In Episode 74 of The Road to Wisdom Podcast Chloe and Keshia chat with Dr. Stu Fischerbien, an obstetrician with a distinctive outlook on home births and high-risk pregnancies, shares his journey from traditional medical training to advocating for a more natural approach to childbirth. He discusses the complex criteria that define high-risk pregnancies, the impact of increasing medical interventions on birth outcomes, and the financial incentives that influence the current healthcare system. Our conversation underscores the importance of informed consent and the need for women to reclaim autonomy in their birthing choices.

Dr. Stu also highlights the urgent need for a legal defense fund to protect midwives facing harassment and legal challenges, stressing the essential role midwives play in supporting women’s birth choices. He discusses the rise in free birth as a response to negative hospital experiences, noting the associated risks and the effect of media portrayals, which often skew public perceptions of childbirth. We explore how fear tactics are sometimes used by medical professionals to control birthing decisions, and Dr. Stu advocates for women to be proactive, educating themselves and asking critical questions about their care.

We also touch on concerns around vaccination during pregnancy, particularly around the lack of comprehensive testing on vaccines given to expectant mothers.

Dr. Stu’s journey reflects a move away from conventional obstetrics toward a more holistic approach to childbirth, where high-risk pregnancy designations often stem more from physician comfort levels than strict medical guidelines. He observes that the medicalization of childbirth has led to an increase in interventions without improving outcomes for mothers and babies, causing anxiety and reducing autonomy for women labeled as high risk. Financial incentives in healthcare can also compromise the quality of care women receive.

The episode highlights that home births can offer a safer, more supportive environment for low-risk pregnancies and notes how the current obstetric model frequently neglects the emotional and psychological impacts of interventions on mothers. Informed consent emerges as crucial for empowering women to make decisions about their births, and Dr. Stu calls for greater accountability within the healthcare system for rising intervention rates and suboptimal outcomes. A cultural shift is needed to support midwives and obstetricians in practices that prioritize women’s health and autonomy, with legal action necessary to protect midwives from undue judgment or legal repercussions by obstetricians.

With the increasing popularity of free birth, Dr. Stu notes that women often feel pressured into this option due to past trauma from hospital births, which tend to have higher intervention rates. He also points out how media often portrays free birth negatively, without context, and addresses how fear is used to manipulate women’s birthing decisions. Dr. Stu urges women to take charge by educating themselves about their birth options, interviewing care providers early on, and critically assessing information, particularly regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines during pregnancy.

Dr Stu can be found at http://www.birthinginstincts.com/

Wanting to splurge on a little product mentioned in this episode?

Being busy mums, we love to support ourselves with daily adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs from Superfeast. A truely beautiful product, we are so happy to be offering our listeners 10% discount at check out when you use this code and link: THEROADTOWISDOM10

Loved what you heard in this episode? Your support means the world. Make sure to hit that subscribe button, spread the word with your pals, and drop us a review. By doing so, you're not just tuning in – you're fueling our community's growth and paving the way for more incredible guests to grace our show. As the week rolls by, we're already cooking up more tantalizing content for your hungry ears. Keen to stay in the loop with the latest episode releases? Follow our journey on Instagram at @theroadtowisdom.podcast and catch behind-the-scenes action on our YouTube channel @theroadtowisdompodcast. Don't miss out on a thing – also, snag the freshest updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter over at ⁠⁠https://www.theroadtowisdompodcast.com/⁠⁠. It's your VIP ticket to all things The Road To Wisdom

In Episode 74 of The Road to Wisdom Podcast Chloe and Keshia chat with Dr. Stu Fischerbien, an obstetrician with a distinctive outlook on home births and high-risk pregnancies, shares his journey from traditional medical training to advocating for a more natural approach to childbirth. He discusses the complex criteria that define high-risk pregnancies, the impact of increasing medical interventions on birth outcomes, and the financial incentives that influence the current healthcare system. Our conversation underscores the importance of informed consent and the need for women to reclaim autonomy in their birthing choices.

Dr. Stu also highlights the urgent need for a legal defense fund to protect midwives facing harassment and legal challenges, stressing the essential role midwives play in supporting women’s birth choices. He discusses the rise in free birth as a response to negative hospital experiences, noting the associated risks and the effect of media portrayals, which often skew public perceptions of childbirth. We explore how fear tactics are sometimes used by medical professionals to control birthing decisions, and Dr. Stu advocates for women to be proactive, educating themselves and asking critical questions about their care.

We also touch on concerns around vaccination during pregnancy, particularly around the lack of comprehensive testing on vaccines given to expectant mothers.

Dr. Stu’s journey reflects a move away from conventional obstetrics toward a more holistic approach to childbirth, where high-risk pregnancy designations often stem more from physician comfort levels than strict medical guidelines. He observes that the medicalization of childbirth has led to an increase in interventions without improving outcomes for mothers and babies, causing anxiety and reducing autonomy for women labeled as high risk. Financial incentives in healthcare can also compromise the quality of care women receive.

The episode highlights that home births can offer a safer, more supportive environment for low-risk pregnancies and notes how the current obstetric model frequently neglects the emotional and psychological impacts of interventions on mothers. Informed consent emerges as crucial for empowering women to make decisions about their births, and Dr. Stu calls for greater accountability within the healthcare system for rising intervention rates and suboptimal outcomes. A cultural shift is needed to support midwives and obstetricians in practices that prioritize women’s health and autonomy, with legal action necessary to protect midwives from undue judgment or legal repercussions by obstetricians.

With the increasing popularity of free birth, Dr. Stu notes that women often feel pressured into this option due to past trauma from hospital births, which tend to have higher intervention rates. He also points out how media often portrays free birth negatively, without context, and addresses how fear is used to manipulate women’s birthing decisions. Dr. Stu urges women to take charge by educating themselves about their birth options, interviewing care providers early on, and critically assessing information, particularly regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines during pregnancy.

Dr Stu can be found at http://www.birthinginstincts.com/

Wanting to splurge on a little product mentioned in this episode?

Being busy mums, we love to support ourselves with daily adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs from Superfeast. A truely beautiful product, we are so happy to be offering our listeners 10% discount at check out when you use this code and link: THEROADTOWISDOM10

Loved what you heard in this episode? Your support means the world. Make sure to hit that subscribe button, spread the word with your pals, and drop us a review. By doing so, you're not just tuning in – you're fueling our community's growth and paving the way for more incredible guests to grace our show. As the week rolls by, we're already cooking up more tantalizing content for your hungry ears. Keen to stay in the loop with the latest episode releases? Follow our journey on Instagram at @theroadtowisdom.podcast and catch behind-the-scenes action on our YouTube channel @theroadtowisdompodcast. Don't miss out on a thing – also, snag the freshest updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter over at ⁠⁠https://www.theroadtowisdompodcast.com/⁠⁠. It's your VIP ticket to all things The Road To Wisdom

In episode 73 of The Road To Wisdom Podcast, Jaylee Robinett opens up about her journey with cancer—a journey shaped profoundly by watching her mother confront the same illness. When Jaylee received her own diagnosis, she was plunged into the often overwhelming world of cancer treatment, facing both the physical demands and the emotional weight of the experience. However, rather than following a strictly conventional path, Jaylee decided to take a different approach, one that incorporated holistic healing practices and alternative therapies, including, but not limited to, such remedies as high-dose vitamin C, hyperbaric therapy etc.

This decision wasn’t easy. She encountered resistance from the medical system, which often prioritizes standard treatments over alternative methods. But Jaylee’s commitment to reclaiming her health led her to explore the power of lifestyle changes, diet, and, most crucially, a positive mindset. She speaks of the transformative role that belief and self-advocacy played in her recovery, crediting these with helping her achieve remission.

Jaylee’s journey not only underscores the importance of self-agency in the healing process but also sheds light on the gaps within conventional medical approaches to cancer. Her story stands as an inspiring testament to the potential for healing through natural methods, encouraging others to believe in their capacity to recover and to explore all available options.

Jaylee can found on Instagram @jaylee.robinett

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Being busy mums, we love to support ourselves with daily adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs from Superfeast. A truely beautiful product, we are so happy to be offering our listeners 10% discount at check out when you use this code and link: THEROADTOWISDOM10

Loved what you heard in this episode? Your support means the world. Make sure to hit that subscribe button, spread the word with your pals, and drop us a review. By doing so, you're not just tuning in – you're fueling our community's growth and paving the way for more incredible guests to grace our show. As the week rolls by, we're already cooking up more tantalizing content for your hungry ears. Keen to stay in the loop with the latest episode releases? Follow our journey on Instagram at @theroadtowisdom.podcast and catch behind-the-scenes action on our YouTube channel @theroadtowisdompodcast. Don't miss out on a thing – also, snag the freshest updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter over at ⁠⁠https://www.theroadtowisdompodcast.com/⁠⁠. It's your VIP ticket to all things The Road To Wisdom