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PODCAST

Birth Agni

This Podcast explores how indigenously Birth has always unfolded, among women - our tribe, where children could see how breastfeeding was done and how birth happened. This an attempt to fetch the stories of the past as well as bring out the new India’s Birth culture to expose the defining features in both. This shall join the dots to where the increasing problems of postpartum anxiety, rising rate of surgical births and poor breastfeeding outcomes are coming from.Birth Agni - Agni meaning Fire, the

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

40:43

#132 - The uncomfortable truth behind the current...

Birth Agni ·

2025/07/23

What’s really driving birth practices in India today? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Indian medical system—where convenience often takes priority over physiology, and where C-sections are rising not always because of necessity, but because they fit better into hospital schedules. We also explore how the ancient wisdom of our traditional dais—the original birth workers—is being ignored in the new midwifery models, and what that says about who gets to define "modern"

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28:23

#131- What No One Tells You About Ultrasounds in...

Birth Agni ·

2025/07/16

Ultrasounds have become a routine part of modern pregnancy care — but how much do we really know about their origins, benefits, risks, and accuracy? We’ve all been told that ultrasounds are just a normal part of pregnancy — a way to “see the baby” and make sure everything’s okay. But have you ever wondered where this practice actually came from, what it’s truly meant for, and whether it’s always as harmless as it seems?This episode is for every parent who wants to understand what’s being done and

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91:56

#130 - Shilpi's home birth story- meconium, true knot...

Birth Agni ·

2025/07/09

Shilpi was guided into a home birth through various channels — one of them being how the medical system was too keen to label hers as a geriatric pregnancy and potentially schedule her into a surgery. Often, women over 35 are labelled as geriatric — meaning care for old people in the medical system. This brackets them into care meant for the elderly, including the approach of looking at everything through a high-risk lens. This often complicates pregnancy more than it is complicated in itself...

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37:38

#129 - Too Big to Birth, or too small a pelvis? The...

Birth Agni ·

2025/06/25

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 citedHow fetal position, mobility in labor, and hospital timelines all impact diagnosisThe danger of using estimated baby weight or maternal size to justify early surgeryWhat women can ask or do if

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63:32

#128 - Decoding Meconium -the good and the bad with...

Birth Agni ·

2025/06/18

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 Birth Center, a pioneering autonomous midwifery-led birth center in India. With over 18 years of

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35:25

#127 - 5 ways to make postpartum a smoother...

Birth Agni ·

2025/06/11

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 how the early days after birth can feel more like a test than a time for healing. We also talk about the vita...

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9:30

#126 - Nipple Shields - A breastfeeding Cure or a...

Birth Agni ·

2025/06/03

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, it sometimes, a lot more effort to establish breastfeeding.We see in this episode , how this can be

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50:31

#125 - Afeeda's surreal birth story in a Birth Center...

Birth Agni ·

2025/05/21

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.Afeeda’s birth story is an inspiring example of a self-directed birth—one rooted in deep connection with the

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54:34

Chapter II - Vikki and Raj's Second Half of the Home...

Birth Agni ·

2025/05/13

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 ambulance and authorities.Vikki's feelings and experience around the transfer.The hospital birth experienceBre...

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70:13

#123 - Chapter I - Vikki and Raj's Home Birth Story

Birth Agni ·

2025/05/07

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 as a couple and nurturing to a new soul.No doubt, the birth was fast and little Henry wanted to meet his

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10:36

#122 - Is Routine Vaginal Examination Needed?

Birth Agni ·

2025/04/30

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 PregnancyVaginal Examination during LaborBenefits and Downsides of it along the wayDonate to support this podcast - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donateThis is the voluntary support that keeps the podcast going. Support the showSign up for

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15:40

#121 - All About Episiotomy - from routine to outdated!

Birth Agni ·

2025/04/23

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?How were women birthing before it was introduced?This episode is a fun run down the history talking abo...

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56:46

#120 - Swati's normal birth with the presence of...

Birth Agni ·

2025/04/16

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 not distressed, he waited and Swati was able to birth the baby vaginally. Her son was taken in for ob...

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69:11

#119 - Normal Breech Birth - Kanika's Birth Story

Birth Agni ·

2025/04/09

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 baby was coming out. Her husband and her decided to own their birth knowing the varied possibilities and we...

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32:06

#118 - Stem Cell Banking - What you must know!

Birth Agni ·

2025/02/05

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 techniques. This episode covers everything you need to know about cord stem cell banking! History of Cord Stem

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65:25

#117 - Yashoda's Birth story - Hospital vs Water...

Birth Agni ·

2025/01/23

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 induced, she birthed her baby in the water and had a beautiful experience. Her breastfeeding journey was

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83:18

#116 - Language around Birth and Breastfeeding with...

Birth Agni ·

2025/01/17

" I wonder Divya, if women today can escape a pill........a vaccine.......or being under the knife." - Effath YasminCalling 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 systems fuelled by years of medical marketing, cultural hearsay, shifting away from our traditional systems

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18:13

2024 Wrap up - Winter Break

Birth Agni ·

2024/12/30

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 podcast5. Seeking your support and love, topics for 2025Drop your topics at admin@birthagni.com or birthagni@gmail.comSupport the show:Donations (India) - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#podcast-listDonations (world) - buymeacoffee.com/birthagniIf you like what you hear, leave us&nb...

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82:44

#114 - Part III - Ariel and Nitin's postpartum...

Birth Agni ·

2024/12/19

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'sWhat 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 as well the people she wanted to have around early postpartum when women are trying to figure things out

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86:52

113 - Part II - Ariel's Experience of Labor and Birth

Birth Agni ·

2024/12/07

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 lipThe wait and tension before the baby arrivesThe birth The birth of placenta and postpartum Tune in now!Support the showSign up for Childbirth Preparation

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