Do we really need 15 people, an IV, and a timer to welcome a baby—or have we drifted from what the body was built to do?

Dr. Kevin Wall sits down with veteran midwife, educator, and author Elizabeth Davis (40+ years in birth work) to unpack when home birth is safer, how midwives screen risk, and why birth hormones (oxytocin, beta-endorphins, noradrenaline) matter for bonding, breastfeeding, and postpartum mental health. They compare intervention-heavy hospital norms (inductions, Pitocin, epidurals, C-sections) with midwifery care that screens out high-risk moms, monitors vitals continuously, transports when needed, and stays with families after the birth. You’ll hear practical “do this next” steps for pregnancy and the first 10–12 days postpartum.

What They Cover:

• Why 70% of pregnancies may be lower-risk—and what that means for place of birth
• How midwives screen out risk (history, labs, vitals, ongoing assessments)
• Birth hormones 101: how interventions can short-circuit bonding & bleeding control
• Induction & Pitocin: when it’s used vs. when “watchful patience” wins
• C-section rates: why the default matters for lifelong mom & baby health
• Safety net: when and how midwives do transport—and the emergency skills they carry
• Postpartum reality: daily home visits, breastfeeding support, and preventing crash-and-burn

Guest Bio:

Renowned expert Elizabeth Davis has been a midwife, holistic health care specialist, educator, and political consultant for over 40 years. She is internationally active in promoting physiologic birth and is widely sought after for her expertise in midwifery education and organizational development. She holds a degree in Holistic Maternity Care, is a certified professional midwife (CPM) in good standing, and is co-founder of the MEAC-accredited National Midwifery Institute, Inc.

Her journey began in the late 1970’s, when direct-entry midwifery was illegal in most the United States. Having personally experienced the contrast between a violent, abusive hospital birth and an ecstatic, glorious home birth, she felt called to do something to help create the organizational and political infrastructure to make birth at home widely available in the US.

To this end, she was a founding member of:

The Midwives Alliance of North America (open to midwives of all educational backgrounds), whom she served as Pacific Regional Representative and Education Committee Chair for five years. The North American Registry of Midwives NARM (administers the direct-entry credential of Certified Professional Midwife), for whom she called the initial meeting to develop the certification process, gathering midwife representatives from 40 states. The Midwifery Education Accreditation Council MEAC (accrediting body for direct-entry midwifery programs), whom she served as President for one term and for four years on the Board of Directors.

Resources:

Website: https://elizabethdavis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.davis.98622/

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Disclaimer: The content provided in this health podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk. The creators and hosts of this podcast are not responsible for any actions or decisions you may take based on the information presented.