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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.

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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.

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What happens when a hospital OBGYN walks away from the system to support midwives and home birth? Dr. Nathan Riley returns for the final episode in our countercultural birth series to answer followers' questions and dive deeper into controversial topics that most medical professionals won't touch.

We examine the science behind RhoGAM shots given to Rh-negative mothers, revealing shocking truths about its testing history and actual necessity. Dr. Riley explains how most women's health interventions were primarily tested on male subjects, creating a fundamental disconnect between medical recommendations and female physiology. This medical bias extends throughout healthcare, where women's monthly hormonal fluctuations make them "poor test subjects" compared to young, healthy men.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when discussing men's fears about birth. Dr. Riley shares a powerful exercise for partners anxious about home birth - asking their own mothers to recall not just the difficulty of labor but the transformative moment of holding their baby. This simple practice helps heal generational fears and creates a foundation for supporting a partner's birthing journey.

Throughout our discussion, Dr. Riley emphasizes the importance of informed choice. Whether choosing home birth, hospital birth, or something in between, what matters most is that families receive complete information without pressure or judgment. The medical system often fails women by substituting protocols for personalized care, but with the right information, women can reclaim their power and intuition.

Join us for this eye-opening finale that challenges conventional wisdom and invites you to question everything you've been told about birth, medical authority, and your own innate wisdom.

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Dr. Nathan Riley shares his perspective on the countercultural approach to birth, explaining why he left his hospital OBGYN career and now supports midwives and home birth instead of practicing within the medical system.

• Men in women's healthcare - examining whether male OBGYNs objectify women's bodies and how medical training teaches practitioners to view patients as objects rather than whole persons
• Questioning routine gynecological procedures like annual pap smears and HPV testing, suggesting many aren't evidence-based or necessary
• The rich history of childbirth and how it moved from women's domain to hospital settings through systematic elimination of traditional healing practices
• Dr. Riley's pivotal moment of deciding to leave hospital practice after witnessing staff focused on procedures rather than being present with a family experiencing infant death
• The increasing movement toward birth autonomy through free birth and home birth, which Dr. Riley describes as "a radical act of civil disobedience"
• How COVID created a paradigm shift, giving many people permission to question authority and say no to medical interventions they don't feel comfortable with
• The medical system operating exactly as designed - profiting when "women outsource their power" rather than trusting their bodies and intuition

Find Nathan on Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn and visit his website at bornfreemethod.com.

Join the conversation on Instagram @theradiantmission or Facebook at The Radiant Mission Podcast. To watch this episode, search for Rebecca Twomey on YouTube.

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A transformative conversation unfolds about the intersection of childbirth, spirituality, and the medical model. Dr. Nathan Riley shares his experiences transitioning from traditional OBGYN practice to advocating for midwifery and home births. His reflections challenge listeners to explore their own perceptions of birth and healing.

• Exploring Dr. Nathan Riley's journey to midwifery
• Examining the shortcomings of the medical industrial complex
• Importance of empowering women in their childbirth decisions
• Discussing the emotional and spiritual aspects of birth
• Navigating societal misconceptions surrounding childbirth
• Importance of community and education in pregnancy
• Understanding the sacred connection in the birthing process
• Addressing fears and misconceptions about home births
• Spiritual dimensions of health and healing

This episode is a must-listen for parents, birth workers, and anyone passionate about reclaiming the natural power of childbirth.

📌 Connect with Dr. Nathan Riley:
🔗 Instagram: @nathanrileyobgyn
🔗 Website: BornFreeMethod.com

🔥 SUBSCRIBE for more discussions on faith, birth, and countercultural living.
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After years of wandering through the maze of addiction and secular mental health approaches, Sarah Keel found her beacon of hope in faith. Join us as she shares her compelling journey from rebellion to redemption, revealing the profound impact of a biblical worldview on addiction recovery. We explore the tension between secular and spiritual paradigms, highlighting the unique challenges faced by faith-based organizations like Renew Clinic in a world often dominated by New Age practices.

We challenge the conventional narrative that reduces addiction and postpartum depression to mere brain diseases. Instead, we venture into the realm of holistic healing, where spiritual and emotional dimensions are as crucial as the physical. Our conversation redefines addiction as a form of misguided worship, emphasizing the importance of addressing the entire person. Through personal stories and biblical insights, we delve into the transformative potential that lies in acknowledging the spiritual nature of addiction, advocating for a path of true liberation and flourishing beyond mere survival.

The journey of recovery isn't just an individual's battle; it's a family affair. We navigate the intricate dynamics of support systems, underscoring the delicate balance between helping and enabling from a Christian perspective. Discover the power of community and the significance of setting healthy boundaries. Whether it's through groups like Al-Anon or finding solace in prayer, we offer guidance on navigating these challenging waters. As we reflect on the stages of change and the profound impact of surrender, we illuminate the path to healing with hope, faith, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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After years of struggling with incarceration and substance abuse, Sarah Keel experienced a profound transformation that led her to become the Executive Director at Renew Clinic. On this episode of The Radiant Mission Podcast, Sarah shares her deeply personal journey from darkness to light, inspired by an encounter with the gospel during her time in jail in 2007. Her story is not just one of redemption but also a testament to the power of faith, community, and prayer in overcoming addiction and supporting loved ones who face similar battles.

In our conversation, we address the deeply emotional and psychological ramifications of abortion, highlighting the often ignored links between abortion, mental health struggles, and substance abuse. Through personal experiences, we unpack the emotional scars that can follow and challenge societal desensitization to abortion's impact. By sharing these insights, we aim to open up a wider dialogue about the true effects of abortion and emphasize faith's role in spiritual healing and confronting past traumas.

We also navigate the complex realm of spiritual warfare, exploring how certain life choices can leave us vulnerable to spiritual attacks. Sarah and I discuss the importance of recognizing these challenges and the strength that faith offers in overcoming them. Our episode concludes with a powerful message of grace and redemption, reassuring listeners that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and healing power. Join us as we uncover the spiritual battles that many face and the victory that faith promises.

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Motherhood is a journey filled with love, challenges, and countless decisions. In this episode of The Radiant Mission Podcast, host Rebecca Twomey welcomes Haden Johnson to discuss instinctual motherhood, co-sleeping, cloth diapering, and Elimination Communication (EC). Haden shares her story of leaving behind societal expectations to embrace a more natural, intuitive approach to parenting.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The benefits of co-sleeping and skin-to-skin contact for bonding and development
✔️ Why Haden chose cloth diapering and her favorite brand, Grovia
✔️ How Elimination Communication helps babies potty train earlier
✔️ Overcoming societal pressures to embrace full-time motherhood
✔️ Making informed decisions about childbirth and parenting

Join us for a conversation that challenges modern parenting norms and encourages mothers to trust their instincts.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Haden on Instagram: @haden.lee.johnson
• Follow Haden on TikTok: @heyyden
• Grovia Cloth Diapers: grovia.com

📖 Bible Verse Mentioned:
Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

🔔 Follow The Radiant Mission:

• Instagram: @theradiantmission
• Facebook: @theradiantmission
• YouTube: The Radiant Mission

📢 Support the Podcast: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend!

Support the show

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For the full show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, please visit The Radiant Mission Blog.

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