Let's Talk About Birth

Let’s Talk About Birth is a limited podcast series hosted by board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, returning to the mic to keep the conversation going, this time with a focus on birth. In a space filled with noise, from unsolicited “helpful” advice to the overwhelming and often inaccurate information online, coupled with a medical system that is not meeting the needs of pregnant people, this series cuts through the chaos to talk about what truly matters. With a refreshingly honest, myth-busting approach to pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, Dr. Jen brings evidence-based insight, compassion, humor, and relatability to inspiring conversations with a wide range of guests, unpacking the beautiful, the messy, and everything in between. You may recognize her voice from her previous podcast Let’s Talk About Down There or from her presence as a reproductive health advocate to more than 4 million followers, and now she’s back with a series designed to inform, support, and empower. She’s also the author of her latest book, The Birth Book: An OBGYN’s Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery, which aims to pull back the curtain on labor and delivery so every pregnant person can have the birth they want and deserve. So whether you’re expecting, have been through it, are supporting someone you love, or are simply curious… let’s talk about birth!

  1. Let’s Talk About Birth Disparities and Maternal Health Inequality

    4 DAYS AGO

    Let’s Talk About Birth Disparities and Maternal Health Inequality

    Why are birth outcomes in the U.S. still so unequal and what can you actually do about it? In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is joined by Silvia Salazar, a Colombian-born political content creator and founder of Tono Latino, and Rose Horton, RN, founder and CEO of Not On My Watch Consulting Partners and President of AWHONN, to unpack the reality of maternal health disparities, share powerful real-life experiences, and offer practical ways to advocate for yourself and others.   We Talk About…  • Maternal health disparities and why outcomes differ across racial and ethnic groups  • How bias, communication gaps, and systemic barriers impact care  • Real stories that highlight gaps in care and patient experience  • How fear and access affect healthcare decisions in marginalized communities  • Why respectful, patient-centered care matters  • How to advocate for yourself and support others  Order The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery here!     Follow your host @drjenniferlincoln  Episode Links & Resources:  Silvia Salazar Breaking the Feed podcast  Rose Horton  AWHONN   Preeclampsia Foundation   Legacy by Dr. Blackstock  Healthy Mom & Baby Magazine   Nobody Told Me About That by Ginger Breedlove   Download the Count the Kicks App   Birth Vibes by Dr. Jen Hamilton   Siembra North Carolina   Community Change Action  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    58 min
  2. Let’s Talk About When Birth Doesn’t Go as Planned: Complications and Unexpected Outcomes

    23 MAR

    Let’s Talk About When Birth Doesn’t Go as Planned: Complications and Unexpected Outcomes

    Not every birth goes according to plan and that can be really hard to talk about. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is joined by OB-GYN Dr. Maryanne Garvie and nurse Courtney Dimmick, who share a uniquely personal and professional perspective on what happens when things take an unexpected turn. Maryanne was Courtney’s doctor during her delivery and they also work together at the same hospital, offering a rare look at both sides of the experience. Through Courtney’s story and their shared insight, they unpack how quickly situations can change, what’s happening behind the scenes during emergencies, and how to navigate the emotional impact when birth doesn’t go as planned.    We Talk About...  • What it really means when “things don’t go as planned” during birth  • Postpartum hemorrhage, emergency interventions, and what’s happening behind the scenes  • Why birth trauma is personal and not defined by outcomes alone  • How to prepare for the unexpected without spiraling into fear  • What support, communication, and informed consent should look like in real time  • Processing a difficult birth experience and why your feelings are valid    Pre-Order The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery here!     Follow your host @drjenniferlincoln  Episode Links & Resources:  1. Postpartum Support International: Resources for postpartum depression, anxiety, trauma, and more   2. Make Birth Better — UK-based organization with excellent informational PDFs  3. Birth Trauma Association — UK-based, extensive information and support  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    54 min
  3. Let’s Talk About Choosing a Pediatrician for Your Newborn

    16 MAR

    Let’s Talk About Choosing a Pediatrician for Your Newborn

    Choosing a pediatrician is one of the first major decisions you’ll make as a parent, and it can come with a lot of questions. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln sits down with board-certified pediatrician and founder of Peds Doc Talk, Dr. Mona Amin, to talk about what parents should know before their baby arrives. From navigating vaccine conversations and newborn medications to making feeding decisions and finding a pediatrician you trust, this conversation offers practical guidance and reassurance for the early days of parenting.  We Talk About…  How to choose a pediatrician and why prenatal “meet and greet” visits can help you find the right fit Why vaccine hesitancy is increasing and how parents can find reliable, evidence-based information The purpose of the newborn Hepatitis B vaccine, Vitamin K, and antibiotic eye ointment Breastfeeding, formula feeding, and making informed feeding decisions without guilt How misinformation spreads online and how parents can advocate for their child’s care  Dr. Mona’s personal birth story and how it shaped her perspective as both a physician and a parent   Pre-Order The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery here!     Follow your host @drjenniferlincoln  Episode Links & Resources:  Dr. Mona Amin   @pedsdoctalk  Pedsdoctalk.com   The Peds Doc Talk Podcast  American Academy of Pediatrics  Vaccine Education Center See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1hr 7min
  4. Let’s Talk About Hospital Birth: The Inside Scoop on Labor and Delivery

    9 MAR

    Let’s Talk About Hospital Birth: The Inside Scoop on Labor and Delivery

    Hospital birth gets a lot of opinions and not always a lot of nuance. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is joined by labor and delivery nurse and educator Jen Hamilton for an honest, funny, and refreshingly transparent conversation about what really happens on labor and delivery. From outdated hospital policies and informed consent to epidurals, unmedicated birth, staffing ratios, doulas, and birth trauma, this is the inside scoop on how to navigate the system while still feeling empowered. If you’re planning a hospital birth and want practical tips, myth-busting clarity, and a reminder that your voice matters, this one’s for you.  We Talk About…  The real inside scoop on hospital birth and informed consent How to prepare for pain management, with or without an epidural Choosing your provider and why staffing ratios matter Myths about birth positions, doulas, C-sections, and your placenta How to advocate for yourself if something feels off Planning your birth “vibes,” not just your birth plan  Pre-Order The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery here!   Follow your host @drjenniferlincoln  Episode Links & Resources:   Jen Hamilton  @_jen_hamilton_  Pre-order Birth Vibes, wherever you get your books.  www.jenhamilton.co/birthvibes  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 hr
  5. Let’s Talk About Home Birth vs Hospital Birth: Where and With Whom to Have Your Baby

    2 MAR

    Let’s Talk About Home Birth vs Hospital Birth: Where and With Whom to Have Your Baby

    Hospital birth, birth center, or home birth...and how do you even decide!? In the first official episode of Let’s Talk About Birth, board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is joined by Ashley Walter, CNM; birth photographer & doula, Monet Nicole; and Dr. Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, to unpack the realities of birth settings, safety, and choice. This conversation cuts through the noise with evidence, empathy, and clarity so listeners can feel empowered to choose what’s right for them and their babies.  We Talk About...  Hospital vs. birth center vs. home birth OB-GYNs, midwives, and doulas — who does what? What the evidence says about safety Risk tolerance and personal choice When and why birth plans change The emotional side of birth and feeling supported  Pre-Order The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery here!     Follow your host @drjenniferlincoln    Episode Links & Resources  Ashlee Walter, CNM, MSN  Certified Nurse Midwife at Women’s Healthcare Associates  Website: https://www.whallc.com  Monet Nicole  Licensed Midwife and Founder of Monet Nicole Birth Services  Website: https://www.monetnicole.com/  Dr. Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN  Founder of Evidence Based Birth®  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth  Evidence Based Birth® Website: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/author/  Learn more about the evidence on doulas at https://ebbirth.com/doulas Learn more about the “My Doula Visit” Workbook at https://evidencebasedbirth.com/doula-workbook/ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2017, reaffirmed 2023).” ACOG Committee Opinion No. 697: planned home birth.” Obstet Gynecol 129(4): e117–e122.Bovbjerg, M. L., Cheyney, M., Hoehn-Velasco, L., et al. (2024). “Planned Home Births in the United States Have Outcomes Comparable to Planned Birth Center Births for Low-Risk Birthing Individuals.” Med Care 62(12): 820-829.Comeau, A., Hutton, E. K., Simioni, J., et al. (2018). “Home birth integration into the health care systems of eleven international jurisdictions.” Birth 45(3): 311-321.Dias, Y., Achebe, N. E., Doering, M. M., et al. (2025). “Intrapartum doula support and Cesarean delivery rates: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Obstet Gynecol 147(1): 73–84.Falconi et al. (2024). “Role of doulas in improving maternal health and health equity among Medicaid enrollees, 2014–2023.” Am J Public Health 114(11): 1275–1285.Hutton, E. K., Cappelletti, A., Reitsma, A. H., et al. (2016). “Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies.” CMAJ 188(5): E80-E90.Snowden, J. M., Tilden, E. L., Snyder, J., et al. (2015). “Planned out-of-hospital birth and birth outcomes.” N Eng J Med 383: 2642-2653. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Campbell, K., Carson, G., Azzam, H., Hutton, E. (2019). “No. 372 - Statement on Planned Homebirth.” JOGC 41(2): 223-227.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1hr 3min

About

Let’s Talk About Birth is a limited podcast series hosted by board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, returning to the mic to keep the conversation going, this time with a focus on birth. In a space filled with noise, from unsolicited “helpful” advice to the overwhelming and often inaccurate information online, coupled with a medical system that is not meeting the needs of pregnant people, this series cuts through the chaos to talk about what truly matters. With a refreshingly honest, myth-busting approach to pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, Dr. Jen brings evidence-based insight, compassion, humor, and relatability to inspiring conversations with a wide range of guests, unpacking the beautiful, the messy, and everything in between. You may recognize her voice from her previous podcast Let’s Talk About Down There or from her presence as a reproductive health advocate to more than 4 million followers, and now she’s back with a series designed to inform, support, and empower. She’s also the author of her latest book, The Birth Book: An OBGYN’s Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery, which aims to pull back the curtain on labor and delivery so every pregnant person can have the birth they want and deserve. So whether you’re expecting, have been through it, are supporting someone you love, or are simply curious… let’s talk about birth!

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