Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN

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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Top 10 Evidence Based Birth® Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Evidence Based Birth® episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Evidence Based Birth® for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Evidence Based Birth® episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

EBB 300 - Evidence on Waterbirth

Evidence Based Birth®

02/14/24 • 50 min

Is waterbirth safe? Are there any randomized, controlled trials on this subject? What are the benefits and risks of waterbirth? And if the evidence shows that waterbirth is a safe and beneficial form of childbirth... then why do so many hospitals “ban” this practice? And how can you access a waterbirth if that is something you are interested in?

Today’s podcast episode is chock full of research from our peer-reviewed Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article: The Evidence on Waterbirth.

To learn more, download a free one-page handout, and view all the research references, go to ebbirth.com/waterbirth.

EBB Resources:

Access all the scientific references and a free 1-page handout at the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Waterbirth here.
If you’re a visual learner, watch a video about the Evidence on Waterbirth on the EBB YouTube channel here.
Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a full-length printable PDF on waterbirth) here.
Learn comfort measures and advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts:

EBB 4 - Waterbirth and the Newborn Microbiome
EBB 20 – Water Immersion during Labor
EBB 223 - An Empowering Hospital Waterbirth Story with Samantha Parker and Justin Fontaine
EBB 230 – An Inspirational Home Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Parent Shelitha Owens
EBB 258 – A Hospital Waterbirth Story with Cord Avulsion featuring EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Samantha Reizs, PhD
EBB 268 – Debunking Myths about PROM, GBS, and Waterbirth
EBB 287 – A Positive Hospital Waterbirth Story with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Katrina Hull

EBB 150 - Global Childbirth Education in Japan with Brett Iimura

Evidence Based Birth®

10/21/20 • 47 min

In this episode, I am joined with Brett Iimura to discuss global childbirth education and birth in Japan. Brett has had a varied career, including being a hansom cab driver in New York City, an ASL interpreter, field producer for Japanese TV, literacy tutor and childbirth educator, and doula. She has facilitated in-person classes as a certified childbirth educator and is the director of the Childbirth Education Center, the CEC, based in Japan. Brett has provided childbirth education classes in the United States for 25 years as well, adding a remote or virtual option nine years ago. More than 2000 birthing people and their support partners from over 80 countries have attended CEC’s classes to date. CEC also runs a program that offers a certification in the art of childbirth education for student midwives.

We talk about navigating to find a supportive birthing team in Japan, Japan’s medical approaches to birth, along with childbirth education compared to the United States. We also speak about the differences in facilitating childbirth classes internationally, along with adjusting to transitioning from in-person instruction to virtual and remote facilitated childbirth education classes.

RESOURCES:

Morton, Christine H, and Clarissa Hsu. “Contemporary dilemmas in american childbirth education: findings from a comparative ethnographic study.” The Journal of perinatal education vol. 16,4 (2007): 25-37. doi:10.1624/105812407X245614. Learn more about this study here (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174386/).

Learn more about Brett Iimura and Birth in Japan here (https://www.birthinjapan.com/).

Learn more about Kimberly Seal Allers here (https://www.kimberlysealsallers.com/) and The Irth App here (https://birthwithoutbias.com/). Follow Kimberly Seal Allers on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/iamksealsallers?lang=en) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/iamksealsallers/?hl=en). You can follow The Irth App on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/theirthapp/?hl=en) and on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/TheIrthApp).

Learn more about Cristen Pascucci and Birth Monopoly here (https://birthmonopoly.com/). Follow Birth Monopoly on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/birthmonopoly) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/birthmonopoly/?hl=en).

Learn more about Jennie Joseph here (https://jenniejoseph.com/) and Commonsense Childbirth here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/). Follow Jennie Josehp on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/MidwifeJennie) and on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/thejjway/?hl=en). Follow Commonsence Childbrith on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/perinataltskfrc/).

Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/birth-justice/) to see the Evidence Based Birth® list of Birth Justice Resources, including research on racism and maternal health.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/). Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/). Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

EBB 154 - Birthing at Home during COVID-19 with Grace and Roderick Murphy

Evidence Based Birth®

12/02/20 • 36 min

On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Grace Murphy and Roderick Murphy about their home birth during COVID. Grace Murphy has been married to Roderick Murphy for the past two years, and they were high school sweethearts. Grace and Roderick are graduates of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class. They welcomed their firstborn son, Edmond, on June 14th of 2020. Roderick has been in the Army for the past six years, and just transferred to the civilian world in July of 2020, so they've been through three nine-month deployments throughout their dating and marriage.

We will talk about their experience with having to plan and prepare for a homebirth during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talk about helpful suggestions for other families who are wanting to homebirth.

EBB 321 - An Empowering, Trauma-Informed Home Birth with First-Time Mom and EBB Childbirth Class Graduate Iris Casey

Evidence Based Birth®

07/31/24 • 56 min

Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class graduate Iris Casey is sharing her inspiring home birth story with Dr. Dekker. Iris opens up about her journey to motherhood, after grappling with the decision to become a parent and overcoming past traumas. She recounts the unexpected onset of labor, navigating the early stages with her supportive partner, and utilizing the knowledge gained from the EBB Childbirth Class and Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas," to create a tailored birth plan. Tune in to hear Iris's story of resilience, preparation, and the emotional experience of bringing her daughter, Roselle, into the world in the safety and comfort of her own home. Resources:

Check out Iris' birth and postpartum support website, Mother Essence

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.

EBB 291 - Evidence on Skin-to-Skin after a Cesarean

Evidence Based Birth®

11/15/23 • 41 min

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:

Listen to EBB Episodes:

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

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

EBB 290 - Supporting Black Families from Pregnancy through Lactation with Dr. Nastassia Harris, Founder of of Perinatal Health Equity Initiative

Evidence Based Birth®

11/08/23 • 46 min

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

EBB 153 – Pros and Cons of the Foley and Dilapan-S® for Cervical Ripening During an Induction

Evidence Based Birth®

11/18/20 • 28 min

In this episode, I will talk about cervical ripening, the Bishop score, and some "mechanical" ways to ripen the cervix. More specifically, we'll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of cervical osmotic dilators (including Dilapan-S®), and using the Foley balloon for cervical ripening.

Get on the wait list for the Pocket Guide here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/pocket-guide-wait-list/

References on Cervical Ripening:

Curran, M. (2020). Bishop Score Calculator. Click here.
Kolkman, D. G. E., Verhoeven, C. J. M., Brinkhorst, S. J., et al. (2013). Bishop score as a predictor of labor induction success: a systematic review. American Journal of Perinatology, 30(8), 625-30. Click here.
Ivars, J., Garabedian, C., Devos, P., et al. (2016). Simplified Bishop score including parity predicts successful induction of labor. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol., 203, 309-314. Click here.

References on the Foley:

Abdelhakim, A. M. Shareef, M .A., AlAmodi, A. A., et al. (2020). Outpatient versus inpatient balloon catheter insertion for labor induction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, In Press. Click here.
Alfirevic, Z., Keeney, E., Dowswell, T., et al. (2016). Methods to induce labour: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. BJOG., 123(9), 1462-1470. Click here.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2009, Reaffirmed 2019). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of labor. Obstet Gynecol.,114(2 Pt 1), 386-397. Click here.
de Vaan, M. D. T., ten Eikelder, M. L. G., Jozwiak, M., et al. (2019). Mechanical methods for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD001233. Click here.
Dong, S., Khan, M., Hashimi, F., et al. (2020). Inpatient versus outpatient induction of labour: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 20(1), 382. Click here.
Leduc, D., Biringer, A., Lee, L., et al. (2013). Induction of Labor: SOGC Clinical Practice Guideline. No. 296, 35(9), 840-857. Click here.
Liu, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, F., et al. (2019). Double- versus single-balloon catheters for labour induction and cervical ripening: a meta-analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 19(1), 358. Click here.
Simpson, K. R. (2020). Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition. AWHONN Practice Monograph, 24(4), PS1-S41. Click here.

References on Dilapan-S:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2009, Reaffirmed 2019). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of labor. Obstet Gynecol.,114(2 Pt 1), 386-397. Click here.
Levine, L. D., Valencia, C. M. and Tolosa, J. E. (2020). Induction of labor in continuing pregnancies. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol., S1521-6934(20), 30079-1. Click here.
Gupta, J., Chodankar, R., Baev, O., et al. (2018). Synthetic osmotic dilators in the induction of labour-An international multicentre observational study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol., 229, 70-75. Click here.
Saad, A. F., Villarreal, J., Eid, J., et al...

EBB 203 - Including the 9 Stages of Newborn Behavior in Postpartum Care with EBB Continuing Education Coordinator, Kayla Bitten

Evidence Based Birth®

12/08/21 • 36 min

On today's podcast, we talk with Kayla Bitten, student midwife, about the nine stages of newborn behavior. Kayla Bitten (she/her) is a Black queer medical racism and equity activist, educator, and writer with over 10 years experience in the world of birth work. Kayla’s work is rooted in tradition, advocacy, and her southern culture. Kayla is a student midwife in Alabama and is working to provide equitable support and options for BIPOC families, along with educating fellow birth workers on the importance of skills and cultural humility, which she does through her business, The Southern Midwife. Kayla is also the owner of Alabama's first Black owned lactation clinic, The Postpartum Clinic, providing accessible lactation and postpartum care that goes beyond the American standard and prioritizes the uninsured and BIPOC postpartum families. In today's podcast episode, we talk about what Kayla learned about the difference in the roles and training of doulas in the U.S. versus other countries, and what inspired her to become a midwife. We also talk about the importance of learning the nine stages of newborn behavior, and how we can shift the care focus for newborn babies in a way that better supports lactation. Content warning: We mention pregnancy loss.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Kayla and The Southern Midwife here. Learn more about The Postpartum Clinic here.

Learn more about the L.A. Doula Project here.

Learn more about the Joy in Birthing Foundation here.

Learn more about Babies Are Not Pizzas:They’re Born, Not Delivered here.

Learn more about the Healthy Children's Project here.

EBB 193 - Evidence on Essential Oils during Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

Evidence Based Birth®

09/22/21 • 43 min

In this episode I am joined by Anna Bertone (she/her), MPH, a research consultant at Evidence Based Birth®, to discuss the evidence on aromatherapy and essential oils for use during pregnancy, labor/birth, and postpartum. In this episode, we cover:

What is aromatherapy, where did it come from, and how does it work?
What have researchers found on essential oils for nausea and vomiting, stress reduction, and immune function during pregnancy?
Which essential oils have been found to be effective for reducing labor pain and anxiety, encouraging labor progress, and treating post-Cesarean symptoms?
What does the research say about aromatherapy for use postpartum, including with post-Cesarean symptoms, perineal trauma, sleep, and depression and anxiety?
Are there any important safety precautions to be aware of, and what is the bottom line?

This episode was inspired by a peer-reviewed article we published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, in a special symposium that was edited by Shilpa Babbar, MD, MS, FACOG. Reference: Bertone, A. C., & Dekker, R. L. (September 2021). "Aromatherapy in Obstetrics: A Critical Review of the Literature." Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology 64(3): 572-588.

Here are some other resources we mentioned:

Access the EBB Pain Management Video Series here https://evidencebasedbirth.com/category-pain-management-series/
You can find the abstract of our research paper, as well as a complete list of references used in this podcast can be found on PubMed here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33927109/

EBB 297 - Frequently Asked Questions about Breech with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA

Evidence Based Birth®

01/17/24 • 16 min

In the previous episode (EBB 296), we covered the evidence on breech vaginal birth. This week we are answering your questions!

Can a baby spontaneously flip from breech back to head-first position before birth? Is home breech birth safe or not? Which factors influence the chances you'll have a breech baby? On today’s podcast, join us on a Q & A all about breech birth!

If you want to get informed and empowered on the topic of breech positioning in pregnancy—either for yourself or for your clients—then this podcast is for you!

Content note: Discussion of statistics on mortality, serious morbidity (illness/injury), and home birth transfer related to breech birth.

EBB Resources:

For the scientific references that go along with this Q & A, visit our blog article here.
Watch the video of this podcast episode on the EBB YouTube channel here!
Access the EBB Signature Article: Evidence on Breech Version with a free handout here.
Join the EBB Pro Membership and get access to contact hours, a doula mentorship, live trainings, and a PDF Library with exclusive handouts (including a 2-page handout on breech) by joining here.
Learn advocacy techniques through the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB Podcasts about Breech:

EBB Podcast 111: Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin
EBB Podcast 171: The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
EBB Podcast 172: Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
EBB Podcast 173: Evidence on Breech Version
EBB Podcast 296: The Evidence on Breech Birth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA
EBB Podcast 298: Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
EBB Podcast 299: A Breech Vaginal Birth Story with EBB Parents Naoma and Mohamed [Coming soon!]

Other Resources:

Check out the workshops at Breech without Borders here.
Watch a video of Dr. Larry Hinkson teaching the gentle External Cephalic Version Technique here.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Evidence Based Birth® have?

Evidence Based Birth® currently has 330 episodes available.

What topics does Evidence Based Birth® cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Parenting, Kids & Family, Pregnancy, Doula, Medicine, Midwife, Podcasts and Birth.

What is the most popular episode on Evidence Based Birth®?

The episode title 'EBB 125 - Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Evidence Based Birth®?

The average episode length on Evidence Based Birth® is 40 minutes.

How often are episodes of Evidence Based Birth® released?

Episodes of Evidence Based Birth® are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Evidence Based Birth®?

The first episode of Evidence Based Birth® was released on Jan 12, 2018.

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Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN

Top 10 Evidence Based Birth® Episodes

Featured in these lists

FAQ

How many episodes does Evidence Based Birth® have?

What topics does Evidence Based Birth® cover?

What is the most popular episode on Evidence Based Birth®?

What is the average episode length on Evidence Based Birth®?

How often are episodes of Evidence Based Birth® released?

When was the first episode of Evidence Based Birth®?

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