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

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

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

EBB Resources:  

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

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

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

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

EBB Podcasts: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

Resources:

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

Read Some of Dr. Taiwo's Work:

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

EBB Resources:

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

Follow Evidence Based Birth:

Facebook Instagram X    

In this episode, Ellora La Shier, graduate of the EBB Childbirth Class, shares about her struggle with six years of unexplained infertility and how it impacted her eventual birth story. Listen in as Ellora describes the frustration of unexplained infertility, suffering through years of increasingly painful periods, and the relief of finally receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis. Despite facing numerous challenges and undergoing various treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), Ellora remained determined and resilient.   Finally, after years, Ellora underwent surgery to remove the abnormal tissue caused by endometriosis. Following surgery, she and her husband were overjoyed to discover that they quickly became pregnant. Although this pregnancy marked the end of a long and challenging infertility journey, Ellora still had to process the many years of healthcare dismissal and her complicated relationship with pain, and how this would impact her eventual unmedicated birth. Ellora's story highlights the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and finding supportive healthcare providers in navigating the complexities of infertility and reproductive health.   Resources Find evidence-based information about infertility here.   EBB Resources: Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here!  Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here. Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.   Follow Evidence Based Birth: Facebook Instagram X

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

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

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

Follow their work on Instagram: @thedoulacollective.in

EBB Resources:

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

Follow Evidence Based Birth:

Facebook Instagram X

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

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

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

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

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

Other Resources

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

Follow Evidence Based Birth

Facebook Instagram

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

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

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

Keep Learning from Mama Doctor Jones:

YouTube Instagram Facebook X

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

Other Resources:

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

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

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

EBB Podcasts:

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

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

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

-----

In this episode I talk with Isis Rose, a full spectrum doula, home birth mom, certified lactation counselor, and placenta encapsulation specialist. She lives in Urbana, Illinois. Isis is starting midwifery school in July, with plans to become a Certified Professional Midwife, and she?s a member of the Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives. Isis co-hosts the Homecoming Podcast alongside Chae Pounds, which launched in 2018 to tell stories of Black families who give birth at home.

Isis and I discuss her birth story, including her unique approach to prenatal care, and hemorrhaging she experienced immediately after her home birth. We also talk about the ongoing advocacy work seeking licensure for CPMs in Illinois, and the latest research on the safety of home birth in the U.S.

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

-----

Ways to support Isis through her midwifery journey:

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

EBB Podcasts about Breech: 

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

Other Resources:

Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here.

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

EBB Resources:

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

EBB Podcasts about Breech: 

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

Other Resources:

Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here. Hear Dr. Chavira on The Informed Pregnancy Podcast: Vaginal BREECH After Cesarean Gentle Cesarean Ep. 11 Breech 101 - Part 1 Ep. 12 Breech 101 - Part 2 Ep. 13 Breech 101 - Part 3 Follow Dr. Chavira on Facebook!

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

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

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

EBB Podcasts about Breech: 

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

Other Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

EBB Resources:

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

EBB Podcasts:

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

Other Resources:

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

Happy New Year to all our listeners! Join us in listening to a short story about some big challenges we were facing in our field 5 years ago and what's changed since then. And you'll be the first to learn about a major event EBB is planning for you in 2024! 

To get on the waitlist for the 2024 Evidence Based Birth® Conference (open to birth workers and expectant parents), visit ebbirth.com/waitlist

 

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

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

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

Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Top 5 most downloaded episodes of 2023:

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

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

EBB 257: Updated Evidence on Group B Strep Part 2

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

EBB 254: Evidence on GBS in Pregnancy

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

Resources:

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

EBB Podcast Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

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

EBB Signature Articles:

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

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

Want more support from Evidence Based Birth®? 

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

Make sure to follow us on social:

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.   Follow us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

 

 

In this episode, I?m joined by Liesel Teen, a seasoned L&D nurse and childbirth educator and the creator of Mommy Labor Nurse, where she reveals the common myths surrounding pregnancy and birth.   Learn about the shocking misconceptions, such as babies running out of room, the impact of baby size on vaginal delivery, the importance of partner education, and the need for postpartum care. She also delves into the unexpected, and rare, scenario of giving birth in the car, and shares essential tips for partners and mothers on how to keep the baby safe and warm during this intense moment. Liesel's valuable insights will empower expectant parents to approach their childbirth journey with knowledge and confidence. Discover the truth behind these myths and how to prepare for a positive birth experience.   Content Warnings: emergency car births, risk of stillbirth, gendered language     Resources: Follow Liesel?s work: website, podcast, IG, Facebook, TikTok Learn more about Push Pregnancy on their website Check out some Mommy Labor Nurse podcast episodes: Episode 197 - Pharmaceutical Pain Options for Labor (other than an epidural!) Episode 199 - The Evidence on Natural Labor Induction with Dr. Rebecca Dekker

Listen to an EBB Episode:

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

 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.   Follow us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In this episode, we delve into the latest evidence-based information on skin-to-skin care in the operating room after a Cesarean. I'm joined by co-host Sara Ailshire, a doctoral candidate in anthropology and the 2023 EBB Research Fellow, and we explore the history, benefits, and barriers surrounding this practice. Discover how skin-to-skin care positively influences lactation, stabilizes newborns, and enhances the birth experience, and learn why some hospitals and providers are hesitant to offer it and how these barriers can be overcome.   *If you want the Pocket Guides we mention at the beginning of this episode, you can see if we have any in stock here!    Content Warning: topics related to Cesarean sections, preterm birth, NICU stays, separation of parents and babies, infant mortality rates, and the impact of racism on Cesarean rates and lactation.   Resources:  For a full list of resources and references please visit our Evidence for Skin to Skin Care After a Cesarean page here. To read the full Signature Article on Skin to Skin Care After a Cesarean and download our 1-Page Handout, click here. To read the updated ACOG opinion on 'Optimizing Support for Breastfeeding as Part of Obstetric Practice,' click here.   Relevant EBB Signature Articles: Evidence on Midwives Evidence on Doulas Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work Listen to EBB Episodes: EBB 135 - The Need for More Indigenous Birth Workers with Miranda Kelly EBB 161 - Addressing Maternity Bias and Infant Care with Irth® App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams EBB 214 - Supporting Pumping Parents in Lactation with IBCLC, Nichelle Clark EBB 265 - Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work EBB 278 - Creating an Innovative, Afrocentric Model of Prenatal Care with Hakima Payne, Founder and Executive Director of Uzazi Village   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.   Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Find out if our Pocket Guides are currently available by visiting our shop here! Check out our EBB Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here. Find an EBB Instructor here.  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.  

In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Nastassia Harris, a registered nurse and international board-certified lactation consultant, to discuss her extensive experience in the field of maternal and infant health. Dr. Harris shares her journey into this vital profession, highlighting her passion for improving breastfeeding rates in the Black community and eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health. She sheds light on the work of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative, a nonprofit organization she founded, and her newest venture, Ignite Maternal Health, aimed at providing essential education and support to mother-baby nurses. Dr. Harris offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by Black families and the critical role that education, culturally congruent care, and community resources play in saving lives and preventing adverse outcomes in the postpartum period. Tune in to learn more about the impactful work being done to enhance maternal health and support families during this crucial phase of life.   Content Warning: racism, Black infant and maternal mortality, preeclampsia   Resources:   Learn about Nastassia?s work, here: Perinatal Health Equity Initiative website Sistahs Who Breastfeed website Ignite Maternal Health website Follow Nastassia?s work: Instagram @perintal_equity and @ignite_mh Perinatal Health Equity Initiative?s Facebook and LinkedIn page Learn more about related efforts mentioned by Nastassia: Black Mamas Matter Alliance, website Black Breastfeeding Week, website Black Maternal Health Week, website Chocolate Milk Cafe, website Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Hear Her campaign, website Read the book referenced, The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris, here

 

Listen to EBB episodes:

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

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

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

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

Find out more about the EBB Childbirth Class here.

Learn about Brachial Plexus social support systems:

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

Learn more about the evidence and research on shoulder dystocia :

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

Related EBB Episodes and Signature Articles:

EBB 141 ? Birthing and Disparities in Minnesota with Rhonda Fellows and Dr. Jennifer Almanza
EBB 142 ? Home Birth Transfer During COVID-19 and the Uprisings in Minneapolis with Jenae Herron and Marcel Malekebu
EBB 143 ? Birthing in a World with Reproductive Justice with Ihotu Ali, Daniela Montoya-Barthelemy, and Shayla Walker
EBB 168 - Dr. Amber Warmsley on the 1-step vs. 2-step delivery approaches EBB Podcast and Signature Article on Birthing Positions EBB Podcast and Signature Article on Big Babies For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

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

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

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

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

Listen to EBB Episodes

EBB 229 ? Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic, and Reimbursement with the EBB Research Team EBB 194 ? Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols, RDN   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

Content Warning: postpartum hemorrhage, GBS Positive, antibiotics for GBS,   On this episode of the EBB podcast, I talk with Katrina Hull, a graduate of the EBB childbirth class about her positive hospital water birth story.   Katrina Hull is a former high school math and engineering teacher with over a decade of experience in the classroom. Her passion for education and entrepreneurship has led her to her current role as coordinating producer at PBS NewsHour Classroom where she develops lesson materials and resources for integrating invention education into classrooms across the country.   Katrina shares her experiences taking the EBB childbirth class and discusses in depth the education and work she put into preparing for her desired hospital water birth. In addition to finding her ?Golden Ticket? birth team and desired location, she shares the details of her amazing and empowering birth story, despite having a few complications, including finding out she was Group B Strep Positive and handling a postpartum hemorrhage.   Resources: Learn more about Marnellie Bishop?s Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class here Learn more about the GentleBirth Pregnancy app here Read more about Rebecca?s experience with Hypnobabies in Babies are Not Pizza?s Learn more about the Evidence on Hypnosis for Pain Management here Learn more about the Evidence on water immersion for Pain Management here Learn about the research evidence on combining hypnosis and water immersion for pain: Madden, K., Middleton, P., Cyna, A. M., et al. (2016). Hypnosis for pain management during labour and childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev(5), CD009356. Listen to Evidence Based Birth Podcasts: EBB 131: Evidence on: Pitocin During the 3rd Stage of Labor or read the Signature Article here https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/ EBB 267: Debunking Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN   Learn more about joining our Pro Membership for birth workers here, to take take our class on emergency management of PPH

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

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, I interview Jessica Diggs, midwife, doula mentor and co-founder of Centered about creating a sustainable career in birth work.   Jessica is a licensed midwife working in a solo practice in Los Angeles. Jessica supports people and families through holistic gynecological care, home birth services, and conception support. Jessica has a skill and love for making childbirth and reproductive education digestible and accessible for all people. She is the co-founder of Centered, a curated community for doulas and she is the former lead educator and curriculum developer at Doula Training International.     Jessica and I discuss not only her career path from doula to midwife but dive deep into a discussion about making birth work sustainable in the long run. Jessica shares a multitude of tips for our audience in avoiding burnout, setting boundaries to better serve yourself and your clients, as well as finding your joy and purpose in birth work outside just attending births. With over 10 years in the field and a thriving career, Jessica practices what she preaches and has a passion for teaching others not only about how to be a doula at a birth, but a doula making a living wage and sustainable career path.   Content Warning: Black maternal and Black infant death, Postpartum death, systemic racism   Resources:    Learn about Jessica?s work, including how to join Centered here:    Follow Jessica?s work:  Instagram @jessicadiggs and @joincentered  Substack: Midwifery is More  Find the book The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker here    For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

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

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

Content Warning: The conversation includes discussions about birth trauma, PTSD, and the potential for distressing experiences in the NICU environment.   Follow The NICU Doula on Instagram Learn more about Hollis and her work below: NICU Doula website: nicudoula.com NICU Lovey's website: niculovies.org Learn about Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Awareness Month

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

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

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

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

Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest

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

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

For birth professionals - get access to the full-length signature articles here. 

Don't forget to join the conversation on social: 

Instagram TikTok YouTube

 

Content note: We strongly encourage you to listen to EBB Podcast Episode 277 The Evidence on PROM and check out our recently updated Signature Article on PROM here before listening to this episode.    Content Warnings: Discussion of viability, complications with preterm birth, causes of preterm birth, and racism.    On this episode of the EBB Podcast, we bring you a mini episode on the research on Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes. We are excited to share this episode as an extension of the recent Signature Article update on PROM.    In this episode, I will cover the following topics:   What is Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)? How Common is it?  What Causes Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)?  When does Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) occur? Treatment Options for Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) Risks associated with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) Prevention of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and Pre-Term Birth  Racism and Pre-Term Birth  Resources for PPROM   The PPROM Foundation: PPROM Facts Nationwide Children?s Hospital: PPROM Facts Cleveland Clinic: Term PROM and PPROM Facts Continuing Education for Medical Practitioners: Premature Rupture of Membranes EBB Signature Article: Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work The March of Dimes: PPROM 

Read our Signature Article on GBS here 

Read our Abortion Resource Guide here

  Guidelines for PPROM American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2020 (addresses both PROM and PPROM, free text not available) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK) 2022 Queensland Health Clinical Guidelines 2018  Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2022 Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada 2022 (free text not available)   Listen to the following EBB Episodes and read the associated Signature Articles:  EBB 277 - Evidence on PROM  EBB 175 - Evidence on Midwives  EBB 265 - Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work  EBB 21 - Evidence on Doulas  EBB 240 - Top 5 Surprising Findings from the EBB Abortion Research Guide with Dr. Dekker & Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes    For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based BirthChildbirth Class.  

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

In this episode of the EBB Podcast, I talk with EBB Childbirth Class graduates, Dr. Maria Rosselson and Nim Guttman their surprise pregnancy, and equally surprising home birth.   Dr. Maria Rosselson is a physician practicing as a board certified ophthalmologist in the Chicago area. Her husband, Nim Guttman, is an architect. They've been married since 2016 and live with their dog, Asher.   Maria and Nim share their experiences taking the EBB Childbirth Class and how it resulted in an evolution of thought for Maria as a physician and discuss extensively what it was like to surprisingly grow their family well after they thought that chapter of their lives was behind them. Their life took a surprising turn when they found themselves unexpectedly expecting their first child, a baby girl, in the Fall of 2022. Their baby's arrival into the world was just as unexpected, an unanticipated, unplanned, unmedicated home birth.   Content Warning: discussion of unplanned pregnancy, unplanned home birth, and a 911 call. There is also a mention of witnessing a postpartum maternal death in medical school.   Resources: Learn about about the topics discussed in this episode at the following EBB resources: EBB Signature Article on Pregnancy at Age 35+ Natural Induction Podcast Series Pocket Guide to Induction Podcast Listening Guide  Learn about 312 Doulas here  Learn more about taking the EBB Childbirth Class with Heather McCullough here   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

On this episode of the EBB podcast, we interview Hakima Payne, founder and executive director of Uzazi Village, about her creation of the Village Circle, an innovative Afrocentric model of prenatal and postpartum care.    Hakima Payne, holds a bachelor's in nursing and a master's in nursing education. She is the founder of Uzazi Village, a nonprofit working to eliminate maternal health disparities in African American communities, as well as the founder of The Village Doula Program, which is a community-based home visiting community health worker program for pregnant families. She also created Chocolate Milk Cafe, a breastfeeding support group for Black families, the Village Circle, which is an Afrocentric group prenatal care model, and a curriculum called Culturally Congruent Care, which is an anti-racist medical education curriculum. Hakima sits on her local Fetal Infant Mortality Review board to address Black infant mortality and has been appointed by her city's mayor to serve as a health commissioner. Mama Hakima is a certified trainer for community health workers and she speaks nationally on the topics of Black maternal and infant health.    Ms. Payne works relentlessly to make birth safer, the village healthier, and to promote anti-racist models of care for African American families. She is the subject of a documentary that just came out called Sister Doula, and she's going to be featured in a second upcoming documentary called Pregnancy and Prejudice.    Hakima talks with us about her work in improving maternal health in Kansas City. Not only is Hakima bringing an innovative model of care to her community, that includes access to community-based, Afrocentric prenatal care, doulas, herbalists, a chef and more, she is proving that it works. Through partnerships with a team of epidemiologists and a local university, Hakima is able to measure and quantify their client experience and demonstrate how Uzazi Village improves birth and postpartum outcomes. Hakima discusses the unique aspects of the Village Circle model and why each piece is important to the care of the community.   Resources:  Learn more about Uzazi Village here (uzazivillage.org) Follow Uzazi Village on Instagram and Facebook.  Follow Hakima on Instagram @hakima_the_dreama Find a screening for the Sister Doula documentary here: sisterdoulafilm.com Watch the trailer for Pregnancy and Prejudice here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc43eQZX468 Listen to EBB Episodes:  EBB 274 - Honoring the Mothers of Gynecology with Michelle Browder EBB 260 - Midwifery, Community Birth Work, and Plant Medicine in Louisana with Ms. Divine Bailey-Nicholas EBB 229 - Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic, and Reimbursement with the Research Team 

Ready to get involved?

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

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

 

 

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, I am so excited to bring you brand new, evidence on premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term!      We are releasing today?s episode to celebrate the update of our Signature Article on the Evidence on PROM.     In today?s episode, I am going to cover the following topics related to PROM: What are the membranes, and what does it mean to say they?ve ?ruptured?? Membrane rupture can help prepare the body for the process of childbirth?but why? What is it like when your water breaks before labor? What are some risk factors that might increase the chances of your water breaking before labor? What is the ?24-hour clock for PROM,? and where did it come from? If you have PROM, how long does it take for labor to start on its own? How are GBS and PROM related? What does the research evidence say on Induction versus Waiting for Labor for term PROM? What are the professional guidelines? What is the Bottom Line? Resources: For a full list of resources and references please visit our blog on the Evidence on PROM here.   To read the full Signature Article on PROM and download our 1-Page Handout, click here.   Watch our special video on PROM on our YouTube Channel   Listen to EBB Episodes: EBB 268 ? Debunk the Myths of Premature Rupture of Membranes, GBS, & Waterbirth with EBB Founder, Dr. Dekker  EBB 275 ? A PROM, GBS, and Birth Center Transfer Story with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Emily Helgerson   For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:  TikTok Instagram Pinterest Want to get involved at EBB?  Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here  Find an EBB Instructor here  Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.

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

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

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

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

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Ready to get involved?

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

On this episode of the EBB podcast, we are talking with Avital Norman Nathman, author and freelance writer about trends in birth and parenthood in the US.   Avital is a freelance writer and editor who focuses her work on motherhood, maternal health, gender and reproductive rights and justice. Her writing, which places a feminist lens on a variety of topics, including motherhood, maternal health, gender, reproductive rights, and cannabis, can be found in a variety of print and online articles for outlets like The New York Times, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, VICE, and more.    Her first book, The Good Mother Myth: Redefining Motherhood to Fit Reality, provides a platform for diverse voices that often get left out of the conversations surrounding parenting. Avital is currently working on two new books. She is a co-editor for an anthology on abortion, and her upcoming book, The Perfect Birth Myth, combines research, expert analysis, and narrative experiences to look at the intersection of the birth industry and the health care system to understand how this ideal of the perfect birth came about, why it?s a red herring, and how we can do better to ensure that all folks who are pregnant can have access to quality care and the chance at a birth that is safe and that they are comfortable with.   Avital discusses the evolution of ?motherhood? from the early aughts and ?Mommy blogging? to internet activism, connection, and the ongoing ?mommy wars? of the internet. Additionally, Avital discusses her upcoming and ongoing projects related to writing about the current state of having a baby in the US healthcare system and political climate, while calling out the experiences of marginalized populations and bringing forth the less obvious but very important consequences of the Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.   Trigger Warning: abortion, miscarriage, hemorrhage, Dobbs decision, Roe v. Wade, maternal healthcare deserts, birth trauma   Resources: Listen to the following podcast: EBB 87 ? Cristen Pascucci on How to Disagree on Birth Topics ? Respectfully! EBB 240 ? Top Five Most Surprising Findings from the Abortion Research Guide with Dr. Dekker & Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes Find EBB's Abortion Research Guide here: Ebbirth.com/birthjustice   Follow Avital's work: https://www.themamafesto.com Twitter: @themamafesto IG: @themamafesto

In today's episode, we talk with Emily Helgerson, an EBB Childbirth Class Graduate about how taking the EBB Childbirth class helped her navigate transferring from a birth center to the hospital after experiencing premature rupture of membranes while being positive for Group B Strep.   Emily Helgerson holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in Spanish, with a minor in Italian, from the University of Minnesota and a master's in second language teaching with a focus on immersion from McGill University. Emily taught Spanish immersion elementary school before deciding to stay home with baby Teddy, after he was born. Her and her partner, Brad, live in Minneapolis with their toddler and two cats. In 2023, it was announced that Emily will be the new Dean of Skovsøen, the Danish language village in Northern Minnesota.   Emily shares how the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class provided tools, resources and preparation that her and her partner were able to practice throughout pregnancy and remain empowered when they faced a hospital transfer. Emily talks about her Golden Ticket team, with her partner, doula (who is also her mom!) and the team of midwives between the birth center and the hospital.     We will also introduce a newer research topic regarding placenta size, placental measurement and its correlation to newborn health outcomes.   Content Warning: Group B Strep, Antibiotics for group B Strep, Heart decelerations, birth center transfer to hospital     Resources:   Check out EBB's Signature Articles: EBB Signature Article on PROM EBB Signature Article on GBS   Follow Emily Helgerson?s Parenting Group on IG @Common Ground Parenting    Listen to the following podcasts:  Listen to EBB 262 to hear about advocating for your newborn in the hospital Listen to EBB's Group B Strep Podcast Series here Listen to EBB's Webinar replay here Listen to Lisa Taylor?s Podcast Birth Matters   Check out these pregnancy books   ·      Ina May?s Guide to Childbirth ·      The Birth Partner ·      Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby?s First Years ·      Pregnancy Day-by-Day book   Blooma?s Prenatal Yoga Learn more about Spinning Babies here Subscribe to Jen McLellans pregnancy week by week here Learn more about Sharon Quinn's EBB Childbirth Class here

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

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

Resources: Follow Michelle?s Work Instagram: @anarchalucybetsey Twitter @mothersofgyno and on Facebook     Sign up for Michelle?s newsletter and learn more about the 2024 conference here https://www.anarchalucybetsey.org   Read the following books: Say Anarcha by J.C. Hallman and check out his informative YouTube series here  Take my Hand by Dolen Perkins and learn more about Relf Sisters here Medical Bondage by Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa  Learn about Africatown    Learn about what Evidence Based Birth is doing to fight racism and download free handouts here   Read more reproductive justice research on EBB's Birth Justice page

In this episode of the EBB Podcast, we dive into the updated research on Nitrous Oxide. I discuss the following topics:  What is Nitrous Oxide?  How is it used? How commonly is Nitrous Oxide used around the world?  How does Nitrous Oxide impact overall satisfaction in birth? What are the benefits of Nitrous Oxide? What are the risks of using Nitrous Oxide?  And lastly, as always, we will discuss the bottom line!  Resources & References

For Practitioners 

Association of Ontario Midwives: Nitrous Oxide Tip Sheet 

For Parents 

EBB videos/articles: Painless Birth and Pain Perception During Childbirth EBB Podcast: Episode 15: Nitrous oxide  EBB Podcasts: Birth Stories (5 birth stories with nitrous)  Episode 76: Pushing Through Anxiety in Birth with Parent Emily Fleenor  Episode 147: Long Preterm Birth with Caitlyn Martens  Episode 158: Empowering Hospital Birth Experience during COVID-19 with Fiona and Craig Castleton  Episode 163: Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy with Nathalie Walton, CEO of Expectful  Episode 202: A Fast First-Time Birth Experience with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Haley Grachico Other Resources: News Articles  Contemporary OB/GYN: Nitrous oxide?s revival in childbirth  Cosmopolitan: Why I Used Laughing Gas to Ease My Labor Pain  The Atlantic: Using Laughing Gas to Relieve the Pain of Childbirth  The New York Times: The Rise of Laughing Gas in the Delivery Room  NPR: Laughing Gas Gives Women Another Option to Manage Labor Pain NPR: Bill of The Month: $4,836 Charge for Laughing Gas During Childbirth Is No Joke Today: Laughing gas for childbirth is on the rise in the US. What took so long? 

References 

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

 

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

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

On this episode the EBB Podcast, we talk with Brandi Jordan, the founder of The Cradle Company and the Dear Doula podcast, all about supporting infant mental health using a whole family approach.   Brandi is a board-certified lactation consultant, pediatric sleep specialist, newborn care specialist, and a postpartum doula. Brandi's work as a consultant, parenting group leader and in-home practitioner have led her to develop a unique philosophy of gentle parenting techniques that are pragmatic, practical, and a healthy approach for the whole family. In 2018, Brandi founded the National Association of Birth Workers of Color and currently hosts the Dear Doula podcast.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California where she's also an adjunct faculty lecturing in infant mental health and culturally competent mental healthcare.   Brandi talks with us about how to find our unique skills and assets to bringing our whole selves into birth work. Once you know what sets you apart, you can connect with the right clients for you to make this work more sustainable. Brandi believes that whatever you think might be your deficit in this work ? is actually your assets ? it is exactly the type of support certain clients will need. Additionally, she discusses the growing field of infant mental health and how we can support families across the spectrum of development and bring a more holistic and comprehensive approach, a whole family approach, to caring for infants in the prenatal and postpartum periods.   Resources:    Follow Brandi's work: Follow Brandi on Instagram Follow the Dear Doula podcast on Instagram here Listen to Rebecca Discuss Circumcision, Water Births, and Evidence Based Care on Brani's Dear Doula Podcast here Connect with the Cradle Company here  Listen to the following EBB Episodes:  EBB 118 ? How to Have a Healthy Postpartum Transition with Dr. Alyssa Berlin    

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

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

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

In this Mini Q&A episode of the EBB podcast, I will be answering a variety of questions that have recently been asked of us, including:   1.    What if my hospital won't let my healthy newborn go home before 48 hours? 2.    Are modern ultrasounds better at detecting big babies? 3.    What's the maximum time a vacuum can be used during a vacuum assisted delivery? 4.    Does EBB have any new resources I should know about?   References/Resources: Read the AAP Guidelines on Hospital Stays for Healthy Term Newborn Infants here  Visit the NAABB here Read the U.S. Department of Labor article on the Newborns' and Mothers' Protection Act here  Read the UpToDate article on vacuum assisted delivery (subscription only) here 

Resources

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

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

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

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

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

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

LECTURE HANDOUTS For lecture handouts from the webinar, click here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GBS-PROM-Waterbirth-Webinar-April-2023-for-Handout.pdf  EBB SIGNATURE ARTICLES Evidence on Premature Rupture of Membranes https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-inducing-labor-water-breaks-term/   Evidence on Group B Strep: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/  Evidence on Inducing for Due Dates https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducin... Evidence on Waterbirth https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/ EBB PODCASTS EBB 230 ? An Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Parent Shelitha Owens EBB 223 ? An Empowering Hospital Water Birth Story with Samantha Parker and Justin Fontaine EBB 261 ? Mini Q&A on Group B Strep  EBB 257 ?  The Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy: Part 2 EBB 254 ? The Evidence on Group B Strep in Pregnancy: Part 1   

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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

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

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ready to get involved?

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

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

Content Warnings: Uterine/fundal massage, obstetric violence and assault, pospartum hemorrgage    Resources: Learn more about active management in the thrid stage of labor in our Signature Article: The Evidence on Pitocin During the Thrird Stage of Labor here Follow the BadAssMotherBirther in Instagram here

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

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

 

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, we talked with EBB Childbirth Class Graduates, Priscilla and Nathan Layman about how the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class prepared them for a home birth and their unexpected hospital transfer with a NICU stay.     Nathan and Priscilla are happy parents who live and work in San Antonio, Texas. Nathan is a pipeline engineer and Priscilla splits her time between caring for their 19-month-old daughter and providing part-time psychotherapy services, as a licensed clinical psychologist.     Join us as Nathan and Priscilla share their experience learning advocacy skills reviewed in the EBB Childbirth class and how they were used during their daughter?s unexpected NICU stay after their homebirth transfer. We also talk about their birth experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and how empowered they felt with their support team in birth and postpartum.     Content Warnings: 911 call, emergency transfer to the hospital for low oxygen state in a newborn, respiratory support for an infant in a neonatal intensive care stay.     Resources: Access EBB's Signature Article on The Evidence on: Waterbirth here Learn more about Deborah Persyn and Leche and Mimi lactation services here Find the book Bringing Home Baby and other resources by Gottman here Learn more about Lea-ann Goettsch's Evidence Based Birth Childbirth class and other services here  References: Bovbjerg, M.L., Cheyney, M., Caughey, A. B. (2022). ?Maternal and neonatal outcomes following waterbirth: a cohort study of 17,530 waterbirths and 17,530 propensity score-matched land births.? BJOG 129 (6): 950-958.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34773367/

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

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

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

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

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

Join the conversation to learn more about:

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

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

Resources: 

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

Listen to EBB Episodes:

EBB 136 ? Solutions for the Crisis in American Maternity Care with Jennie Joseph here EBB 161 ? Addressing Maternity Bias and Infant Care with Irth App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers  Here EBB 170 Addressing Mistreatment in Childbirth Care with Birth Monopoly Founder, Cristen Pascucci here EBB 220 ? Fighting Bias in the Birth Room with Irth App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers Here EBB 229 Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic and Reimbursement with the Research Team Here EBB 251 ? Naseema McElroy, Founder of Financially Intentional, Shares her Courageous Story of Speaking up as a Labor and Delivery Nurse Here  Watch videos on Tranformative Justice:  Watch Adrienne Maree Brown discuss transformative justice here An example of Restorative Justice: (the Tinkerbell story) told in a YouTube video here  Find the Article, "Are corporations psychopaths?" here    Find the book on defensiveness: Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Livesby Joseph Burgo here    Find a black birth worker near you at www.systemmidwife.com   Learn more about:  The Sheppard Towner Act of 1921 here Maternal Mortality Review Commissions here The life and legacy of Loretha Weisinger , the mother and founder of the community-based doula here About HealthConnect One, who offers trainings for community-based doulas around the country The Birth Sanctuary  Earth's Natural Touch doulas National Black Midwives Alliance Melanated Midwives The National Association for the Advancement of Black Birth Commonsense Childbirth  A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife training Jamaa Birth Village Birth Center Equity Kentucky Birth Coalition  Learn Birthing Place BX and Womb Bus Follow Ihotu Ali?s work on Instagram here Follow the Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing and their work in Minneapolis here

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

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

Find us on: 

TikTok Instagram Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB? 

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