Dr. Nathan Riley, a recovering OB/GYN, joins the podcast to talk about his experiences in the Western medical model, birthing practices, death, re-harmonizing with nature, the impact of medicine and technology, vigilance, fear, shifting paradigms, risk, safety, social media's exploitative nature, and liberation within healthcare systems.
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Quick takeaways
The Western medical model's one-size-fits-all approach fails to address individual needs and hampers holistic health.
Incorporating compassion and empowerment in birthing practices can reduce unnecessary interventions and honor the sacredness of the birthing process.
A reimagined birth center should prioritize the interconnectedness of all beings, promoting natural elements and a reconnection with innate birthing knowledge.
Creating a space for holistic and compassionate end-of-life care allows for a meaningful and sacred transition, embracing mortality as an essential part of the human experience.
Deep dives
Creating a Reimagined Birth Center
Imagine a birth center surrounded by nature, filled with natural light, archways, and a central meeting space. The space would prioritize the natural physiological process of birth, providing a compassionate environment that respects the sacredness of the experience. The center would incorporate biophilic design principles, eco-friendly resources, and grounded technology to create a harmonious and calming atmosphere. Workshops and community gatherings would foster connection and celebration. The center would also prioritize holistic health, serving nourishing, biodynamic food and offering services that support the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of birthing individuals and their families.
Challenging the Culture of Fear and Intervention
The current birth culture often prioritizes control, efficiency, and risk aversion, leading to unnecessary interventions and a loss of the sacredness of the birthing process. In a reimagined birth center, language and practices would be grounded in compassion and empowerment. Interventions would be limited to cases of medical necessity, rather than routine procedures driven by fear or financial incentives. Providers would create a safe and supportive environment, respecting the natural rhythms of labor and birth, and guiding individuals through the transformative journey with understanding, empathy, and respect.
Reconnecting with Nature and the Wisdom of the Body
In the reimagined birth center, a deep respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all beings would underpin the entire birthing process. The physical environment would reflect this reverence, incorporating natural elements, earth-grounding features, and eco-friendly practices. The center would encourage a reconnection with the wisdom of the body, emphasizing the importance of listening to one's intuition and innate birthing knowledge. Providers would prioritize the holistic well-being of birthing individuals, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.
Embracing Mortality and Honoring End-of-Life Rites
In the reimagined birth center, the focus would extend beyond birth to encompass the sacredness of the entire life cycle. The center would recognize the profound and transformative nature of end-of-life experiences. Rather than medicalizing death, providers would create a space for holistic and compassionate care, honoring the dying person's autonomy and spiritual beliefs. End-of-life rituals and ceremonies would be embraced, enabling families to find meaning, connection, and ways to honor their loved ones in their final moments. This approach invites a deeper understanding and acceptance of mortality as an essential part of the human experience.
Embracing Death as an Essential Part of Life
Death is a natural part of life that we cannot avoid, and it is important to acknowledge and confront our mortality. Embracing death allows us to fully appreciate and live our lives to the fullest. The fear of death often leads to a culture of safetyism, where people prioritize avoiding any risk or discomfort, but this can hinder our growth and prevent us from fully experiencing life. Just as birth is a profound and transformative experience, death should also be approached with reverence and compassion. Creating a space that respects the individual's needs and desires, providing comfort, touch, and quality food can contribute to a more meaningful and sacred end of life journey.
The Benefits of Embracing Suffering and Struggle
Suffering and struggle are often viewed negatively, but they can be valuable and transformative experiences. They can help us grow, lead to resilience, and provide opportunities for healing and growth. Avoidance of suffering may prevent us from fully embracing life and experiencing a deep sense of connection with ourselves and others. By reframing suffering as an integral part of the human experience, we can cultivate compassion and empathy for others and ourselves, fostering growth and personal development.
Honoring Individual Experiences in Birth and Death
Every birth and death is a unique and personal experience that should be respected and honored. Placing individuals in rigid frameworks or medicalized environments can diminish the significance and spiritual aspects of these profound life events. A more holistic approach to birth and death involves allowing individuals to express their desires and preferences, acknowledging the spiritual and emotional dimensions, and creating supportive environments that prioritize their well-being. By embracing the individuality of these experiences, we can create spaces that honor and celebrate the transitions of life.
Our inherent connection to the natural world is in a state of disharmony and Dr. Nathan Riley, who refers to himself as a recovering OB/GYN, joins us in this episode to talk about his experiences practicing within the constructs of the Western medical model, why he left, and how he pushes back against the template approach to human health + standardized medical intervention. Dr. Riley treats the whole being in order to facilitate an elevated, expansive, and embodied life (and a good death).
Discover:
The problem with the Western medical model's one-size-fits-all, template approach.
Birthing practices, medical convenience, and coercion in “corporate” medicine.
Death, rebirth, and ancient wisdom.
Embracing the beauty of our natural death experience.
Re-harmonizing with + reconnecting to the natural world.
