Unbearable: A Discussion with Irin Carmon on Pregnancy in America

Mariquita talks with author Irin Carmon about her newest book, Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America. Their discussion covers the racist roots of ob/gyn medicine in America, provides context for the current state of reproductive care, and ties in vital personal stories of families that have been affected by the legacy of racism and lack of safe, equitable treatment for women of color, which treatment has disproportionately had fatal consequences. CW: Discussions of maternal mortality, Black maternal mortality, maternal death, abortion, miscarriage, medical violence, racism, grief/loss, infertility

Books and Resources Mentioned:

Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America by Irin Carmon

The Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik

Alabama Birth Center and Dr. Yashica Robinson

A Deadly Epidural, Delivered by a Doctor with a History of Mistakes - NYT on the death of Sha-Asia Semple

At 30, She Died in Childbirth. It Shredded Her Brooklyn Family - NYT on the death of Christine Fields

Anarcha Lucy Betsey: The Mothers of Gynecology Monument

National Network of Abortion Funds - Seeking funds

National Network of Abortion Funds - Donate Today

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This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.

Original music by Amarissa

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