REPLAY: EBB 186 – A Positive Pregnancy and Birth Outcome with Multiple High-Risk Labels with EBB Childbirth Class Parent, Angela Jones
Release Date: 07/03/2024
EBB 387 - Doulas in the Operating Room, Risk of Repeating a Severe Tear, and White Coat Hypertension in Pregnancy with the EBB Research Team
Evidence Based Birth®
In this episode, the EBB Research Team is answering three questions we received from our Pro Members! We take a close look at the evidence behind doula presence in the operating room, the risk of experiencing another severe perineal tear after a previous injury, and what white coat hypertension in pregnancy can tell us about future risk. Each question reflects real situations birth workers are encountering in practice, where guidance is often inconsistent, policies vary widely, and the research can feel hard to translate into day-to-day care. We walk through what the studies show, where...
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EBB 386 - A Peaceful yet Urgent Cesarean Birth Story with Krista DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduate and Placental Abruption Survivor
Evidence Based Birth®
In EBB 350, Krista DeYoung called in from her hospital room after weeks of inpatient monitoring for partial placental abruption. She and Dr. Rebecca Dekker had just finished a crash course on preparing for a Cesarean, not knowing that information would be needed just 30 minutes later. In this follow-up episode, Krista returns to share what happened next: the urgent decision-making, the move to labor and delivery, and the Cesarean birth that unfolded just days before her scheduled 37-week surgery. Krista walks through the physical sensations of an urgent Cesarean, the grounding techniques that...
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REPLAY: EBB 118 - How to Have a Healthy Postpartum Transition with Dr. Alyssa Berlin
Evidence Based Birth®
In one of the most popular podcast episodes ever published by Evidence Based Birth®, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with Dr. Alyssa Berlin, a clinical psychologist specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, to discuss ways to make the transition to postpartum smoother, healthier, and more joyful for families. Together, they unpack why two-thirds of couples report a drop in relationship satisfaction after childbirth, what factors contribute to emotional struggles in the postpartum period, and how social media myths can set parents up for disappointment. Through relatable stories...
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EBB 385 - A Healing Birth Center Waterbirth with Michaela Raines, EBB Childbirth Class Graduate
Evidence Based Birth®
A healing birth can change the way you understand everything that came before it. In this episode, Dr. Dekker talks with EBB Childbirth Class graduate Michaela Raines about experiencing a deeply healing birth after a first birth that didn’t go as planned. Michaela shares her first hospital birth story—including unexpected interventions, a long pushing phase, perineal trauma, and a NICU stay—and how those experiences shaped her postpartum recovery. She then walks us through how education, intentional preparation, and support helped her approach her second pregnancy differently, leading to...
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EBB 384 - Evidence on "What is a Due Date?"
Evidence Based Birth®
What is a due date, and how accurate is it, really? Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Dr. Sara Ailshire of Team EBB to walk through the latest research on due dates, pregnancy length, and what happens when pregnancies go past term. They share the new research on ultrasound dating, the natural length of pregnancy, genetics, and stillbirth risk. They also talk about what a due date actually represents and how pregnancy length varies widely between individuals. Content Note: This episode contains discussion of stillbirth, starting at 26:10 and ending at 40:57. Please take care while...
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EBB 383 - Impact of Extreme Weather on Pregnancy with Alicia Race, Climate Resilience Policy Advocate
Evidence Based Birth®
From heat waves to winter storms to hurricanes, extreme weather events are increasingly part of everyday life, and learning how they intersect with pregnancy and birth can empower families and birthworkers alike. Alicia Race, a climate resilience policy advocate with the Union of Concerned Scientists, is joining Dr. Rebecca Dekker this week to share how these events—especially during what experts now call “Danger Season”—can impact pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding families. As we enter 2026, educate yourself now about what scientists consider to be "Danger Season," why...
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Special Announcement from EBB
Evidence Based Birth®
Be the first to hear about the special event we're planning for 2026! To get on the waitlist for the upcoming event, visit .
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EBB 382 - The Power of Your Birth Story with Lisa Greaves Taylor, Host of the Birth Matters Podcast
Evidence Based Birth®
Long before labor begins, the stories we hear about birth are already shaping our expectations and choices. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Lisa Greaves Taylor, founder of Birth Matters NYC Childbirth Education, director of the East River Doula Collective, and host of the Birth Matters podcast, about the power of birth stories as tools for education, healing, and self-advocacy. Drawing from her work supporting families in New York City since 2010, Lisa shares how storytelling helps birthing people move beyond fear-based narratives and reconnect with their intuition,...
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EBB 381 - Ask Me Anything with Dr. Rebecca Dekker
Evidence Based Birth®
As 2025 comes to an end, guest host Dr. Sara Ailshire turns the tables and interviews Dr. Rebecca Dekker about the biggest childbirth trends, lessons, and breakthroughs of 2025, and what exciting changes are coming to EBB in 2026. Together, Sara and Rebecca dive into the shifting landscape of birth: the unprecedented rise in labor inductions, how AI is complicating the search for evidence-based information, changes in doula access and Medicaid coverage, and how politics continues to shape pregnancy and postpartum care. They walk through the most impactful EBB research updates of...
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Bonus Announcement from EBB
Evidence Based Birth®
The EBB End of Year Countdown Sale, featuring three days of one-day-only deals, is happening December 29 through December 31. Over those three days, we will release a different EBB tool or program at a special price, with each deal available for just 24 hours. Here’s what’s coming in the sale: Monday, December 29 - Quarterly EBB Pro Membership PLUS a FREE physical Pocket Guide of your choice for $149. Tuesday, December 30 - Bundle the Annual EBB Pro Membership with a 2-day ticket to the virtual 2026 EBB Conference for $499. Wednesday, December 31 - Order your...
info_outlineToday, we’re sharing a replay of our podcast episode with EBB Childbirth Class parent, Angela Jones, about having an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth when labeled as high risk.
Angela is a macro-level social worker, wife to her husband, Tony, and mom to her son, Allister, and their cats, Pumpernickel and Lion-O. Angela and Tony graduated from the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class with EBB instructor, Victoria Michonski. Both Victoria and Heather McCullough, who is also an EBB instructor, were Angela and Tony’s doulas for Allister’s birth.
In today's replay, we talk about Angela’s birth story and her experience having an easy, uncomplicated pregnancy and birth despite being labeled as high risk for multiple reasons. We also talk about data birth outcomes for people who have multiple high-risk labels.
Three years later, Angela shared this thoughtful update as she reflected on her birth story.
Update from Angela: When I am having difficult moments, I sometimes look back at the video of myself giving birth to Allister and feel such peace. Allister turned 3 this year, and recently he has been asking about how he came into this world. My husband and I have been showing him the video of him being born and when he sees it, he looks at me, almost in awe, with a big smile. He now requests to see it at least once per week. Going into my birthing time, I never imagined that I would have 41 hours of active labor. I still credit the EBB course and my amazing doulas with having prepared me well in understanding all of the tools that were available to me when, after 30 hours of not being able to tolerate any food or water, I decided that I wanted to depart from my original birth plan. Getting an epidural allowed me to eat, drink, sleep and then ultimately push my son out gently in the position of my choosing. This was the exact birth experience that I wanted. I still encourage women, especially those who are afraid (in particular, those who are afraid due to multiple "high risk" labels) to not settle for a care team that is anything less than supportive, safe, and empowering.
Content note: We talk about ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy losses, high-risk pregnancy complications, and perinatal morbidity.
Resources:
- Learn more about EBB Instructor, Victoria Michonski, here. Follow Victoria on Instagram and Facebook.
- Learn more about EBB Instructor, Heather McCullough, here. Follow Heather on Instagram and Facebook.
- Sheen, J. J., Wright, J. D., Goffman, D., et al. (2018). Maternal age and risk for adverse outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Oct;219(4):390.e1-390.e15. Click 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.