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Shoulder dystocia is a rare but significant birth complication where the baby's head is delivered but a shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, similar to moving furniture through a doorway.

• Occurs in only 0.5-1% of births
• Risk factors include large babies, maternal diabetes, prior shoulder dystocia, and short maternal stature
• Providers look for the "turtle sign" where the baby's head retracts slightly after emerging
• Birth rooms typically have stools ready for this emergency
• McRoberts maneuver (hyperflexing mother's legs) is usually the first intervention
• Additional techniques include suprapubic pressure, internal maneuvers, and position changes
• All-fours position is often used as a last resort intervention
• In extreme cases, intentional clavicle fracture may be necessary
• Most babies recover well, though there may be temporary arm weakness
• Mothers may experience increased bleeding or perineal tears
• Birth teams train regularly for this scenario and have clear protocols

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Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

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Angie Rosier shares insights on doula guidelines at hospitals, exploring the delicate balance between supporting clients and collaborating with medical staff.

• Hospitals will sometimes provide doula guidelines that outline appropriate roles and boundaries
• Doulas are welcome additions who provide emotional support, comfort measures, and improved communication
• Doulas should not perform clinical tasks like checking vital signs, doing vaginal exams, or administering medications
• Gray areas exist where doulas may assist with monitors or participate in brainstorming strategies
• Hospital policies typically restrict electrical items, open flames, and items requiring heating for safety reasons
• Creating a collaborative team atmosphere is essential for positive birth experiences
• The primary goal shared by everyone is a healthy mother and healthy baby

Please reach out to someone near or far and make a human connection today. Make a difference in someone else's life – you never know what a difference that can make.

Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker

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Media portrayals of childbirth shape our cultural beliefs and personal expectations, often presenting inaccurate, dramatic versions that instill fear rather than confidence. Our perceptions about birth are influenced by family, education, and especially the entertainment industry which frequently misrepresents what labor and delivery truly entail.

• Common birth myths in media include the dramatic water-breaking scene, screaming women who've lost control, useless panicked partners, and unrealistically fast labors
• Movies and TV shows compress birth into minutes when real labor typically takes hours or days
• Media often portrays birthing people as passive participants rather than powerful, central figures in their own experience
• Childbirth scenes in media typically feature only white women in hospital settings, missing the diversity of real birth experiences
• Social media offers more authentic birth content but can still present misleading or aesthetically-edited versions
• Mainstream portrayals in recent shows and films like "Pieces of a Woman" and "Grey's Anatomy" continue to emphasize drama and tragedy
• Being intentional about the birth media you consume can help you develop more realistic expectations

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Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning

Show Credits

Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton
Voiceover: Ryan Parker