Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Rebekah Wheeler - Trauma Healing in Birth

Episode Overview:

Join your host Sophia as she sits down with Rebekah Wheeler, CNM, a Certified Nurse-Midwife, educator, and expert in birth trauma prevention and treatment. In this thought-provoking episode, Rebekah shares her insights from nearly 20 years as a birth professional, highlighting the critical need for perinatal mental health support and trauma-informed care.

They discuss key topics including:

• Differences in care between hospital and home birth

• The challenges of outdated hospital policies

• Evidence-based vs. experience-based informed consent

• Sanctuary trauma and its impact on birthing people

• Transport from home to hospital and the emotional complexities involved

Rebekah’s expertise offers a compassionate approach to healing from difficult birth experiences, empowering birthing families and professionals alike to navigate trauma with understanding and resilience.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Hospital vs. Home Birth Care

• Rebekah shares her perspective on the differences in care settings and how hospitals can be slow to adopt evidence-based policies.

2. Informed Consent: Evidence vs. Experience

• Why bridging the gap between evidence-based care and experience-based informed consent is vital for empowering birthing people.

3. Perinatal Mental Health

• How perinatal mental health is often overlooked, and why addressing it is essential for birth healing.

4. Sanctuary Trauma

• Exploring how trauma can arise in medical settings and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces for birthing families.

5. Uterine Massage and Birth Control

• Understanding the physical and emotional implications of postpartum interventions like uterine massage and birth control.

6. Home-to-Hospital Transport

• The emotional and logistical complexities of transport and how to support families through this transition.

7. Healing After Difficult Birth Experiences

• Tools and strategies Rebekah uses in her birth trauma healing sessions, helping families reclaim pride and accomplishment after challenging births.

About Rebekah Wheeler:

Rebekah Wheeler, CNM, is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, educator, and expert in birth trauma prevention and treatment. With nearly 20 years of experience in birth work, Rebekah has dedicated her career to helping people heal from difficult birth experiences and fostering pride and empowerment, no matter the outcome of labor.

She provides virtual birth trauma healing sessions to clients worldwide and in-person support in the Bay Area. Rebekah’s work centers on compassion, advocacy, and evidence-based care to promote perinatal mental health and well-being.

Connect with Rebekah Wheeler:

• Website: http://birth-trauma-healing.com/

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram: @sophiabirth, @bayareahomebirth, @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Rebekah’s insights into trauma-informed care and perinatal mental health remind us of the importance of compassion and support in every birth experience. Whether you’re a birth worker or a parent, this episode offers valuable tools and understanding for navigating the complexities of birth trauma and healing.

Stay Wild 🌳