Birth trauma is experienced by one-third of those who give birth, which in the UK is 235,000 people per year.  Intervention rates are skyrocketing, midwives are leaving the profession in droves, and mothers and babies are suffering irreparable harm. What in the world is going on with birth,  and how can we begin to identify and dismantle the systems of oppression that are making what should be a happy and empowering life event into something only to be survived?  In this episode, I speak to fellow radical midwife Kemi Johnson to discuss patriarchy's stranglehold on birth and where we go from here.  Follow me on Instagram @amity.reed and follow the show at @eat_theapplepodMy memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue:  Birth, Burnout and a Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers. 

What  effect has patriarchy had on breastfeeding and  lactation? How have we managed to get to a place where the business of making milk is steeped in classism,  sexism and racism,  and where corporations, government, the media and cultural norms have more influence over whether we succeed at feeding our babies than we do? Join me for a discussion with midwife and international  board-certified lactation consultant Lara Olchanetzky Duke, as we unpick all of these issues and more. PLUS, hear Lara describe her relactation journey, as she  went through the months-long process of making milk for a close friend's baby. Follow me on Instagram @amity.reed and follow the show at @eat_theapplepodMy memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue:  Birth, Burnout and a Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers. More of my writing is available on my blog, An Altered Life.  

This episode is all about sex education, or lack thereof.  I talk with relationship and sex educators Kay King and Becky Talbot  about why school-based  sex education is largely not fit for purpose,  the consequences of a restrictive, conservative curriculum, and what  knock-on  effects this has on our perceptions of ourselves, our bodies and our rights throughout our lives. We also discuss why having knowledge of your body is a radical act in our patriarchal society. Follow me on Instagram @amity.reed and follow the show at @eat_theapplepodMy memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue:  Birth, Burnout and a Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers. 

If you're a parent, you need some childfree friends in your life, believe me. In  this episode, I explore the radical decision NOT to have children with crazy plant lady and my favourite sprogless friend, Julie Boddy  @just_julesb Follow me on Instagram @amity.reed or on Facebook at Amity Reed Writer Follow the show @eat_theapplepod My memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue: Birth,  Burnout and a  Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers. 

The topic today is assisted reproduction,  specifically egg donation and surrogacy. In this  episode, I talk about my experience of being a  3-time egg donor while my  guest, 2-time surrogate Teresa, shares with us her own journey and her knowledge around the  law on surrogacy in the UK. We discuss not only what it was like for us both to help people to become  parents in  such a  personal way, but also the ethical and political considerations that come into play. Follow me on Instagram @amity.reed or on Facebook at Amity Reed WriterFollow the show @eat_theapplepod  My memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue: Birth,  Burnout and a  Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers. 

In this episode, I talk about my own experience of abortion,  why we need  to remain vigilant to threats to our rights,  and the  importance of sharing our stories to help break the  stigma. Recurring guest Julie Boddy  joins me for a discussion on how  our own views  on this topic have changed over the years, why abortion is a key component of the fight for bodily autonomy,  and why we're both passionate about being not just pro-choice but pro-abortion.The  personal essay featured in this episode is available on my blog, An Altered Life Follow me on Instagram @amity.reedFollow the show @eat_theapplepodMy memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue:  Birth, Burnout and a Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers. 

A bit about  me, the show and what you can expect from this feminist-themed  anthology series. Follow me on Instagram @amity.reed Follow the show @eat_theapplepod My memoir about life as a midwife in the NHS, Overdue: Birth,  Burnout and a  Blueprint For a Better NHS is available from most online book retailers.