May 12, 2026

Why So Many Women End Up With C-Sections: Birth Interventions Explained | Dr. Stuart Fischbein

1 hour 32 minutes

299: I’m joined by Dr. Stuart Fischbein to have an honest conversation about modern pregnancy, birth culture, and why so many women feel fearful going into labor. We talk about the rise in C-sections, inductions, epidurals, and the cascade of interventions that can happen in hospital births. Dr. Stu also explains the history behind “geriatric pregnancy,” the differences between midwifery and the medical model, and why informed consent and individualized care matter so much for mothers and babies. Whether you’re currently pregnant, planning to have children someday, or simply curious about how birth has changed over time, this episode offers a deeper look at the modern birth system and the importance of trusting women’s bodies.
Topics Discussed:

→ Pregnancy After 35 & “Geriatric Pregnancy”

→ Home Birth vs Hospital Birth

→ Fear-Based Birth Culture

→ C-Sections, Inductions & Medical Interventions

→ Midwifery Model of Care

→ Epidurals, Pitocin & Birth Outcomes

→ Informed Consent & Choosing the Right Birth Provider

→ Trusting Nature’s Design During Birth

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→ 00:00:00 - Introduction

→ 00:02:11 - Is Pregnancy After 35 Actually “Geriatric”?

→ 00:08:35 - How Mammals Naturally Give Birth

→ 00:13:12 - Why C-Sections & Inductions Keep Rising

→ 00:20:16 - What Counts as a True Birth Emergency?

→ 00:33:58 - The Cascade of Interventions During Labor

→ 00:42:20 - Midwives vs Traditional OB Care

→ 00:49:38 - Solutions for the Modern Birth System

→ 00:54:57 - Fear-Based Pregnancy Culture & Epidurals

→ 01:03:07 - Epidurals, Hormones & Baby Bonding

→ 01:17:07 - “Your Baby Is Too Big” & Birth Myths

→ 01:21:17 - Induction at 41/42 Weeks Explained

→ 01:25:31 - Why Birth Stories Stay With Women Forever