Dr. Rebecca Dekker is joined by Camilla Costa Goetz, a graduate of the EBB Childbirth Class, to share her story of advocating for herself during labor. Camilla, a former fashion student turned full-time mom, opens up about navigating pregnancy with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), preparing for birth while her husband was away at Army Ranger School, and making the bold decision to push back against hospital norms to have the birth she wanted.

 

Tune in as Camilla and Rebecca discuss why self-advocacy is crucial in birth, how hospital policies can conflict with evidence-based care, and how standing firm can make all the difference in your birth experience. Learn tips for preparing your birth team, confidently saying no to interventions you don't want, and making sure your birth preferences are honored—even in a hospital setting.

 

(02:11) How Camilla Discovered Evidence Based Birth® and Her Pregnancy Challenges

(05:11) Navigating Pregnancy with POTS and Health Concerns

(10:27) Preparing for Birth Without Her Husband by Her Side

(17:31) Planning for an Unmedicated Birth and Overcoming Fear of Hospitals

(23:06) The Problem with Hospital Birth Policies and Misinformed Providers

(26:13) How Camilla Switched Hospitals to Avoid an Unwanted C-Section

(34:26) The Surprising Lack of Support for Unmedicated Birth in the Hospital

(39:50) How Camilla Stood Her Ground in the Delivery Room

(45:57) Her Husband's Emotional Reaction to Missing the Birth

(51:06) Postpartum Challenges, Military Life, and the Strength of Advocacy

 

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.