EBB 358 - "I Need to Give Consent" and Seeking Trauma-Informed Birth Support after a First Traumatic Experience with Rivka and Steven Dubinsky, EBB Childbirth Class Graduates

Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker

Pregnancy, Health & Fitness, Childbirth, Parenting, Birth, Medicine, Kids & Family, Doula, Obstetrician, Midwife

4.6 • 978 Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A traumatic first birth can shape everything that follows—but with the right support, education, and advocacy, it's possible to turn fear into empowerment.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker sits down with EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Rivka and Steven Dubinsky as they share the transformative journey from a traumatic hospital induction and birth injury to a redemptive second birth experience centered on autonomy, education, and trust. Rivka opens up about how her first birth left her physically injured and emotionally shaken, and how she didn’t initially recognize it as trauma. Over time—and with therapy, research, and support—she came to understand what had been taken from her. Determined to have a different experience with her second child, she carefully selected a trauma-informed OB, dove into birth education, and found strength in preparing for every possibility.

Together, Rivka and Steven share how they prepared as a team, how Steven stepped into his advocacy role during labor, and why they chose to “fire” a hospital-assigned doula. They also reflect on the surprising power of reclaiming their voice—even in the midst of pain—and how a supported birth experience can shift everything.

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of birth trauma. This episode also contains mild language at 45:55.

(01:48) Rivka’s First Birth and the Silent Cost of Lost Autonomy

(07:13) Steven’s Reflections on Feeling Unprepared to Support

(10:45) Moving to Ohio and Choosing Trauma-Informed Care

(14:02) Becoming an “Information Junkie” and Taking the EBB Childbirth Class

(17:02) Steven Learns Advocacy Through EBB

(22:14) From Elective Cesarean Plan to Informed Induction

(29:18) Navigating Nursing Styles and Hospital Systems

(36:00) Epidural Differences and Listening to Her Body

(40:50) Hands-On, Informed Support During Pushing

(43:39) A Sunny-Side-Up Baby and Immediate Skin-to-Skin

(45:53) Feeling Empowered, Present, and Powerful

(50:06) Advice for Families Seeking Trauma-Informed Birth Care

Resources

Learn more about Rivka and Steven's EBB Instructor, Aly Romot: @alyromotdoula

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.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, everyone. On today's podcast, we're joined by EBB Childbirth class graduates, Rivka and
0:05.0	Steven Dobinsky, as they share their journey from a traumatic first birth to an empowering
0:09.8	second birth experience. Welcome to the evidence-based birth podcast. My name is Rebecca Decker,
0:19.1	and I'm a nurse with my PhD and the founder of
0:21.9	evidence-based birth. Join me each week as we work together to get evidence-based information
0:27.4	into the hands of families and professionals around the world. As a reminder, this information is
0:33.2	not medical advice. See eBbirth.com slash disclaimer for more details.
0:40.5	Hi, everyone and welcome to today's episode of the evidence-based birth podcast. I am so
0:45.1	excited to have Rivka and Stephen on to share their birth stories. Rivka is an accountant by trade
0:51.0	and now a stay-at-home mom to her two children, Yehutus and Sarah.
0:55.4	Rivka and her family live in Columbus, Ohio, where Rivka enjoys embracing the joys and
1:00.1	challenges of motherhood while staying connected to her passions. Rivka has a deep love for advocacy
1:05.8	and believes in empowering others through knowledge and support. When she's not busy with her little ones, she loves creating and cultivating new things,
1:14.2	whether in the garden or through hands-on projects.
1:18.0	Stephen is a dedicated nursing home operator who is passionate about providing quality care for the elderly.
1:24.2	With a commitment to ensuring that residents receive the best possible support,
1:28.4	he works to create a compassionate and well-run environment. When he's not managing operations,
1:33.8	Stephen enjoys spending time with Rivka and their two children at their home in Columbus.
1:38.1	Rivka and Stephen are here together to share their birth stories, and they hope their journey
1:41.8	resonates with and inspires those of you who are
1:44.3	listening. Rivka and Stephen, welcome to the evidence-based birth podcast. Thanks. We're happy to be here.
1:50.3	So can you tell us a little bit about, you know, your first birth experience and how that kind of
	...

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