A Listener reached out sharing her regret over taking Progestrone the first time around, reason Age 35+ Women are given progestrone in Pregnancy routinely for the following reasons: Bleeding in Current Pregnancy History of Miscarriage Age - 35+ In this episode, we discuss Are all these reasons legitimate to use progestrone - a steroid hormone preventively in Pregnancy? Are there any side effects you should know of? Step by Step sample of my guidance to my parents when they come with a issue. Wha...
Aug 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 135
The Embedded Gift of Pain Relief is the name I have given to the very foundation you need first in your laboring journey, without which no pain relief technique works efficiently. And this has come from experience. When I started out as a childbirth educator, the techniques I taught fell flat for some women because this very foundation was missing. Soon after, I started my training as a traditional birthkeeper/midwife and supported women birthing outside the system. This taught me what was missi...
Aug 06, 2025•13 min•Ep. 134
Painless delivery’ sounds reassuring, but it’s often misleading. The truth is what’s sold as painless birth is often false advertising. Parents are rarely told about the downsides, or how numbing all sensation can actually interfere with birth. In this episode, we talk about Why no epidural takes away all pain, The downsides you’re rarely told about, and Why pain in childbirth has a purpose. How numbing everything can sometimes work against you, How asking the right questions can help you make i...
Jul 30, 2025•18 min•Ep. 133
What’s really driving birth practices in India today? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Indian medical system—where convenience often takes priority over physiology, and where C-sections are rising not always because of necessity, but because they fit better into hospital schedules. We also explore how the ancient wisdom of our traditional dais—the original birth workers—is being ignored in the new midwifery models, and what that says about who gets to define "modern" care. This i...
Jul 23, 2025•41 min•Ep. 132
Ultrasounds have become a routine part of modern pregnancy care — but how much do we really know about their origins, benefits, risks, and accuracy? We’ve all been told that ultrasounds are just a normal part of pregnancy — a way to “see the baby” and make sure everything’s okay. But have you ever wondered where this practice actually came from, what it’s truly meant for, and whether it’s always as harmless as it seems? This episode is for every parent who wants to understand what’s being done a...
Jul 16, 2025•28 min•Ep. 131
Shilpi was guided into a home birth through various channels — one of them being how the medical system was too keen to label hers as a geriatric pregnancy and potentially schedule her into a surgery. Often, women over 35 are labelled as geriatric — meaning care for old people in the medical system. This brackets them into care meant for the elderly, including the approach of looking at everything through a high-risk lens. This often complicates pregnancy more than it is complicated in itself. S...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 130
In this episode, we discuss one of the most commonly used—and misused—reasons for cesarean in India: Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) , or the claim that a woman’s pelvis is “too small” for her baby’s head. We dig into: What CPD actually is (and what it isn’t ) Why true CPD is extremely rare—yet so frequently cited How fetal position, mobility in labor, and hospital timelines all impact diagnosis The danger of using estimated baby weight or maternal size to justify early surgery What women can ...
Jun 25, 2025•38 min•Ep. 129
It’s all too common—women being rushed into surgery at the very sight or even assumption of meconium in conventional hospital settings. Add to that the pressure many women face to deliver before 40 weeks, based on general risks that may not even apply to them personally. In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Dr. Vijaya Krishnan , Certified Professional Midwife and founder of Sanctum Natural Birth Center , a pioneering autonomous midwifery-led birth center in India. With over 18 years of ex...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 128
Postpartum in India is celebrated in rituals, gatherings and expectations—but what about the actual needs of a new mother? In this episode, I unpack 5 ways Indian women can experience a gentler, more supported postpartum phase—especially in the midst of complex family dynamics. From the emotional toll of unsolicited advice to the silent pressure to perform as a "good bahu," we explore how the early days after birth can feel more like a test than a time for healing. We also talk about the vital r...
Jun 11, 2025•35 min•Ep. 127
In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood world of nipple shields —thin silicone covers used during breastfeeding. We’ll discuss why they’re so commonly recommended in the Indian hospitals , and how it can impact your breastfeeding journey. As a Lactation Counselor, I see numerous cases where Nipple Shields alter the complete breastfeeding pace and route for mothers , so much so that, it sometimes, a lot more effort to establish breastfeeding. We see in this episode , how this can be p...
Jun 03, 2025•10 min•Ep. 126
The primary aspect of birth is finding a place that supports us. For some women, no institution feels like a safe space where they can truly let go and allow their intuition to guide them—where they can allow the process to unfold in its most optimal form. For others, a birth center that supports the natural function of the body is the right path. Self-direction is crucial in any birth journey. Afeeda’s birth story is an inspiring example of a self-directed birth—one rooted in deep connection wi...
May 21, 2025•51 min•Ep. 125
In the last episode, we spoke of Henry's Birth. In this part, we go through the experience of the transfer to the hospital and the reason behind. Often, people are worried about a Home Birth and transfer, here we see what it can look like and that should help parents in their decision on where they would like to birth. We discuss: Raj's feeling around the movement and iteraction with ambulance and authorities. Vikki's feelings and experience around the transfer. The hospital birth experience Bre...
May 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 124
Vikki and Raj decided on a Home Birth as life directed them to . They found a midwife after one referred to another and then another until finally they met Ditta. Their experience of a home birth is discussed in detail here. The one thing that stands out with them is the team work and mutual understanding they carry of each other at every step of the way. Its nourishing to each other, progressive as a couple and nurturing to a new soul. No doubt, the birth was fast and little Henry wanted to mee...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 123
Routine Vaginal Examinations were never a part of traditional midwifery accross various ethnicities around the word. It was used sparingly as it was also considered an intervention. In this episode, you will learn about Vaginal Examination in Late Pregnancy Vaginal Examination during Labor Benefits and Downsides of it along the way Donate to support this podcast - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donate This is the voluntary support that keeps the podcast going. Support the show Sign up fo...
Apr 30, 2025•11 min•Ep. 122
Women have long feared an episiotomy over Surgical Birth aka Surgery. In experience, women felt numb, scarred and pain at the site of episiotomy. Yet , this procedure has been routine in vaginal births, Why? Can women birth without it? Listen to the episode to learn more about History of Episiotomy? How did it become a routine practice? Evidence in favor and against? Can women birth without it? How were women birthing before it was introduced? This episode is a fun run down the history talking a...
Apr 23, 2025•16 min•Ep. 121
Did you know that meconium at birth is very common? Did you know that meconium is not always threatening for the baby? Did you know that normal delivery with meconium is possible when we individualise care and see the benefits vs risk from a case to case basis? Swati's story of natural birth with meconium is one where an experienced doctor did not scare her. He observed and as the baby was not distressed, he waited and Swati was able to birth the baby vaginally. Her son was taken in for observat...
Apr 16, 2025•57 min•Ep. 120
Breech is normal and a surgery for Breech is often the inexperience or pressure from hospitals or lack of skill from the doctor. This is a woman and a family's loss. If you wish to learn more about breech vaginal births , explore Dr Stuart Fischpien's work - http://www.birthinginstincts.com Kanika shares her story of a Breech Birth where she was being forced for a surgery right when the baby was coming out. Her husband and her decided to own their birth knowing the varied possibilities and went ...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 119
Off late, numerous marketing events and strategies have been used by private cord stem cell banks in India to lure parents with the promise of potential benefits of storing stem cells for future malignancies their child may face. While this may seem like a lucrative and logical form of biological insurance, many of these companies rely on misleading—and in some cases, fraudulent—marketing techniques. This episode covers everything you need to know about cord stem cell banking! History of Cord St...
Feb 05, 2025•32 min•Ep. 118
Yashoda is a Sports Physiotherapist and an Aquatic therapist and a mom of 2 precious ones- is currently working at Aastrika midwifery centre. She had her first one born in a hospital after induction and her baby was separated from her after birth. The second time around she decided to take childbirth classes, prepare well and chose a midwifery center called Aastrika in Bangalore where she was not induced, she birthed her baby in the water and had a beautiful experience. Her breastfeeding journey...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 117
" I wonder Divya, if women today can escape a pill........a vaccine.......or being under the knife." - Effath Yasmin Calling this a reality of today's maternal healthcare system is not enough to point out the issues that need dire resolution because the problems are far more complex than 'one' solution being right and everything else, wrong. The issue is of the belief systems fuelled by years of medical marketing, cultural hearsay, shifting away from our traditional systems completely in the nam...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 116
This episode has an yearly wrap up on the podcast and the following 1. How the next year will look like. 2. Top 4 episodes for this year. 3. Personal journey as a birth worker this year. 4. Goals for the podcast 5. Seeking your support and love, topics for 2025 Drop your topics at admin@birthagni.com or birthagni@gmail.com Support the show: Donations (India) - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#podcast-list Donations (world) - buymeacoffee.com/birthagni If you like what you hear, leave us a ...
Dec 30, 2024•18 min•Ep. 115
Postpartum is a crucial part of parenthood. There are many healing modalities that are available to help women heal. Often overlooked, is the emotional aspect of caring for a new life and work with the new changes in the relationship of couple's What stands out as a learning from Ariel's story is that Preparation for every phase always helps. Ariel planned her food to the care she needed as well the people she wanted to have around early postpartum when women are trying to figure things out by t...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 114
This is Part II of Ariel and Nitin's Home Birth story. Here, we go through Ariel's experience of Labor from the onset to the birth. She describes her state of mind , the sequence of events in detail in this episode. Expect : The change of scene with the intensity of labor increasing. The intense and prolonged transition due to cervical lip The wait and tension before the baby arrives The birth The birth of placenta and postpartum Tune in now! Support the show Sign up for Childbirth Preparation P...
Dec 07, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 113
I received an email from Ariel sharing how listening to this podcast was a part of her preparation for a home birth and she wanted to payback by contributing her story to the podcast. We are excited to have this homebirthing duo in a three Part series through their journey of Preparation, experience of Birth and Postpartum on the podcast. Ariel and Nitin are an Indian couple living in the US who were expecting their first as a 35+ yr old couple. Fortunately, they had already come across Water bi...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 112
This is Meenakshi's home birth story and interestingly her discovery of pregnancy when she was breastfeeding her twins already. She learnt pretty late and went on to discover it people started saying your belly seems different. In this episode, we discuss Discovery of pregnancy while breastfeeding twins. Decision of home birth Preparation for a Home Birth and owning responsibility Experience of Free Birth Birthing the Placenta Early Postpartum About the Guest : Meenakshi is a homeschooling mothe...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 111
Meenakshi birthed her twins vaginally in the only normal birth supportive hospital in Delhi, Sitaram bhartiya. After she was denied normal birth by her already consulting doctor, she switched her OBGYN and had a generally good experience. It was the second time around that she was inclined at having a Home Birth, the preparation of which along the way helped her realize what she dreamt of as a normal birth was this all along deep within her heart. Her changing views about Birth are reflected in ...
Nov 13, 2024•59 min•Ep. 110
Zahra had supported a friend's home birth before she decided it for herself. She was not even married then and was pulled into this birth by the mother who trusted her and her decision completely. Her family was supportive throughout. She had no ultrasounds or checkups except once. She was waiting for labor to begin so excitedly that once a false alarm got the entire house ready and prepared. She laughs as she tells her story of precipitous labor, facing her fears when the tear took months to he...
Oct 23, 2024•59 min•Ep. 109
India has always birthed at home. Women birthed at home as a culture. Today, women are going back to their roots out of the lucrative outcome of health, easier labor and comfortable birth. Not just India, women birthed at home across the world, as homo sapiens, this was the primal instinct. Yes, women died in birth and babies died too. They die in hospitals today as well not because of someone's fault or lack of medical support. Things happen beyond the understanding of medicine, science and mor...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 108
Nutan L Pandit has been teaching birth preparation classes since 1978. A lot has changed in the Indian Birth scene since then. Mrs Pandit birthed her children then using Breathwork which was taught by a foreigner, the nurses then could not believe she was already pushing and talking without being in obvious distress. This was in Mumbai, she also did not have any ultrasounds then. The doctor was Dr Jay Dhurandar and one of the babies was face presentation. The Indian Maternal System was not yet s...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 107
You are routinely adviced an Induction if you go beyond 40 weeks Induction is recommended with the slightest assumption of a potential issue. Big baby Small Baby BP, Swelling Placental variations Amnitiotic Fluid variations But like every drug, it comes with its own risks. Divya discusses with Nikita, her experiences of Labor with Induction and without , when she went into Spontaneous labor. You will be able to see how the expeirence of birthing changed for her completely in a detailed compariso...
Aug 14, 2024•38 min•Ep. 107
