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

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is an extremely common respiratory virus, but it can sometimes lead to serious illness for newborns and infants. In this episode, we cover what parents and birth professionals know about RSV and the options available for prevention. Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire walk through the basics of RSV, including how it spreads, why some infants become seriously ill, and how RSV patterns change throughout the year. They also discuss the history of RSV vaccine development and explain how advances in research led to the prevention options available today for children, adults, and birthing people.

Ableism shapes birth, parenting, and even the ways our society values whose lives matter. In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks about disability justice in birth and parenting with Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, a Mad, Disabled, multidisciplinary care strategist/worker, educator, psychiatric survivor, healing practitioner, and founder and director of Project LETS. Together, they explore what disability justice is and how it connects to reproductive justice, from the history of forced sterilization to the ways disabled parents are penalized for both accessing and not accessing care. Stefanie also shares how ableism showed up in their own pregnancy, in both medical and alternative care settings, and why everyone who supports birth and parenting needs a basic understanding of disability and mental health. Content warning: We mention self-injury, disability, neuro-divergent, eugenics, reproductive trauma, ableism, epilepsy, seizures, trauma, sexual violence, medical violence, and history of sterilization.

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?

Migraines during pregnancy can be debilitating, and figuring out how to prevent or manage them can be especially challenging. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker explores the research on migraines during pregnancy, including why they happen, how pregnancy can affect migraine patterns, and why new or changing headaches should be taken seriously. Rebecca also discusses migraine triggers, medication overuse or "rebound" headaches, and strategies for prevention. Plus, drawing from both the research and her own lifelong experience with migraines, Rebecca shares non-pharmacological comfort measures for coping with migraine pain, from hydration and body work to temperature therapy, acupressure, mindfulness, and more. (04:29) What migraines are and how common they are (11:39) Migraines during pregnancy and postpartum (14:54) When headaches may signal a more serious condition (23:56) Preventing migraines during pregnancy (24:32) Medication overuse and rebound headaches (30:52) Migraine triggers and thresholds (34:22) Non-medication strategies for migraine prevention (46:05) Comfort measures for an active migraine (59:09) Final encouragement, support, and resources For a full list of references, visit ebbirth.com/413. Resources Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net/ Call 988 for the Suicide Crisis and Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/ Hear Her campaign with list of maternal warning signs: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html American Headache Society: https://americanheadachesociety.org/ The Headache Hat: https://theheadachehat.com/ Acupressure points for headaches in pregnancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNbXWKStr-4 Aculief acupressure device (NOT recommended for pregnancy unless you've reached term, as it may cause contractions): https://finance.yahoo.com/news/aculief-reviews-does-migraine-relief-045700296.html S-shaped massage hook: https://www.bodyback.com/products/body-back-buddy-classic-trigger-point-therapy-self-massage-tool-body-back-company Renpho eye massager: https://renpho.com/collections/eye-massager For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

An induction may change your birth plan, but it doesn't mean giving up your preferences or your role in the decision-making process. In this episode, EBB's Director of Programs Chanté Perryman talks with team EBB's Jennifer Anderson about how families can prepare for and navigate an induction. A nurse, doula, and childbirth educator, Jennifer's sharing five of her favorite advocacy tips, including asking about outpatient cervical ripening, considering the timing of your induction, exploring monitoring options that support movement, using water for comfort, and understanding the criteria for a failed induction. (01:36) The "Golden Ticket": Taking an Independent Childbirth Class (06:38) Tip #1: Ask About Outpatient Cervical Ripening (13:45) Tip #2: Consider the Timing of Your Induction (22:41) Tip #3: Ask About Bluetooth Fetal Monitoring (28:21) Tip #4: Using Water and Movement During an Induction (31:32) Learning Your Hospital's Policies Before Birth (33:00) Tip #5: Understanding Failed Induction Criteria (42:09) Preparing When an Induction Is Unexpected (49:00) Birth Story: Navigating a Surprise Gestational Hypertension Induction