Evidence Based Birth®

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Morgan Richardson Cayama, EBB Research Fellow and doctoral candidate in public health, are sharing the top 10 evidence-based strategies for reducing your risk of a Cesarean birth. Drawing from the latest research, including insights from the ARRIVE trial and EBB’s Signature Articles, Rebecca and Morgan discuss actionable methods such as choosing a provider and birth setting with low Cesarean rates, receiving midwifery-led care, using labor support like a doula, staying mobile during labor, and avoiding non-medically indicated interventions. They also talk about the impact of tools like peanut balls, the role of intermittent fetal monitoring, and options for breech pregnancies.   (04:38) Provider Attitude Impact on Cesarean Rates (08:34) Cesarean Risk Reduction Through Midwifery Care (11:03) Lower-Risk Birth Settings for Cesarean Prevention (19:34) Reduced Cesarean Risk with 39-Week Induction (22:21) Optimal Timing for Hospital Admission in Labor (27:53) Upright Positions and Cesarean Risk in Labor (33:24) Upright Birthing Positions for Safer Delivery (34:53) Reducing Cesarean Rates through Intermittent Auscultation   Check out the ARRIVE Trial Signature Article for evidence on elective induction at 39 weeks Friedman’s Curve and Failure to Progress: A Leading Cause of Unplanned Cesareans Evidence on: Induction or Cesarean for a Big Baby Evidence on: Doulas EBB 45 – How do peanut balls support labor? Evidence on: Birthing Positions Evidence on: Fetal Monitoring EBB 296 – Evidence on Breech Birth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA EBB 297 – Frequently Asked Questions about Breech with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA Use Leapfrog Group Hospital Ratings, a Tool to compare Cesarean rates and maternity care statistics by hospital. Get a copy of Dr. Dekker’s book, Babies are Not Pizzas. 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, learn how Dr. Kimarie Bugg’s lifelong dedication to lactation and health equity is transforming lives nationwide. Dr. Bugg is President of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) and the first African American International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Dr. Bugg shares her journey into the field of lactation, sparked by personal challenges breastfeeding her first set of twins in the late 1970s. She recounts the evolution of breastfeeding support, her groundbreaking work at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, and the founding of ROSE, a nonprofit addressing breastfeeding inequities in the African American community. Dr. Bugg discusses the systemic barriers to breastfeeding, including workplace challenges, access to lactation support, and the lack of consistent education for healthcare providers. She emphasizes the importance of policy change, workforce development, and healing generational trauma through initiatives like ROSE’s "Breast Friend" and the Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE) programs. Tune in for a conversation about the critical role of breastfeeding equity, the unique challenges faced by African American families, and the power of community-driven solutions.   (09:34) Empowering Black Nurses in Breastfeeding Support (8:08) Supporting Breastfeeding in African American Community (27:08) "Breast Friend Program: Reducing Breastfeeding Disparities" (28:22) Empowering Communities for Inclusive Breastfeeding Support (32:46) Reframing Breastfeeding Narratives in African American Community (34:54) Enhancing Breastfeeding Equity Beyond Hospital Stay (41:39) Community Transformers: Empowering Maternal Health Support   Explore ROSE's programs, including Breast Friends, Community Transformers, and more here. Learn about Boston Medical Center's Community and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices (CHAMPS), a Baby-Friendly hospital initiative, here. Learn more about the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 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.

Happy New Year to all our listeners! Join us in listening to a mini story about how our team got together last fall... and be the first to learn about a major event we're planning for you in 2025! To get on the waitlist for the upcoming event, visit ebbirth.com/waitlist

Happy New Year! Join Dr. Rebecca Dekker and EBB research fellows Morgan Richardson Cayama and Sara Ailshire as they celebrate the evidence from 2024. From updating key research on waterbirth, doulas, and elective inductions to launching new handouts, webinars, and pocket guides, it was a busy and rewarding year for Team EBB. Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s ahead in 2025, including an updated virtual conference, fresh podcast episodes, and exciting new research. Let’s celebrate the wins, reflect on the research, and dream big for what’s next!   (00:04:06) Benefits of Water Birth in Hospitals (00:05:13) Positive Outcomes of Water Birth Research (00:10:58) Water Birth Safety: Preventing Infections and Complications (00:14:16) Water Birth Cord Avulsion Risk Factors (00:23:23) Cultural Relevance in Doula Support Services (00:25:23) Integral Role of Doulas in Childbirth (00:30:40) Elective Inductions at 39 Weeks Impact (00:44:11) Vitamin K Update: Black Box Warning Insights (00:52:20) "Top 10 Evidence-Based Cesarean Risk Reduction Strategies"   The Evidence on: Waterbirth EBB 300: The Evidence on Waterbirth EBB 318: Advocating for Waterbirth in Hospitals EBB 287: Positive Hospital Waterbirth Story EBB 268: Debunking Myths about PROM, GBS, and Waterbirth EBB 258: Waterbirth Story with Cord Avulsion EBB 230: Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story The Evidence on: Doulas EBB 309: The Evidence on Doulas The Evidence on: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks ARRIVE Trial Signature Article Pain Management Series EBB 312: Injectable Opioids EBB 317: Epidurals for Pain Management EBB 320: Epidurals and the Pushing Phase of Labor Rh Incompatibility EBB 329: Blood Types, Rh Incompatibility, and RhoGAM Shot 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.