When today's guest became pregnant with her long-awaited first baby, she placed her trust in a physician who came highly recommended and was well respected in her community. Throughout her pregnancy, she had no reason to question that trust.
But when she made a decision at the end of pregnancy about where she wanted to give birth that her doctor disagreed with, everything changed.
What followed during the birth of her baby was a profound violation of her bodily autonomy, leaving her feeling betrayed, powerless, and traumatized by the very person she had trusted to care for her.
This is a difficult story to hear, but an important one to tell.
Today's guest has chosen to share her story anonymously, both to protect her privacy and to speak openly about an experience that left her feeling profoundly violated and betrayed.
Despite her efforts to seek accountability, justice has remained out of reach. As she shared with me, telling her story publicly may be the closest thing to justice she will ever receive.
And so, today, we make space for her voice.
Content Note: This episode contains a firsthand account of a serious violation of bodily autonomy during childbirth. Please listen with care and discretion, particularly if you are currently pregnant or preparing for birth.
Below are a couple of my personal favorite resources for victims of obstetric violence:
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Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at contactus@healingbirth.net
Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard
Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto