Birth Agni
This podcast explores how birth has traditionally unfolded among women in tribal communities, where children witnessed breastfeeding and birth. It contrasts past practices with modern India's birth culture, highlighting issues like postpartum anxiety, rising surgical births, and poor breastfeeding outcomes. The host, Divya Kapoor, aims to reconnect listeners with the transformative power of birth, which she describes as a fire that awakens and transforms women. The podcast critiques the shift from a joyful, natural process to one marked by fear and medical intervention.
Episodes
Update : Season 6 to be launched on 1st July'26
We took one more month to ensure the best comes to you. Thankyou for waiting dear listeners. I know the wait seems long. We will be back on July 1st'26Support the showSign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programshttps://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-programThis episode is supported and made possible
Announcement : Season 2026 - Home Birth | Pregnancy Series
Three weeks into February, in the soft glow of postpartum, our host, Divya shares a tender life update : welcoming her son in the quiet hours of December after a birth she deeply cherishes. Supported by her husband, daughter, and doula, this experience has begun a powerful season of slowing down, integration, and presence.In this episode, Rohit Kokane, head of productions at Birth Agni, explains t
#152 - Surabhi 's Birth Story | Glucose IV | Self Acceptance | Placenta Birth
Note - This is the last episode of the year 2025We will be back in 2026! Happy festivities!Part II of Surabhi's birth story takes you through her journey of labor and birth. Discussion points Laboring at home to reaching the birth centre 2 hours awayExperience of labor on the wayExperience of labor at the centerThe various learnings in the experienceThe pushing stageBreastfeeding Placenta bir
#151- Surabhi and Darshan's Birth Preparation | Advocacy at a Birth Center
In this conversation, Surabhi Shekhar, founder Gubbi Gudu, women’s wellness specialist, prenatal/postnatal yoga guide, and doula-in-training joins us with her loving husband, Darshan, to share the story of their preparation for a birth center experience.They speak at length about the thorough preparation, the inner work at various crossroads, and discussions as a couple helped them arrive at thei
#150 - Pregnancy at 40: Myths, Facts, and Real Stories
Ever wondered why the age of 35 suddenly becomes this big red sign in conversations about pregnancy? In this episode, we discuss fertility and the age of a woman’s egg.We will understand biology of what actually happens to your egg each cycle and how aging really affects fertility and a fascinating research paper I found , https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rmb2.12652How does your eg
#149 - Oxytocin and its profound role in Pregnancy , Labor, Birth and Breastfeeding with Dr Sarah Buckley
Oxytocin is a hormone whose effects on the body are hugely celebrated yet largely unknown. Dr Sarah Buckley's work on Oxytocin has extensive insights into how it affects women in pregnancy and birth.Focus pointsThe Oxytocin, Pregnancy and Due DatesHormones and the essence of Pain in childbirth Oxytocin and InductionImpact of interventions on Labor such as Epidural and CsecBirth Bliss and the
#148 - Traditional midwifery , regulations and midwifery care for plus sized women with Maryn Green and Margo from the Indie Birth Association
Series: Midwives around the worldWhat is traditionally midwifery and what do midwives have to say about Birth work, licensure and the shifting dynamics among birthworkers. As a pregnant couple listening to this episode you will have clarity in your decision making when choosing a midwife or support team for your birth.Discussion Points1. Licensure in the world of birth.2. Do skills matter in unlic
#147 - Birth and Inner Work for Parents and Birth Workers with Reba Daniel
Birth work is a complex territory. It is coming together of an expecting family with a birth worker and they work together with consistent dialogue about the changing desires and needs of a family and in Reba , our guest's words, the line or boundary of the Birth worker. Reba Daniel is a health journalist, birth doula & childbirth educator with over 17 years of experience providing healin
#146 - The road to Free Birthing with Sarah Schmid
Sarah Schmid is a medical doctor, author, and mother of ten children. Nine of her children, including a set of twins, were born in planned unassisted home births. For many years, she has been active online in various ways on the topics of self-responsible pregnancy and autonomous childbirth. She has written several books on the subject, the best known of which is “Freebirth – Self-directed Pregnan
#145: Our Gateway into menarche and essence of childbirth the spiritual container
What if we learnt that our menstrual cycles were a tool for growth. It is something that makes us women special and powerful. If we are looking at helping women see the Shakti or the power in themselves, the road begins at Menarche. I have been meaning to have an episode on this topic and keenly follow the work of elder home birth Midwife of 30 years, Jane Hardwicke. She is a grandmother , teacher
#144 - Fertility and The Traditional Chinese Medicine with Nicole Lange, founder LifeHealingLife | IVF | PCOS
There was a news article recently that said India’s fertility rate is down , First dip in two years. Generally , we are all observing a rise in the need for fertility as well. More and more IVF clinics and centers are coming along. When we think of supporting our conception or having a baby, we think the medical route, tests , pills and hormonal therapies, what if there was an alternative pathway,
#143 - Part II Kriti's Birth Story - the story of surrender to inner calling | Meconium | Self Directed Birth | Inner Strength
This is the story of Kriti's Labor and Birth and how they made the decisions moving through each phase. The highlight of the story is 'Self direction' . It is not important where you really birth, what is important at the core of it all is how 'self directed' a family is in their birth choices. Kriti and Ashish are a grounded couple who take time to decide what is good for
#142 - Part I - Why Kriti Chose a Home Birth – Her Pregnancy Story
Kriti and Ashish left behind a city life to build a farm and live in a remote village - all because it meant a slower life of connection. "We would not have had a baby had we been in the city", Kriti says and then goes on to share how living with nature, they started craving to have a third energy in her own words in the world around them.In this episode, Kriti also shares how the collec
#141 - Postpartum Depression - my experience - Retake
Postnatal Depression - My experience...This is a Retake of the first episode of Birth Agni, postpartum depression, because it is an important discussion area. It’s me, vulnerable, traumatised by the Birth experience , cornered in the family power dynamics and sleep deprived.I share what my own experience in this episode along with Symptoms of Postnatal Depression as different from Postpartum Blues
#140 - Releasing Fear in Birth - The Hypnobirthing Approach with Katharine Graves , founder KGhypnobirthing
Fear and birth—two words that often get tangled together. Katharine Graves, an internationally recognised hypnobirthing expert and trainer , founder of KGhypnobirthing takes us through the grounding methods in hypnobirthing and working with fear in Birth.We discuss:Overcoming fear in BirthDiscerning Fear from IntuitionWater Birth and the role of mind in BirthWeather all fear can be wiped out befo
#139 - Birth then and Now - 40 years of difference in the Indian Maternity Care with seasoned Birth Educator, author and former journalist Nutan Lakhanpal Pandit
Nutan L Pandit has been teaching birth preparation since 1978.Back then, the Indian birth scene was very different. Nutan aunty gave birth using breathwork taught by a foreigner — so calmly, in fact, that the nurses were shocked she was already pushing while chatting! This was in Mumbai, with no ultrasounds, and one baby in face presentation. Her doctor, Dr. Jay Dhurandar, was part of a system tha
#138 - Best way to Interview your Doula, Birthkeeper, Midwife
Choosing the right doula, midwife, or birthkeeper for your birth journey is more than just credentials and experience — it’s about alignment. In this episode, we walk you through a heart-centered approach to choosing your birth team.We start with a self-inquiry activity to help you tune into what you truly need and desire as the first step before drafting your questions.Then, we’ll guide you throu
#137 - Aishwarya's VBAC Birth Story at a Birth Center
VBACs are often dreaded in the medical system. Birth Centers are open to supporting them. This story is about a successful VBAC in a birth center, yes, but its not just that. It is about a woman trying to find her way back to herself, back to her Birth wisdom and her empowered self. It is also about how she feels she was treated during the experience. There is another very strong yet subtle emotio
#136 - VBACs - Do you have a choice? Risk of Uterine Rupture
Once a Cesarean , always a Cesarean - you must have also heard this common notion. Fortunately, this is far from truth. Yet , So many women feel cornered and helpless when they become pregnant again, like the decision has already been made for them. In this episode, we’re getting real about that phrase and why it’s not the whole story.We get into the actual evidence and physiology behind uterine
#135 - Miscarriage and Preventive use of Progestrone
A Listener reached out sharing her regret over taking Progestrone the first time around, reason Age 35+Women are given progestrone in Pregnancy routinely for the following reasons:Bleeding in Current PregnancyHistory of Miscarriage Age - 35+ In this episode, we discussAre all these reasons legitimate to use progestrone - a steroid hormone preventively in Pregnancy?Are there any side effects you sh
#134 - Natural Pain Relief - What they do not teach you in traditional Birth Classes - The Embedded Gift
The Embedded Gift of Pain Relief is the name I have given to the very foundation you need first in your laboring journey, without which no pain relief technique works efficiently.And this has come from experience. When I started out as a childbirth educator, the techniques I taught fell flat for some women because this very foundation was missing. Soon after, I started my training as a traditional
#133 - The Painless Delivery Promise- Why it is not what you think!
Painless delivery’ sounds reassuring, but it’s often misleading. The truth is what’s sold as painless birth is often false advertising. Parents are rarely told about the downsides, or how numbing all sensation can actually interfere with birth.In this episode, we talk about Why no epidural takes away all pain, The downsides you’re rarely told about, and Why pain in childbirth has a purpose. How nu
#132 - The uncomfortable truth behind the current condition of the Indian Maternal System with Dr Uplabdh
What’s really driving birth practices in India today? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Indian medical system—where convenience often takes priority over physiology, and where C-sections are rising not always because of necessity, but because they fit better into hospital schedules. We also explore how the ancient wisdom of our traditional dais—the original birth workers—is being ig
#131- What No One Tells You About Ultrasounds in Pregnancy
Ultrasounds have become a routine part of modern pregnancy care — but how much do we really know about their origins, benefits, risks, and accuracy? We’ve all been told that ultrasounds are just a normal part of pregnancy — a way to “see the baby” and make sure everything’s okay. But have you ever wondered where this practice actually came from, what it’s truly meant for, and whether it’s always a
#130 - Shilpi's home birth story- meconium, true knot and a geriatric pregnancy.
Shilpi was guided into a home birth through various channels — one of them being how the medical system was too keen to label hers as a geriatric pregnancy and potentially schedule her into a surgery.Often, women over 35 are labelled as geriatric — meaning care for old people in the medical system. This brackets them into care meant for the elderly, including the approach of looking at everything
#129 - Too Big to Birth, or too small a pelvis? The Truth About CPD in Indian Hospitals
In this episode, we discuss one of the most commonly used—and misused—reasons for cesarean in India: Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD), or the claim that a woman’s pelvis is “too small” for her baby’s head.We dig into:What CPD actually is (and what it isn’t)Why true CPD is extremely rare—yet so frequently citedHow fetal position, mobility in labor, and hospital timelines all impact diagnosisThe da
#128 - Decoding Meconium -the good and the bad with Dr Vijaya Krishnan, CPM and founder Sanctum Natural Birth Center
It’s all too common—women being rushed into surgery at the very sight or even assumption of meconium in conventional hospital settings. Add to that the pressure many women face to deliver before 40 weeks, based on general risks that may not even apply to them personally.In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Dr. Vijaya Krishnan, Certified Professional Midwife and founder of Sanctum Natural Bi
#127 - 5 ways to make postpartum a smoother experience - What can Partners do?
Postpartum in India is celebrated in rituals, gatherings and expectations—but what about the actual needs of a new mother?In this episode, I unpack 5 ways Indian women can experience a gentler, more supported postpartum phase—especially in the midst of complex family dynamics. From the emotional toll of unsolicited advice to the silent pressure to perform as a "good bahu," we explore how
#126 - Nipple Shields - A breastfeeding Cure or a Crutch!
In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood world of nipple shields—thin silicone covers used during breastfeeding. We’ll discuss why they’re so commonly recommended in the Indian hospitals, and how it can impact your breastfeeding journey. As a Lactation Counselor, I see numerous cases where Nipple Shields alter the complete breastfeeding pace and route for mothers , so much so that, it
#125 - Afeeda's surreal birth story in a Birth Center - the Power of Intuition
The primary aspect of birth is finding a place that supports us.For some women, no institution feels like a safe space where they can truly let go and allow their intuition to guide them—where they can allow the process to unfold in its most optimal form. For others, a birth center that supports the natural function of the body is the right path.Self-direction is crucial in any birth journey.Afeed
#124 - Chapter II - Vikki and Raj's Second Half of the Home Birth Story
In the last episode, we spoke of Henry's Birth. In this part, we go through the experience of the transfer to the hospital and the reason behind.Often, people are worried about a Home Birth and transfer, here we see what it can look like and that should help parents in their decision on where they would like to birth.We discuss:Raj's feeling around the movement and iteraction with ambula
#123 - Chapter I - Vikki and Raj's Home Birth Story
Vikki and Raj decided on a Home Birth as life directed them to . They found a midwife after one referred to another and then another until finally they met Ditta. Their experience of a home birth is discussed in detail here. The one thing that stands out with them is the team work and mutual understanding they carry of each other at every step of the way. Its nourishing to each other, progressive
#122 - Is Routine Vaginal Examination Needed?
Routine Vaginal Examinations were never a part of traditional midwifery accross various ethnicities around the word. It was used sparingly as it was also considered an intervention.In this episode, you will learn about Vaginal Examination in Late PregnancyVaginal Examination during LaborBenefits and Downsides of it along the wayDonate to support this podcast - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcas
#121 - All About Episiotomy - from routine to outdated!
Women have long feared an episiotomy over Surgical Birth aka Surgery.In experience, women felt numb, scarred and pain at the site of episiotomy. Yet , this procedure has been routine in vaginal births, Why?Can women birth without it? Listen to the episode to learn more aboutHistory of Episiotomy?How did it become a routine practice?Evidence in favor and against?Can women birth without it?How were
#120 - Swati's normal birth with the presence of meconium
Did you know that meconium at birth is very common?Did you know that meconium is not always threatening for the baby?Did you know that normal delivery with meconium is possible when we individualise care and see the benefits vs risk from a case to case basis?Swati's story of natural birth with meconium is one where an experienced doctor did not scare her. He observed and as the baby was not d
#119 - Normal Breech Birth - Kanika's Birth Story
Breech is normal and a surgery for Breech is often the inexperience or pressure from hospitals or lack of skill from the doctor. This is a woman and a family's loss.If you wish to learn more about breech vaginal births , explore Dr Stuart Fischpien's work - http://www.birthinginstincts.comKanika shares her story of a Breech Birth where she was being forced for a surgery right when the ba
#118 - Stem Cell Banking - What you must know!
Off late, numerous marketing events and strategies have been used by private cord stem cell banks in India to lure parents with the promise of potential benefits of storing stem cells for future malignancies their child may face. While this may seem like a lucrative and logical form of biological insurance, many of these companies rely on misleading—and in some cases, fraudulent—marketing techniqu
#117 - Yashoda's Birth story - Hospital vs Water Birth experience at a Birth center
Yashoda is a Sports Physiotherapist and an Aquatic therapist and a mom of 2 precious ones- is currently working at Aastrika midwifery centre. She had her first one born in a hospital after induction and her baby was separated from her after birth. The second time around she decided to take childbirth classes, prepare well and chose a midwifery center called Aastrika in Bangalore where she was not
#116 - Language around Birth and Breastfeeding with Effath Yasmin
" I wonder Divya, if women today can escape a pill........a vaccine.......or being under the knife." - Effath YasminCalling this a reality of today's maternal healthcare system is not enough to point out the issues that need dire resolution because the problems are far more complex than 'one' solution being right and everything else, wrong.The issue is of the belief system
2024 Wrap up - Winter Break
This episode has an yearly wrap up on the podcast and the following 1. How the next year will look like.2. Top 4 episodes for this year.3. Personal journey as a birth worker this year.4. Goals for the podcast5. Seeking your support and love, topics for 2025Drop your topics at admin@birthagni.com or birthagni@gmail.comSupport the show:Donations (India) - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#podc
#114 - Part III - Ariel and Nitin's postpartum experience: Ayurvedic Postpartum
Postpartum is a crucial part of parenthood. There are many healing modalities that are available to help women heal. Often overlooked, is the emotional aspect of caring for a new life and work with the new changes in the relationship of couple'sWhat stands out as a learning from Ariel's story is that Preparation for every phase always helps. Ariel planned her food to the care she needed
#113 - Part II - Ariel's Experience of Labor and Birth
This is Part II of Ariel and Nitin's Home Birth story. Here, we go through Ariel's experience of Labor from the onset to the birth. She describes her state of mind , the sequence of events in detail in this episode.Expect :The change of scene with the intensity of labor increasing.The intense and prolonged transition due to cervical lipThe wait and tension before the baby arrivesThe birt
#112 - Part I - Ariel and Nitin's preparation for a Home Birth
I received an email from Ariel sharing how listening to this podcast was a part of her preparation for a home birth and she wanted to payback by contributing her story to the podcast. We are excited to have this homebirthing duo in a three Part series through their journey of Preparation, experience of Birth and Postpartum on the podcast.Ariel and Nitin are an Indian couple living in the US who we
#111 Part II - Meenakshi's Home Birth story
This is Meenakshi's home birth story and interestingly her discovery of pregnancy when she was breastfeeding her twins already.She learnt pretty late and went on to discover it people started saying your belly seems different. In this episode, we discussDiscovery of pregnancy while breastfeeding twins.Decision of home birthPreparation for a Home Birth and owning responsibilityExperience of F
#110 - Part I - Meenkashi's twin normal / vaginal birth in a hospital
Meenakshi birthed her twins vaginally in the only normal birth supportive hospital in Delhi, Sitaram bhartiya.After she was denied normal birth by her already consulting doctor, she switched her OBGYN and had a generally good experience.It was the second time around that she was inclined at having a Home Birth, the preparation of which along the way helped her realize what she dreamt of as a norma
#109 - Zahra's Free Birth Story | Healing a Deep Tear at home | Quick Labor | Cord around the neck
Zahra had supported a friend's home birth before she decided it for herself. She was not even married then and was pulled into this birth by the mother who trusted her and her decision completely. Her family was supportive throughout. She had no ultrasounds or checkups except once. She was waiting for labor to begin so excitedly that once a false alarm got the entire house ready and prepared.
#108 - Komal's orgasmic birth and the journey of arriving at the decision of a home birth
India has always birthed at home. Women birthed at home as a culture. Today, women are going back to their roots out of the lucrative outcome of health, easier labor and comfortable birth. Not just India, women birthed at home across the world, as homo sapiens, this was the primal instinct. Yes, women died in birth and babies died too. They die in hospitals today as well not because of someone&apo
#107 - Birth then and now - 40 years of difference in Maternity Care -Information Overload and Changing Cultural behaviors towards Birth with seasoned Birth Educator Nutan Lakhanpal Pandit
Nutan L Pandit has been teaching birth preparation classes since 1978. A lot has changed in the Indian Birth scene since then. Mrs Pandit birthed her children then using Breathwork which was taught by a foreigner, the nurses then could not believe she was already pushing and talking without being in obvious distress. This was in Mumbai, she also did not have any ultrasounds then. The doctor was Dr
#106 - Nikita's experience of Labor Pain with and without Induction (Spontaneous Labor)
You are routinely adviced an Induction if you go beyond 40 weeksInduction is recommended with the slightest assumption of a potential issue.Big babySmall BabyBP, Swelling Placental variationsAmnitiotic Fluid variationsBut like every drug, it comes with its own risks.Divya discusses with Nikita, her experiences of Labor with Induction and without, when she went into Spontaneous labor.You will be ab
#105 - Rashmi's Natural Birth Story at home with a doctor in Mumbai | No pelvic Exams before birth!
Home Birth with a Doctor! In this episode, we have Rashmi Ramesh speak to us about having her first baby at home supported by family and a doctor!Divya Kapoor is often bomabarded with questions of is Home Birth safe?Is it legal?Is it better than birthing in the hospital?This episodes helps answer some of these with a parallel being drawn between traditional midwifery care from time to time to help
Back from a Break! New Season - Fresh New Stories from August 7
Back from a BreakThe entire next year now will have stories ofDivya brings to you the new addition of Hospital birth stories to draw the distinction between what to expect in a system vs The Home Birth storiesThe Free Birth storiesEducative episodes on EpisiotomiesUltrasounds and more!There are more updates in here , tune in now!Support the showSign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit ht
#104- Part III - Birthing Realities: Social, Cultural, and Political Landscapes with Sanjana Krishnan
"Birth" encompasses a multitude of social, cultural, and political dimensions. Whether considering human rights, power dynamics in families, bodily autonomy, government schemes, hospital protocols, reproductive rights, or policies, all the macro and micro aspects of our existence that constitute 'Life' impact a woman's birth.Today, I'm joined by Sanjana Krishnan, a Po
#103 - Part II - Sanjana's Ecstatic Home Birth Story | Pregnancy, Moon and Womanhood
Sign up for the Free Birth Awareness Session:https://www.birthagni.com/contactus - Select 'upcoming free birth awareness' in the formDirect Registration: https://forms.gle/kYeTcRPMzZvWKcYA9Contrary to her previous experience (EP 102) of a quick birth at the birth center, Sanjana manifested a slower transition this time and knew instinctively that she wanted to give birth at home, with he
#102 - Part I Sanjana's Natural Birth at a Birth Center | Travelling for Birth- Mumbai to Kerala | Meeting the Divine
Every woman sheds a part of herself as she goes through the rites of passage - Menarche, Birth, and Menopause - the life-altering experiences that hold huge significance. We all arrive in pregnancy with something we have learned from our life experiences, which helps us visualize our birth in a certain way. Some of us desire it to be a breeze, some of us desire it to be painless, some of us desir
#101- Lavanya's Unnecessary Csection | Induction | Undiagnosed Gestational Diabetis
Unnecessary Cesarean sections are common in India for unjustified reasons and poorly read overdiagnosed factors which in many cases have not been proven to be emergencies. The lack of application of basic evidence based information once applied can in itself lift our rates of natural birth high up. The maternity system today needs to keep up with atleast the guidelines in place as a starter and th
#100 - Why Gentle Parenting is for Indian Kids with Shailaja Paramathma- Ft Times of India - Photo Story
Google tells me that the idea on Gentle Parenting has been around since 1930. The internet is now leveraging on its popularity including big media houses like the Times of India who recently , well , precisely on 26th March '24 published a photostory with the title that goes ' Why Gentle Parenting is not for Indian Kids'! This one poorly argued photostory had many FB groups and mom
#99 - Understanding Pre-eclampsia | Changes in a Pregnant Body | High BP
Pre eclampsia in late pregnancy is often arrived at with one episode of High BP, two episodes of High Blood Pressure or a case in previous pregnancy without any symptoms in the current one.We see how the current care dynamics in the medical world is quick to categorise a symptom which may need further diagnosis to confirm if someone really has a condition or not, Pre -eclampsia being one of them.W
#98 - Dr Brewer's Pregnancy Diet | Edema | Diuretics
Dr. Brewer's pregnancy diet, also known as the Brewer diet, was developed by Dr. Tom Brewer in the 1960s. It emphasizes the importance of nutrition during pregnancy to prevent complications such as pre-eclampsia and to support healthy fetal development. The diet focuses on consuming a variety of whole foods to ensure adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals. The key principles of Dr
#97 - Anjali's home birth story
This is Anjali's story. She attempted to birth all her three children at home and lives right behind my house. First two were in the village and the youngest is in the city. The second birth was a transfer after laboring at home for quite a while, the baby was 1kg.If you are interested in enrolling for the two 'Childbirth Classes' with me , register your interest from https://birth
Announcement - Wednesdays sweet Wednesdays - Anjali's story out next week!
Hear me out on a morning with sore throat . Had a good cup of tea today while I bring things again. If you have any questions, a hi goes a long way . Reach out through https://www.birthagni.com Support the showSign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programshttps://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-programThis
96- Part II - Mubina's Story of Labor and Birth at Home and the following Loss
The various aspects of birth being a spiritual experience than mechanical or purely biological comes across through Mubina's Birth and Post Birth events.Mubina says towards the end, ' A beautiful birth and a beautiful death'. When we surrender to that one power there is no looking back, the answers always come around. It is when we fight the will of that one , we are left miserable.
#95 - Part I - Mubina's HBAC after Multiple Cesarean Sections
They say whenever you start looking for the path, the path arrives, eventually.Mubina's homebirth story after four cesareans is a testament to the immense power of the body. Mubina was unaware but looking for answers right after the first cesarean but like they say babies come the way they are supposed to we have no control on life. However, we all find the power eventually , Mubina found it
#94 - Vinita Mansata's HBAC (Home birth after Cesarean) with a traditional Indian Birth Attendant | No Medication Parenting and more..
Vinita Mansata's journey towards advocating for natural childbirth at home is a testament to the power of personal experience and determination. Disappointed by a typical caesarean delivery years ago, this with a vertical scar, Vinita ji found herself yearning for a different birthing experience, one that honored the natural process of childbirth and empowered women to make informed choices a
#93 - Community Care and Deciding to work with a Birth Professional
The keyword is who is going to 'Sit with you' through it all with your choices and decisions and be nurturing in your journey! That's where the foundation is laid!As a trainee midwife and a practising doula as well as a lactation counsellor, I do a lot of home visits, have pregnancy support group meetings where women physically meet and discuss pregnancy, postpartum , breastfeeding
#92 - Baneen's Home Birth Story with a Midwife , a Public Health Researcher in the Indian Public Maternal Healthcare System
Why a home birth , you may ask? Why a home birth despite risks?What if you have worked in the medical system and chose to home birth realising that is the best option for you?That's Baneen Karachiwala, a Public Health Researcher, Baneen has been associated with various organisations at the national and international level for the last 19 years, providing support in research, documentation an
#91 - Part II - Can Active Labor stall at 10 cms? Aparna's Birth story
We all like to see things as linear so as to find a conclusive way to work at them. In the product and consumption world , we are taught how to plan to achieve a desired goal, to achieve something exactly how we want it! This is the opposite of how 'Birth' works. It is uncertain. It is unknown. It is being in the moment and the moment as your guide. All the knowledge helps and should be
#90 - Part I - Aparna's Birth story | Choosing a Birth Center | Transitioning through Early Labor | Internal Exams | Midwifery Care
As a first time mother, Aparna knew that she wanted a Normal Delivery but did not know what decisions could maximize her chances.Register for Prenatal Village here https://forms.gle/a5cAyPgoLaXwz2K88Instinctively, she knew she did not want to choose a fancy hospital , she was wary decisions would be made to increase the bills and it may not necessarily be based on her health. She even enquired at
#89 - Part II - Obstetric Emergencies - SGA (Small for Gestational Age Babies) and IUGR with Senior traditional Midwife KL Goode
This episode is a part of our conversation on Obstetric Emergencies which are critical situations during pregnancy, labor, or the postpartum period that require immediate medical attention to safeguard the health and well-being of the mother and/or baby. But are these really emergencies or is there more to it?In Part I of this episode we discussed, Large for Gestational Age babies and its link wit
#88 - Part I - Obstetric Emergencies - Big Baby - A curse or boon ? | Big baby and Fitting through the Pelvis | Induction | Gestational Diabetes with Senior traditional Midwife KL Goode
Obstetric emergencies refer to critical situations during pregnancy, labor, or the postpartum period that require immediate medical attention to safeguard the health and well-being of the mother and/or baby. But are these really emergencies?Many women today are being told they either have a Large for Gestational Age Baby (LGA) or Small for Gestational Age Baby (SGA). IUGR is another term thrown ar
#87 - Understand Baby sleep patterns | Reduce Fussy Periods due to Colic or Cough | Common Sleep issues answered with Dr Sreenath , Sleep Consultant, seasoned Dentist and co-founder Nasobuddy
Does your baby have fussy evenings?Are you concerned about you baby or toddler's sleep ?If you are looking at the internet for answers, know that the Internet is flooded with inappropriate information about training babies to sleep. The various methods that include crying of the baby are suggestive of treating a baby , a whole human , like a machine, incapable of thinking for itself or feel i
#86- Maternal Mental Health with Somatic Healer Sangheetha Parthasarathy - Birth Trauma | Wounded Feminine | PTSD | Postpartum Depression | Indian Family Culture | Partner Support | Trauma Specific Perinatal Support
A woman never forgets her birth experience. This has more to do with how she was made to feel than the sequence of events or the mode of birth. Sometimes when it is the events leading to a traumatic Birth experience, it deeply affects her .Trauma gets stored in the body and has physical expression as well . In this episode, we see that trauma is not necessarily a result of one event. It is an am
#85 - Birth Stories - Part II - Sara and Khan's Free Birth Story - About Placenta tinctures | Breastfeeding | Parenthood and more
In the first part of Sara and Khan's Birth story , we went over their decision to free birth , the factors influencing it and the entire experience of labor and birth.If you have not heard the first part , hop on to EP 84 and come back to this In this episode:We go over :Placenta tincturesBreastfeedingPostpartum Care Parenthood and more..Tune in to know more...Support the showSign up for Chil
#84- Birth Stories - Part I - Sara and Khan's Free Birth Story
Sara conceived Zion at the age of 35 , a perfectly healthy young woman , active and a firm believer in the universe's power on us humans and everything life. It was the time of the Covid fading in 2020, she had to renew her visa to continue her stay in India. She chose to go to the hospital to help with paper work but she was seen as a high risk case almost decided for a surgery after a short
#83 - Induction an epidemic? What does WHO say? What does Indian Gynaecology organisations say? My midwifery training and more...
Induction is offered to every mother routinely in the urban hospitals in India.The various issues are big baby, small baby, past due date , one episode of high blood pressure, all of which are not medical emergencies but perceived problems that are being brought to fit the solution to it. It is not a problem based solution scenario but more a solution based problem making. Induction as a procedure
#82 - Birth Stories - Nisha's Free Birth Story in India | Moving Cities, Intuition , Low Amniotic Fluid ,Long labor | Bodily Autonomy and more...
Nisha, had her first born at Birth Village, Kerala, India. She is from Bangalore and moved cities to birth. She had a vaginal / normal birth there however, something within her felt rushed, unheard and ordered around . It did not sit right with her. She longed to know more and by following the Free Birth Society Podcast and other resources she realised not everything she experienced was in alignm
#81 - Birth Stories - Chhavi Mittal's Birth Story | Unnecessary Hastening the Labor | Verbal Abuse | Medical Interventions and more.
Chhavi Mittal is an Indian Actress, model and producer who is also a mother of two beautiful children. The story of her two births was covered in CNA Insider's documentary , 'A million cuts - India's C-section Epidemic' which is an attempt at blowing the gaff on India's rising C-section rates in the hospitals. In hushed voices, we all know it. We all talk about birth and
#80- Birth Affirmations for Pregnancy , labor and birth
My childbirth classes mothers wanted a recorded audio for Birth Affirmations. We practice affirmations and visualization in the class and they are suggested to do it as a meditative exercise on their own. This episode is a product of this request and here you can use it too. It has everything you are suggested in your birth classes about labor and birth. This can be your ally. Your encouraging par
#79 - Birth Stories - Supriya's positive Water Birth Story at Aastrika Midwifery Center
It is becoming painfully sad that despite the best preparation the obstetricians/gynaecologists are able to pursue the parents to choose Surgical births like they are selling candies. The language is usually this, 'this is just the trailer, do you think you want to take it further?' Oh even after you take so much pain, you may have to undergo surgery , then why do you think you want to t
#78- Birth Stories - Sameha's gentle birth at Sanctum in Hyderabad | Meconium Birth | Short Labor | Transition at home | Going Past Due Date
Sameha was waiting for her labor to begin as she was already past 10 days of her estimated due date. Little did she know her labor would be a quick one and she would have labored majorly at home only rush to the birth center when she felt the first pushing sensation. Her water had already broken and there was meconium .Now you may want to know if her hospital was close or far off. What happened wh
#77- Birth Stories - Nani's home birth stories in the village some 50 years ago!
Nani, my maternal grandmother was always in the village, up north of India. She has six children, five girls and one boy, quite classic of the traditional households.The first two , my mum and my aunt (masi) were born in a hospital outside the village where my Nanaji, maternal grandfather was a homeopath doctor. The other four children were born at home with a traditional birth attendant (Local Da
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