Ep. 468: The Know Your Rights Map: Obstetrical Violence, Birth Trauma, and Patient Rights in the Hospital Birth Room with Cristen Pascucci [Re-Air of Ep. 203]
In this Birth Lounge Podcast episode, host HeHe interviews Kristen Pascucci, founder of Birth Monopoly, about birth trauma and obstetric violence in hospital birth. They discuss trauma as a self-defined response that overwhelms the system, common trauma/PTSD symptoms (intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, physical reactions, triggers including the hospital or even the baby), and the overlap with prior sexual trauma. Pascucci explains obstetric violence as appropriation of the birthing person’s body and subordination through coercion, manipulation, pressure, disrespect, and power dynamics, ranging from jokes about birth plans to forced procedures; vaginal exams without true informed consent are highlighted as a common example. They also cover reporting options (hospital complaints, state licensing boards, lawsuits) and why accountability is often limited, including low disciplinary rates and barriers to malpractice cases, and share resources at birthmonopoly.com including an obstetric violence map.
00:00 Accountability and Advocacy
02:06 Informed Consent Basics
04:09 Meet Cristen Pascucci
05:34 What Birth Trauma Means
09:23 Trauma Symptoms and Triggers
16:13 Defining Obstetric Violence
20:13 The Pyramid of Harm
21:39 Common Example Vaginal Exams
33:02 Reporting and Medical Boards
45:29 Resources and Closing
Guest Bio:
A former communications strategist at a top public affairs firm in Baltimore, Maryland, Cristen Pascucci is the founder of Birth Monopoly and Birth Monopoly's Doula Power group, co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, and, from 2012 to 2016, vice president of national advocacy organization Improving Birth. She has run an emergency hotline for women facing threats to their legal rights in childbirth, created a viral consumer campaign to “Break the Silence” on trauma and abuse in childbirth, and helped put obstetric violence and the maternity care crisis in national media. Today, she is a leading voice for women giving birth, speaking around the country and consulting privately for consumers and professionals on issues related to birth rights and options. Cristen is also the host of Birth Allowed Radio as well as executive producer of a documentary film planned for release in 2020 to start a national conversation on obstetric violence, birth trauma, and women's rights in birth.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/
Connect with Cristen on IG: https://www.instagram.com/birthmonopoly
facebook.com/birthmonopoly
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection
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And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
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