Evidence Based Birth®

In this episode, I'm joined by Emilie Rodriguez and Guramrit LeBron, the dynamic duo behind Ashé Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory. Ashé Birthing Services is a collective of specially selected birth workers who provide full-spectrum care for families in the greater New York City area. Their approach blends evidence-based research with ancestral practices, offering families a unique individual experience often missing in mainstream maternal care. Emilie and Guramrit share their personal journeys into birth work, highlighting the pivotal moments that led them to become doulas and advocates for birthing people. They discuss the challenges and racism they encountered within the healthcare system and the importance of finding providers who understand and respect your cultural and ancestral traditions. We delve into how Ashé Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory are changing the landscape of perinatal care, making it more accessible, informed, and culturally sensitive. They also explain how their platform connects people with Black and Brown providers in the perinatal period and the importance of community-nominated Council of Elders in guiding their work. If you're passionate about empowering Black birth and improving maternal care, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation with Emilie and Guramrit. Content note: Issues related to racism in healthcare and challenges in the maternity care system.

Resources:

• Get the free 1-page handout about EBB "Best Evidence" episodes here!
• Learn about Ashé Birthing Services here.
• For more information and resources, visit The Bridge Directory.
• Learn about the Irth App here: https://irthapp.com/
• Follow Ashé Birthing Services on Instagram

EBB Podcast Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

• EBB 161 and EBB 220 with Kimberly Seals Allers of the Irth App
• EBB 260 with Ms. Divine Bailey-Nicholas about Plant Medicine
• EBB 261: Mini Q&A on Group B Strep
• EBB 10 about the ARRIVE trial

EBB Signature Articles:

• Signature Article on Eye Ointment (ebbirth.com/eyeointment),
• Signature Article on Circumcision (ebbirth.com/circumcision)
• Signature Article on Group B Strep (ebbirth.com/groupbstrep)
• Signature Article on Vitamin K (ebbirth.com/vitamink)
• EBB handout on the ARRIVE trial: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive

Get a FREE handout for each topic at the links above to help your informed decision making!

Want more support from Evidence Based Birth®?

• Sign up for our newsletter here
• Join our Professional Membership here
• Apply to become an EBB Instructor here

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• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/

• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth

• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EvidenceBasedBirth

• Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/

In this episode, I'm welcoming Eri Guajardo Johnson, the founder of Birth Bruja, a platform dedicated to decolonial approaches to healing and reproductive care. Eri, a queer, biracial, Latinx birth worker, specializes in supporting survivors of sexual violence and marginalized populations. We discuss the importance of centering Black and Indigenous wisdom, breaking down oppressive systems, and creating alternatives in the realm of birth work. Eri also shares insights on self-compassion and the practice of intimacy in their work. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how to navigate decolonial approaches to birth and healing. Content Warning: supporting survivors of sexual assault, the impact of colonialism and racism in the context of reproductive care and healing. Resources: Follow Eri's work:

• Learn more here: https://www.birthbruja.com/
• Listen to the Birth Bruja Podcast here
• Join the Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence here
• Learn more about the BIPOC Mentorship here
• Follow them on Instagram

Make sure to sign up for the email list on the Birth Bruja website!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here
• Find an EBB Instructor here
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In this episode, I'm joined by Liesel Teen, a seasoned L&D nurse and childbirth educator and the creator of Mommy Labor Nurse, where she reveals the common myths surrounding pregnancy and birth. Learn about the shocking misconceptions, such as babies running out of room, the impact of baby size on vaginal delivery, the importance of partner education, and the need for postpartum care. She also delves into the unexpected, and rare, scenario of giving birth in the car, and shares essential tips for partners and mothers on how to keep the baby safe and warm during this intense moment. Liesel's valuable insights will empower expectant parents to approach their childbirth journey with knowledge and confidence. Discover the truth behind these myths and how to prepare for a positive birth experience. Content Warnings: emergency car births, risk of stillbirth, gendered language Resources:

• Follow Liesel's work: website, podcast, IG, Facebook, TikTok
• Learn more about Push Pregnancy on their website
• Check out some Mommy Labor Nurse podcast episodes:
  • Episode 197 - Pharmaceutical Pain Options for Labor (other than an epidural!)
  • Episode 199 - The Evidence on Natural Labor Induction with Dr. Rebecca Dekker

Listen to an EBB Episode:

• EBB 243 - The Importance of Kick Counting for Preventing Stillbirth with Stephaney Moody, Health Equity Ambassador of Count the Kicks

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here
• Find an EBB Instructor here
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

In this episode, we delve into the latest evidence-based information on skin-to-skin care in the operating room after a Cesarean. I'm joined by co-host Sara Ailshire, a doctoral candidate in anthropology and the 2023 EBB Research Fellow, and we explore the history, benefits, and barriers surrounding this practice. Discover how skin-to-skin care positively influences lactation, stabilizes newborns, and enhances the birth experience, and learn why some hospitals and providers are hesitant to offer it and how these barriers can be overcome. *If you want the Pocket Guides we mention at the beginning of this episode, you can see if we have any in stock here! Content Warning: topics related to Cesarean sections, preterm birth, NICU stays, separation of parents and babies, infant mortality rates, and the impact of racism on Cesarean rates and lactation. Resources:

• For a full list of resources and references please visit our Evidence for Skin to Skin Care After a Cesarean page here.
• To read the full Signature Article on Skin to Skin Care After a Cesarean and download our 1-Page Handout, click here.
• To read the updated ACOG opinion on 'Optimizing Support for Breastfeeding as Part of Obstetric Practice,' click here.

Relevant EBB Signature Articles:

• Evidence on Midwives
• Evidence on Doulas
• Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work

Listen to EBB Episodes:

• EBB 135 - The Need for More Indigenous Birth Workers with Miranda Kelly
• EBB 161 - Addressing Maternity Bias and Infant Care with Irth® App Founder, Kimberly Seals Allers
• EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams
• EBB 214 - Supporting Pumping Parents in Lactation with IBCLC, Nichelle Clark
• EBB 265 - Evidence on Anti-Racism in Health Care and Birth Work
• EBB 278 - Creating an Innovative, Afrocentric Model of Prenatal Care with Hakima Payne, Founder and Executive Director of Uzazi Village

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Find out if our Pocket Guides are currently available by visiting our shop here!
• Check out our EBB Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here.
• Find an EBB Instructor here.
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Nastassia Harris, a registered nurse and international board-certified lactation consultant, to discuss her extensive experience in the field of maternal and infant health. Dr. Harris shares her journey into this vital profession, highlighting her passion for improving breastfeeding rates in the Black community and eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health. She sheds light on the work of the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative, a nonprofit organization she founded, and her newest venture, Ignite Maternal Health, aimed at providing essential education and support to mother-baby nurses. Dr. Harris offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by Black families and the critical role that education, culturally congruent care, and community resources play in saving lives and preventing adverse outcomes in the postpartum period. Tune in to learn more about the impactful work being done to enhance maternal health and support families during this crucial phase of life. Content Warning: racism, Black infant and maternal mortality, preeclampsia Resources: Learn about Nastassia's work, here:

• Perinatal Health Equity Initiative website
• Sistahs Who Breastfeed website
• Ignite Maternal Health website

Follow Nastassia's work:

• Instagram @perintal_equity and @ignite_mh
• Perinatal Health Equity Initiative's Facebook and LinkedIn page

Learn more about related efforts mentioned by Nastassia:

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance, website
• Black Breastfeeding Week, website
• Black Maternal Health Week, website
• Chocolate Milk Cafe, website
• Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Hear Her campaign, website

Read the book referenced, The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris, here

Listen to EBB episodes:

EBB 280 – Bringing Equity to Lactation Imagery with Nekisha Killings, IBCLC and Founder of the Melanated Mammary Atlas®

EBB 214 – Supporting Pumping Parents in Lactation with IBCLC, Nichelle Clark

In this episode, I'm joined by Siri Lachmansingh, who shares her remarkable journey of pregnancy and childbirth while managing type 1 diabetes. Siri delves into the unique challenges and considerations for pregnant individuals with diabetes, including blood sugar management and medical monitoring. Siri also takes us through the choices she made during her induction process and the empowering moments she experienced during her second birth journey. Tune in as Siri's story highlights the importance of informed decision-making and the strength that can come from embracing evidence-based care during pregnancy and childbirth. Content Note: This episode discusses topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy. While the conversation is focused on informed decision-making and evidence-based care, it may contain medical details and experiences that could be sensitive for some listeners— including a description (starting at 41 minutes) of obstetric violence, shoulder dystocia, and birth injury to a newborn. Please be mindful of your own comfort and emotional well-being while listening. Trigger Warning: shoulder dystocia, birth injury to a newborn, and obstetric violence Resources: Follow Siri's journey:

• Instagram @sirilachmansingh
• Siri's Birth Hour podcast episode

Find out more about Siri's birth and childbirth education team here: Doula Aileen (https://www.doulaaileen.com/), Heather Christine Struwe (https://holisticcontinuum.com) and Rhonda Fellows (https://www.oilydoulamn.com/about.html)

Find out more about the EBB Childbirth Class here.

Learn about Brachial Plexus social support systems:

• Erb's Palsy Facebook page (for Brachial Plexus Palsy): https://www.facebook.com/enderbspalsy/
• Public support group ("Oliver's Friends"): https://www.facebook.com/groups/OliversFriends/

Learn more about the evidence and research on shoulder dystocia :

• Research on team training for prevention and treatment of shoulder dystocia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25688719/
• "PROMPT" protocol from the United Kingdom is being applied in the United States. Click here to learn more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26513456/
• PROMPT training news video: https://fox4kc.com/health/training-program-helps-to-improve-outcomes-for-babies-and-moms-during-delivery/
• The PROMPT foundation website: https://www.promptmaternity.org/

Related EBB Episodes and Signature Articles:

• EBB 141 – Birthing and Disparities in Minnesota with Rhonda Fellows and Dr. Jennifer Almanza
• EBB 142 – Home Birth Transfer During COVID-19 and the Uprisings in Minneapolis with Jenae Herron and Marcel Malekebu
• EBB 143 – Birthing in a World with Reproductive Justice with Ihotu Ali, Daniela Montoya-Barthelemy, and Shayla Walker
• EBB 168 - Dr. Amber Warmsley on the 1-step vs. 2-step delivery approaches
• EBB Podcast and Signature Article on Birthing Positions
• EBB Podcast and Signature Article on Big Babies

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here
• Find an EBB Instructor here
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In this episode, I'm talking with Malisa Dekker, a Postpartum Doula and Chef based in Brooklyn, New York, about her profound journey through two contrasting birth and postpartum experiences that shaped her passion for postpartum wellness.

Malisa's first birth took place during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, where interventions and a lack of support left her feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. With the desire for change, Malisa embarked on her second pregnancy, seeking empowerment and a holistic approach to birthing. She details her transformational shift to a home birth with the support of a dedicated midwife, her partner Taylor, and a community of friends who understood the importance of empathetic care and emphasized the profound impact having one's emotional needs addressed during labor can have on a birthing person's experience. Malisa's experience led her to become a passionate advocate for postpartum wellness and support, driving her to become a Postpartum Doula. Through her unique combination of skills as a Doula and Chef, she aims to provide nourishment, care, and empathy to new parents during the challenging postpartum period.

Content Warnings: postpartum anxiety, a pandemic birth story with isolation and interventions

Resources

• Follow Malisa's work on Instagram: @plantedpostpartum
• Learn more about Malisa's postpartum nutrition mentor, Alicia Allison: CloverandTimothy.com
• Check out training opportunities from:
  • the Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT) website
  • EBB's parent workshops and classes calendar
  • Read "The First Forty Days" book to prepare for postpartum nutrition and self care needs

Listen to EBB Episodes

• EBB 229 – Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic, and Reimbursement with the EBB Research Team
• EBB 194 – Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols, RDN

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here
• Find an EBB Instructor here
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class

Content Warning: postpartum hemorrhage, GBS Positive, antibiotics for GBS, On this episode of the EBB podcast, I talk with Katrina Hull, a graduate of the EBB childbirth class about her positive hospital water birth story. Katrina Hull is a former high school math and engineering teacher with over a decade of experience in the classroom. Her passion for education and entrepreneurship has led her to her current role as coordinating producer at PBS NewsHour Classroom where she develops lesson materials and resources for integrating invention education into classrooms across the country. Katrina shares her experiences taking the EBB childbirth class and discusses in depth the education and work she put into preparing for her desired hospital water birth. In addition to finding her "Golden Ticket" birth team and desired location, she shares the details of her amazing and empowering birth story, despite having a few complications, including finding out she was Group B Strep Positive and handling a postpartum hemorrhage. Resources:

• Learn more about Marnellie Bishop's Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class here
• Learn more about the GentleBirth Pregnancy app here
• Read more about Rebecca's experience with Hypnobabies in Babies are Not Pizza's
• Learn more about the Evidence on Hypnosis for Pain Management here
• Learn more about the Evidence on water immersion for Pain Management here
• Learn about the research evidence on combining hypnosis and water immersion for pain: Madden, K., Middleton, P., Cyna, A. M., et al. (2016). Hypnosis for pain management during labour and childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev(5), CD009356.

Listen to Evidence Based Birth Podcasts:

• EBB 131: Evidence on: Pitocin During the 3rd Stage of Labor or read the Signature Article here https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/
• EBB 267: Debunking Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN

Learn more about joining our Pro Membership for birth workers here, to take take our class on emergency management of PPH

I am so excited to share today's episode of Evidence Based Birth® podcast with you! Today, I am bringing you an interview with Maria Berglund, the founder of In Kind Boxes, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help families thrive after birth with a baby shower gift that gives back. This episode is coming out just in time for our listeners who are doulas and midwives to apply for In Kind's partnership program! Tune in to get all the details! Maria Berglund, is a Canadian mom living in the United States. Maria has three wonderful boys and her work as the founder of In Kind Boxes has been featured both on Good Morning America and in Entrepreneur Magazine. Maria and I talk about why she started a nonprofit with a mission to help new parents thrive after birth and how that vision grew into a model to support and give back to families in vulnerable positions, like NICU families or refugee families. Maria speaks to her different experiences in the postpartum period between Canada and the US, and how that stark difference in support sparked this idea. In Kind Boxes are filled with tangible goods that support growing families, baby and parent alike with natural, organic goods that help families thrive. Resources: Learn more about partnering with Maria and In Kind at www.inkindboxes.org Follow the work of In Kind on Instagram and TikTok For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here
• Find an EBB Instructor here
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, I interview Jessica Diggs, midwife, doula mentor and co-founder of Centered about creating a sustainable career in birth work. Jessica is a licensed midwife working in a solo practice in Los Angeles. Jessica supports people and families through holistic gynecological care, home birth services, and conception support. Jessica has a skill and love for making childbirth and reproductive education digestible and accessible for all people. She is the co-founder of Centered, a curated community for doulas and she is the former lead educator and curriculum developer at Doula Training International. Jessica and I discuss not only her career path from doula to midwife but dive deep into a discussion about making birth work sustainable in the long run. Jessica shares a multitude of tips for our audience in avoiding burnout, setting boundaries to better serve yourself and your clients, as well as finding your joy and purpose in birth work outside just attending births. With over 10 years in the field and a thriving career, Jessica practices what she preaches and has a passion for teaching others not only about how to be a doula at a birth, but a doula making a living wage and sustainable career path. Content Warning: Black maternal and Black infant death, Postpartum death, systemic racism Resources: Learn about Jessica's work, including how to join Centered here: Follow Jessica's work:

• Instagram @jessicadiggs and @joincentered
• Substack: Midwifery is More

Find the book The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker here For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Want to get involved at EBB?

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here
• Find an EBB Instructor here
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.