<p>In this two-part conversation, Katia sits down with Dr. Stuart Fischbein—better known as Dr. Stu—a board-certified obstetrician turned home birth advocate, author, educator, and co-host of the <em>Birthing Instincts</em> podcast. In Part 1, they unpack the deeply human and political layers of childbirth in America—from informed consent and medical gaslighting to how birthing has become a business model rather than a health model.</p><p>Dr. Stu shares his unconventional journey from practicing hospital-based obstetrics to becoming a pioneering advocate for midwifery care, breech and twin home births, and individualized birth choices. Together, they challenge the fear-based narratives and rigid protocols that dominate modern maternity care, and invite listeners to ask: Who benefits? Who profits? And who suffers when we silence critical questions around birth?</p><p>This episode is not just for parents—it’s for anyone who believes in bodily autonomy, birth equity, and reclaiming our right to question the systems that shape our most sacred life experiences.</p><p>🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>Follow Dr.Stu’s work here:</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/birthinginstincts/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@birthinginstincts</a></p><p><a href="https://www.birthinginstincts.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.birthinginstincts.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com</a></p><p>Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theunaparent/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/discover/katia-lindor" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a>. <a href="http://youtube.com/@theunaparent?sub_confirmation=1" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel</a> for all the unapparent content you never knew you needed. 📺</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theunaparent/?hl=en" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠The Unaparent Podcast⁠</a> is a <a href="https://www.studiodamadesign.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠Studio Dama⁠</a> production. For production, sponsorship, and ad inquiries contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a> or send a DM to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/studio.dama.design/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠@studio.dama.design⁠</a></p><p>SHOW NOTES:</p><p>00:00 – Katia’s Catch Up</p><p>04:17 – Guest Introduction: Dr. Stuart Fischbein</p><p>06:45 – An Unapparent Truth of Parenting</p><p>08:38 – Why Obstetrics? Dr. Stu’s Journey</p><p>13:26 – From Hospital OB to Home Birth Advocate</p><p>16:04 – Butter Births and Expanding the Model</p><p>19:03 – Pregnancy Is Not a Disease</p><p>22:03 – Medical Culture vs. Informed Consent</p><p>24:26 – Why OBs and Midwives Don’t Collaborate in the U.S.</p><p>27:07 – How Insurance Could Shift the System</p><p>29:40 – Nature Knows Best: Trusting Mammalian Birth</p><p>30:55 – Risks of Unnecessary Cesareans</p><p>31:09 – Part 1 Closing</p>