Evidence Based Birth‪®‬ Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN

In this episode, EBB Childbirth Class graduates Melissa and Brendon Smyles' share their experiences preparing for an unmedicated birth while embracing flexibility in their birthing plan. From the unexpected premature rupture of membranes to the decision to use fentanyl for rest during labor, Melissa and Brendon tell their birth story, emphasizing the importance of informed choices and personalized support. Join us as they reflect on the transformative power of evidence-based education and the profound impact of tailored guidance and informed decision making in achieving a positive birth outcome.
 
Resources:
Get the Evidence on Injectable Opioids for Pain Management during Labor here.
And learn about it on YouTube, here!
Learn more about their doula, Alycia, here!
EBB 267 - Debunking the Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN
EBB 256 – Top 3 Recommendations for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction after Birth with Dr. Sarah Duvall, Founder of Core Exercise Solutions
Find an EBB Childbirth Class here.
Check out Melissa's pelvic floor therapist, The Pelvis Pro, here.
 
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.

Were you aware that beyond the standard epidural, there is an additional medication option for managing pain during childbirth? Today, Dr. Dekker discusses another common option, intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) opioids. Dr. Dekker explains the different types of injectable opioids available during labor, how they work, and the current evidence that you need to know to make an informed decision. Plus, learn about the benefits and risks of IV opioids for pain relief labor and an in-depth look at one opioid in particular: Remifentanil, which is commonly given through a “Patient-Controlled Analgesia” or PCA pump.
EBB Pocket Guide to Interventions (https://ebbirth.com/shop)
EBB Pocket Guide to Comfort Measures (https://ebbirth.com/shop)
More YouTube videos mentioning IV Opioids among other options:
Pain Management During Labor, Regional Anesthesia - Maternity Nursing
Anesthesia Options for Labor & Delivery
Prescribing Guidelines for Pregnant Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
Narcotics for Pain During Childbirth
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.
References:
To access all the scientific references that go along with this episode, visit our blog post here. 

For Nurse's Week 2024, we wanted to share a replay of one of our favorite episodes at EBB, and that is an interview with Melissa Anne DuBois about shifting from hospital labor and delivery nurse to home birth advocate.
Content note: Discussion of obstetric racism and graphic description of obstetric violence.
Melissa Anne DuBois is an experienced perinatal nurse living in Central Massachusetts. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing in 2006 and has worked in a variety of perinatal settings since 2007 including in-patient labor and delivery, high-risk obstetrics, outpatient OB-GYN, homebirth, and postpartum home health. Melissa Anne became a childbirth educator in 2011 and a lactation counselor in 2014 and currently teaches childbirth classes for babiesincommon.com. Melissa Anne is also the mother of three children.
In today’s replay, you’re going to listen to Melissa tell her birth story, as well as her unique perspective on labor and delivery nursing, which came out of her own traumatic birth experience, witnessing obstetric violence and obstetric racism for many years as a labor & delivery nurse, and seeing outdated procedures being performed in hospital settings. Melissa went on to have a healing birth at home, and to get involved in advocacy for expanding home birth options for families. At the end of the podcast, we will share a brief update on what Melissa is up to now! 
Resources:
Learn more about Melissa Anne DuBois and Babies in Common here. Listen to Melissa’s podcast, “Babies in Common Show” on Apple here and Spotify here. Follow Babies in Common on Facebook and Instagram. View “The Business Of Being Born” here. Learn about Krysta Dancy and Birth Trauma Support. Learn more about the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Learn more about the World Health Organization (WHO). Click here to see the Evidence Based Birth® list of Birth Justice Resources, including research on racism and maternal health.  
EBB Resources:
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.

Join us in diving deep into Myla Flores' incredible story of becoming a leader and visionary in the birth field! From Myla's early experiences as a birth doula to her ongoing advocacy for safe, dignified birth options, Myla's passion shines through as she discusses the challenges and triumphs of birth work. 
Discover how The Womb Bus, a mobile wellness hub, brings essential education, resources, and outreach to blossoming families in under-resourced areas. Learn about Myla's vision for The Birthing Place, a future birth center that will offer midwifery-led collaborative care, and about group efforts to expand access to safe, informed reproductive care for all. Tune in to hear firsthand accounts of the impact The Womb Bus has had on neighborhoods in NYC, providing vital services and support to those who need it most. From fibroid screenings to lactation support, Myla and her team are breaking down barriers and creating pathways to reproductive wellness and empowerment.

Learn more about The Birthing Place and The Womb Bus here!
Follow The Birthing Place on Instagram here.
Follow Maryam Reproductive Health + Wellness on Instagram here.
The Birthing Place is launching a capital campaign! Learn more and support their growth.


 
EBB Resources:
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.

Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Joyce Dykema, doula and EBB Instructor, and Brianna Fields, a labor and delivery nurse, to discuss advocating for positive shifts in birth culture, particularly in Nebraska. Joyce shares her journey into birth work and the impact of the Evidence Based Birth Instructor program on accessing research evidence, highlighting changes in hospital practices and provider attitudes that support more diverse birthing options.
 
Brianna discusses her experience in Joyce's EBB Comfort Measures Workshop—which covers the importance of language, positioning, acupressure, and eating and drinking during labor. Together, Joyce and Brianna talk about the need for ongoing education for nurses so that they can provide optimal support during childbirth. Joyce also opens up about the legislative challenges facing the birth community in Nebraska. Tune in to this episode learn about doulas and nurses advocating together, using research evidence to make positive changes in birth culture.
 
Resources:
Check out EBB Continuing Education events (including the EBB Comfort Measures Workshop) for Professionals here.
Get on the wait list for the EBB Instructor program here.
Visit Joyce's website and see her upcoming events here!
Follow Joyce on Instagram here.
 
EBB Resources:
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.

What is a doula, and what are the different types of doulas? How many people use doulas during childbirth, and what does a doula actually do? Are there any randomized, controlled trials on doula support? What are the benefits and risks of having a doula, if any? And if the evidence shows that doulas improve health outcomes… then why are some hospitals around the world unsupportive of labor companions? And how can you find a doula if you’re interested in having one at your birth?   

Today’s podcast episode with Dr. Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA, is chock full of research from our peer-reviewed Evidence Based Birth® Signature Article: The Evidence on Doulas.  

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

EBB Resources:  

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


EBB Podcasts: 

EBB 195 – Grief & Healing through Pregnancy and Infant Loss with Full Spectrum Doula, Rose Rankin 
EBB 207 – Gender Affirming Birth Work and Education with Full-Spectrum Doula and Childbirth Educator, Moss Froom 
EBB 211 – Supporting Expectant Families through Birth and Lactation with Birth Doula and EBB Instructor Coordinator, Rikki Jenkins 
EBB 229 – Evidence on Doulas with Community-Based Models and Reimbursement 
EBB 252 – A Candid Conversation about Doula Advocacy with Doula and EBB Instructor Leslie Greene 
EBB 285 – Creating a Sustainable Career in Birth Work with Jessica Diggs, Doula Mentor and Co-Founder of Centered.