From ICU to birth center, Liz Carr's story is a reminder that midwives come to this work through many paths, and each journey holds wisdom for the future of maternal care.

 

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker reconnects with former nursing student turned certified nurse midwife, Liz Carr. Liz shares her unique trajectory: from critical care nursing to catching babies, from witnessing obstetric violence as a student to providing trauma-informed, evidence-based midwifery care. Liz and Rebecca explore the impact of diverse clinical experiences, the challenges of navigating midwifery school without labor and delivery experience, and the transformative power of reproductive justice. Liz also opens up about working in abortion care before and after the fall of Roe v. Wade, how she centers consent and autonomy in every interaction, and why investing in the education of future physicians is one of her biggest hopes for change.

 

Content Note: This episode contains discussion of obstetric violence (non-consented episiotomy) and providing abortion care.

 

(00:00) Liz Carr's Journey from Nursing Student to Certified Nurse Midwife
(04:27) Early Inspiration and Moving to Kentucky
(08:02) Witnessing Harmful Obstetric Practices and Choosing a Different Path
(11:53) Gaining Lifesaving Skills as a Critical Care Nurse
(16:30) Transitioning from ICU Nurse to Birth Work through Doula Training
(21:24) Midwifery Education and Clinical Challenges
(25:39) Abortion Care Training at CHOICES Before and After Roe v. Wade
(32:46) Systemic Barriers and the Importance of Postpartum Support
(35:36) Most Memorable Births and Special Moments
(37:13) Teaching Medical Residents and Modeling Consent
(40:54) Advice for Aspiring Midwives and Navigating Career Choices
(45:01) Red Flags and Green Flags in Job Interviews
(48:04) When Slower Access to Surgery Leads to Better Birth Outcomes

 

To sign up for the EBB Summer Series, visit ebbirth.com/summer!

 

Resources

Explore Choices Center for Reproductive Health

Read about the Turnaway Study

Check your hospital's stats at the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

Learn more about Frontier Nursing University

Get your copy of Babies Are Not Pizzas

 

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.