
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’s sexual health podcast, explains that it took her a month to fall in love with her child. “Initially, it’s like an alien creature,” she says.
Breastfeeding, too, doesn’t always come naturally. It can also be painful due to cracked nipples and inflamed or infected breast tissue, for example. “Nobody tells you what happens when your milk comes in,” says Kiran Manral, another author and guest on the show. “Suddenly you have stones on your chest, like boulders.”
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Even in 2019, people still feel shame when talking about certain aspects of women’s reproductive health. But host Munjaal Kapadia, a gynaecologist at Namaha 91ɫƬcare in Mumbai, India, is aiming to change that in a podcast called She Says She’s 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’s 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.
“From pregnancy tests becoming available in many countries to IVF and egg freezing, this is radical change”
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’s relaxed manner and empathy puts listeners at ease. And he doesn’t 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’s reproduction should help overcome the feeling of being alone with a problem – a common theme that emerged from many of the show’s discussions. “We do a grave injustice to society by not talking,” says Kapadia. “The more women tell their stories, the more sensitive people will become.”