The Birth Rebel Podcast podcast

Making Informed Choices with Henci Goer - 66

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In this episode of the Birth Rebel Podcast, Angel welcomes special guest Henci Goer, a pioneering advocate in the birth world. Henci shares insights from her personal experiences with childbirth and her journey from negative birth experiences to becoming a renowned birth advocate. She discusses the importance of informed decision-making, advocating for yourself during childbirth, and the significance of supportive birth teams, including doulas. Henci also delves into strategies for dealing with medical interventions and offers advice on how to handle unexpected changes during labor. The conversation highlights the value of having intentions rather than inflexible goals for childbirth, and the essential role of kindness, respect, and agency in a positive birth experience. The episode concludes with a discussion of Henci’s upcoming book on labor induction, providing practical tips for navigating this common intervention.


00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:40 Personal Birth Experiences

03:54 Transition to Advocacy

07:10 Becoming a Lamaze Teacher and Doula

08:15 Challenges in Birth Education

14:27 Hospital Interventions Explained

22:52 Choosing Your Birth Team

31:02 Navigating Medical Pressure During Birth

33:47 The Importance of Intentions Over Goals

36:20 Adapting Birth Plans and Managing Expectations

41:58 Post-Birth Reflections and Emotional Processing

44:47 Preparing for Advocacy and Informed Choices

50:07 Exploring Research and Critical Application

55:37 Final Thoughts and Resources


Resources from the Episode

Immaculate Deception: A New Look at Women & Childbirth in America - Suzanne Arms


Immaculate Deception II: Myth, Magic, and Birth - Suzanne Arms


Labor Pain - What’s Your Best Strategy? - Henci Goer

The second book in Henci's Take Charge of Your Birth series, Labor Induction: Why, When, and How? is due out this Spring!


Henci Goer Blog Post - How to Prevent Being Talked into an Avoidable Induction or Cesarean


Henci Goer Blog Page


Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide - Penny Simkin 


Transformed by Birth - Britta Bushnell


Evidence Based Birth Website


The Birth Partner 5th Edition by Penny Simkin


Plus Size Pregnancy: What the Evidence Really Says About High BMI & Birth by Dr. Sara Wickham


Where to Find Henci Goer

Website |Blog |Facebook |Instagram |Email |Labor Pain Book



Access my Better Birth Blueprint Workshop. This workshop will give you five tips on how you can have a safer more comfortable birth! As a bonus you will get a FREE downloadable workbook to accompany your workshop. Access your⁠⁠⁠FREE Workshop⁠⁠⁠!


Until Next time my Birth Rebel crew!

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