In this episode, Dr. Cindy is joined by Vera Kevic, a seasoned birth doula and childbirth educator with over a decade of experience. The conversation dives into various birth environments, contrasting high-risk hospital settings with home births and birthing centers. Vera is a strong advocate for informed consent in labour, birth and early postpartum and highlights the critical roles doulas and partners play in creating a supportive atmosphere for the birthing process.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Vera's Journey to Becoming a Doula: How Vera's experiences led her to the path of birthwork and activism.
2. The Importance of Informed Consent: Exploring the significance of informed consent in the birthing process and understanding birth plans.
3. Navigating Inductions and Interventions: Analyzing the cascading interventions often seen in hospital settings, and the challenges faced during inductions.
4. The Role of Partners and Support Systems: How doulas and partners can provide critical support during labor.
5. The Impact of Epidurals on Birth Experience: Discussing the influence of epidurals and other interventions on the birthing experience.
6. The Power of Language During Labor: Understanding how language and communication impact birth experiences.
7. Challenges in Accessing Midwifery Services: The current state of midwifery access and the reforms needed in hospital birth practices.
8. Empowering Birth Choices: Advocating for better birth experiences and understanding the role of midwives and birth centers.
9. Personal Birth Stories: Vera shares her insights from a malpractice lawyer's birth experience and the realities of induction consent forms.
10. Future of Birth Practices: Discussing what the future holds for birth practices and the importance of empowerment and trust in birth.

Insights Shared by Vera:

• Birthwork as activism: How Vera sees her role as a doula as part of a larger movement towards better birth experiences.
• The importance of prenatal classes in preparing for birth.
• Variations in birth and medical practices across different environments.
• The empowering nature of informed choices during birth.

Takeaways:

• Understanding the role of consent, partners, and support systems in creating a positive birth experience.
• Challenging common myths about epidurals and hospital interventions.
• The significance of language, communication, and personal empowerment during labor.

For more information on Vera's services and upcoming online childbirth classes, visit her website at Doulasonbikes.com.

Remember: "Empowerment in birth comes from informed choices and a strong support system." - Vera Kevic