In the Evidence Based Birth® podcast, we cover the research evidence on hot topics about pregnancy and childbirth! Our mission is to help birth workers build th...
EBB 351 -"Home Birth is a National Heritage!" and other Surprising Features of the Dutch Healthcare System with Doula Madi van Tonder
Madi van Tonder is a birth photographer, doula, and educator based in the Netherlands. Originally from South Africa, Madi has lived in multiple countries and brings a unique perspective to birth work, particularly for families navigating new healthcare systems. Join Dr. Dekker and Madi as she shares insights into the Dutch maternity care system, where midwives play a central role, home birth is considered a national heritage, and postpartum families receive in-home support through the Kraamzorg system. We explore how Dutch birth culture prioritizes physiological birth, minimizes unnecessary interventions, and encourages parents to trust in their bodies. Madi also highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families and the importance of informed decision-making, regardless of where you give birth. (00:03:16) Overview of the Dutch Maternity Care System: Midwife-Led Model (00:05:52) Home Birth as National Heritage: Dutch Birth Culture & Trends (00:06:54) Role of Doulas in the Netherlands & Their Place in the System (00:10:33) Dutch Approach to Birth Interventions & Cesarean Rates (00:12:46) Pain Management Options: Non-Medicated Comfort Measures First (00:16:18) Early Hospital Discharge & the Kraamzorg Postpartum Care System (00:20:01) Dutch Parental Leave Policies & Family-Friendly Work Culture (00:22:54) Challenges in the System: Protocols, Immigration, & Language Barriers (00:28:47) Lessons from the Dutch Birth Model: Autonomy, Education & Low-Intervention Birth (00:31:08) Madi’s Advice for Expecting Parents & Birth Professionals Resources Learn more about Madi van Tonder and her work at Meraki Madi. 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.
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32:51
EBB 350 - Surviving a Long Antepartum Hospital Stay and Preparing for a Scheduled Cesarean with Krista DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduate
EBB Childbirth Class graduate Krista DeYoung joins us from her hospital room to share her journey through a high-risk pregnancy, an extended antepartum hospital stay for partial placental abruption, and preparing for a scheduled Cesarean at 37 weeks. Krista opens up about the challenges of long-term hospitalization, advocating for herself in a complex medical system, and the emotional toll of being away from her family. Dr. Rebecca Dekker walks Krista through creating a Cesarean birth plan, covering topics like delayed cord clamping, optimizing the operating room experience, and postpartum recovery expectations and strategies. (00:03:01) High-Risk Pregnancy & Partial Placental Abruption Diagnosis (00:07:35) Managing an Antepartum Hospital Stay: Challenges & Coping Strategies (00:12:09) Navigating Medical Information & Self-Advocacy in the Hospital (00:26:53) Mental Health Strategies & Staying Positive in a Prolonged Hospital Stay (00:31:36) Preparing for a Cesarean Birth: Creating a Birth Preferences Plan (00:36:28) Discussing Delayed Cord Clamping & Other Cesarean Options (00:45:17) What to Expect Physically & Emotionally During a Cesarean (00:48:52) Postpartum Recovery: Healing, Movement, and Emotional Processing (00:53:29) Building a Postpartum Support Plan Resources EBB 304 – Q & A on PPD/Pitocin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Nubain, and Placental encapsulation EBB 305 – A High-Risk Pregnancy and Miraculous Birth with Krista and John DeYoung, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates EBB 343 – Top Ten Evidence-Based Strategies for Lowering the Risk of Cesarean 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.
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58:16
EBB 349 - An L & D Nurse's Advice for Advocating in the Birth Room with Trish Ware the Labor Nurse Mama
In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Trish Ware, Registered Nurse, childbirth educator, and host of The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama. With 16 years of labor and delivery nursing experience, Trish shares her journey from feeling disempowered during her first birth to becoming an advocate for changing the birth culture one birth at a time. Tune in as Trish and Rebecca discuss how to effectively advocate for yourself during labor, overcome fears of being "that patient," and navigate common labor scenarios like refusing unnecessary interventions. Learn tips for building a strong birth team, empowering your partner to advocate for you, and ensuring your voice is heard in the delivery room. (01:31) Trish’s Journey to Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse (05:42) Early Birth Experiences and the Importance of Advocacy (10:59) The Power of Human Dignity During C-Sections (13:38) Why Parents Struggle to Advocate for Themselves (17:07) Changing the Power Dynamic in the Labor Room (20:43) Thinking Outside the Bed: Encouraging Movement in Labor (25:43) Advocating for Yourself with Simple, Firm Responses (34:57) Protecting Yourself Against Unwanted Interventions (38:59) Empowering Birth Partners to Advocate Effectively (43:31) Building Strong Birth Teams with Nurses and Doulas Resources Join the virtual EBB Conference here. Explore birth classes and the Mama Membership at Labor Nurse Mama. Listen to The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama podcast here. Follow Trish on Instagram for educational content and reels: @LaborNurseMama. Learn about induction and informed consent with the Induction Pocket Guide here. 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.
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46:47
EBB 348 - Best Practices for Size-Inclusive Birth Care with Jen McLellan of Plus Size Birth
Jen McLellan, founder of Plus Size Birth and host of the Plus Mommy Podcast, is joining Dr. Dekker to explore how birth workers can provide compassionate, size-inclusive care for people in larger bodies. Jen shares her journey to founding Plus Size Birth, the impact of size bias in healthcare, and practical advice for both expectant parents and birth professionals. Together, they discuss how to challenge assumptions about plus-size pregnancies, the importance of self-advocacy, and how to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all bodies during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. (01:41) Jen’s Journey to Founding Plus Size Birth (03:42) Misconceptions About Plus-Size Pregnancy (07:35) The Effects of Weight Bias in Healthcare (10:09) Navigating Healthcare as a Plus-Size Person (14:36) Tips for Birth Workers to Provide Size-Inclusive Care (17:46) The Power of Language in Size-Inclusive Care (24:06) The Impact of Healthcare Bias on Other Areas (28:50) The Challenge of Anesthesia for Plus-Size People (33:09) Addressing Bias in Fertility and Pregnancy (43:40) The Future of Ozempic and Weight Loss in Pregnancy (46:17) Empowering People Through Size-Inclusive Support (50:47) Body Image and Advocacy Resources Get the Plus Size Pregnancy Guide and Audio Book here. Sign up for the Size-Friendly Birth Course for Birth Professionals here. Tune in to the Plus Mommy Podcast here. 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.
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56:27
EBB 347 - Updated Evidence on Vitamin K
In this very important episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker is taking a look at the updated evidence on Vitamin K for newborns. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) is a rare but serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications in infants. Dr. Dekker breaks down what Vitamin K is, why newborns are at risk for VKDB, and the different supplementation options available—including the Vitamin K shot and oral drops. This episode also tackles myths and misinformation surrounding Vitamin K, including concerns about safety, the so-called “gentle birth” exemption, and the controversial "black box warning." Armed with new research, we explore the effectiveness of various oral Vitamin K regimens, and go over the global recommendations for Vitamin K supplementation. (00:04:01) The Essential Role of Vitamin K for Blood Clotting (00:08:10) Significance of Vitamin K in Newborns' Health (00:14:31) Preventing VKDB: Vitamin K Shot vs Drops (00:16:14) Vitamin K Shot vs. Oral Drops Debate (00:20:00) Effectiveness of Oral Vitamin K Drops vs. Injection (00:31:39) Vitamin K Transfer Through Placental Barrier (00:41:33) Preventing VKDB in Newborns: Pros and Cons of Vitamin K Options Resources: Read the full-length EBB Signature Article on Vitamin K (includes all scientific references + a FREE 1-page handout!) at https://ebbirth.com/vitaminK EBB Pocket Guide to Newborn Procedures: https://ebbirth.com/shop EBB Childbirth Class: https://ebbirth.com/childbirthclass CDC Real stories: People with Vitamin K. Deficiency Bleeding CDC VKDB information Watch this YouTube video from Dr. Matt and Dr. Mike about Hemostasis and the Clotting Cascade (and why Vitamin K and Calcium are important) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions: How to Spot Fake News University of Chicago: Evaluating Resources and Misinformation Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers (and other people who care about facts) 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 the Evidence Based Birth® podcast, we cover the research evidence on hot topics about pregnancy and childbirth! Our mission is to help birth workers build the evidence based knowledge, skills, and power they need to protect families' ability to give birth with empowerment. The work we do has a huge impact on parents who are searching for accurate information to empower their prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences!
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