Today, we’re revisiting an episode focused on how to overcome- and prevent- traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest shares key factors that can contribute to birth trauma, red flags to watch for when working with a care provider, and three essential tips for preparing for childbirth. In this conversation, you can expect practical guidance on how parents and birth teams can speak up when they feel pressured or coerced. This episode is rich with insight, and my hope is that you’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and confident in your support team.
My guest, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered! Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast.
In this episode, you will learn:
- About Rebecca and what initially inspired her to be a nurse and researcher, and then later shifting gears to Evidence Based Birth
- How likely it is for someone to emerge from birth feeling they had a traumatic experience
- How Rebecca would define a traumatic birth
- Some of the biggest factors that play a role resulting in a traumatic experience
- The five red flags that are worth considering when making the decision to switch to a different provider for your birth
- Three top tips for preparing for childbirth (or reducing anxiety about childbirth)
- Rebecca’s expert’s take on what to know before you schedule an elective labor induction
- Alternative birthing positions and their benefits
- How to respond to a care provider who says they are not comfortable with alternative positions OR a care provider who is fine to have someone push in alternative positions, but when it comes time for the birth, they want the parent in a more traditional lithotomy position
- How parents can advocate for themselves and what they can do if they’re feeling pressured or coerced by their care provider
- One final tip or piece of advice Rebecca would like to offer new and expectant parents
- Where you can find Rebecca’s work
**Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
About Rebecca:
Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of “Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered!” Previously, Dr. Dekker was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth.® Dr. Dekker and Team EBB are committed to creating a world in which all families have access to safe, respectful, evidence based, and empowering care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. EBB does this by boldly making the research evidence on childbirth freely and publicly accessible. Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast, with more than 5.5 million downloads!
Connect with Rebecca:
Website: evidencebasedbirth.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EvidenceBasedBirth
Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
