Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong – Episode S23 E5: Tragic and Horrific

Introduction

Something Was Wrong, an award-winning docuseries by Broken Cycle Media and Wondery, delves into the harrowing experiences of survivors navigating trauma and recovery from crime and abuse. In Season 23, Episode 5, titled "Tragic and Horrific," released on March 13, 2025, the podcast explores the devastating impact of medical negligence and systemic racism in maternal healthcare through the poignant story of Markita, a registered nurse from Dallas.

Background: Maternal Health Disparities in the U.S.

The episode opens with a sobering overview of maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States, highlighting significant racial disparities. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women, a gap attributed to inequities in healthcare quality, chronic health conditions, and social determinants limiting access to care. The episode emphasizes that over 80% of these deaths are preventable, underscoring the critical need for systemic reform.

Markita’s Journey to Birth at Origins Birth Center

Markita recounts her decision to pursue a natural birth experience, influenced by her belief in holistic medicine combined with her medical background as an ER nurse. She chose Origins Birth Center in Dallas, driven by alarming statistics about maternal care disparities and a desire for a more personalized birthing experience.

“Most people were like, really? What made you choose that? I definitely got those looks and questions, but I still stuck with it because I do believe that our bodies can do it naturally.”
— Markita, [07:54]

The Onset of Labor and Initial Care

At 20 weeks pregnant, Markita began her journey with Origins. Her early appointments were routine, with monthly check-ups that were smooth and uneventful. As she approached labor, Markita experienced contractions that grew increasingly intense and frequent.

“There weren't really any red flags until I went into labor and went to Origins. I was like, oh man, we're so close.”
— Markita, [13:06]

Critical Missteps During Labor

Markita describes the onset of labor on June 30, marked by the loss of her mucus plug and the commencement of contractions. Despite her concerns and the increasing intensity of labor, the midwife on call, Danielle, advised her to wait until contractions were significantly closer before coming in.

“They wanted you to wait till you were like very, very close in contractions. It was definitely confusing. It was a little nerve-wracking.”
— Markita, [15:02]

As labor progressed into Sunday night, Markita's contractions intensified, leading her to finally present herself at Origins around 8 PM. Upon arrival, she encountered several red flags:

1. Inadequate Staffing and Unlicensed Midwifery Practices: Tiffany Reese notes that although Jennifer Crawford was a certified professional midwife, there were allegations of her practicing as an unlicensed student midwife during Markita's care.

   “Although Jennifer Crawford was allegedly practicing as an unlicensed student midwife while caring for Kristin during her pregnancy... It certainly makes it convenient if you're understaffed.”
   — Tiffany Reese, [12:09]

2. Financial Pressures: Upon arrival, the midwife demanded a substantial cash payment for services, highlighting a lack of transparency and potential financial exploitation.

   “The first thing she asked me for was the $500 that they tell us to bring or how much ever money it was.”
   — Markita, [17:28]

3. Negligent Medical Care: Despite Markita’s stable health and progress during labor, the midwives failed to monitor critical signs, such as the slowing of contractions and the presence of meconium, until it was too late.

   “If you were truly taking care of me and being a midwife, you would have noticed these things.”
   — Markita, [27:27]

Emergency and Tragic Outcome

As labor extended into extended hours without proper intervention, complications escalated. Jennifer Crawford’s delayed response and inadequate assessment culminated in fetal distress, leading to an emergency C-section. Tragically, Markita's son Malik was born without brain activity and passed away shortly after birth.

“Malik is in the NICU... he didn't have oxygen for so long that he didn't have any brain activity.”
— Markita, [34:10]

Aftermath and Seeking Accountability

Following Malik's death, Markita faced the immense challenge of processing her grief while navigating the healthcare system for answers. She discovered discrepancies in her medical records, suggesting possible tampering by Jennifer Crawford. Markita's attempts to seek acknowledgment and accountability from Origins were met with limited response, prompting her to leave detailed reviews to warn other prospective mothers.

“I knew that what had happened wasn't right and it shouldn't have happened and it was preventable. So that is what led me to leave the Google review.”
— Markita, [46:33]

Moving Forward: Healing and Advocacy

Despite the profound loss, Markita emphasizes her journey towards peace and forgiveness. She acknowledges the support from her family and community while highlighting the importance of systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies.

“After everything happened, I knew that what occurred was not right and it shouldn't have happened and it was preventable.”
— Markita, [51:24]

Conclusion: Highlighting Systemic Failures

This episode of Something Was Wrong powerfully illustrates the intersection of personal tragedy and systemic healthcare failures. Markita’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address racial disparities and improve maternal healthcare practices to ensure the safety and well-being of all mothers and infants.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Most people were like, really? What made you choose that? I definitely got those looks and questions, but I still stuck with it because I do believe that our bodies can do it naturally.”
  — Markita, [07:54]

• “Although Jennifer Crawford was allegedly practicing as an unlicensed student midwife while caring for Kristin during her pregnancy... It certainly makes it convenient if you're understaffed.”
  — Tiffany Reese, [12:09]

• “The first thing she asked me for was the $500 that they tell us to bring or how much ever money it was.”
  — Markita, [17:28]

• “If you were truly taking care of me and being a midwife, you would have noticed these things.”
  — Markita, [27:27]

• “Malik is in the NICU... he didn't have oxygen for so long that he didn't have any brain activity.”
  — Markita, [34:10]

• “I knew that what had happened wasn't right and it shouldn't have happened and it was preventable. So that is what led me to leave the Google review.”
  — Markita, [46:33]

• “After everything happened, I knew that what occurred was not right and it shouldn't have happened and it was preventable.”
  — Markita, [51:24]

Final Thoughts

Markita’s narrative is a stark illustration of how systemic issues and individual negligence can converge to produce devastating outcomes. Something Was Wrong sheds light on these critical issues, advocating for awareness and change to safeguard the lives of mothers and their children.