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Rachel Somerstein

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Fresh Start Family Show
Fresh Start Family ShowEp. 297: C-Section Births and the Trauma No One Talks About with Rachel SomersteinWhen one in three births in the U.S. is a C-section, why aren’t we talking more openly about what those experiences feel like? In this heartfelt conversation, journalist and author Rachel Somerstein joins Wendy to discuss the hidden trauma many parents carry after surgical birth — and how awareness, preparation, and compassion can change everything.  Together they explore: • What a “gentle C-section” really means • How language like “failure to progress” fuels shame • Ways to prepare emotionally and physically for surgical birth • Tools for heali...
2025-11-0559 minDr. Chapa\'s OBGYN No Spin Podcast
Dr. Chapa's OBGYN No Spin PodcastSurprising C-Section DataDid you know that C-Section birth is referenced in Shakespeare’s Macbeth? Cesarean Section is the most common laparotomy in the world, and yest we are still learning surprising facts about it. This episode we will summarize 2publications which have recently been released. One is from the American Journal of Perinatology (September 2025 ) and the other is from the AJOG (August 2025 ). Does a primary C-section on a laboring uterus have a different risk of PAS in the subsequent pregnancy compared to a non-labored uterus? And what is the percentage of patients who experience “pain” at time of C-section? Listen in for th...
2025-09-2822 minDr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls
Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical PearlsSurprising C-Section DataDid you know that C-Section birth is referenced in Shakespeare’s Macbeth? Cesarean Section is the most common laparotomy in the world, and yest we are still learning surprising facts about it. This episode we will summarize 2publications which have recently been released. One is from the American Journal of Perinatology (September 2025 ) and the other is from the AJOG (August 2025 ). Does a primary C-section on a laboring uterus have a different risk of PAS in the subsequent pregnancy compared to a non-labored uterus? And what is the percentage of patients who experience “pain” at time of C-section? Listen in for th...
2025-09-2822 minThe C-Section Experience: Empowering C-Section Education and Support
The C-Section Experience: Empowering C-Section Education and SupportFrom Birth Trauma to VBAC: Rachel Somerstein's Healing Journey [39]Download our FREE C-Section guide here:   CSX Guide   Rachel Somerstein is an associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz. She has written for the Washington Post, Guernica, and Wired, among many other publications. Invisible Labor is her first book. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her family.     Jen and Bethany continue their conversation with Rachel Somerstein, author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. Rachel opens up about her emotional journey toward having another baby after a traumatic unplanned c-section. She shares how therapy, community support, and a trusting relationship with a midwife helped her overco...
2025-06-0326 minThe C-Section Experience: Empowering C-Section Education and Support
The C-Section Experience: Empowering C-Section Education and SupportUnplanned and Unheard: Rachel Somerstein's Story of C-Section Pain and Medical Dismissal [38]Download our FREE C-Section guide here:   CSX Guide     Rachel Somerstein is an associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz. She has written for the Washington Post, Guernica, and Wired, among many other publications. Invisible Labor is her first book. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her family.       Rachel Somerstein rachelsomerstein.com Invisible Labor harpercollins.com     Journalist and author Rachel Somerstein joins Jen and Bethany to share her first-hand account of birth trauma during her unplanned cesarean section. Rachel's story begins with a delayed epidural request during a painful labor, where she felt dismissed, unsupporte...
2025-05-271h 04Securely Attached
Securely AttachedC-Sections, birth trauma and the fight for better maternal care with Rachel SomersteinWhat if the way we talk about birth is shaping the way we experience it—before it even begins? Joining me to unpack this is journalist, professor, and author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section, Rachel Somerstein. Together we explore: The hidden biases and ingrained language that shape how we view birth—why terms like "failure to progress" reinforce harmful narratives. Why flexibility is a powerful tool in birth and parenting—and why we so often slip into rigidity when we feel anxious or out of con...
2025-05-131h 02Maternal Wealth Podcast - Own Your Birth
Maternal Wealth Podcast - Own Your BirthBook Review : Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean SectionWhat if the invisible labor of childbirth was hiding more than you've ever imagined? On the Maternal Wealth Podcast, we uncover the hidden realities of cesarean sections in a conversation inspired by "Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section" by Rachel Somerstein. My sister Rachel joins me to share her deeply personal journey through an unplanned C-section, aligning closely with Rachel Somerstein's exploration of birth trauma and the often underestimated challenges involved. Through our heartfelt dialogue, we lift the veil on the physical and emotional complexities that many mothers endure, advocating for a deeper understanding of maternal...
2024-12-3040 minNo One Told Us
No One Told UsEpisode 66: Invisible Labor: C-Sections and Birth Trauma with Rachel SomersteinBirth trauma is something we may not even realize we experience in the moments during and after birth, and can really cause lasting effects on both the birthing person and their partner. That's why this week, Rachael has a great discussion with Rachel Somerstein, author and associate professor, all about cesarean sections, birth trauma, finding the right care during birth, and postpartum support. Inside this episode: Rachel shares her personal experience of having an unplanned C-section and the lack of support and communication she received during the process.  The misconception around emergency C-sections an...
2024-11-2138 minPostpartum Production
Postpartum ProductionInvisible Labor: Rachel Somerstein on the Hidden Systems Shaping Childbirth in AmericaIn this episode, we sit down with Rachel Somerstein, associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz and author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Caesarean Section. Rachel brings a unique, deeply informed view on how the personal experiences of childbirth intersect with larger systemic issues that shape birthing practices in this country. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Boston Globe, The Guardian, The Rumpus, and Wired, and she’s been featured on Fresh Air. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, where we recorded this conversation.Rachel’s perspective on the cr...
2024-11-1349 minThe Happy Mama Movement with Amy Taylor-Kabbaz
The Happy Mama Movement with Amy Taylor-Kabbaz#288 | THE CESAREAN EPIDEMIC AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR US | WITH RACHAEL SOMERSTEINWelcome back, Mamas, to this week's episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!Today, we're joined by Rachel Somerstein, a powerhouse in maternal health journalism and the author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. Combining personal stories, investigative research, and historical insights, Rachel’s work seeks to drive essential conversations around c-sections and maternal health.We in-depth on:The ups and downs: in her motherhood journeyThe Unseen Side of C-Sections: Rachel shares the profound and often overlooked realities surrounding cesarean sections, which are the most fr...
2024-11-0640 minThe VBAC Link
The VBAC LinkEpisode 345 Rachel's VBAC After the Unexpected + Back Labor + Strategies for Improving Your VBAC Chances After a Complicated BirthRachel is a professor, an author, and a VBAC mom who is here to share her story from a traumatic C-section birth through a VBAC. This episode really dives deep into how picking the right provider is key to improving your chances for a VBAC. They give practical questions to ask your providers, more than just yes or no, to really get to know their birth philosophy and what qualifications and experiences your provider might have that would make them a better fit for VBAC chances. Rachel and Meagan also give a lot of v...
2024-10-211h 29Bookbound
BookboundWhat’s Better Than a Big Platform? A Great Idea! With Rachel SomersteinWhat happens when a professor discovers that her real strength lies in her journalism skills and academic experience?For Rachel Somerstein, it’s a critically acclaimed book. Rachel is an associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz and author of "Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section." We sat down with her to talk all about her author journey.From platform building to time management challenges as a busy professor and parent and the dedication required to see a book through to completion, Rachel shares her struggles and tips fo...
2024-10-0837 minCulture Study Podcast
Culture Study PodcastThe Feminine Draw of Contemporary ConspiracyWhat’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and gossip? When does joking around about Kate Middleton’s abduction turn into something much darker? Are women actually more susceptible to contemporary conspiracy theories — or are we just finally paying attention to it? Cristen Conger, host of the new podcast Conspiracy, She Wrote joins me to talk about Taylor Swift’s evil twin, Beyoncé’s illuminati connections, Katie Holmes getting impregnated by Scientology aliens, sex trafficking panics, and how to talk to someone when they start directing a conspiracy theory your way. We go deep down the wormhole in this one, friends...
2024-10-021h 07Birth With Power
Birth With PowerEp 271: The Pain of a C-Section Without Anesthesia with Author Rachel SomersteinIn this episode I’m chatting with Rachel Somerstein about her traumatic experience having a C-section without adequate anesthesia. Already a professional journalist, this experience led Rachel to write her first book, Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. In Invisible Labor Rachel weaves her personal narrative and investigative journalism with medical, social, and cultural history to reveal the surprising evolution of the cesarean section: from its days being practiced on enslaved and “unfit” women, to the ways modern technology promotes its overuse. It’s very common not to prepare for the possibility of a cesarean...
2024-09-0355 minThe Latched Mama Podcast
The Latched Mama PodcastEpisode 148: C-Sections and the Evolution of Childbirth with Rachel SomersteinTRIGGER WARNING: Traumatic birth story, c-sections, health anxiety. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Rachel Somerstein, author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section, associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz, and writer for The Washington Post, Wired, and many other publications. Rachel shares the birth story of her first child, which she delivered via c-section without any anesthesia, her motivation for writing this book, and what she has learned about c-sections in the aftermath of her traumatic experience.
2024-07-2539 minThe Night Light with Joshua Johnson
The Night Light with Joshua JohnsonThe Trouble with C-Sections: Rachel Somerstein on "Invisible Labor"Imagine a C-section without proper anesthesia. Rachel Somerstein found herself so traumatized by that experience that she couldn’t bear to hold her newborn baby. Her new book “Invisible Labor” explores the history and legacy of the world’s most common surgery: one that critics say is performed far too often with far too little care for the mother. If reproductive rights and abortion access are key issues for you, then this should also be on that list. When I read this book I was furious by Page 3. By the end I was shocked, saddened… but still hopeful. My conversati...
2024-06-201h 16Unlock An Heart-Pounding Full Audiobook And Elevate Your Mindset.
Unlock An Heart-Pounding Full Audiobook And Elevate Your Mindset.Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section by Rachel SomersteinPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/703239to listen full audiobooks. Title: Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section Author: Rachel Somerstein Narrator: Xe Sands Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hours 34 minutes Release date: June 4, 2024 Genres: Social Science Publisher's Summary: An incisive yet personal look at the science and history of the most common surgery performed in America—the cesarean section—and an exposé on the disturbing state of maternal medical care When Rachel Somerstein had an unplanned C-section with her first child, the experience was anything but “routine.” A series of errors by her clinicians led to a real-life nightmare...
2024-06-0410h 34Absorb The Binge-Worthy Full Audiobook Experience!
Absorb The Binge-Worthy Full Audiobook Experience!Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section by Rachel SomersteinPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/703239to listen full audiobooks. Title: Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section Author: Rachel Somerstein Narrator: Xe Sands Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hours 34 minutes Release date: June 4, 2024 Genres: Medicine & Naturopathy Publisher's Summary: An incisive yet personal look at the science and history of the most common surgery performed in America—the cesarean section—and an exposé on the disturbing state of maternal medical care When Rachel Somerstein had an unplanned C-section with her first child, the experience was anything but “routine.” A series of errors by her clinicians led to a real-life nightmare...
2024-06-0410h 34Explore Your Day With A Soul-Stirring Full Audiobook.
Explore Your Day With A Soul-Stirring Full Audiobook.Invisible Labor by Rachel SomersteinPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/23900to listen full audiobooks. Title: Invisible Labor Author: Rachel Somerstein Narrator: Xe Sands Format: mp3 Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins Release date: 06-04-24 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 11 ratings Genres: Medicine & Health Care Industry Publisher's Summary: When Rachel Somerstein had an unplanned C-section with her first child, the experience was anything but the “routine” operation her doctor described. A series of errors by her clinicians led to a real-life nightmare: surgery without anesthesia. The ensuing mental and physical complications left her traumatized and desperate for answers about how things could have gone so wrong. In the...
2024-06-0410h 34Enjoy Amazing Full Audiobooks in Non-Fiction, Social Science
Enjoy Amazing Full Audiobooks in Non-Fiction, Social ScienceInvisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section by Rachel SomersteinPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/703239to listen full audiobooks. Title: Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section Author: Rachel Somerstein Narrator: Xe Sands Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hours 34 minutes Release date: June 4, 2024 Genres: Social Science Publisher's Summary: An incisive yet personal look at the science and history of the most common surgery performed in America—the cesarean section—and an exposé on the disturbing state of maternal medical care When Rachel Somerstein had an unplanned C-section with her first child, the experience was anything but “routine.” A series of errors by her clinicians led to a real-life nightmare...
2024-06-0410h 34Discover The Full Audiobook That Keeps Busy Professionals Hooked.
Discover The Full Audiobook That Keeps Busy Professionals Hooked.Invisible Labor by Rachel SomersteinPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/23900to listen full audiobooks. Title: Invisible Labor Author: Rachel Somerstein Narrator: Xe Sands Format: mp3 Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins Release date: 06-04-24 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 11 ratings Genres: Medicine & Health Care Industry Publisher's Summary: When Rachel Somerstein had an unplanned C-section with her first child, the experience was anything but the “routine” operation her doctor described. A series of errors by her clinicians led to a real-life nightmare: surgery without anesthesia. The ensuing mental and physical complications left her traumatized and desperate for answers about how things could have gone so wrong. In the...
2024-06-0410h 34Listen to Trending Full Audiobooks in Health & Wellness, Medicine & Naturopathy
Listen to Trending Full Audiobooks in Health & Wellness, Medicine & NaturopathyInvisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section by Rachel SomersteinPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/703239to listen full audiobooks. Title: Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section Author: Rachel Somerstein Narrator: Xe Sands Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hours 34 minutes Release date: June 4, 2024 Genres: Medicine & Naturopathy Publisher's Summary: An incisive yet personal look at the science and history of the most common surgery performed in America—the cesarean section—and an exposé on the disturbing state of maternal medical care When Rachel Somerstein had an unplanned C-section with her first child, the experience was anything but “routine.” A series of errors by her clinicians led to a real-life nightmare...
2024-06-0410h 34