Carson Meyer, doula, certified nutrition consultant, and author of Growing Together, joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker for a conversation about reclaiming the sacred, intuitive, and evidence-based aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Carson shares how she stepped into birth work at a young age, driven by a desire to transform a system that can leave parents disempowered and unsupported. She opens up about her own home birth experience, the spiritual preparation that carried her through, and the tools she now teaches others through her virtual Growing Together Circles. Together, Carson and Dr. Dekker discuss the importance of informed choice and the emotional, physical, and environmental foundations of holistic care.

 

(04:57) Carson’s Path to Becoming a Doula

(07:24) Growing Together Circles and Virtual Doula Support

(09:39) Carson’s Home Birth Story

(13:23) Holistic Practices for Pregnancy and Labor

(17:33) Four Pillars of Postpartum Healing

(21:15) Nourishment and Hydration During Postpartum

(25:20) Environmental Health and Conscious Skincare

(37:48) Advice for New Doulas on Avoiding Burnout

 

Resources

Explore Carson’s work: carson-meyer.com

Follow Carson on Instagram: @ccmeyer

 

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.

Curious how to actually prevent perineal tears during childbirth? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker breaks down the latest research on three of the most talked-about methods: 1) using warm compresses, 2) provider “hands on” techniques, 3) provider “hands off” techniques, and how these approaches measure up when it comes to protecting your perineum. You’ll learn surprising facts, like how a simple warm washcloth can significantly lower your risk of severe tears (and even ease pain!), plus what the evidence really says about whether a provider should help “guard” the perineum or just keep their hands off you during the actual birth.

 

Content note: Discussion of perineal tears during childbirth, severe tears, and episiotomy.

 

 

Resources

Most parents are told their baby is either a boy or a girl. But what happens when a baby is born with intersex traits—and how can birth workers and clinicians respond with compassion, accuracy, and care? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker speaks with Niki Khanna, MA, MFT, and Dr. Catherine Clune-Taylor, co-presidents of InterACT, about how to support families when a baby’s physical sex characteristics don’t fit binary expectations. Together, they explore how often this occurs, what parents are typically told in the hospital, and why rushed decisions about infant genital surgery can cause lasting harm. They also share powerful insights on how to provide affirming care, connect families with community, and ensure every baby is welcomed with dignity.

 

(05:43) What Does “Intersex” Mean and How Common Is It?

(09:05) Why Many Intersex Traits Aren’t Identified at Birth

(13:36) Understanding CAH and Newborn Screening

(17:24) The History of Infant Surgeries and Gonadectomies

(19:49) What Parents Are Told—And Why It’s Often Incomplete

(29:06) Ethics, Consent, and Who Gets to Decide

(35:40) Why Intersex Babies Deserve Affirming, Informed Care

(42:20) Barriers to Care for Intersex Youth and Adults

 

Resources

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.