EBB 409 - Business Advice for New Doulas with Katie Nyberg, Doula Trainer and Founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies
Release Date: 09/02/2026
EBB 417 - Similarities between Birth and Death Doula Work with Anne Kathryn Rice, Founder of the Global Doula Project
Evidence Based Birth®
Birth and death are two of life's most profound transitions, and both deserve compassionate, person-centered care. In honor of National Caregivers Month, doula and founder of the Global Doula Project Anne Kathryn Rice joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker to explore the similarities between supporting families at the beginning and end of life. Drawing from their personal experiences with loss, they discuss the role of death doulas, how families can prepare for the dying process, and why emotional, physical, and informational support matters during life's biggest transitions. Anne Kathryn also shares how...
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EBB 416 - Evidence on Big Babies
Evidence Based Birth®
A suspected big baby isn't always a big baby, but the label alone can change a birth plan and how a birth is managed. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire explore the updated evidence on suspected big babies, including how accurately ultrasounds can predict birth weight and how the label of a “big baby” can influence birth outcomes. They break down the risks of shoulder dystocia and other birth complications, examine new research on early induction, and discuss the potential benefits and risks of planned Cesareans for big babies. For the full Signature Article,...
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EBB 415 - What is RSV? with the EBB Research Team
Evidence Based Birth®
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is an extremely common respiratory virus, but it can sometimes lead to serious illness for newborns and infants. In this episode, we cover what parents and birth professionals know about RSV and the options available for prevention. Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire walk through the basics of RSV, including how it spreads, why some infants become seriously ill, and how RSV patterns change throughout the year. They also discuss the history of RSV vaccine development and explain how advances in research led to the prevention options available...
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REPLAY: EBB 217 - Disability Justice in Birth and Parenting with Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu
Evidence Based Birth®
Ableism shapes birth, parenting, and even the ways our society values whose lives matter. In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks about disability justice in birth and parenting with Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, a Mad, Disabled, multidisciplinary care strategist/worker, educator, psychiatric survivor, healing practitioner, and founder and director of Project LETS. Together, they explore what disability justice is and how it connects to reproductive justice, from the history of forced sterilization to the ways disabled parents are penalized for both accessing and not accessing...
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EBB 414 - Evidence on Natural Labor Induction: Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Breast Stimulation
Evidence Based Birth®
Acupuncture, acupressure, and breast stimulation are popular natural labor induction methods, but what does the latest research tell us about how well they actually work? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker dives into the new research on whether these approaches can help ripen the cervix, encourage spontaneous labor, or reduce the need for a medical induction. She explores the evidence on acupuncture, acupressure, and the related practice of Shiatsu, including why studies have reached conflicting conclusions about their effectiveness. She also examines the research on breast and nipple...
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EBB 413 - Evidence on Migraines and Pregnancy: Frequency, Prevention, and Comfort Measures
Evidence Based Birth®
Migraines during pregnancy can be debilitating, and figuring out how to prevent or manage them can be especially challenging. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker explores the research on migraines during pregnancy, including why they happen, how pregnancy can affect migraine patterns, and why new or changing headaches should be taken seriously. Rebecca also discusses migraine triggers, medication overuse or “rebound” headaches, and strategies for prevention. Plus, drawing from both the research and her own lifelong experience with migraines, Rebecca shares non-pharmacological comfort...
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EBB 412 - Induction Tips for Families with High-Risk Doula Jennifer Anderson, RN
Evidence Based Birth®
An induction may change your birth plan, but it doesn’t mean giving up your preferences or your role in the decision-making process. In this episode, EBB's Director of Programs Chanté Perryman talks with team EBB's Jennifer Anderson about how families can prepare for and navigate an induction. A nurse, doula, and childbirth educator, Jennifer's sharing five of her favorite advocacy tips, including asking about outpatient cervical ripening, considering the timing of your induction, exploring monitoring options that support movement, using water for comfort, and understanding the criteria for...
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EBB 411 - Advocating for a Family Centered Cesarean with Holly and Nathan Miller, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates
Evidence Based Birth®
When Holly and Nathan Miller learned their baby was breech late in pregnancy, the unmedicated vaginal birth they had been preparing for suddenly felt out of reach. Living in rural South Georgia, they explored their options, including finding a provider experienced in vaginal breech birth, but ultimately faced limited choices close to home. In this episode, EBB Childbirth Class graduates Holly and Nathan share how they shifted their focus from the birth they had originally envisioned to creating a family-centered Cesarean experience. They talk about advocating for a clear drape and...
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EBB 410 - Evidence and Controversy Surrounding Freebirth
Evidence Based Birth®
In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire examine the available evidence on planned unassisted birth, also known as freebirth, defined as intentionally giving birth without a qualified midwife or physician present. They explore why some people choose a planned unassisted birth, including previous trauma, distrust of the medical system, barriers to preferred care, and a desire for greater autonomy. Dr. Dekker and Dr. Ailshire also explain how freebirth differs from midwife-attended home birth, what research shows about planned community birth, and the safeguards a trained...
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EBB 409 - Business Advice for New Doulas with Katie Nyberg, Doula Trainer and Founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies
Evidence Based Birth®
A passion for supporting families during birth is the foundation for a career as a doula. But once that foundation has been laid, it takes business skills, boundaries, and collaboration to be sustainable. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Katie Nyberg, founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies, about her journey from fifth-grade teacher to doula, trainer, and owner of one of Iowa’s largest doula agencies. Katie shares the early lessons she learned about setting fees, communicating with clients, and navigating the unpredictable realities of on-call work. Katie also opens up about...
info_outlineA passion for supporting families during birth is the foundation for a career as a doula. But once that foundation has been laid, it takes business skills, boundaries, and collaboration to be sustainable.
In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Katie Nyberg, founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies, about her journey from fifth-grade teacher to doula, trainer, and owner of one of Iowa’s largest doula agencies. Katie shares the early lessons she learned about setting fees, communicating with clients, and navigating the unpredictable realities of on-call work. Katie also opens up about the exhaustion that once made her consider leaving birth work altogether, and the changes that helped her build a more sustainable career. She discusses how recognizing the root causes of burnout, diversifying income, creating intentional seasons of work and rest, and building supportive relationships with other doulas keep her going.
(02:05) Katie’s journey from teacher to birth doula
(04:55) Early lessons in business, fees, and communication
(07:21) Setting healthy boundaries with clients
(11:40) Navigating childcare and the on-call doula lifestyle
(14:02) Preparing for long births and using backup support
(19:53) Recognizing and addressing doula burnout
(25:45) Saying no and making space for rest
(27:05) Growing The Iowa Baby Ladies
(33:41) Advice for new doulas getting started
(37:02) Overcoming imposter syndrome through education and experience
(43:13) Advice for building a lasting doula career
Resources
- Learn more about the EBB Instructor Program: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/
- Find an EBB Instructor: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/
- Follow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theiowababylady/
- Learn more about the Iowa Baby Ladies: https://theiowababylady.com/
- Evidence on: Doulas
- EBB 364 – How to Prevent and Heal Birthworker Burnout with Doctoral Student Ihotu Ali and Grace Flannery, Certified Professional Midwife
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.