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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:

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

If Hospital Walls Could Talk: Advocacy, Insights, and Education with Doula Vera Kevic Part 1

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