169 episode here. Listen to EBB 15 on nitrous oxide here. View our YouTube video on nitrous oxide here.  Learn more about the third stage of birth from our signature article here.  Learn more about HypnoBirthing 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 Paula Richards about advocacy work as a trauma-informed nurse educator.  Paula Richards (she/her) is a perinatal nurse and nurse educator who likes to nerd out about OB-related nursing professional development on Instagram under the handle @NurseBrownGirl. Paula joined the Evidence Based Birth® Instructor program in the spring of 2020 and she's also a guest teacher in the videos of our Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class where we talk about interventions during childbirth. We talk about Paula’s journey to become a nurse and her experience of unlearning traumatic childbirth practices that are problematic and harmful for birthing people. We also talk about the gap between evidence, human rights, and actual practice, as well as the need for more ethical nurse education. Content warning: We will talk about traumatic childbirth and obstetric abuse. This episode also contains strong language, swear words, and how binary language/terminology is routinely used in labor and delivery. If you'd prefer to read a transcript without swear words you can find that on our blog here. RESOURCES: Learn more about Paula Richards on Instagram here.  Learn more about The Business of Being Born here. Learn more about “Are There Benefits to Uterine Massage in the Third Stage of Labor” here.  Learn more about the Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) here.  Learn more about “white supremacy culture” by Tema Okun here. Learn more about Cristen Pascucci and Birth Monopoly here. Learn more about Mandy Irby of The Birth Nurse here.  Learn more about Maggie Runyon of Your Birth Partners Podcast 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 episode, we celebrate our 200th episode on the Evidence Based Birth®podcast, where Ihotu Ali, EBB Research Associate, will be talking with our founder, Rebecca Dekker, about solidarity in birth work. In this episode, Ihotu asks Rebecca about her cultural upbringing, and Rebecca reflects candidly on racism and cultural differences she witnessed as a child growing up in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. We also explore the harmful impacts of white privilege and white supremacy on birth and reproductive justice work, as well as oppressive agendas that harm communities of color and other marginalized communities.  Ihotu and Rebecca also talk about solutions such as doing inner work, educating yourself, understanding your ancestry, creating solidarity with those from other cultural groups, protecting Black women and girls (vs. being a savior), and being aware of how your actions and words may have harmed people from marginalized groups. Content warning: We mention racism, white supremacy culture (including aspects of anti-black white supremacy), the uprisings in Minneapolis, the murder of George Floyd, racialized violence against Black communities. RESOURCES: Listen to EBB 143 - "Birthing in a World with Reproductive Justice" here. Listen to EBB 199 - " Writing about Racism's Effects on Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes" here.  Learn more about “Readings For Diversity And Social Justice” by Maurianne Adams, Warren Blumenfeld, Carmelita Rosie Castaneda, Heather Hackman, Madeline Peters, and Ximena Zuniga here.  Learn more about Minnesota Healing Justice Network here. Learn more about the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing here. Learn more about Ijeoma Oluo here and “So You Want To Talk About Race” here. Learn more about Ibram X. Kendi's “So You Want To Be Antiracist” here. Learn more about Tema Okun’s “Aspects of White Supremacy Culture” here. Learn more about Dr. Sayida Peprah 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 Ihotu Ali, MPH, who is writing about research on the effects of racism on pregnancy and birth outcomes. Ihotu (“love” in the Idoma language) (she/her) is a prenatal and Maya Abdominal massage therapist with a Master's in Public Health, and a doctoral student in Chiropractic Medicine. Ihotu is the granddaughter of a traditional Nigerian Chief, of Polish-Irish farmers, is a graduate of Columbia University. Ihoutu also conducted maternal health research with the United Nations before becoming a doula in 2011. Fascinated by the connections between western and traditional medicine, Ihotu spent a decade studying Afro-Indigenous and global cultural practices for childbirth, ancestral, and womb healing, which she is now alongside medical training in chiropractic care and the neuroscience of spirituality and meditation. Ihotu is the co-founder of the Minnesota Healing Justice Network, featured in Rolling Stone Magazine for their focus on rest for residents and healers through the 2020 Uprising. In response to burnout among healers, Ihotu formed the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing - an interracial collective offering support to apprentices, as well as public courses on decolonizing and democratizing medicine and small business. Ihotu teaches on cultural birth and bodywork, appropriation, racism in health care, allyship, and economic justice tools like the sliding scale fee. In this podcast episode, we talk about Ihotu’s shift towards researching the effects of racism on pregnancy and birth outcomes.  We also talk about how Ihotu practices self-care as a researcher of heavy topics, and the scope of our upcoming EBB Signature Article which will cover the history of racism and the evidence on racism's effects on preterm births, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality.  Content Warning: We mention racism, preterm birth, police violence, COVID-19, maternal-infant death, and other adverse health outcomes. RESOURCES: Learn more about Ihotu Ali here and The Oshun Center here. Learn more about the Minnesota Healing Justice Network here. Follow the Minnesota Healing Justice Network on Facebook and Instagram. Listen to EBB 143, “Birthing in a World with Reproductive Justice” here.  Learn more about Ancient Song here. Follow Ancient Song on Instagram and Facebook.  Learn more about Dr. Rachel Hardeman and the Roots Community Birth Center here. Learn more about Dr. Hardeman’s research here. Read Dr. Hardeman’s Stolen Breaths here.  Learn more about Dr. Sayida Peprah here.  Learn more about Black Mamas Matter Alliance here. Learn more about the Momnibus Act bill here. Learn more about the Medicaid Postpartum Expansion here. Listen to EBB 187 with Dr. McLemore and Dr. Taylor here. Learn more about Jennie Joseph here. Learn more about Commonsense Childbirth here. Learn about “The JJ Way: Community-Based Maternity Center Evaluation Report” here. Listen to EBB 136 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 episode, we're going to take a deep dive into the research evidence on eating and drinking during labor! In this episode, I talk about the history of anesthesia and food and oral fluids during labor— starting in the 1940s and moving forward to current times. I also talk about Nothing by Mouth (NPO) policies in hospitals, and discuss how researchers have reframed the topic for birthing people today as one of bodily choice. I also talk about whether or not people should be able to eat once they experience medical interventions such as an epidural (because many hospitals around the world still forbid food once you have an epidural!) Content warning: In this episode, I talk about maternal death and labor complications.  RESOURCES: 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 episode, we have EBB podcast coordinator, Mystique Hargrove, talking with the co-founders of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, Divya Kumar, Jabina Coleman, and Desirée Israel. Divya Kumar (she/her) is a psychotherapist for And Still We Rise, LLC, and a licensed certified social worker. Ms. Kumar is also a certified lactation counselor and holds a certification in perinatal mental health from Postpartum Support International. Ms. Kumar specializes in perinatal mental health for BIPOC individuals, people who identify as first and, second-generation immigrants, and people who have experienced trauma as they navigate the transition to parenthood.  Jabina Coleman (she/her) is a “United States Breastfeeding Committee Cultural Change Maker” awardee and a dynamic regional speaker. Jabina is a licensed social worker, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and is the creator of “Everyone Wants to Hold the Baby, Who Will Hold the Mother?” a call to action highlighting the lack of support Black birthing people are receiving before, during, and after pregnancy, as well as to educate birth workers, families, and communities on the importance of advocacy for equitable and safe perinatal health practices. Desirée Israel (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker, reproductive psychotherapist, herbalist, certified breastfeeding specialist, and trained birth worker specializing in perinatal mental health, reproductive justice, and the Black birthing experience. She is devoted to the liberation of ALL Black families of the Diaspora by using African-centered modalities and rituals to achieve holistic wellness. Additionally, Desirée is a co-founder of the Bloom Collective, a liberation-focused reproductive justice space serving Baltimore City.  They talk about how they co-created the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color through their experience of seeing the lack of people of color in the perinatal mental health profession. They also talk about emphasizing the needs of communities of color regarding postpartum wellness.  Content warning: They will talk about postpartum depression, postpartum mental health, perinatal mortality, and morbidity. RESOURCES: Learn more about the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color (PMHAPOC) here (https://linktr.ee/pmhapoc). Follow PMHAPOC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pmhapoc/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pmhapoc).  Learn more about Divya Kumar here (http://www.divyakumar.org/). Follow Divya on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bothbrownand_).  Learn more about Jabina Coleman and The Lactation Therapist here (https://www.thelactationtherapist.com/). Follow The Lactation Therapist on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thelactationtherapist).  Learn more about Desirée Israel and The Bloom Collective here (https://www.motherlandco.com/). Follow The Bloom Collective on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bloominbaltimore).  Learn more about Postpartum Support International (PSI) here (https://www.postpartum.net/).   Learn more about The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression here (https://www.mass.gov/doc/ellen-story-commission-on-postpartum-depression-presentation-482019-0/download).  Learn more about National Perinatal Task Force here (https://perinataltaskforce.com/).  Learn more about Jennie Joseph here (https://jenniejoseph.com/) and here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/). Listen to Jennie Joseph’s EBB podcast interview here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/solutions-for-the-crisis-in-american-maternity-care-with-jennie-joseph/).   Learn more about the Patient Healthcare Questionaire-2 (PHQ-2) here (https://www.chpscc.org/_literature_243927/The_Patient_Health_Questionnaire_(PHQ-2)) and here (https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/practice-settings/assessment/tools/patient-health).   Learn more about Graeme Seabrook here (https://www.graemeseabrook.com/). 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 Brittany Sharpe McCollum about pelvic biomechanics, movement, and fetal positioning during labor.  Brittany Sharpe McCollum, CCE(BWI), CD(DONA), CLC (she/her) is the owner of Blossoming Bellies Wholistic Birth Services in the greater Philadelphia PA area, providing childbirth education classes, birth doula services, and dynamic labor support and pelvic biomechanics training workshops for both professionals and expectant parents. Brittany is a sought after guest at many international childbirth related conferences, including a standing room only presentation at the Evidence Based Birth conference in 2019.  In this episode, we talk about the importance of movement in birth, and the best ways to facilitate fetal positioning within the pelvis. Brittany takes a deep dive into incorporating positions and movement with the use of epidurals, her "5-4-3" rule, why subtle movements can make a big difference during labor, and how understanding pelvic biomechanics is a key to minimizing interventions during birth. RESOURCES: Read the EBB Signature Article on the Evidence on Birthing Positions at https://evidencebasedbirth.com/birthingpositions Visit Brittany Sharpe McCollum’s website here: www.blossomingbelliesbirth.com Sign up for Brittany’s upcoming Fetal Positioning workshops here You can also buy "Baby Got VBAC: An Inspiring Collection of Wisdom for Better Births After a Cesarean" here For parents, sign up for Brittany’s free webinar “Practical Pushing: Efficiency and Well-Being in Labor's Second Stage”  Follow Brittany on Instagram @blossomingbelliesbirth 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 Rose Rankin about grief and healing through pregnancy and infant loss. Rose Rankin (she/her) is a full spectrum doula from Brooklyn, New York, who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. Rose focuses her work on parents who are experiencing a loss, have a pregnancy with a child who is incompatible with life, or have a child with a terminal condition. Rose has been on the other side of this work numerous times before and her mission is to provide the care that we sometimes never knew we needed when we are grieving. We talk about Rose’s personal experience of pregnancy and infant loss, and how it inspired her to become a Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) doula. We also talk about Rose’s experience as a PAIL doula for her community and how to better support those who have experienced loss during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.  Content warning: We will mention grief, pregnancy complications, stillborn birth, miscarriage, late-term loss, and infant loss. RESOURCES: Learn more about Rose Rankin on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/tranquildoulaservices/).  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 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. If you'd like to watch a video of this interview, just visit the EBB YouTube channel here! Or visit our webpage for the transcript.  Resources: Read the Evidence Based Birth article on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes at https://ebbirth.com/diagnosinggdm 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

In this episode I am joined by Anna Bertone (she/her), MPH, a research consultant at Evidence Based Birth®, to discuss the evidence on aromatherapy and essential oils for use during pregnancy, labor/birth, and postpartum. In this episode, we cover: What is aromatherapy, where did it come from, and how does it work? What have researchers found on essential oils for nausea and vomiting, stress reduction, and immune function during pregnancy? Which essential oils have been found to be effective for reducing labor pain and anxiety, encouraging labor progress, and treating post-Cesarean symptoms? What does the research say about aromatherapy for use postpartum, including with post-Cesarean symptoms, perineal trauma, sleep, and depression and anxiety? Are there any important safety precautions to be aware of, and what is the bottom line? This episode was inspired by a peer-reviewed article we published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, in a special symposium that was edited by Shilpa Babbar, MD, MS, FACOG. Reference: Bertone, A. C., & Dekker, R. L. (September 2021). "Aromatherapy in Obstetrics: A Critical Review of the Literature." Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology 64(3): 572-588. Here are some other resources we mentioned: Access the EBB Pain Management Video Series here https://evidencebasedbirth.com/category-pain-management-series/ You can find the abstract of our research paper, as well as a complete list of references used in this podcast can be found on PubMed here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33927109/ 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 Carissa Hunter about advocacy for families with sickle cell anemia. After her daughter was born with a blood disorder called sickle cell anemia, Carissa started on a quest for healthy living and is now an intuitive womb worker— a holistic practitioner with many specialties in holistic healthcare. Specializing specifically in intuitive healing, ancestral lineage healing, energy, and sound healing, Carissa also is experienced in medical herbalism, and aromatherapy and she also practices as a stillbirth, birth, and bereavement doula.  We will talk about Carissa’s personal experience growing up with the sickle cell trait (one copy of the gene), as well as being a parent to a child with sickle cell anemia (two copies of the gene). We also talk about Carissa’s experience with unlearning and relearning many things around sickle cell anemia and her advocacy work to raise awareness about this blood disorder. Content warning: we mention issues with sickle anemia, traumatic birth experiences, high-risk pregnancy, and pregnancy termination due to genetic conditions. RESOURCES: Learn more about Carissa Hunter here (https://www.healingjourneyintuitive.com). Follow Carissa on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/healingjourneyintuitively).  Learn more about the Sickle Cell Foundation of Tallahassee here (https://sicklecellfoundation.org/tag/tallahassee/).  Learn more about the Sickle Cell Foundation and find a chapter near your here (https://www.sicklecelldisease.org/). 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 talk to Marnellie Bishop about life as a birth/postpartum doula and childbirth educator and the importance of cultural awareness in birth work. Marnellie Bishop (she/her) is a certified birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator. Marnellie has additional training as an Evidence Based Birth®  Instructor and Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula. Serving the Portland, Oregon community, Marnellie takes on the role as a board member and director of finance and operations at Community Doula Alliance. Prior to pursuing her passion to support families in their perinatal journey, Marnellie completed a bachelor's degree in business administration and used her degree to help grow and sell her family's printing company. As a second-generation immigrant to Filipino parents, Marnellie understands the intersectionality that many immigrant families face when it comes to identifying their parenting styles through the lens of their cultural background and today's parenting values. We will talk about Marnellie’s journey to becoming a birth and postpartum doula as well as an EBB Instructor after being inspired by personally supporting the birthing needs of her friends. We also talk about the obstacles Marnellie faced and overcame as a birth and postpartum doula while amplifying the importance of respecting cultural traditions and customs when serving immigrant families or families who speak English as a second language in Portland, Oregon.  Content warning: We mention COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd, systemic oppression, Cesarean, and birthing complications such as late-term loss and preeclampsia. RESOURCES: Learn more about Marnellie Bishop and Hanau Doula here (https://hanaudoula.com/). Follow Marnellie on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/hanaudoula).  Learn more about Community Doula Alliance here (https://communitydoulaalliance.com/). Follow Community Doula Alliance on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/communitydoulaalliance) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/communitydoulaalliance/).  Learn more about Hypnobabies® here (https://www.hypnobabies.com/).  Learn more about Oregon Health Authority here (https://www.oregon.gov/oha/Pages/index.aspx).  Learn more about Wall of Moms here (https://www.npr.org/2020/07/28/896174019/what-the-wall-of-moms-protests-say-about-motherhood-race-in-america).  Learn more about Black Lives Matter here (https://blacklivesmatter.com/). 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 I am joined by Erin Wilson, MPH, a research editor at Evidence Based Birth, to discuss the latest research on Big Babies. In this episode, we cover: What is considered a "big" baby? Can we accurately predict if a baby will be born big? Does it really matter if a baby is born big? What are the risks? Could suspecting that you're pregnant with a big baby be more harmful than helpful? Is early induction beneficial for big babies? RESOURCES: You can access all of the references for this podcast, as well as a full-length Signature Article and one-page handout on Big Babies by visiting ebbirth.com/bigbaby. Don't forget that we also have several resources for people who are pregnant with gestational diabetes: Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes: ebbirth.com/diagnosinggdm Inducing Labor for Gestational Diabetes: ebbirth.com/inducinggdm 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 Janiya Mitnaul Williams, IBCLC, about becoming a lactation consultant and the importance of Black Breastfeeding Week. Janiya Mitnaul Williams is an international board certified lactation consultant, a registered lactation consultant, and a certified lactation counselor who has been supporting nursing families since 2007. She holds degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Union Institute & University in Speech, Language Pathology in Audiology, and Health and Wellness with a concentration in Human Lactation. Janiya is the program director of the Pathway 2 Human Lactation Training Program at North Carolina A&T State University. She also works for the Women's and Children's Center at Cone Health as a perinatal educator researcher, community liaison, and doula services coordinator. In 2015, Janiya created Mahogany Milk Support Group in order to promote, encourage and normalize nursing for Black and Brown families. That same year, Janiya also became the first person of color and non-registered nurse to be hired as a lactation consultant for the hospital system at Cone Health.  Janiya is very passionate about creating diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of lactation to promote better health outcomes for Black and Brown marginalized and underprivileged families because they have the greatest lactation barriers to overcome. We will talk about challenges Janiya experienced during her journey to becoming a lactation consultant. We also talk about cultural barriers in lactation, the importance of Black Breastfeeding Week, and creating her own Pathway 2 Human Lactation Training Program at North Carolina A&T State University. Content warning: We will discuss the cultural barriers and historical trauma (i.e. slavery) in the field of lactation. RESOURCES: Learn more about Janiya Mitnaul Williams’ Pathway 2 Human Lactation Training Program at NC A&T State University here (https://www.ncat.edu/caes/departments/family-and-consumer-sciences/lactation-cert.php). Follow Janiya on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/janiyamwilliams). Follow Mahogany Milk on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mahoganymilk/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mahoganymilk).  Learn more about NC A&T State University here (https://www.ncat.edu). Follow NC A&T State University on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ncatsuaggies/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ncatsuaggies).  Learn about Union Institute & University here (https://myunion.edu/).  Learn about the Mary Rose Tully Training Initiative at UNC-Chapel Hill University here (https://sph.unc.edu/cgbi/lactation-consultant-training/).  Learn about International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE) here (https://iblce.org/).  Learn more about Black Breastfeeding Week here (https://blackbreastfeedingweek.org/). Follow Black Breastfeeding Week on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackBreastfeedingWeek), Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlkBfingWeek), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/blkbfingweek/).  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 are talking with Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class parent, Kathryn Remivasan, about her experience giving birth to a posterior-positioned baby. Kathryn and her husband, Dushyant, are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor and doula, Julie Fors. Dushyant and Kathryn are software engineers. They live in Chicago with their two cats, dog, and now beautiful baby girl, Elakshi, who Kathryn gave birth to in January 2021. We talk about Kathryn’s use of a “marathon training” mindset to have an unmedicated birth during the pandemic. We also talk about Kathryn’s experience of including medical interventions during her birth, as well as how she coped with postpartum recovery after a long labor. Content warning: We talk about COVID, infant/labor trauma, the use of medical interventions while in labor, and postpartum anxiety/recovery. RESOURCES: Learn more about Julie Fors here (https://journeyforwardbirthandparenting.com/).  Learn more about Rush University Medical Center here (https://www.rush.edu/).  Learn more about Spinning Babies here (https://www.spinningbabies.com/).   Listen to EBB 101 episode with Spinning Babies found, Gail Tully here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-101-gail-tully-of-spinning-babies%ef%b8%8f/).  Listen to EBB 165 episode with Ann Marie Gilligan here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/fetal-position-during-labor-with-ld-nurse-ann-marie-gilligan/).   Listen to EBB 169 episode with Ali Buchanan here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-importance-of-postpartum-doula-care-with-ali-buchanan/).  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 have the pleasure to talk with our honored guests, Dr. Monica McLemore and Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, about postpartum justice and the need for Medicaid coverage for the entire postpartum year. Dr. Monica McLemore is a tenured associate professor at the University of California-San Francisco in the family healthcare nursing department, an affiliated scientist with advancing new standards in reproductive health, and a member of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health. She retired from clinical practice as a public health and staff nurse after a 28-year clinical nursing career in 2019. Dr. McLemore's program of research is focused on understanding reproductive health injustice. Dr. Jamila K. Taylor is a director of health care reform and senior fellow at The Century Foundation, where she leads TCF's work to build on the Affordable Care Act and develop the next generation of health reform to achieve high quality, affordable and universal coverage in America. Dr. Taylor also works on issues related to reproductive rights and justice, focusing on the structural barriers to healthcare access, racial and gender disparities in health outcomes, and the intersections between healthcare and economic justice. We talk about their collaborative work with additional authors for the article, “We Must Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage,” which discusses the importance of extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum individuals. We also talk about the implications for the disruption of postpartum Medicaid coverage 60 days after giving birth and the importance of creating holistic, community-based care in perinatal and postpartum support. Content warning: We will talk about postpartum, perinatal/postpartum mortality, mental health, substance use disorders, health challenges, and COVID-19. RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. McLemore here (https://profiles.ucsf.edu/monica.mclemore). Follow Dr. McLemore on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/mclemoremr) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mclemoremr). Learn more about Dr. Taylor here (https://tcf.org/experts/jamila-taylor/). Follow Dr. Taylor on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/drtaylor09).  Learn more about the article, “We Must Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage,” here (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-must-extend-postpartum-medicaid-coverage/).  Learn more about Scientific American here (https://www.scientificamerican.com/). Learn more about The Century Foundation here (https://tcf.org/).  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, 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, Alistair, 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 Alistair’s birth.  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. Content Warning: We talk about ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy losses, high-risk pregnancy complications, and perinatal morbidity.  Resources: Learn more about EBB Instructor, Victoria Michonski, here (http://www.vdoula.com/). Follow Victoria on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/312doulas/).  Learn more about EBB Instructor, Heather McCullough, here (https://www.hmbirth.com/). Follow Heather on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/hmbirth). Follow Heather on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/hmbirth/). Follow Heather on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/hmbirth).  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 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 talking with Tyler Jean Dukes, my doctoral fellow intern.  Tyler (she/her) is a doctoral candidate and graduate instructor at Texas Christian University. Over this past year, Tyler has been working with me as part of a graduate fellowship program. Tyler specializes in the medical humanities and early British literature. She is also a trained childbirth doula, which informs her scholarly and personal interests. Tyler teaches many classes at TCU, including “Introduction to Literature, Fiction, and Narrative Medicine,” and she is one year away from graduating with her Ph.D. We talk about her research with integrating childbirth and birth work into her doctoral studies in literature. We also talk about what Tyler discovered about the history of prenatal ultrasounds and pelvic exams. I encourage everyone to listen to EBB 174 with The Black OBGYN Project and EBB 180 with Stephanie Tillman, who is an expert on trauma-informed pelvic care.  Content warning: We talk about the history of obstetric abuse and trauma, as well as emotional and physical trauma. RESOURCES: Learn more about Tyler by following her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/birthandbooks). Learn more about DFW Narrative Medicine here (https://dfwnarrativemedicine.com/).  Learn more aboutAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) here (https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ultrasound-exams). Learn more about Listening to Mother's (LTM) here (https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/maternity/listening-to-mothers.html). Learn more about World Health Organization (WHO) here (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/259946/WHO-RHR-18.01-eng.pdf;jsessionid=6D347E8AC8A769FE8E922B68675407BA?sequence=1). Learn more about Ultrasound Industry Reports here (https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001451.pub4/full). Learn more about Value Penguin here (https://www.valuepenguin.com/cost-sonogram-ultrasound-pregnancy). Learn more about Fortune Business Insights here (https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/ultrasound-equipment-market-100515). 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 talk about how to evaluate clinical research and how it is actually carried out. We are currently in the midst of a free 30-day trial of the EBB Pro Membership, and this podcast episode is a sample part of a class series inside the membership! Have you ever wondered how research is carried out, and why certain things are studied... but why other aspects of birth and midwifery care are not? Do you know how many billions of dollars are spent in the U.S. research industry each year, and what that money is spent on? In this podcast, Dr. Dekker will walk you through the timeline of how research is carried out, who decides what research gets funded, and why so much research has come from a racist and patriarchal lens. You'll also learn about the importance of one of the newest fields of science called "clinical and translational research." Content Warning: We will be talking about racism and sexism in research, and how this has led to an increase in heart disease deaths among women. And I share a personal story related to heart disease and mortality. RESOURCES: Learn more about our Pro Membership here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/).  Learn more about biomedical translation here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnHLo-hCssg).   Learn more about the NIH Reporter here (https://reporter.nih.gov/).  Learn more about Eunice Kennedy Shriver NIH here (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/).  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 Mary Kathryn DeLodder about licensing certified professional midwives in Kentucky.  Mary Kathryn DeLodder (she/her) is a consumer advocate and leader of the Kentucky Birth Coalition. From 2012 through 2019 she worked on efforts to license certified professional midwives in Kentucky. She is now working on legislation to improve access to birth centers in Kentucky.  We will talk about how Mary Kathryn first became interested in helping pass the midwifery licensure bill in Kentucky and the beginnings of forming the Kentucky Home Birth Coalition. We will also talk about the challenges that were against legalizing certified professional midwives to practice in Kentucky and the wave of collective support that helped to push the bill to get passed.  RESOURCES: Learn more about Mary Kathyrn DeLodder and the Kentucky Birth Coalition here (https://www.kentuckybirth.org). Follow the Kentucky Birth Coalition on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyBirthCoalition/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kybirthcoalition/). 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 have an exciting takeover in celebration of Pride Month. We have Mystique Hargrove, Kortney Lapeyrolerie, and Nadine Ashby to talk about their experiences as Black queer and trans birth workers. Mystique (She/They) is the radical femme CEO, and creator of "The Black Birth Healer." Mystique is a holistic birth and postpartum wellness specialist who is certified as a full spectrum doula, a lactation educator, a childbirth educator, and a Diaspora death doula. Mystique is a Pathway 3 IBCLC mentee, an Evidence Based Birth Instructor®, and our podcast coordinator. Currently, Mystique is a Ph.D. student with a research focus on inclusive services and advocacy in perinatal mental health for Black LGBTQ+ individuals.  Kortney (She/They) is a queer Black healing justice activist, birth worker, conflict mediator, and content creator. She is the founder and organizer of the Queer Doula Network, which maintains a digital LGBTQIA+ birth work and birth work-adjacent directory, provides workshops, and holds community spaces for LGBTQIA+ birth workers to find support. Kortney has worked with the Black Health (formerly the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS) and the Latino Commission on AIDS, providing capacity building around communications and sexual and reproductive health.  Nadine (They/Them) is a queer trans birth doula and doula educator. Nadine’s work is built on a foundation of social justice and equity. Nadine’s birth work journey started with their mother taking them to the births of family members and friends. Nadine leaned into the incredible transformative power that birthing people unearthed at each birth they attended. This reverence led Nadine to earn a degree in Biology with the intention of becoming a nurse-midwife. They talk about what Pride Month means to them as Black queer and trans birth workers and their past experiences which lead them to their roles to advocate for birth and reproductive rights of queer and trans bodies of color. They also talk about the challenges they face in their communities as Black queer and trans birth workers and the hopeful futures they envision for their communities.  **Content Warning: They will talk about racism, misgendering, homophobia, transphobia, and trauma.** RESOURCES: Learn more about Mystique here (https://www.theblackbirthhealer.com). Follow Mystique on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theblackbirthhealer) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/blackbirthhealer). Learn more about Mystique’s fundraiser project on Black-led birth and postpartum services here (https://ifundwomen.com/projects/black-led-birth-and-postpartum-wellness).  Learn more about Kortney and The Queer Doula Network here (https://queerdoulanetwork.com/). Follow The Queer Doula Network on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/QueerDoulaNetwork/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/queerdoulas/). Learn more about the Queer Doula Network membership here (https://www.patreon.com/queerdoulanetwork). Connect with the Queer Doula Network by email here ([email protected]).  Learn more about Nadie here (https://www.doula4all.com/). Learn more about Roots Community Birth Center here (https://www.rootsbirthcenter.com/). Follow Nadine on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Doula4all) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/Doula4all/). Learn more about Birth Revolution here (https://thebirthrevolution.org/).  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 Dr. Stephanie Mitchell about starting a midwifery-led birth center.  Dr. Mitchell is a certified nurse-midwife who earned her BSN from Curry College, along with her MSN and her doctorate of Nursing Practice from Frontier Nursing University. Dr. Mitchell is the founder of The Birth Sanctuary of Gainesville, Alabama, a freestanding birth center under development that will be the first Black-owned birth center in the state. She is actively involved in teaching others on Instagram as @doctor_midwife. We will talk about Dr. Mitchell’s journey to becoming a nurse-midwife and her passion for restoring Black-led midwifery care to the people of Alabama. We also talk about how Dr. Mitchell calls out harmful obstetric practices against Black birthing bodies, and how she advocates for the importance of creating safer and affirmative services in perinatal healthcare.  **Content warning: We talk about implicit bias and racism.** RESOURCES: Learn more about Stephanie Mitchell and The Birth Sanctuary here (https://thebirthsanctuary.com/). Follow Stephanie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/doctor_midwife/).  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 are excited to feature Feminist Midwife, Stephanie Tillman (she/her), a midwife at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Stephanie is on the Board of Directors of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Midwest Access Project. Stephanie is also a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives Ethics Committee and is an advisory committee member of the Queer and Transgender Midwives Association.  We talk about Stephanie’s journey to becoming a midwife involved in trauma-informed care. We also talk about the importance of active consent regarding pelvic exams and forced medical interventions in birth work. Stephanie also shares her thoughts about the ARRIVE trial's effects on 39-week elective inductions in the Chicago area. **Content Warning: We will be talking about obstetric abuse, sexual assault, trauma, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and gaslighting.** RESOURCES: Learn more about Stephanie Tillman and “Feminist Midwife” here (https://www.feministmidwife.com/). Read Stephanie’s article “Consent in Pelvic Care” here (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jmwh.13189). Follow Stephanie on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FeministMidwife/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/feministmidwife), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/feministmidwife/).  Learn more about the American College of Nurse-Midwives here (https://www.midwife.org/default.aspx).  Learn more about Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health here (https://www.nsrh.org/).  Learn more about the Midwest Access Project here (https://midwestaccessproject.org/).  Learn more about the Queer and Transgender Midwives Association here (https://www.elephantcircle.net/qtma).  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 are thrilled to share with you an empowering and transformative home birth story from Trish and Mimi Ang. Trish (she/her) and Mimi (she/her) are first-time parents to their baby boy, Aspen Kai, and they are graduates of the EBB Childbirth Class. Mimi and Trish fell in love three years ago over rock climbing, and pushed up their home insemination plans last year due to COVID.  We spoke with Trish and Mimi about using an alternative process for their family planning, as well as their refreshing experience taking an EBB Childbirth Class with their doula and EBB instructor, Shalin Butterworth. They also describe their empowering home birth experience (including how they overcame some challenges!) and the supportive care provided by their midwives and doula. RESOURCES: Learn more about Shalin Butterworth here (https://www.sozenbirthservices.com/). Follow Shalin on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sozenbirthservices/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sozenbirth/).   Learn more about Birthstream here (https://www.birthstream.com/).  Learn more about California is Mothers-for-Mothers Postpartum Justice Project here (https://m2mpostpartum.org).   Learn more about Chicago Volunteer Doulas here (https://www.chicagovolunteerdoulas.org/).  Learn more about the Military Birth Resource Network here (https://www.militarybirthresourcenetwork.org/).  Learn more about 4th Trimester Arizona here (https://4thtrimesteraz.org/).  Learn more about Postpartum Support International here (https://postpartum.net).  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, I'm so excited to welcome Dr. Shannon Clark. Dr. Clark is a double board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist focusing on the care of people with perinatal or fetal complications in pregnancy.   With a special interest in pregnancy after the age of 35, Dr. Clark has been inspired not only by the experiences of friends and patients but by her own personal experience of trying to get pregnant in her forties. We talk about Dr. Clark’s journey to her role in as an OB/GYN serving pregnant people over the age of 35, and her own challenging, personal experience of getting pregnant (with twins!) for the first time at the age of 42. **Content warning: We will talk about miscarriage, fertility issues, and pregnancy complications.** RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. Shannon M. Clark and “Babies After 35” here (https://www.babiesafter35.com/). Follow Dr. Clark on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/babiesafter35/), TikTok (tiktokbabydoc), and Instagram (tps://www.instagram.com/babiesafter35).  Learn more about the National Institutes of Health (NIH) here (https://www.nih.gov/).  Learn more about maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) here (https://www.smfm.org/).  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 Mera and Dimitri about having their fourth baby after the age of 35 and giving birth before they could make it to the hospital.  Mera is a freelance writer, enrichment educator, and mom of four living in South Carolina. Dimitri is an army veteran studying computer science and a father of four in South Carolina. Mera and Dimitri recently gave birth to their baby in October of 2020. And they took the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth class with EBB instructor, Juliann Lee, who is also based in South Carolina.  We will talk about their very exciting birth story about giving birth in their living room before they could make it to the hospital. We also talk about their experience of pregnancy after 35 and feeling prepared to advocate for the birth that they wanted after taking the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth class.  **Content warning: We will talk about prior birth trauma.** Learn more about Juliann Lee here (https://www.littleorchidsbirth.com/meet-juliann).  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.

We are thrilled to announce that we have updated the research information on one of our most popular articles, the Evidence on Advanced Maternal Age. My mom had her first baby at the age of 19, and that was "normal" back then. But today, it seems like delaying pregnancy until your 30s or older is becoming the norm. All around the world, the average age at first birth is going up and reaching record highs! So needless to say, the topic of "Advanced Maternal Age" affects a LOT of people! In today's podcast, I share the recording from our webinar on AMA that will include the actual statistics on the health outcomes for people who are pregnant at 35 and older. The recording also includes some storytelling and discussion of the implications of this research data. Hopefully, the information in the podcast and the Signature Article will be helpful either to you or someone you know. Feel free to forward this article to anyone you think might be interested! Content warning: We will talk about statistics on stillbirth, newborn death, and gestational mortality, as well as the effects of racism on stillbirth. Resources: Learn more about Jennie Joseph here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/). Learn moare about The JJ Way here (https://savinglives.biz/the-jj-way/). Follow Jennie Joseph on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MidwifeJennie/) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iamjenniejoseph/). Listen to Jennie Joseph’s EBB podcast here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/solutions-for-the-crisis-in-american-maternity-care-with-jennie-joseph/).  Learn more about UpToDate here (https://www.uptodate.com/home).  Learn more about Denise Bolds and A Bold Doula here (https://www.bolddoula.com/).  Learn more about China Tolliver here (https://www.riseupmidwife.com/).  Learn more about Black Mamas Matter Association here (https://blackmamasmatter.org/).  Learn more about the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists here (https://www.acog.org/).  Learn more about the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists here (https://www.rcog.org.uk/).  Learn more about Dr. Mimi Niles here (https://nursing.nyu.edu/directory/faculty/mimi-niles).  Learn more about Dr. Alicia Breakey here (https://scholar.harvard.edu/breakey/biocv).  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.

Today's podcast episode is focused on a very important topic— the Evidence on Midwives. We've been asked for years to publish an article or podcast on the evidence on midwifery care, and we felt there was no better day to release a podcast episode on this topic than May 5th, International Day of the Midwife! In this episode, I discuss the different types of midwives, the history of midwifery care (and how it was nearly eliminated in the U.S.), and the research on the better health outcomes that are seen when families are randomly assigned to receive midwifery-led care. We also talk about the effects of racism and mistreatment in obstetric care, and how midwives — especially midwives of color— are a critical solution to the maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. With the theme of the 2021 International Day of the Midwife being, “Follow the data and invest in midwives,” we are honored in this podcast episode to talk about why we need more midwives of color, and to acknowledge the Black grand midwives who have recently transitioned from elders to ancestors.  Content warning: In this episode, we talk about miscarriage, fetal loss, and racism. Resources: Learn more about Birth Place Lab Maps here (https://birthplacelab.org/maps).  Learn more about The Giving Voice to Mothers study here (https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-019-0729-2).  Learn more about Melanated Midwives here (https://melanatedmidwives.org).  Learn more about the National Black Midwives Alliance here (https://blackmidwivesalliance.org/).  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 are thrilled to share with you an important interview with the co-founders of The Black OBGYN Project, Dr. Rachel Bervell, and Dr. Tamandra Morgan.  Dr. Rachel Bervell, a graduate of Harvard and Georgetown University, is the founder of the nonprofit organization “Hugs for Ghana," and co-founder of “The Fresh Resource Urban Initiative Team” or FRUIT, which addresses food insecurity and underserved communities through health literacy and nutrition courses. Dr. Bervell continues today to be dedicated to vulnerable communities and patients and serves as a medical consultant for the University of California, San Francisco's “Voices for Birth Justice” and as a women's health practitioner. Dr. Tamandra Morgan, a graduate of Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, is a second-year resident physician in OB/GYN at the University of California, San Francisco. In Chicago, Dr. Morgan was a leader in the Urban Medicine program and volunteered at the male health forum on Chicago South Side. Dr. Morgan is a 2017 recipient of the prestigious American Association of University Women Selected Professions Fellowships. In today's podcast, Dr. Bervell and Dr. Morgan share their journey to becoming obstetric physicians. We also talk about their experiences with creating “The Black OBGYN Project,” and how they are using their platform to advocate and amplify the need for more Black OB/GYNs to enter and be supported in the field.  **Content Warning: We talk about racial disparities, obstetric abuse, microaggressions, and sexual assault.**  Resources: Learn more about The Black OBGYN Project here on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Black-ObGyn-Project) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theblackobgynproject).  Learn more about Medical Bondage by Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens here (https://ugapress.org/book/9780820354750/medical-bondage/).  Learn more about Killing the Black Body by Dorothy Roberts 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 week’s podcast, we wrap up our mini-series on breech babies by covering the latest research on external cephalic version (ECV) for breech positioned babies! Topics covered in this podcast episode include updated information on: How common it is to have a breech positioned baby How often people are offered and receive an ECV for a breech baby The effectiveness of ECV for lowering the risk of Cesarean Benefits and risks of the ECV procedure Pain management during an ECV Timing of an ECV and techniques that can increase effectiveness Effects of a prior Cesarean on the ECV success rate And more!  To read the transcript and see all of the research references, just go to https://evidencebasedbirth.com/breechversion Resources: EBB Signature Article on Breech Version https://evidencebasedbirth.com/breechversion EBB Podcast 171: Breech Vaginal Birth EBB Podcast 172: Interview with Breech without Borders Visit Breech without Borders at https://breechwithoutborders.com Read our Signature Article all about Family-centered Cesareans: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/cesareancare 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 have the pleasure to talk to our honored guests, Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes about breech vaginal birth.  Dr. Rixa Freeze has a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and is a researcher, professor, and mother of four children. Her current research specialization is vaginal breech birth, and she's president of Breech Without Borders, a 501(c)3 non-profit. She also blogs at Stand and Deliver. Dr. David Hayes, MD, is an OBGYN who works at Harvest Moon Women’s Health with an academic background and a passion for science and its proper application to clinical medicine. Dr. Hayes has worked for Medecins Sans Frontieres, Doctors Without Borders, and is trained in critical care obstetrics.  We with talk about the evidence-based research around breech vaginal birth. We also talk about their innovative approach to breech vaginal birth training with Breech Without Borders.  RESOURCES: Learn more about Breech Without Borders here (https://www.breechwithoutborders.org/).  Learn more about Dr. Freeze and Stand and Deliver here (https://arixa.blogspot.com).  Learn more about Dr. Hayes and Harvest Moon Women’s Health here (https://www.harvestmoonwomenshealth.com/).  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 talking with EBB Childbirth Class parents, Janae and Andrew Rick, as they share their unique birth story about their vaginal breech birth.  Janae is a senior graphic designer for a makeup company. Andrew is in the restaurant industry working as a bar back and bartender in Minneapolis.  After recently buying their first home at St. Paul Park in October of 2020, they gave birth to their first baby, a boy named Jenoa, in January 2021, who arrived exactly on his due date. Janae and Andrew are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class with instructors, Heather Christine Struwe and Rhonda Fellows.  We talk about their experience with learning about their options of having a vaginal breech birth. We also talk about their unique birthing story and having amazing support during the COVID-19 pandemic.  RESOURCES Learn more about Heather Cristine Struwe here (https://holisticcontinuum.com/). Follow Heather Christine on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/hc.heatherchristine).  Learn about Rhonda Fellows via Oily Doula MN here (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/) and follow Oily Doula MN on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oilydoulamn/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oilydoulamn/). Learn more about Dr. Rixa Freeze, Dr. David Hayes, and Breech Without Borders here (https://www.breechwithoutborders.org/).  Learn more about External Cephalic Version (ECV) here (https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw180146#:~:text=External%20cephalic%20version%2C%20or%20version,to%20try%20a%20vaginal%20birth).  Learn more about Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) here (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15342835/). 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, I am excited to welcome a special guest and my friend, Cristen Pascucci of Birth Monopoly! Cristen and I talk about how to file hospital complaints when people experience mistreatment or unsafe care during childbirth.  Content warning: Obstetric violence, birth trauma, and sexual assault in obstetrics.  A former communications strategist at a top public affairs firm in Baltimore, Maryland, Cristen Pascucci is the founder of Birth Monopoly and creator of the online course, Know Your Rights: Legal and Human Rights in Childbirth for Birth Professionals and Advocates. She is also co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project and host of Birth Allowed Radio, a podcast. Cristen is a leading voice in the field of maternity care, speaking around the world and consulting privately on issues related to birth rights and birthing options. Cristen and I talk about the formal process of how one can submit a complaint to the hospital and state licensing boards if they experienced mistreatment or unsafe childbirth practices. We also talk about obstetric violence and birth trauma due to systemic barriers in childbirth care, and how more people can become involved as advocates. RESOURCES: Learn more about Cristen Pascucci and Birth Monopoly here (www.birthmonopoly.com). Check out the Complaint toolkit here: https://birthmonopoly.com/complaint  Find out about "Mother May I" the documentary here: https://mothermayithemovie.com   Follow Birth Monopoly on Facebook here (https://facebook.com/birthmonopoly). Follow Birth Monopoly on Instagram here (https://instagram.com/birthmonopoly).  Read the news report about the Annals of Internal Medicine paper about abusive behavior in the operating room 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 episode, we will be talking with postpartum doula, Ali Buchanan, about the importance of postpartum doula care. Ali (she/her), is a certified postpartum doula with Cornerstone Doula Trainings, and currently trained as a full spectrum doula with Doula Trainings International (DTI). As a postpartum doula, Ali works with parents and families to transition into their new roles before and after birth. Ali is also my executive assistant here at Evidence Based Birth® where she helps us provide current research and best practices by helping us to fulfill our mission to empower families across the globe. **Content Warning: We will talk about postpartum depression.**  We talk about Ali’s birthing story and her experience with postpartum depression. We also talk about how life-changing experiences led Ali to pursue her career as a postpartum doula.  Resources: Learn more about Ali here (https://www.instagram.com/buchananco2014/). Learn more about Cornerstone Doula Trainings here (https://www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com/). Follow Cornerstone Doula Trainings on Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/cornerstone.birthwork/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cornerstone.birthwork/). Learn more about Doula Trainings International here (https://doulatrainingsinternational.com/). Follow DTI on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/doulatrainingsinternational/)  and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/doulatrainingsint/).  Learn more about Meela here (https://www.hellomeela.com/). Follow Meela on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hellomeela/)  and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellomeela/).  Learn more about DoulaMatch here (https://doulamatch.net/).  Learn more about Free to Feed here (https://www.freetofeed.com/).  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 talking with our honored guest, Dr. Amber Warmsley. Dr. Warmsley is a wife of five years to an amazing husband and a mother of two young children. She's a native Southern Californian transplanted to the D.C. metro area who will always love the beach. Dr. Warmsley is also an attending board-certified practicing OB-GYN with 8 years experience, 12 years if you count residency (which you definitely should). Dr. Warmsley is currently Chairperson of the department of OB-GYN and hospitalist site director at a hospital in Maryland. Dr. Warmsley is passionate about fostering a collaborative care approach to pregnancy-related care and creating a safe, positive, and uplifting birthing experience. She believes that all women and families deserve compassion, respect, dignity, and shared decision-making from their birthing team.  RESOURCES: Learn more about The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) here (www.acog.org). Hishikawa, K., Kusaka, T., Fukuda, T., et al. (2020). Neonatal outcomes of two-step delivery in low-risk pregnancy: A prospective observational study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2020 Jul;46(7):1090-1097.   Huang, H., Yang, M., Zhou, H., et al. (2018). Method of shoulder delivery and neonatal outcomes: A meta-analysis of prospective controlled studies. Natl Med J India. 2018 Nov-Dec;31(6):324-328.   Kotaska, A. & Campbell, K. (2014). Two-step delivery may avoid shoulder dystocia: head-to-body delivery interval is less important than we think. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2014 Aug;36(8):716-720.    Locatelli, A. Incerti, M., Ghidini, A., et al. (2011). Head-to-body delivery interval using ‘two-step’ approach in vaginal deliveries: effect on umbilical artery pH, The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 24:6, 799-803.   Zhang, H., Zhao, N., Lu, Y., et al. (2017). Two-step shoulder delivery method reduces the incidence of shoulder dystocia. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2017;44(3):347-352. 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 talking about the evidence on using erythromycin eye ointment for newborns. As this is a controversial topic, I am excited to talk about the intriguing research evidence and the history of eye ointment regarding how it started and why it was used in the past, as well as why it is still being used today. We have covered this topic before here in our Signature Articles. We will also discuss whether or not it is effective for its designed purpose, along with antibiotic resistance, the benefits and risks of using eye ointment on newborns, and alternatives to use in place of eye ointment.  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.

n 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. Content Warning: We will be talking about maternal mortality and racism. 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. We also talk about the significantly high rates of maternal mortality among Black and Brown individuals and racism in birth work.  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. 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 talk with L&D nurse, Ann Marie Gilligan, about perinatal positioning during labor. Ann is a labor and delivery nurse in Minnesota, who is trained in high-risk obstetrics and advanced fetal monitoring, certified through Waterbirth International and also, certified as a sexual assault nurse examiner. Ann has 30 years of labor and delivery experience, ranging from the start-up team for an independent birth center to working at a level three high-risk labor and delivery unit to working as a legal nurse consultant and prenatal yoga instructor. Ann has extensive experience caring for families who want an unmedicated birth as well as caring for people with high-risk conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, uncontrolled diabetes, postpartum hemorrhage, and sepsis. Ann has also traveled to Bolivia and Tanzania, where she taught high-risk obstetrics and maternal positioning for optimal fetal positioning. More recently, Ann became an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor in 2020 and is a Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner.  We talk about maternal positioning and its effect on fetal positioning during labor. We also talk about Ann’s vast experience as an L&D nurse and her web-based resource, Gilligan's Guide, where Ann teaches physicians, nurses, and families the importance of infant positioning for birth. Learn about Ann Marie Gilligan and Gilligan’s Guide here (www.gilligansguide.com). Follow Ann on Instagram here (www.instagram.com/gilligansguide).  Learn about EBB instructor, Rhonda Fellows, Learn about Oily Doula MN here (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/) and follow Oily Doula MN on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oilydoulamn/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oilydoulamn/). Learn more about Spinning Babies® here (https://www.spinningbabies.com/). 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.

I'm pleased to share with you today's podcast episode, which is a comprehensive update of the research evidence on COVID-19 and pregnancy and childbirth! To view the scientific references for this article, visit the COVID-19 resource page here and look for the February 17, 2021 podcast episode text. In this podcast episode, I cover: The current global situation What we know so far about prevention/vaccines during pregnancy Testing and diagnosis Symptoms during pregnancy Risk of hospitalization and severe/critical illness in pregnancy Treatment of COVID-19 during pregnancy Risks to the fetus, including the risk of preterm birth Timing of birth if you're infected with COVID-19 Whether its possible to transmit COVID-19 to the fetus in utero Antibody transfer during pregnancy and through human milk Newborn outcomes and best practices when a baby is born to an infected parent Hospital policies on permitting birth partners Hospital policies on permitting doulas Changes we've seen to labor and delivery practices during the pandemic Where you can go to read guidelines from professional organizations I hope that this podcast episode is helpful! I'm happy that our research team was able to put it together for you.

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Nathalie Walton, CEO of the Expectful app, about coping with anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum— especially when you have a high-risk pregnancy. Nathalie is the CEO of Expectful, the number one meditation and sleep app for growing families. She has spent the last eight years in leadership roles at Airbnb, Google, and eBay. As a new mother to her 10-month old son Everett, Nathalie experienced the failure of the U.S. healthcare system as it pertains to nurturing the mental and emotional well-being of pregnant and new parents. She joined the team at Expectful to provide universal access to evidence-based wellness solutions such as meditation to help millions of people around the world navigate the new stage of parenthood. **Content Warning: This episode includes a birth story with placental abruption, emergency cesarean, and NICU admission.**  Natalie talks with us about her journey to parenthood, including how she prepared for her “marathon” high-risk pregnancy and birthing experience. We also talk about how she empowered herself to take control of her mental well-being during pregnancy and birth.  Learn more about Nathalie Walton and the Expectful app here (https://expectful.com/). To learn more about Expectful’s Helping Hands scholarship program, email them at [email protected]. Follow Expectful on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/expectful/) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/expectful/).  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 are talking with Jamie and Ryan English about their unexpectedly long but empowering hospital birth, as well as the effects of severe diastasis recti on the labor process. Jamie and Ryan are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, which they took with EBB instructor Jennifer Anderson. Ryan is a commercial property manager and Jamie is a photographer. They moved to Sacramento a few years ago from San Diego, California, and at the same time they found out they were pregnant with their baby girl.  We talk about how Jamie and Ryan prepared for their birthing experience as first-time parents during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talk about Jamie’s long labor experience due to the effects of having severe diastasis recti.  Learn more about Katy Bowman and her book, “Diastasis Recti: The Whole-Body Solution to Abdominal Weakness and Separation” here (https://linktr.ee/nutritiousmovement). Follow Katy on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nutritiousmovement/?hl=en) and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NutritiousMovement/).  Learn more about the Fit2B exercise program here (https://fit2b.us/).  Learn more about the “The Birth Hour” podcast here (https://thebirthhour.com/). Follow “The Birth Hour” podcast on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thebirthhour/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thebirthhour/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/brynhuntpalmer).  Learn more about EBB Instructor, Jennifer Anderson, here (https://www.birthfusion.com/) and follow Birth Fusion on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/birthfusion/).  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, I'm excited to talk with Kimberly Seals Allers. Kimberly is an award-winning journalist, five-time author, international speaker, strategist, and advocate for maternal and infant health. A former senior editor at Essence, and a writer at Fortune Magazine, Kimberly is a leading voice on the socio-cultural complexities of motherhood. Kimberly is also the founder of Irth, a new app to address bias in maternity and infant care. We talk about how Kimberly’s new app, Irth, which addresses biased maternal care and cultural competency when serving marginalized communities. We also talk about the challenges Kimberly overcame after launching Irth.   **Content Warning: We discuss racism/racial violence, Black maternal mortality, and infant mortality.** Learn more about Kimberly Seals Allers and the Irth app here (https://birthwithoutbias.com/who-we-are). Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/iamKSealsAllers/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iamksealsallers/?hl=en). Learn about Narrative Nation, Inc here (https://wewriteus.org/). Learn more about Kimberly’s books, “Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy” here (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-mocha-manual-to-a-fabulous-pregnancy-kimberly-seals-allers) and “The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding” here (https://www.amazon.com/Big-Letdown-Medicine-Undermine-Breastfeeding/dp/1250026962).  Learn more about Dr. Fleda Mask Jackson here (https://drfledamjackson.com/).  Learn more about Cristen Pascucci and Birth Monopoly here (https://birthmonopoly.com/). Follow Birth Monopoly on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/birthmonopoly/) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/birthmonopoly/?hl=en). Learn more about the California Healthcare Foundation here (https://www.chcf.org/). Follow the California Healthcare Foundation on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/chcfnews/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/chcfnews). Learn more about the Tower Health Foundation here (https://www.towerhealth.org/reading-hospital-foundation).  Learn more about the Grove Foundation here (https://www.thegrovefoundation.org/).  Learn more about the Kellogg Foundation here (https://www.wkkf.org/). Follow the Kellogg Foundation on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KelloggFoundation), Twitter (https://twitter.com/wk_kellogg_fdn), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kelloggfoundation/). 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 speaking with Mystique Hargrove, EBB Featured Instructor, and our new Podcast Coordinator. Mystique (She/They) is a certified full spectrum doula who serves BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of color), and LGBTQ+ individuals in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mystique also serves as an advisory board member for the United States Lactation Consultant Association, and is a Certified Lactation Educator, as well as a Certified Childbirth Educator. Mystique completed her Master of Science in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina A&T State University, along with a Marriage and Family Counseling Certification. Mystique earned a Certification in Wellness and Nutrition Consulting and Counseling, and her Certification in Reiki I and II, along with her certification as a Reiki Master. As a Black, Latinx, and Indigenous birth worker, Mystique has experience in herbal medicine and ancestral healing practices under Black, Latinx, and Indigenous teachers, and elder curanderas, or healers, in her community. Currently, Mystique is a Ph.D. student at Capella University for Counselor Education and Supervision, with a research focus on Inclusive Services and Advocacy in Perinatal Mental Health for Black, LGBTQ+ individuals.  Content Warning: In this episode, we will talk about birth trauma and birth and perinatal mortality.  We talk about Mystique’s role as our new EBB Podcast Coordinator and her expectations for future podcast episodes. We also talk about Mystique’s experience as a birth worker in her community and what challenges she is faced with as an advocate for inclusive perinatal care for marginalized communities. Learn more about Mystique and The Black Birth Healer (https://www.theblackbirthhealer.com). Follow Mystique on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackBirthHealer) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/blackbirthhealer). Learn more about Janiya Williams (https://www.madeingso.com/2020/08/28/janiya_mitnaul_williams/) and her Human Lactation Pathway 2 Certification Program at NC A&T State University (https://www.ncat.edu/caes/departments/family-and-consumer-sciences/lactation-cert.php). Follow Mahoghany Milk on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MahoganyMilk) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mahoganymilk).  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 National College of Midwifery (https://www.midwiferycollege.edu/). Follow National College of Midwifery on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NationalCollegeMidwifery/).  Learn more about Dr. Cheryl Beck (https://birthful.com/podcastbirthptsd/). 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 are going to talk about the research evidence on failure to progress.  We also talk about what studies have shown about the normal length of labor, as well as the benefits and risks of having a longer pushing time. We encourage you to visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/failuretoprogress to get all the research references and a one-page handout. 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, I interview Fiona and Craig Castleton about their birthing experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiona and Craig welcomed their first baby in April 2020 — when everything was locked down. To prepare for their experience, they took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor, Shalin Butterworth, who also happened to be their doula. We talk about their experience taking the online Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class and how Shalin helped mentor them in comfort measures and advocacy. We also talk about birthing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they advocated for themselves during pregnancy and during the birth. Fiona has shorter stature and had a history of spinal fusion surgery as a teen, and she had to navigate conflicting medical opinions about her ability to have an epidural or, even whether or not she could have a vaginal birth. In the end, Fiona and Craig used their advocacy skills and had an empowering unmedicated hospital birthing experience as first-time parents. Shalin Butterworth, their doula, and EBB Instructor: https://www.sozenbirthservices.com/ Take an EBB Childbirth Class from Shalin: https://www.sozenbirthservices.com/ebb-for-expecting-families Birth Words podcast located here: https://www.birthwords.com/podcast Birth Words class for professionals here: https://www.birthwords.com/classes   Feminist Midwife blog: https://www.feministmidwife.com/ Feminist Midwife e-newsletter: https://feministmidwife.substack.com/about?utm_source=subscribe_email&utm_content=learn_more 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, I wrap up all the resources we created at Evidence Based Birth in 2020, as well as the challenges we faced as a team. I also talk about what our plans are for the year 2021. This was not an easy podcast to record. How do you sum up a year like 2020? Like many of you, our team members at EBB have experienced loss and grief, uncertainty and anxiety, stress, and burnout. Somehow our team pulled together to continue getting evidence based information to the public. We leaned on each other— when some of us were having difficulties, others pitched in... then roles would quickly reverse. "Teamwork makes the dreamwork" was frequently mentioned in our Slack channel! In the end, we were still able to fulfill our EBB mission (making research evidence publicly available) while caring for ourselves and our families. And I am incredibly proud of our team for that accomplishment. I'd encourage you to check out today's podcast to learn about all the resources that were created for you this year at Evidence Based Birth and to get a sneak peek of what we hope to publish next year. You can listen to that podcast episode (or read the transcript) here (link). We also created a Spotify playlist of songs that have inspired some of us through difficult times. You can check out that music playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5w25L1849X9dTVt0RGMkOe?si=xx61fpXmR1ujTcqiOtrClA On behalf of the entire EBB team, I'd like to send you our best wishes for a healing and restorative New Year in 2021. 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 today’s episode, I interview Nicole Deggins, a Certified Nurse Midwife and one of the country's leading birth advocacy experts.. She served as faculty for the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative and sits on the Louisiana Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review committee, the Louisiana Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies council, and is a consultant for the Global Infant Safe Sleep Center. Nicole has provided guest lectures to public health students at universities and has provided training and consultation to many local and national agencies, including the New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition, Birthing Project USA, Birthmark Doula Collective, Healthy Start New Orleans, New Orleans WIC and others.  **Trigger Content Warning: This episode talks about systemic racism in birth work and racial trauma.** As we wrap up the "International Year of the Nurse and Midwife," I'm grateful to Nicole Deggins for coming on the podcast. Don't miss this episode, where Nicole talks about Black midwifery, labor and delivery nursing, doula training, and the founding of Sista Midwife Productions. She also shares her experiences of navigating systemic racism as a Black pregnant mother and birth professional. Nicole also shares her own inspirational preterm birth story. Learn more about Nicole Deggins and Sista Midwife Productions Birth Sister/Doula training here (https://www.sistamidwife.com/ and https://www.sistamidwife.com/doulatraining). Follow Sista Midwife Productions on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/SistaMidwife) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/sistamidwife).  Learn more about Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative here (https://partnersforfamilyhealth.org/lapqc/).  Learn more about Louisiana Healthy Moms here (https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/231).  Learn more about Global Infant Safe Sleep Center (GISSC) here (https://gisscenter.org/). Follow GISSC on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/gisscenter/).  Learn more about New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition (NOMCHC) here (https://wavestarter.tulane.edu/campaigns/new-orleans-maternal-and-child-health-coalition-student-assistant-stipends) and follow NOMCHC on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/nolamchcoalition).  Learn more about Birthing Project USA here (https://www.healthystartepic.org/resources/evidence-based-practices/birthing-project-usa/).  Learn more about the Birthmark Doula Collective here (https://www.birthmarkdoulas.com/). Follow the Birthmark Doula Collective on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/birthmarkdoulas/), on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/birthmarkdoulas), and on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/BirthmarkDoulas).  Learn about Healthy Start New Orleans here (https://www.nola.gov/health-department/healthy-start/).  Learn more about New Orleans WIC here (https://www.nola.gov/health/wic/).  Learn more about the “Bringin' in Da Spirit” documentary here (https://www.twn.org/catalog/pages/responsive/cpage.aspx?rec=1119&card=price).  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/).  Learn more about the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC) here (https://thenaabb.org/). 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 episode, I will be talking with Dr. Juan Michelle Martin. Dr. Martin is a pelvic floor specialist for 13 years. 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/).  Learn more about DONA International here (https://www.dona.org/). Follow DONA International on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/DONAInternational/). 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 Grace Murphy and Roderick Murphy about their home birth during COVID. Grace Murphy has been married to Roderick Murphy for the past two years, and they were high school sweethearts. Grace and Roderick are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth® childbirth class with EBB instructor, Heidi Duncan. They welcomed their firstborn son, Edmond, on June 14th of 2020. Roderick has been in the Army for the past six years, and just transferred to the civilian world in July of 2020, so they've been through three nine-month deployments throughout their dating and marriage.  We will talk about their experience with having to plan and prepare for a homebirth during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talk about helpful suggestions for other families who are wanting to homebirth. 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, I will talk about cervical ripening, the Bishop score, and some "mechanical" ways to ripen the cervix. More specifically, we'll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of cervical osmotic dilators (including Dilapan-S®), and using the Foley balloon for cervical ripening. Get on the wait list for the Pocket Guide here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/pocket-guide-wait-list/ References on Cervical Ripening: Curran, M. (2020). Bishop Score Calculator. Click here. Kolkman, D. G. E., Verhoeven, C. J. M., Brinkhorst, S. J., et al. (2013). Bishop score as a predictor of labor induction success: a systematic review. American Journal of Perinatology, 30(8), 625-30. Click here. Ivars, J., Garabedian, C., Devos, P., et al. (2016). Simplified Bishop score including parity predicts successful induction of labor. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol., 203, 309-314. Click here. References on the Foley: Abdelhakim, A. M. Shareef, M .A., AlAmodi, A. A., et al. (2020). Outpatient versus inpatient balloon catheter insertion for labor induction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, In Press. Click here. 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. Click here. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2009, Reaffirmed 2019). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of labor. Obstet Gynecol.,114(2 Pt 1), 386-397. Click here. 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 2019, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD001233. Click here. Dong, S., Khan, M., Hashimi, F., et al. (2020). Inpatient versus outpatient induction of labour: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 20(1), 382. Click here. Leduc, D., Biringer, A., Lee, L., et al. (2013). Induction of Labor: SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline. No. 296, 35(9), 840-857. Click here. Liu, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, F., et al. (2019). Double- versus single-balloon catheters for labour induction and cervical ripening: a meta-analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 19(1), 358. Click here. Simpson, K. R. (2020). Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition. AWHONN Practice Monograph, 24(4), PS1-S41. Click here. References on Dilapan-S: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2009, Reaffirmed 2019). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of labor. Obstet Gynecol.,114(2 Pt 1), 386-397. Click here. Levine, L. D., Valencia, C. M. and Tolosa, J. E. (2020). Induction of labor in continuing pregnancies. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol., S1521-6934(20), 30079-1. Click here. Gupta, J., Chodankar, R., Baev, O., et al. (2018). Synthetic osmotic dilators in the induction of labour-An international multicentre observational study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol., 229, 70-75. Click here. Saad, A. F., Villarreal, J., Eid, J., et al. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of Dilapan-S vs Foley balloon for preinduction cervical ripening (DILAFOL trial). Am J Obstet Gynecol., 220(3), 275.e1-275.e9. Click 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 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.**

In this episode I talk about the updated research evidence on using membrane sweeping or membrane stripping for inducing labor. Is membrane sweeping effective? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Why do some providers perform membrane sweeping without asking your permission beforehand? We talk about all of this, and more, in this latest episode of the Evidence Based Birth® podcast! 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, I am joined with Brett Iimura to discuss global childbirth education and birth in Japan. Brett has had a varied career, including being a hansom cab driver in New York City, an ASL interpreter, field producer for Japanese TV, literacy tutor and childbirth educator, and doula. She has facilitated in-person classes as a certified childbirth educator and is the director of the Childbirth Education Center, the CEC, based in Japan. Brett has provided childbirth education classes in the United States for 25 years as well, adding a remote or virtual option nine years ago. More than 2000 birthing people and their support partners from over 80 countries have attended CEC’s classes to date. CEC also runs a program that offers a certification in the art of childbirth education for student midwives. We talk about navigating to find a supportive birthing team in Japan, Japan’s medical approaches to birth, along with childbirth education compared to the United States. We also speak about the differences in facilitating childbirth classes internationally, along with adjusting to transitioning from in-person instruction to virtual and remote facilitated childbirth education classes. RESOURCES: Morton, Christine H, and Clarissa Hsu. “Contemporary dilemmas in american childbirth education: findings from a comparative ethnographic study.” The Journal of perinatal education vol. 16,4 (2007): 25-37. doi:10.1624/105812407X245614. Learn more about this study here (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174386/). Learn more about Brett Iimura and Birth in Japan here (https://www.birthinjapan.com/). Learn more about Kimberly Seal Allers here (https://www.kimberlysealsallers.com/) and The Irth App here (https://birthwithoutbias.com/). Follow Kimberly Seal Allers on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/iamksealsallers?lang=en) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/iamksealsallers/?hl=en). You can follow The Irth App on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/theirthapp/?hl=en) and on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/TheIrthApp). Learn more about Cristen Pascucci and Birth Monopoly here (https://birthmonopoly.com/). Follow Birth Monopoly on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/birthmonopoly) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/birthmonopoly/?hl=en). Learn more about Jennie Joseph here (https://jenniejoseph.com/) and Commonsense Childbirth here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/). Follow Jennie Josehp on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/MidwifeJennie) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/thejjway/?hl=en). Follow Commonsence Childbrith on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/perinataltskfrc/).   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. 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.

**Trigger Content Warning: This podcast episode discusses racism and includes graphic descriptions of obstetric abuse.** In this episode, we're going to talk with Melissa Anne DuBois about shifting from the role of hospital labor and delivery nurse to home birth advocate. Melissa Anne graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing in 2006 and has worked in labor and delivery, high-risk obstetrics, outpatient OB-GYN, and maternity well-baby settings for the past 13 years. Melissa Anne became a childbirth educator in 2011 and a lactation counselor in 2014 and teaches childbirth classes for babiesincommon.com. Fed up with witnessing the COVID-19 pandemic being used to strip birthing families of their rights in childbirth with a resurgence of long outdated and harmful maternity practices that didn't improve staff or patient safety, Melissa left her labor and delivery job and is now providing postpartum home visits for Embrace Midwifery, a home birth midwifery practice in Central Massachusetts. Melissa continues to advocate for birthing families during the pandemic by offering virtual birth planning services and classes. We will discuss Melissa’s transition as a labor and delivery nurse to a home birth advocate, which resulted from her own experience with having a traumatic birth, obstetric abuse, and witnessing outdated perinatal medical methods performed in hospital settings during her years in nursing as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss systematic racism in perinatal health care placed against marginalized communities of color.  RESOURCES: Learn more about Melissa Anne Dubois and Babies in Common here (https://www.babiesincommon.com/). Listen to Melissa’s podcast, “Babies in Common Show” on Apple here (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1506843459) and Spotify here (https://open.spotify.com/show/35wh7oWEGiivi9tKBPfEYX). Follow Babies in Common on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/BabiesInCommon/).  Learn more about Embrace Midwifery, Rachel Blessington, and Marianne Pelletier here (https://www.embracemidwifery.care/). Follow Embrace Midwifery on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/embracemidwifery.care) and Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/embracemidwifery.care/).  View “The Business Of Being Born” here (https://www.amazon.com/Business-Being-Born-Helen-Ayres/dp/B001IIHAGK).  Learn about Krysta Dancy and Birth and Trauma Support Center here (https://birthandtraumasupportcenter.org/). Follow Krysta Dancy on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/DancyTherapy/). Follow Birth and Trauma Support Center on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/birthandtraumasupportcenter/) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/birthandtraumasupportcenter/).  Learn more about the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) here (https://awhonn.org/). Follow AWHONN on Facebook here(https://www.facebook.com/AWHONN/) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/awhonn/).  Learn more about the World Health Organization (WHO) here (https://www.who.int/). Follow WHO on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/WHO/) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/who/).  Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Mitchell here (https://linktr.ee/Doctor__midwife). Follow Dr. Mitchell on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/doctor_midwife/). 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. 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.

**Trigger Warning: This podcast contains content on the topic of obstetric abuse and birth trauma.** In this episode, I interview Brittany “Tru” Kellman, the Founder and Executive Director of Jamaa Birth Village in Ferguson, Missouri. She is a mother and wife, certified professional midwife, certified doula and doula trainer, breastfeeding peer counselor, and author. In 2015 she launched her community campaign to improve birth, maternal, and infant care, and the overall wellness of families in and around St. Louis by launching the non-profit that is today the Jamaa Birth Village.  Through the midwifery model of care, Tru has seen hope restored, thriving pregnancies, and healthy births and postpartum periods. In 2019, Tru became Missouri’s first Black certified professional midwife, in order to serve families in the provider role. She is a recipient of the prestigious Dr. Corinne Walentik Leadership in Health Award, through the Missouri Foundation for Health. We talk about Tru’s start in birth work, the importance of community advocacy, and the unique needs of families and birthing people of color.  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. RESOURCES: Follow the Jamaa Birth Village on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jamaabirthvillage/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jamaabirthvillage/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/jamaabirth?lang=en) and its website (https://jamaabirthvillage.org/). Click here (https://jamaabirthvillage.org/doula-training-program) for information on the Jamaa Birth Village Doula Training Program. Follow Brittany Tru Kellman, CPM on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TruKellman/?ref=page_internal) 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. 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.

n this episode, I interview an Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class parent, Caitlyn Martens from Mesa, Arizona. Her son - now more than a year old - arrived a month early. Caitlyn took the EBB Childbirth Class with Instructor Lora Fiala, and had a doula. At 28 weeks Caitlyn switched her prenatal care from an OB practice to a midwife team, who were able to attend her at her planned hospital birth. **Trigger warning: In this episode we discuss birth trauma, and an experience of newborn resuscitation with intubation is described.** Caitlyn had a full spectrum of birth experiences - including a very long labor, nitrous oxide, an eventual c-section, and a few complications. We talk about how everything transpired, and her very healthy reflections and framing of these challenges. We also talk about the latest evidence on VBAC in birth centers.  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. Lora Fiala's EBB Childbirth Class can be found here: https://birthwithknowledge.net/ 

In this episode, I interview Evidence Based Birth® Instructor Tara Thompson. Tara is a certified birth doula with CAPPA, a Lamaze certified childbirth educator, and a licensed massage therapist specializing in pregnancy and postpartum. She has taught classes to expecting couples for more than ten years at a women’s center in Atlanta, Georgia. She’s also been teaching privately for over three years. Tara teaches the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class online, and has also taught the EBB Comfort Measures Workshop for L&D nurses. She recently facilitated a training to more than 250 birth professionals at a large hospital to help lower the Cesarean birth rate, and educate staff on comfort measures during labor. We talk about Tara’s unique insights into hospital birth, policies, and culture, as well as the impact and importance of childbirth education. She and I also talk about the beginnings of Evidence Based Birth®. 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. RESOURCES: Connect with Tara on her website (https://www.tarasbirthservices.com/about-me), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tarasbirthservices), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/taradthompson.co/) Click here (https://tarasbirthservices.com) to register for Evidence Based Birth® classes taught by EBB Instructor Tara Thompson.  Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/resources-for-parents/) for a list of Evidence Based Birth® resources for parents.  Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) for information on the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth® Class. 

In this episode, I interview JaMichael Perryman, who is husband of Evidence Based Birth Professional Membership Coordinator and EBB Instructor Chanté Perryman. JaMichael is father to five children, and has experienced a wide variety of births - ranging from an emergency Cesarean to three VBACs which have all been precipitous births. He has been joining Chanté during her childbirth classes to offer a dad’s perspective for partners. In 2018 he was a speaker at Kentucky’s March for Moms.  JaMichael hosts a weekly discussion called HIMbracing Fatherhood under the name Mr. ManDoula where he gives real world and practical advice for dads and partners. We talk about the history of fathers and partners in the birth room, and the importance of encouraging dads to have a hands on approach and to use their voice during the birth process. 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. RESOURCES: Click here (https://www.babydreamsmc.com/fatherhood.html) to see JaMichael Perryman, “Mr. ManDoula” on HIMbracing Fatherhood. You can email JaMichael Perryman via Baby Dreams Maternity Concierge at [email protected].  Follow Chante Perryman on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/babydreamsmc/). For information on the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/)! For more Evidence Based Birth® parent resources - including a directory of EBB Instructors, click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/resources-for-parents/).

In this episode I answer several questions about natural labor induction: Can eating pineapple help induce labor contractions? What about having sex? Is that really effective for starting labor!   Natural induction techniques continue to be among our most searched and requested topics at Evidence Based Birth®. I'm excited to share with you the evidence on these common labor induction techniques! For all the scientific references mentioned in this podcast, visit our blog post at ebbirth.com/144  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, the Minnesota Healing Justice Network is taking over the podcast! In this very important episode, our guest speakers are Ihotu Ali, Daniela Montoya-Barthelemy, and Shayla Walker. **Content warning** this podcast includes discussion of racial violence and racial health disparities. Ihotu Jennifer Ali, MPH, LMT (she/her), is an integrative medicine doctor in training and doula with a decade of experience in public health and traditional practices around emotional support, pregnancy, and family and healthy reproductive cycles. Ihotu offers abdominal and craniosacral therapy, herbs and nutrition, birth and postpartum care, with plans to open a healing justice and integrative medicine center for families, children and holistic mental health. Ihotu is the self-published author of "Seven Portal Sky: Afrofuturist Medicine from Minneapolis." Daniela Montoya-Barthelemy, MPH (she/her) is a queer Chicana from a small town in Northern New Mexico. Daniela’s business, Mama Sin Vergüenza, was born out of her first son's birth and her passion for sexual health and social justice. The services offered reflect her gifts and balancing strategic health research with holistic modalities of care. Over the last years, Mexican Traditional Medicine and somatic psychology practices have become the twin pillars of her service offerings. Shayla Walker (she/ella) is a Black Dominican American who is a rare Twin Cities native who loves Minneapolis just as much as Saint Paul. Shayla serves as the vision realization advisor of “Our Justice,” a Twin Cities-based reproductive justice organization, that seeks to ensure that all people and communities have the power and resources to make sexual and reproductive health decisions with self-determination. Ihotu, Daniela, and Shayla discuss talk about the challenges of racial health disparities after the murder of George Floyd and connecting with their community through times of tragedy due to racial violence. They also discuss the importance of cultural connections and ancestral practices in birth work, self care, and wellness. Learn more about the Minnesota Healing Justice Network here (https://www.mnhealingjustice.com/) along with their resources of other BIPOC providers here (https://www.mnhealingjustice.com/providers). Check out the MN Healing Justice Network's Solidarity Network, where you can follow and support individual healers here (https://linktr.ee/solidaritynetwork  ) Follow Minnesota Healing Justice Network on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mnhealingjustice) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mnhealingjustice/). Learn more about Autumn Cavender-Wilson, CPM and Yellow Medicine Midwifery here (https://yellowmedicinemidwifery.org). Follow Daniela's work here: (http://mamasinverguenza.com/) Follow Minneapolis Indigenous Breastfeeding Support Circle on Facebook. Learn more about Oily Doula MN here (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/) and follow Oily Doula MN (Rhonda Fellows) on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oilydoulamn/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oilydoulamn/). Learn more about Britt Jackson and Metro Home Birth here (https://www.metrohomebirth.com/) and follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/metromidwiferymn/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MetroMidwiferyMN/). Learn more about the Black Home Birth Initiative in Minnesota here (https://www.metrohomebirth.com/black-home-birth-initiative).  Learn more about Roots Community Birth Center here (https://www.rootsbirthcenter.com/). Follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rootscommunitybirthcenter/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rootsbirthcenter/). Learn more about Our Justice here (https://www.ourjustice.net/). Follow Our Justice on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OurJusticeRJ/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ourjusticerj/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/OurJusticeRJ). Learn more about Indigenous Roots here (https://indigenous-roots.org/). Follow Indigenous Roots on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IndigeRootsCulturalArts/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/indigeroots/).  Learn more about Ninde Doulas here (https://www.diw-mn.org/health).  Learn more about Black Lotus Mothers here (http://blacklotusmothers.org/). Follow Black Lotus Mothers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/blacklotusmotheringthroughpain/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/blacklotusmother/?hl=en), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/blacklotusMa).  Learn more about the Minnesota Prison Doula Project here (https://www.mnprisondoulaproject.org/). Follow the Minnesota Prison Doula Project on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/prisondoulas), Instagram (https://twitter.com/prisondoulas), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/prisondoulas).  Learn more about Millicent Simenson and Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming here (https://www.mewinzha.com/). Learn more about Everyday Miracles here (https://www.everyday-miracles.org/). Follow Everyday Miracles on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/everydaymiracles.mpls/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/everydaymiracles.mn/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/evd_miracles). Learn more about the Unrestrict Minnesota Campaign here (https://unrestrictmn.org/). Follow Unrestrict Minnesota Campaign on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UnRestrictMN/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unrestrictmn/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/UnrestrictMN).  Learn about Nadine Ashby and Doula4All here (https://www.doula4all.com/). Follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Doula4all) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/Doula4all/).  Learn more about The Radical Doula here (https://radicaldoula.com/). Learn more about the Cultural Wellness Center here (http://www.culturalwellnesscenter.org/). Follow the Cultural Wellness Center on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/culturalwellnesscenter/). Learn more and follow Ahava Birthwork on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ahavahbirthworksorg/). Learn more about Memphis Choices here (https://memphischoices.org/medical-services/lgbtq-health-services/). 

Today, I am excited to continue our important 3-day series about the Minnesota Healing Justice Network! **Content warning: In this episode, we talk about the uprisings after George Floyd’s murder and safety concerns during birth due to racial traumatic event. We also discuss an event in which parents were temporarily separated from their newborn baby, which may be disturbing to listen to.** In this episode, you'll hear from new parents Jenae Herron and Marcel Malekebu. Jenae is a housing case manager, and Marcel does podcast production. Jenae and Marcel took the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class co-taught by EBB Instructors Heather Christine Struwe and Rhonda Fellows. Rhonda was also their doula, and she was featured on yesterday's podcast about birth in Minnesota. Towards of the end of Jenae's pregnancy in June, the COVID-19 pandemic was already in full swing, and then George Floyd was murdered. The day Jenae's water broke at 37 weeks, they were unsure what to do because of elevated safety concerns in the city. She and Marcel navigated a long labor and a switch from planning a birth center birth at Roots Community Birth Center, to home birth, to hospital birth. We discuss their unique experience and flexibility in their birth, as well as the evidence surrounding chorioamnionitis (maternal infection) and the implications for newborn care. I answered their questions about newborn resuscitation with the cord intact, and how to know when a baby needs antibiotics if the mother had an infection during labor. Learn about Oily Doula MN here (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/) and follow Oily Doula MN on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oilydoulamn/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oilydoulamn/). Learn about the Minnesota Healing Justice Network here (https://www.mnhealingjustice.com/). Follow Minnesota Healing Justice Network on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mnhealingjustice) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mnhealingjustice/). Follow and support the Roots Community Birth Center here (https://www.rootsbirthcenter.com/) 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.

Today is a special day, as we are starting a 3-day podcast focus on the amazing work being done by the Minnesota Healing Justice Network! In today's episode, I am joined by EBB instructor, Rhonda Fellows and Dr. Jennifer Almanza to talk about birthing and disparities in Minnesota. **TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode, we talk about racial violence and Black and Indigenous maternal health disparities.** Rhonda Fellows is a Certified Birth Doula and Evidence Based Birth® Instructor who has 20 years of working with youth and families in the nonprofit world as an after-school program director, co-director of an overflow homeless shelter, tutor and counselor of high school students, teen mission trip facilitator, and healthy relationships guest speaker in health classes. Rhonda serves family in the Twin Cities Area, and she loves teaching childbirth education classes to help parents realize their rights, options, and feel empowered to advocate for themselves. She is also a teacher of the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class. In addition to birth work, Rhonda is a founding member of the Minnesota Healing Justice Network. Dr. Jennifer Almanza has her Doctorate of Nursing Practice and is a Certified Nurse Midwife. Dr. Almanza's work amplifies health equity through endorsing physiologic birth, helping clients maintain their agency and power, providing evidence-based care, and pushing reproductive justice via policy and research activism. Dr. Almanza believes in building the body of research done by, with, and for Indigenous Black, Latinx, multiracial, and other people of color. Dr. Almanza practices with women's health specialists at the University of Minnesota Physicians. Dr. Almanza is an adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School for the School of Nursing department, as she teaches in the Doctorate of Nursing program in Midwifery. We talk about the events of George Floyd’s murder and the COVID-19 pandemic, and how both events affected Black maternal health in the Minnesota community. We also discuss the importance of decolonizing birth and acknowledging Indigenous birth working practices and cultural traditions. Learn about Rhonda Fellows via Oily Doula MN here (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/) and follow Oily Doula MN on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/oilydoulamn/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oilydoulamn/). Learn about the Minnesota Healing Justice Network here (https://www.mnhealingjustice.com/). Follow Minnesota Healing Justice Network on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mnhealingjustice) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mnhealingjustice/). Learn about Autumn Cavender-Wilson, CPM and Yellow Medicine Midwifery here (https://yellowmedicinemidwifery.org). Follow Minneapolis Indigenous Breastfeeding Support Circle on Facebook. Learn about Britt Jackson and Metro Home Birth here (https://www.metrohomebirth.com/) and follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/metromidwiferymn/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MetroMidwiferyMN/). Learn about Resmaa Menakem's book, "My Grandmother's Hands" here.  To learn more about Sabia Wade (The Black Doula) and Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings here (https://www.badoulatrainings.org/). Follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/birthingadvocacy/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/birthingadvocacy/). Learn about Roots Community Birth Center here (https://www.rootsbirthcenter.com/). Follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rootscommunitybirthcenter/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rootsbirthcenter/). 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, I interview parents Kristin and Zach Crosby, who live in Alabama with their four children. Kristin is a Registered Nurse, and has been a stay at home mom since the birth of their third child. They recently adopted a two year old. Zach is a systems administrator, and runs a locksmith company. They took the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class with EBB Instructor Traci Weafer. We talk about Kristen’s first two hospital births, and what led her to take a different approach with her third - where she opted for a home birth. We also discuss their journey of self-advocacy in birth, and the importance of making informed decisions. "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" is available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Kobo, Apple books, and more!  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 latest episode in our series on natural labor induction, I cover the evidence on consuming red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy. Can red raspberry leaf tea assist with natural labor induction? How effective is it to prevent a cesarean birth? Have there been any randomized trials on the use of red raspberry leaf for pregnancy or labor induction? What does the evidence say about its effectiveness and safety? I’ll answer all these questions and more – and share the latest research on this popular herbal tea! 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. RESOURCES: For a comprehensive list of research references used in this podcast episode, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/red-raspberry-leaf-tea   

In this episode, I interview women’s health expert Bianca Marie Roberson. Bianca is located in Maryland, and has over 17 years of experience working in the public health field, including serving as a health services administrator for the military, healthcare insurance operations analyst for the Georgia Department of Community Health, and a corporate healthcare accounts manager for CareerBuilder. **Content warning: This episode includes a description of obstetric violence After years of program management, health disparities research, and community advocacy, Bianca Marie answered her personal calling to become a mom and full-spectrum doula, a motherhood transformational coach, and a doula business coach. She is also founder of Blooming Mamas Wellness Institute - an organization providing trauma counseling and health education for parents, as well as doula services to uplift clients across the country. Bianca Marie holds a Bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and pubic health, and an MBA in healthcare administration.  We talk about Bianca Marie’s traumatic birth experience, and how she helps families heal from similar situations to go on to have healthy trauma-free births. Bianca Marie also gives valuable insights on virtual support for families during the pandemic, as well as business tips for doulas. 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. RESOURCES: Visit Blooming Mamas Wellness, LLC here (https://www.bloomingmamaswellness.com/)! Click here (https://www.bloomingmamaswellness.com/Sign-Up-Blooming-Birth-Workers-Community) for information on the Blooming Birth Workers virtual community. Follow Bianca Marie Roberson on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100024521880601) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theofficialbiancamarie/).

In this episode I am joined by Bryn Huntpalmer, an Austin, Texas-based podcaster and mother of three young children. She is the founder of The Birth Hour podcast, which was featured in Time Magazine as one of the top 50 podcasts to listen to. The Birth Hour has nearly 500 episodes, and more than 10 million downloads to date. Bryn recently published her first book, The First Time Mom’s Pregnancy Handbook: A Week-by-Week Guide from Conception Through Baby’s First Three Months. She is passionate about helping women prepare for childbirth through the sharing of empowering and informative birth stories. We talk about the power of sharing experiences, the deep impact of education on birth, and connecting with your community to develop the birth plan you want. We also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. birth experience, and the evidence on vaginal breech birth. 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 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. 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. RESOURCES: Click here for information on Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and here to learn about The JJ Way. For more on the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery, click here. Learn about the National Perinatal Task Force here. Follow Jennie Joseph on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In this episode, I interview Miranda Kelly, a certified birth doula, postpartum doula, and childbirth educator who has worked for ten years in Indigenous people’s health planning, policy education, and research. Miranda holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology, and a Master of Public Health degree. She is a mother of two girls, and is a member of the ekw’í7tl (pronounced ah-quay-tull) doula collective in Vancouver. Miranda is passionate about indigenous peoples reclaiming their authority as decision makers in their own health and wellbeing, and I’m thrilled to welcome Miranda to the podcast to let us know about the work that she and other community organizers are doing for the Indigenous community. We also discuss the evidence on amniotic fluid. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Miranda at her website and Instagram. Click here for information on the ekw’í7tl doula collective. Click here to learn about the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program, administered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. Click here to see the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine guidelines on evaluation and management of polyhydramnios. For the Evidence Based Birth article What is the Evidence for Induction for Low Fluid at Term in a Healthy Pregnancy?, click here

In this episode, I cover the evidence on evening primrose oil (EPO) for natural labor induction. This oil is extracted from the seed of the evening primrose plant, which grows wild in North America and some parts of Europe. It’s a rich source of omega six essential fatty acids, as well as other compounds which are thought to help ripen the cervix for labor. I share the results of randomized control trials for administering EPO vaginally and taking it orally, as well as observational studies, a case report, and studies looking at EPO for cervcial ripening for non-pregnancy gynecological procedures. 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. RESOURCES: Click here for the Evidence Based Birth article, the Evidence on Evening Primrose Oil.

In this episode I interview Dr. Heather Maguire, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) with a doctorate in educational psychology. Dr. Maguire has spent over a decade studying behavior and working with children, parents and educators. She’s a proud mom of two kids, a professor teaching school psychology, and the founder and CEO of Prism Behavior, which helps parents manage challenging behaviors with confidence. She also hosts the Prism Behavior Podcast. We discuss the transition from birth to infant and toddlerhood, parenting while pregnant, perinatal depression, tantrums, discipline, and the seasons of parenthood. 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. RESOURCES: Click here for information on Prism Behavior. Click here for the Prism Parenting Podcast.  Follow Prism Behavior on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Click here for Prism Behavior’s free guide on transforming child behavior. Prism Behavior podcast, Episodes 55 and 56: https://www.prismbehavior.com/podcast Dr. Traci Baxley at Social Justice Parenting: @socialjusticeparenting on Instagram (insert link) Podcast interview with Dr. Traci Baxley on the Melanated Conversations podcast: https://melanatedconversations.com/blogs/podcast-episodes/social-justice-parenting-feat-dr-traci-palmer-baxley The Center for Racial Justice and Education has compiled a list of resources for talking with kids about race, racism, and racialized violence (includes many resources designed for kids of color): https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/resources-for-talking-about-race-racism-and-racialized-violence-with-kids/ PBS has a comprehensive list of resources for parents talking with young children about racism: https://www.pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism NY Times list of books for children: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/parenting/kids-books-racism-protest.html

In this episode I interview Ambrosia Meikle, a Los Angles-based Evidence Based Birth Instructor, CAPPA-certified birth and postpartum doula, and a full-spectrum doula. She is also a lactation educator specialist and childbirth educator, Ambrosia also volunteers to teach childbirth classes and provide doula services at a high school for pregnant teens. She is a mother of two. This show has a trigger warning for pregnancy termination related to a fatal birth defect. Before entering birth work, Ambrosia was a surrogate for a family from overseas. In her practice, Ambrosia serves an extremely diverse community, and she is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to the type of support that is best for them.  We talk about Ambrosia’s surrogacy - including some very difficult decisions she had to make during that pregnancy, and the moment she felt empowered in her labor to birth the baby when she felt the time was right. We also talk about the importance of childbirth education and support for pregnant teens. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Ambrosia on Instagram or her website. Click here for the Evidence Based Birth Signature Article, Evidence on: Doulas.

In this episode, I cover all the latest evidence on the use of Pitocin during the third stage of labor - which is also the topic of the latest Evidence Based Birth Signature Article, released this week!  The third stage of labor, or placental stage, begins after the baby is born and ends after the birth of the placenta (sometimes called the “afterbirth”). It follows the first two stages of labor - the dilation stage and the pushing stage. In practice, there are three main approaches to care for the birth of the placenta - active management, expectant management, and mixed management. Some of these methods include the use of Pitocin - a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin. I cover the pros and cons of each of these, as well last the latest research and recommendations. 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. RESOURCES: See the Evidence Based Birth Signature Article, The Evidence on: Pitocin During the Third Stage of Labor, here! All research and sources are linked at the end of the article.  Download the EBB one-page handout on Pitocin During the Third Stage of Labor here.

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. 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.

Over the past 3 years, I have traveled and spoken with hundreds of childbirth educators from across the U.S. and Canada. At every conference I attended, one theme was repeated over and over--- educators told me that the field of childbirth education was in the midst of a huge crisis. Most childbirth educators said their registrations were declining, and that many first-time parents weren't taking childbirth education classes anymore (even though education is really important!)  Then, the pandemic hit. Classes were either cancelled or converted to 100% online.  I decided to reach out to someone I admire-- Natalie Eckdahl, MBA-- to see if we could get any advice about how independent childbirth educators can survive and thrive in the midst of all these upheavals.Natalie Eckdahl is the founder of BizChix, Inc, and its community, podcast, programs and events, and she's author of R.E.S.E.T. Your Mindset: Silence Your Inner Mean Girl. She's been recognized as one of the top women in business to listen to, and she has also been featured in Inc., Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Entrepreneur. Today, Natalie joins me on the EBB Podcast! We start by discussing Natalie’s three unique birth stories (in a hospital, at home, and at a birth center), and her personal experience with childbirth education. Then we dive into crucial business advice for independent childbirth educators who are trying to figure out how to navigate business during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this latest episode in our series on natural labor induction, I cover the evidence on using castor oil or eating date fruit to induce labor. Can castor oil increase the chances of you going into labor? When is it most effective? How many dates do you need to eat to reduce the length of pregnancy? I’ll answer all these questions and more - and share the latest research on these methods! 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.

In this episode, I am joined by Katie Kane, a parent from Cherry Hill, New Jersey who took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class when she was pregnant with her daughter. Katie worked with EBB Instructor Cat LaPlante.  From the beginning of her pregnancy, Katie planned for an unmedicated hospital birth - leading her on a path to researching doulas and eventually finding the EBB Childbirth Class. She was intentional in choosing her birth team, and ended up switching providers when she knew her first was not the best fit for her. With the support of her husband and doula, Katie was able to navigate roadblocks that may have resulted in different outcomes for her birth if she had not been so well prepared. 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. RESOURCES: Find an Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class or Comfort Measures for Labor and Delivery Workshop here. Find an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, and all EBB parent resources here. Follow Jen McLellan at Plus Size Birth, the Plus Mommy podcast and Instagram. You can also hear Jen on the Evidence Based Birth Podcast here.

In this episode, I am joined by Leiko Hidaka, an Evidence Based Birth Instructor from the Dominican Republic. Leiko holds a Master’s degree in Human Settlements and Environment. She earned her birth doula certification with DONA International, and her childbirth educator certification with the International Childbirth Education Association. She serves as International Coordinator for ICAN, and also leads the local ICAN chapter of the Dominican Republic, where she is a highly respected and passionate leader for women’s autonomy through evidence based care. Leiko became an EBB Instructor in 2018, and she teaches classes and workshops for parents and birth professionals in the Dominical Republic. She is also working to establish a free standing birth center there.  Leiko and I talk about what birth is like in the Dominican Republic, and the challenges all women face in finding the provider who is right for their unique needs. We also discuss a technique called motivational interviewing, and how to use that strategy to navigate communication with providers. Trigger warning: This podcast address obstetric violence and fear.  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. Resources: Follow Leiko Hidaka on her website, Instagram, and Facebook Click here  for the Evidence Based Birth COVID-19 resource page. Click here to see EBB’s new Sample Informed Consent Form for Refusal to Separate Birthing Parent and Infant. This document is also available in Spanish. For Spanish translations of EBB’s one-page handouts, click here. Check out our Spring Sale in the Evidence Based Birth Shop! T-shirts are on sale - buy two, get $10 off your order. Also - we are offering FREE downloads of the e-book version of Babies Are Not Pizzas!  The Evidence Based Birth Pro membership is on sale through this Friday, May 1! Click here to get 20% off the monthly or annual term. 

In this episode I kick off a new series on natural labor induction - starting with the evidence on acupressure, shiatsu or acupuncture, and breast stimulation.  Natural induction techniques continue to be among our most searched and requested topics at Evidence Based Birth. I’ll continue to cover new methods over the next several months.  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. Resources: Get the Evidence Based Birth Natural Labor Induction series here. Follow Dan Dekker, the Birth Business Teacher, here. Access Spanish translations of our one- and two-page handouts here.

In this episode, I interview Sabia Wade, a Black and Queer full spectrum doula, doula business coach and reproductive justice advocate. She is the founder of For The Village and Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings. She’s also a Somatic Experience Practitioner in training. Sabia’s mission is to bring inclusive, accessible and full spectrum education and resources to all individuals and organizations dedicated to creating a world of inclusion, justice and equity to birthing people all over the world. Sabia and I discuss health disparities and advocacy, and how both are being affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 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. Resources: Follow Sabia’s on Instagram @theblackdoula and @birthingadvocacy. Connect with Sabina at The Black Doula and Birthing Advocacy.
 Donate to For the Village here. See Sabia’s Marco Polo Channel here.
 For sliding scale and/or free assistance from a doula, and birth strategy planning during the pandemic, contact [email protected]. Black Maternal Health Week is April 14-21. Visit https://blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw/ to learn about upcoming webinars, resources, and more! Selected news articles about health disparities and the coronavirus: Early Data Shows African Americans Have Contracted and Died of Coronavirus at an Alarming Rate Indian Country, where residents suffer disproportionately from disease, is bracing for coronavirus Black communities hit harder by coronavirus in Michigan, not just Detroit Bronx Residents Twice as Likely to Die From COVID-19 in NYC  

In this episode, I am joined by Heather McCullough, an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor, Certified Hypnobabies Instructor®, and Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner. Heather is also CAPPA faculty, and is certified to train labor doulas, postpartum doulas, and lactation educators. She has also been a childbirth educator and a certified professional midwife for over 25 years.  Heather reveals some of the ways providers may interact with birthing people to steer them into situations that are best for them and for the hospital - not necessarily the birth plan. She also shares some success stories she’s experienced using EBB advocacy techniques. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Heather McCullough at her website, on Facebook, and on Instagram.  For the latest Evidence Based Birth COVID-19 updates, click here.  

In this episode, I am joined by Vicki Penwell, a licensed midwife and CPM, and the founder and executive director of Mercy in Action Vineyard, Inc. Mercy in Action is responsible for more than 15,500 safe births in the Philippines since 1991 - at no cost to the parents - with outcomes four times better than the country’s national average. Vicki is also executive director of the Mercy in Action College of Midwifery, has a Master’s degree in midwifery in the U.S., and a Master’s degree in intercultural studies in the Philippines. She has forty years of experience accepting late transfer of care clients, and 29 years of experience in a disaster-based midwifery model of care - including responding to national disasters and adjusting quickly too ever-changing landscapes for birth.  Given that 2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and we are also experiencing a global pandemic, I am so glad Vicki is able to join me and talk about home birth during this challenging time. 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/) and our Instructor program. (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-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 episode, I cover all the evidence to date on COVID-19 and pregnancy. This is an uncertain time and many are feeling a range of emotions. Our goal remains the same: to provide you with friendly, accessible, evidence based information so that you can make informed decisions. During a global pandemic, our goal is more important than ever. I've been working nonstop with Evidence Based Birth Research Editor Anna Bertone, MPH, to stay abreast of new research that comes out nearly every day about COVID-19. This podcast covers the latest as of March 23, 2020. All Evidence Based Birth research findings and updates on COVID-19 can be found here. Other resources on this page include our virtual doula directory, information on our Virtual Childbirth Class, a full length webinar on this topic, and more.  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.

In this episode I am excited to welcome Nicole Phelps! Nicole is a philanthropist who spends the majority of her volunteering with the Michael Phelps Foundation, which promotes water-safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams. In addition to her efforts with the Foundation, she also supports events and programs with Make-A-Wish and Operation Shower among others. A mother of three boys, Phelps is a “Mommy Advocate” and works to bring awareness to the challenges of motherhood by sharing her personal experiences through content campaigns, social media platforms and speaking engagements. A former marketing professional with YP, Phelps graduated with honors from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism and also cultivated a successful career in pageantry, being named Miss California USA 2010. She currently resides in Paradise Valley, AZ with her husband, Michael, their three sons (Boomer, Beckett, and Maverick) and two French bulldogs (Juno and Legend). Hear Nicole share her pregnancy and birth stories, and particularly her experience with cholestasis during pregnancy – a liver condition that can cause severe itching and other symptoms, and carries the risk for serious complications including stillbirth. We discuss the evidence on cholestasis, and the vital members of Nicole’s birth team who helped her along the way. Connect with Nicole Phelps on Instagram and Twitter. 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.

In this episode, I talk with certified nurse midwife Liane MacPherson. Liane has been working in women’s health for over 32 years - initially as a labor and delivery nurse, and for the past 19 years as a CNM. She is also a lactation consultant, a childbirth educator, and a midwifery professor with the Georgetown University graduate midwifery program, into which she introduced Evidence Based Birth’s Higher Ed resources. Liane is taking doctorate studies, and she has trained in a variety of places - including Canada, Haiti, Germany, England, Ireland - as well as the U.S. She served in a collaborative private practice in Texas for ten years, and is now currently the certified nurse midwife director for a large OB hospitalist program. Liane and I discuss the career trajectory of certified nurse midwives in the U.S., and she compares the American systemic viewpoint of midwives to those in other countries. We also talk about options for students pursuing nurse midwifery in today’s health care system, and the evidence surrounding the midwife/physician collaborative model. 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.

In this week’s episode I interview Dr. Alyssa Berlin, a clinical psychologist specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. She is also creator of the AfterBirth Plan Workshop, a program preparing couples for a physically and emotionally healthy postpartum transition - for the baby, for each partner, and for their evolving relationships. Dr. Berlin has specific expertise working with emotional concerns that may arise before, during, or after birth. She and her husband, Dr. Elliot Berlin, are the co-founders of the Berlin Wellness Group, and are proud parents to four children. Dr. Berlin offers practical analogies to help put postpartum in perspective as a human experience, as well as strategies for anticipation and prevention of emotional and situational triggers. We also talk about the importance of postpartum doulas and other professional and personal supporters. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Dr. Alyssa Berlin on Instagram. Learn about the AfterBirth Plan Workshop here. Connect with the Berlin Wellness Group on Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram and at doctorberlin.com. Find Episode 85 of the Evidence Based Birth Podcast with parent Ashely Smith on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss the evidence on inducing versus waiting for labor when you’re going past your due date. I am joined by Evidence Based Birth  researcher Anna Bertone, MPH, to explore all the latest on this topic and talk about the brand new Evidence Based Birth Signature Article - The Evidence on: Inducing for Due Dates.  **TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode, we talk about stillbirth and newborn death.** 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. RESOURCES: Check out the new Evidence Based Birth Signature Article on this topic - The Evidence on Inducing for Due Dates here (INSERT NEW ARTICLE LINK). Be sure to expand the Resources box at the bottom of the article to see all linked references. See the original Evidence Based Birth Signature Article, The Evidence on Due Dates, here

In this episode, I am joined by Danie Crofoot of Full Spectrum Doulas, an organization dedicated to creating dialogue around topics such as LGBTQIA+ inclusion, cultural competency, racial issues, and much more within the birth community. Their goal is to create space and support for people to have the power to write their own birth and postpartum stories. Danie is a childbirth educator and sex educator, and is known as a “traveling doula” - splitting time mostly between Los Angeles and New York. Danie and I discuss a number of issues relating to queer and trans parents, including the evidence on trans people, hormones and pregnancy, trans masculine people and pregnancy, mis-gendering, hospital logistics, and how the academic world can build a more rubust body of research on topics relating to LGBTQIA+. 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. RESOURCES: Connect with Danie Crofoot on Instagram (@of.earth.and.salt), Facebook, and at ofbirthandsalt.net. Learn more about Full Spectrum Doulas here. See the Genderbread Person visual here.

In this episode I am joined by Michelle Odoerfer, a mother of two young girls living in Clinton Township, Michigan with her husband Andrew. Michelle experienced two very different births - her first, in a hospital, was tense as she had to endure verbal and physical aggression from an attending OB. Her second was a peaceful, unattended home birth, with just herself and her husband (baby came so fast the midwife didn’t make it). Hear Michelle share how she learned some tough lessons about self advocacy - not only during her first birth, but also through her newborn’s undiagnosed tongue and lip tie. Many health care providers missed the ties, and Michelle had to figure out on her own why her baby wasn’t gaining weight. She also committed to a journey of sourcing donated breast milk, and crafting her own supplemental nursing system. 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. RESOURCES:

In this episode I am joined by new parent Jenny Russell, a registered nurse from Tennessee. Jenny struggled with infertility during her previous marriage, became unexpectedly pregnant in a new relationship, and took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class as a single parent without a support person. Her EBB Instructor, Heidi Duncan, taught the class and also served as her doula. Jenny works full time as a clinical analyst in evidence based nursing documentation. She is also a full time caregiver for her mother, who has early onset Alzheimer’s. Jenny candidly shares the incredible pressures she faced in her prenatal care, including her traumatic and stressful experiences in choosing the right providers to work with her, and switching care to a midwife just weeks before her due date. We also talk about the importance of doulas, and the crucial role Jenny’s amazing doulas filled during her birth and postpartum care. 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. RESOURCES: Click here for information about tongue tie from the Mayo Clinic. Click here for an article explaining the dramatic rise in tongue and lip tie. Visit KellyMom for an article about breastfeeding a baby with tongue or lip tie. Click here for information on tongue and lip tie from La Leche League International. Click here to see the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act. Visit the Evidence Based Birth blog for all of our Signature Articles, such as The Evidence on: Erythromycin Eye Ointment for Newborns, and The Evidence on: Fetal Monitoring. Follow Jenny on Facebook and Instagram. Click here for the Evidence Based Birth Signature Article, The Evidence on: Doulas. Click here for the Evidence Based Birth Signature Article, The Evidence on: Birthing Positions. Find an Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class near you with this interactive map.

In this episode, I am excited to share the evidence on vaginal birth after Cesarean, or VBAC. We have received many requests at Evidence Based Birth to cover this topic, so I want to share with you the information on VBAC that I present in a class we teach in the EBB Higher Ed program. In this podcast, I define some common terms related to VBAC and talk about the history of the procedure. By the end, you will have the facts on the prevalence and risk factors for uterine rupture, and you’ll understand some of the maternal, fetal, and newborn risks of VBAC, elective repeat Cesarean, and Cesarean birth after Cesarean. 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. RESOURCES: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists/ Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (2018). Placenta accreta spectrum. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 7. Obstet Gynecol, 132, e259-275. Click here. Free full text! Bujold, E., Goyet, M., Marcoux, S., et al. (2010). The role of uterine closure in the risk of uterine rupture. Obstet Gynecol, 116(1), 43-50. Carlton Fagerberg, M. and Källén, K. (2019). Third trimester prediction of successful vaginal birth after one cesarean delivery - a Swedish model. Acts Obstet Gynecol Scand. (Epub ahead of print.] Click here. Grobman, W. A., Lai, Y., Landon, M. B., et al. (2007). Development of a nomogram for prediction of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Obstet Gynecol, 109, 806. Click here. VBAC calculator for use at first prenatal visit: https://mfmunetwork.bsc.gwu.edu/PublicBSC/MFMU/VGBirthCalc/vagbirth.html\ Guise, J.-M., Eden, K., Emeis, C., et al. (2010). Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: New Insights. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No.191. (Prepared by the Oregon Health & Science University Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2007-10057-I). AHRQ Publication No. 10-E003. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Click here. Free full text! Landon, M. B., Hauth, J. C., Leveno, K. J. et al. (2004). Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Associated with a Trial of Labor after Prior Cesarean Delivery. N Engl J Med, 351, 258-2589. Click here. Free full text! Landon, M. B., Grobman, W. A. and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network (2016). What We Have Learned About Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Cesarean Registry. Seminars in perinatology, 40(5), 281–286. Click here. Free full text! Metz, T. D., Stoddard, G. J., Henry, E., et al. (2013). Simple, validated vaginal birth after cesarean delivery prediction model for use at the time of admission. Obstet Gynecol, 122, 571. Click here. Free full text! VBAC calculator for use at time of admission for birth: https://mfmunetwork.bsc.gwu.edu/PublicBSC/MFMU/VGBirthCalc/vagbrth2.html Sandall, J., Tribe, R. M., Avery, L., et al. (2018). Short-term and long-term effects of caesarean section on the health of women and children. Lancet, 392(10155), 1349-1357. Click here. Silver, R. M., Landon, M. B., Rouse, D. J., et al. (2006). Maternal morbidity associated with multiple repeat cesarean deliveries. Obstet Gynecol, 107(6), 1226-1232. Click here. Smith, G. C. S., Pell, J. P., Cameron, A. D., et al. (2002). Risk of Perinatal Death Associated With Labor After Previous Cesarean Delivery in Uncomplicated Term Pregnancies. JAMA, 287(20), 2684–2690. Click here. Free full text! Vlemminx, M. W., de Lau, H. and Oei, S. G. (2017). Tocogram characteristics of uterine rupture: a systematic review. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 295(1), 17–26. Click here. Free full text! Access the International Cesarean Awareness Network’s "Terminology: What is a CBAC?” here. Visit VBAC Facts here. Visit ICAN here. See the Association of Ontario Midwives Clinical Guidelines Statement on Vaginal Birth After Previous Low-Segment Cesarean Section here. Get the Association of Ontario Midwives handout, Thinking About VBAC: What’s Right for Me, here. Get information on VBAC from Power to Push here (http://www.powertopush.ca/birth-options/types-of-birth/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean/). Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-skin-to-skin-care-after-a-cesarean/) for the Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article, The Evidence on: Skin to Skin Care After Cesarean.

In this episode, I am joined by Evidence Based Birth Instructor Jessica Hazboun, a childbirth educator and registered nurse with a background in labor and delivery. Jessica created her own birth business, Nearly Nested, to help empower new parents with evidence based information.  Hear Jessica detail her two very different birth stories, and how evidence based information changed her entire perspective on birth and how she relates to her clients and patients. In her words - “everything about the Evidence Based Birth culture completely knocked me off my feet!” 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. RESOURCES: Follow Jessica at Nearly Nested on Instagram, Facebook, and at nearlynested.com. Want to learn more about becoming an Evidence Based Birth Instructor? Applications for the Spring 2020 cohort open soon, and we are hosting a series of Q&A webinars all about the program, staring next week. Click here for all the details!

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Elliot Berlin, an award-winning prenatal chiropractor, childbirth educator, and labor support body worker. He is the co-founder of Berlin Wellness Group in Los Angeles, California, hosts The Informed Pregnancy podcast, and served as executive producer of two documentaries about birth - Head’s Up: The Disappearing Art of Breech Delivery, and Trial of Labor. Dr. Berlin is a labor support doula who attends births and provides laboring parents with body work such as massage, reflexology, accupressure, counter pressure, and chiropractic adjustments to help keep the birthing person relaxed, comfortable and focused for a smooth birth. He attends labor at hospitals, homes, and birth centers, and he works with several hundred breech babies each year. Listen to our fascinating discussion on vaginal breech birth, cesarean, and things to find out about your baby’s positioning as you enter the late stages of pregnancy. 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. RESOURCES: Connect with Dr. Berlin via his website, InformedPregnancy.com (), and Instagram (). Get the Informed Pregnancy Podcast here ()! Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article, The Evidence on: Breech Version. EBB’s article on the Evidence for using Moxibustion to Turn Breech Babies.

In this episode, I am joined by Sabrina Tran of Alabama, who recently had a daughter, and took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with Instructor Traci Weafer. Sabrina, a therapist, is now a stay at home mom. Sabrina had a precipitous - or, extremely fast labor and delivery. She describes it as exciting! Hear her tell her story of how her baby was born before the midwife could make it to her home. I also share the evidence on perineal tearing,  and the relationships between tearing, provider experience, and home birth. 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. RESOURCES: Click here for great images explaining perineal tears on the Mayo Clinic website. More references: Albers, L. L., Sedler, K. D., Bedrisk, E. J., et al. (2005). Midwifery care measures in the second stage of labor and reduction of genital tract trauma at birth: a randomized trial. J Midwifery Womens Health. 50(5): 365-372. Mizrachi, Y., Leytes, S., Levy, M., et al. (2017). Does midwife experience affect the rate of severe perineal tears? Birth. 44(2): 161-166. Begley, C., Guilliland, K., Dixon, L., et al. (2018). A qualitative exploration of techniques used by expert midwives to preserve the perineum intact. Women Birth. Kopas, M. L. (2014). A review of evidence-based practices for management of the second stage of labor. J Midwifery Womens Health. 59(3):264-76. Shorten, A., Donsante, J. and Shorten, B. (2002). Birth position, accoucheur, and perineal outcomes: informing women about choices for vaginal birth. Birth. 29(1): 18-27. Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Shennan, A., et al. (2013). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (8): CD004667. Hutton, E. K., Cappelletti, A., Reitsma, A. H., et al. (2016). Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies. CMAJ. 188(5): E80-E90. Hastings-Tolsma, M., Vincent, D., Emeis, C., et al. (2007). Getting through birth in one piece: protecting the perineum. MCN AM J Matern Child Nurs. 32: 158-64. Landy H. J., Laughon, S. K., Bailit, J. L., et al. (2011). Characteristics associated with severe perineal and cervical lacerations during vaginal delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 117(3): 627-35 Klein, M. C., Gauthier, R. J., Jorgensen, S. H., et al. (1992). Does episiotomy prevent perineal trauma and pelvic floor relaxation? Online J Curr Clin Trials. 10. Klein, M. C., Gauthier, R. J., Robbins, J. M., et al. (1994). Relationship of episiotomy to perineal trauma and morbidity, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic floor relaxation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 171(3): 591-8. Aasheim, V., Nilsen, A. B. V., Reinar, L. M., et al. (2017). Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma. Cochrane Database of Sys Rev. 6: CD006672 Alliman, J. and Phillippi, J. C. (2016). Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An integrative review of the literature. J Midwifery Womens Health. 61(1): 21-51. Cheyney, M., Bovbjerg, M., Everson, C., et al. (2014). Outcomes of care for 16,924 planned home births in the U.S.: the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009. J Midwifery Womens Health. 59(1): 17-27. Hutton, E. K., Cappelletti, A., Reitsma, A. H., et al. (2016). Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies. CMAJ. 188(5): E80-E90. Click here to access the EBB Signature Article, The Evidence on: Waterbirth.

This week, I am excited to bring you inside Evidence Based Birth and let you know what we will be up to in the coming year! I look back at all we accomplished in 2019 (and wow - what a year it was!) and how we are rolling right into 2020 with some amazing new projects and initiatives. I have to tell you, just looking at my list of goals really gets me excited about what is to come. You won’t want to miss the announcements I have to share in this episode! 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. RESOURCES: Find my book, Babies are Not Pizzas, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Audible! Find a list of our current Spanish article translations here. Access all of the Evidence Based Birth free, full-length Signature Articles here.

This episode concludes our series of interviews we conducted live from the 2019 Evidence Based Birth Conference - Bringing the Evidence to Life. EBB Instructor and Professional Membership Coordinator Chanté Perryman interviewed several different panels of attendees, hearing from them the most pressing issues in their communities, and how they plan to affect change.  This week, we hear from some inspiring birth workers of color: doula, certified lactation counselor, and student midwife Divine Bailey-Nicholas; nurse, doula, certified childbirth educator and certified lactation counselor Carmen Southall-Wamhoff; and midwife, doula, monitrice, and advocate Ms. Charlotte Marie Shilo-Goudeau. Hear each of these dynamic change makers describe the challenges they are facing and how they are making an impact for the women and families they serve. In addition to the conference interview, I am pleased to continue the conversation with further insights from Carmen! 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. RESOURCES: Evidence Based Birth offers a fantastic cross-professional community in our Professional membership! Get more information here. As long as minority mothers and babies are dying at disparately high rates, I am committed to offering scholarships for our membership for birth professionals of color. Learn more here.

This episode is the second in our series of interviews we conducted live from the 2019 Evidence Based Birth Conference. EBB Instructor and Professional Membership Coordinator Chanté Perryman interviewed several different panels of attendees, hearing from them the most pressing issues in their communities, and how they plan to affect change.  This week, we hear from midwives: CPM Paige Dickinson, CNM Jen Matera, and direct entry midwife Rachel Mueller. Hear about the cultural climate towards midwifery in each of their areas, how they are interacting with their hospitals and birth centers, and the challenges being faced within the midwife community. After the interview, I discuss the research evidence on birth centers. 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. RESOURCES: American Association of Birth Centers: https://birthcenters.org Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers: https://www.birthcenteraccreditation.org/ Declercq et al. Listening to Mothers SM III. New York: Childbirth Connection, May 2013. MacDorman, M. F. and Declercq, E. (2018). Trends and state variations in out-of-hospital births in the United States, 2004-2017. Birth;00:1–10. Stapleton (2013). "Outcomes of Care in Birth Centers: Demonstration of a Durable Model." J Midwifery Women’s Health 58: 3-14.  Birthplace in England Collaborative Group (2011). Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnancies: the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study. BMJ;343:d7400. Evidence Based Birth offers a fantastic cross-professional community in our Professional membership! Get more information here.

This episode is the first in our series of interviews we conducted live from the 2019 Evidence Based Birth Conference - Bringing the Evidence to Life. EBB Instructor and Professional Membership Coordinator Chanté Perryman interviewed several different panels of attendees, hearing from them the most pressing issues in their communities, and how they plan to affect change after being inspired at the conference.  This week, we will hear from nurses and doulas: doula Rebecca McKinney, doula Sara Pixton, and labor and delivery nurse Paula Richards. Listen as they highlight some of the challenges faced between the two professions, and how both can work together to support women in labor. After their brief interview, I talk about the research evidence on the challenges of doulas and nurses working together, and offer potential solutions for collaboration! 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. RESOURCES: Facebook Group for Doulas and L & D Nurses working collaboratively together: here Goer & Romano (2013). Optimal Care in Childbirth. Classic Day Publishing. Morton & Clift. (2014). Birth Ambassadors. Texas: Praeclarus Press. Bohren, M. A., Hofmeyr,  G. J., Sakala,  C., et al. (2017). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766.  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, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD012449.  Roth, L. M., et al. (2016). “North American Nurses’ and Doulas’ Views of Each Other.”J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 45(6):790-800.  Veltman (2007). Disruptive behavior in obstetrics: a hidden threat to patient safety. Am J Obstet Gynecol 196(6): 587e1-4, discussion e4-5. Tumblin and Simkin. “Pregnant women’s perceptions of their nurses’ role during labor and delivery” (2001). Birth 28(1): 52-6  Bowers. “Mothers’ experiences of labor support: exploration of qualitative research.” (2002). J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 31(6): 742-52.  McNiven et al. “Supporting women in labor: a work sampling study of the activities of labor and delivery nurses.” (1992). Birth 19(1): 3-8.  Gagnon, Waghorn. “Supportive care by maternity nurses: a work sampling study in an intrapartum unit.” (1996). Birth 23 (1): 1-6.  Gale et al. “Measuring nursing support during childbirth. (2001). Am J Matern Cild Nurs 26(5): 264-71  Miltner. “More than support: nursing interventions provided to women in labor.” (2002). J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 38(2): 753-61.  Barnett. “A new way to measure nursing: Computer timing of nursing time and support of laboring patients.” (2008). Computers, Informatics, Nursing 26(4): 199-206. Evidence Based Birth offers a fantastic cross-professional community in our Professional membership! Get more information here.

In this episode, I am joined by two of our distinguished keynote speakers from the 2019 Evidence Based Birth Conference, “Bringing Evidence to Life”: Dr. Sayida Peprah, Psy.D, licensed clinical psychologist, trained birth doula and founder of Diversity Uplifts, Inc., and Heather Thompson, MS, PhD, a molecular and cellular biologist, clinical researcher, birth worker and deputy director of birth justice organization Elephant Circle. The 2019 Evidence Based Birth conference brought together an incredible mix of birth workers and advocates from many professions and backgrounds. Listen as the three of us debrief the conference - what was impactful, what went right, and what went we would do differently in the future. Hear their perspectives as members of a non-dominant cultures, and what they and their communities experienced in a diverse and intense conference setting.  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. RESOURCES: Connect with Dr. Sayida Peprah via her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on Diversity Uplifts, Inc., click here. Visit the Elephant Circle website here. Click here for the Evidence Based Birth Podcast episode, "How to Disagree on Birth Topics - Respectfully!" with Cristen Pascucci.

In this episode, I explore the latest evidence on the use of saline locks! A saline lock - sometimes called a “hep-lock” in reference to how it used to be used - is an intravenous (IV) catheter that is threaded into a peripheral vein, flushed with saline, and then capped off for later use. Nurses use saline locks to have easy access to the vein for potential injections. They can be useful in administering drugs as needed, and in the event of emergency surgery. What is the latest research on the use of saline locks in labor and delivery? What is the evidence for the saline lock in someone who wants an un-medicated birth or wants to avoid medical interventions as much as possible? Should a saline lock be in place “just in case” it may be needed? I’ll cover the evidence on this topic, along with the risks and benefits. 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. RESOURCES: Bailey, J. M., C. Bell, R. Zielenski (2019). “Timing and outcomes of an indication-only use of intravenous cannulation during spontaneous labor.” J Midwifery Womens Health 00:1-7.  Bateman, B. T., M. F. Berman, et al. (2010). “The epidemiology of postpartum hemorrhage in a large, nationwide sample of deliveries.” Anesthesia and analgesia 110(5): 1368-1373. Maki, D. G., D. M. Kluger, et al. (2006). “The risk of bloodstream infection in adults with different intravascular devices: a systematic review of 200 published prospective studies.” Mayo Clin Proc 81(9): 1159-1171. Newton, N., M. Newton, et al. (1988). “Psychologic, physical, nutritional, and technologic aspects of intravenous infusion during labor.” Birth 15(2): 67-72. Rickard, C. M., D. McCann, et al. (2010). “Routine resite of peripheral intravenous devices every 3 days did not reduce complications compared with clinically indicated resite: a randomised controlled trial.” BMC Med 8: 53. Want evidence on more topics? Access all of the Evidence Based Birth Signature Articles at our blog.

In this episode, I am joined by reproductive justice advocate Danielle Jackson. Danielle is a wife, mother, doula, and co-host of the podcast Birth Stories in Color. She works to empower women to birth without fear, and has focused her career on helping families recognize their strengths and build healthy support systems. She became a doula in 2016. Issues in her community of Columbus, Ohio drew Danielle to the organization Restoring Our Own Through Transformation, as a change agent in the ongoing fight for birthing justice in the area. Birth Stories in Color grew from a shared experience with her co-host, Laurel Gourrier, at a training for doulas of color. They quickly realized that in that environment, women of color felt liberated to speak their truths and share their experiences with birth. They now provide that space via their podcast. Hear Danielle and I talk about strategies to be change makers in our communities, fostering healthy disruption and questioning the status quo. 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. RESOURCES: For more on the podcast Birth Stories in Color, click here. () Follow Birth Stories in Color on Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more about Restoring Our Own Through Transformation here.

In this episode, I am joined by Bess English, a mother of two who lives near Pensacola, Florida.  Bess describes her first hospital birth experience as traumatic. When she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class to learn more about advocacy tools and comfort measures.  Bess’ attempted VBAC home birth did not go as planned - and she and her husband found themselves back in the hospital setting making some difficult choices. But this time, it was a different story. Hear Bess tell her birth stories, how she processed her birth trauma, and utilized advocacy tools to navigate and feel empowered in her complicated second birth. 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. RESOURCES: For more information on the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class, click here. To find an Evidence Based Birth Instructor and EBB classes near you, click here. Get your copy of my book, Babies Are Not Pizzas, here. It’s the story of my traumatic first birth, interwoven with the latest evidence surrounding common birth interventions.

In this episode, I am joined by Gail Tully - author, childbirth educator, midwife and creator of Spinning Babies. The Spinning Babies approach connects understanding of birth anatomy to fetal rotation and easier childbirth, and is recognized around the world by midwives, nurses, childbirth educators, doulas, and parents. Gail’s ability to recognize the spatial relationships between the soft tissue pelvis and the baby has contributed to a paradigm shift in childbirth care and education. She began practicing as a midwife in a small, independent practice, and she now works worldwide, educating parents about her innovative approach. We talk about why some births are easy, while some are long and hard. Gail addresses the relationships between birth, physiology, and mentality, and covers the practical aspects of accessing the Spinning Babies method and instruction. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Spinning Babies on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can access the Spinning Babies blog here, and contact the organization via email at [email protected]. Join Evidence Based Birth for a FREE public webinar, The Evidence on Natural Induction! Attendees will also learn how to earn contact hours through EBB. Register here! The Evidence Based Birth Professional Membership is on sale! Get a monthly or annual subscription at 20% off for a limited time. Learn more here.

In this episode I am joined by Ngozi Tibbs, a certified childbirth trainer and educator through Lamaze International, an international board certified lactation consultant, and co-founder of the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle. With a Bachelor’s degree in maternal child health and a Master’s in public health, Ngozi has served as a private and community based doula, currently provides childbirth education and lactation consulting, and is involved with the non-profit Healthy Start. Often known to share her personal birth stories - including her fifth child’s birth in a car - she believes the best way to approach birth and breastfeeding is through lots of support, and humor. I had the privilege of listening to Ngozi speak quite a few years ago at a conference, andI was so impacted by her presentation that I included a story about experience that in my book, Babies Are Not Pizzas. In this interview, we have a candid conversation about community support, racism, and the needs of today’s birthing families. 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. RESOURCES: Join the Evidence Based Birth® free webinar - The Evidence  on  Natural Induction! Register here. Connect with Ngozi via her doula and lactation support practice, Sankofa. You can also reach her on Facebook. Learn more about the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle here. For more information on Healthy Start, click here.

In this episode I am joined by Jen McLellan, author, speaker, and founder of the website Plus Size Birth and the Plus Mommy blog. She is also host of the popular podcast Plus Mommy, and is a certified childbirth educator, wife, and mother. With more than four million page views on her blog, Jen is passionate about helping others navigate the bumps along the road of motherhood. Jen notes that her doula’s recommendation to look into the midwife model of care changed the course of her first pregnancy. As she had first began care under an obstetrician and researched plus size pregnancy online, she had started to believe that she was at high risk due to her size. However, she had an empowering natural birth with no complications. As Jen developed her blog, she realized the great need for plus size pregnancy support. While she covers a variety of topics, one of her main areas of focus is helping women to connect with a care provider who will not make them feel ashamed. We discuss practical tips for finding a supportive and welcoming provider, as well as some of the biased messages women of size commonly hear during the course of their care and birth. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Jen on Facebook,  Instagram, and Twitter.  Check out Plus Size Birth, the Plus Mommy blog and the Plus Mommy podcast. Use coupon code “EBB” to get 30% off Jen’s book, My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide. For a directory of plus-friendly providers and doulas, visit SizeFriendly.com.

In this episode, I am joined by Taiwo (Tia) Ajao and her husband Dr. Wale Ajao. Tia is an RN with a Master’s in Public Health, a Lamaze certified childbirth educator, and a DONA-trained birth doula. Wale is a medical doctor as well as a communication professional, specializing in film and video production. He is also a Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA-trained birth doula, and a certified professional photographer. Tia and Wale lead Hello Baby Baltimore, a health communications initiative serving families in Baltimore City and the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. Hello Baby Baltimore believes in educating a family’s entire support network, creating unique teaching moments at private baby showers and events. Tia and Wale draw on their background as multimedia creators, and as a doctor/nurse couple with both local and international experience. We talk about their truly unique approach to childbirth education and family support, including their focus on normalizing the role of men in childbirth. We also talk about the Evidence Based Birth Instructor program, and male doulas. 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. RESOURCES: Learn more about Hello Baby Baltimore and Tia and Wale Ajao via their website, Facebook, and Instagram .

In this episode, I am joined by one of our Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class parents, Bethany Clay. Bethany has an 11-month old son, and lives in South Carolina. She works part time as a music teacher, and is passionate about sustainability and gardening. She was one of the first people to take the EBB Childbirth Class in 2018, with Instructor Mary Kury. Bethany describes her birth experience as long, peaceful, and wonderful, all at the same time! Hear how her birth preparation helped her form realistic expectations, and how she felt empowered and amazed when her baby arrived. 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. RESOURCES: Learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class here. To find an EBB Childbirth Class near you, click here.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Stephanie Edmonds and Dr. Nicole Loew, both PhDs in nursing. Stephanie (who also has a Masters in Public Health) specializes in pre-conception health, family planning, health services quality improvement, and veterans. Nicole has more than five years of sexual and reproductive health research experience, including the topics of responsible sexual behavior, risk communication and health communication. Together Stephanie and Nicole are hosts of The Woman Centered Health Podcast, advancing sexual and reproductive health communication between families and providers. They are particularly passionate about provider communication with clients. We discuss strategies to ramp up communications about women’s health across a variety of populations. We also talk about mindfulness when communicating about sex, non-judgmental language, and being a trusted resource. 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. RESOURCES: Check out The Woman Centered Health Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher and other podcast platforms. Follow Stephanie and Nicole via their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In this episode, I am joined by Denise Bolds, a New York City-based medical social worker and DONA International certified birth doula. She specializes in high-risk VBACs and first time pregnancies, as well as same-sex and hospital births. She also supports breastfeeding, and is an Evidence Based Birth Instructor. Denise has served as a regional director with DONA International, and she is a published author of a self-help book called Raising Princes to be Kings: A Single Black Mother’s Guide to Raising Her Black Son. She has a successful blog called The Audacious Black Woman, as well as an internet radio show - Birth While Black - which reflects her passion for maternal health disparities awareness, and equity in birth work. We talk about the political atmosphere surrounding doula work, particularly in New York City, as well as what it’s like to give birth in the complex healthcare systems of NYC. We also look ahead to the state of maternity care in 2020. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Denise on her website, Facebook and Instagram. Check out Denise’s book, Raising Princes to be Kings, here. More of Denise’s content: The Audacious Black Woman blog and Birth While Black podcast. Find the Black Mamas Matter paper on doula reimbursement here.

In this episode, I am joined by bestselling author and award-winning blogger Leonie Dawson to discuss her experience with hyperemesis and postpartum depression and anxiety. Leonie is an artist and entrepreneur based in Australia with a huge following. I asked her to join me on the EBB podcast because she’s blogged extensively about her experiences with hyperemesis and her difficult postpartum journey. Leonie details her pregnancy and birth experiences, as well as what she learned about herself through some incredible challenges and early parenthood. She also addresses the pressures of perfectionism and idealism, and how to overcome them. 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. RESOURCES: Follow Leonie on her website and Instagram. Download Leonie’s free illustrated zine on hyperemesis gravidarum here. Check out Leonie’s illustrated goals workbooks here.

In this episode, I am joined by Melissa Cassity to talk about her experience taking the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class, and how it came into play during her unexpected pre-term birth.  Melissa has a 13-month old son and lives in South Carolina with her husband, Kelby.  She works as an instructional designer for an educational technology company. She and Kelby were among the first students of the EBB Childbirth Class, which they took with EBB Instructor Mary Kury. Melissa has a longstanding passion for maternal health, and had wanted a natural birth for a long time. Her son Ezra arrived early - at the tail end of 34 weeks - so Melissa and Kelby actually had him with them at their final few childbirth classes, and were able to share their birth story with fellow students.  Listen today to hear how, even though almost all aspects of her birth were unexpected, Melissa and Kelby felt prepared, involved, and respected during a birth with many interventions. 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. RESOURCES: Find more information on the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class! 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.

In this episode I am joined by Aza Nedhari, co-founder and executive director of Mamatoto Village, a non-profit training and deploying community health workers to support women through pregnancy, childbirth, and the first months of parenting. Nearly 90 percent of the organization’s clients are African American women who, as a group, suffer dramatically worse maternal health outcomes than other women. Aza pioneered the organization’s comprehensive perinatal health worker training, which uses the community health worker model as a blueprint for creating pathways for women of color in human services and maternal health professions. Aza is a midwife and family counselor, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in human services. With a concentration in organizational leadership and management, her goal is to cultivate innovative models of perinatal care. She is also currently working on legalizing certified professional midwives in the District of Colombia. We discuss systemic racism and barriers facing the midwifery profession in the U.S., as well as the benefits of the community birth worker model. We also talk about Aza’s extremely pivotal role in the development of my book, Babies are Not Pizzas. 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. RESOURCES: Visit the Mamatoto Village website here, or connect on Facebook, on Twitter, or Instagram. Click here to see Advancing Birth Justice: Community-Based Doula Models as a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities, from Black Mamas Matter Alliance. Get my book Babies are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered, on Amazon.

In this episode, I am joined by my midwife, Karen Brown. Karen is a certified professional midwife, located in Central Kentucky, who practicing in 2007. She is a mother of four children; her youngest was born at home. In 2011 and 2013 Karen attended the home births of two of my children, which are featured in my new book, Babies are Not Pizzas! I’m excited to talk to Karen about her career, as well as my own birth experiences. I wrote and published Babies are Not Pizzas to address the preventable trauma that is happening in childbirth facilities all around the world. My hope is that by sharing my own story, we can begin to create change together. Babies are Not Pizzas is written for parents, professionals, and anyone who is interested in babies or childbirth. It’s available as an e-book, audiobook, or in paperback and hardcover. 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. RESOURCES: Get my book, Babies are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered, on Amazon! Please be sure to leave a review once you have read it! Click here for more information on Babies Are Not Pizzas, to submit your purchase receipt for the free Companion by September 20, 2019, and to download social media shareables!

My new book, Babies Are Not Pizzas, is slated for release next week! To get ready for this exciting event, I want to share with you the first chapter from the book. Listen as I read Chapter One: Naive, and get a first glimpse into my story. You'll hear the details of my first daughter's birth, how it sparked the passion for what I do, and how it started me on the road to founding Evidence Based Birth. 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. RESOURCES: Get all the details on Babies Are Not Pizzas here - join the wait list to be among the first to know when copies are available!

In this episode, I am joined by Reid Johnson, a former student of mine! Reid graduated from university this past May with honors, majoring in biology. During his course of study he took my seminar on childbirth, called Babies Are Not Pizzas. I was honored to be asked to write his reference letter for medical school, and was so excited to hear that he was accepted. He starts his program this fall. I invited him to the EBB podcast to talk about what it's like to be a med student. ​ Reid shares his undergraduate and med school application journey, as well as his expectations for the future. We also get real on what life is like for doctors, and strategies to avoid professional burnout. 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. RESOURCES: Get the latest updates on my book, Babies are Not Pizzas! Join the waitlist here.

Evidence Based Birth has just released a new Signature Article about routine male newborn circumcision. We have been receiving requests to cover this topic for years; I know that opinions on newborn circumcision are diverse and very emotionally charged. In this podcast episode I explore circumcision in detail, including discussion on relevant human anatomy, where circumcision came from, why some parents choose non-religious circumcision today, how common it is around the world, and the procedure itself.  I also review the evidence on circumcision for infection and disease prevention (including the limitations of that evidence), the potential health risks and complications that can occur during and soon after circumcision, and I discuss the evidence in light of ethics and human rights. 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. RESOURCES: Access the new Evidence Based Birth Signature Article on the Ethics and Evidence on Circumcision here

In this week's Bonus Book Update podcast, I cover the overarching theme of Babies Are Not Pizzas. It was a surprising realization for me at the end of the writing process! What is the book about? Mainly, preventable birth trauma in a broken health care system. This is a complex topic. Listen as I cover all the nuances of this theme, and reveal to you some of the other areas of exploration in the story. RESOURCES: Get all the updates on my new book, Babies Are Not Pizzas! Click here to get on the wait list. Follow Evidence Based Birth on Facebook and Instagram to see the newly-released cover image for Babies are Not Pizzas!

In this episode, I interview Cristen Pascucci, founder of Birth Monopoly, about respectful disagreement when talking about childbirth topics. After the birth of her son in 2011, Cristen left a career in public affairs to study American maternity care and women’s rights. From 2012 to 2016, she served as vice president of Improving Birth, spearheading a multi-year grassroots media strategy to get America’s maternity care crisis into the national news. She also created a legal advocacy hotline for pregnant women, and she began raising awareness around obstetric violence through consumer campaigns. Cristen has helped organize, strategize, and publicize major lawsuits related to obstetric violence, and is co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project and host of the Birth Allowed Radio podcast. At Birth Monopoly, Cristen advocates for a free maternity care market, working closely with leading national advocates, organizations and birth lawyers, as well as educating the public and health care providers about the human and legal rights of people in childbirth. She is also working on a documentary film on obstetric violence.  Cristen and I discuss respectful disagreement as Evidence Based Birth will soon be launching a Signature Article on the controversial topic of circumcision. When we alluded to this upcoming article on social media, we received many negative comments and people who were upset that we would even address the issue. EBB is no stranger to controversial topics, and we don’t shy away from hard subjects. Cristen and I talk about ways to express all views respectfully and effectively, so there can be productive conversations around these important issues. We also discuss trauma, triggers, and oppression in the birth world.  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. RESOURCES: Connect with Birth Monopoly via Facebook, Instagram or the organization’s website. Join Birth Monopoly’s mailing list on the site’s home page to download a free free guide and course on informed consent and refusal during hospital births. View the trailer of the upcoming documentary “Mother May I?” here.

I am thrilled to announce that we have released the cover image for my upcoming book, Babies are Not Pizzas! Check it out on Facebook and Instagram! In this week's Bonus Book Update podcast, I reveal some of the final details of the production process - and the start of our book launch! Listen to hear the official targeted release date... RESOURCES: Get all the updates on my new book, Babies Are Not Pizzas! Click here to get on the wait list. Follow Evidence Based Birth on Facebook and Instagram to see the newly-released cover image for Babies are Not Pizzas! book waitlist evidencebasedbirth.com/book

In this week's Bonus Book Update podcast, I tell you all about the route I chose to publish Babies Are Not Pizzas. These days, book publishing has been democratized, and anyone can self-publish a book outside of the traditional system. You know me - I did all the research to determine the best publication route for me and for Evidence Based Birth. I'll tell you what I decided on, and how I came to my conclusions. If you are thinking of writing a book someday, what I tell you here may inspire you! RESOURCES: Be one of the first to get a copy of Babies Are Not Pizzas! Click here to get on the wait list. 

In this episode, I talk with Ashely Smith about her awe-inspiring and peaceful experience giving birth to twins. Ashley and her partner Trevor live in Lexington, Kentucky. They are both local business owners active in their community. As first time parents, they took time to equip themselves to have a smooth birth experience. Ashley always found herself describing the role of a doula to her friends and family, and finally got to experience having doula herself! She worked with Chanté Perryman, a certified doula and Evidence Based Birth Instructor. Chanté taught Ashley and Trevor through the EBB Childbirth Class -they are the first participants of the class to give birth to twins! We discuss Ashley’s successfully well-planned birth, as well as her postpartum journey. I also talk about some of EBB’s upcoming projects! 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. RESOURCES: Click here for all the details about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class! Find an EBB Instructor and Childbirth Class near you here. Click here for all of the EBB resources for parents!

In this week's Book Bonus podcast, I give you a glimpse of all the steps we took to make sure my book, Babies Are Not Pizzas, is accurate and polished! I'll take you through the multiple steps of the editing process - including a team of over 30 EBB supporters who have read the book and provided feedback! From fact checking to research, and fine-tuning the stories of all the people mentioned in the book, this process was intense and we were so excited to send it off for the final editing phase! Listen to hear the whole story, PLUS the tentative release date of the book! RESOURCES: You can be one of the first to get a copy of Babies Are Not Pizzas! Click here to get on the wait list.

In this episode, I am joined by Evidence Based Birth® research editor Anna Bertone to explore the updates we’ve made to the EBB Signature Article on Vitamin K. Anna received her Master’s in public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her Bachelor’s from East Carolina University. She currently lives in Huntsville, Alabama. Anna joined EBB as our research editor in 2016, and she works diligently on helping me update our research articles and classes that we teach, as well as helping to draft new articles. Anna also corresponds with investigators in the childbirth research field as coordinator of our peer review process. I asked her to help me update the Vitamin K article, originally published in 2014, and she started diving into the research into the fall of 2018. She has been poring over all the latest studies on Vitamin K, and today we discuss what she’s found! 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. RESOURCES: Click here to read the updated Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article, The Evidence on the Vitamin K Shot in Newborns - as well as the updated one-page handout!

On this week's Bonus Book Update podcast, I want to take you inside the final mile of my writing process. When I was just a few chapters shy of finishing my draft and life was just too crazy to find the time to tap into my creative energy, I decided I needed a few days to get away and concentrate completely on my book! And you know what? It was a great idea. I'll tell you all about the inspiring place I was able to retreat to, all the resources I brought with me to keep me on task (have you ever travelled with a mini-library?), and the encouragement I carried with me from a close friend who shared her insightful perspective on the creative process. RESOURCES: Click here to get all the latest updates on my book, Babies Are Not Pizzas!

In this episode, I am joined by Natalie Telyatnikov, founder and creator of the online holistic program Better Postpartum. She is a certified postpartum support specialist trained in perinatal mood and anxiety disorder support, as well as innate traditions of postpartum care. Natalie shares her personal journey of postpartum depression and anxiety, and the discoveries she made about how these issues are handled in the health care system. We also discuss the evidence on postpartum education, as well as the ACOG recommendations for optimizing postpartum care. I also share the story of my own postpartum recovery journey. 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. RESOURCES: Evidence Based Birth® Podcast listeners can get the Better Postpartum program (usually $97) at a discounted rate of only $35! Click here to claim that discount. Connect with Natalie at Better Postpartum and on Instagram. To gift the Better Postpartum program to mothers and babies in need, click here. Click here to explore HealthRight International (formerly the Peter C. Alderman Foundation) and their work with maternal health.

My weekly EBB Book Podcast updates are bringing you a behind-the-scenes look at my new book, Babies are Not Pizzas, which will launch this August! This week, I want to share with you some personal insights about my emotional journey during the writing process. This book tells my story and I needed to share it just the right way. I also had to take a deep examination of some very difficult times in my life. As many of you know - that kind of introspection is not easy! I learned so much along the way - and I want to share those insights with you. RESOURCES: Click here to get on the book wait list - and to get all the latest updates!

In this episode, we’ll listen to my husband Dan Dekker and our brother-in-law Ryan talk about their experiences on becoming fathers and watching the births of their children. As we are approaching Father’s Day in the U.S., I wanted to do something special and share this interview that I recorded when I was teaching a college class on childbirth. We were discussing the importance of not only listening to the stories of people who give birth, but also their partners - because birth can be a life-altering experience for the partner as well as the birthing person. You’ll hear both Dan and Ryan recall the experiences of watching each of their three children be born. They will also answer a really fascinating question: What’s good about being a parent? Studies are showing that many of today’s young people are reluctant to start families as they view it as disruptive to their lives. Dan’s and Ryan’s perspectives on fatherhood may surprise you. 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. RESOURCES: Check out EBB’s list of parent resources here!

In this special bonus episode of the Evidence Based Birth Book Update podcast, I'm going to take you behind the scenes for the most adorable (and the most chaotic) part of the book production process - the photo shoot! I got the chance to work with some of the sweetest babies - but things didn't quite go according to plan... To hear the whole story, download this week's Book Update podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify! Resources: Get all the latest news on my upcoming book via the Evidence Based Birth newsletter - sign up here!

I'm so excited to release my new book this August, Babies are Not Pizzas! I will admit, I spent a long considering how to craft this book... I needed to really think about my message and how it should be written to offer the biggest impact! Is this a guide to pregnancy - or something else? Well, I am happy to tell you what kind of book this is - and how I decided on the genre! RESOURCES: Get added to the Evidence Based Birth mailing list here, so you don't miss any updates!

In this episode I interview Evidence Based Birth Instructor Program Director Cat LaPlante about her empowering birth experiences and her life as a birth professional. Cat is a certified doula and childbirth educator, and was also one of the first EBB Instructors. She has a passion for teaching expectant parents and birth professionals about evidence based care - she loves when parents get excited about the labor process! Cat lives with her husband and four boys.  Learn how Cat’s fourth birth at home was different in many ways to her previous births, and the strategies she used as a result of teaching the new EBB Childbirth Class - including a transformational language shift. Cat also shares fascinating insights into her life as a doula and childbirth educator. 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. RESOURCES: Connect with Cat on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.  Learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Instructor Program here. Get information on all of the Evidence Based Birth® parent resources, including the EBB Childbirth class, here! See all of the Evidence Based Birth® published content on doulas here.

My new book is coming out this August, and I think you're going to love the title... Download this podcast to hear it! This book is truly a labor of love, and it's been a fascinating journey crafting the story and message. I am releasing a special podcast series all about it. Download a new episode each Friday - you'll get sneak peeks and announcements, as well as behind the scenes insights into producing this book!   RESOURCES: Get added to the Evidence Based Birth mailing list here, so you don't miss any updates!

In this episode, I interview EBB Professional Membership Coordinator Chanté Perryman about her first cesarean and her super-fast VBAC! Chanté is a professional birth and postpartum doula, certified childbirth educator and a maternity coach at Baby Dreams Maternity Concierge. She is also an Evidence Based Birth Instructor. Chanté is a birth advocate in central Kentucky, coordinating the Bluegrass Baby Expo and publishing a quarterly magazine for parents. She also volunteers with the Kentucky Home Birth Coalition, advocating for certified professional midwives. She will begin her studies to become a midwife in 2020, and she has three daughters. Hear how Chanté’s first birth led her on a new career journey, and how she relates to clients using her experiences with cesarean and VBAC. We also discuss strategies for birth professionals to reach lower-income communities, and the practical challenges of balancing life as a birth professional. 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.  RESOURCES: Connect with Chanté via the Baby Dreams Maternity Concierge website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

In this episode I bring you the evidence on labor induction for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A few months ago, we released an article all about the evidence on diagnosing GDM, and we wanted to follow up that article with another focused solely on labor induction versus expectant management for GDM.  Listen to learn the two most common questions that people ask when they are diagnosed with GDM, as well as all of the situations that may occur under the umbrella term “expectant management”. And of course, I will cover the latest research studies on this topic! 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.  RESOURCES: Get free handouts on this topic here! Find the Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes here. Read the Evidence on Induction or C-Section for a Big Baby here.

In this episode I am joined by three guests to talk about the Evidence Based Birth Comfort Measures for Labor and Delivery Nurses workshop. Our panel includes registered nurse, childbirth educator and EBB Instructor Jessica Hazboun from San Diego, labor and delivery nurse and childbirth educator Lori Lopez from Honolulu, and Evidence Based Birth Instructor Program Director, childbirth educator and doula Cat LaPlante from the New Jersey/Philadelphia area. The Comfort Measures workshop is a three hour event with contact hours, covering a range of non-pharmacological techniques including massage, birth balls, CUBs, rebozo, hydrotherapy, and more. In this podcast, we discuss the barriers that nurses face in instructing and assisting patients with comfort during labor, and solutions on how to empower nurses in this area. We also talk about the challenges and rewards of being a change maker in your community. 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.  RESOURCES: Check out the current list of Comfort Measures for L&D Nurses Workshops here! Look for the workshops coming up this summer in these cities: June 2019 Lancaster, PA San Antonio, TX Reno, NV Nova Scotia, Canada July 2019 Lexington, KY Long Beach and San Diego, CA Southern New Jersey, right outside of Philadelphia, PA August 2019 Orlando, FL

In this episode I interview Emily Fleenor, a new parent who recently gave birth to her daughter while her husband was in active duty stationed at Fort Campbell in Tennessee. They both took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class from EBB Instructor Heidi Duncan, and appreciated the flexibility of the online format during times when Emily’s husband was away for work. Emily worked with a freestanding birthing center, and was very happy with her care. Find out why she was excited and empowered during her birth - despite laboring in her car, a battle with anxiety, and the psychological challenges of getting through the birth process. 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.  RESOURCES: Click here to see the Evidence Based® Birth Natural Labor Induction Series article on Castor Oil. Click here to see the Evidence Based Birth® Pain Management Series article on Nitrous Oxide During Labor.

In this episode I interview my mother, Carol, about her experience giving birth with “twilight sleep” - a state of sedation and general anesthesia that used to be administered during the second stage of labor. Carol is a mother of six. She has experienced three different types of childbirth: birth with twilight sleep, birth with an epidural, and birth without an epidural fully awake. She’s also a retired nurse and a retired pediatric nurse practitioner. With Mothers’ Day coming up in a couple of weeks, I thought it would be fun to share with you an interview that my mom did with my college students a few years ago. I’m excited for you to hear her incredibly interesting perspectives on birth. I also want to announce that we are having a special Mothers’ Day sale! We will be sending out an email to our list this coming Saturday (join our email list via the link in the resources below!) to roll out a special limited-edition gift bundle that we have created. 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.  RESOURCES: Join the Evidence Based Birth email list to get notified of our special events, sales, and more! Sign up for our “free crash course” on our home page. Click here to see the Evidence Based Birth Signature Article on Friedman’s Curve and Failure to Progress. 

In the United States, the month of April is recognized as National Minority Health Month. It’s an initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities. And this week is Black Maternal Health Week! Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a non-profit organization sponsoring Black Maternal Health Week from April 11 through April 17. I strongly encourage you to connect with Black Mamas Matter and to sign up for their mailing list (find that link in the references below). They have all kinds of free social media events this week. It’s important to see black mamas’ voices and perspectives elevated around issues that impact them.  In this episode, we are excited to feature Michelle Gabriel Caldwell. Michelle is a trained and certified childbirth educator and doula. She has more than ten years of experience in both of these areas, and also has experience as a postpartum doula and a breastfeeding peer counselor. Her passion is educating women about their options during their birth journey. As a woman of African descent, she wants all women to understand the role they play in healing. In addition, Michelle holds science degrees and works full time for a Germany-based chemical company from her home in New Jersey. In 2018 Michelle became an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, and she is teaching Evidence Based Childbirth Classes for parents as well as EBB workshops for professionals in the New Jersey area.  Join us for a deep discussion on racism in the birth world, and how to combat institutional prejudice. One more announcement - TONIGHT is the last chance to attend our free public webinar all about the research evidence on epidurals and cesareans! You can register for that webinar via the link in the resources below.  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.  RESOURCES: Sign up for the Black Mamas Matter Alliance email list here. Learn more about Black Maternal Health Week here. Connect with Michelle on Facebook, and via email at [email protected] Join us for our FREE webinar on the “Evidence on Epidurals and the Risk of Cesarean” airing live TONIGHT, April 17 at 9:00 pm Eastern! Register here.

In this episode, I interview Dr. Nicole Rankins about the role of a hospitalist obstetrician, and how families can prepare themselves to have a safe and fulfilling birth in a hospital setting. Nicole is a wife and mother to two girls, an obstetrician/gynecologist, a podcast host, and an integrative health coach. She did her residency at Duke University, and also did a research fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill. Nicole currently practices at a community hospital in Virginia, and she loves helping women enjoy healthy births and healthy lives. She started the All About Pregnancy and Birth podcast in 2019, and she offers online childbirth education. As a hospitalist obstetrician, 99% of her work is on the labor and delivery unit. We talk about the role of the hospitalist and what women need to know about this model of care, as well as Nicole’s preventative and health promotion work in her community. We also discuss the problem of compassion fatigue, and the struggles and pressures faced by physicians in connecting with the wider birth world.  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.  RESOURCES: Connect with Nicole on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and her website . @drnicolerankins Check out Nicole’s podcast, All About Pregnancy and Birth! Get the download links here.

In this week's podcast, I interview new parents Heather Hyden and Jimmy Earley. They live in Lexington, Kentucky, and were one of the first couples to take the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class in 2018. Heather works at a local university, and Jimmy works at a local nonprofit. Their son Kess turned 9 months on the day we recorded this episode. Theirs is a unique story in that this pregnancy was actually their second. Their first baby had a fatal condition and that first pregnancy was not considered to be viable. Finding care appropriate for their family was difficult. Heather looked forward to a healing home birth, but plans changed. At 34 weeks Heather no longer felt that home was the right environment for them for a variety of reasons. Thanks to the EBB Childbirth Class, the couple felt a shift in their confidence and no longer feared a hospital birth as they did before. What followed was a winding, 30+ hour journey to meeting their baby. Heather and Jimmy found out about the EBB Childbirth Class through multiple recommendations from their doula, a local friend, AND their OBGYN. They were attracted to the online flexibility, the tactile learning tools, and the role playing aspects of the class. What I love about Heather's story is how she and Jimmy had tools to advocate for themselves. They were able to utilize a variety of options in labor, including one of my new favorite techniques - a pre-pushing 'huddle' with the staff! We discuss how to keep a supportive birth team and entering parenthood free from the judgement of others. (And certainly not least, the reminder to have a food plan and proper nourishment!) RESOURCES Click here for information on the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class. Click here to see the book The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother. Click here to find an EBB Childbirth Class near you.

In this episode, I interview Ben Atkinson. Ben has been married for 20 years, and has four children and one angel baby. He attended all five of his children’s births, and caught the last two himself. He has been exploring the masculine role in birth since his first child was born. With encouragement from a group of birth professionals, he developed a course for expectant fathers, to help them use this vulnerable time in their lives to explore and activate positive masculine traits and step into their best selves.  Ben believes that modern society has knocked down most of the signposts for healthy masculinity, and he believes by accessing the wisdom of older men and practicing some time-honored traits, expectant fathers can become the men their families truly need.  We discuss the start of Ben’s teaching journey in a local correctional center - the lessons he learned on what men take through life via their experiences and relationships - and the course he is developing for young and first-time fathers. We also cover the research on the experience of childbirth for fathers and partners, how they are regarded in the health care system, and how they can be supported. 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.  RESOURCES: For more information on Ben’s course, click here. To access his resources for birth professionals, click here.

In this episode, I interview Noel and Joel Smothers, missionaries who gave birth to their first child last fall. They currently live in North Carolina but will be heading back to Brazil soon. Noel felt it was really important to have a vaginal birth if at all possible, so that she could continue to have future vaginal births when she's living in countries with less developed health systems. They took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with Instructor Mary Kury. I was so impressed by this couple. They had a very challenging birth. Noel managed a vaginal delivery of a large baby who was presenting face first - a very rare presentation that usually triggers a c-section. Noel also had a difficult pregnancy and intense back labor. We talk about how the EBB Childibrth Class prepared both Noel and Joel to face these challenges successfully. We also discuss postpartum and newborn care. 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. RESOURCES: Check out the Evidence Based Birth® blog to read our free Signature Articles on gestational diabetes, big babies, water birth, and more!

In this episode, I am joined by "Mr. EBB" himself, Dan Dekker! Dan is an Accountant with his MBA, the father of 3 children, and also my husband. He has worked for more than 10 years in small business accounting, and five years ago left a successful corporate position to become a full-time stay-at-home dad and to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of Evidence Based Birth. Dan and I dive into the backstory of EBB - including how starting this business has impacted our family. Our Evidence Based Birth Instructors supplied Dan with thoughtful and fun questions for this interview, including what's it like being my birthing partner! We move from the fun and lighthearted to tackling the top mistake we see made by small business owners - especially birth business owners. By the end of this interview you'll learn what Dan is most excited about with the future of EBB - including how we are planning to release more products for parents! And if you've been struggling to keep your birth business afloat, Dan has some words of wisdom and encouragement for you. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I loved recording it with him! 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. RESOURCES:  For more information about Dan's new class, Birth Business Teacher, click here. To learn more about becoming an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, click here. For information on Hypnobabies, click here. To see Dan in action as our birthing partner role model via the EBB Childbirth Class, click here!

In this episode, I am joined by EBB Professional Membership and Higher Ed Program Coordinator Chanté Perryman. Chanté is a certified birth and postpartum doula, a childbirth educator, an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, and will begin training as a midwife in 2020. She is a strong promoter of birth choices - coordinating an annual baby expo, publishing a quarterly magazine for local parents, and volunteering with the Kentucky Home Birth Coalition as an advocate for Certified Professional Midwives.  Together, Chanté and I will tell you all about the Birth Workers of Color Scholarship campaign for the 2019 Evidence Based Birth Conference! Our goal is to raise $25,000 to fund the costs for 30 birth workers of color to attend the conference. We need your help to make this happen! Tune in to hear why this initiative is so important to EBB and our community. We also unveil more news about our EBB Signature Articles, and the language we will use in them going forward to help combat systemic racism.  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. RESOURCES:  For more information on the EBB Birth Worker of Color Conference Scholarship Campaign, click here! You can donate through March 11. No amount is too small! All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of all donations will go directly to fund the scholarships.  For more on the 2019 Evidence Based Birth Conference - Bringing Evidence to Life, click here. For information on the Evidence Based Birth® Professional membership, including scholarship options, click here. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD Setting the Standard for Holistic Care of and for Black Women - The Black Paper, April 2018 by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance MotheringJustice.org - White Women School TheGrandChallenge.org  

In this episode, I interview certified nurse midwife Olivia Favela-Gary. Olivia has been a CNM for over five years, and has been a registered nurse for 10 years. She currently practices in Los Angeles and Southern California in a Federally Qualified Health Center, and attends births in a hospital setting working mostly with underserved and high risk populations. She also frequently works as a first assistant for cesarean births. Olivia hosts the podcast This American Midwife, and is mom to a daughter and a son.  Olivia reveals what it’s like to give care in the L.A. area, and the special needs required by people in vulnerable populations - such as immigrants, women who are trafficked and abused, or those who are homeless or drug addicted.  We also discuss how to teach doctors about the midwifery model of care, and we cover the evidence on induction of labor. 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. RESOURCES:  Contact Olivia via email ([email protected]) or Instagram.   Check out Olivia’s podcast, This American Midwife, on iTunes and at messy.fm. For more information on inductions, visit the Evidence Based Birth® blog article on The ARRIVE Trial, as well as our Natural Labor Induction Series.

In this episode, I interview midwife and Evidence Based Birth Professional member Afua Hassan. Afua has practiced as a midwife since 1984. In 2011, she expanded her home birth practice and founded The Birthing Place, Houston’s first freestanding birth center owned and operated by a black midwife. The name “The Birthing Place” was chosen by Afua in response to her observation that many women felt that they needed a hospital and a doctor to deliver babies. In her practice, Afua’s philosophy is that the mother is the captain of the birth, the partner is the co-captain, and she - as midwife - is the advisor. As of today, she has assisted in nearly 1200 births. We discuss Afua’s initiatives to educate women on the hospital system and the medical model of care, as well as the steps she is taking to support the women in her community. 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. RESOURCES:  Learn more about Afua and The Birthing Place here. Check out her recent feature on the Today Show at the same link! You can also find The Birthing Place on Facebook and Instagram.

In this episode, I interview Caley O’Brien about her empowering birth experience and being one of the first parents to take the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class. Caley has been married to her husband Kent for two years, and they live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is now a stay-at-home parent to her baby Solomon, and describes herself as a “crunchy hippie”. Caley and Kent took the EBB Childbirth Class with their local Instructor, Cat LaPlante.  We discuss how Caley intentionally and strategically built trust with her hospital birth team, and the impact that had on everyone involved with the experience. While her birth was empowering and positive, Caley also shared some challenges and she and Kent were equipped to handle during labor.  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. We're hosting free webinars all about the EBB Childbirth Class on February 5 (for parents) and February 6 (for birth pros). Don't miss this behind-the-scenes tour - register here! To learn more about the Evidence Based Birth  Childbirth Class, click here. To find an EBB Childbirth Class and Instructor near you, click here.

In this episode, I interview Nichole Croft and Todd Jackson of New Jersey. Their first baby was born in the summer of 2018, and they were among the first parents to take the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class. They were taught by EBB Instructor Cat LaPlante, and were referred to the class by their doula after inquiring about pain management techniques.  Listen as they describe their birth experience and how they utilized what they learned in their EBB class. From understanding the basics of natural birth, to learning about advocacy, comfort measures, birth planning and building relationship with hospital staff, Nicole and Todd felt confident and prepared for their birth. 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. RESOURCES:  We're hosting free webinars all about the EBB Childbirth Class on February 5 (for parents) and February 6 (for birth pros). Don't miss this behind-the-scenes tour - register here! To learn more about the Evidence Based Birth  Childbirth Class, click here. To find an EBB Childbirth Class and Instructor near you, click here.

In this episode, I interview Michelle Wilson, one of the first parents to take the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class. Michelle has one son, Matthew, and is a stay-at-home mom in Berea, Kentucky. Michelle and her husband Matt were very passionate about gathering as much information as possible prior to Matthew’s birth. They chose to plan a natural childbirth in a hospital setting, and Michelle labored with non-drug comfort measures for nearly 24 hours. Circumstances eventually led the baby to be born via cesarean.  While Michelle’s c-section was an option she chose and was a good experience for her, she did end up with postpartum hemorrhaging.We discuss the evidence on postpartum hemorrhage in subsequent births, as well as the pros and cons of elective c-sections versus VBAC. 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. RESOURCES:  We're hosting free webinars all about the EBB Childbirth Class on February 5 (for parents) and February 6 (for birth pros). Don't miss this behind-the-scenes tour - register here! To learn more about the Evidence Based Birth  Childbirth Class, click here. To find an EBB Childbirth Class and Instructor near you, click here. California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative OB Hemorrhage Toolkit VBAC Facts Further studies to explore: Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention and Treatment Risk Factors for Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage After Cesarean Delivery: Case-Control Studies Guise 2010 meta-analysis for the AHRQ Landon et al. (2017) NIH (2010) Consensus Statement Association of Ontario Midwives VBAC Guidelines Landon et al. (2016). “What We Have Learned About Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Cesarean Registry.” Seminar Perinatol Aug;40(5):281-6 Landon et al. (2004) Smith et al. (2002)

In this episode, I interview AnnaMarie and Drew Stoudenmire of Greenville, South Carolina. They are parents to Otto - their first baby - who at the time of recording was only seven weeks old. AnnaMarie and Drew took one of the first Evidence Based Birth Childbirth classes in the U.S., taught by EBB Instructor Mary Kury. They heard about the class from a nurse practitioner, who recommended Mary as a childbirth education instructor.  Listen as AnnaMarie and Drew tell their exciting water birth story, and how they applied what they learned in their Evidence Based Birth Childbirth class as they rushed to their birth center! 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.

In this episode, I interview EBB Instructors Cat LaPlante, Mary Kury, and Cindy Calvano about their experiences being among the first to teach the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class. Cat is a certified doula and certified childbirth educator serving the southern New Jersey and Philadelphia regions, and is also director of the EBB Instructor program. Cindy is a certified doula, doula trainer, and lactation counselor serving North and Central New Jersey. She also travels around the world to train doulas and other birth professionals. Mary is a certified childbirth educator serving upstate South Carolina.  We discuss the launch of the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class, which is coming to more than 50 communities in the U.S. and around the world. Hear the Instructors share their experiences piloting this innovative approach to childbirth education, and what the parents in their classes had to say after their births! 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. RESOURCES:  We're hosting free webinars all about the EBB Childbirth Class on February 5 (for parents) and February 6 (for birth pros). Don't miss this behind-the-scenes tour - register here! To learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, click here. To find an EBB Childbirth Class and Instructor near you, click here.

In this episode, we discuss the evidence on diagnosing gestational diabetes, and the use of the Glucola test. Evidence Based Birth just released a new Signature Article on this topic, and it is a subject that people are always wanting to know more about.  Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, your hormones can make it harder for your body to use insulin. That means you might need up to three times more insulin to overcome the increased resistance, but your body’s insulin response is sufficient to cover this. However, with gestational diabetes there is either too much insulin resistance, or too little insulin response, or a combination of both. Glucose builds up in the blood until it reaches abnormally high levels, called hyperglycemia. It’s those high blood sugar levels that can cause problems for mothers and babies.  Listen as we cover all the latest research, and clarify the terms “screening” and “diagnosis”. We also discuss the oral glucose tolerance test for diagnosing gestational diabetes, and the 50-gram Glucola - an oral glucose drink used for screening. 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. RESOURCES: Find the EBB Signature Article, The Evidence on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes here. 

In this episode I review all the projects completed at Evidence Based Birth in 2018 - and what a year it was! From launching this podcast and an extensive series and workshop on Comfort Measures, to releasing new Signature Articles, webinars, a Higher Ed curriculum AND developing a new cutting-edge EBB childbirth class - what we accomplished in 2018 gives us incredible momentum for what we have planned in 2019! Join me for a sneak peek into what is on the horizon for the next 12 months. RESOURCES To learn about the new EBB Childbirth Class, click here. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes tour - register here! To get on our mailing list so you don’t miss a single announcement on what we have coming up in 2019, sign up on our home page! 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.

In this episode I interview Courtney Carangian, a native to the Hawai’ian island of O’ahu. Courtney is an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, and is currently undergoing the DONA certification process to be a birth and postpartum doula. A mother of two children, Courtney has been married for seven years. She serves the birth and parenting community on O’ahu with doula services, lactation education, and EBB instruction.  Courtney got involved in birth work via baby wearing. She started a business, Wearing and Caring, and much of her focus is on creating connections in her local birth community. Courtney helps run Birth Processionals of O’ahu, and she also hosts play dates to mix local birth pros and parents. We discuss how native Hawai’ians interface with their local medical community, as well as how research is generated and how evidence is applied in the real world. We also discuss the topic of pain after epidurals. RESOURCES You can connect with Courtney at Wearing and Caring. For more information on Birth Professionals of O’ahu, click here. For information on Rebecca’s Comfort Measures Workshop in Honolulu, click here. 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.

In this episode I interview Ms. Charlotte Marie Shilo-Goudeau, one of three African American women in the state of Louisiana to hold the title of Licensed Certified Professional Midwife. She is the founder of “P.Y.O.B.E. (Pick Your Own Birthing Experience) with Mama CHAR’s Birthing Service,” located in the rural area of Maringouin, LA. Ms. Charlotte has committed her life work to serving women who lack resources needed to ensure positive and healthy prenatal and perinatal outcomes. By coining and implementing her “CPM’s Preventative Cup of TEA Philosophy”, she uses strategies of training, evidence-based education, and advocating to help bring awareness to the disparities found in misrepresented and underserved communities. Her “TEA Philosophy” helps to prevent negative health outcomes and brings awareness to the institutionalized limitations placed on all women of childbearing years, especially minorities. With her hard work and dedication she bridges the gap of communication between midwives, clients, and other healthcare providers.  Ms. Charlotte became an Evidence Based Birth  Instructor after passing an advanced training in “How to Help Families Receive Evidence Based Care” in 2018. We discuss strategies to overcome adversity - both for birthing people and birth professionals - as well as ways to make your voice heard and/or provide support within your realm of influence. RESOURCES You can connect with Ms. Charlotte at [email protected]. Click here for more information on NARM and the Portfolio Evaluation Process. 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.

In this episode, I interview Carissa Hipsher, a parent who was pressured into a cesarean for breech positioning. Carissa lives with her husband and three month old baby in Columbus, Ohio, and is working on obtaining her PhD in environmental science. She had a surprise breech positioning at the end of her pregnancy, and was pressured into a cesarean very quickly. After that experience, she decided to become more involved in examining the evidence on breech positioning and its different delivery options, as well as advocating for pregnant families’ rights. After compiling the evidence on breech delivery and asking to present it to her hospital management to help future families have more choices in birth, Carissa received little response. Now she is working on getting a modified version of the letter she sent to the hospital published in a national obstetrics journal. She is also focusing on processing her birth, including talking to other women who had unplanned c-sections. Find our more about the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) here. 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.  

In this episode I interview Krysta Dancy, licensed marriage and family therapist, certified birth doula, and Evidence Based Birth Instructor. Krysta has over 15 years of experience in the field of psychology. In her office in Roseville, CA, she provides compassionate and evidence-based care for a variety of fertility-related mental health issues, with special emphasis on trauma and birth (for both providers and patients). She also serves as Co-Director and Clinical Supervisor at The Place Within, a nonprofit that makes counseling affordable for those who may not otherwise have access.  As a longtime friend to the birth community, Krysta has had the opportunity to intimately experience the birth process and its many complexities. She brings a deeply held optimism to her work and holds space for the contributions of each person in the birth room. Her warmth, passion, expertise, experience and background in professional public speaking combine to make her workshops both informative and meaningful. We discuss the patterns Krysta sees in people who have experienced a traumatic birth, as well as some of the effective therapies she utilizes to address these challenges for both parents and birth workers. We also cover the systemic recognition and definition of birth trauma, the disruption of the sharing of generational wisdom, and the effects of maternal trauma on future generations.  Connect with Krysta and see her class schedules at www.ThePsychologyOfBirth.com or on Facebook. Find more information about Krysta’s therapy work here.  Click here learn about The Place Within. Connect with the Birth and Trauma Support Center, as well as on Facebook. To join a free support group for parents who have experienced birth trauma, click here and for support for birth professionals, click here. 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.

In this episode, I interview certified birth doula, postpartum doula, parent educator and breastfeeding counselor Nubia Jones. Nubia is a mother of five, and her journey of supporting women and families began 18 years ago during the birth of her first child. She went on to become involved in her local birth community, determined to help many families have positive and peaceful births, especially in hospital settings. Now, she serves a diverse population throughout New York City. As an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, Nubia’s mission is to support families by respecting their personal choices and providing evidence based information. She also serves as a Certified Attachment Parenting International Educator, and a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, so she has much information to offer her clients and members of the community. Among her main areas of focus are guiding families on paths to avoid preventable cesarians, as well as supporting young mothers and mothers of color. Her most recent endeavor is working with a charter high school in Brooklyn that has a high number of teen parents and expecting mothers. She has joined the school’s parent support initiative with other staff members, as the only birth professional in the group.  Nubia and Rebecca discuss the evidence on cesarean rates, as well as other birth experiences, for teen moms. They also talk about the upcoming Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Education course, which a select number of EBB Instructors will be able to teach as early as January 2019. Connect with Nubi at  https://www.doulavivabirths.com/, and on Instagram. 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.

Lisa Marie Sanchez Oxenham has been a birth worker for over 25 years, serving the last 10 as a licensed midwife. She works full time with her husband, Richard, who is currently pursuing his CPM. They specialize in water birth and past trauma, and travel all over Southern California to provide in-home care. Together, they work to include the partner in birth - especially men, who are often mis-portrayed in birth environments in the media. Lisa and Richard support all birthing parties with comprehensive relationship building with a focus on trust. They find that utilizing both men and women in birth seems to really help men - which helps their birthing partners - and dispels the belief that brith belongs only to women. They also believe that water birth is particularly helpful for victims of rape and sexual abuse. Listen in as we discuss Lisa’s journey and mission, as well as the evidence on misoprostol for induction and details about water birth. Contact Lisa Marie on Instagram, Facebook, and at sacredjourneymidwifery.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.

This week, I discuss the concept of due dates - as well as the free webinar I am hosting soon, the Evidence on Induction at 39 Weeks! I want to provide an overview on this topic so you can be prepped for the webinar, which will include discussions on the controversial ARRIVE study. Tune in as we discuss what it means to be full term, the accuracy of due dates, and how they are calculated. This is important, because inductions for non-medical reasons have been rising globally in the last 30 years. Studies show that inducing labor because the pregnancy is full term, close to the due date, is the number one reason for induction in the United States. 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. Read EBB’s Signature Article, The Evidence on Due Dates (link: ebbirth.com/duedates) Register for our webinar, The Evidence on Induction at 39 Weeks (link: ebbirth.com/webinar)

In this podcast we discuss inducing labor in someone who is 35 and older. Over time in the United States, for the past four decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are giving birth for the first time at age 35 and older. Today, roughly one in ten first time mothers is now considered advanced maternal age.  We will examine the risks and the evidence for induction in this population. 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.

This week, we talk about the evidence on induction for having a suspected big baby. I discuss the assumptions that lead to high rates of cesarean and induction for big babies, and whether the research shows these assumptions to be true. 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.

This week, we cover the evidence on inducing labor versus waiting for labor to start on its own, when water has broken before the start of labor. For this podcast, we focus on when water breaks at 37 weeks of pregnancy or later. This is also known as pre-labor rupture of membranes, or PROM.  PROM is a common situation - researchers say that about one in ten pregnant people will have their water break before the onset of labor. Join me as we examine the evidence to see how pregnant people can make the best decisions for themselves when faced with the choice of inducing or waiting.  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.

Jenn D’Jamoos is a CAPPA-certified childbirth educator and Evidence Based Birth Instructor, human rights activist and mom of four who lives in Michigan. She founded the Livingston County Birth Circle in 2013 to serve the needs of families in her area. While the stated goal of the LCBC is to provide non-judgmental support to expectant and new families, the organization also works to elevate conversation surrounding the birth experience.  Jenn recently enrolled in White Woman School through Mothering Justice to explore opportunities for anti-racism work in the context of perinatal education. Jenn and I discuss the importance of birth settings and putting care provider relationships into proper perspective, as well as the use of motivational interviewing to help guide people through changes without telling them what to do. We also brainstorm ways to help people birth experiences with supportive dialogue, without reigniting feelings of trauma or stress. Connect with Jenn at EarthMamaBirth.com, on Facebook, and Twitter. Other resources:  Ladder of Empowerment - “From White Racist to White Anti-Racist: the Life-Long Journey” by Tema Okun Mothering Justice          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.

Kelsi Kennedy is a birth doula serving women in the New York City and Westchester, NY area, and is also a grant writer for non-profit called The Birthing Circle in the greater Washington D.C. area. She has a Masters in Applied Psychology from NYU, and spent two years volunteering and interning as a data analyst for a human trafficking rescue, Restore NYC. Kelsi is also CEO & founder of a brand new ethical fashion business called rev thread.  When she first connected with The Birthing Circle she was a new mom, briefly living in Maryland, and was impressed by the resources they offered. “I realized that every woman deserves this kind of support in her pregnancy and birth,” she said. The organization provides childbirth education, doula services, breastfeeding support and facilitates donations of baby supplies to families in need. The Birthing Circle is also promoting the hashtag #mybirthtoo - a sister campaign of the #metoo movement. While Kelsi currently practices in a very supportive community, where the movement toward doulas and holistic care is growing, she advocates for more education and access to care in other areas which don’t have the same support. In this podcast, we discuss how some communities and underserved populations lack access to evidence based education and advocacy - and how the birth community can bridge that divide. Resources mentioned in this episode: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh   Connect with Kelsi on Instagram @kelsi102 or @doulakelsi or website doulakelsi.com. Any women who have experienced any sort of discrimination, violence, trauma, or anything that has had a lasting impact on them from pregnancy or birth to use the hashtag #mybirthtoo, or visit https://mybirthtoo.com/. For more on The Birthing Circle, visit their website here. 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.

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 42 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. Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect with Cheri at the Premier Birth Tools website and Facebook page. Contact Premier Birth Tools for a free information packet for doulas, L&D nurses, midwives and nursing instructors. 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.

Amber Ginn is a birth and postpartum doula in Puerto Rico. She had her first child at 15, and is dedicated to providing essential support to pregnant adolescents. Amber’s first birth was a traumatic experience, with interventions she was not educated or informed about, and she felt her concerns and questions were dismissed by her providers. She also battled postpartum depression with little support. Despite these challenges, Amber finished high school and college while caring for her son. These experiences led her to her career in birth work, and she hopes to shine a light on the support that is needed - and often lacking - for young mothers. Amber is an EBB Professional member, and is also working towards certification as a lactation consultant. She and Rebecca discuss postpartum depression in adolescents, and the existing resources and research available on caring for young pregnant people and new moms.  Resources mentioned in this episode: Science and Sensibility: Welcoming All Families; Working with Teen Parents Midwifery Today: Doulas Supporting Teens Research article: Going Beyond the Call of Doula More research available on PubMed.gov Connect with Amber at her website, VillageBirthandPostpartumCare.com, Facebook page, and Instagram. 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.

April Oglesby is a nurse and monitrice in Amarilo, Texas. She has been a nurse for 13 years, specializing in all types of care for mothers and babies. Recently, she left hospital work to start her own business, Welcome Baby! Throughout her hospital nursing career, she began to see huge deficits in the knowledge, education, empowerment and support for expecting families. She was frustrated watching patients receive care that was not evidence-based, and was often unnecessary. From that, Welcome Baby! was born, offering evidence based childbirth classes, doula and monitrice care, home visits for breastfeeding support and newborn care, as well as placental encapsulation. April shares her journey of providing education and empowerment to birthing families in her community. She also asks Rebecca her advice on building bridges and personal relationships with local providers. Connect with April on the Welcome Baby! Facebook page, Instagram account, and website. 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 and our Instructor program.

Katie Rachanow leads the Military Birth Resource Network at the largest overseas installment in Europe, and has specialized knowledge of the military birth system. Katie is a doula, yoga instructor, and Evidence Based Birth instructor practicing in Germany. She recently moved there following a two-year tour in Colorado Springs and a five-year tour in the UK.  Katie shares how having her first child in the UK launched her career as a birth worker, and how she operates exclusively in a military setting. She notes that the main problem for birth in the military is continuity of care. “Everybody is moving around constantly - nobody ever stays put.” Additionally, people often end up birthing on their own, as their partner may be deployed or on duty, and their families cannot afford to travel to where they are. “I’ve had a lot of instances where moms have been alone - just by themselves - until it’s time for delivery,” she said. Together, Katie and I brainstorm ways to promote funding of doula support for military members, and build relationships among birth workers in new communities. Connect with Katie on her website, Facebook, LinkedIn and the EBB Instructor Directory. 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 and our Instructor program.

Juliet Swedlund is the director of the Topeka Doula Project, a nonprofit offering evidence based doula support to teen mothers, incarcerated and reintegrating mothers, and low-income mothers and their families. Juliet has worked as a birth doula for four years, and has 16 years experience working in health and wellness. She achieved her DONA Birth Doula certification in 2016, and became an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor in 2018. Juliet discusses her organization’s beginnings and her inspirations, as well as the unique challenges of the underserved populations she works with. “Some of the women I work with who are incarcerated… so much is out of their control, and they do feel like the system gets to decide what it looks like,” she said. “So part of our job as doulas for those women is to help them understand that they can take an active role in what they do have control over - in what they can find autonomy in in that birth setting.” She and Rebecca also discuss funding strategies for non-profits.  Learn more about Juliet and her work at her website. You can also follow Topeka Doula Project on Facebook and Instagram. Contact Juliet at [email protected]. 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 and our Instructor program.

This wrap-up of pain management series covers the many different drug and non-drug comfort measures during labor. Learn our overall takeaway. To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

Many childbirth classes teach breathing for pain relief during labor. But is there evidence that this is effective? Which breathing techniques work best? To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

Is relaxation for pain relief effective? Learn techniques that can be used during labor and find out which (if any) are supported by evidence. To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

What is a rebozo? You’ll learn how using a rebozo during labor may help with pain relief. We’ll discuss its traditional use and the limited research evidence. To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

In this podcast, we look at the evidence for listening to music during labor. Does it help with pain relief? What is the best music for relaxation? To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

We discuss the evidence on using massage for pain relief during labor and for pain in general. What benefits does massage provide? What types of massage might be helpful during labor? To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

In this podcast, Rebecca gives you a sneak peek into what's coming for Evidence Based Birth® in the second half of 2018 and early 2019! Learn about the Signature Articles we're creating, the workshops and classes we're creating, our upcoming speaking events, and the new website for Higher Education institutions! Resources mentioned: Comfort Measures for L & D Nurses: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comfort-measures-for-l-d-nurses-lexington-ky-tickets-45818534470 Toronto EBB event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/explore-the-evidence-with-dr-rebecca-dekker-tickets-47035880585?aff= Higher Ed Program: Contact [email protected] Childbirth Class Pilot: https://ebbirth.com/childbirthclass Wait list for EBB Instructor program: https://ebbirth.com/instructor Migraine program Rebecca joined where they're teaching her how to use the Keto diet: https://www.mymigrainemiracle.com/ (not an affiliate link!)

In this podcast, Rebecca shares how the Evidence Based Birth® Signature Articles are created, and some important updates that were made to the Group B Strep and Erythromycin Eye Ointment article. Resources: About Signature Articles: https://ebbirth.com/about-evidence-based-birth/ Find Signature Articles: https://ebbirth.com/blog/ Become a newsletter subscriber: https://ebbirth.com Group B Strep: https://ebbirth.com/groupbstrep Eye Ointment: https://ebbirth.com/eyeointment

What hypnosis is and how hypnotherapy might work to provide pain relief during labor? Whether people who have used hypnosis during childbirth found it to be beneficial? What the evidence from randomized controlled trials shows about using hypnosis for pain relief during labor To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

Did you know there are different ways to monitor the baby's heartbeat during labor and birth? Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is common but not without its drawbacks. We discuss the pros and cons of EFM and its alternative, hands-on listening with a fetal Doppler or fetal stethoscope.

In today's podcast, we'll learn what sterile water injections are and how they might help to provide pain relief during labor. We'll discuss the evidence on their effectiveness and the latest clinical recommendations from a 2017 systematic review. To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/  

This podcast covers the evidence on childbirth education for pain relief during labor. How many people take childbirth classes and what material do they cover? We discuss the challenges of studying childbirth education interventions and go over the findings from an interesting study on this topic out of Australia. To check out our Professional Membership, visit https://ebbirth.com/membership  

What is TENS and how is it used for pain relief during labor? In today's video, we'll share all about the evidence for using TENS during labor and how researchers think it might work. We'll also discuss its history, if it's linked to any adverse effects, and how you can acquire a TENS unit and learn to use it. To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ and visit EBB PDF library here:  http://evidencebasedbirthacademy.com/dashboard/pdf-library/

What aromatherapy is. How aromatherapy during labor might work to provide pain relief. What the evidence shows about using aromatherapy during labor for pain relief To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

What acupuncture and acupressure are? How acupuncture and acupressure might work to provide pain relief during labor. What the evidence shows about using acupuncture and acupressure for pain relief during labor? To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit http://ebbirth.com/membership  

In today's podcast, Rebecca shares the story of how Evidence Based Birth® went from a tiny blog to a worldwide movement. Learn what kept crashing the website, what Rebecca's famous "surprise project" was, and how we manage to fund the work that we do. Finally, get a sneak peek into Rebecca's goals and vision for the future of EBB. To register for the home birth webinar, visit https://ebbirth.com/homebirthwebinar. To check out our Professional Membership, visit https://ebbirth.com/membership  

In today's podcast, we talk about the types of different home birth midwives in the U.S. This podcast will prep you to attend the free public webinar all about the evidence on home birth. To register for the webinar (only available through May 8, 2018), visit https://ebbirth.com/homebirthwebinar To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ and visit EBB PDF library here:  http://evidencebasedbirthacademy.com/dashboard/pdf-library/   Here are the references we used to create today's podcast: American College of Nurse Midwives (2017). Comparison of Certified Nurse-Midwives, Certified Midwives, Certified Professional Midwives. Accessed online April 4, 2018. Available at: http://www.midwife.org/index.asp?bid=59&cat=12&button=Search&rec=254 The Big Push for Midwives (2018). CPMs Legal Status by State. Accessed online April 4, 2018. Available at: http://pushformidwives.nationbuilder.com/cpms_legal_status_by_state MacDorman, M. F. and Declercq, E. (2016). "Trends and Characteristics of United States Out-of-Hospital Births 2004-2014: New Information on Risk Status and Access to Care." Birth 43(2): 116-124. Click here. Midwives Alliance of North America (2016). About Midwives: Types of Midwives. Accessed online April 4, 2018. Available at: https://mana.org/about-midwives/types-of-midwife. Marzalik, P. R., Feltham, K. J., Jefferson, K., et al. (2018). "Midwifery education in the U.S. - Certified Nurse-Midwife, Certified Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife." Midwifery 60: 9-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29471175

Recently, rates of home birth have nearly doubled in the U.S., from 0.56% to 1% today. Where is this increase in home birth coming from? How many women desire home birth, and why are they interested in this option? Listen to our podcast discussing the increasing numbers, then register for our free webinar about home birth at ebbirth.com/homebirthwebinar

What a birth doula is and how a doula provides pain relief during childbirth. What the evidence shows about using a doula for pain relief. If continuous support from a doula is more effective for improving some health outcomes than continuous support from hospital staff or family/friends. How to find a doula To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ Learn more about Doulas: http://ebbirth.com/doula

What hydrotherapy is and how often it is used for pain relief during labor and birth. What studies have found about the effectiveness of water immersion during labor for pain relief. What several professional organizations recommend about the use of water immersion during labor for pain relief. To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ and check our the courses we offer:  http://evidencebasedbirthacademy.com/dashboard/course-directory/  

Learn from the comfort of your own home Flexibility of online learning + Support of in-person connections Watch online videos of Dr. Rebecca Dekker and other professionals Learn directly from an experienced Evidence Based Birth® Instructor in your area Meet others in your community who are also preparing for childbirth Visit: http://ebbirth.com/childbirthclass To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit http://ebbirth.com/membership

If research evidence tells us how often painless birth occurs. How labor pain can be interpreted as positive or negative. How pain perception can be influenced by state of mind, environmental stress, and social support. About the complex relationship between pain relief and maternal satisfaction To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ and visit EBB PDF library here:  http://evidencebasedbirthacademy.com/dashboard/pdf-library/  

How could upright birthing positions benefit mothers and babies? How common are upright birthing positions? For people without epidurals, which birthing positions are best supported by evidence? For people with epidurals, which birthing positions are best supported by evidence? Read more about The Evidence on: Birthing Positions: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-birthing-positions/ To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

Why researchers think that upright positions during labor may benefit normal, physiologic childbirth. What studies have found about the effectiveness of movement and upright positions during labor for pain relief. What several professional organizations recommend about the use of movement and upright positions during labor for pain relief  Visit our official EBB shop at: https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/ To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

What nitrous oxide gas is and how it is used during labor for pain relief. What studies have found about the safety and effectiveness of nitrous oxide during labor. The potential pros and cons of using nitrous oxide gas for pain relief during labor To find out if there's a Savvy Birth Workshop near you, visit the Evidence Based Birth® Facebook page and click on "Events." You can also see if there is an Instructor near you by visiting directory.evidencebasedbirth.com

Which IV opioids during labor are most commonly used. What studies have found about the safety and effectiveness of IV opioids during labor. The potential pros and cons of using IV opioids during labor   To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

How epidurals could potentially slow the pushing phase of labor. What randomized, controlled trials and large observational studies have found about the effects of epidurals on the second stage of labor. If turning off a mother’s low-dose epidural at the start of the second stage makes a difference in labor duration or other health outcomes To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/  

How epidurals and spinals could potentially harm breastfeeding success. If the relationship between epidurals during labor and breastfeeding success has been studied—and what they found! Visit our official EBB shop at: https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/ To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

In this episode, Rebecca talks about the updated evidence on waterbirth. You can read more at ebbirth.com/waterbirth  To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

This podcast is all about the ARRIVE study, a Randomized Trial of Induction versus Expectant Management, was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Conducted by the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU). They meant to look at the effects of elective induction at 39 weeks To find out if there's a Savvy Birth Workshop near you, visit the Evidence Based Birth® Facebook page and click on "Events." You can also see if there is an Instructor near you by visiting evidencebasedbirth.com

How often epidurals during labor are used, and the difference between epidurals, spinals, and combined spinal epidurals (CSEs). The benefits of epidurals, spinals, and CSEs. The potential risks and side effects of epidurals, spinals, and CSEs for mother and baby To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

The difference between “pain” and “suffering”. The two different approaches in pain management during labor and birth—“pain relief” versus “working with pain”. Types of pain management strategies   Visit our official EBB shop at: https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/

In this episode, I interview AnnaMarie and Drew Stoudenmire of Greenville, South Carolina. They are parents to Otto - their first baby - who at the time of recording was only seven weeks old. AnnaMarie and Drew took one of the first Evidence Based Birth Childbirth classes in the U.S., taught by EBB Instructor Mary Kury. They heard about the class from a nurse practitioner, who recommended Mary as a childbirth education instructor.  Listen as AnnaMarie and Drew tell their exciting water birth story, and how they applied what they learned in their Evidence Based Birth Childbirth class as they rushed to their birth center! 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.

Frequently marketed claims about placenta encapsulation How many experimental trials have ever been done with placenta encapsulation Results from the newest randomized, placebo-controlled trial on placenta encapsulation To find out if there's a Savvy Birth Workshop near you, visit the Evidence Based Birth® Facebook page and click on "Events." You can also see if there is an Instructor near you by visiting directory.evidencebasedbirth.com

The benefits of membrane sweeping. The cons of membrane sweeping. Why you have the right to informed consent/refusal with membrane sweeping To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

The results from the two randomized trials on cervical checks at the end of pregnancy. The potential benefits and potential harms of prenatal cervical checks. How to handle a situation if your doctor traditionally does vaginal exams at the end of pregnancy, but you don’t want one for whatever reason To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/

How much research do we have on the microbiome and waterbirth? What does “normal flora” mean, and why is it important? What does the existing research say about waterbirth and the bacteria on a baby’s skin? Is there any other research from newborn baths that we can refer to when talking about this issue?   Visit our official EBB shop at: https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/

In this episode of the Evidence Based Birth® podcast, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, talks about why it's so difficult to find evidence based care. To find out if there's a Savvy Birth Workshop near you, visit the Evidence Based Birth® Facebook page and click on "Events." You can also see if there is an Instructor near you by visiting directory.evidencebasedbirth.com

In this second episode of the Evidence Based Birth® podcast, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, shares the true definition of evidence based care, and talks about the different kind of evidence you can read about your birth options. To learn more about the EBB Instructor program, please visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/

Welcome to the Evidence Based Birth® podcast! In this first episode, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, the founder of EBB, shares the story of how evidence based birth began. To learn more about her story, visit ebbirth.com/author   To learn more about the EBB Professional Membership, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/