Beyond Hysterical

The "mansplaining" of maternity care: How male doctors took over childbirth

Modern maternity care has been shaped by male perspectives ... and this "mansplaining" of childbirth has sidelined women's psychological safety. One result? Higher rates of birth trauma. In this special bonus episode, Grace hears from two midwives, Prof Cath Chamberlain and "Melanie the Midwife" (The Great Birth Rebellion [https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion]), about how childbirth was taken from women’s hands and reshaped through male-dominated medicine, including through colonisation. We learn how maternity care could better respect women’s choices and reclaim birth as a woman-led experience, including through Birthing on Country Initiatives. The idea: To preserve the gains of medical science, while centring women's agency and wellbeing. (This shouldn't be a zero-sum game!) Plus: Dr Melanie Jackson shares some practical tips on self-advocacy for women facing childbirth, and we examine some of the key takeaways from the recent NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma. CONTENT WARNING: This episode mentions birth trauma and systemic racism. Guests in this episode: * Dr Melanie Jackson (aka "Melanie the Midwife") hosts the popular podcast The Great Birth Rebellion [https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion] and has a PhD in Midwifery. * Prof Cath Chamberlain is a Professor of Indigenous Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. Descended from the Trawlwoolway people of Tasmania, Prof Chamberlain is a registered midwife and member of the National Women's Health Advisory Council. Resources for this episode: * "Birth Trauma" (Report No. 1) [https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/inquiries/2965/FINAL%20Birth%20Trauma%20Report%20-%2029%20April%202024.pdf], NSW Parliament - Legislative Council, Select Committee on Birth Trauma, May 2024. * "Your Birth, Your Voice, [https://birthtrauma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Your_Birth_Your_Voice_Annual_Survey_2024.pdf]" Birth Trauma Australia, 2024. * "Dehumanised, Violated, and Powerless: An Australian Survey of Women's Experiences of Obstetric Violence in the Past 5 Years," [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7617911/#:~:text=King%20and%20Pinger%20believe%20the,(dystocia)%20which%20requires%20intervention.]  Hazel Keedle et al, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. * "Study finds one-in-ten Australian women have experienced obstetric violence," [https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/newscentre/news_centre/story_archive/2022/study_finds_one-in-ten_australian_women_have_experienced_obstetric_violence] Western Sydney University, 6 December 2022 * " [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQGMq_1ZslU]We’ve been giving birth ALL WRONG," [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQGMq_1ZslU] The Dark History of Childbirth (YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQGMq_1ZslU], Bailey Sarian) * Birthing on Country: Closing the Gap for Indigenous Health, Charles Darwin University, Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights. * "The Miracle of Birth", Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Universal Pictures, 1983. * Matthew Broussard, "Guy-naecology" (Facebook) [https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=769665365109878] * Dr. Harini Bhat @tilscience [https://www.tiktok.com/@tilscience/video/7519154662071618830] (TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@tilscience/video/7519154662071618830]) * Friedman's curve explainer, Melanie the Midwife (Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=620507558583612&id=114120465888993&set=a.169191510381888]) * "Birth trauma is a 'silent pain' suffered by one in three women, [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-10/birth-trauma-suffered-by-one-three-yet-still-considered-taboo/100344660]" Grace Jennings-Edquist, ABC Everyday.

“Trauma and quiet heartbreak”: Managing the mental toll of medical gaslighting and healthcare bias

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked psychological toll of medical misogyny. From the stress of medical gaslighting and misdiagnosis to the compounding effects of invisible illnesses like endometriosis, and the isolating experience of grieving for the life you’d planned—we unpack how being disbelieved can be traumatic. We also dive deep into how trauma-informed therapy, self-care, and finding supportive communities can help manage both the emotional and physical burdens of chronic conditions. Plus, Grace shares a candid personal experience with developing a hospital phobia, and we discuss the social dynamics that shift when you’re chronically ill—how relationships change, how to deal with unsolicited advice, and how to find a tribe that truly understands. CONTENT WARNING: This episode mentions medical trauma, themes of mental ill health and transphobia. Guests: * Seona Ilalio, psychologist at Livology clinic in Melbourne and co-host of But You Look So Good [https://www.butyoulooksogood.com.au/] podcast * Dr Jane Hutchens, a researcher at the INSIGHT Research Institute at the University of Technology Sydney * Kat Theophanous MP, Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing the seat of Northcote * MJ O’Neill, Brisbane-based freelance adviser with lived experience of several chronic health conditions * Jacinta Dietrich, Melbourne-based co-host of the Differently Brained [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/differently-brained/id1660826835] podcast, author and PhD student, living with auDHD and chronic fatigue syndrome * Erin, who has Hashimoto’s disease and tragically lost her unborn son following abnormalities in her pregnancy bloodwork that, she says, weren’t thoroughly investigated Resources for this episode: * “Is self-advocacy universally achievable for patients? The experiences of Australian women with cardiac disease in pregnancy and postpartum [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36821349/],” Dr Jane Hutchens et al, 2023. * “Yes, trans people are still being refused health care in Australia [https://www.transresearch.org.au/post/healthcareaccess],” Dr Sav Zwickl and Tomi Ruggles, February 2025. * "Disruption of gender-affirming health care, and COVID-19 illness, testing, and vaccination among trans Australians during the pandemic: a cross-sectional survey [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52169]", Dr Sav Zwickl, Tomi Ruggles et al, 2023. * “APS calls for more Medicare-subsided sessions in The Medical Republic [https://psychology.org.au/insights/aps-calls-for-more-medicare-subsided-sessions-in-t],” Australian Psychological Society, 2025. * “‘Beyond the Surface: Investigating the Mental Health Realities for Australian Women in 2025’ [https://www.georgeinstitute.org/news-and-media/news/creeping-rates-of-poor-mental-health-show-depressed-anxious-state-is-new-normal-for-half-of]: The Centre for Sex and Gender Equity in Health and Medicine (The George Institute for Global Health) and the Liptember Foundation, 2025.

Chronically ill, chronically broke: Why medical bias doesn’t just hurt — it costs

Inclusive healthcare… in this economy? Living with chronic illness and invisible disability is expensive — especially if you're a woman, trans or gender-diverse. And it’s even harder in the cost-of-living crisis. In this episode, we unpack the hidden costs of being an unwell or disabled woman — from income loss when you’re living with undiagnosed symptoms or chronic illness, to skyrocketing specialist fees. We also ask: why does Medicare still leave so many behind? Plus, we hear from Jacinta Dietrich (co-host of the Differently Brained [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/differently-brained/id1660826835] podcast) and MJ O’Neill about how they juggle high out-of-pocket medical costs with work, life, and the mental load of navigating healthcare admin. If you’ve ever felt “too sick to work, too broke to rest,” this episode’s for you. CONTENT WARNING: This episode mentions ableism, transphobia and suicidal thoughts. Guests in this episode: * Peter Breadon, Health Program Director at Grattan Institute * Kat Theophanous MP, Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing the seat of Northcote * Dr Imaan Joshi, Sydney-based specialist GP focused on women’s health, menopausal health and procedural work involving skin * MJ O’Neill, Brisbane-based freelance adviser with lived experience of several chronic health conditions * Jacinta Dietrich, Melbourne-based co-host of the Differently Brained podcast, author and PhD student, living with auDHD and chronic fatigue syndrome Resources for this episode: * "Women spend more of their money on health care than men. And no, it’s not just about ‘women’s issues’ [https://theconversation.com/women-spend-more-of-their-money-on-health-care-than-men-and-no-its-not-just-about-womens-issues-243797],” Dr Mike Armour et al, 2025. * “Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies [https://www.weforum.org/publications/closing-the-women-s-health-gap-a-1-trillion-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies/],” World Economic Forum, 2024. * “Disability and the labour force [https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/disability-and-labour-force],” Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2020. * Show me where it hurts [https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/show-me-where-it-hurts-living-with-invisible-illness], Kylie Maslen, 2020. * “Gender and employees with disability [https://www.genderequalitycommission.vic.gov.au/intersectionality-work/chapter-3-gender-and-employees-disabilities],” Gender Equality Commission Victoria, 2023. * "Disruption of gender-affirming health care, and COVID-19 illness, testing, and vaccination among trans Australians during the pandemic: a cross-sectional survey [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52169]", Dr Sav Zwickl, Tomi Ruggles et al, 2023. * “Recent estimates of the out-of-pocket expenditure on health care in Australia [https://www.publish.csiro.au/ah/pdf/AH18191],” Farhat Yusuf et al, 2020. * “The cost of illness and economic burden of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain in Australia: A national online survey [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223316]”  Dr Mike Armour et al, 2019. * “Health conditions prevalence [https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/latest-release],” Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023.

It’s not you, it’s the system: how outdated training and rushed appointments fail patients

Self-advocacy can only get you so far if the system is broken. So in this episode, we zoom out from the doctor’s office to examine the deeper problems baked into our healthcare system — from doctor burnout, to cultural insensitivity and the exodus of women doctors. Because medical misogyny isn’t about individuals: it’s the entire healthcare system that needs reform. Plus: KZ Barton shares her long journey through medical gaslighting to finally get her diagnoses for endometriosis, adenomyosis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome — and discusses how bias training for healthcare providers could help others in her position. CONTENT WARNING:  This episode mentions systemic racism and birth trauma. Guests in this episode: * Professor Cath Chamberlain, Professor of Indigenous Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne; registered midwife; member of the National Women's Health Advisory Council * Dr Imman Joshi, Sydney-based specialist GP focused on women’s health, menopausal health and procedural work involving skin * KZ Barton, Melbourne-based author and teacher with lived experience of chronic health conditions * Dr Pav Nanayakkara, a gynaecologist working at Jean Hailes for Women's Health and operating at Epworth Freemasons in Melbourne * Gabrielle Jackson, author of Pain & Prejudice and Deputy Editor, Guardian Australia * Dr Sue Haupt, senior research fellow at the Centre for Sex and Gender Equity in Health and Medicine at the George Institute for Global Health at UNSW Resources for this episode: * Pain & Prejudice [https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Gabrielle-Jackson-Pain-and-Prejudice-9781760878665], Gabrielle Jackson, 2019. * “Representation of Women and Women's Health in Australian Medical School Course Outlines, Curriculum Requirements, and Selected Core Clinical Textbooks [Representation%20of%20Women%20and%20Women],” Lea Merone et al, 2024. * “Uncertainty isn’t a bad word: Understanding its role in healthcare education [https://lens.monash.edu/@medicine-health/2022/03/02/1384495/uncertainty-isnt-a-bad-word-understanding-its-role-in-healthcare-education],” Michelle Lazarus and Georgina Stephens, 2022. * “Yes, Trans People Are Still Being Refused Health Care in Australia [https://www.transresearch.org.au/post/healthcareaccess],” Sav Zwickle and Tomi Ruggles, 2024. * "Disruption of gender-affirming health care, and COVID-19 illness, testing, and vaccination among trans Australians during the pandemic: a cross-sectional survey [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52169]", Dr Sav Zwickl, Tomi Ruggles et al, 2023. * “BlackLivesMatter in Healthcare: Racism and Implications for Health Inequity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8122304/],” Kathomi Gatwiri, 2021. * “Closing the gap review: study report,” [https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/closing-the-gap-review/report] Productivity commission, 2024.

9 tips for advocating for your health needs – and Erin’s heartbreaking story

Grace explores nine practical, expert-backed tips to help women and gender-diverse people advocate for themselves in a medical system that often doesn’t listen. From “fire your doctor” to “understand your patient rights” — these tried-and-tested practical strategies could make all the difference. Plus: Grace hears how Erin, who lives with Hashimoto’s disease, kept advocating for herself in a medical system that didn’t seem to be listening — even after her pregnancy ended in tragedy. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of stillbirth, birth trauma, and medical trauma. Guests: * Dr Pav Nanayakkara, a gynaecologist working at Jean Hailes for Women's Health and operating at Epworth Freemasons in Melbourne * Dr Jane Hutchens, a researcher at the Insight Research Institute at the University of Technology Sydney * Erin, who has Hashimoto’s disease and tragically lost her unborn son following abnormalities in her pregnancy bloodwork that, she says, weren’t thoroughly investigated * Dr Alex Dunn, who saw four GPs before being diagnosed with a cancerous kidney tumour  Resources for this episode: “Women wait for endometriosis diagnosis with multiple symptoms [https://medicine.uq.edu.au/article/2023/11/women-wait-endometriosis-diagnosis-multiple-symptoms],” Dr Dereje Gete  et al, 2023. “Large-scale characterization of gender differences in diagnosis prevalence and time to diagnosis [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10592987/],” Tony Yue Sun, 2023. Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, [https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/partnering-consumers/australian-charter-healthcare-rights] 2008 (updated in 2019). “Is self-advocacy universally achievable for patients? The experiences of Australian women with cardiac disease in pregnancy and postpartum [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36821349/],” Dr Jane Hutchens et al, 2023.