Birthing Instincts Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young

The two authors who despise home birth are at it again with a new pre-print on the "Enduring Safety Concerns" of community birthing. Does their evidence hold water? The disconnect of priorities by organized medicine continues. Dr. Stu is joined by guest co-host Lindsey Meehleis, to break down the data.
Together, Dr. Stu and Lindsey dissect this paper that scrutinizes the safety of out-of-hospital births, and discuss the complexities surrounding breech births, twin pregnancies, and the sacred moments of life and death, advocating for the wisdom of traditional midwifery in today's polarized birth setting debates.
They take a closer look at the ACOG's rigid stance on planned home birth risks, untangling the often-misleading statistics that shape many women's choices about their birth setting.
California no longer tracks stillbirths! What? We send blessings to and burn a candle for Blyss who had hip replacement surgery today.
 
Key highlights:
Holistic Home BirthFetal Death Reporting ControversyDebate on Planned Home Birth SafetyChallenges in Traditional Midwifery TrainingHome Birth Studies 
Episode resources:
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastOC midwifery: orangecountymidwives.com/lindsey-meehleis-lm-cpmAbout Lindsey MeehleisACOG article: Planned Home BirthScience direct article: Enduring safety concerns for out-of-hospital births in the United StatesPubMed article: Perinatal or neonatal mortality among women who intend at the onset of labour to give birth at home compared to women of low obstetrical risk who intend to give birth in hospitalPubMed article: Perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth for healthy women with low risk pregnanciesPubMed article: Planned home versus planned hospital births in women at low-risk pregnancy: A systematic review with meta-analysisThebmj article: Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North AmericaBJOG article: Perinatal mortality and morbidity up to 28 days after birth among 743 070 low-risk planned home and hospital births: a cohort study based on three merged national perinatal databases 
This show is supported by:
LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness programChristian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:
Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.comCall-in line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Today on the podcast Blyss & Dr. Stu chat with the creators of a new film exploring home birth. The film explores the empowering journey of home birth and combines the wisdom of families, midwives, doulas, and some of our favorite people in the birth world. We also discuss the importance of how babies enter this world and, of course, catch up and reveal some new dumb doctor dogma.
About Eleanor Currie:
Eleanor Currie is a documentary filmmaker, videographer, photographer and mother of two beautiful children. She has a passion for telling stories about the human experience. Her newest film 'Born At Home' (created with long-term friend, Amanda Banks) explores the emotional journey of homebirth. 
About Amanda Banks:
Amanda is mother of two children, both born at home. She has always had a passion for health which led her to complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) and now works as an Acupuncturist in Brisbane, supporting families through fertility, pregnancy and beyond for over 8 years. Amanda was the former Convenor for Homebirth QLD for 2.5 years until mid 2023 and worked as a maternity consumer representative on the QLD Normal Birth Strategy.
Empowered by the homebirth of her second child in 2020, Amanda together with long term dear friend Eleanor, set out to create a film exploring Homebirth in QLD. She is the co-creator and Producer of Born at Home.
About the Documentary Born At Home:
Where and how women choose to birth matters. Born at Home is a stunning documentary film exploring what it takes to have a positive and transformative birth experience. Born at Home is an informative and emotive documentary exploring homebirth. This is a must-see event for all birth nerds, birth workers, mothers, those curious about birth and those seeking an alternative option to hospital birth.
Key highlights:
Birth at Home Documentary FilmmakersHome Birth Documentary DiscussionContrasting Birth Experiences in FilmLife Choices and Home Birth PerspectivesFree Birth and Home Birth ExplorationEpisode resources:
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastsacredbirthing.com/blog/author/sunnibornathomefilm.com.auBorn at Home Film on Instagram: @bornathomefilmThis show is supported by:
LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness programChristian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:
Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com Call-in line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Blyss responds to a comment about safety and mortality. There will always be disputes about what safety means and to know where we are we need to know where we were. Today Blyss & Dr. Stu look back at childbirth in America over the last 300 years and try to sort through the accomplishments and clarify the statistics.
In an episode that's both a history lesson and a call to action, we reflect on the transformative journey of childbirth practices. Venture through time with us, from the days of home births and midwives to the formalization of hospital deliveries and the controversial medical interventions that followed. We peer into the darker chapters of obstetrics, acknowledging the exploitation that has tainted its history, and celebrate the triumphs that have led to significant declines in maternal and infant mortality rates. 
This is a story of advancement and advocacy, of reclaiming agency and acknowledging the past to better navigate the present. Let's continue this dialogue and foster a future where the instincts of birthing and the wisdom of midwifery guide us toward a safer, more empowered experience for all.
Key highlights:
Birth Choices and Maternal MortalityHistory of Obstetric InterventionsHistory of Childbirth Practices in AmericaEvolution of Obstetrics and ChildbirthDeclines in Infant Mortality and InterventionsMaternal and Infant Mortality TrendsEpisode resources:
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastArticle: Changes in childbirth in the United States: 1750–1950Book: Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women HealersCDC Article: Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and BabiesThis show is supported by:
LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness programChristian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:
Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com Call-in line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

While it's not yellow brick, Dr. Stu is on the road teaching breech and twins and renewing family ties in California. Blyss joins in to share stories and wisdom and sanity, as usual.
Echoing the dedication of mothers and birth workers, we dive into stories that underscore the triumphs of natural birth, like a listener's VBAC victory over early induction using natural remedies—proof that self-advocacy can indeed rewrite the standard medical narrative. These stories aren't just about births; they're about the struggle for autonomy and the challenging journey of advocacy within a system that sometimes seems set up for our silence.
This episode is a blend of education, empowerment, and the drive for a maternity care system that honors the sanctity and individuality of the birthing process. Join us as we celebrate the power of informed decision-making, the legacy of childbirth, and the enduring spirit of woman-centered care.
Key highlights:
Natural Birth Advocacy and VBAC SuccessChallenges With Breech Delivery OptionsRegulatory Challenges in Midwifery and HealthcareMidwives vs Medical StandardizationQuestioning Medical Fear-MongeringMaternity Care and Obstetrician EducationEpisode resources:
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastBook: Immaculate deception: A new look at women and childbirth in AmericaThis show is supported by:
LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any of their fitness programsChristian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:
Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com Call-in line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Academia just can't stop meddling with nature especially when profit is involved. Today Blyss & Dr. Stu explore another likely fallacy of "Big Medicine" - the Chemical imbalance Theory of Depression. Even feral cats get it. Why can't they?
We delve into the complexities of managing low platelet counts during pregnancy and the importance of respecting the body's natural processes, juxtaposing this against the philosophy of minimal intervention at home births.
We navigate the contentious issues surrounding pharmaceutical interventions and discuss the implications of readily available over-the-counter contraceptives and the possible health risks of daily routines, such as prolonged bra usage. We share thought-provoking insights into the links between hormonal birth control, depression, and the subsequent use of SSRIs, shedding light on the cascading effects of health decisions. We scrutinize the long-held serotonin theory of depression, questioning the ethics of drug marketing and the necessity for more informed public knowledge about the treatment of depression.

Key highlights:
Birth Choices and Pharmaceutical ControversyPlatelet Count and Birth PhilosophyHealth Risks of Contraception and BrasDebunking the Serotonin Theory of DepressionRisks of Using SSRIs During PregnancyCritiquing Medical GuidelinesEpisode resources:
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastPsychology Today: A Decisive Blow to the Serotonin Hypothesis of DepressionPubMed: The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidencePLOS medicine: Serotonin and Depression: A Disconnect between the Advertisements and the Scientific LiteratureACOG on Instagram: @acog_orgThis show is supported by:
LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:
Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com Call-in line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Trying to clarify the questions about child spacing, Blyss & Dr. Stu discover nature is pretty wise. What are the medical recommendations and how do they compare? We review some of the guidelines and share our opinions. We discuss the rhythm of natural child spacing through ecological breastfeeding and contrast it with the rigidity of medical guidelines, advocating for a healthcare model that respects the unique journey of each mother.
We challenge the cultural obsession with the speed of labor and dissect the impact of our discussions by sharing the courageous decision of a labor and delivery nurse to switch to a home birth midwife. 
As we address the realities of postpartum depression, we stress the vital roles of healthcare providers in supporting new mothers. We question the effectiveness of the current medical model in addressing nutritional needs and mental health issues during the postpartum and interpregnancy periods, advocating for a healthcare model that ensures thorough diagnosis, effective treatment, and diligent follow-up. This episode is a call to action for a more compassionate and tailored approach to reproductive health. Blyss shares about a birth with low platelets and Dr. Stu has some daughter time.
Key highlights:
Interpregnancy Interval and Natural BirthDebating Emergency Cesarean for Fetus' HeartChallenging Medical Practices and RecommendationsBreastfeeding and Interpregnancy IntervalsWomen's Health and Postpartum Depression
Episode resources:
Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcastACOG article: Interpregnancy CarePubMed article: Re-evaluation of link between interpregnancy interval and adverse birth outcomesPubMed article: Interpregnancy Interval and Adverse Pregnancy OutcomesPubMed article: Effects of birth spacing on maternal, perinatal, infant, and child healthPubMed article: Short interpregnancy interval: risk of uterine rupture and complications of vaginal birth after cesarean deliveryPubMed article: Ecological breastfeeding and child spacingBook: Breastfeeding and Natural Child SpacingArticle: Ecological Breastfeeding and Natural Child SpacingAsk Dr. Sears: Breastfeeding and Natural ChildspacingFind a breech provider: breechwithoutborders.org/directory
This show is supported by:
LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every orderBIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth courseConnect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:
Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyssWebsite: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.comEmail: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com Call-in line: 805-399-0439Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com