EBB 379 - A Challenging Birth Story with GBS, Prolonged PROM, Pitocin, and an Epidural, with EBB Childbirth Class Graduate Erica Wright and EBB Instructor Tara Thompson

Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker

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

4.6 • 978 Ratings

🗓️ 26 November 2025

⏱️ 67 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After more than 80 hours of labor, Erica Wright found herself exhausted, emotional, and determined to keep trusting her body. With the steady support of her doulas (including EBB Instructor Tara Thompson), she discovered that birth doesn't have to go "according to plan" to be powerful.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Erica and Tara about how preparation, advocacy, and teamwork carried them through a marathon labor filled with unexpected turns. From switching hospitals late in pregnancy to finding strength through challenges, their story exemplifies flexibility, informed choice, and the power of doula support.

(05:55) Tara's updates from Atlanta and her path to becoming an IBCLC

(09:17) Erica's lightbulb moments from the EBB Childbirth Class

(11:22) Switching hospitals at 35 weeks and advocating for the right fit

(16:18) Labor begins: prodromal labor, GBS, and waiting for spontaneous birth

(24:30) Hospital admission, challenges with staff, and early interventions

(32:17) The Pitocin battle and advocating for movement and monitoring choices

(35:40) Finding a supportive nurse and regaining freedom during labor

(39:53) Tara's night shift: rest, affirmations, and encouragement

(44:20) Deciding on the epidural and reframing "failure" as flexibility

(49:18) The final stage: rest, relief, and meeting baby

(55:12) Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding challenges

(01:00:25) Tara's advice for navigating long labors

(01:02:43) Erica's reflections on flexibility, intuition, and informed choice

Resources

Get in touch with Tara: tarasbirthservices.com | @taras.birthservices
Connect with Tara's teammate, Brittany: @wellpreparednest

Listen to EBB 146 - How Doula and EBB Instructor Tara Thompson Supports Families in Atlanta

Listen to EBB 357 – Making Decisions about Elective Induction of Labor with Dr. Ann Peralta & Kari Radoff, CNM, from Partner to Decide

The Evidence on: GBS (Group B Strep): evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/

The Evidence on: Pitocin During the Third Stage of Labor: evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/

Epidural during Labor for Pain Management: evidencebasedbirth.com/epidural-during-labor-pain-management/

Learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class: evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirthclass

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, we have an inspiring birth story for you to listen to you today.
0:04.8	Before we dive in, you may have heard that the evidence-based birth, my dola visit workbook,
0:09.9	launched this week. If you still want to grab a copy or get a bulk order in, you can shop
0:15.4	the workbooks through Monday, December 2. During the sale, you can order your workbooks at the introductory price of just
0:22.2	$29 each, and there are bulk order discounts available. The My Dula Visit Workbook is an amazing
0:28.7	color-printed spiral-bound workbook. It's 115 pages long and gives you a tangible way to help
0:35.2	families build their birth team, do birth planning,
0:38.4	practice comfort measures, and learn about advocacy, induction, caesarians, and postpartum planning.
0:44.2	And we've integrated 18 of the best EBB handouts into the suggested prenatal visit curriculum,
0:50.4	and it's all there in the workbook for you. If you want to start using these workbooks
0:54.6	with your clients in 2026, don't wait. Go ahead and place your order today. To get your workbook,
1:00.7	just go to eBbirth.com slash shop. I can't wait to see doulas bringing some of the best
1:06.5	EBB resources to their prenatal visits. And now on today's podcast, let's talk with EBB childbirth
1:13.0	class graduate Erica Wright and her EBB instructor and one of her doulas, Tara Thompson,
1:19.2	about navigating a challenging birth experience with a powerful support team.
1:27.8	Welcome to the evidence-based birth podcast. My name is Rebecca Decker, and I'm a nurse
1:32.5	with my PhD and the founder of evidence-based birth. Join me each week as we work together
1:38.3	to get evidence-based information into the hands of families and professionals around the
1:43.4	world.
1:47.2	As a reminder, this information is not medical advice.
1:51.5	See eBbirth.com slash disclaimer for more details.
1:57.1	Hi, everyone, and welcome to today's episode of the evidence-based birth podcast.
	...

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