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: <a href="https://www.drjessicavernon.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via= "editor comment">https://www.drjessicavernon.com/</a> Follow Dr. Vernon on Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/dr.jessicavernon/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test="link-preview-plain" data-via= "editor comment">https://www.instagram.com/dr.jessicavernon/</a> Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation About Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood by Dr. Jessica Vernon: <a href= "https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/then-comes-baby-9781538195925/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via= "editor comment">https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/then-comes-baby-9781538195925/</a> Matrescence: On Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood by Lucy Jones: <a href= "https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714054/matrescence-by-lucy-jones/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via= "editor comment">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714054/matrescence-by-lucy-jones/</a> Free Postpartum Support International online support groups: <a href= "https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via= "editor comment">https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/</a> PSI Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory: <a href= "https://postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/">https://postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/</a> For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://instagram.com/ebbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Instagram</a> and <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> 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.

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: <a href="https://www.drjessicavernon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.drjessicavernon.com/</a> Follow Dr. Vernon on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.jessicavernon/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/dr.jessicavernon/</a> Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation About Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood by Dr. Jessica Vernon: <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/then-comes-baby-9781538195925/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/then-comes-baby-9781538195925/</a> Matrescence: On Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood by Lucy Jones: <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714054/matrescence-by-lucy-jones/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714054/matrescence-by-lucy-jones/</a> Free Postpartum Support International online support groups: <a href="https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/</a> PSI Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory: <a href="https://postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/</a> For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://instagram.com/ebbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a href="https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB 408 - "What They Didn't Tell Me about Birth and Parenthood" with Dr. Jessica Vernon, Board-Certified OB/GYN and Perinatal Coach

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 <ul class="ql-rendered-list-container" data-test= "rendered-list-container" data-is-root="true"> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-h7kd1QVWIX">Get the Evidence Based Birth® Induction Pocket Guide: <a href= "https://shop.evidencebasedbirth.com/products/evidence-based-birth-pocket-guides" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://shop.evidencebasedbirth.com/products/evidence-based-birth-pocket-guides</a> </li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-QnfB9fe2cZ"> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test="link-preview-plain" data-via="editor comment">Evidence on: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks</a></li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-z4wiZDfVCW"> <a href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-induction-for-gestational-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via="editor comment">Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes</a></li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-Z4Kv-M63P1"> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via="editor comment">Evidence on: Group B Strep</a></li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-SF-P1U9P9I"> <a href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-348-best-practices-for-size-inclusive-birth-care-with-jen-mclellan-of-plus-size-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via="editor comment">EBB 348 – Best Practices for Size-Inclusive Birth Care with Jen McLellan of Plus Size Birth</a></li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-XMgEpT7GG7"> <a href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/friedmans-curve-and-failure-to-progress-a-leading-cause-of-unplanned-c-sections/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via="editor comment">Friedman's Curve and Failure to Progress: A Leading Cause of Unplanned Cesareans</a></li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-JK_qin65wL">Get your California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Toolkit: <a href= "https://www.cmqcc.org/toolkits-quality-improvement/all-toolkits" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.cmqcc.org/toolkits-quality-improvement/all-toolkits</a></li> <li class="ql-rendered-bullet-list" data-test= "rendered-list-item-bullet" data-block-id="block-HpIeIk8sd_"> <a href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-359-mini-q-and-a-on-early-induction-for-gestational-hypertension-acupuncture-acupressure-for-labor-and-time-intervals-between-pregnancies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via="editor comment">EBB 359 – Mini Q & A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies</a></li> </ul> For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://instagram.com/ebbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Instagram</a> and <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> 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.

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 <ul> <li>Get the Evidence Based Birth® Induction Pocket Guide: <a href="https://shop.evidencebasedbirth.com/products/evidence-based-birth-pocket-guides" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://shop.evidencebasedbirth.com/products/evidence-based-birth-pocket-guides</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Evidence on: The ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks</a></li> <li> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-induction-for-gestational-diabetes/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes</a></li> <li> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Evidence on: Group B Strep</a></li> <li> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-348-best-practices-for-size-inclusive-birth-care-with-jen-mclellan-of-plus-size-birth/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 348 – Best Practices for Size-Inclusive Birth Care with Jen McLellan of Plus Size Birth</a></li> <li> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/friedmans-curve-and-failure-to-progress-a-leading-cause-of-unplanned-c-sections/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Friedman's Curve and Failure to Progress: A Leading Cause of Unplanned Cesareans</a></li> <li>Get your California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Toolkit: <a href="https://www.cmqcc.org/toolkits-quality-improvement/all-toolkits" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.cmqcc.org/toolkits-quality-improvement/all-toolkits</a></li> <li> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-359-mini-q-and-a-on-early-induction-for-gestational-hypertension-acupuncture-acupressure-for-labor-and-time-intervals-between-pregnancies/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 359 – Mini Q &amp; A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies</a></li> </ul> For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://instagram.com/ebbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a href="https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB 412 - Induction Tips for Families with High-Risk Doula Jennifer Anderson, RN

How long does the pushing phase of labor typically last? Does precipitous labor run in families? And can drinking okra water actually make labor and birth easier? In this Q&A episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker tackles three questions submitted by EBB Pro Members. First, Dr. Dekker details the findings of a recently published study from France that found many birthing people spent less than 15 minutes actively pushing before birth. She explains the concept of delayed pushing and why these results may not be easily replicated in other birth settings. She also reviews the available evidence on precipitous labor, birth that occurs within three hours of the onset of contractions, and discusses whether fast labors appear to run in families. Finally, she examines the growing social media trend of drinking okra water during pregnancy, exploring the cultural history of okra as a nutritious food, separating popular claims from scientific evidence, and discussing what researchers currently know (and don't know) about its effects during pregnancy. (02:34) Delayed pushing and active pushing times under 15 minutes (04:22) Understanding delayed pushing practices in France versus the United States (05:33) Study methods, hospital protocols, and participant characteristics (06:56) Results: Average pushing times, epidural effects, and birth outcomes (08:14) Key takeaways from the delayed pushing study (10:53) Does precipitous labor run in families? (12:21) Research on precipitous labor risk factors and prevalence (14:20) Is there evidence that fast labor is hereditary? (15:05) What are the benefits of drinking okra water during pregnancy? (17:46) Popular social media claims about okra water (18:46) What researchers did and did not find about okra water (21:15) Okra's cultural significance in pregnancy and postpartum traditions For a full list of references, visit <a href= "https://ebbirth.com/404" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-via= "editor comment">ebbirth.com/404</a>. For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://instagram.com/ebbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Instagram</a> and <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

How long does the pushing phase of labor typically last? Does precipitous labor run in families? And can drinking okra water actually make labor and birth easier? In this Q&A episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker tackles three questions submitted by EBB Pro Members. First, Dr. Dekker details the findings of a recently published study from France that found many birthing people spent less than 15 minutes actively pushing before birth. She explains the concept of delayed pushing and why these results may not be easily replicated in other birth settings. She also reviews the available evidence on precipitous labor, birth that occurs within three hours of the onset of contractions, and discusses whether fast labors appear to run in families. Finally, she examines the growing social media trend of drinking okra water during pregnancy, exploring the cultural history of okra as a nutritious food, separating popular claims from scientific evidence, and discussing what researchers currently know (and don't know) about its effects during pregnancy. (02:34) Delayed pushing and active pushing times under 15 minutes (04:22) Understanding delayed pushing practices in France versus the United States (05:33) Study methods, hospital protocols, and participant characteristics (06:56) Results: Average pushing times, epidural effects, and birth outcomes (08:14) Key takeaways from the delayed pushing study (10:53) Does precipitous labor run in families? (12:21) Research on precipitous labor risk factors and prevalence (14:20) Is there evidence that fast labor is hereditary? (15:05) What are the benefits of drinking okra water during pregnancy? (17:46) Popular social media claims about okra water (18:46) What researchers did and did not find about okra water (21:15) Okra's cultural significance in pregnancy and postpartum traditions For a full list of references, visit ebbirth.com/404. 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.

How long does the pushing phase of labor typically last? Does precipitous labor run in families? And can drinking okra water actually make labor and birth easier? In this Q&amp;A episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker tackles three questions submitted by EBB Pro Members. First, Dr. Dekker details the findings of a recently published study from France that found many birthing people spent less than 15 minutes actively pushing before birth. She explains the concept of delayed pushing and why these results may not be easily replicated in other birth settings. She also reviews the available evidence on precipitous labor, birth that occurs within three hours of the onset of contractions, and discusses whether fast labors appear to run in families. Finally, she examines the growing social media trend of drinking okra water during pregnancy, exploring the cultural history of okra as a nutritious food, separating popular claims from scientific evidence, and discussing what researchers currently know (and don't know) about its effects during pregnancy. (02:34) Delayed pushing and active pushing times under 15 minutes (04:22) Understanding delayed pushing practices in France versus the United States (05:33) Study methods, hospital protocols, and participant characteristics (06:56) Results: Average pushing times, epidural effects, and birth outcomes (08:14) Key takeaways from the delayed pushing study (10:53) Does precipitous labor run in families? (12:21) Research on precipitous labor risk factors and prevalence (14:20) Is there evidence that fast labor is hereditary? (15:05) What are the benefits of drinking okra water during pregnancy? (17:46) Popular social media claims about okra water (18:46) What researchers did and did not find about okra water (21:15) Okra's cultural significance in pregnancy and postpartum traditions For a full list of references, visit <a href="https://ebbirth.com/404" rel="noopener noreferrer">ebbirth.com/404</a>. For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://instagram.com/ebbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a href="https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB 404 - Mini Q&A about Average Time Spent Pushing, Precipitous Labor, and Okra Water During the Third Trimester

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 <a class="ql-link" href= "https://ebbirth.com/410" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test="link-preview-plain">evidencebasedbirth.com</a>. Resources<a href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/home-birth-midwives-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EBB 23 – Home Birth Midwives</a> <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-110-inside-an-unplanned-unassisted-home-birth-with-parent-sabrina-tran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">EBB 110 – Inside an Unplanned, Unassisted Home Birth with Parent Sabrina Tran</a> <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-based-birth-podcast-vicki-penwell-mercy-in-action-coronavirus-homebirth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">EBB 122 – Home birth during the pandemic with Vicki Penwell</a> <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-292-confronting-the-unknowns-in-childbirth-with-liesel-teen-of-the-mommy-labor-nurse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">EBB 292 – Confronting the Unknowns in Childbirth with Liesel Teen of the Mommy Labor Nurse</a> <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/home-birth-in-the-black-community-with-isis-rose/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">EBB 130 – Home Birth in the Black Community with Isis Rose</a> Count the Kicks: <a class="ql-link" href="https://countthekicks.org/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://countthekicks.org/</a> PUSH Pregnancy: <a class="ql-link" href="https://www.pushpregnancy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://www.pushpregnancy.org/</a> Star Legacy Foundation: <a class="ql-link" href= "https://starlegacyfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://starlegacyfoundation.org/</a> Healthy Birth Day: <a class="ql-link" href="https://healthybirthday.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://healthybirthday.org/</a> CDC Stillbirth resources: <a class="ql-link" href= "https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html</a> Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: <a class="ql-link" href= "https://nationalshare.org/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://nationalshare.org/</a> Stillbirth and infant loss support communities: <a class="ql-link" href= "https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/</a> Works Cited <ol> <li>Birthplace in England Collaborative Group (BECG). 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"Officials 'strongly advise' against freebirths after cluster of stillbirths in Ontario." Ottawa Citizen. January 15. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/officials-advise-against-freebirths-after-stillbirths-ontario" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/officials-advise-against-freebirths-after-stillbirths-ontario</a></li> <li>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. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8923081/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8923081/</a></li> <li>Rosenberg, K. & Trevathan, W. (1995). " Bipedalism and human birth: The obstetrical dilemma revisited." Evolutionary Anthropology 4(5): 161-168. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.1360040506" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.1360040506</a>Sargent, C. (1982).</li> <li>"The Implications of Role Expectations for Birth Assistance among Bariba." Soc Sci Med 16(16): 1483-1489. <a class="ql-link" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135022/</a></li> <li>Shorey, S., Jarašiūnaitė-Fedosejeva, G., Akik, B. K., et al. (2023). "Trends and motivations for freebirth: A scoping review." Birth 50(1): 16-31. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36598288/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36598288/</a></li> <li>Shostak, M. (1981). Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.</li> <li>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. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26716916/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26716916/</a></li> <li>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. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35164785/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35164785/</a></li> <li>Togioka, B. M. & Tonismae, T. (2023). "Uterine Rupture." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. <a class= "ql-link" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559209/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559209/</a></li> <li>Uda, E. (2026). "Facing rural realities and mistrust in hospitals, these women turned to home births." CBC Radio. April 26. <a class="ql-link" href= "https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/freebirthing-rural-maternal-medicine-9.7172199" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/freebirthing-rural-maternal-medicine-9.7172199</a></li> </ol>

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 Birthplace in England Collaborative Group (BECG). (2011). "Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnancies: the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study." BMJ 343: d7400. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22117057/ 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. 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/ 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 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/ 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/ 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/ Carlson, K. & Vadakekut, E. S. (2026). "Amniotic Fluid Embolism." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559107/ 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. 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/ Dahlen, H., Kumar-Hazard, B., & Schmied, V. (2020). Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine. Edited Volume. London: Routledge. 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/ 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 Davis-Floyd, R. & Cheyney, M. (2019). Birth in Eight Cultures. Edited Volume. Waveland Press. 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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 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 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 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/ 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 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/ 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. 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 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/ 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). "The Implications of Role Expectations for Birth Assistance among Bariba." Soc Sci Med 16(16): 1483-1489. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135022/ 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/ Shostak, M. (1981). Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 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/ 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/ Togioka, B. M. & Tonismae, T. (2023). "Uterine Rupture." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559209/ 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

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 <a href="https://ebbirth.com/410" rel="noopener noreferrer">evidencebasedbirth.com</a>. Resources<a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/home-birth-midwives-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 23 – Home Birth Midwives</a> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-110-inside-an-unplanned-unassisted-home-birth-with-parent-sabrina-tran/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 110 – Inside an Unplanned, Unassisted Home Birth with Parent Sabrina Tran</a> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-based-birth-podcast-vicki-penwell-mercy-in-action-coronavirus-homebirth/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 122 – Home birth during the pandemic with Vicki Penwell</a> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-292-confronting-the-unknowns-in-childbirth-with-liesel-teen-of-the-mommy-labor-nurse/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 292 – Confronting the Unknowns in Childbirth with Liesel Teen of the Mommy Labor Nurse</a> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/home-birth-in-the-black-community-with-isis-rose/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 130 – Home Birth in the Black Community with Isis Rose</a> Count the Kicks: <a href="https://countthekicks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://countthekicks.org/</a> PUSH Pregnancy: <a href="https://www.pushpregnancy.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.pushpregnancy.org/</a> Star Legacy Foundation: <a href="https://starlegacyfoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://starlegacyfoundation.org/</a> Healthy Birth Day: <a href="https://healthybirthday.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://healthybirthday.org/</a> CDC Stillbirth resources: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html</a> Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: <a href="https://nationalshare.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://nationalshare.org/</a> Stillbirth and infant loss support communities: <a href="https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/</a> Works Cited <ol> <li>Birthplace in England Collaborative Group (BECG). (2011). "Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnancies: the Birthplace in England national prospective cohort study." BMJ 343: d7400. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22117057/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22117057/</a></li> <li>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. &amp; C.F. Sargent (eds), Childbirth and Authoritative Knowledge. Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Berkeley: University of California Press, pp. 474-92.</li> <li>Bjellmo, S. &amp; Iversen, J. K. (2025). "Unassisted home births in Norway: A growing concern." Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 104(8): 1418-1419. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40536244/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40536244/</a></li> <li>Boodman, S. G. (2007). "Do-it-yourself Delivery." The Washington Post. July 31. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072702164.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072702164.html</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39514513/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39514513/</a></li> <li>Boushra, M., Stone, A., &amp; Rathbun, K. M. (2023). "Umbilical Cord Prolapse." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542241/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542241/</a></li> <li>Brandt, J. S. &amp; 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. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10176440/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10176440/</a></li> <li>Carlson, K. &amp; Vadakekut, E. S. (2026). "Amniotic Fluid Embolism." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559107/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559107/</a></li> <li>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 <a href="http://wonder.cdc.gov/natality-expanded-current.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://wonder.cdc.gov/natality-expanded-current.html</a> on Jul 29, 2026.</li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24479690/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24479690/</a></li> <li>Dahlen, H., Kumar-Hazard, B., &amp; Schmied, V. (2020). Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine. Edited Volume. London: Routledge.</li> <li>Dahlen, H. G., Jackson, M., &amp; Stevens, J. (2011). "Homebirth, freebirth and doulas: casualty and consequences of a broken maternity system." Women Birth 24(1): 47-50. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21163719/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21163719/</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/20/stacey-warnecke-melbourne-influencer-died-freebirth-inquest-ntwnfb" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/20/stacey-warnecke-melbourne-influencer-died-freebirth-inquest-ntwnfb</a></li> <li>Davis-Floyd, R. &amp; Cheyney, M. (2019). Birth in Eight Cultures. Edited Volume. Waveland Press.</li> <li>Einerson, B. D., Gilner, J. B., &amp; Zuckerwise, L. C. (2023). "Placenta Accreta Spectrum." Obstet Gynecol 142(1): 31-50.<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10491415/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10491415/</a></li> <li>Feeley, C. &amp; Thomson, G. (2016). "Tensions and conflicts in 'choice': Womens' experiences of freebirthing in the UK." Midwifery 41: 16-21. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27498184/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27498184/</a></li> <li>Feeley, C. &amp; Thomson, G. (2016). "Why do some women choose to freebirth in the UK? An interpretative phenomenological study." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16: 59. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000100/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000100/</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816178/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816178/</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26696622/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26696622/</a></li> <li>Iceland Monitor. (2024). "How do you know this woman had this child." Iceland Monitor. May 9. <a href="https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2024/05/09/how_do_you_know_this_woman_had_this_child/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2024/05/09/how_do_you_know_this_woman_had_this_child/</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37295181/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37295181/</a></li> <li>Johnston, K. &amp; MacDougall, C. (2026). "Toward Conceptual Clarity: Out-of-Hospital Birth Practices and Freebirth Entrepreneurialism." Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture, &amp; Social Justice. 47(1): 44–57. <a href="https://atlantisjournal.ca/atlantis/en/article/view/5920" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://atlantisjournal.ca/atlantis/en/article/view/5920</a></li> <li>Kale, S. &amp; 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. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/nov/22/free-birth-society-linked-to-babies-deaths-investigation" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/nov/22/free-birth-society-linked-to-babies-deaths-investigation</a></li> <li>Kale, S. &amp; 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. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/30/freebirth-wellness-influencer-stacey-warnecke-death-ntwnfb" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/30/freebirth-wellness-influencer-stacey-warnecke-death-ntwnfb</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36332498/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36332498/</a></li> <li>Mackeen, D. (2026). "She wanted a `free birth.' It put her and her baby in grave danger." The New York Times. April 22. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/science/free-birth-wild-pregancy-risks-home-birth.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/science/free-birth-wild-pregancy-risks-home-birth.html</a></li> <li>McKenzie, G., Robert, G., &amp; 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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32361690/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32361690/</a></li> <li>Miller, J. F. (2020). "Solitary and Kin-Assisted Rarámuri Birth: Ideals and realities." In Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier. Daviss, B. &amp; Davis-Floyd, R., eds. Routledge: London.</li> <li>Payne, E. (2025). "Officials 'strongly advise' against freebirths after cluster of stillbirths in Ontario." Ottawa Citizen. January 15. <a href="https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/officials-advise-against-freebirths-after-stillbirths-ontario" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/officials-advise-against-freebirths-after-stillbirths-ontario</a></li> <li>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. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8923081/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8923081/</a></li> <li>Rosenberg, K. &amp; Trevathan, W. (1995). " Bipedalism and human birth: The obstetrical dilemma revisited." Evolutionary Anthropology 4(5): 161-168. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.1360040506" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.1360040506</a>Sargent, C. (1982).</li> <li>"The Implications of Role Expectations for Birth Assistance among Bariba." Soc Sci Med 16(16): 1483-1489. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135022/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135022/</a></li> <li>Shorey, S., Jarašiūnaitė-Fedosejeva, G., Akik, B. K., et al. (2023). "Trends and motivations for freebirth: A scoping review." Birth 50(1): 16-31. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36598288/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36598288/</a></li> <li>Shostak, M. (1981). Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.</li> <li>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. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26716916/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26716916/</a></li> <li>Sperlich, M. &amp; Gabriel, C. (2022). ""I got to catch my own baby": a qualitative study of out of hospital birth." Reprod Health 19(1): 43. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35164785/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35164785/</a></li> <li>Togioka, B. M. &amp; Tonismae, T. (2023). "Uterine Rupture." In StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559209/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559209/</a></li> <li>Uda, E. (2026). "Facing rural realities and mistrust in hospitals, these women turned to home births." CBC Radio. 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EBB 410 - Evidence and Controversy Surrounding Freebirth

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 <a class="ql-link" href= "https://ebbirth.com/414" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test="link-preview-plain">ebbirth.com/414</a>. (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 <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-359-mini-q-and-a-on-early-induction-for-gestational-hypertension-acupuncture-acupressure-for-labor-and-time-intervals-between-pregnancies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">EBB 359 – Mini Q & A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies</a> <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/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/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">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</a> <a class= "ql-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-408-what-they-didnt-tell-me-about-birth-and-parenthood-with-dr-jessica-vernon-board-certified-obgyn-and-perinatal-coach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-test= "link-preview-plain">EBB 408, what they didn't tell me about birth and parenthood with Dr. Jessica Vernon, Board-Certified OB/GYN and Perinatal Coach</a> For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://instagram.com/ebbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Instagram</a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

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.

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 <a href="https://ebbirth.com/414" rel="noopener noreferrer">ebbirth.com/414</a>. (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 <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-359-mini-q-and-a-on-early-induction-for-gestational-hypertension-acupuncture-acupressure-for-labor-and-time-intervals-between-pregnancies/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 359 – Mini Q &amp; A on Early Induction for Gestational Hypertension, Acupuncture/Acupressure for Labor, and Time Intervals between Pregnancies</a> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/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/" rel="noopener noreferrer">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</a> <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-408-what-they-didnt-tell-me-about-birth-and-parenthood-with-dr-jessica-vernon-board-certified-obgyn-and-perinatal-coach/" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB 408, what they didn't tell me about birth and parenthood with Dr. Jessica Vernon, Board-Certified OB/GYN and Perinatal Coach</a> For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a href="http://www.ebbirth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://instagram.com/ebbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a href="https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents" rel="noopener noreferrer">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB 414 - Evidence on Natural Labor Induction: Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Breast Stimulation

Module 3: Intro Birth Settings

Module 2: Lesson 6 Micro Solutions

Module 2: Lesson 5 Macro Solutions

Module 2: Lesson 4 Power Hierarchy

Module 2: Lesson 3 Interprofessional Teams

Module 2: Lesson 2 Models of Care

Module 2: Lesson 1 Care Provider Types

Module 2: Intro Maternity Care Teams

Module 1: Lesson 4: Biases

Module 1: Lesson 3: Levels of Evidence

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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