Evidence Based Birth®

Acupuncture, acupressure, and breast stimulation are popular natural labor induction methods, but what does the latest research tell us about how well they actually work?

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker dives into the new research on whether these approaches can help ripen the cervix, encourage spontaneous labor, or reduce the need for a medical induction. She explores the evidence on acupuncture, acupressure, and the related practice of Shiatsu, including why studies have reached conflicting conclusions about their effectiveness. She also examines the research on breast and nipple stimulation, how it can trigger the release of oxytocin, and what studies suggest about its potential role in preparing for and starting labor.

For a full list of resources and references, visit ebbirth.com/414.

(02:07) Understanding Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Shiatsu (08:30) Cervical Ripening and the Bishop Score (10:26) Evidence and Safety of Acupuncture for Labor Induction (19:43) Evidence on Acupressure for Labor Induction (23:16) Shiatsu and Labor Induction (27:27) Breast and Nipple Stimulation for Labor Induction (28:51) Research on Breast Stimulation, Cervical Ripening, and Labor (32:54) Breast Stimulation vs. Pitocin for VBAC (35:57) Safety of Breast and Nipple Stimulation (37:42) Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Preterm Labor

Resources EBB 359 – Mini Q & A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies EBB 407 – Migraines and Insulin and Umbilical Vein Varix, Oh My! An Empowering Pregnancy and Hospital Birth Story with Heidi Gustad, Librarian and EBB Childbirth Class Graduate EBB 408, what they didn't tell me about birth and parenthood with Dr. Jessica Vernon, Board-Certified OB/GYN and Perinatal Coach 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.

Migraines during pregnancy can be debilitating, and figuring out how to prevent or manage them can be especially challenging. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker explores the research on migraines during pregnancy, including why they happen, how pregnancy can affect migraine patterns, and why new or changing headaches should be taken seriously. Rebecca also discusses migraine triggers, medication overuse or "rebound" headaches, and strategies for prevention. Plus, drawing from both the research and her own lifelong experience with migraines, Rebecca shares non-pharmacological comfort measures for coping with migraine pain, from hydration and body work to temperature therapy, acupressure, mindfulness, and more.

(04:29) What migraines are and how common they are (11:39) Migraines during pregnancy and postpartum (14:54) When headaches may signal a more serious condition (23:56) Preventing migraines during pregnancy (24:32) Medication overuse and rebound headaches (30:52) Migraine triggers and thresholds (34:22) Non-medication strategies for migraine prevention (46:05) Comfort measures for an active migraine (59:09) Final encouragement, support, and resources

For a full list of references, visit ebbirth.com/413.

Resources

Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net/

Call 988 for the Suicide Crisis and Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

Hear Her campaign with list of maternal warning signs: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html

American Headache Society: https://americanheadachesociety.org/

The Headache Hat: https://theheadachehat.com/

Acupressure points for headaches in pregnancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNbXWKStr-4

Aculief acupressure device (NOT recommended for pregnancy unless you've reached term, as it may cause contractions): https://finance.yahoo.com/news/aculief-reviews-does-migraine-relief-045700296.html

S-shaped massage hook: https://www.bodyback.com/products/body-back-buddy-classic-trigger-point-therapy-self-massage-tool-body-back-company

Renpho eye massager: https://renpho.com/collections/eye-massager

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.

An induction may change your birth plan, but it doesn't mean giving up your preferences or your role in the decision-making process.

In this episode, EBB's Director of Programs Chanté Perryman talks with team EBB's Jennifer Anderson about how families can prepare for and navigate an induction. A nurse, doula, and childbirth educator, Jennifer's sharing five of her favorite advocacy tips, including asking about outpatient cervical ripening, considering the timing of your induction, exploring monitoring options that support movement, using water for comfort, and understanding the criteria for a failed induction.

(01:36) The "Golden Ticket": Taking an Independent Childbirth Class

(06:38) Tip #1: Ask About Outpatient Cervical Ripening

(13:45) Tip #2: Consider the Timing of Your Induction

(22:41) Tip #3: Ask About Bluetooth Fetal Monitoring

(28:21) Tip #4: Using Water and Movement During an Induction

(31:32) Learning Your Hospital's Policies Before Birth

(33:00) Tip #5: Understanding Failed Induction Criteria

(42:09) Preparing When an Induction Is Unexpected

(49:00) Birth Story: Navigating a Surprise Gestational Hypertension Induction

Resources

• Get the Evidence Based Birth® Induction Pocket Guide: https://shop.evidencebasedbirth.com/products/evidence-based-birth-pocket-guides
• Evidence on: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks
• Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes
• Evidence on: Group B Strep
• EBB 348 – Best Practices for Size-Inclusive Birth Care with Jen McLellan of Plus Size Birth
• Friedman's Curve and Failure to Progress: A Leading Cause of Unplanned Cesareans
• Get your California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Toolkit: https://www.cmqcc.org/toolkits-quality-improvement/all-toolkits
• EBB 359 – Mini Q & A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies

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.

When Holly and Nathan Miller learned their baby was breech late in pregnancy, the unmedicated vaginal birth they had been preparing for suddenly felt out of reach. Living in rural South Georgia, they explored their options, including finding a provider experienced in vaginal breech birth, but ultimately faced limited choices close to home.

In this episode, EBB Childbirth Class graduates Holly and Nathan share how they shifted their focus from the birth they had originally envisioned to creating a family-centered Cesarean experience. They talk about advocating for a clear drape and immediate skin-to-skin, navigating conflicting information from providers, and finding ways to remain active participants in their baby's birth. They also reflect on Cesarean recovery, the importance of partner support, and what they learned about speaking up for their preferences even when circumstances were outside their control.

(01:27) Finding Evidence Based Birth® and Preparing for an Unmedicated Birth

(03:33) When Birth Plans Began to Change

(05:03) Navigating Birth Options in Rural South Georgia

(07:51) Exploring ECV, Vaginal Breech Birth, and Cesarean

(10:24) Shifting Toward a Family-Centered Cesarean

(12:50) Advocating for a Clear Drape and Immediate Skin-to-Skin

(15:10) Holly and Nathan's Cesarean Birth Story

(17:43) What a Cesarean Felt Like Physically and Emotionally

(22:03) Meeting Eliana and Beginning Skin-to-Skin

(25:31) Breastfeeding and Recovering from a Cesarean

(28:53) Partner Support During Postpartum Recovery

(30:09) Advice for Navigating Breech Birth and Unexpected Changes

(31:53) Looking Ahead to a Future VBAC

Resources

• EBB 256 – Top 3 Recommendations for Preventing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction after Birth with Dr. Sarah Duvall, Founder of Core Exercise Solutions

All About Breach

• EBB 299 – A Breech Vaginal Birth Story with EBB Parents Naoma Kleisner, RN, MSN and Mohamed Koraichi
• EBB 298 – Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
• EBB 297 – Frequently Asked Questions about Breech with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA
• EBB 296 – Evidence on Breech Birth with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Sara Ailshire, MA
• EBB 173 - Evidence on External Cephalic Version for Breech Positioned Babies
• EBB 172 – Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes
• EBB 171 – The Experience of a Unique Vaginal Breech Birth with Janae and Andrew Rick
• EBB 111 – Positioning Breech Babies with Dr. Elliot Berlin

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.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire examine the available evidence on planned unassisted birth, also known as freebirth, defined as intentionally giving birth without a qualified midwife or physician present.

They explore why some people choose a planned unassisted birth, including previous trauma, distrust of the medical system, barriers to preferred care, and a desire for greater autonomy. Dr. Dekker and Dr. Ailshire also explain how freebirth differs from midwife-attended home birth, what research shows about planned community birth, and the safeguards a trained birth attendant can provide during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the newborn period. Finally, they discuss investigative reporting concerning the Free Birth Society, including allegations of misinformation and preventable harm associated with its community.

Content Note: This episode includes discussions of stillbirth, maternal death, newborn death, birth trauma, and serious complications related to planned unassisted birth.

(00:03:20) What Is Freebirth? (00:07:41) Prenatal Care, Wild Pregnancy, and Freebirth (00:10:30) How Common Is Freebirth? (00:14:27) The History and Origins of Freebirth (00:22:16) Why Do Some People Choose Freebirth? (00:26:14) What Do We Know About the Risks of Freebirth? (00:34:42) The Role of Skilled Midwives in Home Birth Safety (00:42:28) Free Birth Society Controversy (00:53:49) Lessons from the Free Birth Society (00:55:44) Warning Signs of Controlling Group Dynamics and Influencer Manipulation (01:01:50) Final Takeaways on Freebirth, Safety, and Informed Decision-Making

View the full transcript for this episode at evidencebasedbirth.com.

ResourcesEBB 23 – Home Birth Midwives EBB 110 – Inside an Unplanned, Unassisted Home Birth with Parent Sabrina Tran EBB 122 – Home birth during the pandemic with Vicki Penwell EBB 292 – Confronting the Unknowns in Childbirth with Liesel Teen of the Mommy Labor Nurse EBB 130 – Home Birth in the Black Community with Isis Rose Count the Kicks: https://countthekicks.org/ PUSH Pregnancy: https://www.pushpregnancy.org/ Star Legacy Foundation: https://starlegacyfoundation.org/ Healthy Birth Day: https://healthybirthday.org/ CDC Stillbirth resources: https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: https://nationalshare.org/ Stillbirth and infant loss support communities: https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/

Works Cited

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2. Biesele, M. (1997). "An Ideal of Unassisted Birth: Hunting, Healing, and Transformation among the Kalahari Ju/'hoansi." In Childbirth and Authoritative Knowledge. Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Davis-Floyd, R. & C.F. Sargent (eds), Childbirth and Authoritative Knowledge. Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Berkeley: University of California Press, pp. 474-92.
3. Bjellmo, S. & Iversen, J. K. (2025). "Unassisted home births in Norway: A growing concern." Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 104(8): 1418-1419. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40536244/
4. Boodman, S. G. (2007). "Do-it-yourself Delivery." The Washington Post. July 31. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072702164.html
5. 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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39514513/
6. Boushra, M., Stone, A., & Rathbun, K. M. (2023). "Umbilical Cord Prolapse." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542241/
7. Brandt, J. S. & Ananth, C. V. (2023). "Placental abruption at near-term and term gestations: pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management." Am J Obstet Gynecol 228(5S): S1313-S1329. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10176440/
8. Carlson, K. & Vadakekut, E. S. (2026). "Amniotic Fluid Embolism." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559107/
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Natality on CDC WONDER Online Database. (2026). Data are from the Natality Records 2016-2024, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/natality-expanded-current.html on Jul 29, 2026.
10. Cheyney, M., Bovbjerg, M., Everson, C., et al. (2014). "Outcomes of care for 16,924 planned home births in the United States: the Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009." J Midwifery Womens Health 59(1): 17-27. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24479690/
11. Dahlen, H., Kumar-Hazard, B., & Schmied, V. (2020). Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine. Edited Volume. London: Routledge.
12. Dahlen, H. G., Jackson, M., & Stevens, J. (2011). "Homebirth, freebirth and doulas: casualty and consequences of a broken maternity system." Women Birth 24(1): 47-50. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21163719/
13. Davey, M. (2026). "Stacey Warnecke died after choosing a birth free of all medical help. An inquest wants to know why." The Guardian. June 19. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/20/stacey-warnecke-melbourne-influencer-died-freebirth-inquest-ntwnfb
14. Davis-Floyd, R. & Cheyney, M. (2019). Birth in Eight Cultures. Edited Volume. Waveland Press.
15. Einerson, B. D., Gilner, J. B., & Zuckerwise, L. C. (2023). "Placenta Accreta Spectrum." Obstet Gynecol 142(1): 31-50.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10491415/
16. Feeley, C. & Thomson, G. (2016). "Tensions and conflicts in 'choice': Womens' experiences of freebirthing in the UK." Midwifery 41: 16-21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27498184/
17. Feeley, C. & Thomson, G. (2016). "Why do some women choose to freebirth in the UK? An interpretative phenomenological study." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16: 59. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000100/
18. Greenfield, M., Payne-Gifford, S., McKenzie, G. (2021). "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Considering "Freebirth" During Covid-19." Front Glob Womens Health 2: 603744. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816178/
19. 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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26696622/
20. Iceland Monitor. (2024). "How do you know this woman had this child." Iceland Monitor. May 9. https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2024/05/09/how_do_you_know_this_woman_had_this_child/
21. Johansson, M., Jansson, O., Lilja, F., et al. (2023). "Freebirth, the only option for women who do not fit into common practice- A Swedish national interview study." Sex Reprod Healthc 37: 100866. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37295181/
22. Johnston, K. & MacDougall, C. (2026). "Toward Conceptual Clarity: Out-of-Hospital Birth Practices and Freebirth Entrepreneurialism." Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture, & Social Justice. 47(1): 44–57. https://atlantisjournal.ca/atlantis/en/article/view/5920
23. Kale, S. & Osborne, L. (2025). "Influencers made millions pushing 'wild' births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world." The Guardian. November 22. https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/nov/22/free-birth-society-linked-to-babies-deaths-investigation
24. Kale, S. & Davey, M. (2026). "A US champion of 'freebirthing' always claimed there had been no maternal deaths linked to the movement. Is Stacey Warnecke the first?" The Guardian. June 29. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/30/freebirth-wellness-influencer-stacey-warnecke-death-ntwnfb
25. Lou, S., Dahlen, H. G., Gefke Hansen, S., et al. (2022). "Why freebirth in a maternity system with free midwifery care? A qualitative study of Danish women's motivations and preparations for freebirth." Sex Reprod Healthc 34: 100789. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36332498/
26. Mackeen, D. (2026). "She wanted a `free birth.' It put her and her baby in grave danger." The New York Times. April 22. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/science/free-birth-wild-pregancy-risks-home-birth.html
27. McKenzie, G., Robert, G., & Montgomery, E. (2020). "Exploring the conceptualisation and study of freebirthing as a historical and social phenomenon: a meta-narrative review of diverse research traditions." Med Humanit 46(4): 512-524. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32361690/
28. Miller, J. F. (2020). "Solitary and Kin-Assisted Rarámuri Birth: Ideals and realities." In Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier. Daviss, B. & Davis-Floyd, R., eds. Routledge: London.
29. Payne, E. (2025). "Officials 'strongly advise' against freebirths after cluster of stillbirths in Ontario." Ottawa Citizen. January 15. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/officials-advise-against-freebirths-after-stillbirths-ontario
30. Pillai, S., Cheyney, M., Everson, C. L., et al. (2020). "Fetal macrosomia in home and birth center births in the United States: Maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes." Birth 47(4):409-417. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8923081/
31. Rosenberg, K. & Trevathan, W. (1995). " Bipedalism and human birth: The obstetrical dilemma revisited." Evolutionary Anthropology 4(5): 161-168. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.1360040506Sargent, C. (1982).
32. "The Implications of Role Expectations for Birth Assistance among Bariba." Soc Sci Med 16(16): 1483-1489. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135022/
33. Shorey, S., Jarašiūnaitė-Fedosejeva, G., Akik, B. K., et al. (2023). "Trends and motivations for freebirth: A scoping review." Birth 50(1): 16-31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36598288/
34. Shostak, M. (1981). Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
35. Snowden, J. M., Tilden, E. L., Snyder, J., et al. (2015). "Planned Out-of-Hospital Birth and Birth Outcomes." N Engl J Med 373(27): 2642-2653. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26716916/
36. Sperlich, M. & Gabriel, C. (2022). ""I got to catch my own baby": a qualitative study of out of hospital birth." Reprod Health 19(1): 43. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35164785/
37. Togioka, B. M. & Tonismae, T. (2023). "Uterine Rupture." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559209/
38. Uda, E. (2026). "Facing rural realities and mistrust in hospitals, these women turned to home births." CBC Radio. April 26. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/freebirthing-rural-maternal-medicine-9.7172199

A passion for supporting families during birth is the foundation for a career as a doula. But once that foundation has been laid, it takes business skills, boundaries, and collaboration to be sustainable.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Katie Nyberg, founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies, about her journey from fifth-grade teacher to doula, trainer, and owner of one of Iowa's largest doula agencies. Katie shares the early lessons she learned about setting fees, communicating with clients, and navigating the unpredictable realities of on-call work. Katie also opens up about the exhaustion that once made her consider leaving birth work altogether, and the changes that helped her build a more sustainable career. She discusses how recognizing the root causes of burnout, diversifying income, creating intentional seasons of work and rest, and building supportive relationships with other doulas keep her going.

(02:05) Katie's journey from teacher to birth doula

(04:55) Early lessons in business, fees, and communication

(07:21) Setting healthy boundaries with clients

(11:40) Navigating childcare and the on-call doula lifestyle

(14:02) Preparing for long births and using backup support

(19:53) Recognizing and addressing doula burnout

(25:45) Saying no and making space for rest

(27:05) Growing The Iowa Baby Ladies

(33:41) Advice for new doulas getting started

(37:02) Overcoming imposter syndrome through education and experience

(43:13) Advice for building a lasting doula career

Resources

• Learn more about the EBB Instructor Program: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/
• Find an EBB Instructor: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/
• Follow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theiowababylady/
• Learn more about the Iowa Baby Ladies: https://theiowababylady.com/
• Evidence on: Doulas
• EBB 364 – How to Prevent and Heal Birthworker Burnout with Doctoral Student Ihotu Ali and Grace Flannery, Certified Professional Midwife

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.

Perinatal mental health is often a misunderstood landscape shaped by stigma, cultural expectations, and invisible struggles that touch entire families.

In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with Dr. Kat Kaeni, perinatal mental health certified psychologist, author of The Pregnancy Workbook, and host of the Mom & Mind podcast, to break the silence around postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and psychosis. Drawing on her professional expertise and personal experience, Dr. Kat reveals why shame and isolation are so common, how symptoms really show up for new parents, and what makes perinatal mental health distinct from other forms of mental illness.

They discuss the myths that keep parents suffering in silence, the real impact of mental health on babies and families, and how therapy and support groups, including free resources from Postpartum Support International, can empower families on the path to healing.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of perinatal mental health disorders, including postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and psychosis. Sensitive topics such as intrusive thoughts, stigma, feelings of guilt and shame, and the potential for harm to self or others are addressed. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage anyone who may be affected by these topics to reach out for support through Postpartum Support International or a trusted healthcare provider.

(00:07:28) Unique Challenges in Perinatal Mental Health (00:11:05) Caregivers' Mental Health and Bonding Challenges (00:16:32) Parental Isolation Stemming from Anxiety and Depression (00:21:53) Emergent Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms (00:27:08) Overcoming Stigma in Perinatal Mental Health (00:31:54) Thought and Behavior Change Therapy for Depression (00:36:56) Perinatal Mental Health Challenges and Support

Resoureces

• EBB 197 – Addressing Perinatal Mental Health for Communities of Color with the Co-Founders of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, Divya Kumar, Jabina Coleman, and Desirée Israel
• Postpartum Support International
• The Mom & Mind Podcast
• The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques

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? 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.

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care should support the whole person, physically and mentally. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with board-certified OB/GYN and perinatal coach Dr. Jessica Vernon about how integrative medicine can create a more holistic and personalized approach to obstetric care.

Dr. Vernon explains how integrative care combines traditional Western medicine with complementary approaches such as therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, breathwork, meditation, and nutrition. She also shares how her own experience with postpartum anxiety and depression transformed the way she practices medicine and deepened her understanding of the physical, emotional, and identity-related transitions into parenthood. Plus, get practical guidance for changing providers, asking informed questions after a prior Cesarean, and navigating the overwhelming, and sometimes unreliable, health information found through social media and artificial intelligence.

(00:02:03) Dr. Vernon's journey into obstetrics and the influence of midwifery (00:05:47) Understanding matrescence and the transition into parenthood (00:07:14) What integrative medicine looks like in pregnancy and postpartum care (00:09:59) Bringing perinatal mental health and integrative medicine into obstetric practice (00:12:19) Gaps in traditional perinatal care and the need for individualized support (00:16:59) Supporting parents after infertility, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, or a difficult postpartum experience (00:21:32) Why it is okay to change providers (00:24:31) How infertility and pregnancy loss can shape a subsequent pregnancy (00:27:25) Practicing evidence-based, person-centered care that protects patient autonomy (00:29:02) Finding trustworthy pregnancy information online (00:32:27) Balancing medical evidence with personal intuition and individual circumstances

Resources

Connect with Dr. Vernon and learn more about her 1:1 perinatal coaching: https://www.drjessicavernon.com/

Follow Dr. Vernon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.jessicavernon/

Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation About Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood by Dr. Jessica Vernon: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/then-comes-baby-9781538195925/

Matrescence: On Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood by Lucy Jones: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714054/matrescence-by-lucy-jones/

Free Postpartum Support International online support groups: https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/

PSI Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory: https://postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/

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.

After years of hearing traumatic birth stories and questioning whether parenthood was right for her, Heidi Gustad entered pregnancy determined to make informed decisions every step of the way. When she was diagnosed with insulin-managed gestational diabetes, debilitating migraines, and a rare umbilical cord abnormality called an umbilical vein varix, the birth center birth she had envisioned was suddenly no longer an option. In this episode, Heidi shares how evidence-based education, a supportive care team, and careful preparation helped her navigate unexpected changes with confidence. She and Dr. Dekker discuss what it was like to advocate for herself through multiple diagnoses, switch care providers late in pregnancy, and prepare for a hospital birth while still hoping for an unmedicated labor. Heidi also shares the surprising series of events that led to spontaneous labor before her scheduled induction, and how she welcomed her baby after a fast, nine-hour labor. (01:36) Overcoming a lifelong fear of pregnancy and choosing parenthood (05:13) Navigating migraines, gestational diabetes, and changing providers (08:52) Risking out of birth center care and finding the right hospital (11:11) Understanding a rare umbilical vein varix diagnosis (17:47) Building confidence through education, advocacy, and a supportive birth team (21:59) Preparing for birth with physical therapy, acupuncture, and evidence-based resources (25:50) Spontaneous labor begins weeks before a scheduled induction (32:02) Coping strategies for a fast, unmedicated labor (37:19) Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding (40:42) Heidi's advice on informed decision-making and birth preferences (43:06) Using anxiety and pain-coping techniques during labor Resources Find an EBB Childbirth Class: evidencebasedbirth.com/parentclasses/ Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes and the Glucola Test Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes Listen to EBB's Natural Induction Series on Acupuncture, Raspberry Red Leaf Tea, and Nipple Stimulation: evidencebasedbirth.com/category/series/natural-labor-induction-series/ EBB 304 – Q & A on PPD/Pitocin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Nubain, and Placental encapsulation: evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-304-q-and-a-on-ppd-pitocin-delayed-cord-clamping-nubain-and-placental-encapsulation/ Read the research on Umbilical Chord Varix

• Fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix: retrospective cohort study and systematic review and meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28876490/
• Isolated fetal umbilical vein varix and the association with intrauterine fetal death and fetal growth restriction: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and nested retrospective cohort study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38502055/
• The Development of the Umbilical Vein and Its Anatomical and Clinical Significance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11954436/

Learn more about Spinning Babies®: spinningbabies.com 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.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of congenital disorders in the United States, but many pregnant families have never heard of it. In this episode, Dr. Dekker is joined by author Megan Nix who shares the personal story behind her memoir, "Remedies for Sorrow," and discusses how gaps in the system leave many families unaware of this common virus. Megan shares how her daughter Anna's congenital CMV diagnosis changed her family's life and launched her years-long investigation into why such a common condition remains largely absent from prenatal education. You'll learn what CMV is, how it spreads during pregnancy, evidence-informed prevention strategies, newborn screening and treatment, and why informed consent and narrative medicine matter for families navigating pregnancy and birth.

(02:01) Megan's journey into motherhood and how Anna's diagnosis led her to write the book (07:04) What congenital CMV is and why so few families know about it (10:26) Why CMV prevention isn't routinely discussed during pregnancy (15:40) Megan's illness during pregnancy and the missed opportunities for diagnosis (18:00) Antiviral treatment for newborns with congenital CMV (22:50) Steps pregnant families can take to reduce CMV exposure (25:55) Newborn screening for CMV and the current landscape of universal testing (32:16) Hearing screening, progressive hearing loss, and why early diagnosis matters (34:05) Parenting a child with developmental delays and what Anna has taught their family (40:11) Finding her voice, self-advocacy, and overcoming the culture of silence (46:41) Megan's final advice for pregnant families and where to learn more

Resources Get your copy of "Remedies for Sorrow": penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704982/remedies-for-sorrow-by-megan-nix/ Learn more about the National CMV Foundation: nationalcmv.org/ EBB 185 – The History of Narrative Medicine and Childbirth with Tyler Jean Dukes 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.