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The Complex Evolution of Maternal Healthcare in America (Part 3)
Manage episode 490874922 series 3607380
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Midwife Audrey returns to unpack the complex evolution of maternal healthcare in America, revealing how historical class divisions, capitalism, and systemic racism have shaped how women experience pregnancy and birth today.
From the early days when aristocrats sought "painless" birth to elevate themselves above "peasant women," to the current system where scheduled inductions accommodate limited maternity leave, our conversation explores how childbirth transformed from a normal physiological process into a medical event requiring management and intervention. This historical context sheds light on why obstetrics superseded midwifery in American healthcare, despite evidence suggesting that most women would benefit from the midwifery model of care.
The reversal of Roe v. Wade adds another layer of complexity to conception and pregnancy planning, with impacts that will take years to fully understand. Meanwhile, America's capitalist values create a maternal healthcare landscape where privilege determines options, from who can afford time off for recovery to who receives proper pain management during labor.
Most disturbing is how these historical trajectories contribute to the current Black maternal health crisis. Outdated biases persist in medical education and practice, including misconceptions about pain perception in different racial groups. When combined with economic inequities and social determinants of health, these factors create a system where preventable complications disproportionately claim Black mothers' lives.
Yet, hope exists in solutions such as concordant care (where providers reflect their communities), cultural competency training, and system-wide recognition of how social structures impact health outcomes. By understanding how we arrived at our current system, we gain insight into creating more equitable maternal care for everyone.
Support this podcast by visiting the link in our bio, and join us in advocating for maternal healthcare that honors every woman's journey.
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Chapters
1. The Complex Evolution of Maternal Healthcare in America (Part 3) (00:00:00)
2. Introduction to Maternal Wealth Podcast (00:00:12)
3. Modern Conception After Roe v. Wade (00:01:11)
4. New Risk Factors in Pregnancy (00:09:14)
5. Balancing Pregnancy and Work Life (00:12:30)
6. Inductions and Scheduled Births (00:18:35)
7. Midwifery Model of Care Explained (00:25:27)
8. History of Obstetrics and Midwifery (00:33:42)
9. Black Maternal Health Crisis (00:46:25)
10. Closing Thoughts and Gratitude (00:57:56)
36 episodes
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