132. Your Body Knows How to Birth, Trust It w/Dr. Stu (Part 2)
04/01/25 • 47 min
What if everything you thought you knew about childbirth was shaped by a system designed to doubt women's bodies rather than trust them? In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Stu, a community birth physician supporting home births, we dive deep into how modern birthing practices often undermine what our bodies naturally know how to do.
The statistics alone should give us pause. Since 1970, C-section rates have skyrocketed from 5% to 32% in the United States—a staggering 500% increase—without corresponding improvements in maternal or infant outcomes. The World Health Organization suggests rates should be 10-15%, meaning hundreds of thousands of unnecessary surgical births happen annually. Yet remarkably, no physician admits to performing these unnecessary procedures. This cognitive dissonance permeates our entire approach to childbirth.
Dr. Stu beautifully contrasts the midwifery model, which "trusts birth and accepts uncertainty," with the medical model, which "fears birth and tries to control everything." This difference manifests in everything from the length and quality of prenatal visits to postpartum care. While hospital protocols typically schedule a single six-week postpartum check, midwives visit multiple times in the first week alone, providing crucial support during the most vulnerable period for mother and baby.
For expectant parents navigating this complex landscape, Dr. Stu offers practical wisdom: pay attention to how you feel after prenatal appointments. Do you leave feeling more confident and empowered, or more anxious and diminished? This emotional barometer can guide you toward providers who genuinely support your innate capacity to birth. Consider incorporating midwifery care into your pregnancy journey regardless of where you plan to deliver, as midwives are the true experts in normal physiological birth.
Whether you're planning your first birth, processing a previous birth experience, or supporting someone on their journey, this conversation will transform how you view the miraculous process of bringing new life into the world. Trust your body—it knows what to do.
Thank You for Joining Us!
For the full show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, please visit The Radiant Mission Blog.
Follow along on social media:
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Enjoying the show? Please refer it to a friend :)
What if everything you thought you knew about childbirth was shaped by a system designed to doubt women's bodies rather than trust them? In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Stu, a community birth physician supporting home births, we dive deep into how modern birthing practices often undermine what our bodies naturally know how to do.
The statistics alone should give us pause. Since 1970, C-section rates have skyrocketed from 5% to 32% in the United States—a staggering 500% increase—without corresponding improvements in maternal or infant outcomes. The World Health Organization suggests rates should be 10-15%, meaning hundreds of thousands of unnecessary surgical births happen annually. Yet remarkably, no physician admits to performing these unnecessary procedures. This cognitive dissonance permeates our entire approach to childbirth.
Dr. Stu beautifully contrasts the midwifery model, which "trusts birth and accepts uncertainty," with the medical model, which "fears birth and tries to control everything." This difference manifests in everything from the length and quality of prenatal visits to postpartum care. While hospital protocols typically schedule a single six-week postpartum check, midwives visit multiple times in the first week alone, providing crucial support during the most vulnerable period for mother and baby.
For expectant parents navigating this complex landscape, Dr. Stu offers practical wisdom: pay attention to how you feel after prenatal appointments. Do you leave feeling more confident and empowered, or more anxious and diminished? This emotional barometer can guide you toward providers who genuinely support your innate capacity to birth. Consider incorporating midwifery care into your pregnancy journey regardless of where you plan to deliver, as midwives are the true experts in normal physiological birth.
Whether you're planning your first birth, processing a previous birth experience, or supporting someone on their journey, this conversation will transform how you view the miraculous process of bringing new life into the world. Trust your body—it knows what to do.
Thank You for Joining Us!
For the full show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, please visit The Radiant Mission Blog.
Follow along on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
Enjoying the show? Please refer it to a friend :)
Previous Episode
131. Birth Without Fear: The Podcast That Might Save Your Delivery feat Dr. Stu
What if everything we've been taught about childbirth is fundamentally flawed? Dr. Stuart Fischbein (Dr. Stu) takes us on a profound journey from conventional obstetrics into the world of home birth, challenging the very foundations of modern maternity care.
After decades as a hospital-based OB, Dr. Stu noticed something troubling: the medical model was creating problems rather than solving them. "I thought I was the sharpest tack in the box," he admits, "but I began to see that much of what I knew was wrong." His awakening led him to recognize that standard hospital procedures—from IVs to continuous monitoring to laboring flat on your back—directly contradict what mammals need during birth: quiet, safety, and freedom of movement.
The statistics tell a compelling story. When Dr. Stu shifted to a midwifery-collaborative model, his C-section rates plummeted to 7% compared to the national average of 30-32%. This wasn't because he took more risks, but because he stopped creating unnecessary ones. "I was an expert at about 15% of pregnant women and I was taking care of 100%," he explains. "What they need is midwifery care."
Perhaps most troubling is how fear permeates obstetrics today. From breech babies to vitamin K shots, medical professionals routinely use vague terms like "risky" without providing context or actual numbers. When pressed for specifics, they often can't answer. As Dr. Stu puts it, "All that matters to the medical model is a live baby in the bassinet, and how it gets there is not their concern."
Whether you're planning a pregnancy, recovering from birth trauma, or simply curious about our maternity care system, this eye-opening conversation offers a radical reimagining of what birth could be. Listen now and discover why your body might know more about birth than our medical system does.
Ready to reclaim the wisdom of natural birth? Subscribe, share your birth story in the comments, or follow us for more conversations that challenge conventional thinking.
Thank You for Joining Us!
For the full show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, please visit The Radiant Mission Blog.
Follow along on social media:
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Enjoying the show? Please refer it to a friend :)
Next Episode
133. Coffee Talk Series: An Invitation to Seek Truth
Ever wish you could grab coffee with a friend and dive into those big faith questions that most of us hesitate to ask? That's exactly what the new "Coffee Talk" series is all about. This intimate, judgment-free space explores Christianity's foundational questions—perfect for those quiet morning moments with your Bible and a warm drink.
We're breaking down eight essential topics that shape not just what we believe, but how we live. From exploring God's true character and Jesus' identity to addressing controversial subjects like Mary's role, praying to saints, and the reality of spiritual warfare, we're tackling questions many churches hesitate to discuss. Each episode examines what Scripture actually says, stripping away assumptions and traditions to seek biblical truth.
Whether you've walked with God for decades or you're just spiritually curious, these short 10-15 minute episodes fit perfectly into your morning routine or commute. As your host, I don't claim to have all the answers—that's the beautiful invitation of faith. God welcomes our questions and promises that when we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will find Him. Subscribe now and join our first conversation next week as we ask: "Who is God?" Let's journey together toward deeper understanding, authentic faith, and a more personal relationship with our Creator. Share this series with someone who might need these conversations too!
Thank You for Joining Us!
For the full show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, please visit The Radiant Mission Blog.
Follow along on social media:
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Facebook
Enjoying the show? Please refer it to a friend :)
The Radiant Mission - 132. Your Body Knows How to Birth, Trust It w/Dr. Stu (Part 2)
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the Radiant Mission Podcast . My name is Rebecca Toomey and I am here with my amazing co-host and sister , rachel Smith . We are on a mission to encourage and inspire others as they navigate through this life and with their relationship with Christ .
Speaker 1Now we have a very special guest with us today . Today's episode
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