DeepSummary
The podcast episode features an interview with Rachel Somerstein, author of the book 'Invisible: The Untold Story of the Caesarean Section.' Somerstein recounts her traumatic experience of undergoing an emergency C-section without proper anesthesia during the birth of her first child, leaving her with PTSD. She delves into the history of C-sections, from their origins as a means to save babies of deceased mothers to their use as a life-saving procedure for both mother and child.
Somerstein discusses the shift towards medicalizing childbirth and the marginalization of midwives, who were traditionally the primary birth attendants. She also explores the disproportionate rates of C-sections among women of color, attributing it to factors such as lack of access to midwifery care and systemic racism within the healthcare system.
The episode touches on the potential long-term impacts of C-sections, including a reduced likelihood of having more children and the increased risks associated with multiple C-sections. Somerstein also shares the positive experience of her second birth, where her midwife's intervention helped her avoid another C-section.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- C-sections, while life-saving, can have significant and long-term impacts on both mother and child, including increased risks with subsequent procedures, reduced likelihood of having more children, and potential for trauma.
- The history of C-sections is shaped by external pressures, from religious beliefs to the medicalization of childbirth, often at the expense of traditional midwifery knowledge and practices.
- Systemic racism and lack of access to midwifery care contribute to the disproportionate rates of C-sections among women of color.
- Preparing for the possibility of a C-section and being aware of the potential risks and impacts is essential for expectant mothers.
- Collaboration and respect between medical professionals and midwives can lead to better outcomes and potentially reduce unnecessary C-sections.
- Sharing personal experiences and raising awareness about the realities of C-sections can help destigmatize the procedure and promote a more informed and supportive approach.
- Ongoing research is needed to understand the long-term effects of C-sections on both mother and child, and to develop strategies for reducing potential risks and complications.
- Empowering women with knowledge and choice throughout the childbirth process is crucial, while also recognizing the life-saving importance of C-sections when medically necessary.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Basically, her argument is that when birth came into the hospital, which were talking about really turn of the century, 1920s, this is an era when science was the national mood, tremendous faith in what medicine could do and what technology could do, this was the era of modernism. You know, life expectancies rose dramatically from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1940s because of changes and improvements to filtration systems of water. We had the development of vaccines, ultimately the discovery of antibiotics. I mean, these things have transformed humanity and saved so many lives. So the faith was with the scientists and with the physicians. However, as people moved into the hospital to have babies, they then got separated from their communities. And these midwives who had really generations of knowledge accumulated when medicine took over birth from midwives. And I should say, actually when doctors in a hospital took over birth from midwives, they fenced off what counts as authoritative knowledge and got rid of everything else.“ by Rachel Somerstein
- “So the simple answer is racism. Theres nothing biological about women of color that makes them more likely to have a C section. So thats like the most important thing to put out about these disproportionate rates.“ by Rachel Somerstein
Entities
Company
Person
Book
Product
Organization
Media
Episode Information
Fresh Air
NPR
5/28/24
TV critic David Bianculli reviews the last season of Evil.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy