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A new telling of the extraordinary story of where we all begin. Presented by India Rakusen

In this new look at the beginnings of life, we tell the story of a child from fertilisation to first birthday through the lens of society, history and science.

In this new look at the beginnings of life we tell the story of a child from fertilisation to first birthday through the lens of society, history, and science.

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Child: 11. Oxytocin

11. Oxytocin

BBC Radio 4 - Child, 11. Oxytocin

India Rakusen explores the influence that people and place have over labour and birth.

India Rakusen explores the influence that people and place have over labour and birth, and how this has changed over the centuries.

Labour begins. The womb begins its grinding dance into contractions and the hormone Oxytocin steps onto the scene.  In this episode, India Rakusen explores the influence that both people and the places we are in have over labour and birth. 

Where we give birth, and with who, has changed quite dramatically over the centuries. But what do we know now about the significance of both? We hear from Dr Sarah Fox about the move from birth being a women-only space to the rise of man-midwives. Economist Emily Oster discusses the benefits of having a doula, and Leila Baker, one of the directors of Doula UK, talks about the rise in Doulas and what that means for marginalised groups, security and safety. Finally Dr Ranee Thakar considers how recent headlines have eroded trust - with consequences for oxytocin.

Presented by India Rakusen
Producer: Ellie Sans
Series Producer: Ellie Sans
Production Team: Ella McLeod & Georgia Arundell
Executive Producer: Suzy Grant
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Original music composed and performed by ESKA And The Big Moon.
Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed

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