Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with EBB Childbirth Class graduates Kat Sullivan and Ben Winston about their journey through pregnancy and birth. Kat shares her deeply personal experience of living with emetophobia—the fear of vomiting—and how it impacted her pregnancy and decision to pursue a home birth. From navigating intrusive thoughts and panic attacks to finding a supportive care team and discovering the power of SSRIs, Kat and Ben open up about their challenges and triumphs. Hear how they prepared for labor, the role of their midwives, and how the EBB Childbirth Class helped them feel informed and empowered. Whether you're curious about home births, mental health in pregnancy, or simply love heartfelt birth stories, this episode is a must-listen!

Content Note: The first half of the interview will discuss distressing symptoms related to emetophobia, panic attacks, and OCD, as well as considering pregnancy termination due to emetophobia.

(00:01:24) Joyful Home Birth Experience despite Challenges
(00:04:56) Empowered by Supportive Providers for Emetophobia
(00:10:17) Navigating Mental Health in Parenthood Transition
(00:17:53) Navigating Challenges with a Strong Support System
(00:30:10) Unpredictable Transitions in Labor and Birth
(00:35:03) Empowering Decisions Through Evidence-Based Home Birth
(00:36:07) Empowering Parents Through Evidence-Based Childbirth Education

• Learn more about Kat and Ben's EBB Instructor, Emily McMichael, here or follow her on Instagram here!

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! 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.

Dr. Jessica Brumley, a Certified Nurse Midwife and President of the American College of Nurse Midwives, joins Dr. Dekker to explore the transformative impact of respectful maternity care. Dr. Brumley reflects on her journey to midwifery, inspired by a lifelong commitment to equitable and compassionate healthcare. Together, they discuss the importance of supporting normal physiology in birth, the guiding principles of the midwifery model, and the need for systemic change to foster respectful care in hospitals. Dr. Brumley also shares insights from her work with the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, including initiatives to reduce unnecessary interventions and amplify patient voices. Tune in to learn how respectful care can improve outcomes, build trust, and why a “midwife for every community” could change the landscape of maternal health in the United States.

• EBB 324 – Blending Birth, Science, Technology, and Storytelling with Erica Chidi, Co-founder and CEO of LOOM
• EBB 332 – Advocating for Yourself during Prenatal Visits with Retired Obstetrician Dr. Leslie Farrington, Co-Founder of the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood
• Read Protecting Your Birth: A Guide For Black Mothers in The New York Times.
• Learn about the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
  • and the ICM's RESPECT Presentation (mentioned by Jessica)
• Learn about the Florida Perinatal Collaborative
• Learn more about Dr. Brumley and her work
• Learn about the American College of Nurse Midwives

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! 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.