Evidence-Based Care
One of the greatest blessings God gives us is the ability to learn and grow in knowledge (Proverbs 18:15). That’s why I believe in the power of evidence-based care—care that is guided by the best available scientific research, combined with clinical experience and your unique values and needs. I believe this is important for all birthing families.
What is Evidence-Based Care?
Evidence-based care means making informed choices during pregnancy and birth based on:
Reliable scientific research
Experienced, compassionate care providers
Your personal preferences, values, and God-given intuition
It’s not about fear or control—it’s about clarity, confidence, and walking in truth.
Why It Matters
In the United States, one of the biggest challenges in maternity care is the gap between what research shows is best for mothers and babies and what actually happens in practice. Evidence-based care is not consistently implemented. For example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend practices such as delayed cord clamping, continuous labor support, and limiting unnecessary cesarean sections. However, studies show these interventions are underutilized and cesarean rates are around 32%, well above the recommended rate of 10%; acknowledging that all cesareans should be done for medically indicated reasons and not to achieve a certain rate (ACOG, 2019; WHO, 2018, WHO, 2015). At the same time, outdated or non-evidence-based practices, like routine labor induction without medical indication or continuous electronic fetal monitoring for low-risk births, remain widespread (Sakala & Romano, 2016). This mismatch contributes to higher intervention rates, rising costs, and preventable maternal and infant complications, underscoring the urgent need to align U.S. maternity care with current evidence. These are just a few of the reasons why becoming informed on the evidence is so important.
God calls us to be wise stewards of our bodies. Evidence-based care helps you:
Understand your options so you’re not overwhelmed or pressured
Avoid unnecessary interventions when natural, God-designed birth processes are progressing well
Work with your body, not against it—celebrating how fearfully and wonderfully made you are (Psalm 139:14)
Make spirit-led decisions that align with your values and trust in God’s timing and design
When you're equipped with knowledge, you discover your voice. You can advocate for the evidence-based care you want and require that decisions be made with you, not for you.
You’re Not Alone
Pregnancy and childbirth are some of the most powerful reflections of God’s design and love. Whether you're planning a home birth, a hospital birth, or something in between, you are not walking this path alone. As an Evidence Based Birth® Professional Member, I’m able to support families in understanding the most up-to-date research topics related to pregnancy and childbirth, equipping you with knowledge on evidence-based care as you prepare for the miracle ahead.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2019). Approaches to limit intervention during labor and birth. Committee Opinion No. 766.
National Vital Statistics Reports (CDC/NCHS). Births: Final Data 2022.
Sakala, C., & Romano, A. (2016). Maternity care and evidence-based practice. In: Women’s Health Issues, 26(2), 115–118.
World Health Organization (2015). WHO statement on cesarean section rates.
World Health Organization. (2018). Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience.