Risk vs Pleasure Series

Ep 165 Description:

"If you are focused on the risk, or you're worried or you're anxious about what's going to go wrong, that is taking up too much of your brain. We need to deal with it and put it into perspective so that we can clear the path to joy and pleasure." —Dr. Sara Wickham

Pregnancy is supposed to be a time of wonder, but too often the first word that comes up is "risk". Suddenly, every choice feels like a warning sign, and joy gets pushed into the background. No one talks about how heavy that constant fear can feel—or how much it steals from the confidence and pleasure that should be part of the journey.

After decades as a midwife, researcher, and lecturer, Dr. Sara Wickham saw how the medical model's focus on risk overshadowed women's voices and experiences. Now, through her books and the Birth Information Project, she's breaking down the numbers and challenging the myths, showing women that evidence doesn't have to be scary—it can be liberating.

In this conversation, Debra and Sara unpack how risk talk shapes pregnancy, why many "warnings" don't match the actual evidence, and how women can reclaim joy, confidence, and even pleasure in birth—including insights from her new book Plus Size Pregnancy. Expect tools, clarity, and a refreshing reminder that pregnancy isn't just about minimizing danger—it's about living the experience fully.

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471

Episode Highlights:

03:13 The Cultural Obsession with Risk

06:31 The Impact of Risk on Women's Experiences

09:14 Understanding Evidence Around Risk

16:38 Induction of Labor and Its Implications

27:18 Plus Size Pregnancy and Evidence Discrepancies

36:15 The Importance of Reframing Risk

Resources:

💗 Fin Pleasure VIBE, a wearable finger vibrator that can be used in pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum for pleasure, oxytocin enhancement, pain reduction, and healing: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/fin-pleasurevibe/

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Partner with us to share your offerings with our audience that cherishes authenticity, connection, and family well-being. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.orgasmicbirth.com or email me at: debra@orgasmicbirth.com

💗 Gift

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to learn more about pleasure in birth, parenting, and birth work, visit www.orgasmicbirth.com/more for my free gifts

Ep 164 Description:

"The birthing process and the birthing journey is inherently a spiritual experience, and once we have divorced that spiritual aspect from child birthing, that's when we run into a lot of issues." —Zina Grace

Sometimes, the weight of old wounds and silence around sexuality can make it seem impossible to reclaim our sense of power and connection. There's a different way forward—one that honors our story and opens the door to healing.

Zina Grace's path weaves through deep personal loss, religious trauma, and a relentless search for meaning, leading her to help others transform pain into spiritual and erotic renewal, especially for Black women navigating birth and healing. Zina brings a bold, compassionate perspective on reclaiming pleasure and intuition as essential tools for empowerment.

Join in as Debra and Zina get real on breaking cycles of trauma, finding spiritual rebirth, and bringing pleasure back into birth and life—plus Zina's practical tips, stories, and the truth about black maternal health, intuition, and creating safe, loving spaces.

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471

Episode Highlights:

02:58 Birthing Forward

06:08 The Connection Between Sexuality and Spirituality in Birth

09:17 Tips for Healing

12:46 The Importance of Reclaiming Sacred Power in Birth

20:09 Orgasmic Birth in the Black Birthing World

28:05 Healing Trauma Through Pleasure

Resources:

💗Ready to transform how birth is supported and experienced?

Join Debra Pascali-Bonaro's free masterclass on pleasure-centered, empowering birth, and discover practical tools, scientific insights, and evidence-based techniques that make a difference for birthworkers everywhere—enroll today to lead the change and elevate your practice.

Join for free: https://orgasmicbirth.thinkific.com/courses/essentials-tools-to-enhance-pleasure-centered-birth

💗If you are already a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker and in need of continuing education units, join Debra's Orgasmic Birth Practitioner Training. Birthworkers gather from around the world to learn together and create an Orgasmic Community. Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training