Episode 22: Vaginal examinations, what you need to know, with Amy

In this episode of the Nourishing Birth and Beyond podcast, I talk with my co-host Amy about the important topic of vaginal examinations during childbirth. We explore why these examinations have become normalized in Western society and discuss the potential risks and lack of necessity in many cases. The conversation highlights the importance of informed consent and understanding personal choices in childbirth. We also touch on the broader medicalization of childbirth and the need for individualized care, encouraging listeners to educate themselves and advocate for their preferences. We both share personal experiences and anecdotes to illustrate the impact of these practices and the empowerment that comes from making informed decisions.

In this episode of the podcast we talk about:

• The practice of vaginal examinations in childbirth, questioning their necessity and the reasons behind their normalization in Western medical systems
• The importance of informed consent
• Encouragement to educate yourself about childbirth options and advocate for your personal preferences.
• The potential risks associated with vaginal examinations, such as introducing bacteria and causing unnecessary interventions.
• Personal anecdotes that illustrate the impact of medical practices on childbirth experiences and the empowerment gained through informed decision-making.
• The broader issue of medicalization in childbirth, advocating for a more individualized approach to care that respects the unique needs and circumstances of each birthing person.

Sound bites from this episode:

“The key, the most important thing to understand about birth is that you need the exact same hormones to give birth as you need to have an orgasm. If you, at every point of your birth plan, are trying to simulate an environment and a situation where you could have an orgasm, then we need to be doing the same thing for birth.”

“With a vaginal examination, there’s the risk of introducing bacteria such as stool. There’s the risk of rupturing the waters prematurely, leading to induction or a caesarean. There’s the risk of it being really painful. It’s not discussed properly. If you decide you want vaginal examinations, learn all about it and make an informed decision.”

“It’s really important to have the birth you want for your baby and your body, and finding the information you need to know to have that. In terms of you declining vaginal examinations, you touched on it a little bit before when we talked about your birth, about the midwife not being so supportive. But you said the midwives that attended your birth were much more supportive.”