The Birth Lounge Podcast

Breech baby? Suddenly, your options might feel like they’ve gone from a whole menu to one very big “schedule a C-section.” But here’s the thing: vaginal breech birth is a skill, and when providers aren’t trained or hospitals aren’t willing to support it, parents can lose access to an option they may never have been told was possible.

In this episode, HeHe sits down with Betty-Anne Daviss, a midwife and researcher with more than 50 years of experience, to talk about breech birth, unnecessary cesareans, and what it actually takes to rebuild the skills needed to support vaginal breech births. Betty-Anne explains why a one-day training doesn’t automatically make someone qualified to attend breech births, how supervised experience matters, and what she’s working to change through the new Breech POWER Course. They also dig into breech outcomes at her Ottawa hospital, upright breech techniques, the history of forceps, and why routine forceps use isn’t necessarily the answer.

They revisit the controversial Term Breech Trial and the research that followed, explore differences between Canadian and U.S. maternity care systems, and unpack the fear, liability concerns, and hospital policies that can make collaboration so difficult. From Apgar scores and monitoring to induction after your water breaks, this conversation gets into the details that parents and providers need to understand when discussing breech birth.

Because a breech presentation doesn’t mean you should automatically be left without options. This conversation isn’t about pretending every provider has the skills to safely attend every breech birth. It’s about building real competency, creating better collaboration, and making sure parents have access to informed conversations instead of blanket restrictions. Your birth options should be shaped by your individual circumstances and qualified care, not simply by what a hospital is comfortable offering.

Knowing your options is one thing. Having bite-sized birth prep in your pocket for the next appointment, when someone says “we don’t do that here,” is another. That’s what The Birth Lounge App is for: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

In this episode:

Betty-Anne’s 50+ years of experience in midwifery and what led her to focus on breech birth

Why short breech trainings can create overconfidence without the supervised experience needed to build real skills

What the new Breech POWER Course offers and how it aims to expand provider education

What Betty-Anne reports about breech outcomes at her hospital in Ottawa

The history of forceps in breech birth and why Betty-Anne challenges their routine use

How upright breech birth techniques work and why hands-on skills matter

What the Term Breech Trial found and what later follow-up research adds to the conversation

Why breech babies may have lower initial Apgar scores and what providers should consider when monitoring

The differences between Canadian and U.S. midwifery systems and access to breech birth

How hospital privileges, liability concerns, and fear can create barriers to collaboration

What to consider when discussing induction after PROM with a breech baby

Where families and providers can find more education, training, and support

Betty-Anne’s work on birth models, activism, and human rights

If you want prep delivered straight to your phone, download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Providers and birth workers: the Breech POWER Conference is November 21-22 in Toronto. Details and registration: https://www.breechpowercourse.com/workshops-conferences

If this episode helped you, rate and review the show. It’s the #1 way other parents find it.

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Bringing Breech Back

01:00 Why Breech Is HeHe’s Hill to Die On

07:00 Breech Roadblocks in Hospitals

09:29 Betty-Anne’s Background and the Breech POWER Course

13:45 The Term Breech Trial

14:56 Canadian vs. U.S. Midwifery Systems

18:23 Getting Breech Birth Privileges at the Hospital

19:34 The Frank Nudge and the History of Forceps

21:15 Why Forceps May Not Be Needed

26:05 Breech Birth Techniques and Hands-On Skills

27:45 Truly Free

31:17 Home vs. Hospital for Breech Birth

34:48 Why Breech Babies May Have Lower Apgar Scores

38:59 NICU Stories and Lessons Learned

40:15 U.S. vs. Canada: Fear, Liability, and Breech Birth Restrictions

45:29 A Patient Story About Childlike vs. Childish Thinking

49:34 Induction After PROM with a Breech Baby

55:15 Where Do U.S. Families Go for Breech Birth?

57:24 The Breech POWER Conference

58:41 Closing Thoughts and Resources

01:00:56 Betty-Anne’s Books and Where to Find Her

 

GUEST BIO

Betty-Anne Daviss has been a midwife for over 50 years. Originally trained by traditional midwives in Guatemala, she has done clinical research and published in medical journals on hemorrhage and home birth, upright vaginal breech birth, and VBAC. She holds breech privileges at a hospital in Ottawa, has spoken at conferences around the world, and leads trainings for breech birth through the Breech POWER Course. She is the author of Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier and Rethinking the Physiology of Vaginal Breech Birth.

 

A NOTE FROM BETTY-ANNE

“We say now that if you are a breech practitioner with large hands, like William Smellie (in the 1700s), you may need forceps, but if you are a seasoned practitioner with female-sized hands, you have another instrument. If you use the upright positioning, you rarely need it for the breech, but for the 1-5% of times you need something, your hand fits well into the birthing person's vagina to extract the head. We know from the MRI studies in Frankfurt that the transverse diameters of the pelvis open up 1 to 2 cm. in a crouched over position and from the biomechanical engineering studies, they also become more ample in the squatting position, so usually just positioning works. And we know at least one male with large hands who used his hand, reaching far enough into the vagina to reach the top of the baby's head just with his 4 fingers, using this "Crowning Touch" manoeuvre, not needing the rest of his hand.”

 

CONNECT

HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Breech POWER Course: https://www.breechpowercourse.com

Understanding Birth Better: https://understandingbirthbetter.com

Betty-Anne’s book, Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier (Routledge): https://routledge.com/Birthing-Models-on-the-Human-Rights-Frontier-Speaking-Truth-to-Power/Daviss-Davis-Floyd/p/book/9780367357924

 

BREECH POWER CONFERENCE

November 21-22, 2026 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. $500 CAD for the two days, or $400 CAD per person with the interprofessional team registration (bring a colleague from another profession). Register: https://www.breechpowercourse.com/workshops-conferences

 

TRULY FREE

This episode contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, HeHe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. HeHe’s laundry detergent rabbit hole ended with Truly Free, plant-based, dye-free, and available completely unscented, which mattered to her once she had a baby’s clothes and sheets to think about. It still actually cleans, and one box lasts for months. Head to https://www.trulyfreehome.com and use code HEHE to save on your order.

 

KEEP LEARNING WITH HEHE

Want the exact words for the conversation with a provider who says “we don’t do that here”? Grab Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

 

LINKS MENTIONED

The Birth Lounge App: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

Breech POWER Course: https://www.breechpowercourse.com

Breech POWER Conference registration: https://www.breechpowercourse.com/workshops-conferences

Understanding Birth Better: https://understandingbirthbetter.com

Birthing Models on the Human Rights Frontier (Routledge): https://routledge.com/Birthing-Models-on-the-Human-Rights-Frontier-Speaking-Truth-to-Power/Daviss-Davis-Floyd/p/book/9780367357924

Breech Without Borders: https://www.breechwithoutborders.org/

Truly Free (use code HEHE): https://www.trulyfreehome.com

Getting induced? Before you show up at the hospital with your overnight bag and assume you’ll have a baby by dinner, let’s talk. Inductions can take a LONG time, and there are a few things you really want to understand before agreeing to one. From your Bishop score to Pitocin dosing and the phrase “pit to distress,” HeHe is breaking down what you need to know so you can walk into that induction feeling prepared, not completely blindsided.

 

In this episode, HeHe shares five things to consider before an induction, including why you need a plan for a potentially long process, whether your hospital allows you to go home between cervical-ripening doses, and what to ask if you hear the phrase “pit to distress.” Yes, that’s a real phrase used in some hospital cultures, and it’s worth understanding what it means. HeHe also walks through induction-related risks, including overly frequent contractions, fetal intolerance, and the potential for a cascade of interventions.

 

Plus, don’t skip the Bishop score! This assessment can help you understand how ready your cervix is for induction and may help guide decisions about which induction methods make sense. Because the more you understand about what’s happening in your body, the better equipped you are to have an actual conversation with your provider about your options.

 

Because knowing what to ask is only half the battle, HeHe introduces Labor Live, a three-day, real-time birth preparation challenge starting November 1. You’ll practice asking questions, requesting time to make decisions, and even saying no. Because trying to figure out how to advocate for yourself for the first time while you’re in labor? Not exactly ideal. Join here: https://joinlaborlive.com

 

In this episode:

Why inductions can take much longer than you expect and how to plan for the process

Whether your hospital allows you to go home between cervical-ripening doses

What “pit to distress” means and why you should ask about Pitocin dosing protocols

How to recognize potential discrepancies between hospital policies and evidence-based guidelines

What risks and interventions may be associated with induction, including tachysystole, fetal intolerance, epidurals, hemorrhage, and tearing

What a Bishop score is and how it helps assess cervical readiness for induction

How your Bishop score may help you choose your induction method and medications, and when to ask for it

Why a membrane sweep and a follow-up cervical assessment may be part of the conversation

How to practice saying no, asking questions, and requesting time to make informed decisions before labor

Ready to practice advocating for yourself before you’re in the birth room? Join HeHe for the three-day Labor Live Challenge starting November 1: https://joinlaborlive.com

If this episode helped you, rate and review the show. It’s the #1 way other parents find it.

 

00:00 Pit to Distress Explained

00:58 Labor Live Challenge Intro

01:25 Practice Saying No

03:52 Train Your Nervous System

04:36 Join Labor Live Details

04:54 Induction Tip 1 Long Timeline

06:20 Induction Tip 2 Going Home Option

07:36 Detergent Sponsor Break

11:11 Pitocin Culture Warning

12:50 Induction Risks Bishop Score Wrap

 

CONNECT

HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

The Birth Lounge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.birth.lounge/

 

 

TRULY FREE

This episode contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, HeHe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. HeHe’s laundry detergent rabbit hole ended with Truly Free, plant-based, dye-free, and available completely unscented, which mattered to her once she had a baby’s clothes and sheets to think about. It still actually cleans, and one box lasts for months. Head to https://www.trulyfreehome.com and use code HEHE to save on your order.

 

KEEP LEARNING WITH HEHE

Want to know exactly what to ask about Pitocin? Grab HeHe’s free Pitocin Guide: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Want the exact words for saying no or asking for time to think? Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

 

LINKS MENTIONED

Labor Live Challenge: https://joinlaborlive.com

Truly Free (use code HEHE): https://www.trulyfreehome.com

Before you say yes to an epidural, there are a few things you need to know about timing, positioning, and who's actually placing that needle in your back. Because an epidural can be an amazing tool, but you deserve to understand your options before you're mid-contraction, trying to make decisions while your uterus is doing the absolute most.

Let's be clear: an epidural isn't a failure, and an unmedicated birth isn't a gold star. The goal is for YOU to make the decision that feels right for you, with the information and support you need to make it. In this episode, HeHe breaks down five things to understand before getting an epidural, including what she calls the "rotisserie chicken" (yes, really), why lying flat after your epidural might not be your best move, and why every hospital's epidural medication protocol can look a little different.

HeHe also shares a piece of advice that might surprise you: if you're considering an epidural, it's worth talking with your provider about timing before labor, even if you're planning an unmedicated birth. Add in what HeHe has learned from an OB anesthesiologist she follows on Instagram, why the person placing your epidural matters, and how to communicate your preferences to your birth team, and you've got a conversation you want to have before you're in the birth room.

Because knowing what you want and feeling confident enough to speak up when you're in labor? Those are two very different things. That's exactly why HeHe created the Labor Live Challenge: to help you practice making decisions, asking questions, and advocating for yourself before the real-life contractions kick in.

In this episode:

Why the skill and experience of the person placing your epidural matter, and what HeHe learned from an OB anesthesiologist she follows

What the "rotisserie chicken" is and why positioning after an epidural deserves more attention

Why epidural medications and protocols can vary between hospitals

What to discuss ahead of time if you have allergies, concerns, or specific pain-management goals

Why HeHe recommends discussing epidural timing before labor, even if you're hoping for an unmedicated birth

How to figure out whether you're at a "hell yes" or a "maybe" when making a birth decision

Who on your birth team needs to know your preferences and plan

Why information alone doesn't equal preparation—and what your birth confidence score has to do with it

Ready to practice your birth decisions before you're in labor? The Labor Live Challenge starts on the first of every month. Get in there and practice advocating for yourself before you're trying to do it between contractions: https://joinlaborlive.com

If this episode helped you, rate and review The Birth Lounge Podcast! It helps other parents find the show and get the information they deserve.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Don’t Lie Flat
01:01 Birth Simulation Idea
02:37 Labor Live Challenge
04:08 Epidural Basics Intro
04:13 Anesthesiologist Skill
06:01 Rotisserie Chicken Positions
07:19 Medication Cocktail Goals
09:28 Purity Coffee Break
12:35 Timing Your Epidural
17:20 Practice and Wrap Up

CONNECT

HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

The Birth Lounge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.birth.lounge/

 

PURITY COFFEE

This episode contains an affiliate promotion. If you buy Purity Coffee using HeHe’s code, she may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Shop Purity Coffee with HeHe’s link and use code HEHE: https://puritycoffee.com/HEHE

 

KEEP LEARNING WITH HEHE

Want the exact words for asking for alternatives, taking time to think, or saying no? Grab Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

 

LINKS MENTIONED

Labor Live Challenge: https://joinlaborlive.com

Purity Coffee (use code HEHE): https://puritycoffee.com/HEHE

Safepartum on Instagram (OB anesthesiologist HeHe learns from): https://www.instagram.com/safepartum/

Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

You made it to the hospital! You’re having contractions, you’re ready to meet your baby, and then someone tells you… you’re not being admitted yet. WHAT?! Before you assume something is wrong or feel like you’re being sent home to fend for yourself, let’s talk about what hospital triage actually is, why it happens, and how to navigate it without feeling completely lost.

 

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe breaks down what happens when you arrive at the hospital in labor, from the questions you’ll be asked and the monitoring you may encounter to cervical checks, IVs, and how your care team decides whether it’s time to admit you to labor and delivery. She explains why some hospitals use around six centimeters of dilation as an admission benchmark, why you might be asked to labor at home a little longer, and how to communicate with your provider before you even walk through the doors. She also covers why things like cervical checks and IV placement are not automatically something you have to agree to.

 

Plus, HeHe shares practical tips for making triage work for you, including when to call your provider, what information to communicate ahead of arrival, and how to let your team know about your pain-management preferences. Because if you’re hoping for an epidural or nitrous oxide, having those conversations early can help your team understand what you’re looking for. You deserve to know what’s happening, understand your options, and feel like an active participant in your birth, not like you’re just waiting for someone to tell you what happens next.

Knowing what triage looks like is one thing. Practicing how you’d handle it is another. 

 

Practice your birth decisions before you’re in labor with the Labor Live Challenge: https://joinlaborlive.com

 

In this episode:

What hospital triage actually is and why it’s a filtering process before admission

When to call your provider after your water breaks or contractions become rhythmic

Why you may be asked to labor longer at home before being admitted

What to communicate to your birth team before arriving at the hospital

What happens during triage, including contraction monitoring, fetal monitoring, vital signs, and cervical exams

Why dilation, effacement, and your overall situation may factor into admission decisions

How providers may check whether your water has broken

Why cervical checks and IVs are options to discuss, not automatic yeses

How to communicate your pain-management preferences before you’re deep in labor

What you can do while waiting, including walking and tracking your contractions

How to reframe triage so you feel more informed, prepared, and confident advocating for yourself

 

Practice your birth decisions before you’re in labor with the Labor Live Challenge: https://joinlaborlive.com

 

Get the exact words for saying no to cervical checks, IVs, and other interventions with Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

 

If this episode helped you, rate and review the show. It’s the #1 way other parents find it.

 

CHAPTERS

00:00 You Made It, But You're Not Admitted?!

01:33 Introducing Labor Live

02:18 Join the Monthly Simulation

02:52 What Hospital Triage Is

03:28 Admission Criteria Basics

04:09 When to Call Your Provider

05:47 Arriving and Waiting in Triage

06:36 Triage Intake Questions

07:26 Checks, Monitors, and Options

09:26 Reframe and Next Steps

 

CONNECT

HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

The Birth Lounge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.birth.lounge/

 

KEEP LEARNING WITH HEHE

Want the exact words for the conversations that can make or break your birth, from declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions? Grab Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

 

LINKS MENTIONED

Labor Live Challenge: https://joinlaborlive.com

Scripts for Advocacy: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

Pitocin is one of the most commonly used drugs in labor, but how much do you actually know about it before someone asks you to start it? It’s not about being for or against Pitocin. It’s about understanding what it does, how it works differently from your body’s natural oxytocin, and what questions you should be asking before it’s hooked up to your IV.

In this episode, HeHe breaks down five things every pregnant person should understand about Pitocin, from dosing limits and contraction intensity to induction timing and whether the medication can be turned down or off. She explains why synthetic oxytocin doesn’t work quite like the oxytocin your body produces naturally, why the timing of an induction matters, and why how Pitocin is used can make a big difference in your birth experience. She also explores concerns around high or prolonged dosing and how Pitocin may affect oxytocin receptors, including their role in postpartum hemorrhage treatment.

Practice your birth decisions before you’re in labor with the Labor Live Challenge: https://joinlaborlive.com

The goal isn’t to make you afraid of Pitocin. It’s a tool that can be incredibly useful when it’s needed! But you deserve to understand the benefits, risks, alternatives, and options before making a decision. Knowing about Pitocin is one thing. Feeling prepared to navigate that conversation when you’re in labor is another. HeHe shares how to take that next step with the Labor Live Challenge and her free Pitocin Guide, so you can walk into birth with more than a vague memory of something you heard on a podcast.

Get HeHe’s free Pitocin Guide: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

IN THIS EPISODE

Why does synthetic Pitocin confuse your body’s natural oxytocin feedback, and what happens when it ramps up faster than your brain can register?

What do the FDA’s dosing recommendations actually say, and how do you find out if your hospital’s policy follows them?

Why can Pitocin lead to contractions that are too close, too hard, and too fast, and how does your baby handle that?

Why does the timing of an induction matter, and what do prostaglandins have to do with it before Pitocin ever enters the picture?

Can you really turn Pitocin down or off, and when is that a smart conversation versus one HeHe says isn’t advised?

How can too much Pitocin in labor affect your receptors, and why does that matter if you ever need help with a postpartum hemorrhage?

Why does knowing all of this still leave a gap, and what is the difference between information and preparation?

CHAPTERS

00:00 Pitocin Can Be Adjusted

01:08 Why Providers Simulate Births

02:44 Introducing Labor Live

04:15 Pitocin Episode Kickoff

04:35 Pitocin vs Natural Oxytocin

06:58 FDA Limits and Hospital Policies

08:35 Timing Pitocin in Induction

10:07 Turning Pitocin Down or Off

12:44 High Doses and Hemorrhage Risk

14:41 Practice for Birth Confidence