Invisible Labor: Rachel Somerstein on the Hidden Systems Shaping Childbirth in America

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Somerstein, associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz and author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Caesarean Section. Rachel brings a unique, deeply informed view on how the personal experiences of childbirth intersect with larger systemic issues that shape birthing practices in this country. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Boston Globe, The Guardian, The Rumpus, and Wired, and she’s been featured on Fresh Air. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, where we recorded this conversation.

Rachel’s perspective on the creative potential of birth—even within constrained or challenging circumstances- is surprising and refreshing. In this conversation, we explore how the complex realities of labor and delivery, and the impact of medical imperialism, can transform personal responsibility into a broader framework for activism and community support. Rachel offers insight on moving beyond individual blame to understand how systemic factors shape our personal stories and shape the possibilities for change.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about birth, the history and future of C-sections, and the power of understanding systemic influences on our most intimate experiences.

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