EBB 110 - Inside an Unplanned, Unassisted Home Birth with Parent Sabrina Tran
Release Date: 01/08/2020
EBB 363 - A Remarkable Journey from "Babies Are Not Pizzas" Student to Critical Care Nurse to Nurse Midwife with Liz Carr, CNM
Evidence Based Birth®
From ICU to birth center, Liz Carr’s story is a reminder that midwives come to this work through many paths, and each journey holds wisdom for the future of maternal care. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker reconnects with former nursing student turned certified nurse midwife, Liz Carr. Liz shares her unique trajectory: from critical care nursing to catching babies, from witnessing obstetric violence as a student to providing trauma-informed, evidence-based midwifery care. Liz and Rebecca explore the impact of diverse clinical experiences, the challenges of navigating midwifery...
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EBB 362 - Doula Wisdom and Holistic Practices for Pregnancy and Postpartum with Carson Meyer, Doula and Author of Growing Together
Evidence Based Birth®
Carson Meyer, doula, certified nutrition consultant, and author of Growing Together, joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker for a conversation about reclaiming the sacred, intuitive, and evidence-based aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Carson shares how she stepped into birth work at a young age, driven by a desire to transform a system that can leave parents disempowered and unsupported. She opens up about her own home birth experience, the spiritual preparation that carried her through, and the tools she now teaches others through her virtual Growing Together Circles. Together, Carson and Dr....
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REPLAY: EBB 210 - Evidence on Warm Compresses and Hands-on vs. Hands-off for Protecting the Perineum
Evidence Based Birth®
Curious how to actually prevent perineal tears during childbirth? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker breaks down the latest research on three of the most talked-about methods: 1) using warm compresses, 2) provider “hands on” techniques, 3) provider “hands off” techniques, and how these approaches measure up when it comes to protecting your perineum. You’ll learn surprising facts, like how a simple warm washcloth can significantly lower your risk of severe tears (and even ease pain!), plus what the evidence really says about whether a provider should help “guard” the perineum or...
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EBB 361 - Supporting Intersex Communities during Birth with Niki Khanna and Catherine Clune-Taylor, Co-Presidents of InterACT
Evidence Based Birth®
Most parents are told their baby is either a boy or a girl. But what happens when a baby is born with intersex traits—and how can birth workers and clinicians respond with compassion, accuracy, and care? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker speaks with Niki Khanna, MA, MFT, and Dr. Catherine Clune-Taylor, co-presidents of InterACT, about how to support families when a baby’s physical sex characteristics don’t fit binary expectations. Together, they explore how often this occurs, what parents are typically told in the hospital, and why rushed decisions about infant genital surgery can...
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EBB 360 - Overcoming Challenges with Low Milk Supply with Katie James, Midwife, IBCLC, and Host of the Midwives' Cauldron Podcast
Evidence Based Birth®
Struggling with low milk supply can feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Katie James to demystify the realities of low milk supply. Together, they explore the hormonal, medical, and systemic factors that can affect lactation, as well as the critical importance of early postpartum support. Katie shares how birth interventions, lack of education, and misinformation can interfere with lactation—and how reclaiming knowledge, honoring instinct, and receiving timely help can make...
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Special Announcement - Become an EBB Instructor
Evidence Based Birth®
Special Announcement from EBB! If you're an experienced birth worker or health care professional and you're interested in becoming an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, applications for 2025 are opening soon for a limited time only! Podcast listeners who are interested in becoming an EBB Instructor are invited to on Wednesday, May 28 at 1:00 PM EDT. We’ll be answering your questions about who is eligible to apply, what the application process looks like, and the support and training you’ll receive as an EBB Instructor. Whether you're thinking about teaching...
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EBB 359 - Mini Q & A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies
Evidence Based Birth®
In this Q&A episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker answers questions submitted by EBB Pro Members—each exploring a different facet of evidence-based maternity care. First, she explores the latest evidence on early induction for gestational hypertension, including findings from the WILL trial and other recent studies. What are the real risks and benefits of inducing labor at 37 or 38 weeks for gestational hypertension? And how should families weigh these decisions with their providers? Next, Dr. Dekker shares new insights into the effectiveness of acupuncture and...
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EBB 358 - "I Need to Give Consent" and Seeking Trauma-Informed Birth Support after a First Traumatic Experience with Rivka and Steven Dubinsky, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates
Evidence Based Birth®
A traumatic first birth can shape everything that follows—but with the right support, education, and advocacy, it's possible to turn fear into empowerment. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Rivka and Steven Dubinsky as they share the transformative journey from a traumatic hospital induction and birth injury to a redemptive second birth experience centered on autonomy, education, and trust. Rivka opens up about how her first birth left her physically injured and emotionally shaken, and how she didn’t initially recognize it as...
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EBB 357 - Making Decisions about Elective Induction of Labor with Dr. Ann Peralta & Kari Radoff, CNM, from Partner to Decide
Evidence Based Birth®
Every pregnant person deserves the information—and support—they need to make truly informed decisions about labor induction. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Dr. Ann Peralta and Kari Radoff, CNM, co-creators of Partner to Decide, a nonprofit initiative improving decision-making in perinatal care. They discuss the creation of their free, multilingual decision aid that supports families in understanding their options around routine induction of labor—and empowers them to advocate for their values, preferences, and autonomy. Ann shares how her own birth...
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REPLAY: EBB 206 - Evidence on Perineal Tears and the Importance of Avoiding Episiotomy with EBB Founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker
Evidence Based Birth®
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the evidence on perineal tears and the importance of avoiding episiotomies during childbirth. We’ll talk about what perineal tears are, the different types that can occur, and the potential health consequences that can follow. You’ll also hear about the various factors that may increase or decrease the risk of tearing during birth. Finally, we’ll cover why it’s so important to avoid an episiotomy during childbirth. Content warning: Discussion of perineal tears during childbirth, severe tears, episiotomy, and obstetric violence related to...
info_outlineIn this episode, I am joined by Sabrina Tran of Alabama, who recently had a daughter, and took the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with Instructor Traci Weafer. Sabrina, a therapist, is now a stay at home mom.
Sabrina had a precipitous - or, extremely fast labor and delivery. She describes it as exciting! Hear her tell her story of how her baby was born before the midwife could make it to her home. I also share the evidence on perineal tearing, and the relationships between tearing, provider experience, and home birth.
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.
RESOURCES:
Click here for great images explaining perineal tears on the Mayo Clinic website.
More references:
- Albers, L. L., Sedler, K. D., Bedrisk, E. J., et al. (2005). Midwifery care measures in the second stage of labor and reduction of genital tract trauma at birth: a randomized trial. J Midwifery Womens Health. 50(5): 365-372.
- Mizrachi, Y., Leytes, S., Levy, M., et al. (2017). Does midwife experience affect the rate of severe perineal tears? Birth. 44(2): 161-166.
- Begley, C., Guilliland, K., Dixon, L., et al. (2018). A qualitative exploration of techniques used by expert midwives to preserve the perineum intact. Women Birth.
- Kopas, M. L. (2014). A review of evidence-based practices for management of the second stage of labor. J Midwifery Womens Health. 59(3):264-76.
- Shorten, A., Donsante, J. and Shorten, B. (2002). Birth position, accoucheur, and perineal outcomes: informing women about choices for vaginal birth. Birth. 29(1): 18-27.
- Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Shennan, A., et al. (2013). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (8): CD004667.
- Hutton, E. K., Cappelletti, A., Reitsma, A. H., et al. (2016). Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies. CMAJ. 188(5): E80-E90.
- Hastings-Tolsma, M., Vincent, D., Emeis, C., et al. (2007). Getting through birth in one piece: protecting the perineum. MCN AM J Matern Child Nurs. 32: 158-64.
- Landy H. J., Laughon, S. K., Bailit, J. L., et al. (2011). Characteristics associated with severe perineal and cervical lacerations during vaginal delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 117(3): 627-35
- Klein, M. C., Gauthier, R. J., Jorgensen, S. H., et al. (1992). Does episiotomy prevent perineal trauma and pelvic floor relaxation? Online J Curr Clin Trials. 10.
- Klein, M. C., Gauthier, R. J., Robbins, J. M., et al. (1994). Relationship of episiotomy to perineal trauma and morbidity, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic floor relaxation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 171(3): 591-8.
- Aasheim, V., Nilsen, A. B. V., Reinar, L. M., et al. (2017). Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma. Cochrane Database of Sys Rev. 6: CD006672
- Alliman, J. and Phillippi, J. C. (2016). Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An integrative review of the literature. J Midwifery Womens Health. 61(1): 21-51.
- Cheyney, M., Bovbjerg, M., Everson, C., et al. (2014). Outcomes of care for 16,924 planned home births in the U.S.: the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009. J Midwifery Womens Health. 59(1): 17-27.
- Hutton, E. K., Cappelletti, A., Reitsma, A. H., et al. (2016). Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies. CMAJ. 188(5): E80-E90.
Click here to access the EBB Signature Article, The Evidence on: Waterbirth.