Produced by Maed in India
BECOMING a mother is often portrayed as a magical experience where you instantly form a bond with your child. But author and journalist Meghna Pant, a guest on the motherhood episode of a new women鈥檚 sexual health podcast, explains that it took her a month to fall in love with her child. 鈥淚nitially, it鈥檚 like an alien creature,鈥� she says.
Breastfeeding, too, doesn鈥檛 always come naturally. It can also be painful due to cracked nipples and inflamed or infected breast tissue, for example. 鈥淣obody tells you what happens when your milk comes in,鈥� says Kiran Manral, another author and guest on the show. 鈥淪uddenly you have stones on your chest, like boulders.鈥�
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Even in 2019, people still feel shame when talking about certain aspects of women鈥檚 reproductive health. But host Munjaal Kapadia, a gynaecologist at Namaha 午夜福利1000集合care in Mumbai, India, is aiming to change that in a podcast called She Says She鈥檚 Fine.
With 10 episodes so far, the show has tackled topics ranging from abusive relationships, using IVF, being gay and experiencing miscarriage. Guests share their experiences and struggles in an informal and conversational style, and myths are busted.
Although the show addresses issues in the context of India, it is relevant globally. Miscarriage, for example, is common around the world, but speaking about it remains taboo. The process is typically beyond a woman鈥檚 control because it is often the result of chromosomal abnormalities. An episode on the topic highlights the feelings of guilt often experienced by women, who wonder whether stress, for example, could be the cause.
The podcast brings men into the conversation, too. A couple talk about their experience with IVF, providing insight into details of the process, emotions they each went through and ways of dealing with an unsuccessful outcome. The role of male partners is explored, in particular what their involvement should be given that a woman bears most of the physical brunt of the procedure. The message is that men need support as well.
鈥淔rom pregnancy tests becoming available in many countries to IVF and egg freezing, this is radical change鈥�
Kapadia also breaks down barriers between doctors and patients. Women may feel uncomfortable seeing male gynaecologists or may avoid going to the doctor for sexual health issues as they fear embarrassment or being judged. But Kapadia鈥檚 relaxed manner and empathy puts listeners at ease. And he doesn鈥檛 hold back from sharing personal experiences, with him and his wife talking about their miscarriage, for example. A poignant moment exposes the complexity of experiencing a miscarriage as both a doctor and as a man.
The power technology is giving women over their sexual and reproductive health is another strand explored by the podcast. From pregnancy tests becoming available in shops in most countries to IVF and egg freezing allowing women to have children later in life, this is radical change. Googling symptoms and health problems online also means people are more informed when they visit doctors.
The downside is the difficulty in separating facts from fiction. Future seasons of the show will deal with controversial topics such as abortion and the science of female orgasms. Kapadia also wants to dive deeper into the topics he has already covered. The episode on periods, for example, triggered many questions from listeners about polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that is common yet misunderstood.
Being better informed about women鈥檚 reproduction should help overcome the feeling of being alone with a problem 鈥� a common theme that emerged from many of the show鈥檚 discussions. 鈥淲e do a grave injustice to society by not talking,鈥� says Kapadia. 鈥淭he more women tell their stories, the more sensitive people will become.鈥�
