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!

  1. hace 7 h

    EBB 400 - Best of Evidence Based Birth®

    Happy EBB 400! In honor of this milestone, Team EBB is looking back on some of our and your favorite episodes of the EBB Podcast from the past nine years. From advocacy in birth and improving maternity care to exercise in pregnancy, postpartum support, Vitamin K, and upright birthing positions, this anniversary episode highlights the stories and evidence that have shaped the EBB community since 2017. Whether you've been here since episode one or just recently found the podcast, this episode is a celebration of evidence-based information and the families and professionals who make this work meaningful. (07:04) Jennie Joseph on The JJ Way® and Improving Maternity Care (12:56) JaMichael Perryman on Birth Advocacy and Supporting Your Partner (18:26) Evidence on Birthing Positions and Protecting the Perineum (23:51) Exercise in Pregnancy with MamasteFit's Gina Conley (29:14) Cheyanne Saenz on Self-Advocacy and Knowing Your Rights in Birth (33:15) Q&A: Pitocin and Postpartum Depression (39:24) Updated Evidence on Vitamin K for Newborns (44:56) Rebecca's Mom Shares Her Experiences with Twilight Sleep and Changing Birth Practices (47:46) Looking Back on 400 Episodes and Looking Ahead to the Future of EBB Resources EBB 136 – Solutions for the Crisis in American Maternity Care EBB 145 – Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JaMichael Perryman EBB 221 – Evidence on Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practices for Protecting the Perineum EBB 264 – Top 3 Tips for Exercise in Pregnancy with Gina and Roxanne of Mamaste Fit EBB 208 – Advocating for Your Rights in Birth with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Cheyanne Saenz EBB 304 - Q & A on PPD/Pitocin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Nubain, and Placental Encapsulation EBB 347 - Updated Evidence on Vitamin K EBB 75 - Birth in Twilight Sleep – the Experiences of Rebecca's Mom

    50 min
  2. 27 may

    EBB 399 - Benefits and Safety of Exercise during Pregnancy with Ashley Reid, Exercise Physiologist and Author of "Active Mom"

    Pregnancy fitness advice has changed dramatically over the last few decades, but many parents still receive outdated recommendations rooted more in fear than evidence. After receiving outdated advice during her own pregnancy, exercise physiologist and prenatal/postnatal wellness practitioner Ashley Reid was inspired to help moms stay active through every stage of motherhood. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Ashley about the latest evidence on exercise and strength training during pregnancy and postpartum. Ashley shares why old recommendations like keeping your heart rate under 140 beats per minute are outdated, what the research actually says about lifting weights during pregnancy, and how to safely build strength in ways that support your changing body. She also explains her "Core, Function, and Fitness" framework and how to approach postpartum recovery as a gradual progression instead of a rush back to exercise. (03:55) Outdated pregnancy exercise advice and the "140 beats per minute" rule (06:27) Fear around heart rate monitoring and exercise intensity in pregnancy (08:42) What the research says about exercise safety and pregnancy (13:20) Ashley's "Core, Function, and Fitness" framework (17:20) Why core strength matters during pregnancy (20:47) Is lifting weights during pregnancy safe? (25:25) Signs it may be time to modify or pause exercise (27:23) How pregnancy exercise supports postpartum recovery (30:01) Returning to exercise postpartum and the new 2025 guidelines (36:27) Ashley shares what readers will learn in her book Active Mom (37:56) Sample workout progressions and making exercise work for you Resources Learn more about Active Mom Fitness: activemomfitness.com/ Get your copy of Ashley's Book, "Active Mom": activemomfitness.com/books 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.

    41 min
  3. 20 may

    EBB 398 - Supporting Neurodivergence in Birth and Postpartum with Victoria White, Doula and Author of "Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters"

    Many neurodivergent people move through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum feeling misunderstood and unsupported in healthcare settings that were not designed with their minds in mind. In this episode, doula and founder of Neurodivergent Birth Victoria White shares how her own later-in-life autism and ADHD diagnoses reshaped her understanding of her postpartum experiences and why many neurodivergent parents struggle in systems that often assume everyone processes in the same way. Learn about how sensory processing, communication, and executive functioning challenges can shape the perinatal experience for neurodivergent families and the small changes that can help neurodivergent people feel safer, more supported, and empowered. (04:30) The four support pillars of neurodivergent birth (10:11) How sleep deprivation impacts neurodivergent parents (12:02) Hormones, estrogen, ADHD, and postpartum changes (19:05) Barriers to adult diagnosis and self-identifying as neurodivergent (22:14) Strategies for sensory support, communication, and birth planning (25:50) Supporting executive functioning during pregnancy and postpartum (28:27) "Think neurodivergence first": what healthcare workers need to understand (30:33) Supporting neurodivergent partners during birth (31:31) Neurodivergence and cesarean birth experiences (36:53) Victoria's book Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters (38:27) Research groups, mental health resources, and the Neurodivergent Birth Podcast (39:22) Reasonable accommodations and disability protections in maternity care Resources Learn more about Neurodivergent Birth: ndbirth.com/ Get free, downloadable fact sheets and planning resources: ndbirth.com/downloads Listen to the Neurodivergent Birth podcast: ndbirth.com/podcast Maternity Autism Research Group: maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/ PANDAS Foundation: pandasfoundation.org.uk/ 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.

    44 min
  4. 13 may

    REPLAY: EBB 253 – Preparing for a 38-week Labor Induction due to Intrauterine Growth Restriction with Leah Bergman, EBB Childbirth Class Graduate

    What happens when your carefully planned, low-intervention birth transforms into something entirely unexpected? In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker revisits her conversation with Leah Bergman, a graduate of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, and her birth story of navigating a surprise diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (sometimes called intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR) in late pregnancy. Together, they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of changing birth plans, wrestling with uncertainty, and making tough decisions around induction while still finding space for empowerment, advocacy, and joy. Leah opens up about leaning on evidence-based education, support from her husband and doula, and a compassionate midwifery team as she faced a challenging induction process complete with surprises, setbacks, and two trips to the hospital. You'll also hear practical strategies for advocating during labor, the realities of taking a break from an induction then "starting over", and how to build a positive birth experience even when things go off script. Content Note: Discussion of the risk of stillbirth associated with fetal growth restriction. (03:44) Discovering Evidence Based Birth® (09:15) Deciding to induce labor (10:43) Placenta health and birth timing (14:50 Discussing timing of delivery (17:41) Labor induction experience (23:29 Beginning stages of labor induction (25:55) Advocating for rest during labor (28:48) Unexpectedly quick delivery experience (31:51) Managing baby's low birth weight   For the full list of resources from this epiosde, click 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.

    35 min
  5. 6 may

    EBB 397 - Words of Wisdom about Birth that Can Bring You a Sense of Calm and Peace

    Pregnancy and birth don't require perfection to be empowering. In this solo episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker shares share five life lessons she's learned over 14 years as a nurse, mother, and founder of Evidence Based Birth. She offers grounding guidance for navigating pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood with more trust, self-compassion, and calm. This episode centers on the idea that you don't have to know everything to have a positive birth experience. Instead, Dr. Dekker explores how building a supportive team, staying connected to your body, and focusing on what you can control can transform how you approach birth. She also reflects on the value and meaning of childbirth for those who choose it, the importance of respectful and empowering care, and the lifelong practice of letting go of what's outside your control. (02:05) You Don't Have to Know Everything About Pregnancy and Birth (07:01) Being the Expert of Your Own Body (13:39) Childbirth is Worth It (20:46) It is Possible to Have an Empowering Childbirth Experience (27:11) Controlling What You Can, Letting Go of What You Can't (36:56) Final Thoughts and Words of Comfort 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.

    39 min
  6. 29 abr

    EBB 396 - Inequities in VBAC Access with Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin, MD, PhD

    The evidence shows that vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option for many families, but it's still frequently inaccessible to them. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin discuss the systemic barriers that limit families' opportunities to choose a VBAC. They explore how hospital policies, outdated guidelines, and clinical tools like the VBAC calculator have shaped who's a "good candidate" and who is not.   Dr. Rubashkin also shares insights from his research on inequities in maternity care, including how race-adjusted algorithms reinforce disparities, why the "immediately available" standard still impacts hospital policies today, and how geography, provider practices, and induction policies can influence VBAC access. Plus, hear evidence-based strategies for advocating for a VBAC, including how to evaluate providers and interpret VBAC rates.   (01:36) Dr. Rubashkin's background and path into obstetrics (08:32) Major barriers to VBAC access in the U.S. (11:37) The "immediately available" standard explained (14:38) Misconceptions about emergency cesarean availability (16:58) Ethical and legal implications of VBAC restrictions (18:02) Institutional barriers (20:17) The VBAC calculator and how it influenced access (26:12) Racism, bias, and interpretation of VBAC data (30:02) Induction and VBAC: evidence vs. practice (36:17) What informed consent for VBAC should include (37:18) Identifying supportive vs. reluctant providers   Resources ACOG's VBAC guidelines and recommendations: acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2019/02/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-delivery Human Rights in Childbirth: humanrightsinchildbirth.org/ UCSF's Better Birth Research Initiative: betterbirth.ucsf.edu/ International Cesarean Awareness Network: ican-online.org/   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.

    41 min
  7. 22 abr

    EBB 395 - Postpartum Practices from African American Traditions with Shafia Monroe, Midwife and Author of Mothering the Mother

    Postpartum care wasn't always rushed, clinical, or isolating. In many African-American communities, the weeks after birth were treated as sacred time where families and communities gathered to care for the mother so she could focus on caring for her baby.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with renowned midwife, cultural historian, and author Shafia Monroe about the traditions documented in her new book Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing. Mama Shafia shares how historically rooted postpartum practices—from the 42-day "lying-in" period to nourishing soups, herbal teas, and hands-on community support—helped mothers rest, recover, and bond with their babies.   They explore what's missing from the modern Western postpartum model, how traditional wisdom from Black midwives supported physical and emotional recovery, and why caring for mothers is essential for healthy families and communities.   (02:43) Why Shafia wrote Mothering the Mother and the lack of resources on African-American postpartum traditions (07:47) The love letter to Black mothers and words of affirmation for postpartum parents (11:56) What's missing in modern postpartum care and how Western systems differ from traditional community care (19:06) Hypervigilance, stress, and supporting postpartum healing (21:26) The 42-day "lying-in" period and traditional postpartum rituals (25:45) Postpartum food traditions, soups, and healing foods from African and African-American culture (33:50) Why these traditions matter for all families, not just one culture (37:45) "Mother wit": trusting intuition about your body and your baby (41:25) Advocating for yourself in healthcare and trusting your body during pregnancy and birth   Resources Get Mama Shafia's book, Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing: shafiamonroe.com/mothering-the-mother/ Learn about the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC): thenaabb.org/ Read about SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training: smcdoulas.com/ EBB 152 – Shafia Monroe on Traditional Black Midwifery, Spirituality, and Community Advocacy   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.

    47 min

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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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