Birth Words: Language For a Better Birth

This episode is the last in the series on figured worlds. (Other episodes in this series include episodes 59, 61, and 63.) In this episode, Sara discusses her narrow lens and assumptions with regard to figured worlds and birth. Then, we conclude the series on figured worlds by discussing prominent environments, institutions, and values in the birth experience.

This week, meet my husband, Clark, as he tells the stories of the births of our three children and reflects on the roles of preparation and language.

REFERENCES:

Gee, James Paul. How to do discourse analysis: A toolkit. Routledge, 2014.

In this episode, Sara talks more about figured worlds and birth, diving into the importance of language, people, and objects. The typical, simplified picture that comes to mind is called a figured world, and it is influenced by the language that we hear and the experiences we've had. Let's be mindful about our language so that we positively influence others' figured worlds about birth!

In this episode, I interview Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich about her book, A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812. We discuss the unique writing style of Martha as an 18th century woman, the changing roles of midwives and doctors at the turn of the 19th century, and the many factors that influence the ways in which women have experienced childbirth over the centuries.

In this episode, we're digging more into figured worlds: the typical story of giving birth. What do people typically assume about the participants, activities, and ways of interacting during pregnancy and birth?

REFERENCES:

Gee, James Paul. How to do discourse analysis: A toolkit. Routledge, 2014.

I'm thrilled to introduce you this week to the most special of all special guests: my mom, Vicki Collet!

In this episode, Sara introduces the concept of figured worlds. Figured worlds are the simplified mental perceptions we have of the way things typically work. In birth, common figured worlds hold many families back from having empowered, active birth experiences.

REFERENCES:

Gee, James Paul. How to do discourse analysis: A toolkit. Routledge, 2014.

Holland, Dorothy C., William Lachicotte Jr, Debra Skinner, and Carole Cain. Identity and agency in cultural worlds. Harvard University Press, 2001.

In this week's episode of Birth Words, I get to introduce you to the lovely Alleah Erica Clarke. Alleah Erica is a yoga teacher, childbirth educator, and gestational coach. She hosts The Partners Workshop, where she helps couples engage as a partnership during pregnancy and birth. In this episode, she discusses how communication between partners--both verbal and nonverbal--can be a powerful force for good during pregnancy and birth.

In this episode, Sara looks at caregiver-client conversations and how they can reinforce asymmetrical power relationships. She invites birthgivers to mindfully choose a midwife or obstetrician who honors your autonomy and power as the one growing and giving life.

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHiu94RzDhQ

Leahy, Margaret M. "Therapy talk: Analyzing therapeutic discourse." Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools 35, no. 1 (2004): 70-81.

In this episode, Sara interviews author and historian Lara Freidenfelds about her book The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy. Lara discusses the knowledge we've gained about early pregnancy and miscarriage, as well as wisdom we've lost from earlier times.