How long does the pushing phase of labor typically last? Does precipitous labor run in families? And can drinking okra water actually make labor and birth easier?

In this Q&A episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker tackles three questions submitted by EBB Pro Members. First, Dr. Dekker details the findings of a recently published study from France that found many birthing people spent less than 15 minutes actively pushing before birth. She explains the concept of delayed pushing and why these results may not be easily replicated in other birth settings. She also reviews the available evidence on precipitous labor, birth that occurs within three hours of the onset of contractions, and discusses whether fast labors appear to run in families. Finally, she examines the growing social media trend of drinking okra water during pregnancy, exploring the cultural history of okra as a nutritious food, separating popular claims from scientific evidence, and discussing what researchers currently know (and don't know) about its effects during pregnancy.

(02:34) Delayed pushing and active pushing times under 15 minutes (04:22) Understanding delayed pushing practices in France versus the United States (05:33) Study methods, hospital protocols, and participant characteristics (06:56) Results: Average pushing times, epidural effects, and birth outcomes (08:14) Key takeaways from the delayed pushing study (10:53) Does precipitous labor run in families? (12:21) Research on precipitous labor risk factors and prevalence (14:20) Is there evidence that fast labor is hereditary? (15:05) What are the benefits of drinking okra water during pregnancy? (17:46) Popular social media claims about okra water (18:46) What researchers did and did not find about okra water (21:15) Okra's cultural significance in pregnancy and postpartum traditions

For a full list of references, visit ebbirth.com/404.

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.