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…
A passion for supporting families during birth is the foundation for a career as a doula. But once that foundation has been laid, it takes business skills, boundaries, and collaboration to be…
Perinatal mental health is often a misunderstood landscape shaped by stigma, cultural expectations, and invisible struggles that touch entire families. In this replay episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits…
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…
After years of hearing traumatic birth stories and questioning whether parenthood was right for her, Heidi Gustad entered pregnancy determined to make informed decisions every step of the way. When…
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of congenital disorders in the United States, but many pregnant families have never heard of it. In this episode, Dr. Dekker is joined…
Fundal massage, also known as uterine massage, is often performed as a routine procedure after birth, but research shows it does little to prevent postpartum hemorrhage and can be painful for many. On…
Emily Cook hoped for a low-intervention birth. But after managing high blood pressure throughout her pregnancy, her plans changed when she was diagnosed with preeclampsia late in her third trimester.…
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…
Even when caring for similar patient populations, some hospitals have significantly higher Cesarean rates than others, and factors like teamwork, psychological safety, leadership, staffing, and…
