Birth Made Beautiful ~ Kara Jo Prestrud

07/31/2026

Fundal massage, also known as uterine massage, is often performed as a routine procedure after birth, but research shows it does little to prevent postpartum hemorrhage and can be painful for many. On today's replay episode of the EBB Podcast, nurse, community educator, and advocate Barbie Christianson joins Dr. Rebecca Dekker to talk about the myths surrounding this common postpartum procedure and how it connects to broader patterns of obstetric violence in maternity care.

Barbie explains the difference between a fundal assessment, a routine massage, and the massage used to treat active postpartum hemorrhage, and walks through what the evidence actually shows about each approach. She also shares trauma-informed scripts that nurses and providers can use to explain what they are doing and obtain informed consent, even in urgent, fast moving situations. Learn how unit culture, staffing, and fear based practice patterns can affect whether an unnecessary intervention becomes the default standard of care, and how to speak up and advocate for respectful care.

🎧 Listen now to the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast - REPLAY: EBB 267 – Debunking Myths about Fundal Massage with Barbie Christianson, RN

ebbirth.com/267

Link in our bio. 🔗

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05/08/2026

During her first C-section, Lissa Dahlheimer watched her baby be taken across the room before she could hold her. This time was different.

With a maternal-assisted C-section, Lissa helped lift her son into the world—and brought him straight to her chest.

“Being able to see and touch my baby right away was really healing,” she said.

Even in the operating room, birth should feel personal. Our Birthplace teams are here to help it feel that way. Find out more in the comments.

03/21/2026

Reminder, you can ALWAYS ask questions.

Unlike the ridiculous legal fight of a Florida woman, most facilities will accept your autonomy - even if there's some pushback.

Discussion and respect is how we have safe birth without unnecessary trauma. Doctors, midwives, nurses who practice with respect will have these conversations with you to help you make informed decisions and understand if there's a true medical concern.

What questions did you ask in labor?

03/14/2026

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/unitedhealthcare-to-cover-doula-care-for-pregnant-women-259281477588?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQiScVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeoxDVr6J00yZJtmE45BuNJI1VLb8stw-F2aTG7aGnUzDRew2F3pMjXvGKni4_aem_z_8rbNRxZIh1RX8lgzpTLw

More expectant mothers are turning to doulas to help with childbirth. NBC News' Zinhle Essamuah looks at why one of the nation's biggest health insurers is now covering the cost.

03/07/2026

02/07/2026

I’m missing the days of attending births regularly so it’s extra fun when special birth photos pop up and are highlighted by one of my all-time favorite birth centers.

Loving all of the details in this beautiful birth image! That cord! It is still full and pumping nutrient rich blood into the baby from the placenta. And all of that lovely vernix still on the baby's skin, ready to be rubbed in.

photo: Birth Made Beautiful ~ Kara Jo Prestrud

06/27/2025

We're hiring! Certified Nurse Midwife (casual) - Western Wisconsin Health.

The Western Wisconsin Health birth center embraces a midwifery model of care, with patient-centered and individualized care as a hallmark of the care we provide. This is a growing practice with opportunities for developing and promoting midwifery in Western Wisconsin.

We're currently seeking a Certified Nurse Midwife (casual) to assist in call coverage. In this role, you'll work independently with antepartum, postpartum and laboring patients, and collaborate with physicians and specialty staff as indicated and needed.

Join an exciting and growing team with a focus on the future of health care delivery!

Apply today at https://secure3.saashr.com/ta/6109363.careers?rnd=BQA&ShowAllOpenings=&%40rtm=1

03/29/2025

As we close out World Doula Week, it seems somewhat fitting to share with you that after almost 17 treasured years attending births, I am retiring from full-time doula work. It is with bittersweet tears of thanksgiving that I make this announcement. I cannot express the depths of my gratitude for the precious and amazing families I have been privileged to serve all these years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! You have enriched my life beyond measure.

What's next for me? Well, birth will forever be part of who I am, and I will continue to serve in the area of perinatal/maternal mental health as a therapist. I am completing my MA in Clinical Counseling and have begun seeing therapy clients as an intern at Counseling Care LLC in Lake Elmo MN. https://counselingcare.us/

I hope to specialize in the areas of perinatal/maternal mental health as well as emotional/spiritual abuse, and healing from loss and trauma.

I will continue to treasure hearing updates from all of you, and will never decline a sweet picture of your little ones to show me how they've grown and how you're doing!

Blessings to you all!

Kara Jo

03/27/2025

We’ve heard of an occasional maternal-assisted c-section in the Twin Cities area. It would be wonderful to see this happening more and more. It’s good for the immediate bonding between moms and babies.

03/17/2025

The American College of Ob-Gyn (ACOG) says VBAC is a safe and reasonable option for most women after 1 or 2 cesareans. Yet far fewer are offered this option, often with inaccurate and fear-based information as the reason.

What is the risk of uterine rupture during a labor after two cesareans?

So often, we hear the risk is 0.9 - 1.8%. But that doesn't tell the whole picture.

The truth is, those numbers are based on studies in which 49 - 65% of labors were induced or augmented.

As we know, induction and augmentation has been associated with increased uterine rupture rates.

So it's quite likely that the risk of uterine rupture during a non-induced or augmented labor after two cesareans may be significantly lower.

This is why it's so important to understand what the research says.

Sometimes vital pieces of information are lost as statistics are simplified and shared.

What have you heard about VBA2C?

We summarize the available evidence on VBA2C here: https://vbacfacts.com/vba2c

If you are a perinatal professional who wants to provide the best VBAC information and support, we offer a continuing education training on VBA2C (approved for 2.4 contact hours) so you can easily integrate the evidence into your practice as well a VBA2C handout for birthing families so you can quickly communicate the facts to your clients.

These are just two of the benefits of joining VBAC Facts® professional membership.

Register today: https://vbacfacts.com/membership