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: <a href= "https://www.tarasbirthservices.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">tarasbirthservices.com</a> | <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/taras.birthservices/?hl=en" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">@taras.birthservices</a> Connect with Tara's teammate, Brittany: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/wellpreparednest?igsh=MWxseDJkbWk4ZHNtZQ==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@wellpreparednest</a> <a class= "LinkThemeablePresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation--sentimentSelected PrimaryLink HighlightSol HighlightSol--core HighlightSol--buildingBlock" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/giving-birth-in-atlanta-with-tara-thompson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Listen to EBB 146 - How Doula and EBB Instructor Tara Thompson Supports Families in Atlanta</a> <a class= "LinkThemeablePresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation--sentimentSelected PrimaryLink HighlightSol HighlightSol--core HighlightSol--buildingBlock" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-357-making-decisions-about-elective-induction-of-labor-with-dr-ann-peralta-and-kari-radoff-cnm-from-partner-to-decide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Listen to EBB 357 – Making Decisions about Elective Induction of Labor with Dr. Ann Peralta & Kari Radoff, CNM, from Partner to Decide</a> The Evidence on: GBS (Group B Strep): <a class= "LinkThemeablePresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation--sentimentSelected PrimaryLink HighlightSol HighlightSol--core HighlightSol--buildingBlock" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/#:~:text=EBB%20257%20%2D%20The%20Updated%20Evidence%20on%20Group%20B%20Strep%3A%20Part%202&text=If%20a%20pregnant%20person%20is,will%20develop%20early%20GBS%20disease" target="_blank" rel= "noreferrer noopener">evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/</a> The Evidence on: Pitocin During the Third Stage of Labor: <a class= "LinkThemeablePresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation--sentimentSelected PrimaryLink HighlightSol HighlightSol--core HighlightSol--buildingBlock" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/" target="_blank" rel= "noreferrer noopener">evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/</a> Epidural during Labor for Pain Management: <a class= "LinkThemeablePresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation--sentimentSelected PrimaryLink HighlightSol HighlightSol--core HighlightSol--buildingBlock" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/epidural-during-labor-pain-management/" target="_blank" rel= "noreferrer noopener">evidencebasedbirth.com/epidural-during-labor-pain-management/</a> Learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class: <a class= "LinkThemeablePresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation LinkPrimaryPresentation--sentimentSelected PrimaryLink HighlightSol HighlightSol--core HighlightSol--buildingBlock" href="https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/" target= "_blank" rel= "noreferrer noopener">evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirthclass</a> <em>For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "http://www.ebbirth.com/">www.ebbirth.com</a>. Follow us on <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://instagram.com/ebbirth">Instagram</a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://youtube.com/evidencebasedbirth">YouTube</a>! Ready to learn more? Grab an <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidence-based-birth.myshopify.com/collections">EBB Podcast Listening Guide</a> or read Dr. Dekker's book, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/book/">"Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!"</a> If you want to get involved at EBB, join our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-pro-member/">Professional membership</a> (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/">Instructor program</a>. Find an <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents">EBB Instructor</a> here, and click <a class= "ProsemirrorEditor-link" href= "https://evidencebasedbirth.com/childbirth-class/">here</a> to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.</em>

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

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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

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