How to Avoid a Traumatic Birth with Dr. Rebecca L. Dekker, PhD, RN
05/29/24 • 53 min
Today we’re talking about how to overcome, and avoid, traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest for this conversation, Rebecca, shared with me a statistic that blew my mind: 35-45% of people report having a traumatic birth... An absolutely enormous number! Throughout our conversation, Rebecca shares some key factors that play a role resulting in traumatic birth experiences, red flags to keep an eye out for when working with your care provider, and 3 top-tier tips for preparing for childbirth. Additionally, we go into her expert’s take on elective labor induction, how to advocate for yourself, and different birthing positions. We round out our wonderful conversation with how parents and those in the birth team can learn to advocate for themselves if they are feeling pressured or coerced by their care provider. The information in this conversation is so rich and I’m hoping that by the end of this conversation, you’re going to feel so much more ready to move into that experience and have the confidence of your team around you.
Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN joins me for this special conversation. Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered! Previously, Dr. Dekker was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth.® Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast!
Rebecca would like to offer the advice to expectant parents to do the research in finding the right care provider for you and educate yourself in building a supportive birth team. It is never too late, and it may feel like a trap, but you can be creative and resourceful in finding a way to get people who you trust at your birth. If it’s not possible to switch, then make sure you have strong advocates in the room with you that are ready to speak on your behalf. Rebecca would like you to know that it’s not your fault if your care provider is abusing you and it’s not your job to find another doctor to replace them. Most the time, there's somebody else who can step in, and most of the time they come in really willing to help and feeling bad that you've had a bad experience.
Resources:
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Babies-Are-Not-Pizzas-Delivered/dp/1732549664
- Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we’re talking about how to overcome, and avoid, traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest for this conversation, Rebecca, shared with me a statistic that blew my mind: 35-45% of people report having a traumatic birth... An absolutely enormous number! Throughout our conversation, Rebecca shares some key factors that play a role resulting in traumatic birth experiences, red flags to keep an eye out for when working with your care provider, and 3 top-tier tips for preparing for childbirth. Additionally, we go into her expert’s take on elective labor induction, how to advocate for yourself, and different birthing positions. We round out our wonderful conversation with how parents and those in the birth team can learn to advocate for themselves if they are feeling pressured or coerced by their care provider. The information in this conversation is so rich and I’m hoping that by the end of this conversation, you’re going to feel so much more ready to move into that experience and have the confidence of your team around you.
Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN joins me for this special conversation. Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered! Previously, Dr. Dekker was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth.® Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast!
Rebecca would like to offer the advice to expectant parents to do the research in finding the right care provider for you and educate yourself in building a supportive birth team. It is never too late, and it may feel like a trap, but you can be creative and resourceful in finding a way to get people who you trust at your birth. If it’s not possible to switch, then make sure you have strong advocates in the room with you that are ready to speak on your behalf. Rebecca would like you to know that it’s not your fault if your care provider is abusing you and it’s not your job to find another doctor to replace them. Most the time, there's somebody else who can step in, and most of the time they come in really willing to help and feeling bad that you've had a bad experience.
Resources:
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Babies-Are-Not-Pizzas-Delivered/dp/1732549664
- Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
Healing Diastasis Recti with Anna Hammond, DPT
Today I am so excited for you to hear this conversation on one of my favorite subjects: diastasis recti. This is a conversation I especially wanted to have because I love learning and teaching about diastasis and the pelvic floor! We talk about what diastasis is, the misconceptions, how to heal, and what we can do to strengthen the linea alba. Anna and I dive right in, and full disclosure: we get a little geeky.
We have a special guest today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Anna Hammond. Anna has her doctorate in physical therapy and has been a physical therapist (DPT) for 15 years. She’s an orthopedic certified specialist and a certified strength and conditioning coach. She’s now the head PT at Core Exercise Solutions, where she assists in program development, creating continuing education, mentorship, 1:1 consultations, and leading their Learning Through Applications membership. I myself completed the Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist certification program a few years ago when I wanted to learn even more! I think those who are pregnant and postpartum will really enjoy hearing this conversation to understand how their body is working and understand diastasis. Additionally, anyone in the fitness world who is working with the perinatal community is going to get a lot out of this.
Anna would like to offer the advice to new and expectant parents to make time for yourself and connect with your body. There’s a lot of emotion involved with healing the body postpartum, as it can sometimes feel like you and your body are speaking two different languages. However, like any relationship, the more you connect with it, the more you’re going to have a better relationship. It’s all about how to trouble-shoot your own body and how you can understand it better. This helps give a sense of empowerment, because you start to gather what you can do in the meantime before the checkup, and take control. Understanding that postpartum has many seasons is crucial in managing expectations, while keeping yourself accountable and taking action with your healing!
Resources:
https://www.coreexercisesolutions.com/pces/ (Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise Specialist course)
Additional videos: What is Pressure Management? Diastasis Recti Recovery, Pelvic Floor Recovery and Hernia Health.
Making Everything a Core Exercise to Help Improve Diastasis
- Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
The Body Ready Method and How It Can Help Your Birth! with Taylor Lee Bello
Have you ever thought about the importance of having your body internally balanced for labor and birth? Today we discuss The Body Ready Method and how it can assist you in your birth, because let’s be honest: so much of a functional birth is the work we do ahead of time!
On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I’m speaking with Taylor Lee Bello, a Body Ready Method Professional and Birth Doula serving NYC and the tri-state area. Her practice enhances the body for birth, empowers new parents, and ultimately supports optimal labor and delivery experiences through hands-on work, comfort measures and emotional support, while advocating for her clients to experience their desired birth outcome.
If you’ve ever wondered about where to open the pelvis to help baby through, as well as what to do when/if labor stalls, then this episode is for you. Bringing so much insight into the conversation, Taylor gives new and expectant parents the advice to always ask why! She stresses the importance of seeking options and affirms that knowledge is power, especially in birth. Lastly, she reminds you to always listen to your gut and never be afraid to seek support... because it’s there for a reason.
Resources:
- Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!)
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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