India Rakusen explores the final stages of labour through to crowning, and examines how pain has been acknowledged historically and in the modern day.
The baby is almost here. In this episode, India Rakusen explores how the baby moves through the cervix into the birth canal to the moment the baby’s head starts to crown.
And through all of this, how is pain acknowledged and addressed? India looks at the history of pain relief - and finds out from historian Randi Hutter-Epstein about an extreme form called Twilight Sleep that gained popularity at the start of the 20th Century. She also speaks to research midwife Rachel Ibikunle about the horrific beliefs about pain for Black and Asian women, and to Siobhan Miller of the Positive Birth Company about how understanding our body can help manage pain.
Presented by India Rakusen
Producer: Ellie Sans
Series Producer: Ellie Sans
Production Team: Ella McLeod & Georgia Arundell
Executive Producer: Suzy Grant.
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Original music composed and performed by ESKA
Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King
A Listen production for BBC Radio 4
Last on
Broadcasts
- Thu 21 Mar 202413:45BBC Radio 4
- Thu 29 Aug 202411:45BBC Radio 4 FM
- Fri 30 Aug 202400:30BBC Radio 4 FM
Eight fascinating facts about happiness
The story of emotions told through the minds of toddlers and preschool kids.
Podcast
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Child
Child returns for the next chapter of the story of all of us all.
