Birthzillas: The Podcast
What if telling your story could save someone’s life? I think it can. This podcast mixes personal stories with public health data to uncover the politics (and policy) of childbirth in the US.
Episodes
In this week's episode we talk about the recent coroner's report out of Australia that has reignited discussion about free birth and the role of birth influencers. I explain the role of influencers (and advise a healthy dose of skepticism because I am *that* kind of doctor), talk about what free birth is, and suggest why midwives might be a much safer alternative for those looking for more autonomy...
In this week's news-cast, we talk about the recent news of Ivana Nikoline Brønlund whose baby was taken away from her. Why? She failed a Danish parenting assessment. The problem? That assessment was illegal to use with Greenlandic parents like Brønlund because it has shown clear racial biases. But parent-child separation has a long history of racist roots, in particular against indigenous communities li...
What does contemporary birth politics have to do with Nazis? As Dr. Erika Briesacher explains, a lot more than you'd think. This episode looks at Trump and his allies' push to fetishize motherhood through pronatalist, anti-child policies like $5000 bonuses and possibly Nazi-esque medals for having the right amount of kids. We discuss the racial roots of these policies and how the racialization of b...
In this episode, we talk about the postpartum mood disorders and how shame surrounding them keeps a lot of moms stuck in a bad place. What can you do to get help or help others? Let's go.
In this episode we discuss birth trauma and obstetric violence, talk about Twilight Sleep, and ask why it is so hard for people to believe women's pain. Let's go!
This episode of Birthzillas looks at the difference between fertility and sterility, the complete lack of support many people find, and some whacky historical theories on the "wandering womb." Check it out (and see if you can spot the places where my youngest child created catastrophe in my recording studio!). Let's go!
This week we tune in to consider why we can't have maternity leave. This episode looks at the policy and political issues that go into maternity leave and also considers the role maternity leave can have in alleviating violence against women (and men!). Let's go!
In this episode we welcome season 2 with a big look at what the politics of childbirth are and look forward to what's coming up this season. Let's go!
In the final episode of season one, we talk about the importance of representation, why more people should tell their birth stories, and whether or not my children are plague vectors. We take a look at what's coming up in season two and end with some thoughts on how our evolutionary roots as a social species make storytelling a key way of passing on cultural and embodied knowledge. Let's go!
In this episode we talk about the importance of good dads, the dangers men and boys face online, and why we all need each other. Join us for the second to last episode of the season! (Warning for those listening at work or around kids: I do swear twice.) Let's go!
In this episode we talk about what birth trauma is, how institutional trauma work, and why we should be taking obstetric violence seriously. We deal with some tough stuff and ask what to do when the problem is both legal and social. Let's go!
In this episode we talk about reproductive justice, birth advocacy, and why legal rights aren't enough. I recommend Sabia Wade's book Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us All Free, talk about histories of reproductive coercion, and consider the limits of law (and why we need justice instead!). Putting on your thinking hat and let's go!
In this episode we talk about medical racism, health equity, and some of the systemic issues that shape the US maternal mortality crisis. We talk about some uncomfortable stuff, but it's good medicine! Let's go.
This week we take a look at the different cultures in hospital and home birth, and talk a bit about birth centers. We also hear Veronica's story: a nurse who didn't want to give birth at her own hospital because the head OBGYN pressed women into cesareans. We end by talking about some concrete steps you can take to improve birth culture in your area. Let's go!
In this episode we talk about how OBGYNs developed in the US and why that's very different than the rest of the world. We touch on the Flexner Report, which reshaped medical care in the US, get some stats on the maternal mortality crisis here, and talk about policy solutions to some of these problems. Then we hear from home birth Midwife Kim who tells us a little bit about her profession. Let's go!
Major announcement in here: the University of Kansas is readying a book contract for Birthzillas and Madwives! So, stay tuned for more information. In the rest of today's episode we talk about bodily autonomy and consider who has the last word in deciding when/how to intervene in birth. We talk a bit about home birth and hospital birth and get ready for next week's visit by Midwife Kim!
In this episode we talk about the importance of stories, how often women's health complaints are dismissed for no reason, testimonial justice, and medical trust. And bonus: I share my birth story and talk about why putting the social back in social sciences is important.
In this episode we introduce Birthzillas, talk about the importance of sharing birth stories, and answer your questions about the politics of childbirth.
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