I am often called an expert in childbirth. Of course, this isn’t true because I’ll never give birth. I must learn about childbirth from my clients. I have this advantage because mothers and fathers have language, and they are usually happy to tell me their stories.
But this isn’t the case for newborns…They can’t speak, and they aren’t yet familiar with the new world in which they have emerged. They don’t have context, but they subconsciously are seeking safety.
Newborns are the purview of pediatricians. And when newborns struggle to transition out of the amniotic universe, specialist pediatricians called "neonatologists” swoop in to save the day.
Similar to the fallacy of a male OBGYN being considered an “expert” in childbirth, neonatologists might grapple identifying as “experts” in neonates…because they aren’t neonates themselves, and it’s unlikely that they remember their infancy. As with an OBGYN who can’t give birth, neonatologists must rely on communication with the mothers and fathers of newborns to care for their tiny patients. And these mothers and fathers are often coping with the scariest moments in their lives…
In this interview, you’ll meet a man who was up to this formidable task, Jonathan Cohen, MD, a father of nine and an experienced neonatologist. Jonathan also happens to be married to my friend and colleague, Rebecca Cohen, MD, a family physician attending home births in Louisville, KY.
This conversation was conducted as a live group call for our Born Free Method community, meaning you’ll also enjoy some live Q&A from our thriving community!
Variability of NICU Experiences: Dr. Cohen emphasizes that every NICU case is unique, and shares his insights based on over 25 years of experience in neonatology.
Advancements in Neonatal Care: We cover how survival rates for extremely premature babies have improved significantly, with shifts in practices like delayed cord clamping and increased use of skin-to-skin care.
Technology vs. Human Connection: Dr. Cohen highlights the importance of balancing high-tech medical interventions with compassionate, family-centered care.
Family Involvement in the NICU: Emphasis was placed on the evolving role of families in the NICU, including open visitation policies and collaborative care.
Premature Birth Trends: Dr. Cohen notes that a growing number of preterm births are medically induced due to increased surveillance, with COVID-19 showing a temporary decline in preterm rates possibly linked to reduced intervention.
Fetal Monitoring and Intervention: The conversation examines how fetal heart rate monitoring can lead to unnecessary interventions in low-risk pregnancies if used indiscriminately.
Vaccination Ethics and Autonomy: Dr. Cohen discusses the safety of infant vaccines, population-level benefits, and the importance of informed parental decision-making.
Delayed Cord Clamping Benefits: Dr. Cohen explains the physiological advantages of delayed cord clamping and clarifies when immediate intervention might still be necessary.
The Born Free Method community members enjoy private audiences with guests like Dr. Cohen on recorded group calls that take place every other week in addition to 60+ hours of pre-recorded content covering pre-conception through postpartum. They also get access to all past group call recordings, they have access to a private community/forum, AND they get direct access to me and Sara Rosser, CPM…for life! If you’re interested in enrolling in the mack-daddy comprehensive digital playground, head to BornFreeMethod.com. We also offer a monthly membership opportunity to participate in only the group calls as well as a fertility deep dive, which includes a sampling from the larger Born Free Method program.
Notes for this episode are found on Substack
Work with Nathan:
Support for Midwives | Private Consultation | Born Free Method | Clear & Free | Twins-Breech
Medical Disclaimer: Born Free Method: The Podcast is an educational program. No information conveyed through this podcast should be construed as medical advice. These conversations are available to the public for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Music provided by RealMovieScores / Pond5
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