On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Molecular Biologist and Founder of Free to Feed, Dr. Trill Paullin (She/Her), about misconception in infant feeding and infant food reactivity. 

Dr. Trill is mother to two beautiful daughters who had severe infant food reactions to proteins transferred from her diet to breast milk. After processing the painful fact that she could hurt her children through breastfeeding, she started researching how to produce breast milk they could properly digest. 

Dr. Trill has discovered that many parents experience the same troubling situation. She has created a place for parents to find answers to their questions about infant food reactivity and empower them to reach their feeding goals. Free to Feed was born to provide the research, resources, and support she wished they had early on. They have started this mission by creating an annual subscription to empower parents through their food allergy journey, a tracking app built specifically for this space, personal consultations, as well as an allergy friendly post-natal multivitamin. Free to Feed’s team is working hard towards launching an at-home test strip that will allow parents to analyze their breast milk for allergens.

We talk about the misconceptions of allergy versus intolerance, what food reactivity actually looks like and how it occurs, and the common foods infants react to and how to remove them from human milk. 

Content Warning: fear of a child dying, a description of a serious infant food reaction with bloody diapers, and gendered language related to lactation. 

Resources:

Free to Feed 

Find Free to Feed (@freetofeed) on Social Media: 

• Instagram
• Facebook 
• TikTok

Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the episode listed above!!

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

To celebrate the upcoming release of our Intervention Pocket Guide, we are going to share with you some of the new research on interventions! Last week I had so much fun on Episode 244 sharing the research on amniotomy (or AROM), assisted vaginal delivery (also known as forceps or vacuum assisted delivery), and internal monitoring. Today I’m going to reveal information from the Pocket Guide on 3 more interventions-- Pitocin Augmentation, Regional Analgesia (Epidurals and Spinals), and Cesareans.
 
Content note: discussion of the benefits and risks of these interventions, including the risk of mortality.

Resources:
Make sure you're on the Pocket Guide wait list by going here 

Pitocin Augmentation:
·       Webinar on the Evidence on Pitocin 
·       EBB #131 Evidence on Pitocin in the Third Stage of Labor
·       EBB #224 Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait webinar (also on YouTube with PowerPoint slides)
 
Regional Analgesia:
·      EBB YouTube series on Pain Management https://evidencebasedbirth.com/category-pain-management-series/
 
Cesareans
·      EBB 113 Evidence on VBAC
·      EBB 236 Unexpected Cesarean after a normal vaginal birth with Katie Kane
·      EBB 226 Emergency Cesarean with Mandy Childs
·      EBB 62 Unplanned Cesarean with Michelle Wilson
·      EBB 79 From a Cesarean to VBAC with Chanté Perryman
·      Breech Series episodes 171 (vaginal breech story with Janae and Andrew Rick), 172 (Breech Vaginal Birth evidence with Dr. Rixa Freeze and Dr. David Hayes), 173 (evidence on ECV for breech)

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest  

Ready to get involved? 

Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 

Find an EBB Instructor here 

Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

EBB 244: Evidence on Artificial Rupture of Membranes, Assisted Vaginal Delivery, and Internal Monitoring.

We are so excited to announce the upcoming release of a new Evidence Based Birth(R) Pocket Guide, all about Interventions! To give you a sneak peek to the Invention Pocket Guide,  we are diving into the research and evidence on artificial rupture of membranes, assisted vaginal delivery an internal monitoring.

Content note: Discussion of the benefits and risks of these interventions, including forceps and vacuum-assisted deliveries, which can be associated with birthing trauma for birthing people and babies, as well as the risk of mortality.

Resources:

Make sure you're on the Pocket Guide wait list by going here 

Amniotomy References:

• Kawakita, T., Huang, C-C, and Landy, H. J. (2018). Risk Factors for Umbilical Cord Prolapse at the Time of Artificial Rupture of Membranes. AJP Rep 8(2): e89-e94. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29755833/
• Simpson, K. R. (2020). Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition. AWHONN Practice Monograph 24(4): PS1-S41. https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-019-2491-4
• Smyth, R. M., Markham, C. & Dowswell, T. (2013). Amniotomy for shortening spontaneous labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 6:CD006167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23780653/
• Alfirevic, Z., Keeney, E., Dowswell, T., et al. (2016). Methods to induce labour: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. BJOG 123(9):  1462-1470. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27001034/ 
• de Vaan, M. D. T., ten Eikelder, M. L. G., Jozwiak, M., et al. (2019). Mechanical methods for induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 10: CD001233. https://www.cochrane.org/CD001233/PREG_mechanical-methods-induction-labour
• Simpson, K. R. (2020). Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction and Augmentation, 5th Edition. AWHONN Practice Monograph, 24(4), PS1-S41. https://nwhjournal.org/article/S1751-4851(20)30079-9/abstract

Assisted Vaginal Delivery References:

• NHS article on forceps or vacuum delivery https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/forceps-or-vacuum-delivery/
• Bailey, P. E., van Roosmalen, J., Mola, G., et al. (2017). Assisted vaginal delivery in low and middle income countries: an overview. BJOG 124(9): 1335-1344. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28139878/
• CDC Wonder Database
• Feeley, C., Crossland, N., Betran, A. P., et al. (2021). Training and expertise in undertaking assisted vaginal delivery (AVD): a mixed methods systematic review of practitioners views and experiences. Reprod Health 18(1): 92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8097768/
• Crossland, N., Kingdon, C., Balaam, M. C. (2020). Women’s, partners’ and health care providers’ views and experiences of assisted vaginal birth: a systematic mixed methods review. Reprod Health 17:83. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7268509/
• Hook, C. D., Damos, J. R. (2008). Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery. Am Fam Physician 78(8): 953-960. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1015/p953.html
• Tsakiridis, I., Giouleka, S., Mamopoulos, A., et al. (2020). Operative vaginal delivery: a review of four national guidelines. J Perinat Med 48(3): 189-198. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31926101/
• Verma, G. L., Spalding, J. J., Wilkinson, M. D., et al. (2021). Instruments for assisted vaginal birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005455.pub3/full

Internal Monitoring References:

• Euliano, T. Y., Darmanjian, S., Nguyen, M. T., et al. (2017). Monitoring fetal heart rate during labor: A comparison of three methods. J Pregnancy 2017: 8529816. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5368359/
• Neilson, J. P. (2015). Fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) for fetal monitoring during labor. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12: CD000116. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000116.pub5/full
• Harper, L. M., Shanks, A. L., Tuuli, M. G., et al. (2013). The risks and benefits of internal monitors in laboring patients. Am J Obstet Gynecol 209(1): 38.e1-38.e6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3760973/
• Bakker, J. J. H., Verhoeven, C. J. M., Janssen, P. F., et al. (2010). Outcomes after internal versus external tocodynamometry for monitoring labor. N Engl J Med 362(4): 306-13. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa0902748?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Frolova, A. I., Stout, M. J., Carter, E. B., et al. (2021). Internal fetal and uterine monitoring in obese patients and maternal obstetrical outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 3(1): 100282. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33451595/
• Bakker, J. J. H., Janssen, P. F., van Halem, K. (2013). Internal versus external tocodynamometry during induced or augmented labor. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8: CD006947. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006947.pub3/full
• van Halem, K., Bakker, J. J. H., VerHoeven, C. J., et al. (2011). Does use of an intrauterine catheter during labor increase risk of infection? J Maternal Fetal Neonatal Med 25(4): 415-418. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14767058.2011.582905

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest  

Ready to get involved? 

Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 

Find an EBB Instructor here 

Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Stephaney Moody, a Health Equity Ambassador and an advocate for Healthy Birthday and Count the Kicks about the importance of kick counting to prevent stillbirth.

Stephaney Moody’s passion for stillbirth prevention came after her family experienced loss, when her sister lost her daughter. Upon learning about the inequities that persist in stillbirth outcomes in the African-American Community, she felt led to join the fight against preventable stillbirth and strive for equity.

Stephaney is also the Founder of Black Women's Health and Wellness Webcast which addresses issues that impact the health and wellbeing of African-American women. She also serves in her community as a Pastor at New Beginnings Discipleship Ministries and as a Chaplain to the Des Moines Police Department.

We will talk about the importance of kick counting in the third trimester to prevent stillbirth. Stephaney shares how her family has been affected by stillbirth and how she became involved in Kick the Counts, an evidence-based stillbirth prevention public health awareness campaign for expectant parents in the 3^rd trimester. We will discuss the evidence on kick counting and how Count the Kicks and Healthy Birthday’s public health and awareness campaigns are having a direct impact on stillbirth rates in the United States and abroad. A video with this episode will also come out later today at our YouTube channel here.

**Content warning: pregnancy loss, stillbirth, racial inequities in healthcare, maternal mortality, maternal morbidity infant mortality**

Resources:

• Count the Kicks Evidence and Resources here.
• Download the Count the Kicks App here 
• Healthy Birthday Resources here

Find Count the Kick on Social Media: 

• Instragam
• Youtube
• Twitter
• Facebook

Stephaney moderates the Black Women's Health and Wellness group here.

Research discussed:

Tveit, J.V., et al. (2009). "Reduction of late stillbirth with the introduction of fetal movement information and guidelines - a clinical quality improvement." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 9:32: http://europepmc.org/article/PMC/2734741

Sadovsky, E. and Yaffe, H. (1973). "Daily fetal movement recording and fetal prognosis." Obstet Gynecol 41(6): 845-850. https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/1973/06000/Daily_Fetal_Movement_Recording_and_Fetal_Prognosis.8.aspx

Leader, L. R., Baillie, P. and Van Schalwyk, D. J. (1981). “Fetal movement and fetal outcome: A prospective study.” Obstet Gynecol 57(4): 431-436. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7243088/

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on: 

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest  

Ready to get involved? 

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we have a fun episode where we talk with Labor & Delivery Nurse and the founder of Bundle Birth, Sarah Lavonne, about supporting families so that they can have a confident and empowered birth experience.  

Sarah Lavonne, pronouns she/her, a pioneer in nursing and birth education, is the founder & CEO at Bundle Birth, A Nursing Corporation. Sarah is a Registered Nurse Certified in inpatient Obstetric Nursing, a certified childbirth educator, and a certified lactation education counselor. With a vision to unite patients, support persons and medical personnel together through education and support, Sarah and her team at Bundle Birth have fearlessly developed a community of learning and inspiration across labor and birth. Sarah dreams of all birthing people having, not only a healthy birth with safe outcomes, but healthy birth memories. She offers a spectrum of services from support to on-demand classes to a robust online YouTube presence. 

In this episode, Sarah shares her journey to helping families and nurses shift from nervous and overwhelmed to confident and transformed. 

This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video 

**Content Warning: Mention of pediatric loss.**

 
Resources:

Sarah Lavonne, Bundle Birth

• YouTube channel
• Instagram
• TikTok 

We talked about Ana Paula Markel's doula training program, check it out here.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on:

• TikTok
• Instagram 
• Pinterest 

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth®  Childbirth Class.

Have you ever thought about what position you would like to use to give birth? Most movies and television series depict birthing positions such as back-lying or semi-sitting in bed. But many people, if given the choice, instinctively choose a more upright position for birthing their baby—such as hands-and-knees, squatting, or kneeling.

What is the evidence on the different positions that can be used to help push your baby out? And why are the lying or semi-sitting positions so frequently recommended (or even required) in hospital settings? Join Dr. Rebecca Dekker, the founder of Evidence Based Birth, as we explore in-depth evidence on this topic!

To learn more about the research on this topic, and to download a free 1-page handout, visit ebbirth.com/birthingpositions.

This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video.

Content Note: perineal tears, the lithotomy position, forceps and vacuum deliveries, and obstetric violence related to being coerced or forced to push and deliver on your back.
 

Resources:

• For a full list of scientific references, see the blog post that goes along with this episode
• Check out our Signature Article and download our 1-page handout... Evidence on: Birthing Positions 

Other relevant episodes:

• EBB 196: Pelvic Biomechanics and Movement in Labor
• EBB 221: Birthing Positions and Tried-and-True Midwifery Practices
• EBB Podcast Series on Protecting the Perineum
• EBB 224: Failure to Progress or Failure to Wait
• To listen to stories from parents who switched providers after learning the evidence, visit EBB Podcast episodes #127, 186, 208, 223, and 231
  
  For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth, visit www.ebbirth.com.

Find us on:

• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth)
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ), and
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ).

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ),
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth  Childbirth Class.

October 5, 2022 – In honor of National Midwifery Week, I am so excited to present to you a podcast replay with the esteemed midwife Jennie Joseph. 

Jennie was featured on EBB episode 136 in 2020, and since then she has gone on to become the first Black midwife to own an Accredited Midwifery school (Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery) in the U.S.. Jennie was also announced as Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year in 2022!

If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, you should!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time Jennie was talking— she blew me away with her passion, her wisdom, her ability to call out nonsense, and her storytelling prowess.

So, if you’re interested in learning more about the crisis in U.S. childbirth care, and what we can do about it… please educate yourself with this replay of Episode 136 with Midwife Jennie Joseph, a true change agent!

Replay – In this episode I welcome Jennie Joseph, one of the world’s most respected midwives and authorities on women’s health. She’s a true advocate for systematic reform that puts families first in health care. Jennie is the founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth, Inc., and is also creator of The JJ Way®, a patient-centered model of care. 

Jennie has worked in European hospitals, American birth centers, clinics, and home birth environments. She’s been instrumental in the regulation of Florida midwives, and currently owns a Florida-licensed midwifery school, the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery. Jennie speaks worldwide to doctors, other practitioners, policy makers, and members of the U.S. Congress, including testifying at Congressional briefings on Capitol Hill. 

Jennie and I talk about solutions for the crisis in American maternity care. Don’t miss this powerful conversation.

Trigger Content Note: This episode contains discussion of hysterectomy with non-consented ovarian removal, slavery, the prison and medical industrial complexes in the U.S., racism causing preterm births, racial discrimination during postpartum hemorrhage, and there will be use of gendered language.

Resources: 

• Click here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/) for information on Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and here (https://savinglives.biz/the-jj-way/) to learn about The JJ Way.
• For more on the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery, click here (https://commonsensechildbirth.org/midwife-and-doula-training/).
• Learn about the National Perinatal Task Force here (https://perinataltaskforce.com/).
• Follow Jennie Joseph on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MidwifeJennie/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iamjenniejoseph/?hl=en), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/JennieJoseph?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/), 
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/), and
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth) 

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/),
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/),
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

In today’s episode, hosted by Evidence Based Birth® founder, Dr. Rebecca Dekker, along with Doctoral Candidate Tyler Jean Dukes, we talk about the five most surprising findings from compiling the EBB Abortion Research Resource Guide:

5) Research on the demographics of who has abortions as well as statistics on who supports/opposes abortion,

4) Historical research on the last time abortion was illegal in the U.S., and how the historical oppression of midwives relates to past campaigns against abortion,

3) Statistics on why so few people view adoption as a viable "alternative" to abortion,

2) History (past and present) of officials trying to "protect" fetuses while abusing pregnant people in immigrant detention centers, and

1) the funding and goals of crisis pregnancy centers, which outnumber abortion clinics in the U.S. threefold.

The Abortion Research Resource Guide that we discuss in this podcast is available at: ebbirth.com/birthjustice.

The Birth Justice page also features a video that our team recorded, explaining how the overturning of Roe v. Wade impacts our audience of childbearing families and birth workers, what we decided to do in response, and our boundaries for engaging with the public on this topic.

TRIGGER WARNING: in this topic we will be talking openly about abortion research and history, which can be a very triggering topic. If, while listening to this podcast or reading the transcript, you feel your heart rate going up, or feel foggy, angry, intensely emotional, or unable to shake a past memory, it could be that you are experiencing a trigger. A trigger is a sign that you need to turn inward to process these emotions, and not outward to lash out at us. Some tips for inward processing include journaling, going outside, meditating, praying, breathing, holding and being physically close to a loved one, or talking with a trusted friend or counselor.

We will also not shy away from talking about the history of racism, genderism, and how these topics inter-relate with abortion. We will also use a mix of gendered and gender-inclusive language, depending on the era of when the research was published and the population that was being studied. Other topics discussed include:

· Maternal mortality
· Slavery
· Abuse in Immigrant detention centers
· Religion
· Adoption

OUR BOUNDARY: prior to sending questions or comments to us on this topic, that you first watch the video mentioned above (or read the transcript) and then read the “Read Me First: FAQ” document inside of the Abortion Research Resource Guide, as your questions are most likely answered inside that document. IF you still have questions after looking at the Read Me First document, then you can submit feedback via the feedback form inside the Abortion Research Resource Guide. The feedback form is the best way to communicate your thoughts with us. We thank you for respecting our boundaries in this matter.

Resources & References:

• SisterSong Reproductive Justice Definition 
• For a full list of scientific and book references, see the blog post that goes along with this topic. 
• Access the FREE EBB Abortion Research Resource Guide hosted at ebbirth.com/birthjustice.
• This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video: https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit https://evidencebasedbirth.com.

Find us on:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ )
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth)
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ebbirth)  

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our EBB Professional Membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ).
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

A Dream Preterm Birth Experience in Brazil with EBB Parents, Luciana Arraes and Jonathan Moyer

On today’s podcast, we’re talking with EBB Childbirth Class parents, Luciana Arraes and Jonathan Moyer, about their preterm birth experience in Brazil and how their preparation and knowledge paired with a "Golden Ticket" birth team provided the birth of their dreams.

Luciana (she/her) is a Brazilian violinist who plays in the National Theater Symphony in Brasilia, Brasil. Luciana is married to Jonathan (he/him), who is an American pianist who has a large studio of piano students. Together, they welcomed their baby in July at 35 weeks gestation.

We talk about their experience taking the EBB Childbirth Class, where they learned how to recognize all the phases of labor, and how having a "Golden Ticket" birth team helped them get exactly what they wanted in the birth of their baby. We also talk about supporting the baby, by providing care for the birthing parents. 

Content Warning: Pre-term labor, jaundice, infant weight loss, bodyfeeding supplementation with a cup, advocacy, and gendered language.

This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video.

Resources:

• Livre Maternagem and follow on instagram @livrematernagem
• Birth Reborn (O Renascimento do Parto) - Documentary 
• March of Dimes - Preterm Labor & Baby
• Follow Luciana and Jonathan on Instagram @luciana.arraes and @jomopiano, respectively. 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on:

• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ ),
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ ), and 
• TikTok  

Ready to get involved?

• Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ )
• Click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/ ) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.

On today’s podcast, we’re going to talk with Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Brandon Diggs Williams (he/him), BSW, MSW, LCSW, about Black fatherhood, parenting in partnership, self-care, and fighting anti-Black racism.

Mr. Williams currently works full-time at the Durham VA Medical Center (DVAMC), providing individual, couples, and (primarily) group therapy through the VA. He specializes in personal/spiritual development, transformative thinking, and cultural competency with a focus on the Black community.

Mr. Williams is involved in multiple efforts that contribute to ally-ship, diversity and inclusion, and anti-Black racism efforts at the departmental and facility level at the Durham VA. He created, developed, and facilitates “The Invisible Struggle” therapeutic group which focuses on providing clinical mental health care for veterans dealing with stress unique to Black people in America. And serves on multiple boards/teams at the DVAMC including: The Antiracism and Black Equity Advisory Board, the Diversity and Inclusion Workgroup, and the Social Work Service Social Justice Committee. He created and leads a community organization called “Lion Tamers” that is dedicated to the holistic development of Black men.

In this episode, we talk about Mr. William’s balance of self-care, and self-awareness in the changing family dynamic, and the partnership between he and his wife.

Content Warning: We mention anti-Black racism, internalized racism, and Christian beliefs related to gender roles.

This podcast is also posted on our YouTube channel in case you want to access the video.

• EBB 145 – Fatherhood and Advocacy in Birth with JaMichael Perryman
• EBB 189 - Why Black Lactation Matters and the Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week with IBCLC, Janiya Mitnaul Williams
• Go to our YouTube channel to see video versions of the YouTube episodes listed above!!
• Follow Brandon Diggs Williams on Instagram @thediggsmethod
• You are The Best Thing by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown
• White Fragility by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
• Key & Peele - Black Ice Video
• Jane Elliot Experiment - PBS - Frontline - “A Class Divided”
• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
• The Mis-Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson
• The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker, PhD

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®,

• Visit www.ebbirth.com
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ebbirth/ )
• Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ebbirth/ )
• Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/ ).
• Find an EBB Instructor here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ ), and click here (https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/) to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.