Episode 4: Historical Perspectives on Childbirth and Breastfeeding

The (sometimes) drastic changes to the normalcy of childbirth

Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash

In this episode, Carolyn is joined by Linda J. Smith, who’s a lactation consultant, childbirth educator, author, and internationally-known consultant on breastfeeding and birthing issues. She takes us on a time travel journey, unraveling the model of obstetric care and how it has changed. We’ve gone from home birth surrounded by women to institutional care surrounded by machines and men. Now we’re on our way back home surrounded by an amazing support system.

"Once a woman’s in the middle of labor, you’re kind of busy. So, it’s a hard time to be the advocate because you’re on the wrong side of the stirrups. You’re there trusting the system to do the right thing, which is a terribly vulnerable place because you’ve got to trust the system."

About Our Guest

Linda J. Smith

Linda J. Smith, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA is a lactation consultant, childbirth educator, author, and internationally-known consultant on breastfeeding and birthing issues. Linda is ILCA’s liaison to the World Health Organization’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and consultant to INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America.  As a La Leche League Leader and Lamaze-certified Childbirth Educator, she provided education and clinical support to diverse families over 45 years in 9 cities in the USA and Canada. Linda has worked in a 3-hospital system in Texas, a public health agency in Virginia, and served as Breastfeeding coordinator for the Ohio Department of Health. Linda recently served on the Board of Directors of La Leche League International; was a founder of IBLCE, founder and past board member of ILCA, and is a delegate to the United States Breastfeeding Committee from the American Breastfeeding Institute. Linda holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and is currently an adjunct Instructor at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and an affiliate faculty member of the Union Institute and University. She owns the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre, on the Internet at www.BFLRC.com.