Episodes

For years on True Birth and in their OB/GYN practice, Dr. Abdelhak & Kristin Mallon have made an unpopular argument: when a baby is measuring big, the safest move is usually to induce, not to wait. The conventional literature did not back them up, and plenty of academics pushed back with the same line every time, that induction does not lower the risk of a cesarean or a shoulder dystocia. In this episode they walk through two pieces of high level evidence that land squarely on their side, and th...

In this episdoe, we respond to a viral opinion piece by CCRM's Dr. Brian Levine, who argues that OBGYNs are fueling the IVF boom by failing to counsel women on their fertility at annual visits , and that it's costing women their chance at motherhood. In this episode: What Dr. Levine got right — and where his argument falls apart Why the 7-minute annual visit was never designed to cover fertility, mental health, cancer screening, genetics, and everything else specialists wish it did The "Renaissa...

In this episode of The True Birth Podcast, we examine the history of proprietary medicine in obstetrics and how guarded knowledge shaped the evolution of childbirth. Before obstetrics became a formal medical specialty, barber-surgeons practiced a blend of grooming and surgical care, operating in a space between trade and medicine. We discuss the Chamberlen family and their forceps, which were kept secret for generations and brought into birth rooms concealed in ornate boxes to protect their desi...

Pregnancy is one of the only times in life where we’re asked to think in weeks instead of months, and for many people, it’s confusing, frustrating, and sometimes anxiety-provoking. In this episode, we break down how pregnancy is actually counted , why clinicians use weeks and days instead of months, and how to make sense of phrases like “halfway there,” “almost seven months,” or “full term.” We also explain where these conventions came from, what they’re used for medically, and how patients can ...

In this episode of True Birth , we explore late preterm birth which are deliveries that occur between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, and why this window matters more than it is often given credit for. Late preterm babies are frequently described as “almost term,” yet that framing can obscure the very real physiologic differences that exist in these final weeks of gestation. We begin by defining what late preterm birth actually means and why it occupies a unique clinical and emotional space. Babie...

In this episode of True Birth , we take a closer look at pelvic rest in pregnancy, what it actually means, when it is medically indicated, and when it may be unnecessarily prescribed. Pelvic rest is one of the most commonly given recommendations in pregnancy, yet it is often poorly explained and widely misunderstood. This conversation is about bringing clarity, nuance, and context to a topic that can feel confusing and anxiety-provoking for many families. We begin by unpacking what providers typ...

In this episode of True Birth , we share more birth stories. As always, stories are honest, nuanced, and deeply human. Some are empowering, some are complicated, some are unexpected, and all of them are real. Birth is often spoken about in extremes. Perfect or traumatic. Natural or medical. Success or failure. But lived experience is far more layered than that. These stories remind us that birth unfolds within bodies, families, systems, and moments we can’t always predict and that meaning is oft...

In this episode of True Birth, we explore the powerful and often underestimated role partners play in childbirth. Birth is not something that happens only to the person giving birth. It is a shared experience, and the presence, preparation, and emotional steadiness of a partner can profoundly shape how labor unfolds. This conversation is about moving beyond the idea of the partner as a passive observer and into a role that is grounded, supportive, and intentionally engaged. We talk about what pa...

When pregnancy takes an unexpected turn, it can feel disorienting and deeply personal. In this episode, we talk about the curve balls no one plans for: pregnancy loss, placenta previa, emergency cesarean birth, and how to move through them with clarity, compassion, and support. This is a conversation about honoring grief without losing hope, finding steadiness in uncertainty, and reclaiming a sense of agency even when plans change. If your pregnancy story didn’t follow the script you imagined, t...