Most women in America face an overwhelming barrage of decisions, from pregnancy choices to postpartum care, that are rooted solely in the fact that — you guessed it — she’s a woman.

In this candid deep dive, Maggie Gehlsen-Burnett and Mallory Hagan cut through the propaganda and societal pressure to reveal the harsh truth: these decisions are often rooted in systemic inequality designed to exhaust and guilt women into submission.

You’ll discover how American healthcare system priorities, misinformation, and cultural norms create a mental load so heavy that many new mothers feel like they’re fighting a losing battle just to care for their own bodies and babies.

We break down the bizarre disparity in birth interventions across countries, why pregnancy is flooded with targeted ads, and how social media influencers are weaponized in the postpartum decision-making maze. Plus, a sobering look at the trillion-dollar industry of maternal healthcare, vaccine misinformation, and the motherhood penalty that keeps women financially and emotionally trapped.

This episode also explores the unspoken pressure to perform perfection, like choosing sleep training or co-sleeping, based on morality rather than evidence, all while systemic failures leave women with little support, especially moms of color and working-class women.

If you’ve ever wondered why motherhood feels like an impossible maze, or you’re tired of feeling guilty for simply doing what’s best for your family, this conversation is your wake-up call. It’s time to ask: who truly benefits from the relentless hustle of American motherhood?

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