DeepSummary
The episode discusses the dark history of childbirth, exploring how it has been viewed and handled throughout different periods and cultures. It highlights the ancient practices used to aid in childbirth, such as rituals, midwives, and traditional positions like squatting or kneeling. The transcript details how men, particularly doctors, began to medicalize childbirth and view it as an illness needing medical intervention, leading to the common practice of women giving birth on their backs in hospitals.
The episode examines the risks and complications women faced during childbirth in various eras, including infections, fistulas, and high mortality rates. It critiques the mistreatment of women, particularly enslaved women, by doctors experimenting on them without anesthesia to develop cures and surgical techniques. The discussion also touches on the use of drugs like chloroform and the infamous 'twilight sleep' during labor.
In modern times, the episode notes the alarmingly high maternal mortality rates in the United States compared to other wealthy nations. It addresses the issue of racism and implicit bias in healthcare, leading to poor treatment of Black mothers. The episode advocates for a return to more natural birthing practices, such as the involvement of midwives and allowing women to choose comfortable positions during labor.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Childbirth has been viewed and handled differently throughout history, with ancient practices and rituals giving way to the medicalization of birth by men who viewed it as an illness.
- Midwives played a crucial role in assisting women during childbirth before being pushed aside by male doctors who took control of the process.
- Women, particularly enslaved women, faced mistreatment, experimentation without anesthesia, and high mortality rates during childbirth throughout history.
- The use of drugs like chloroform and 'twilight sleep' during labor was common, often with adverse effects on both the mother and child.
- In modern times, the United States has alarmingly high maternal mortality rates, especially among Black and Native American women, due in part to implicit bias and racism in healthcare.
- There is a growing movement advocating for a return to more natural birthing practices, such as the involvement of midwives and allowing women to choose comfortable positions during labor.
- The episode critiques the medicalization of childbirth and the mistreatment of women throughout history, advocating for a more woman-centered approach that respects and empowers women during the birthing process.
- The dark history of childbirth highlights the need for improved healthcare, education, and support for women, particularly those from marginalized communities, to ensure safe and respectful birthing experiences.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “According to the World Health Organization, around the world, every two minutes, two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth.“ by Bailey Sarian
- “The word midwife comes from old English, and it means with woman. This midwife was trained specifically to assist women during labor.“ by Bailey Sarian
- “Doctor Sims was figuring out all of these medical cures by experimenting on enslaved women. Enslaved women with fistulas would approach doctor sims or be brought to him by the people that owned them, and a cure would be dangled, like, right in front of them.“ by Bailey Sarian
- “According to the center for Disease Control, American Indian, Alaska Native and black women are two to three times more likely to die during pregnancy than a white woman.“ by Bailey Sarian
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Episode Information
Dark History
Audioboom Studios
2/21/24
Despite what some people may say, birth is not a problem that needs solving–it's a natural journey that we just need guidance to help us get through (And of course, doctors, midwives, doulas…you get it). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how scary and borderline traumatizing childbirth can be. But not only that… how downright dangerous it is! So on that note, let’s get to it: the Dark History of Childbirth.
I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.
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