#70 Is Hospital Birth Really the Safest Option? with Dr. Nathan Riley

This week on Happy Hour with Bundle Birth Nurses, Sarah has a candid conversation with Dr. Nathan Riley an OB-GYN, home birth doctor and holistic gynecologist about challenging hospital births versus home birth. Dr. Riley was initially trained in the standard medical model but became disillusioned with the overly interventionist approach to childbirth. So, he started attending home births to provide a more patient-centered, hands-off approach. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and rapport with patients, rather than rushing through routine procedures. He challenges the common assumption that hospital births are always safer, and argues that the trauma from disrespectful treatment can be more harmful than the medical risks. Dr. Riley shares stories on a more holistic, patient-empowered approach to maternity care, where nurses and providers prioritize the human connection and emotional needs of birthing people.

Helpful Links:

How to Reach Dr. Riley
Dr. Nathan Riley Instagram
Born Free Method
Sue Carter - Authority on Oxytocin
Steven Porgis - Developed Poly Vagal Theory
Luminous Life - James l Oschman
Physiologic Birth Class