Birth Agni

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...

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...

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 ho...

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,...

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. Af...

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 amb...

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...

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/birthagn...

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? Ho...

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 no...

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...

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 techniqu...

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...

" 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 syst...

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/birthagnipodca...

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...

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...

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...

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 Experienc...

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 nor...

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...

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&ap...

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 ...

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...

Home Birth with a Doctor!  In this episode, we have Rashmi Ramesh speak to us about having her first baby at home supported by family and a doctor! Divya Kapoor is often bomabarded with questions of is  Home Birth safe? Is it legal? Is it better than birthing in the hospital? This episodes helps answer some of these with a parallel being drawn between traditional midwifery care from time to time t...