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.