Let's get right to the heart of this thing: Childbirth grosses people out and bringing it up initiates a sequence of automatic responses ranging from fear and shame to love and humor. A complicated topic to say the least, throughout this podcast series I am going to tap into every facet of how modern medical birth care came to be the way that it is. From the history of childbirth to the achievements of women and men who made birth a scientifically supported, safer experience for everyone. In this first episode we get started on the topics of Midwives, labor and delivery inventions, patriarchy's hand in women's health, and the roots of what drives us to hand our power over to medical care providers. Trigger Warning: This podcast is going to discuss topics and use words related to, but not limited to: medical procedures, treatments, and policies; mental health; maternal and fetal death; as well as human body parts and their names, both technical and slang terms. This is an inclusive production of Chlidbirth For You LLC. All are welcome, none are forced. Enjoy.

http://www.childbirthforyou.com For audio download childbirth education classes

Episode References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555484/

https://www.aamc.org/news/celebrating-10-women-medical-pioneers

Association of American Medical Colleges

https://www.cwplus.org.uk/about-us/heritage/300-years-of-chelsea-and-westminster/women-in-medicine/

CW+ is the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust including its hospitals and clinics

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fp3vcn

BBC Radio 4 podcast Witch Episode 6: Midwives and Healers

A common belief about the witch hunts is that they were a targeted attack on female healers and midwives. But to what extent is that true?

https://www.bl.uk/medieval-literature/articles/middle-english

British Library - Middle English period

https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=midwife

American Heritage Dictionary - the term Midwife

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_medicine

Women in Medicine - Ancient Medicine

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/the-robbins-collection/exhibitions/witch-trials-in-early-modern-europe-and-new-england/

https://arkeonews.net/the-egyptian-gynecologist-metrodora/

Article: The Egyptian Gynecologist Metradora