Evidence Based Birth®

Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with EBB Childbirth Class graduates Kat Sullivan and Ben Winston about their journey through pregnancy and birth. Kat shares her deeply personal experience of living with emetophobia—the fear of vomiting—and how it impacted her pregnancy and decision to pursue a home birth. From navigating intrusive thoughts and panic attacks to finding a supportive care team and discovering the power of SSRIs, Kat and Ben open up about their challenges and triumphs. Hear how they prepared for labor, the role of their midwives, and how the EBB Childbirth Class helped them feel informed and empowered. Whether you're curious about home births, mental health in pregnancy, or simply love heartfelt birth stories, this episode is a must-listen! Content Note: The first half of the interview will discuss distressing symptoms related to emetophobia, panic attacks, and OCD, as well as considering pregnancy termination due to emetophobia. (00:01:24) Joyful Home Birth Experience despite Challenges (00:04:56) Empowered by Supportive Providers for Emetophobia (00:10:17) Navigating Mental Health in Parenthood Transition (00:17:53) Navigating Challenges with a Strong Support System (00:30:10) Unpredictable Transitions in Labor and Birth (00:35:03) Empowering Decisions Through Evidence-Based Home Birth (00:36:07) Empowering Parents Through Evidence-Based Childbirth Education Learn more about Kat and Ben's EBB Instructor, Emily McMichael, here or follow her on Instagram here! For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Dr. Rebecca Dekker and EBB Research Fellow Morgan Richardson Cayama tackle your questions about the ARRIVE trial and elective inductions at 39 weeks. They explore the evidence behind this controversial study, discuss the implications for Cesarean rates, and unpack the concept of patient autonomy in maternity care. Plus, they share practical tips for managing pressure to induce and delve into how the ARRIVE trial impacts outcomes like breastfeeding, epidurals, and costs. Tune in to hear this Q&A session originally broadcast to listeners worldwide.   Episode 334: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks (03:38) How often are we seeing pressure from obstetricians to induce? (07:20) How can you manage pressure from an obstetrician to get an induction at 39 weeks? (12:00) What are the geographic trends in induction rates? (15:30) What are the statistics on infant death and mortality? (19:56) What happens if a midwife or obstetrician refuses a 39-week elective induction requested by a birthing person? (21:50) Why did the ARRIVE trial report such high rates of preeclampsia and hypertension? (32:16) Is induction considered to be more cost-effective? (34:54) Are inductions affecting breastfeeding and epidural rates? (36:54) Is there research around maternal satisfaction and birthing experience? (40:11) Why are IVF and advanced maternal age clients often pressured or offered induction? (41:24) What strategies can doulas use to support clients facing discussions about 39-week induction with their provider?   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.    

Dr. Jessica Brumley, a Certified Nurse Midwife and President of the American College of Nurse Midwives, joins Dr. Dekker to explore the transformative impact of respectful maternity care. Dr. Brumley reflects on her journey to midwifery, inspired by a lifelong commitment to equitable and compassionate healthcare. Together, they discuss the importance of supporting normal physiology in birth, the guiding principles of the midwifery model, and the need for systemic change to foster respectful care in hospitals. Dr. Brumley also shares insights from her work with the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, including initiatives to reduce unnecessary interventions and amplify patient voices. Tune in to learn how respectful care can improve outcomes, build trust, and why a “midwife for every community” could change the landscape of maternal health in the United States. (00:07:30) Equitable and Respectful Maternity Care Advocacy (00:28:57) Promoting Respectful Maternity Care in Workplaces (00:30:28) Creating a Culture of Respect in Healthcare (00:30:49) Cultural Respect in Healthcare Settings (00:34:24) Promoting Equitable and Respectful Healthcare Practices (00:43:11) Elevating Midwifery Practice for Improved Healthcare (00:44:47) Retention Strategies for Midwifery Professionals   Resources: EBB 324 – Blending Birth, Science, Technology, and Storytelling with Erica Chidi, Co-founder and CEO of LOOM EBB 332 – Advocating for Yourself during Prenatal Visits with Retired Obstetrician Dr. Leslie Farrington, Co-Founder of the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood Read Protecting Your Birth: A Guide For Black Mothers in The New York Times. Learn about the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the ICM's RESPECT Presentation (mentioned by Jessica) Learn about the Florida Perinatal Collaborative Learn more about Dr. Brumley and her work Learn about the American College of Nurse Midwives For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, I’m joined by Camden Crane Wachowiak—a health coach, EBB Childbirth Class graduate, and new mom—who shares her high-risk pregnancy and birth journey. Camden walks us through her induction experience after her water broke at term and her decision to labor with non-pharmacological comfort measures. We also talk about Camden's approach to navigating unique health considerations during pregnancy, including antiphospholipid syndrome and a cardiac pacemaker. She reflects on the empowering choices she made with her partner, such as hiring a supportive doula, and the role of the EBB Childbirth Class in helping them feel informed and confident. Discover how Camden built a team of providers who respected her strength, addressed her concerns without excessive intervention, and supported her in achieving a safe and positive birth experience. (05:45) Experienced Doula Enhancing Birthing Experiences (09:52) Personalized Obstetric Care Based on Medical History (17:50) Natural Methods for Inducing Labor Contractions (19:39) Natural Comfort Techniques During Medication-Free Labor (23:32) Enduring labor pains without medical intervention (25:05) Breathwork and Support in Intense Childbirth (35:26) Vital Importance of Newborn Resuscitation Training (37:27) Embracing Motherhood: Navigating New Priorities and Routines (43:26) Transformative Role of Postpartum Communities   Learn more about Camden’s fitness coaching business, Camden C3 Fit here. EBB 288 – From Birthing in the Pandemic to Birthing a Career as a Postpartum Doula and Chef with Malisa Dekker of Planted Postpartum EBB 305 – A High-Risk Pregnancy and Miraculous Birth with Krista and John DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.