Even when caring for similar patient populations, some hospitals have significantly higher Cesarean rates than others, and factors like teamwork, psychological safety, leadership, staffing, and beliefs about childbirth can affect outcomes. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with family physician and researcher Dr. Emily White VanGompel about how the culture of labor and delivery units can shape decision-making and influence the birth experience for families.   Dr. White VanGompel explains the NTSV (nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex) Cesarean rate, why it is used as a quality measure, how hospitals have successfully reduced unnecessary Cesareans, and what families can look for when choosing a birth setting that supports vaginal birth. Plus, learn about the Labor Culture Survey (LCS), Dr. White VanGompel's research on the impact of the ARRIVE Trial on provider attitudes, and why conversations about reducing Cesarean overuse are important from a public health perspective.   (01:58) Growing up around home birth and discovering differences in birth culture during medical training (09:05) How family medicine influences perspectives on childbirth, postpartum care, and long-term family health (12:46) What NTSV Cesarean rates are and why they are used as a quality measure (16:19) Defining labor and delivery unit culture and how it affects Cesarean decision-making (19:23) Lessons from hospitals that successfully reduced Cesarean rates (23:50) Real-world examples of hospitals that transformed their birth culture and lowered Cesarean rates (29:36) Common attitudes and beliefs associated with higher Cesarean rates (32:32) The Labor Culture Survey (35:44) The ARRIVE Trial, provider attitudes toward induction, and shifting birth culture (43:01) How families can evaluate hospitals and providers when seeking support for vaginal birth (48:24) Midwifery models of care and their potential role in supporting vaginal birth (52:40) How personal birth experiences influence clinician attitudes toward Cesarean and vaginal birth   Resources View the original validation study that explains the creation of the LCS: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/birt.12406 See how the first statewide use of the LCS found an association between labor culture and hospital-level cesarean rates: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1475-6773.13123 Deep-dive into this qualitative study about how hospitals that lowered their cesarean rates changed their cultures: SpringerAccess research journals, articles, books and more | Springer Nature Linkarticle/10.1186/s12913-024-12108-3 See how this study used the Labor Culture Survey (LCS) to compare clinician beliefs and attitudes about induction of labor before and after the publication of the ARRIVE Trial: Sciencedirectsciencedirect.com science/article/abs/pii/S0884217522003914   For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

This summer, join Dr. Rebecca Dekker and the EBB Research Team for a four-part live series on "How to Read Research," starting June 30.

Get access to the full Summer School Series by joining the Quarterly EBB Pro Membership at a special summer rate!

Plus, enroll by June 28 and receive a free digital EBB Pocket Guide to Labor Induction!

Learn more and save your seat in our virtual classroom: ebbirth.com/summer

The way we move during labor shapes far more than our comfort. It helps determine how a baby navigates through the pelvis, and whether a birth can unfold with fewer interventions!

In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Brittany Sharpe McCollum, a childbirth educator, doula, lactation counselor, and pelvic biomechanics educator. Brittany explains how the bones of the pelvis move during labor, why that movement matters for fetal positioning, and how everyone can benefit from intentional position changes during labor-- whether you're planning an unmedicated birth or not!

They explore the three planes of the pelvis, why opening the pelvic inlet and outlet require opposite movements, and how to match specific positions to where the baby is located in the pelvis. Brittany also shares her 5-4-3 rule for position changes, practical tips for inductions and epidurals, the power of asymmetrical positioning, and why movement is one of the few birth tools that carries benefit without risk.

(06:25) Exploring movement in childbirth
(10:19) Understanding baby's position in labor
(13:03) Benefits of movement during labor
(17:31) Subtle pelvic movements in labor
(23:05) Partner role during contractions
(25:17) Managing rectal pressure during labor
(27:57) Movement during labor
(32:21) Importance of prenatal education
(37:35) Understanding racism in obstetrics

Resources
EBB Signature Article on the Evidence on Birthing Positions: ebbirth.com/birthingpositions
Learn more about Brittany: blossomingbelliesbirth.com
"Baby Got VBAC: An Inspiring Collection of Wisdom for Better Births After a Cesarean"
Connect with Brittany on Instagram: @blossomingbelliesbirth

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 ways we feed and care for babies are shaped not only by research, but also by family traditions, cultural values, and generations of shared wisdom.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Yogyata Wadhwa, an IBCLC, childbirth educator, birth doula, sleep consultant, and infant feeding specialist based in India. Drawing on her experience supporting more than 10,000 families, Yogyata shares how parents can honor cultural traditions while making informed decisions about breastfeeding, introducing solids, and navigating the postpartum period.   They explore common breastfeeding challenges, cultural beliefs surrounding infant feeding, and how parents can balance evidence-based recommendations with meaningful family customs. Yogyata also shares postpartum traditions in India, including the Jappa period, family caregiving practices, and the cultural significance of introducing a baby's first foods.   (00:00) Introduction and overview of cultural perspectives on breastfeeding and infant feeding in India (05:34) How Yogyata became a childbirth educator, IBCLC, doula, and infant feeding specialist (08:38) Common breastfeeding challenges: milk supply concerns, latch difficulties, and tongue ties (10:24) Cultural beliefs that influence breastfeeding (16:18) Traditional infant feeding practices in India and the Annaprasan ceremony (21:32) First foods for babies and introducing solids (23:45) What baby-led feeding looks like (28:04) Signs that a baby is ready to start solids (33:41) Maternity leave, workplace accommodations, and postpartum support systems in India (36:20) The Jappa period and postpartum recovery practices (39:09) Balancing evidence-based recommendations with cultural expectations (43:43) Advice for Indian families living abroad and navigating feeding without traditional support systems (47:04) Yogyata's final advice for first-time parents   Resources Connect with Yogyata on Instagram: @thebirth.life Learn more about The Birth Life: thebirthlife.com/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Research shows that queer and trans parents face significantly higher rates of perinatal depression and anxiety, but affirming and community-centered support can make a big difference. In this episode, clinical psychologist and researcher Leiszle Lapping-Carr joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker to talk about the unique mental health challenges 2SLGBTQ+ parents may experience during pregnancy and postpartum and what providers, birth workers, and communities can do to create safer, more supportive care. Dr. Lapping-Carr shares how stigma, discrimination, isolation, and lack of affirming healthcare spaces can affect mental health outcomes for queer and trans parents. She also explains how evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy can be adapted to better support 2SLGBTQ+ families, especially when distress is rooted in experiences of discrimination and loss of safety. Learn how protective factors that support mental health, chosen family and community, and inclusive healthcare providers can make perinatal spaces more affirming for all parents.   (01:43) Dr. Leiszle Lapping-Carr's background and research journey (04:31) Perinatal depression rates among queer and trans parents (07:19) Minority stress, discrimination, and mental health risks (11:08) Protective factors and the importance of community support (12:52) What is the Mothers and Babies intervention? (15:17) Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for queer and trans parents (20:09) Common thought patterns and challenges for LGBTQ+ parents (22:57) Behavioral strategies and "pleasant activities" for mental health (28:58) Barriers to affirming perinatal mental healthcare (32:42) The role of doulas and community recommendations (37:33) Common mistakes providers make when caring for queer and trans parents   Resources Learn more about Dr. Lapping-Carr and her research: feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=49272 Postpartum Support International Online Support Groups: postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/ Mothers and Babies preventive perinatal depression intervention: mothersandbabiesprogram.org/providers/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Happy EBB 400! In honor of this milestone, Team EBB is looking back on some of our and your favorite episodes of the EBB Podcast from the past nine years. From advocacy in birth and improving maternity care to exercise in pregnancy, postpartum support, Vitamin K, and upright birthing positions, this anniversary episode highlights the stories and evidence that have shaped the EBB community since 2017. Whether you've been here since episode one or just recently found the podcast, this episode is a celebration of evidence-based information and the families and professionals who make this work meaningful.

(07:04) Jennie Joseph on The JJ Way® and Improving Maternity Care
(12:56) JaMichael Perryman on Birth Advocacy and Supporting Your Partner
(18:26) Evidence on Birthing Positions and Protecting the Perineum
(23:51) Exercise in Pregnancy with MamasteFit's Gina Conley
(29:14) Cheyanne Saenz on Self-Advocacy and Knowing Your Rights in Birth
(33:15) Q&A: Pitocin and Postpartum Depression
(39:24) Updated Evidence on Vitamin K for Newborns
(44:56) Rebecca's Mom Shares Her Experiences with Twilight Sleep and Changing Birth Practices
(47:46) Looking Back on 400 Episodes and Looking Ahead to the Future of EBB

Resources

EBB 136 ? Solutions for the Crisis in American Maternity Care

EBB 145 ? Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JaMichael Perryman

EBB 221 ? Evidence on Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practices for Protecting the Perineum

EBB 264 ? Top 3 Tips for Exercise in Pregnancy with Gina and Roxanne of Mamaste Fit

EBB 208 ? Advocating for Your Rights in Birth with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Cheyanne Saenz

EBB 304 - Q & A on PPD/Pitocin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Nubain, and Placental Encapsulation

EBB 347 - Updated Evidence on Vitamin K

 EBB 75 - Birth in Twilight Sleep ? the Experiences of Rebecca's Mom

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Pregnancy fitness advice has changed dramatically over the last few decades, but many parents still receive outdated recommendations rooted more in fear than evidence. After receiving outdated advice during her own pregnancy, exercise physiologist and prenatal/postnatal wellness practitioner Ashley Reid was inspired to help moms stay active through every stage of motherhood. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Ashley about the latest evidence on exercise and strength training during pregnancy and postpartum.

Ashley shares why old recommendations like keeping your heart rate under 140 beats per minute are outdated, what the research actually says about lifting weights during pregnancy, and how to safely build strength in ways that support your changing body. She also explains her "Core, Function, and Fitness" framework and how to approach postpartum recovery as a gradual progression instead of a rush back to exercise.

(03:55) Outdated pregnancy exercise advice and the "140 beats per minute" rule
(06:27) Fear around heart rate monitoring and exercise intensity in pregnancy
(08:42) What the research says about exercise safety and pregnancy
(13:20) Ashley's "Core, Function, and Fitness" framework
(17:20) Why core strength matters during pregnancy
(20:47) Is lifting weights during pregnancy safe?
(25:25) Signs it may be time to modify or pause exercise
(27:23) How pregnancy exercise supports postpartum recovery
(30:01) Returning to exercise postpartum and the new 2025 guidelines
(36:27) Ashley shares what readers will learn in her book Active Mom
(37:56) Sample workout progressions and making exercise work for you

Resources

Learn more about Active Mom Fitness: activemomfitness.com/

Get your copy of Ashley's Book, "Active Mom": activemomfitness.com/books

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Many neurodivergent people move through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum feeling misunderstood and unsupported in healthcare settings that were not designed with their minds in mind. In this episode, doula and founder of Neurodivergent Birth Victoria White shares how her own later-in-life autism and ADHD diagnoses reshaped her understanding of her postpartum experiences and why many neurodivergent parents struggle in systems that often assume everyone processes in the same way.

Learn about how sensory processing, communication, and executive functioning challenges can shape the perinatal experience for neurodivergent families and the small changes that can help neurodivergent people feel safer, more supported, and empowered.

(04:30) The four support pillars of neurodivergent birth
(10:11) How sleep deprivation impacts neurodivergent parents
(12:02) Hormones, estrogen, ADHD, and postpartum changes
(19:05) Barriers to adult diagnosis and self-identifying as neurodivergent
(22:14) Strategies for sensory support, communication, and birth planning
(25:50) Supporting executive functioning during pregnancy and postpartum
(28:27) "Think neurodivergence first": what healthcare workers need to understand
(30:33) Supporting neurodivergent partners during birth
(31:31) Neurodivergence and cesarean birth experiences
(36:53) Victoria's book Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters
(38:27) Research groups, mental health resources, and the Neurodivergent Birth Podcast
(39:22) Reasonable accommodations and disability protections in maternity care

Resources

Learn more about Neurodivergent Birth: ndbirth.com/

Get free, downloadable fact sheets and planning resources: ndbirth.com/downloads

Listen to the Neurodivergent Birth podcast: ndbirth.com/podcast

Maternity Autism Research Group: maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/

PANDAS Foundation: pandasfoundation.org.uk/

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 happens when your carefully planned, low-intervention birth transforms into something entirely unexpected? In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker revisits her conversation with Leah Bergman, a graduate of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, and her birth story of navigating a surprise diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (sometimes called intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR) in late pregnancy. Together, they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of changing birth plans, wrestling with uncertainty, and making tough decisions around induction while still finding space for empowerment, advocacy, and joy.

Leah opens up about leaning on evidence-based education, support from her husband and doula, and a compassionate midwifery team as she faced a challenging induction process complete with surprises, setbacks, and two trips to the hospital. You'll also hear practical strategies for advocating during labor, the realities of taking a break from an induction then "starting over", and how to build a positive birth experience even when things go off script.

Content Note: Discussion of the risk of stillbirth associated with fetal growth restriction.

(03:44) Discovering Evidence Based Birth® (09:15) Deciding to induce labor
(10:43) Placenta health and birth timing
(14:50 Discussing timing of delivery
(17:41) Labor induction experience
(23:29 Beginning stages of labor induction
(25:55) Advocating for rest during labor
(28:48) Unexpectedly quick delivery experience
(31:51) Managing baby's low birth weight   For the full list of resources from this epiosde, 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 and YouTube! 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.

Pregnancy and birth don't require perfection to be empowering. In this solo episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker shares share five life lessons she's learned over 14 years as a nurse, mother, and founder of Evidence Based Birth. She offers grounding guidance for navigating pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood with more trust, self-compassion, and calm.

This episode centers on the idea that you don't have to know everything to have a positive birth experience. Instead, Dr. Dekker explores how building a supportive team, staying connected to your body, and focusing on what you can control can transform how you approach birth. She also reflects on the value and meaning of childbirth for those who choose it, the importance of respectful and empowering care, and the lifelong practice of letting go of what's outside your control.

(02:05) You Don't Have to Know Everything About Pregnancy and Birth
(07:01) Being the Expert of Your Own Body
(13:39) Childbirth is Worth It
(20:46) It is Possible to Have an Empowering Childbirth Experience
(27:11) Controlling What You Can, Letting Go of What You Can't
(36:56) Final Thoughts and Words of Comfort
For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 evidence shows that vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option for many families, but it's still frequently inaccessible to them. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin discuss the systemic barriers that limit families' opportunities to choose a VBAC. They explore how hospital policies, outdated guidelines, and clinical tools like the VBAC calculator have shaped who's a "good candidate" and who is not.   Dr. Rubashkin also shares insights from his research on inequities in maternity care, including how race-adjusted algorithms reinforce disparities, why the "immediately available" standard still impacts hospital policies today, and how geography, provider practices, and induction policies can influence VBAC access. Plus, hear evidence-based strategies for advocating for a VBAC, including how to evaluate providers and interpret VBAC rates.   (01:36) Dr. Rubashkin's background and path into obstetrics
(08:32) Major barriers to VBAC access in the U.S.
(11:37) The "immediately available" standard explained
(14:38) Misconceptions about emergency cesarean availability
(16:58) Ethical and legal implications of VBAC restrictions
(18:02) Institutional barriers
(20:17) The VBAC calculator and how it influenced access
(26:12) Racism, bias, and interpretation of VBAC data
(30:02) Induction and VBAC: evidence vs. practice
(36:17) What informed consent for VBAC should include
(37:18) Identifying supportive vs. reluctant providers   Resources ACOG's VBAC guidelines and recommendations: acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2019/02/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-delivery Human Rights in Childbirth: humanrightsinchildbirth.org/ UCSF's Better Birth Research Initiative: betterbirth.ucsf.edu/ International Cesarean Awareness Network: ican-online.org/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 more about EBB's upcoming Induction Bootcamp on Tuesday, April 28 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM EDT.

To save your seat or access the replay, join the EBB Pro Membership for just $39 for your first 30 days: ebbirth.com/membership.

Postpartum care wasn't always rushed, clinical, or isolating. In many African-American communities, the weeks after birth were treated as sacred time where families and communities gathered to care for the mother so she could focus on caring for her baby.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with renowned midwife, cultural historian, and author Shafia Monroe about the traditions documented in her new book Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing. Mama Shafia shares how historically rooted postpartum practices?from the 42-day "lying-in" period to nourishing soups, herbal teas, and hands-on community support?helped mothers rest, recover, and bond with their babies.   They explore what's missing from the modern Western postpartum model, how traditional wisdom from Black midwives supported physical and emotional recovery, and why caring for mothers is essential for healthy families and communities.   (02:43) Why Shafia wrote Mothering the Mother and the lack of resources on African-American postpartum traditions (07:47) The love letter to Black mothers and words of affirmation for postpartum parents (11:56) What's missing in modern postpartum care and how Western systems differ from traditional community care (19:06) Hypervigilance, stress, and supporting postpartum healing (21:26) The 42-day "lying-in" period and traditional postpartum rituals (25:45) Postpartum food traditions, soups, and healing foods from African and African-American culture (33:50) Why these traditions matter for all families, not just one culture (37:45) "Mother wit": trusting intuition about your body and your baby (41:25) Advocating for yourself in healthcare and trusting your body during pregnancy and birth   Resources Get Mama Shafia's book, Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing: shafiamonroe.com/mothering-the-mother/ Learn about the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC): thenaabb.org/ Read about SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training: smcdoulas.com/ EBB 152 ? Shafia Monroe on Traditional Black Midwifery, Spirituality, and Community Advocacy   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Every pregnant person deserves the information and support they need to make truly informed decisions about labor induction. In this encore episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Dr. Ann Peralta and Kari Radoff, CNM, the co-creators of Partner to Decide, a nonprofit improving decision-making in perinatal care. They discuss their free, multilingual decision aid that helps families understand their options around routine induction of labor and empowers them to advocate for their own values, preferences, and autonomy.

Ann shares how her own birth experience, shaped by access to education and privilege, sparked the creation of the tool. Kari offers insight into how the decision aid has changed conversations in clinical settings, bringing clarity, reducing bias, and fostering truly shared decision-making. Together, they illuminate how access to balanced information can reduce anxiety, improve trust, and shift the culture of perinatal care.

(03:02) What Is a Decision Aid and Why It Matters (07:12) Ann's Birth Story and the Origins of Partner to Decide (11:09) Gaps in Shared Decision-Making from a Provider's Perspective (14:24) Personal Values, Intuition, and Cultural Differences (18:19) Designing the Decision Aid with Equity and Accessibility (23:49) The Power of Absolute vs. Relative Risk in Birth Conversations (25:01) Surprising Patient Feedback: From Access to Empowerment (30:31) Provider Reflections and Challenging Bias (36:11) Why "Routine" Induction Language Matters (43:59) How to Respond to Pressure or Coercion Around Induction (46:16) How to Access the Free Decision Aid and Support New Tools   Resources Access the free Induction of Labor Decision Aid in seven languages: www.inductiondecisionaid.org Learn more about the nonprofit: www.partnertodecide.org

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Want more resources? Check out our Signature Articles 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.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people search for information, including how families learn about pregnancy and birth. As this technology grows, it raises important questions about accuracy, ethics, and the role of human expertise in healthcare information.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire share a behind-the-scenes look at how Evidence Based Birth® developed its own AI policies. They discuss concerns about misinformation, bias, privacy, and environmental impact, as well as the potential effects on critical thinking and human connection.   Learn why EBB has chosen to avoid the use of AI in our research, and what that means both for our team and for you.   (03:22) Why EBB began developing an AI policy 
(10:39) Defining AI, generative AI, LLMs, and hallucinations 
(17:03) Ethical concerns: Accuracy, bias, and risks to evidence-based information 
(20:14) Environmental impact of AI and data centers 
(21:47) Privacy concerns and data security risks 
(26:21) Intellectual property, sustainability, and loss of research context 
(27:03) Humanitarian concerns and the impact of AI on jobs and communities 
(31:24) AI's potential effects on cognition and critical thinking 
(37:30) Why EBB takes a cautious, evidence-based approach to AI 
(38:20) Research team policy
(42:06) Content team policy
(45:01) Programs team policy and guidance for applicants 
(47:32) Hiring practices and commitment to human review
(52:29) Final takeaways: EBB's overall stance on AI    References Read EBB's Statement on Artificial Intelligence: ebbirth.com/artificial-intelligence-statement/ For a Student Who Used AI to Write a Paper, by Joseph Fasano: https://poets.org/poem/student-who-used-ai-write-paper Barrington, F. (2025). "Thirsty for power and water, AI-crunching data centers sprout across the West." & The West Magazine, Stanford University. April 8, 2025. https://andthewest.stanford.edu/2025/thirsty-for-power-and-water-ai-crunching-data-centers-sprout-across-the-west/ Gecker, J. (2025). "Big Tech is paying millions to train teachers on AI, in a push to bring chatbots into classrooms." Associated Press. October 20, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-teacher-union-microsoft-f7554b6550fb90519dd8129acac8e291 Han, Y., Wu, Z., Li, P., et al. (2024). "The Unpaid Toll: Quantifying and Addressing the Public Health Impact of Data Centers." arXiv preprint arXiv: 2412.06288. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.06288 Hou, H., Leach, K., & Huang, Y. (2024). "ChatGPT Giving Relationship Advice - How Reliable Is It?" Proceedings of the Eighteenth International AAI Conference on Web and Social Media: 610?623. https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/ICWSM/article/view/31338 Kosmyna, N., Hauptmann, E., Yuan, Y. T., et al. (2025). "Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task." arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.08872. https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872 Marrinan, C. (2025). "Data Center Boom Risks Health of Already Vulnerable Communities." Tech Policy Press.com. June 12, 2025. https://www.techpolicy.press/data-center-boom-risks-health-of-already-vulnerable-communities/ NASA. (2024). "Defining Artificial Intelligence." Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/ Notre Dame Learning. (2025). "AI Overview and Definitions." Accessed November 17, 2025. http://learning.nd.edu/resource-library/ai-overview-and-definitions/ Pataranutaporn, P., Karny, S., Archiwaranguprok, C., et al. (2025). "My Boyfriend is AI: A Computational Analysis of Human-AI Companionship in Reddit's AI Community." arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.11391.https://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.11391 Sonka, J. (2025). "The AI data center boom is coming for Kentucky. What will lawmakers do about it?" Kentucky Public Radio. December 9, 2025. https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-12-09/the-ai-data-center-boom-is-coming-for-kentucky-what-will-lawmakers-do-about-it Stryker, C. (n.d.) "What are LLMs?" IBM.com. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/large-language-models Tabuchi, H. (2025). "Elon Musk's A.I. Company Faces Lawsuit Over Gas-Burning Turbines." New York Times. June 17, 2025. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/climate/naacp-musk-xai-supercomputer-lawsuit.html/ United Nations (UN). (2025). "AI has an environmental problem. Here's what the world can do about that." UN Environmental Programme. November 13, 2025. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

At the 41-week mark in pregnancy, conversations and decisions about induction can start to feel more urgent and complex. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire share why the 41st week has become such a focus in maternity care and what the evidence actually says about induction at this milestone.   They discuss elective induction versus expectant management and key findings from major studies like the INDEX and SWEPIS trials. They also talk through potential benefits and risks, including changes in stillbirth risk, newborn outcomes, and maternal experiences.   Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of stillbirth. Please take care while listening.   (00:05:58) How common is labor induction? U.S. rates and challenges with data accuracy (00:09:25) Medically indicated vs. elective induction (00:15:24) The limits of research on induction vs. expectant management (00:20:18) The INDEX trial (00:28:36) Follow-up observational study to INDEX: preferences, Cesarean rates, and outcomes (00:32:51) The SWEPIS trial (00:41:59) Impact of SWEPIS on guidelines and outcomes in Sweden (00:44:40) Benefits of elective induction at 41 weeks (00:46:34) Risks and potential downsides of induction (00:49:18) FAQ: Induction and VBAC considerations   For a full list of resources and references, visit ebbirth.com/inducingduedates.   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Paige Wener and Kevin Booth hoped for a low-intervention water birth at their midwife-led birth center in rural Vermont. But at 38 weeks and 6 days, a routine prenatal visit led to a surprise diagnosis of preeclampsia and recommendation for induction.

In this episode, Paige and Kevin share the story of their 54-hour induction, including misoprostol, a Cook catheter, Pitocin, and eventually an epidural after more than a day of labor, with Kevin supporting Paige with counterpressure, movement, and comfort measures along the way. Paige also shares about recovering from a rare postpartum complication, temporary nerve damage that caused foot drop, and how rest and supportive care helped her heal.

(03:26) Taking the EBB Childbirth Class together
(07:33) Birth preferences and planning for a water birth
(10:50) High blood pressure at a prenatal visit and preeclampsia diagnosis
(15:01) Preparing to return for an induction
(18:56) Induction begins with misoprostol
(21:45) Adding the Cook catheter and overnight labor
(27:35) Starting Pitocin and continuing labor support techniques
(29:45) Comfort measures and partner support during labor
(34:00) Trying Nubain and deciding on an epidural
(41:07) Pushing phase and position changes
(45:33) Immediate postpartum and first breastfeeding
(47:28) Early postpartum recovery in the hospital
(49:11) Discovering postpartum nerve injury
(55:34) Advice for birth partners
(58:51) Postpartum advice and safe sleep resources

Resources

EBB 194 ? Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols RDN

EBB 365 ? Battling a Birth Injury with Leah Van Dale, Former WWE Wrestler and EBB Childbirth Class Graduate

Get in touch with Paige and Kevin's EBB Instructor, Lucy Paradiso: lucyparadiso-doula.com/

Learn more about Spinning Babies: spinningbabies.com/

Check out Paige's safe sleep resources:

Safe Infant Sleep, Dr. James McKenna How Babies Sleep, Helen Ball La Leche League @cosleepy

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Electronic fetal monitoring is one of the most common interventions in hospital birth, but it's also one of the least understood. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln about what continuous electronic fetal monitoring actually does, what the research says, and why it became such a routine part of labor care in the first place. With recent media attention shining a spotlight on this technology, they break down the history, the evidence, and the real-world pressures that shape how it's used today.

Learn why continuous monitoring can increase Cesarean rates in low-risk births, when it may be helpful in higher-risk situations, and how it can influence movement, comfort, and decision-making during labor. Dr. Lincoln also shares practical ways to ask questions, understand what terms like "reassuring" and "indeterminate" mean, and partner with your care team so you can make informed choices without feeling powerless or pressured.

(02:26) Dr. Jennifer Lincoln's updates: doctors' strike, leadership, and writing The Birth Book
(10:09) Why electronic fetal monitoring is in the spotlight and what it actually measures
(13:40) The history of fetal monitoring and what it was designed to prevent
(17:37) The biggest drawbacks: false positives, rising C-section rates, and medical-legal pressures
(23:18) How continuous monitoring can affect movement, comfort, and labor experience
(26:28) Artifact, wireless monitors, and challenges with accuracy
(28:27) Intermittent monitoring: what it is and how it works
(30:11) When continuous monitoring may be more beneficial in higher-risk situations
(37:53) Understanding "reassuring," "indeterminate," and "non-reassuring" patterns
(39:46) What care teams may try before recommending a cesarean
(45:15) Questions parents can ask when concerns arise about the fetal heart rate
(48:03) Continuous monitoring during VBAC and navigating autonomy and policy
(51:01) Why these conversations should happen before labor and how to advocate collaboratively

Resources

Hear about the new research on home birth with Dr. Dekker on Dr. Lincoln's "Let's Talk about Birth" podcast: drjenniferlincoln.substack.com/p/announcing-my-new-podcast

Get a copy of Dr. Lincoln's book, The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/785889/the-birth-book-by-dr-jennifer-lincoln/

Learn more about Three for Freedom: threeforfreedom.com/

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 explore how the traditional "game of telephone" model in hospitals can leave birthing people out of critical decisions about their own care and what happens when we redesign the system to center them instead.

Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with Dr. Amber Weiseth, obstetric nurse and Director of the Delivery Decisions Initiative at Ariadne Labs, to talk about TeamBirth?a simple, evidence-based communication model transforming labor and delivery units across the U.S. and globally. Learn how structured bedside "huddles," shared decision-making, and a visible planning board can improve trust, autonomy, and patient experience, with especially powerful impacts for Black, Native American, publicly insured, and higher-risk patients. Because communication failures in childbirth aren't just awkward, they can be dangerous.

(05:07) How the "game of telephone" model blocks patients from decision-making
(09:15) Traditional rounding and decision-making in U.S. labor units
(12:10) The added complexity of academic medical centers
(14:52) A life-threatening hemorrhage and the power of systems change
(17:57) What is TeamBirth?
(22:04) How the TeamBirth board works: team, preferences, plan, next huddle
(26:57) Implementation challenges and culture change in hospitals
(34:36) Privacy, speakerphone huddles, and navigating complex family dynamics
(44:15) Research results: Impact on trust, autonomy, and equity

Resources

TeamBirth resources, research, and implementation materials: ariadnelabs.org/delivery-decisions-initiative/teambirth/teambirth-implementation-resources/

WHO Surgical Safety Checklist initiative: who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/patient-safety/research/safe-surgery/tool-and-resources

Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses: awhonn.org/

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Some of the most effective solutions for improving birth outcomes worldwide are rooted in relationships, not technology. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker speaks with midwife Stephanie Marriott of the International Confederation of Midwives about the global impact of midwifery care. She outlines what defines a midwifery model of care, why continuity of midwife-led care matters for both outcomes and experiences, and how trust and relationship-based care can influence Cesarean rates, trauma-informed care, and access to services.

Stephanie draws on her work across the U.K., Asia, and Africa to share how countries such as Indonesia and Bangladesh are strengthening midwifery education, regulation, and deployment, and what that means for maternal and newborn health. Together, Stephanie and Rebecca also discuss the essential role midwives play in humanitarian and disaster settings, the global shortage of midwives, and the growing call for One Million More midwives worldwide.

(04:58) What is a midwifery model of care?
(08:00) Why relationships are central to better birth outcomes
(10:27) Time, workload, and sustainability for midwives
(12:20) Trust, disclosure, and safety during pregnancy
(13:01) How continuity of care shapes labor and birth experiences
(16:48) What is the International Confederation of Midwives?
(22:05) Strengthening midwifery education worldwide
(28:13) Rebuilding midwifery education where it was lost
(34:53) Rising cesarean rates and the role of midwives
(39:26) Why midwives are essential in humanitarian settings
(42:35) The global shortage of midwives

Resources

Learn more about the International Confederation of Midwives: internationalmidwives.org

Support the One Million More campaign: millionmore.org

Explore UNFPA's work supporting sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and midwifery systems: unfpa.org

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common reasons families are advised to plan for an early birth. But what does the evidence actually say about induction for GDM? Does it lower the risk of Cesarean? Prevent big babies? Reduce stillbirth? Or does the timing matter more than the induction itself?

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Morgan Richardson Cayama walk through the updated research on induction for gestational diabetes. You'll learn how outcomes differ before 39 weeks, between 39?40 weeks, and after 41 weeks, and why blood sugar control (diet-controlled versus medication-controlled GDM) can change the conversation entirely. They also review what major professional organizations recommend and discuss the role of extra fetal monitoring in the third trimester. Most importantly, they talk about informed consent, respectful maternity care, and how to navigate conversations if you're feeling pressure to schedule an induction.

(00:02:40) Background & research update
(00:05:34) What is GDM? Risks & induction rates
(00:08:34) Research challenges & study limitations
(00:15:36) Timing of birth: 38, 39, 40+ weeks
(00:19:26) Big babies & health risks
(00:24:27) Professional guidelines (ACOG, NICE, SOGC)
(00:27:14) Birth before 41 weeks: common recommendation
(00:27:54) Extra fetal monitoring in late pregnancy
(00:32:49) Navigating pressure & informed consent

View the full list of references here.

Resources

Read the updated Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes: ebbirth.com/inducingGDM

Get the free respectful care handout: ebbirth.com/369

Grab your Pocket Guide to Labor Induction here.

EBB 370 - Updated Evidence on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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, the EBB Research Team is answering three questions we received from our Pro Members! We take a close look at the evidence behind doula presence in the operating room, the risk of experiencing another severe perineal tear after a previous injury, and what white coat hypertension in pregnancy can tell us about future risk.

Each question reflects real situations birth workers are encountering in practice, where guidance is often inconsistent, policies vary widely, and the research can feel hard to translate into day-to-day care. We walk through what the studies show, where the evidence is limited, and how this information can be used to support informed, individualized decision-making.

(06:15) Evidence on doulas in the operating room
(12:53) Participant experiences with doulas in the OR
(14:20) Risk of severe perineal tears in subsequent births
(17:30) Clarifying repeat tear severity and rates
(20:27) White coat hypertension vs. preeclampsia
(27:02) How blood pressure should be taken correctly
(31:10) Research on white coat hypertension and pregnancy outcomes
(36:20) Global trends and rising rates of hypertensive disorders

Resources

See the full list of references: ebbirth.com/387

Learn more about the EBB Pro Membership: ebbirth.com/become-pro-member/

Get the Evidence on: Skin-To-Skin After Cesarean: ebbirth.com/the-evidence-for-skin-to-skin-care-after-a-cesarean/

In EBB 350, Krista DeYoung called in from her hospital room after weeks of inpatient monitoring for partial placental abruption. She and Dr. Rebecca Dekker had just finished a crash course on preparing for a Cesarean, not knowing that information would be needed just 30 minutes later.

In this follow-up episode, Krista returns to share what happened next: the urgent decision-making, the move to labor and delivery, and the Cesarean birth that unfolded just days before her scheduled 37-week surgery.

Krista walks through the physical sensations of an urgent Cesarean, the grounding techniques that helped her stay calm during surgery, and the emotional reality of recovering after major abdominal surgery. She also opens up about NICU life, bringing her baby home on oxygen, and the unexpected emotional release that came after finally leaving the hospital following more than a month of inpatient care.

(04:04) Krista's extended hospital stay & partial placental abruption recap

(09:39) Preparing for a Cesarean just hours before it happened

(011:07) Realizing there are Cesarean birth options

(12:59) Staying calm: grounding, breath, and mental preparation

(13:59) Labor begins & the shift to an urgent Cesarean

(18:10) Epidural, tugging sensations, and what Cesarean feels like

(20:54) Baby Jace is born!

(23:40) Focusing inward during surgery

(27:25) First moments with Jace & NICU transfer

(31:42) Leaving the hospital after a month-long stay

(38:10) Feeding challenges after NICU

(41:26) Physical & emotional recovery after a Cesarean

(45:52) Advice for families preparing for a Cesarean

(47:38) Gratitude and shout-outs to nurses & care teams

 

Resources

EBB 266 ? Advocating for your Newborn during an Unexpected NICU Stay with EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Priscilla and Nathan Layman

EBB 284 ? How to Help NICU Families Find Empowerment and Healing During their Challenging Journeys with Hollis Wakefield

EBB 305 ? A High-Risk Pregnancy and Miraculous Birth with Krista and John DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates

EBB 350 ? Surviving a Long Antepartum Hospital Stay and Preparing for a Scheduled Cesarean with Krista DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduate

EBB 356 ? NICU-Informed Doulas: What are they and how can they change the NICU narrative? with Mary Farrelly, RN, Doula, and Founder of the NICU Translator

 

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 one of the most popular podcast episodes ever published by Evidence Based Birth®, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with Dr. Alyssa Berlin, a clinical psychologist specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, to discuss ways to make the transition to postpartum smoother, healthier, and more joyful for families.

Together, they unpack why two-thirds of couples report a drop in relationship satisfaction after childbirth, what factors contribute to emotional struggles in the postpartum period, and how social media myths can set parents up for disappointment.

Through relatable stories and evidence-based strategies, Dr. Berlin explains why preparation during pregnancy matters and shares guidance on protecting mental health, building support, and keeping relationships strong.

(06:21) Parenting Expectations vs Reality

(10:04) Perinatal Anxiety and Identity Struggles

(13:33) Strengthening Bonds Before Parenthood

(15:22) Parenting Lessons: The Humbling "Baby Vortex"

(19:15) Postpartum Challenges and Parental Leave

(23:08) Postpartum Doula Support Research Needed

(25:47) Creative "Date Moment" Ideas for Couples

  Resources

Follow Dr. Alyssa Berlin on Instagram: @dralyssaberlin

Learn about the AfterBirth Plan Workshop here.

Connect with the Berlin Wellness Group.

EBB 85 ? The power of a well-planned birth ? of twins!

  For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

A healing birth can change the way you understand everything that came before it. In this episode, Dr. Dekker talks with EBB Childbirth Class graduate Michaela Raines about experiencing a deeply healing birth after a first birth that didn't go as planned.

Michaela shares her first hospital birth story?including unexpected interventions, a long pushing phase, perineal trauma, and a NICU stay?and how those experiences shaped her postpartum recovery. She then walks us through how education, intentional preparation, and support helped her approach her second pregnancy differently, leading to a fast, unmedicated water birth at a freestanding birth center. Michaela also reflects on how this birth felt both physically and emotionally redemptive and what she would share with parents preparing for a subsequent birth after a challenging experience.

(03:13) Michaela's first birth expectations vs. reality
(04:15) Unexpected interventions, epidural, and long pushing
(08:16) Postpartum recovery and feelings of embarrassment
(09:27) Discovering Evidence Based Birth® and choosing a birth center
(12:10) Preparing mentally for an unmedicated birth
(13:26) Birth center transfer protocols and emergency preparedness
(14:34) Early labor and false starts
(19:40) Arriving at the birth center and a rapid water birth
(21:13) The healing impact of her second birth
(24:58) Freedom of movement and choosing birth positions
(30:35) Birth affirmations that carried her through labor
(31:36) Advice for parents preparing for a healing second birth

Resources

EBB 292 ? Confronting the Unknowns in Childbirth with Liesel Teen of the Mommy Labor Nurse

EBB 318 ? Advocating for Waterbirth in Hospitals with Dr. Liz Nutter, DNP, CNM, and Retired Lieutenant Colonel

What is a due date, and how accurate is it, really? Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Dr. Sara Ailshire of Team EBB to walk through the latest research on due dates, pregnancy length, and what happens when pregnancies go past term. They share the new research on ultrasound dating, the natural length of pregnancy, genetics, and stillbirth risk. They also talk about what a due date actually represents and how pregnancy length varies widely between individuals.   Content Note: This episode contains discussion of stillbirth, starting at 26:10 and ending at 40:57. Please take care while listening.   Read the Evidence on "What is a Due Date?" here.   (05:24) What is a due date and what it isn't
(06:16) How due dates are traditionally calculated
(09:45) Research on ultrasound accuracy
(12:25) Safety of ultrasound & the ALARA principle
(16:38) Why studying pregnancy length is complicated
(22:27) Genetics and family history of longer pregnancies
(25:41) Why providers worry about going past due dates
(27:50) Understanding stillbirth risk and the U-shaped curve
(34:20) Racial disparities in stillbirth risk
(38:37) What pregnant people can do to lower risk
(40:25) Sleep position, fetal movement awareness, and prenatal care
(44:06) Balancing trust in birth with honest risk communication
(45:20) What we know (and don't know) about placental aging   Resources Count the Kicks: https://countthekicks.org/ PUSH Pregnancy: https://www.pushpregnancy.org/ Star Legacy Foundation: https://starlegacyfoundation.org/ Healthy Birth Day: https://healthybirthday.org/ CDC Stillbirth resources: https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: https://nationalshare.org/ Stillbirth and infant loss support communities: https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/

From heat waves to winter storms to hurricanes, extreme weather events are increasingly part of everyday life, and learning how they intersect with pregnancy and birth can empower families and birthworkers alike. Alicia Race, a climate resilience policy advocate with the Union of Concerned Scientists, is joining Dr. Rebecca Dekker this week to share how these events?especially during what experts now call "Danger Season"?can impact pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding families.   As we enter 2026, educate yourself now about what scientists consider to be "Danger Season," why extreme heat and extreme cold can be dangerous for pregnant families, and how compounding climate hazards like heat waves, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfire smoke can increase risks such as preterm birth, low birth weight, hypertensive disorders, and mental health stress during pregnancy. Alicia also shares real-world examples, research findings, and tools that families and birthworkers can use to stay informed, prepared, and connected.   (02:43) Climate displacement and the idea of "climate refugees" (04:30) What is Danger Season? (07:27) Research linking extreme weather to preterm birth and labor outcomes (08:36) How hurricanes and flooding affect pregnant families (11:29) Birth during disasters: access to care, transportation, and feeding infants (13:55) Extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and air quality risks in pregnancy (18:59) Power outages, utility shutoffs, and climate-related health equity (25:27) Apps and free tools for tracking air quality and heat alerts   Resources Read Alicia's story, What to Expect When You're Expecting During Danger Season: https://blog.ucs.org/alicia-race/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-during-danger-season/ Use the UCS Killer Heat tool: ucs.org/resources/killer-heat-interactive-tool Take a look at the Danger Season Map: dangerseason.ucs.org/ Map your heat risk with the National Weather Service: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/ Check the air quality where you live: airnow.gov/ Learn about air quality and smoke near you: airnow.gov/wildfires/ Read about the potential privatization of weather resources: pbs.org/newshour/politics/as-trump-slashed-weather-agency-his-appointees-have-ties-to-companies-that-stand-to-benefit-from-privatizing-forecasts   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Be the first to hear about the special event we're planning for 2026!

To get on the waitlist for the upcoming event, visit ebbirth.com/waitlist.

 

 

Long before labor begins, the stories we hear about birth are already shaping our expectations and choices. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Lisa Greaves Taylor, founder of Birth Matters NYC Childbirth Education, director of the East River Doula Collective, and host of the Birth Matters podcast, about the power of birth stories as tools for education, healing, and self-advocacy.   Drawing from her work supporting families in New York City since 2010, Lisa shares how storytelling helps birthing people move beyond fear-based narratives and reconnect with their intuition, confidence, and voice. Together, Rebecca and Lisa explore the realities of giving birth in NYC?including high rates of induction, limited access to midwifery and birth centers, and postpartum support gaps?while also highlighting reasons for hope, advocacy, and change. They also talk about how birth stories can support preparation during pregnancy, help process trauma after difficult births, and empower families navigating VBAC, repeat pregnancies, and systemic barriers to evidence-based care.   (02:51) What drew Lisa to childbirth education and doula work (07:45) Giving birth in NYC then vs. now (09:07) The evidence-practice gap in New York City maternity care (15:02) Postpartum care challenges and lactation support gaps (18:05) The role of midwives in improving birth experiences (23:47) How storytelling activates intuition and self-advocacy (28:15) When birth stories can be harmful and how to curate wisely (35:34) Trauma, dissociation, and the importance of processing birth (42:18) What gives Lisa hope for the future of birth work (46:28) Stories, Education, and Support   Resources Learn more about Lisa Birth Matters NYC: birthmattersnyc.com Birth Matters Podcast: birthmattersnyc.com/podcast East River Doula Collective: eastriverdoulas.nyc Instagram: @birthmattersnyc Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin: share.libbyapp.com/title/5017296 The Story Factor by Annette Simmons: annettesimmons.com/the-story-factor/ The Evidence on: Induction or Cesarean for a Big Baby EBB 311 ? Creating a Community-Led Birth Center in New York City with Myla Flores of the Womb Bus   Organizations & Advocates Mentioned Ancient Song Doula Services: ancientsongdoulaservices.com Chanel Porchia-Albert: chanelporchia.com Jennie Joseph: jenniejoseph.com Kimberly Seals Allers: kimberlysealsallers.com Michelle Browder: ebbirth.com/274

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

As 2025 comes to an end, guest host Dr. Sara Ailshire turns the tables and interviews Dr. Rebecca Dekker about the biggest childbirth trends, lessons, and breakthroughs of 2025, and what exciting changes are coming to EBB in 2026.   Together, Sara and Rebecca dive into the shifting landscape of birth: the unprecedented rise in labor inductions, how AI is complicating the search for evidence-based information, changes in doula access and Medicaid coverage, and how politics continues to shape pregnancy and postpartum care. They walk through the most impactful EBB research updates of the year?including new evidence on vitamin K, gestational diabetes testing, induction timing, big babies, and respectful maternity care?and reflect on the episodes that resonated most with our global community.   Rebecca also opens up about what she personally learned this year, including how unresolved childhood trauma impacted her own labor years ago, and how that insight is shaping her thinking about the emotional and spiritual dimensions of birth. Plus, Rebecca reveals a major new direction for Evidence Based Birth in 2026 that could transform hospital birth culture around the world and bring evidence-based care to thousands more families.   Want to provide input on EBB's new direction? Fill out this survey here!   (02:12) The #1 trend of 2025: inductions everywhere (03:50) How AI is reshaping (and complicating) birth information (07:51) Doula coverage, Medicaid changes, and fewer parents seeking childbirth education (11:55) Miscarriage care, politics, and the impact of Dobbs (13:42) Biggest EBB research updates: vitamin K, GDM, and more (21:40) The new Respectful Maternity Care handout (22:21) The new "big baby" trial and why it likely won't shift U.S. practice (25:37) The top five EBB podcast episodes of the year (32:58) Highlights from the 2025 EBB Conference & Summer School (41:22) How trauma shaped Rebecca's own labor (53:50) The big reveal: what's coming for EBB in 2026   Resources Vitamin K Signature Article (Updated 2025): ebbirth.com/vitamink Gestational Diabetes Signature Article (Updated): ebbirth.com/gdm Get the Respectful Maternity Care Free Handout: ebbirth.com/RMC Sign up for the Big Baby Signature Training for Pro Members: ebbirth.com/classes Get the My Doula Visit Workbook: ebbirth.com/doula-workbook/   Referenced EBB Episodes EBB 349 ? An L & D Nurse's Advice for Advocating in the Birth Room with Trish Ware the Labor Nurse Mama EBB 357 ? Making Decisions about Elective Induction of Labor with Dr. Ann Peralta & Kari Radoff, CNM, from Partner to Decide EBB 377 ? Medicaid Coverage for Doula Care with Amy Chen, Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program EBB 352 ? Calming Breathing Techniques for Pregnancy with Dr. Shilpa Babbar, Obstetrician and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist EBB 343 ? Top Ten Evidence-Based Strategies for Lowering the Risk of Cesarean EBB 347 - Updated Evidence on Vitamin K EBB 350 ? Surviving a Long Antepartum Hospital Stay and Preparing for a Scheduled Cesarean with Krista DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduate EBB 372 ? Comfort Measures and a 41-Week Induction with Hopey Fink and Ben Levin, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates   EBB Doula Trainer Rewards Lorie Michaels, BirthPro Advanced Doula Training: birthpro.org Lorenda Lewis, Healing with Dignity: healingwithdignity.com Heather McCullough, HMBirth: hmbirth.com Heather Christine Struwe, Community Aware Birthworker: communityawarebirthworker.com Charlotte Shilo-Goudeau, Community Birth Companion: communitybirthcompanion.org Naima Beckles, For Your Birth: foryourbirth.com Leiko Hidaka, Leiko Hidaka: leikohidaka.com Ruth Kraft, Birth Professional International: birthprofessionalinternational.com Jennifer Anderson, Birth Fusion: birthfusion.com Chanté Perryman, Baby Dreams Maternity Concierge: babydreamsmc.com   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 EBB End of Year Countdown Sale, featuring three days of one-day-only deals, is happening December 29 through December 31.   Over those three days, we will release a different EBB tool or program at a special price, with each deal available for just 24 hours.   Here's what's coming in the sale: Monday, December 29 - Quarterly EBB Pro Membership PLUS a FREE physical Pocket Guide of your choice for $149. Tuesday, December 30 - Bundle the Annual EBB Pro Membership with a 2-day ticket to the virtual 2026 EBB Conference for $499. Wednesday, December 31 - Order your copies of the My Doula Visit Workbook for $30 each (regularly $35) or save even more on bulk packs. Only 500 will be in stock, and this will be the last chance to grab your workbooks before the price increases. Each offer goes live at 9 AM EST and is available for 24 hours only, so we recommend planning ahead and setting your reminder now!  

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker dives into the evidence-practice gap, the disconnect between what research tells us is best during childbirth and what is actually happening in labor and delivery units around the world. She walks through the latest statistics on Cesarean rates, VBAC access, and the widespread use of non?evidence-based interventions, as well as the persistent underuse of practices proven to improve outcomes, like doulas, midwifery care, and birthing positions that support physiologic labor.   Dr. Dekker also unpacks the systemic forces driving these gaps, including the role of paternalism, hierarchical power structures in healthcare, legal pressures, and the phenomenon of horizontal violence among healthcare workers. She explores how overlapping forms of oppression shape the experiences of both patients and providers.   (02:40) Why research takes so long to become routine care (03:42) A look at U.S. cesarean rates and what's driving them (05:38) The rise and fall of VBAC access and why families struggle to get support (08:01) The "bait and switch" problem in maternity care (09:34) Interventions that are overused vs. underused during labor (11:47) How paternalism and medical hierarchy fuel the evidence gap (16:39) Horizontal violence among nurses, midwives, and doulas (19:11) Trauma and burnout across the maternity care workforce (23:04) Real signs of progress and positive change in birth settings   Resources EBB 1 - Intro to Evidence Based Birth EBB 2 ? What is Evidence Based Care? Listening to Mothers in California (Sakala et al., 2018) Basile Ibrahim et al. (2020) study on VBAC access and barriers Register for the EBB Course: How to Help Families Get Evidence-Based Care: evidencebasedbirthacademy.com/register/course-how-to-help-families-get-evidence-based-care/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

After what should have been a joyful birth, Sofía Herrera (childbirth educator, EBB Instructor, Hypnobirthing instructor, and social & clinical psychologist) spent nearly 20 years believing she had postpartum depression, until her investigation revealed the truth: she had experienced birth trauma. That realization became the catalyst for her work supporting birthing families and confronting the widespread obstetric violence and misinformation embedded in Mexico's maternity care system.   Sofía shares what trauma really means, how unconsented interventions and paternalistic care shape birthing experiences, and why so many families mistakenly believe they "failed" when in reality, the system failed them. She also describes the challenges of childbirth in Mexico?from extremely high Cesarean rates to routine episiotomies?and how evidence-based education empowers families to find safer, more respectful care.   (02:26) Sofía's 20-year journey living with untreated trauma (06:45) Patterns she saw as a childbirth educator (10:20) Why psychosocial trauma in birth is under-researched and misunderstood (12:18) Sofía's own birth experience (18:23) Mexico's extremely high Cesarean rates (19:48) How paternalism shows up culturally and inside clinical relationships (21:08) Routine episiotomies and outdated "protocols" still being taught (22:24) Can childbirth education prevent trauma? How informed families change the system (28:35) Differences between private vs. public hospitals in Mexico (32:38) How Sofía uses EBB resources to support and empower families (35:19) Sofía's top advice for families fearing obstetric violence or disrespectful care   Resources Connect with Sofía: @sukhamoms Get EBB Handouts in Spanish: evidencebasedbirth.com/translations/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Tras lo que debería haber sido un parto feliz, Sofía Herrera, (educadora perinatal, instructora de EBB, instructora de Hipnoparto y psicóloga social y clínica) pasó casi 20 años creyendo que padecía depresión posparto, hasta que sus estudios revelaron la verdad: había sufrido un trauma obstétrico. Esta revelación se convirtió en el motor de su trabajo de apoyo a las mujeres que dan a luz y de su lucha contra la violencia obstétrica generalizada y la desinformación arraigada en el sistema de atención a la maternidad en México.   Sofía comparte lo que realmente significa el trauma, cómo las intervenciones sin consentimiento y la atención paternalista influyen en la experiencia del parto, y por qué tantas familias creen erróneamente que "fracasaron" cuando, en realidad, fue el sistema el que les falló. También describe los desafíos del parto en México ?desde las altísimas tasas de cesáreas hasta las episiotomías de rutina? y cómo la educación basada en la evidencia empodera a las familias para encontrar una atención más segura y respetuosa.   (02:26) El recorrido de 20 años de Sofía viviendo con un trauma no tratado (06:45) Patrones que observó como educadora de parto (10:20) Por qué el trauma psicosocial en el parto está poco investigado y mal comprendido (12:18) La propia experiencia de parto de Sofía (18:23) Las altísimas tasas de cesáreas en México (19:48) Cómo se manifiesta el paternalismo culturalmente y en las relaciones clínicas (21:08) Episiotomías de rutina y "protocolos" obsoletos que aún se enseñan (22:24) ¿Puede la educación sobre el parto prevenir el trauma? Cómo las familias informadas cambian el sistema (28:35) Diferencias entre hospitales privados y públicos en México (32:38) Cómo Sofía utiliza los recursos de EBB para apoyar y empoderar a las familias (35:19) El mejor consejo de Sofía para las familias que temen la violencia obstétrica o un trato irrespetuoso   Recursos Conecta con Sofía: @sukhamoms Obtén folletos de EBB en español: evidencebasedbirth.com/translations/   Para obtener más información sobre Evidence Based Birth® y un curso intensivo sobre atención basada en la evidencia, visite www.ebbirth.com. ¡Síganos en Instagram y YouTube! ¿Listo para aprender más? Descargue la Guía de escucha del podcast de EBB o lea el libro de la Dra. Dekker, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!". Si desea participar en EBB, únase a nuestra membresía profesional (hay opciones de becas disponibles) e inscríbase en la lista de espera para nuestro programa de instructores de EBB. Encuentre un instructor de EBB aquí y haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre las clases de preparación para el parto de EBB.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker explores the research on birthing positions and tried-and-true midwifery practices for protecting the perineum during childbirth. She explains why the flat-on-your-back position we often see on television isn't ideal and walks through the key differences between upright, sacrum-flexible positions, and common hospital practices like lithotomy and routine episiotomies.   Dr. Dekker reviews data from global research as well as real-world wisdom from midwives, including the extraordinary outcomes of hands-off, undisturbed birth approaches in the Philippines. She uncovers how hospital system pressures, caregiver convenience, and even obstetric violence drive the overwhelming use of recumbent positions and invasive interventions while sidelining evidence-based, patient-centered care. You'll hear firsthand strategies for minimizing severe tears, promoting intact perineums, and advocating for birth plans that prioritize the autonomy and comfort of birthing people.   Content Warning: Discussion of tears of the vagina, severe tears from the vagina to the rectum, obstetric violence related to episiotomies, and being forced giving birth on your back.   Resources For a full list of resources, visit: ebbirth.com/221 Watch the video version here on our YouTube channel which includes study breakdowns and PowerPoint slides. Protecting the Perineum Series: EBB 206 - Evidence on Perineal Tears and the Importance of Avoiding Episiotomy with EBB Founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker EBB 210 - Evidence on Warm Compresses and Hands-on vs. Hands-off for Protecting the Perineum EBB 216 - The Evidence on Prenatal Perineal Massage for Preventing Tears in Childbirth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker EBB 218 - The Evidence on Perineal Massage during Labor with Dr. Rebecca Dekker   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

After more than 80 hours of labor, Erica Wright found herself exhausted, emotional, and determined to keep trusting her body. With the steady support of her doulas (including EBB Instructor Tara Thompson), she discovered that birth doesn't have to go "according to plan" to be powerful.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Erica and Tara about how preparation, advocacy, and teamwork carried them through a marathon labor filled with unexpected turns. From switching hospitals late in pregnancy to finding strength through challenges, their story exemplifies flexibility, informed choice, and the power of doula support.   (05:55) Tara's updates from Atlanta and her path to becoming an IBCLC (09:17) Erica's lightbulb moments from the EBB Childbirth Class (11:22) Switching hospitals at 35 weeks and advocating for the right fit (16:18) Labor begins: prodromal labor, GBS, and waiting for spontaneous birth (24:30) Hospital admission, challenges with staff, and early interventions (32:17) The Pitocin battle and advocating for movement and monitoring choices (35:40) Finding a supportive nurse and regaining freedom during labor (39:53) Tara's night shift: rest, affirmations, and encouragement (44:20) Deciding on the epidural and reframing "failure" as flexibility (49:18) The final stage: rest, relief, and meeting baby (55:12) Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding challenges (01:00:25) Tara's advice for navigating long labors (01:02:43) Erica's reflections on flexibility, intuition, and informed choice   Resources Get in touch with Tara: tarasbirthservices.com | @taras.birthservices
Connect with Tara's teammate, Brittany: @wellpreparednest Listen to EBB 146 - How Doula and EBB Instructor Tara Thompson Supports Families in Atlanta Listen to EBB 357 ? Making Decisions about Elective Induction of Labor with Dr. Ann Peralta & Kari Radoff, CNM, from Partner to Decide The Evidence on: GBS (Group B Strep): evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/ The Evidence on: Pitocin During the Third Stage of Labor: evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/ Epidural during Labor for Pain Management: evidencebasedbirth.com/epidural-during-labor-pain-management/ Learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class: evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirthclass   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Across generations, birth workers have held space for families with skill, love, and deep purpose. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Elder Midwife Charlotte Shilo-Goudeau, a licensed Certified Professional Midwife from Louisiana, and Chanté Perryman, Director of Programs at Evidence Based Birth®, certified doula, and student midwife. Together, they explore what it means to embrace the dual calling of doula work and midwifery and how both roles are acts of service, advocacy, and healing.   Elder Charlotte shares her journey from personal loss to becoming one of only a few Black midwives in Louisiana, carrying forward the wisdom of generations. Chanté reflects on how her experiences as a doula shaped her path into midwifery and her vision for compassionate, individualized care. They remind us that titles may change, but the heart of this work remains the same: being present, being of service, and being called to birth.   (03:46) How Chanté's Birth Experience Inspired Her to Become a Doula (05:42) Elder Charlotte's Journey from Stillbirth to Midwifery as a Calling (10:59) How Doula Work Shapes Midwifery Care and Philosophy (14:34) Serving Underserved Communities as One of Four Black Midwives in Louisiana (19:01) Shifting from Midwife to Doula During Hospital Transfers (24:08) Chanté's Perspective on Identity, Service, and Humility in Birth Work (28:40) Micro vs. Macro Advocacy: Supporting Families and Legislative Change (37:29) Navigating Hospital Restrictions During the Pandemic (42:57) Lessons from Midwifery School (45:30) Advice for Those Considering Doula or Midwifery Paths   Resources Follow Chanté on Instagram: @babydreamsmc Connect with Ms. Charlotte: midwifecharlotte.com Connect with an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor: directory.evidencebasedbirth.com Learn more about the National Perinatal Task Force: perinataltaskforce.com Visit the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery: commonsensemidwifery.org Check out the Kentucky Birth Coalition: kentuckyhomebirthcoalition.com Visit the Mercy In Action College of Midwifery: mercycollegeofmidwifery.edu   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Introducing the My Doula Visit Workbook by Evidence Based Birth®. A tangible, interactive, and evidence-based guide designed to facilitate conversations, strengthen the doula-client relationship, and guide families through the most pressing topics related to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. 

What's Inside the My Doula Visit Workbook?

A 115-page, full-color, spiral-bound workbook packed with evidence-based resources Structured guides for up to six prenatal visits + one postpartum check-in (but fully customizable to your practice!) 18 official EBB handouts, birth plan templates, journaling prompts, discussion questions, activities, podcast playlists, and postpartum guides Real-life photographs, colorful graphics, and easy-to-use worksheets Access to an exclusive online resource page with additional videos, worksheets, and more!

Want flexibility? No problem! Choose which sections to cover in person, virtually, or assign as self-study for your clients.

Orders open on Monday, November 24 at 12:00 p.m. EST with bulk ordering discounts available. Learn more and explore the workbook at ebbirth.com/doulaworkbook.

Want early access and special perks? Join the waitlist at ebbirth.com/waitlist to shop 2 hours early!

What if everyone had access to a doula, no matter their income? In this episode, Dr. Dekker talks with Amy Chen, Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), about the growing movement to make doula care accessible through Medicaid and insurance coverage.   Amy shares how her personal birth experiences inspired her work advocating for Medicaid reimbursement for doulas and explains how more than 20 states (and counting) are now implementing or expanding coverage. They also unpack the biggest challenges and successes so far, from sustainable reimbursement rates and certification requirements to how doulas can navigate the Medicaid billing process.   (03:17) How Amy's birth experiences led her to advocate for Medicaid coverage of doula care (06:54) The national shift toward Medicaid coverage for doulas after 2016 and early state pilots (11:50) How 23 states plus D.C. have implemented Medicaid doula benefits and what comes next (15:46) Lessons from California's rollout: raising reimbursement from $450 to $3,200 through advocacy (20:57) Why equitable reimbursement matters for sustaining the doula workforce (25:52) How families can find out if doula care is covered through Medicaid, private insurance, or employers (29:53) TRICARE's pilot program for military families and expansion to overseas bases (31:42) The challenges doulas face with Medicaid billing and how "doula hubs" help streamline the process (36:49) How upcoming federal Medicaid cuts could threaten maternal health gains (45:28) New 2024 research showing doula care cuts cesarean rates in half and lowers preterm births (48:12) Closing thoughts and key resources for doulas, advocates, and policymakers   Resources NHeLP Doula Medicaid Project: https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/ Best Practices for Medicaid Coverage of Doula Care (2025): https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/bestpractices/ NHeLP Doula Medicaid Project State Tracker Chart: https://tinyurl.com/NHeLPStateTracker CA Department of Health Care Services Doula Benefit Implementation Report: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Documents/Doula-Benefit-Report.pdf Private Insurance Coverage of Doula Care: Spring 2025 State of the States: https://healthlaw.org/private-insurance-coverage-of-doula-care-spring-2024-state-of-the-states/ A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Doula Care from a Public Health Framework: https://healthlaw.org/resource/a-cost-benefit-analysis-of-doula-care-from-a-public-health-framework/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Hiring a doula can be one of the most impactful choices you make during pregnancy, but how do you actually find the right one? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Team EBB members and experienced doulas, Julie Fors and Chanté Perryman, to share insider tips on finding and interviewing a doula with confidence.   Julie and Chanté walk you through where to begin your search, the most important questions to ask, and how to know if a doula's personality and philosophy are the right fit for you and your partner. They also tackle misconceptions about doula work, explain backup plans and postpartum support, and discuss how insurance and Medicaid are changing access to doula care.   (06:19) The pillars of doula support
(09:06) Where to start your doula search: Google, recommendations, and directories
(12:20) Why interviews are essential before hiring a doula
(17:49) Key questions to ask a potential doula (style, philosophy, postpartum support)
(23:58) Backup doula plans and long labors
(29:45) Common misconceptions about doulas and how to clear them up
(33:30) Shifts in doula access: insurance, Medicaid, and nonprofit programs
(37:06) How childbirth education and doula support work together
(39:09) Tips for finding a postpartum doula and planning ahead
(42:46) Overcoming nervousness about reaching out to doulas   Access the EBB Signature Article, "Evidence on: Doulas" for all the scientific research on doulas + a comprehensive list of doula directories and interview questions!   Resources Something new is coming! Join the waitlist: ebbirth.com/waitlist Get the Evidence on Doulas Tearaway Pads: ebbirth.com/shop Search the EBB Instructor Directory: directory.evidencebasedbirth.com/ Learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class: evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Can perineal massage during the pushing phase of labor really prevent tears? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker takes a close look at the research to uncover whether this technique truly helps reduce perineal trauma during childbirth.

She explains how health care staff provide perineal massage during labor, breaks down findings findings from key studies and meta-analyses, and examines how biases and variations in clinical practice shape the evidence. Dr. Dekker also explores why results from settings with high episiotomy rates may not apply everywhere and why skilled, supportive care and informed consent often play a bigger role in protecting the perineum than any single technique.

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

Resources For a full list of resources, visit: ebbirth.com/218 Watch the video version here on our YouTube channel which includes study breakdowns and PowerPoint slides. Protecting the Perineum Series: EBB 206 - Evidence on Perineal Tears and the Importance of Avoiding Episiotomy with EBB Founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker EBB 210 - Evidence on Warm Compresses and Hands-on vs. Hands-off for Protecting the Perineum EBB 216 - The Evidence on Prenatal Perineal Massage for Preventing Tears in Childbirth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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. Sara Ailshire, an anthropologist and Evidence Based Birth® Research Team member, and her husband, Dr. Siavash Samei, an environmental archaeologist, share the story of welcoming their rainbow baby after loss. In this episode, Sara and Siavash open up about navigating miscarriage care in the wake of changing abortion laws in Ohio, the anxiety and hope of pregnancy after loss, and Sara's experience with developing preeclampsia near the end of her pregnancy. They describe how they worked with a supportive midwifery team, hired a doula for advocacy and comfort, and ultimately experienced an induction that honored their preferences for a low-intervention birth. Their story also sheds light on the realities of discrimination in healthcare, the importance of community support, and the resilience found in becoming parents after loss.

(01:58) Facing Miscarriage in Ohio and Barriers to Care (07:35) Pregnancy After Loss: Anxiety, Detachment, and Hope (13:04) Finding Midwifery Care in Kentucky and Planning a Low-Intervention Birth (20:29) Preparing for Birth: Classes, Doulas, and Advocacy Concerns (22:37) Early Signs of Preeclampsia and Navigating Blood Pressure Monitoring (30:33) Deciding on Induction at 38 Weeks (36:39) Laboring with Support and Moving Through Transition (42:43) Birth of Ferdous and Unexpected Placenta Complications (49:34) Advocacy, Microaggressions, and the Role of the Doula (54:23) Advice for Expecting Parents: Finding Calm, Support, and Autonomy   Resources Learn more about preeclampsia: www.preeclampsia.org Miscarriage Care Instructions from Kaiser Permanente: healthy.kaiserpermanente.org Dobbs-Era Abortion Restrictions and Miscarriage Care: kff.org Navigating Miscarriage Management Post-Dobbs: whijournal.com Emotional Coping After Miscarriage: americanpregnancy.org An Account of a Miscarriage at Home: miscarriageassociation.org.uk Supply List for a Miscarriage at Home: miscarriagematters.org.nz Learn about the Jada System: organonpro.com The Birthing Spa in Stanford, Kentucky: thebirthingspa.com   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Filmmaker Ingrid Haas is the writer and director of PUSH, a short film created in partnership with PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy to raise awareness about stillbirth prevention. In this episode, Ingrid shares her personal journey through pregnancy loss, how those experiences led her to advocate for families, and the creative process behind PUSH and the Stillness is an Illness campaign. Together, Ingrid and Dr. Dekker discuss the realities of stillbirth, the importance of listening to families' concerns, why fetal movement matters, and how storytelling can educate both the public and health professionals. Ingrid also highlights resources for parents and ways to support systemic change in U.S. protocols.   Content Note: This episode discusses pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and related experiences. Please take care of yourself while listening.   October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. For more information, visit: marchofdimes.org/pregnancyandinfantlossmonth   (01:44) Ingrid's Story of Pregnancy Loss and the Road to Filmmaking
(05:56) The Sliding Doors Concept Behind PUSH
(10:01) Depicting Labor and the Realities of Stillbirth on Screen
(17:12) The Goal of the Stillness is an Illness Campaign
(21:15) Challenges of Counting Kicks and Different Pregnancy Experiences
(25:29) Viewer Reactions and the Power of Feeling Seen
(26:50) Why Listening Matters: Preventable Stillbirths and Provider Dismissal
(29:35) A Call to Action: Signing the Petition for Updated U.S. Protocols   Resources Watch the film and learn more: pushpregnancy.org Explore free stillbirth prevention resources: pushpregnancy.org/resources Check out Count the Kicks: countthekicks.org EBB 243 ? Importance of Kick Counting for Preventing Stillbirth with Stephaney Moody, Health Equity Ambassador of Count the Kicks   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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 does the newest research on Big Babies say? We'll be unpacking it all during our live 90-minute Signature Training + Q & A on Wednesday, October 15 at 7 PM EDT, exclusively for EBB Pro Members.

In this session (1.5 contact hours), we'll walk you through the latest evidence, address common questions, and bring clarity to this ginormous issue in birth. You'll also get the chance to ask your biggest questions and hear directly from Dr. Rebecca Dekker and the EBB Research Team. 

Join us for just $29 and get 30 days of full access to everything the EBB Pro Membership offers, including the replay, our entire continuing education library, live monthly events, and a growing collection of printable PDFs to share with your clients. 

Click here to sign up for the EBB Pro Membership now to get the Big Babies Signature Training Replay for only $29!

Evidence based care is a term you hear often in medicine, but what does it really mean?especially when it comes to pregnancy and birth? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker takes you inside the foundations of Evidence Based Birth®, explaining what evidence based care is (and isn't), and why it matters for families, providers, and communities.   Dr. Dekker breaks down the three essential pillars of evidence based care: the best available research, the provider's expertise, and the birthing person's values and preferences. She explores how care can drift away from this model when decisions are based solely on tradition, authority, or convenience rather than the evidence. Along the way, hear how families can use this knowledge to navigate common hospital policies and advocate for care that truly centers their needs.   (04:22) Outdated practices and the rise of evidence based medicine (07:10) Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, and whose knowledge counts (010:15) The three pillars of evidence based care: research, expertise, and patient values (13:00) Understanding levels of evidence: from systematic reviews to case reports (21:40) Why clinical expertise and trusted providers matter in applying research (24:20) The role of patient values, preferences, and underlying biases (29:20) What evidence based care is, and what it is not   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.    

For some, the thought of pregnancy and birth fills them with a visceral panic they can't explain. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker's talking tokophobia?the fear of pregnancy and birth?with Alexia Leachman, founder of Fearless Birthing and host of the Fear Free Childbirth Podcast. Alexia shares her personal journey of discovering and healing her own tokophobia, how she developed her unique "Head Trash Clearance" method, and why tokophobia is often misunderstood as simple anxiety. She explains the root causes of this condition, including reproductive trauma and lack of control, and offers insight on how both expectant parents and healthcare providers can better recognize and respond to it.   Listening Note: As a head's up... this episode a bit different than our normal focus on the evidence. It's more focused on self help-- how to uncover blocks, find guidance and strength within, and heal past wounds. We also discuss the paradox of trying to feel in "control" in pregnancy/birth and how that relates to "letting go" and "surrending" in birth. If spirituality in birth is not your cup of tea, feel free to skip this episode! However, the topic of tokophobia is understudied, and we feel that listening to personal stories and wisdom from years of experience can be helpful.    Content Note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage, pregnancy termination, and birth trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening.   (01:39) Alexia's experience with tokophobia (04:05) Developing her own method to overcome fears and preparing for birth (07:51) Discovering the root cause: birth trauma and early experiences (10:28) How media, social media, and negative birth stories fuel fear in younger people (13:40) Why the term tokophobia may be misleading (19:05) The paradox of control in pregnancy and birth (24:55) Common signs and symptoms of tokophobia (29:31) Can partners experience tokophobia? (30:50) The role of healthcare providers: language, attitudes, and trauma-informed care (34:16) Steps for healing: support groups, timing, and making the decision to face fears (41:07) Alexia's five-step process for clearing fears   Resources Learn more about Fearless Birthing: fearless-birthing.com Listen to Alexia's podcast, Fear Free Childbirth: fearfreechildbirth.com/podcast   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

At 41 weeks, Hopey Fink and Ben Levin's birth plans shifted after elevated blood pressure readings led to an induction conversation. But, with the support of their doula, care team, and each other, the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class graduates navigated every twist with confidence. In this episode, Hopey and Ben reflect on preparing for a low-intervention birth, the role of comfort measures, how advocacy shaped their decisions in the hospital, and what it meant to welcome their daughter with joy and strength. They also share advice for expectant families on building flexibility into birth plans, communicating with your partner, and finding empowerment in telling your birth story.   (03:07) Planning a Low-Intervention Birth in the Hospital (06:38) Lessons from the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class (09:03) Navigating the Emotional Wait at 41 Weeks (12:52) Elevated Blood Pressure and the Induction Conversation (18:00) Advocating Around Pitocin and Weighing Risks (23:31) A Long Night with the Foley Balloon (30:16) When Progress Stalled and the Epidural Became a Tool (34:30) Rest, Progress, and a Smooth Pushing Stage (41:17) Advice for Expecting Parents: Flexibility, Partnership, and Storytelling   Resources Get the digital guide to comfort measures: ebbirth.com/pocket-guides   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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, I'm revisiting a deeply important conversation with Tania Silva Meléndez and Tamara Trinidad González, two inspiring birth workers and Evidence Based Birth® Instructors based in Puerto Rico.

Tania and Tamara share their personal journeys into birth work and what led them to become changemakers in Puerto Rico's birth community. They speak candidly about the immense challenges families face, from one of the world's highest cesarean rates to the ongoing impacts of colonialism and systemic barriers within maternal health care. You'll hear what it's like to provide midwifery services in an environment where midwives aren't officially recognized, and the impact this has on those seeking safe, respectful, and dignified care.   We also dive into the powerful grassroots and community-led efforts Tania and Tamara are leading, including legislative advocacy, innovative education, and direct, compassionate support for families striving to improve birth outcomes and claim reproductive rights on the island. Together, we explore both the heartbreak and the hope shaping Puerto Rico's current birth landscape, and highlight meaningful ways listeners can join in solidarity with these efforts.   Content note: obstetric violence, colonialism, infant death, abortion, poor outcomes, maternal health deserts, gender based violence

(03:03) Midwifery Leadership and Collaboration
(07:27) Journey to Home Birth Choices
(12:32) Puerto Rico Birth Control Campaign Impact
(13:57) Obstetric Violence and Doula Integration
(17:36) Midwife-Doctor Collaborative Care Solutions
(20:04) Hospital System Communication Challenges
(23:48) Puerto Rico: A Modern Colony
(27:46) Puerto Rico Investment Gentrification Issue
(33:30) Community-Led Family Support Initiative
(34:50) Youth Engagement Through Visual Education
(38:46) Puerto Rico Midwives Day Law
(44:14) Birth Summit Collaboration in Puerto Rico
(46:05) Midwife-EMT Collaboration Curriculum
(51:19) Puerto Rico Birth Rate & Hospital Crisis
(53:50) Supporting Midwifery and Access in Puerto Rico

  Resources 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]. 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. Read more about the history of Puerto Rico:  How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr  Puerto Rico: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jorge Duany

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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. Nikia Grayson, nurse midwife, family nurse practitioner, and anthropologist, joins us to share how she's helping reclaim and restore Black midwifery in the South. As Chief Clinical Officer at CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, TN, Dr. Grayson has led groundbreaking efforts to open Memphis' first and only birth center, launch the nation's first Black Midwifery Fellowship, and provide full-spectrum, justice-centered reproductive care. In this episode, Dr. Grayson reflects on the challenges of dismantling systemic racism in health care, the impact of the Dobbs decision on abortion access in the South, and the importance of investing in doulas, midwives, and community-based care. Dr. Grayson also offers advice for birth workers on building new systems rooted in justice, joy, and liberation.

Content note: Discussion of infant mortality disparities as well as difficulties in accessing abortion care post-Dobbs decision.

(02:33) The Vision Behind CHOICES (04:44) Obstetric Racism and Health Care Barriers in Memphis (07:21) Building Memphis' First Birth Center (10:34) A Calling to Midwifery and Restoring Black Traditions (13:41) Early Work in Home Birth and Community Care (15:19) Growing a Midwifery Team in Memphis (17:57) Launching the Black Midwifery Fellowship (20:11) Pivoting Care After the Dobbs Decision (24:26) Sustaining Joy and Practicing Self-Care in Justice Work (30:51) Partnering with Doulas and Growing Community Support (34:27) Investing in Workforce Development and Training (35:41) Advice for Birth Workers: Build Boldly, Do It Afraid   Resources Learn more about CHOICES: www.yourchoices.org | @yourchoicesclinics Explore the Black Midwifery Fellowship: www.yourchoices.org/fellowship-for-black-midwives   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common health issues during pregnancy, and diagnosing it is more complicated than you might think. In this episode, Dr. Dekker is joined by EBB Research Team member Dr. Morgan Richardson Cayama to cover the newly updated evidence on how GDM is diagnosed. They walk through the physiology behind GDM, current testing methods, and why there's still international disagreement about how to screen. Together, they examine the results of large randomized trials comparing the one-step and two-step screening methods, the research on early screening with hemoglobin A1C, and the evidence on alternatives to the Glucola drink, including candy and home blood sugar monitoring. They also review the risks of skipping screening entirely, and how weight bias and other systemic factors can impact diagnosis and care.   (02:28) What is Gestational Diabetes and Why Is It So Common? (06:30) Risk Factors, Size Bias, and the Role of Race and Ethnicity (10:40) Why We Screen and the Origins of the Controversy (13:17) Comparing the One-Step and Two-Step Methods (19:55) What New Research Says About Health Outcomes (23:45) Should We Screen for GDM Earlier in Pregnancy? (28:11) Can Hemoglobin A1C Replace the Glucola Drink? (32:44) Alternatives: Candy, Food, and Home Monitoring (40:04) What International Guidelines Recommend (43:07) Declining GDM Testing: What the Evidence Shows (47:47) Is Sperm Linked to Gestational Diabetes Risk? (51:29) Takeaways and the Future of GDM Diagnosis   Resources Download the free two-page handout in English or Spanish: ebbirth.com/370 Explore Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols: realfoodforgd.com For a full list of resources, visit: ebbirth.com/inducinggdm For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! 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.