“Midwives are trained that pregnancy is a normal function of the human body, it’s wellness that occasionally goes wrong, as opposed to the doctors who think it’s an illness that occasionally goes right.” —Dr. Stuart Fischbein

At times, the medicalized, one-size-fits-all model can fall short. For far too long, childbirth has been dominated by rigid medical protocols that prioritize efficiency over empowering each woman’s unique needs. However, true safety lies in respecting birth as a natural process and supporting each mother’s physical and emotional well-being. By embracing uncertainty and honoring a woman’s innate wisdom, the system can shift from fear to trust— empowering all who bring new life into this world. 

This week, Debra sits with Dr. Stuart Fischbein to share an insightful look at shifting from a fear-based model of childbirth to one that is truly woman-centered. For over 40 years, Dr. Stuart Fischbein practiced obstetrics within a medicalized system, only to realize it fell short of empowering women and honoring birth as a natural process. Through his collaboration with midwives and experiences attending home births, Dr. Fischbein underwent a profound transformation in his approach. 

In this candid discussion, he draws from his unique perspective within both the medical and midwifery worlds to shed light on how interventions are too often prioritized over informed consent. Join in as Debra and Dr. Stu discuss the differences between midwifery and physician training, limitations of the modern hospital system, criticisms of home birth safety, the role of doctors and midwives in medicalized birth, the issue around disregard for individualized care, unnecessary medical interventions, and finding a good team for an empowered birth experience.  

Episode Highlights:

03:06 Transitioning to Midwifery Model 

06:12 The Limitations of Hospital Births 

15:07 Midwifery vs Medical Model in Childbirth

20:58 Home Birth Safety vs Hospital Birth Safety

23:25 Informed Consent in Childbirth

28:38 Natural Birth Practices and Challenges

34:05 Women Deserve All Reasonable Options