Evidence Based Birth® – Details, episodes & analysis

Hiring a doula can be one of the most impactful choices you make during pregnancy, but how do you actually find the right one? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Team EBB members and experienced doulas, Julie Fors and Chanté Perryman, to share insider tips on finding and interviewing a doula with confidence.   Julie and Chanté walk you through where to begin your search, the most important questions to ask, and how to know if a doula's personality and philosophy are the right fit for you and your partner. They also tackle misconceptions about doula work, explain backup plans and postpartum support, and discuss how insurance and Medicaid are changing access to doula care.   (06:19) The pillars of doula support
(09:06) Where to start your doula search: Google, recommendations, and directories
(12:20) Why interviews are essential before hiring a doula
(17:49) Key questions to ask a potential doula (style, philosophy, postpartum support)
(23:58) Backup doula plans and long labors
(29:45) Common misconceptions about doulas and how to clear them up
(33:30) Shifts in doula access: insurance, Medicaid, and nonprofit programs
(37:06) How childbirth education and doula support work together
(39:09) Tips for finding a postpartum doula and planning ahead
(42:46) Overcoming nervousness about reaching out to doulas   Access the EBB Signature Article, "Evidence on: Doulas" for all the scientific research on doulas + a comprehensive list of doula directories and interview questions!   Resources Something new is coming! Join the waitlist: ebbirth.com/waitlist Get the Evidence on Doulas Tearaway Pads: ebbirth.com/shop Search the EBB Instructor Directory: directory.evidencebasedbirth.com/ Learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class: evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

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

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

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

Resources

• For a full list of resources, visit: ebbirth.com/218
• Watch the video version here on our YouTube channel which includes study breakdowns and PowerPoint slides.
• Protecting the Perineum Series:
  • EBB 206 - Evidence on Perineal Tears and the Importance of Avoiding Episiotomy with EBB Founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker
  • EBB 210 - Evidence on Warm Compresses and Hands-on vs. Hands-off for Protecting the Perineum
  • EBB 216 - The Evidence on Prenatal Perineal Massage for Preventing Tears in Childbirth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker

  For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

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

• Download the free two-page handout in English or Spanish: ebbirth.com/370
• Explore Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols: realfoodforgd.com
• For a full list of resources, visit: ebbirth.com/inducinggdm

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

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.