The birth world can be overwhelming for parents and practitioners alike. Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Midwife Blyss Young and their combined 55+ years of experience are here to support you in this beautiful rite of passage.

Join the weekly conversation as we blend wisdom and humor in discussing our recent births, the latest research, traditional healing,  and instinctual birth.

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:<ul><li>Birth at Home Documentary Filmmakers</li><li>Home Birth Documentary Discussion</li><li>Contrasting Birth Experiences in Film</li><li>Life Choices and Home Birth Perspectives</li><li>Free Birth and Home Birth Exploration</li></ul>Episode resources:<ul><li>Join our Patreon! <a href="http://www.patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast." rel="nofollow">patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast</a></li><li><a href="https://sacredbirthing.com/blog/author/sunni/" rel="nofollow">sacredbirthing.com/blog/author/sunni</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bornathomefilm.com.au/" rel="nofollow">bornathomefilm.com.au</a></li><li>Born at Home Film on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bornathomefilm/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@bornathomefilm</a></li></ul>This show is supported by:<ul><li>LMNT | Go to <a href="https://drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get a free sample pack with every order</li><li>BIRTHFIT | Go to <a href="http://birthfit.com/" rel="nofollow">birthfit.com</a> and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program</li><li>Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to <a href="http://christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course</li></ul>Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:<ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthinginstincts/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthinginstincts</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthingblyss/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthingblyss</a></li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.birthinginstincts.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstincts.com</a> / <a href="https://www.birthingblyss.com/" rel="nofollow">birthingblyss.com</a></li><li>Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com </li><li>Call-in line: 805-399-0439</li><li>Podcast webpage: <a href="https://www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstinctspodcast.com</a></li></ul>

Birthing Instincts

#357 "Born At Home", A New Documentary

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:<ul><li>Birth Choices and Maternal Mortality</li><li>History of Obstetric Interventions</li><li>History of Childbirth Practices in America</li><li>Evolution of Obstetrics and Childbirth</li><li>Declines in Infant Mortality and Interventions</li><li>Maternal and Infant Mortality Trends</li></ul>Episode resources:<ul><li>Join our Patreon! <a href="http://www.patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast." rel="nofollow">patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast</a></li><li>Article: <a href="https://hekint.org/2017/01/27/changes-in-childbirth-in-the-united-states-1750-1950/" rel="nofollow">Changes in childbirth in the United States: 1750–1950</a></li><li>Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Midwives-Nurses-Contemporary-Classics/dp/1558616616/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JH8RNK5QEGQW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-RFmy4SXJHZjTPvf60wt5MD6oPnC5ojHr6laj5E3-PuJaKEdwGb8TNXK7kAQ1X0Wm5pzW3UbYca6okqq63wyMl21x6_IP8x-ZdeQbGCpFK2VQH7OepGa0qiddHSAb9AMcjWgvbQP9ksblj6kTB_nHgAQzzjFkDcHh_A1VLj5ji39DNu7juSep09csHd23-UnI9g0HB5kwJdRuj9SOnaBmn3imBJrnfcmhKIxDr310fA.awVEz84mno36S4u7sO-c-F6Z-qHCNJrSupC-j2PFNQc&dib_tag=se&keywords=witches+midwives+and+nurses&qid=1711496525&sprefix=witches+mid%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers</a></li><li>CDC Article: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4838a2.htm" rel="nofollow">Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Healthier Mothers and Babies</a></li></ul>This show is supported by:<ul><li>LMNT | Go to <a href="https://drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get a free sample pack with every order</li><li>BIRTHFIT | Go to <a href="http://birthfit.com/" rel="nofollow">birthfit.com</a> and use the code INSTINCTS for 20% off any fitness program</li><li>Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to <a href="http://christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course</li></ul>Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:<ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthinginstincts/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthinginstincts</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthingblyss/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthingblyss</a></li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.birthinginstincts.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstincts.com</a> / <a href="https://www.birthingblyss.com/" rel="nofollow">birthingblyss.com</a></li><li>Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com </li><li>Call-in line: 805-399-0439</li><li>Podcast webpage: <a href="https://www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstinctspodcast.com</a></li></ul>

#356 A Look Back at the History of U.S. Childbirth

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:<ul><li>Natural Birth Advocacy and VBAC Success</li><li>Challenges With Breech Delivery Options</li><li>Regulatory Challenges in Midwifery and Healthcare</li><li>Midwives vs Medical Standardization</li><li>Questioning Medical Fear-Mongering</li><li>Maternity Care and Obstetrician Education</li></ul>Episode resources:<ul><li>Join our Patreon! <a href="http://www.patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast." rel="nofollow">patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast</a></li><li>Book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Immaculate-deception-women-childbirth-America/dp/0395198933/ref=sr_1_2?crid=10Y40KDE30DDR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0kZsqXqa3_KJSxQFMYBT43H_9qt4yaAooXx6xzWtLVXmfosfNAY4Ub5nQGNDE87Axu2qKU4DMlAt4ibQcL450t-z_jLyV1YWwZGX3GB9PifmRQOIy6aV7yaCGsVqZVaYT1BBKWH1drqF4-DMhth3JrDCKyKXUrWLaNAa4d0A9g6_IvZXqVElf5o7d3_95Ge6mxAEiFMAWwbIr4cHV8pJaVMkD6_42JT4y1APaFX5ICg.LRhybek-anRWoENeWDjTtc1hFzrbDeEEWIzHGjv-NL4&dib_tag=se&keywords=suzanne+arms&qid=1710987525&sprefix=suzanne+arms%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-2" rel="nofollow">Immaculate deception: A new look at women and childbirth in America</a></li></ul>This show is supported by:<ul><li>LMNT | Go to <a href="https://drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get a free sample pack with every order</li><li>BIRTHFIT | Go to <a href="http://birthfit.com/" rel="nofollow">birthfit.com</a> and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.</li><li>Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to <a href="http://christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course</li></ul>Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:<ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthinginstincts/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthinginstincts</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthingblyss/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthingblyss</a></li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.birthinginstincts.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstincts.com</a> / <a href="https://www.birthingblyss.com/" rel="nofollow">birthingblyss.com</a></li><li>Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com </li><li>Call-in line: 805-399-0439</li><li>Podcast webpage: <a href="https://www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstinctspodcast.com</a></li></ul>

#355 Letters & Twins & Breeches, Oh My

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:<ul><li>Birth Choices and Pharmaceutical Controversy</li><li>Platelet Count and Birth Philosophy</li><li>Health Risks of Contraception and Bras</li><li>Debunking the Serotonin Theory of Depression</li><li>Risks of Using SSRIs During Pregnancy</li><li>Critiquing Medical Guidelines</li></ul>Episode resources:<ul><li>Join our Patreon! <a href="http://www.patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast." rel="nofollow">patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast</a></li><li>Psychology Today: <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/side-effects/202207/decisive-blow-the-serotonin-hypothesis-depression" rel="nofollow">A Decisive Blow to the Serotonin Hypothesis of Depression</a></li><li>PubMed: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35854107/" rel="nofollow">The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence</a></li><li>PLOS medicine: <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0020392" rel="nofollow">Serotonin and Depression: A Disconnect between the Advertisements and the Scientific Literature</a></li><li>ACOG on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/acog_org/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@acog_org</a></li></ul>This show is supported by:<ul><li>LMNT | Go to <a href="https://drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get a free sample pack with every order</li><li>BIRTHFIT | Go to <a href="http://birthfit.com/" rel="nofollow">birthfit.com</a> and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.</li><li>Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to <a href="http://christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts" rel="nofollow">christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts</a> to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course</li></ul>Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:<ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthinginstincts/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthinginstincts</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthingblyss/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@birthingblyss</a></li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.birthinginstincts.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstincts.com</a> / <a href="https://www.birthingblyss.com/" rel="nofollow">birthingblyss.com</a></li><li>Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com </li><li>Call-in line: 805-399-0439</li><li>Podcast webpage: <a href="https://www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">birthinginstinctspodcast.com</a></li></ul>

Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young

Birthing Instincts by Dr. Stuart Fischbein + Midwife Blyss Young

Episodes