This summer, join Dr. Rebecca Dekker and the EBB Research Team for a four-part live series on "How to Read Research," starting June 30. Get access to the full Summer School Series by joining the Quarterly EBB Pro Membership at a special summer rate! Plus, enroll by June 28 and receive a free digital EBB Pocket Guide to Labor Induction! Learn more and save your seat in our virtual classroom: ebbirth.com/summer

The way we move during labor shapes far more than our comfort. It helps determine how a baby navigates through the pelvis, and whether a birth can unfold with fewer interventions! In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Brittany Sharpe McCollum, a childbirth educator, doula, lactation counselor, and pelvic biomechanics educator. Brittany explains how the bones of the pelvis move during labor, why that movement matters for fetal positioning, and how everyone can benefit from intentional position changes during labor-- whether you're planning an unmedicated birth or not! They explore the three planes of the pelvis, why opening the pelvic inlet and outlet require opposite movements, and how to match specific positions to where the baby is located in the pelvis. Brittany also shares her 5-4-3 rule for position changes, practical tips for inductions and epidurals, the power of asymmetrical positioning, and why movement is one of the few birth tools that carries benefit without risk. (06:25) Exploring movement in childbirth (10:19) Understanding baby's position in labor (13:03) Benefits of movement during labor (17:31) Subtle pelvic movements in labor (23:05) Partner role during contractions (25:17) Managing rectal pressure during labor (27:57) Movement during labor (32:21) Importance of prenatal education (37:35) Understanding racism in obstetrics Resources EBB Signature Article on the Evidence on Birthing Positions: ebbirth.com/birthingpositions Learn more about Brittany: blossomingbelliesbirth.com "Baby Got VBAC: An Inspiring Collection of Wisdom for Better Births After a Cesarean" Connect with Brittany on Instagram: @blossomingbelliesbirth 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.

The ways we feed and care for babies are shaped not only by research, but also by family traditions, cultural values, and generations of shared wisdom.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Yogyata Wadhwa, an IBCLC, childbirth educator, birth doula, sleep consultant, and infant feeding specialist based in India. Drawing on her experience supporting more than 10,000 families, Yogyata shares how parents can honor cultural traditions while making informed decisions about breastfeeding, introducing solids, and navigating the postpartum period.   They explore common breastfeeding challenges, cultural beliefs surrounding infant feeding, and how parents can balance evidence-based recommendations with meaningful family customs. Yogyata also shares postpartum traditions in India, including the Jappa period, family caregiving practices, and the cultural significance of introducing a baby's first foods.   (00:00) Introduction and overview of cultural perspectives on breastfeeding and infant feeding in India (05:34) How Yogyata became a childbirth educator, IBCLC, doula, and infant feeding specialist (08:38) Common breastfeeding challenges: milk supply concerns, latch difficulties, and tongue ties (10:24) Cultural beliefs that influence breastfeeding (16:18) Traditional infant feeding practices in India and the Annaprasan ceremony (21:32) First foods for babies and introducing solids (23:45) What baby-led feeding looks like (28:04) Signs that a baby is ready to start solids (33:41) Maternity leave, workplace accommodations, and postpartum support systems in India (36:20) The Jappa period and postpartum recovery practices (39:09) Balancing evidence-based recommendations with cultural expectations (43:43) Advice for Indian families living abroad and navigating feeding without traditional support systems (47:04) Yogyata's final advice for first-time parents   Resources Connect with Yogyata on Instagram: @thebirth.life Learn more about The Birth Life: thebirthlife.com/   For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Research shows that queer and trans parents face significantly higher rates of perinatal depression and anxiety, but affirming and community-centered support can make a big difference. In this episode, clinical psychologist and researcher Leiszle Lapping-Carr joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker to talk about the unique mental health challenges 2SLGBTQ+ parents may experience during pregnancy and postpartum and what providers, birth workers, and communities can do to create safer, more supportive care. Dr. Lapping-Carr shares how stigma, discrimination, isolation, and lack of affirming healthcare spaces can affect mental health outcomes for queer and trans parents. She also explains how evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy can be adapted to better support 2SLGBTQ+ families, especially when distress is rooted in experiences of discrimination and loss of safety. Learn how protective factors that support mental health, chosen family and community, and inclusive healthcare providers can make perinatal spaces more affirming for all parents.   (01:43) Dr. Leiszle Lapping-Carr's background and research journey (04:31) Perinatal depression rates among queer and trans parents (07:19) Minority stress, discrimination, and mental health risks (11:08) Protective factors and the importance of community support (12:52) What is the Mothers and Babies intervention? (15:17) Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for queer and trans parents (20:09) Common thought patterns and challenges for LGBTQ+ parents (22:57) Behavioral strategies and "pleasant activities" for mental health (28:58) Barriers to affirming perinatal mental healthcare (32:42) The role of doulas and community recommendations (37:33) Common mistakes providers make when caring for queer and trans parents   Resources Learn more about Dr. Lapping-Carr and her research: feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=49272 Postpartum Support International Online Support Groups: postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/ Mothers and Babies preventive perinatal depression intervention: mothersandbabiesprogram.org/providers/   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.

Happy EBB 400! In honor of this milestone, Team EBB is looking back on some of our and your favorite episodes of the EBB Podcast from the past nine years. From advocacy in birth and improving maternity care to exercise in pregnancy, postpartum support, Vitamin K, and upright birthing positions, this anniversary episode highlights the stories and evidence that have shaped the EBB community since 2017. Whether you've been here since episode one or just recently found the podcast, this episode is a celebration of evidence-based information and the families and professionals who make this work meaningful. (07:04) Jennie Joseph on The JJ Way® and Improving Maternity Care (12:56) JaMichael Perryman on Birth Advocacy and Supporting Your Partner (18:26) Evidence on Birthing Positions and Protecting the Perineum (23:51) Exercise in Pregnancy with MamasteFit's Gina Conley (29:14) Cheyanne Saenz on Self-Advocacy and Knowing Your Rights in Birth (33:15) Q&A: Pitocin and Postpartum Depression (39:24) Updated Evidence on Vitamin K for Newborns (44:56) Rebecca's Mom Shares Her Experiences with Twilight Sleep and Changing Birth Practices (47:46) Looking Back on 400 Episodes and Looking Ahead to the Future of EBB Resources EBB 136 – Solutions for the Crisis in American Maternity Care EBB 145 – Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JaMichael Perryman EBB 221 – Evidence on Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practices for Protecting the Perineum EBB 264 – Top 3 Tips for Exercise in Pregnancy with Gina and Roxanne of Mamaste Fit EBB 208 – Advocating for Your Rights in Birth with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate, Cheyanne Saenz EBB 304 - Q & A on PPD/Pitocin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Nubain, and Placental Encapsulation EBB 347 - Updated Evidence on Vitamin K  EBB 75 - Birth in Twilight Sleep – the Experiences of Rebecca's Mom 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 fitness advice has changed dramatically over the last few decades, but many parents still receive outdated recommendations rooted more in fear than evidence. After receiving outdated advice during her own pregnancy, exercise physiologist and prenatal/postnatal wellness practitioner Ashley Reid was inspired to help moms stay active through every stage of motherhood. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Ashley about the latest evidence on exercise and strength training during pregnancy and postpartum. Ashley shares why old recommendations like keeping your heart rate under 140 beats per minute are outdated, what the research actually says about lifting weights during pregnancy, and how to safely build strength in ways that support your changing body. She also explains her "Core, Function, and Fitness" framework and how to approach postpartum recovery as a gradual progression instead of a rush back to exercise. (03:55) Outdated pregnancy exercise advice and the "140 beats per minute" rule (06:27) Fear around heart rate monitoring and exercise intensity in pregnancy (08:42) What the research says about exercise safety and pregnancy (13:20) Ashley's "Core, Function, and Fitness" framework (17:20) Why core strength matters during pregnancy (20:47) Is lifting weights during pregnancy safe? (25:25) Signs it may be time to modify or pause exercise (27:23) How pregnancy exercise supports postpartum recovery (30:01) Returning to exercise postpartum and the new 2025 guidelines (36:27) Ashley shares what readers will learn in her book Active Mom (37:56) Sample workout progressions and making exercise work for you Resources Learn more about Active Mom Fitness: activemomfitness.com/ Get your copy of Ashley's Book, "Active Mom": activemomfitness.com/books 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.

Many neurodivergent people move through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum feeling misunderstood and unsupported in healthcare settings that were not designed with their minds in mind. In this episode, doula and founder of Neurodivergent Birth Victoria White shares how her own later-in-life autism and ADHD diagnoses reshaped her understanding of her postpartum experiences and why many neurodivergent parents struggle in systems that often assume everyone processes in the same way. Learn about how sensory processing, communication, and executive functioning challenges can shape the perinatal experience for neurodivergent families and the small changes that can help neurodivergent people feel safer, more supported, and empowered. (04:30) The four support pillars of neurodivergent birth (10:11) How sleep deprivation impacts neurodivergent parents (12:02) Hormones, estrogen, ADHD, and postpartum changes (19:05) Barriers to adult diagnosis and self-identifying as neurodivergent (22:14) Strategies for sensory support, communication, and birth planning (25:50) Supporting executive functioning during pregnancy and postpartum (28:27) "Think neurodivergence first": what healthcare workers need to understand (30:33) Supporting neurodivergent partners during birth (31:31) Neurodivergence and cesarean birth experiences (36:53) Victoria's book Why Neurodivergent Birth Matters (38:27) Research groups, mental health resources, and the Neurodivergent Birth Podcast (39:22) Reasonable accommodations and disability protections in maternity care Resources Learn more about Neurodivergent Birth: ndbirth.com/ Get free, downloadable fact sheets and planning resources: ndbirth.com/downloads Listen to the Neurodivergent Birth podcast: ndbirth.com/podcast Maternity Autism Research Group: maternityautismresearchgroup.co.uk/ PANDAS Foundation: pandasfoundation.org.uk/ 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.

What happens when your carefully planned, low-intervention birth transforms into something entirely unexpected? In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker revisits her conversation with Leah Bergman, a graduate of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, and her birth story of navigating a surprise diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (sometimes called intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR) in late pregnancy. Together, they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of changing birth plans, wrestling with uncertainty, and making tough decisions around induction while still finding space for empowerment, advocacy, and joy. Leah opens up about leaning on evidence-based education, support from her husband and doula, and a compassionate midwifery team as she faced a challenging induction process complete with surprises, setbacks, and two trips to the hospital. You'll also hear practical strategies for advocating during labor, the realities of taking a break from an induction then "starting over", and how to build a positive birth experience even when things go off script. Content Note: Discussion of the risk of stillbirth associated with fetal growth restriction. (03:44) Discovering Evidence Based Birth® (09:15) Deciding to induce labor(10:43) Placenta health and birth timing(14:50 Discussing timing of delivery(17:41) Labor induction experience(23:29 Beginning stages of labor induction(25:55) Advocating for rest during labor(28:48) Unexpectedly quick delivery experience(31:51) Managing baby's low birth weight   For the full list of resources from this epiosde, click here. 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 and birth don't require perfection to be empowering. In this solo episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker shares share five life lessons she's learned over 14 years as a nurse, mother, and founder of Evidence Based Birth. She offers grounding guidance for navigating pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood with more trust, self-compassion, and calm. This episode centers on the idea that you don't have to know everything to have a positive birth experience. Instead, Dr. Dekker explores how building a supportive team, staying connected to your body, and focusing on what you can control can transform how you approach birth. She also reflects on the value and meaning of childbirth for those who choose it, the importance of respectful and empowering care, and the lifelong practice of letting go of what's outside your control. (02:05) You Don't Have to Know Everything About Pregnancy and Birth (07:01) Being the Expert of Your Own Body (13:39) Childbirth is Worth It (20:46) It is Possible to Have an Empowering Childbirth Experience (27:11) Controlling What You Can, Letting Go of What You Can't (36:56) Final Thoughts and Words of Comfort 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.

The evidence shows that vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option for many families, but it's still frequently inaccessible to them. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Nicholas Rubashkin discuss the systemic barriers that limit families' opportunities to choose a VBAC. They explore how hospital policies, outdated guidelines, and clinical tools like the VBAC calculator have shaped who's a "good candidate" and who is not.   Dr. Rubashkin also shares insights from his research on inequities in maternity care, including how race-adjusted algorithms reinforce disparities, why the "immediately available" standard still impacts hospital policies today, and how geography, provider practices, and induction policies can influence VBAC access. Plus, hear evidence-based strategies for advocating for a VBAC, including how to evaluate providers and interpret VBAC rates.   (01:36) Dr. Rubashkin's background and path into obstetrics (08:32) Major barriers to VBAC access in the U.S. (11:37) The "immediately available" standard explained (14:38) Misconceptions about emergency cesarean availability (16:58) Ethical and legal implications of VBAC restrictions (18:02) Institutional barriers (20:17) The VBAC calculator and how it influenced access (26:12) Racism, bias, and interpretation of VBAC data (30:02) Induction and VBAC: evidence vs. practice (36:17) What informed consent for VBAC should include (37:18) Identifying supportive vs. reluctant providers   Resources ACOG's VBAC guidelines and recommendations: acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2019/02/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-delivery Human Rights in Childbirth: humanrightsinchildbirth.org/ UCSF's Better Birth Research Initiative: betterbirth.ucsf.edu/ International Cesarean Awareness Network: ican-online.org/   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.

Learn more about EBB's upcoming Induction Bootcamp on Tuesday, April 28 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM EDT. To save your seat or access the replay, join the EBB Pro Membership for just $39 for your first 30 days: ebbirth.com/membership.

Postpartum care wasn't always rushed, clinical, or isolating. In many African-American communities, the weeks after birth were treated as sacred time where families and communities gathered to care for the mother so she could focus on caring for her baby.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with renowned midwife, cultural historian, and author Shafia Monroe about the traditions documented in her new book Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing. Mama Shafia shares how historically rooted postpartum practices—from the 42-day "lying-in" period to nourishing soups, herbal teas, and hands-on community support—helped mothers rest, recover, and bond with their babies.   They explore what's missing from the modern Western postpartum model, how traditional wisdom from Black midwives supported physical and emotional recovery, and why caring for mothers is essential for healthy families and communities.   (02:43) Why Shafia wrote Mothering the Mother and the lack of resources on African-American postpartum traditions (07:47) The love letter to Black mothers and words of affirmation for postpartum parents (11:56) What's missing in modern postpartum care and how Western systems differ from traditional community care (19:06) Hypervigilance, stress, and supporting postpartum healing (21:26) The 42-day "lying-in" period and traditional postpartum rituals (25:45) Postpartum food traditions, soups, and healing foods from African and African-American culture (33:50) Why these traditions matter for all families, not just one culture (37:45) "Mother wit": trusting intuition about your body and your baby (41:25) Advocating for yourself in healthcare and trusting your body during pregnancy and birth   Resources Get Mama Shafia's book, Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing: shafiamonroe.com/mothering-the-mother/ Learn about the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC): thenaabb.org/ Read about SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training: smcdoulas.com/ EBB 152 – Shafia Monroe on Traditional Black Midwifery, Spirituality, and Community Advocacy   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.

Every pregnant person deserves the information and support they need to make truly informed decisions about labor induction. In this encore episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Dr. Ann Peralta and Kari Radoff, CNM, the co-creators of Partner to Decide, a nonprofit improving decision-making in perinatal care. They discuss their free, multilingual decision aid that helps families understand their options around routine induction of labor and empowers them to advocate for their own values, preferences, and autonomy. Ann shares how her own birth experience, shaped by access to education and privilege, sparked the creation of the tool. Kari offers insight into how the decision aid has changed conversations in clinical settings, bringing clarity, reducing bias, and fostering truly shared decision-making. Together, they illuminate how access to balanced information can reduce anxiety, improve trust, and shift the culture of perinatal care. (03:02) What Is a Decision Aid and Why It Matters (07:12) Ann's Birth Story and the Origins of Partner to Decide (11:09) Gaps in Shared Decision-Making from a Provider's Perspective (14:24) Personal Values, Intuition, and Cultural Differences (18:19) Designing the Decision Aid with Equity and Accessibility (23:49) The Power of Absolute vs. Relative Risk in Birth Conversations (25:01) Surprising Patient Feedback: From Access to Empowerment (30:31) Provider Reflections and Challenging Bias (36:11) Why "Routine" Induction Language Matters (43:59) How to Respond to Pressure or Coercion Around Induction (46:16) How to Access the Free Decision Aid and Support New Tools   Resources Access the free Induction of Labor Decision Aid in seven languages: www.inductiondecisionaid.org Learn more about the nonprofit: www.partnertodecide.org 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! Want more resources? Check out our Signature Articles 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.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people search for information, including how families learn about pregnancy and birth. As this technology grows, it raises important questions about accuracy, ethics, and the role of human expertise in healthcare information.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire share a behind-the-scenes look at how Evidence Based Birth® developed its own AI policies. They discuss concerns about misinformation, bias, privacy, and environmental impact, as well as the potential effects on critical thinking and human connection.   Learn why EBB has chosen to avoid the use of AI in our research, and what that means both for our team and for you.   (03:22) Why EBB began developing an AI policy  (10:39) Defining AI, generative AI, LLMs, and hallucinations  (17:03) Ethical concerns: Accuracy, bias, and risks to evidence-based information  (20:14) Environmental impact of AI and data centers  (21:47) Privacy concerns and data security risks  (26:21) Intellectual property, sustainability, and loss of research context  (27:03) Humanitarian concerns and the impact of AI on jobs and communities  (31:24) AI's potential effects on cognition and critical thinking  (37:30) Why EBB takes a cautious, evidence-based approach to AI  (38:20) Research team policy (42:06) Content team policy (45:01) Programs team policy and guidance for applicants  (47:32) Hiring practices and commitment to human review (52:29) Final takeaways: EBB's overall stance on AI    References Read EBB's Statement on Artificial Intelligence: ebbirth.com/artificial-intelligence-statement/ For a Student Who Used AI to Write a Paper, by Joseph Fasano: https://poets.org/poem/student-who-used-ai-write-paper Barrington, F. (2025). "Thirsty for power and water, AI-crunching data centers sprout across the West." & The West Magazine, Stanford University. April 8, 2025. https://andthewest.stanford.edu/2025/thirsty-for-power-and-water-ai-crunching-data-centers-sprout-across-the-west/ Gecker, J. (2025). "Big Tech is paying millions to train teachers on AI, in a push to bring chatbots into classrooms." Associated Press. October 20, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-teacher-union-microsoft-f7554b6550fb90519dd8129acac8e291 Han, Y., Wu, Z., Li, P., et al. (2024). "The Unpaid Toll: Quantifying and Addressing the Public Health Impact of Data Centers." arXiv preprint arXiv: 2412.06288. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.06288 Hou, H., Leach, K., & Huang, Y. (2024). "ChatGPT Giving Relationship Advice - How Reliable Is It?" Proceedings of the Eighteenth International AAI Conference on Web and Social Media: 610–623. https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/ICWSM/article/view/31338 Kosmyna, N., Hauptmann, E., Yuan, Y. T., et al. (2025). "Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task." arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.08872. https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872 Marrinan, C. (2025). "Data Center Boom Risks Health of Already Vulnerable Communities." Tech Policy Press.com. June 12, 2025. https://www.techpolicy.press/data-center-boom-risks-health-of-already-vulnerable-communities/ NASA. (2024). "Defining Artificial Intelligence." Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/ Notre Dame Learning. (2025). "AI Overview and Definitions." Accessed November 17, 2025. http://learning.nd.edu/resource-library/ai-overview-and-definitions/ Pataranutaporn, P., Karny, S., Archiwaranguprok, C., et al. (2025). "My Boyfriend is AI: A Computational Analysis of Human-AI Companionship in Reddit's AI Community." arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.11391.https://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.11391 Sonka, J. (2025). "The AI data center boom is coming for Kentucky. What will lawmakers do about it?" Kentucky Public Radio. December 9, 2025. https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-12-09/the-ai-data-center-boom-is-coming-for-kentucky-what-will-lawmakers-do-about-it Stryker, C. (n.d.) "What are LLMs?" IBM.com. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/large-language-models Tabuchi, H. (2025). "Elon Musk's A.I. Company Faces Lawsuit Over Gas-Burning Turbines." New York Times. June 17, 2025. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/climate/naacp-musk-xai-supercomputer-lawsuit.html/ United Nations (UN). (2025). "AI has an environmental problem. Here's what the world can do about that." UN Environmental Programme. November 13, 2025. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about 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.

At the 41-week mark in pregnancy, conversations and decisions about induction can start to feel more urgent and complex. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire share why the 41st week has become such a focus in maternity care and what the evidence actually says about induction at this milestone.   They discuss elective induction versus expectant management and key findings from major studies like the INDEX and SWEPIS trials. They also talk through potential benefits and risks, including changes in stillbirth risk, newborn outcomes, and maternal experiences.   Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of stillbirth. Please take care while listening.   (00:05:58) How common is labor induction? U.S. rates and challenges with data accuracy (00:09:25) Medically indicated vs. elective induction (00:15:24) The limits of research on induction vs. expectant management (00:20:18) The INDEX trial (00:28:36) Follow-up observational study to INDEX: preferences, Cesarean rates, and outcomes (00:32:51) The SWEPIS trial (00:41:59) Impact of SWEPIS on guidelines and outcomes in Sweden (00:44:40) Benefits of elective induction at 41 weeks (00:46:34) Risks and potential downsides of induction (00:49:18) FAQ: Induction and VBAC considerations   For a full list of resources and references, visit ebbirth.com/inducingduedates.   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.

EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Paige Wener and Kevin Booth hoped for a low-intervention water birth at their midwife-led birth center in rural Vermont. But at 38 weeks and 6 days, a routine prenatal visit led to a surprise diagnosis of preeclampsia and recommendation for induction. In this episode, Paige and Kevin share the story of their 54-hour induction, including misoprostol, a Cook catheter, Pitocin, and eventually an epidural after more than a day of labor, with Kevin supporting Paige with counterpressure, movement, and comfort measures along the way. Paige also shares about recovering from a rare postpartum complication, temporary nerve damage that caused foot drop, and how rest and supportive care helped her heal. (03:26) Taking the EBB Childbirth Class together (07:33) Birth preferences and planning for a water birth (10:50) High blood pressure at a prenatal visit and preeclampsia diagnosis (15:01) Preparing to return for an induction (18:56) Induction begins with misoprostol (21:45) Adding the Cook catheter and overnight labor (27:35) Starting Pitocin and continuing labor support techniques (29:45) Comfort measures and partner support during labor (34:00) Trying Nubain and deciding on an epidural (41:07) Pushing phase and position changes (45:33) Immediate postpartum and first breastfeeding (47:28) Early postpartum recovery in the hospital (49:11) Discovering postpartum nerve injury (55:34) Advice for birth partners (58:51) Postpartum advice and safe sleep resources Resources EBB 194 – Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols RDN EBB 365 – Battling a Birth Injury with Leah Van Dale, Former WWE Wrestler and EBB Childbirth Class Graduate Get in touch with Paige and Kevin's EBB Instructor, Lucy Paradiso: lucyparadiso-doula.com/ Learn more about Spinning Babies: spinningbabies.com/ Check out Paige's safe sleep resources: Safe Infant Sleep, Dr. James McKenna How Babies Sleep, Helen Ball La Leche League @cosleepy 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.

Electronic fetal monitoring is one of the most common interventions in hospital birth, but it's also one of the least understood. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln about what continuous electronic fetal monitoring actually does, what the research says, and why it became such a routine part of labor care in the first place. With recent media attention shining a spotlight on this technology, they break down the history, the evidence, and the real-world pressures that shape how it's used today. Learn why continuous monitoring can increase Cesarean rates in low-risk births, when it may be helpful in higher-risk situations, and how it can influence movement, comfort, and decision-making during labor. Dr. Lincoln also shares practical ways to ask questions, understand what terms like "reassuring" and "indeterminate" mean, and partner with your care team so you can make informed choices without feeling powerless or pressured. (02:26) Dr. Jennifer Lincoln's updates: doctors' strike, leadership, and writing The Birth Book (10:09) Why electronic fetal monitoring is in the spotlight and what it actually measures (13:40) The history of fetal monitoring and what it was designed to prevent (17:37) The biggest drawbacks: false positives, rising C-section rates, and medical-legal pressures (23:18) How continuous monitoring can affect movement, comfort, and labor experience (26:28) Artifact, wireless monitors, and challenges with accuracy (28:27) Intermittent monitoring: what it is and how it works (30:11) When continuous monitoring may be more beneficial in higher-risk situations (37:53) Understanding "reassuring," "indeterminate," and "non-reassuring" patterns (39:46) What care teams may try before recommending a cesarean (45:15) Questions parents can ask when concerns arise about the fetal heart rate (48:03) Continuous monitoring during VBAC and navigating autonomy and policy (51:01) Why these conversations should happen before labor and how to advocate collaboratively Resources Hear about the new research on home birth with Dr. Dekker on Dr. Lincoln's "Let's Talk about Birth" podcast: drjenniferlincoln.substack.com/p/announcing-my-new-podcast Get a copy of Dr. Lincoln's book, The Birth Book: An OB-GYN's Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/785889/the-birth-book-by-dr-jennifer-lincoln/ Learn more about Three for Freedom: threeforfreedom.com/ For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

In this episode, we explore how the traditional "game of telephone" model in hospitals can leave birthing people out of critical decisions about their own care and what happens when we redesign the system to center them instead. Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with Dr. Amber Weiseth, obstetric nurse and Director of the Delivery Decisions Initiative at Ariadne Labs, to talk about TeamBirth—a simple, evidence-based communication model transforming labor and delivery units across the U.S. and globally. Learn how structured bedside "huddles," shared decision-making, and a visible planning board can improve trust, autonomy, and patient experience, with especially powerful impacts for Black, Native American, publicly insured, and higher-risk patients. Because communication failures in childbirth aren't just awkward, they can be dangerous. (05:07) How the "game of telephone" model blocks patients from decision-making (09:15) Traditional rounding and decision-making in U.S. labor units (12:10) The added complexity of academic medical centers (14:52) A life-threatening hemorrhage and the power of systems change (17:57) What is TeamBirth? (22:04) How the TeamBirth board works: team, preferences, plan, next huddle (26:57) Implementation challenges and culture change in hospitals (34:36) Privacy, speakerphone huddles, and navigating complex family dynamics (44:15) Research results: Impact on trust, autonomy, and equity Resources TeamBirth resources, research, and implementation materials: ariadnelabs.org/delivery-decisions-initiative/teambirth/teambirth-implementation-resources/ WHO Surgical Safety Checklist initiative: who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/patient-safety/research/safe-surgery/tool-and-resources Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses: awhonn.org/ 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.

Some of the most effective solutions for improving birth outcomes worldwide are rooted in relationships, not technology. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker speaks with midwife Stephanie Marriott of the International Confederation of Midwives about the global impact of midwifery care. She outlines what defines a midwifery model of care, why continuity of midwife-led care matters for both outcomes and experiences, and how trust and relationship-based care can influence Cesarean rates, trauma-informed care, and access to services. Stephanie draws on her work across the U.K., Asia, and Africa to share how countries such as Indonesia and Bangladesh are strengthening midwifery education, regulation, and deployment, and what that means for maternal and newborn health. Together, Stephanie and Rebecca also discuss the essential role midwives play in humanitarian and disaster settings, the global shortage of midwives, and the growing call for One Million More midwives worldwide. (04:58) What is a midwifery model of care? (08:00) Why relationships are central to better birth outcomes (10:27) Time, workload, and sustainability for midwives (12:20) Trust, disclosure, and safety during pregnancy (13:01) How continuity of care shapes labor and birth experiences (16:48) What is the International Confederation of Midwives? (22:05) Strengthening midwifery education worldwide (28:13) Rebuilding midwifery education where it was lost (34:53) Rising cesarean rates and the role of midwives (39:26) Why midwives are essential in humanitarian settings (42:35) The global shortage of midwives Resources Learn more about the International Confederation of Midwives: internationalmidwives.org Support the One Million More campaign: millionmore.org Explore UNFPA's work supporting sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and midwifery systems: unfpa.org 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.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common reasons families are advised to plan for an early birth. But what does the evidence actually say about induction for GDM? Does it lower the risk of Cesarean? Prevent big babies? Reduce stillbirth? Or does the timing matter more than the induction itself? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Morgan Richardson Cayama walk through the updated research on induction for gestational diabetes. You'll learn how outcomes differ before 39 weeks, between 39–40 weeks, and after 41 weeks, and why blood sugar control (diet-controlled versus medication-controlled GDM) can change the conversation entirely. They also review what major professional organizations recommend and discuss the role of extra fetal monitoring in the third trimester. Most importantly, they talk about informed consent, respectful maternity care, and how to navigate conversations if you're feeling pressure to schedule an induction. (00:02:40) Background & research update (00:05:34) What is GDM? Risks & induction rates (00:08:34) Research challenges & study limitations (00:15:36) Timing of birth: 38, 39, 40+ weeks (00:19:26) Big babies & health risks (00:24:27) Professional guidelines (ACOG, NICE, SOGC) (00:27:14) Birth before 41 weeks: common recommendation (00:27:54) Extra fetal monitoring in late pregnancy (00:32:49) Navigating pressure & informed consent View the full list of references here. Resources Read the updated Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes: ebbirth.com/inducingGDM Get the free respectful care handout: ebbirth.com/369 Grab your Pocket Guide to Labor Induction here. EBB 370 - Updated Evidence on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes 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.