Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong | S23 E7: How Did We Get Here?

Introduction

In episode 7 of season 23 titled "How Did We Get Here?" from the award-winning docuseries Something Was Wrong, host Tiffany Reese delves deep into the harrowing experiences of survivors who have faced medical negligence, birth trauma, and infant loss. This episode uncovers the intricate web of mismanagement, lack of accountability, and systemic issues within certain birthing centers, highlighting the resilience of survivors as they navigate their paths to recovery and justice.

Unveiling Trauma: Personal Stories and Community Building

The episode centers around the poignant narratives of survivors Markita and Amanda, who recount their devastating experiences during childbirth under the care of Origins Birth and Wellness. Their stories reveal a pattern of negligence and inadequate medical oversight that not only endangered their lives but also their newborns'.

• Markita's Ordeal (03:00 - 08:08):

  Markita shares her harrowing experience of laboring for an extended period at Origins Birth and Wellness. Despite her healthy pregnancy, complications arose when her midwife, Jennifer Crawford, was minimally present during critical moments. Markita states, “These are things that stick out with me a lot is her utter disregard and lack of urgency during Markita's labor” (07:44).

• Amanda's Struggle (03:14 - 10:08):

  Amanda details her own traumatic birth experience, emphasizing the lack of communication and accountability from the birthing center. She reflects, “Somebody told me that initially they didn't really say anything about it. But then I guess whenever people did find out what happened, they told them it was a fluke that had happened to me” (05:37).

As their stories intertwine, Kristen narrates how these experiences led to the formation of a Facebook survivors group, which has now grown to include over 40 women who have endured similar traumatic births at Origins. This community serves as a beacon of support, allowing survivors to share their stories, seek justice, and find solace in shared experiences.

Accountability and Responses from Origins Birth and Wellness

The episode critically examines the responses from Origins Birth and Wellness following the survivors’ public revelations.

• Official Statements and Defensiveness (10:06 - 24:27):

  Representatives from Origins issued statements attempting to downplay the severity of the incidents. When Markita confronted them with her experiences, Origins responded by denying allegations of negligence and offering mediated reviews. However, Jennifer counters these claims by highlighting inconsistencies and lack of proper supervision during critical moments. She questions, “What was Jennifer doing during these hours of time that had passed? Was she texting somebody?” (06:25).

  Furthermore, the podcast reveals that Origins incentivized positive reviews shortly after the traumatic experiences were shared, raising suspicions about the authenticity and motives behind these endorsements. Markita points out, “Origins only a couple days later created a post... offering Meyers Cocktails and I believe $100 to anyone who left five star reviews” (13:15).

Systemic Failures and Legal Challenges

The conversation transitions to the broader implications of such traumatic experiences, focusing on the systemic failures within midwifery practices and the daunting legal hurdles survivors face.

• Lack of Licensing and Malpractice Issues (32:38 - 39:03):

  A critical revelation emerges when Jennifer admits that she was practicing without a valid license during a pivotal time, undermining the trust placed in her by clients. She confesses, “I was attending clinic alone in 2021 without her license” (32:38). This admission exposes a significant breach of professional standards and raises questions about the regulatory oversight governing midwifery practices in Texas.

• Legal Obstacles and Survivor Frustration (50:07 - 51:36):

  Both Markita and Amanda express their frustrations with the legal system, highlighting the challenges in pursuing malpractice lawsuits against Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) who are not recognized as medical professionals. Amanda shares, “After speaking to a couple of attorneys, they informed me that I wouldn't be able to pursue any kind of legal action against CPMs under medical negligence because they aren't considered medical professionals” (52:23).

Community Resistance and Suppression of Voices

The episode sheds light on the defensive maneuvers employed by Origins Birth and Wellness to suppress negative narratives and control the narrative within the community.

• Defamation and Group Intimidation (22:50 - 29:25):

  As survivors formed support groups and shared their stories, Origins responded by attempting to infiltrate these groups and discredit the survivors. Markita recounts, “She left me like crazy voice messages blew up My phone for an hour... someone running to Caitlin and Gina and telling them what we said” (29:15). This tactic demonstrates a concerted effort to silence dissent and maintain a facade of impeccable care.

• Psychological Manipulation and Echo Chambers (28:42 - 29:45):

  The podcast highlights how Origins utilized their influence within the community to create echo chambers, where supportive narratives overshadowed the traumatic experiences shared by survivors. Markita notes, “There's so much of that going on. I don't feel like we can, as moms, go into a group and post about a bad experience without being totally torn down” (47:59).

Path Forward: Seeking Justice and Legislative Change

Despite the overwhelming challenges, the survivors remain resolute in their pursuit of justice and systemic change.

• Formation of Advocacy Groups and Legislative Efforts (51:36 - 54:33):

  Markita and Jennifer collaborate to navigate the legal landscape, seeking ways to hold Origins accountable. Their efforts extend to engaging with the Texas Medical Association and pushing for legislative reforms to address the gaps in midwifery regulations and malpractice protections. Jennifer shares, “We told them our stories and that is what set us on the road to legislation” (54:40).

Conclusion

"How Did We Get Here?" serves as a compelling exposé of the vulnerabilities within the midwifery care system, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulatory oversight and accountability. Through the unwavering voices of survivors like Markita and Amanda, the episode underscores the critical importance of listening to and believing those who have endured trauma, advocating for systemic changes to prevent future injustices. Something Was Wrong not only amplifies these crucial narratives but also fosters a community of support and resilience among its listeners.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “These are things that stick out with me a lot is her utter disregard and lack of urgency during Markita's labor.” — Jennifer (07:44)

• “We don't know. When Markita had thick meconium coming out and was using all the towels available to them, Jennifer didn't even come in to ask why they were using all the towels in the room.” — Jennifer (06:25)

• “Names were missing because they weren't noting them correctly. More midwives were involved than they were saying were to deny their knowledge.” — Markita (13:35)

• “Bad outcomes happen all the time in the hospital, yet oftentimes the hospital is quick to throw midwives under the bus.” — Jennifer (31:22)

• “If you’re not there, we are going to fail all of these women and their babies.” — Jennifer (37:23)

• “They just denied everything, they just brushed it under a rug.” — Markita (24:30)

• “It's intimidation. I posted my whole review in a crunchy mom group and the birth class instructor said some horrific things to me.” — Kristen (42:51)

These quotes encapsulate the core issues discussed in the episode, emphasizing the lack of accountability, professional negligence, and the emotional toll on survivors striving for justice.