Birth Agni

Divya Kapoor

This Podcast explores how indigenously Birth has always unfolded, among women - our tribe, where children could see how breastfeeding was done and how birth happened. This an attempt to fetch the stories of the past as well as bring out the new India’s Birth culture to expose the defining features in both. This shall join the dots to where the increasing problems of postpartum anxiety, rising rate of surgical births and poor breastfeeding outcomes are coming from.  Birth Agni - Agni meaning Fire, the Fire that brings us alive, transforms us and has the ability to burn. Birth is designed to affect a woman’s integrity. It is the fire of awakening that makes her life experience wholesome. Deep down her body knows what Birth is supposed to feel - a euphoria of bringing a new life on Earth. The cocktail of hormones are designed to give her a high. However, birth today has quickly swayed away from a phase of joy to the one marked by Fear, the constant questioning of a woman’s capacity to Birth naturally and the ugly calculation of the  odds of a healthy baby at the expense of the mother’s health. We forget that their health is interlinked and flourish as a dyad.  In India, the urban rate of Cesarean Sections on an average until 2020 is a whopping 40% which is concerning. Birth is linked to Patriarchy, Healthcare Politics and Women’s Rights. Respect in Birth is long due to women and it affects the core of who they are.  Join me Divya Kapoor, a Certified Birth and Lactation Counselor and aspiring Traditional Birth Attendant in the quest to shine light on what we can do as parents and a community to change the narrative. 

  1. #151- Surabhi and Darshan's Birth Preparation | Advocacy at a Birth Center

    03/12/2025

    #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 their decisions and needs in this journey. Surabhi reflects on the emotional process of choosing where to birth, while Darshan brings in the partner’s perspective. Their fun and interactive style of advocacy helped them collaborate with their birth center team and find a middle ground. 'Time -specific' boundaries helped them push for their needs over and over again. Knowledge became their strongest tool, helping them ask the right questions, make informed decisions, and cultivate genuine partnership with their care providers. And in a first for their birth center, their advocacy made them the first couple to physiologically birth their placenta.  This episode shows what preparation can look like and how it can help propell a couple further in the direction of the birth they imagine, yet embrace that birth is an unknown space.  Tune in now to know more! Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    1h 4m
  2. 26/11/2025

    #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/rmb2.12652 How does your egg actually mature each cycle?What role do hormones play?How does age and the health of a woman factor in , in her fertility?By the end of this episode , you will be able to make an informed understanding of the entire dialogue around aging, women and fertility. Links to real stories: #130 - Shilpi's home birth story- meconium, true knot and a geriatric pregnancy. #114 - Part III - Ariel and Nitin's experience: #92 - Baneen's Home Birth Story with a Midwife  #105: Rashmi’s home birth story #74 - Becca's Home Birth Experience  Tune in for conversation on age, eggs, and women’s health. Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    22 min
  3. #149 - Oxytocin and its profound role in  Pregnancy , Labor, Birth and Breastfeeding with Dr Sarah Buckley

    18/11/2025

    #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 points The 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 experience of unmedicated , undisturbed birthsOxytocin along Breastfeeding and PostpartumDr. Sarah Buckley is a GP, researcher, and mother of four, best known for her bestselling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering and her influential research on oxytocin and the hormones of labour. For more than 20 years, Dr Sarah has written, taught, and spoken around the world for various elite newspapers, midwifery journals , tv and news to help families make informed, intuitive choices. She has been featured in documentaries like Orgasmic Birth, Birth Time, and Born at Home https://sarahbuckley.com/ Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    1h 11m
  4. #148 - Traditional midwifery , regulations and midwifery care for plus sized women with Maryn Green and Margo from the Indie Birth Association

    12/11/2025

    #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 world What 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 Points 1. Licensure in the world of birth. 2. Do skills matter in unlicensed midwifery? 3. Division in the world of midwifery on medical vs non medical - helpful or regressive? 4. Stories on supporting Plus sized pregnancy. About the Guests Maryn Green is a traditional homebirth radical midwife with over 15 years of experience in supporting women throughout the perinatal period. She co-founded Indie Birth Association and hosts -Taking Birth Back and co-hosts Raising 10 kids with her husband.  Margo has been a midwife since 2016 having apprenticed with Maryn for 5 years along with undertaking a midwifery course.  Margo works with women virtually, mentoring new midwives while single mom-ing and homeschooling her two gorgeous children. She is also a magical money coach.  Find them: maryngreen.co magicalmama.org https://indiebirth.org/ YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MomGoesSurfing Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    1h 19m
  5. #147 - Birth and Inner Work for Parents and Birth Workers with Reba Daniel

    04/11/2025

    #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 healing and recuperative support for birth trauma experiences as well as deep inner work support to pregnant couples.  Also, there is more nuance to this topic than what I can possibly sum up in this description. So straight to the...  Focus Points 1. Reba's Story of Unassisted Birth 2. How Birth changed Reba's inclination further into the intuitive and spiritual container that life is.  3. The methodology Reba used to surrender or find a direction. 4. Birth and the various layers of Fear in it.  5.  Authenticity and Birth  6. Inner work for Birthworkers 7. Birthwork and Activism 8. Birth and Safety Tune in now! Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    1h 49m
  6. #146 - The road to Free Birthing with Sarah Schmid

    28/10/2025

    #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 Pregnancy and Birth” Other key areas of her work include traditional nutrition, gut health, and dental health. She narrates  The story of her first birth with a midwifeThe preparation and self direction in BirthIntuition and Education as the two pillars of responsibility.Due dates with different birthsWas there Fear after experiencing birth a few timesHow did Sarah work with her fears?Preparation for a home birth - nutrition and beyond. Tune in now! Find Sarah's Youtube Channel  Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    51 min
  7. #145: Our Gateway into menarche and essence of childbirth the spiritual container

    21/10/2025

    #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, writer and educator in the realms of menarche, childbirth and menopause.  She offers training on the spiritual practice of menstruation, pregnancy and founded 'The School of Shamanic Womancraft' and she has created the first holistic menstrual cycle charting app – Spinning Wheels. Focus points:  1. Menarche as a spiritual pathway. 2. Role of mums in passing down the wisdom of Menarche. 3. Are we victims of our periods or there is more power, wisdom and teachings it can unleash if we knew better. 4. Role of fathers in setting the right protective environments for menarche. 5. Our association of pain through Menarche and its impact on Childbirth.  6. The significance of building rituals for Menarche , Childbirth and Postpartum. Tune in now ! More about Jane: Website: https://janehardwickecollings.com/ E courses: https://janehardwickecollings.com/ecourse/ Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit https://birthagni.com/services#childbirth-preparation-programs https://birthagni.com/copy-of-services#breastfeeding-preparation-program This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show: https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox ...

    1h 6m

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

This Podcast explores how indigenously Birth has always unfolded, among women - our tribe, where children could see how breastfeeding was done and how birth happened. This an attempt to fetch the stories of the past as well as bring out the new India’s Birth culture to expose the defining features in both. This shall join the dots to where the increasing problems of postpartum anxiety, rising rate of surgical births and poor breastfeeding outcomes are coming from.  Birth Agni - Agni meaning Fire, the Fire that brings us alive, transforms us and has the ability to burn. Birth is designed to affect a woman’s integrity. It is the fire of awakening that makes her life experience wholesome. Deep down her body knows what Birth is supposed to feel - a euphoria of bringing a new life on Earth. The cocktail of hormones are designed to give her a high. However, birth today has quickly swayed away from a phase of joy to the one marked by Fear, the constant questioning of a woman’s capacity to Birth naturally and the ugly calculation of the  odds of a healthy baby at the expense of the mother’s health. We forget that their health is interlinked and flourish as a dyad.  In India, the urban rate of Cesarean Sections on an average until 2020 is a whopping 40% which is concerning. Birth is linked to Patriarchy, Healthcare Politics and Women’s Rights. Respect in Birth is long due to women and it affects the core of who they are.  Join me Divya Kapoor, a Certified Birth and Lactation Counselor and aspiring Traditional Birth Attendant in the quest to shine light on what we can do as parents and a community to change the narrative.