Something Was Wrong: Bad Marriage (Season 23, Episode 9)
Released April 10, 2025
Host: Broken Cycle Media | Wondery

Introduction

In the ninth episode of the 23rd season of Something Was Wrong, titled "Bad Marriage," host Tiffany Reiss delves into the harrowing experiences of Brittany, a birth photographer and surrogate, who unveils the deep-seated issues within Origins Birth and Wellness. This episode sheds light on the intersection of personal trauma, professional misconduct, and institutional failures in the realm of birth services.

Brittany's Involvement with Origins Birth and Wellness

Early Engagement and Surrogacy Decision ([02:50] - [05:28])

Brittany Reiss introduces herself as a dedicated birth photographer affiliated with Origins Birth and Wellness since 2015. Her passion for capturing the raw emotions of childbirth led her to photograph over 300 births. In July 2017, driven by both personal inclination and a significant dream, Brittany decided to become a surrogate for Caitlin Wages, one of the owners of Origins.

Brittany: "I had a dream about being a surrogate. It is something that I had thought about many times."
[04:13]

The decision was cemented during a casual hallway conversation where Caitlin revealed her search for a suitable surrogate client, leading to a dinner meeting where both families discussed the logistics amidst their shared grief over the loss of Caitlin's son.

The Surrogacy Experience: Trauma and Mismanagement

Hormonal Treatments and Failed Embryo Transfers ([05:28] - [09:11])

Brittany recounts the arduous process of becoming pregnant as a surrogate, marked by traumatic hormonal treatments and the emotional toll of unsuccessful embryo transfers. The initial transfer revealed non-viable eggs, forcing an abrupt cessation of hormones, which Brittany describes as "torture on my body."

Brittany: "Every round of hormones was brutal. We get to the day of transfer, it was a fresh transfer, and we find out that none of the eggs were viable. So that did not work out."
[05:28]

Despite these setbacks, Brittany persevered, leading to the successful birth of Caitlin's son in July 2017. However, the lack of comprehensive records and the blurred lines between medical and surrogate care left Brittany feeling unsupported and emotionally drained.

Cesarean Complications and Miscarriage ([09:11] - [13:11])

The birth process was fraught with complications, including an emergency cesarean due to concerns over the baby's position. Brittany felt that the medical team prioritized Caitlin's loss over her well-being, leading to an emotionally charged and physically exhausting experience.

Brittany: "I had an emergency cesarean with her son. He was born around 4am... I was exhausted. I honestly have no recollection of that happening."
[09:11]

Subsequent embryo transfers resulted in Brittany's only miscarriage, further deepening her trauma. The lack of acknowledgment and support from Caitlin during this period exacerbated Brittany's feelings of abandonment.

Brittany: "The miscarriage did slightly change my view of her because she acted like it didn't even happen."
[13:11]

Financial strains also surfaced when Brittany's medical bills went to collections due to Caitlin's neglect, although they were eventually paid after collections took over.

Professional Journey: From Office Manager to Executive Director

Administrative Role and Staffing Challenges ([15:22] - [25:02])

Transitioning from a birth photographer to the office manager in 2018, and later the executive director in March 2021, Brittany encountered systemic issues within Origins. She highlights the mismanagement of the Maternity Neighborhood system, where midwives shared logins, compromising patient confidentiality and data integrity.

Brittany: "Origins did not keep records of when you're in the hospital. They track what's going on at Origins. That's it."
[16:21]

Brittany also sheds light on the lack of proper follow-up for miscarriages and fetal demises, leading to unaddressed grieving processes and unresolved medical concerns. The absence of reflective meetings after traumatic births meant that systemic failures went unaddressed, perpetuating a cycle of negligence.

Overworked Midwives and Poor Client Care ([25:02] - [32:24])

The overburdened midwives at Origins were a significant point of contention. Brittany explains how midwives were stretched thin, often covering multiple clients without adequate support, leading to compromised care and increased client dissatisfaction.

Brittany: "The midwives were overworked, and sometimes they would have to just send the patients to the hospital because they had another client in labor."
[25:02]

Efforts to implement better support systems were met with resistance from Gina and Caitlin, the founders, who prioritized financial gains over the well-being of both staff and clients. This misalignment culminated in Brittany's realization that the organizational culture was unsustainable and detrimental to all parties involved.

Leadership Failures and Institutional Misconduct

Negligence and Ethical Breaches ([32:24] - [43:48])

Brittany details the unethical practices within Origins, including the unauthorized practice of midwifery by unlicensed individuals and the mishandling of patient records, which led to HIPAA violations. The episode underscores how Gina and Caitlin's desperate measures to reduce workload resulted in compromised patient safety and legal infractions.

Brittany: "I had access to hundreds, if not a thousand patient files, all of their medical records for months after I left Origins. That is a huge HIPAA violation."
[47:47]

Furthermore, the lack of transparency and accountability in the wake of baby losses, such as Malik's death, highlighted a profound disregard for client safety and institutional responsibility.

Mismanagement During Crises ([43:48] - [50:49])

The episode reveals how Origins handled critical incidents, like Malik's death, with a focus on protecting the company's reputation rather than addressing the root causes. Brittany recalls how the Birth Center failed to conduct reflective meetings or implement corrective measures, opting instead to manage public perception through paid removal of negative reviews.

Brittany: "After Markita left her review, Origins hired a company and paid them $500 to try to remove their negative reviews, explicitly flagging Marquita's needing to be removed."
[50:49]

Final Struggles and Resignation

Confronting the Leadership and Firing ([50:49] - [54:27])

Brittany's attempts to advocate for better support for midwives and address the declining quality of care were met with hostility from Gina and Caitlin. Her proactive stance on improving Conditions at Origins led to her being laid off, despite her critical role in managing the organization's operations.

Brittany: "Your midwives need better support. Your midwives are going to leave."
[43:48]

Refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, Brittany chose integrity over severance, leading to an eight-month period of unemployment. Her subsequent revelations about Origins' unethical practices were driven by a desire to protect future staff and clients from similar exploitation.

Brittany: "I felt like I was standing up for all of those people that went before me and hadn't been able to stand up for themselves."
[53:52]

Aftermath and Ongoing Issues

Investigations and Institutional Fallout ([54:32] - [56:38])

Post-resignation, Brittany uncovers ongoing investigations into Origins for Medicaid fraud and insurance irregularities. The facility's failure to obtain necessary licenses and permits for renovations further exemplifies the systemic issues that plagued the organization.

Brittany: "He did not have any [licenses]. I had access to Origins, all the maternity neighborhoods for months after I left Origins. That is a huge HIPAA violation."
[47:47]

Despite reporting these violations, Origins minimally addressed the concerns, leaving Brittany frustrated with the lack of accountability and oversight within the industry.

Conclusion

The "Bad Marriage" episode of Something Was Wrong serves as a poignant exposé of the vulnerabilities and failures within Origins Birth and Wellness. Through Brittany's raw and honest account, listeners gain insight into the emotional and professional toll of systemic neglect, unethical practices, and leadership failures in the sensitive realm of birth services. The episode underscores the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and compassionate care within maternity environments to prevent the recurrence of such troubling events.

Notable Quotes

• Brittany ([04:13]): "If I'm ever a surrogate, I want to deliver at the birth center because it's so beautiful."
• Brittany ([05:28]): "Every round of hormones was brutal. It was torture on my body."
• Brittany ([09:11]): "The surrogacy is so blurry to me because I have blocked it out. That is how I survived working with Caitlin."
• Brittany ([16:21]): "Origins did not keep records of when you're in the hospital. They track what's going on at Origins. That's it."
• Brittany ([25:02]): "A big thing that really, really bothered the patient advocate and myself was miscarriage follow up."
• Brittany ([32:24]): "They did not get along at all, her and Jen, because Jen had just been told she could be a clinical director."
• Brittany ([46:29]): "I felt like I was standing up for all of those people that went before me and hadn't been able to stand up for themselves."

Key Takeaways

• Mismanagement and Negligence: Origins Birth and Wellness exhibited significant mismanagement, leading to poor client care, loss of lives, and ethical breaches.
• Emotional and Professional Trauma: Brittany's experiences highlight the emotional toll of ineffective leadership and institutional failures on both staff and clients.
• Need for Accountability: The episode emphasizes the critical need for transparency, proper oversight, and compassionate care in maternity services to ensure the safety and well-being of all parties involved.

This episode of Something Was Wrong is intended for mature audiences and contains discussions of medical negligence, birth trauma, and infant loss, which may be upsetting for some listeners.