Child

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.

After that very first moment, when sperm meets egg - the life of a human begins to unfold. But how does that one cell begin to divide and differentiate into the billions of complex parts of a human being. How much do those very first cells know? India Rakusen heads to a lab in Cambridge to look at a human embryo and speaks to leading cell biologist Magdelana Zernika-Goetz. And a baby isn’t a baby without the people and the world around it. We speak to Child psychologist Graham Music and historian Elinor Cleghorn about how intertwined we are with our world, and the instant effects on the mother.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

All around the world, the placenta is revered in rituals - but in many places it’s mainly seen as medical waste. What is this incredible organ, who does it belong to and how does it feed, grow and protect a baby? India Rakusen speaks to placenta expert Margherita Turco, before diving into the world of what the foetus is really protected from. When you become pregnant there’s a long list of things you apparently should and shouldn’t consume, but how much information are we given and what’s being left out? Philosopher Quill Kukla explains.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Pregnancy tests are so easy to take at home, but that wasn’t always the case. In this episode, India examines the moment of finding out you’re pregnant and what to do with that knowledge. Should we tell, or wait 12 weeks? And why wait 12 weeks when the first trimester can be so hard? We meet our first pregnancy hormone HCG, and hear from Hetal Bopodra who experienced extreme sickness during three pregnancies. India also speaks to Joeli Brearley from Pregnant Then Screwed about the “motherhood penalty” and the sometimes thorny issue of telling work you’re pregnant.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Georgia Arundell. Series producer: Ellie Sans. Executive producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King. A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Ultrasound scans are an amazing window into a previously utterly mysterious world. Having one can bring a whirlwind of emotions, but they also provide a lot of important information for midwives, doctors and parents. After going for her own 12 week scan, India speaks to Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Foetal Medicine and Vice President at The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, as well as historian and medical writer Randi Hutter Epstein, about the role ultrasounds play in care. But is there a side to them we are perhaps not exploring? Research midwife Dr Nancy Stone shares her findings on how multiple scans can impact the connection between a mother and the foetus. Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Georgia Arundell. Series producer: Ellie Sans. Executive producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King.A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

What does it mean to suddenly take on this role, this mantle of ‘mother’. It’s a powerful world and it’s meaning has changed through time. We speak to writer and science journalist Lucy Jones about the mind blowing experience of becoming one. Writer and historian Elinor Cleghorn about some of the most influential images of motherhood, and how they have shaped the role of women today, as well as artists Conway and Young about their search for alternative depictions of motherhood. Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King.A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Talking about pregnancy loss, miscarriage and unexpected news in pregnancy is difficult, not just for those going through it but for the whole society. But why? India speaks to Clea Harmer, the CEO of the baby loss Charity Sands about the idea of what is and isn’t a person and how the law, science and our own feelings are at odds with each other on this topic. We also unpick foetal testing and screening in pregnancy. What syndromes are tested for, and why? And what does this say about our approach to disability and the idea of risk? Dr Garath Thomas is a reader in social sciences at Cardiff University and has researched Down's Syndrome Screening and Reproductive Politics. For details of organisations which offer support with child bereavement and pregnancy related issues, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed.A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

India explores the complicated world of nutrition with the help of Dr Emma Derbyshire. How much of the advice out there is crucial, and how much is just another stress on a new parent? And could the food we eat during pregnancy impact the future tastes of an unborn baby? Nadja Reissland shares her research. Food is one thing, but what are we not exploring when it comes to our influence over an unborn baby? Child psychotherapist Graham Music and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Christine Ekechi share some other significant factors that can impact a foetus.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Georgia Arundell. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed.A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

The huge changes that occur during pregnancy have been felt by people for millennia, but it's only in recent years that we've had data to back those feelings up. India Rakusen talks to Herman Potzner about just how energetically taxing pregnancy is, and to Elseline Hoeksma about the changes in the maternal brain.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed.A Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

How can we truly plan for something as big and unknowable as birth? What are we forgetting to prepare for - or not being told? India Rakusen talks to obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Ranee Thakar about tearing during birth, and to Siobhan Miller, founder of the Positive Birth Company, about hypnobirthing. Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King.A Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

At the end of a pregnancy, a lot is going on. The baby might be descending and moving into place, and the pregnant body is changing every day. It’s the baby’s time to arrive and it’s going to happen, one way or another. But what is a due date?India speaks to Holly Dunsworth, a biological anthropologist who’s challenging the obstetrical dilemma. Exploring the idea of why the due dates exist, India looks at the inaccuracies of how they are measured whilst questioning - how does labour begin? Midwife and author Leah Hazard provides insights into what we do know, and the possible influence of full moons. Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Lucy Hunt. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed. A Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

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 ReedA Listen production for BBC Radio 4

Being in control and having a sense of choice can be the difference between a positive or negative birth experience, but how much choice do women really have? India Rakusen speaks to Dr Anna Nelson about consent for cervical examinations and how muddy this area can be. Leah Hazard discusses what these examinations are for and how useful they can be, and we also hear from Dr Ihab Abassi about his decision to only perform gentle caesareans and the long lasting positive impact this can have on women. 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 Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-KingA Listen production for BBC Radio 4

With near-constant headlines of problems in our maternity services here in the UK, what does the word ‘trust’ mean today when it comes to birth, and what can we do to create more of it? India Rakusen heads to her own hospital where she’s due to give birth to speak to the director of midwifery Shirley Peterson, Dr Sanem Atakan a consultant obstetrician and a doula Aimee Hamblin about the breakdown and rebuilding of trust.Produced and Presented by India Rakusen 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 Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-KingA Listen production for BBC Radio 4

The baby is almost here. In this episode, India Rakusen explores how the baby moves through the cervix into the birth canal to the moment the baby’s head starts to crown. And through all of this, how is pain acknowledged and addressed? India looks at the history of pain relief - and finds out from historian Randi Hutter-Epstein about an extreme form called Twilight Sleep that gained popularity at the start of the 20th Century. She also speaks to research midwife Rachel Ibikunle about the horrific beliefs about pain for Black and Asian women, and to Siobhan Miller of the Positive Birth Company about how understanding our body can help manage pain.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 Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-KingA Listen production for BBC Radio 4

The baby is born and takes its first breath. But it’s not over. India examines how the body reacts and recovers in this first hour, how the placenta is born, and how bonding begins between parents and baby. And what if it doesn’t? It’s not always instant love, and that’s okay. India speaks to doula Leila Baker and former midwife Rachel Reed about building that enchantment a different way when the rush of hormones doesn’t have the expected effect. Midwife Leah Hazard describes the immediate aftercare and India asks Dr Alison Wright about how more personalised care could improve mothers experiences.Produced and Presented by: India Rakusen. 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. Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King.A Listen Production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

The chemical and emotional connection between a parent and baby is really important but just how quickly are babies making emotional connections? India talks to MIT Professor Rebecca Saxe about scanning babies brains to find the answers. Helen Jukes questions the ‘naturalness’ of the mother-baby bond and talks about the variety of relationships out in the natural world, and India talks to Paternal mental health expert Scott Mair about the important role of dads in the very early days of bonding. Presented by: India Rakusen. Producer: India Rakusen Series producer: Ellie Sans. Executive producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King.A Listen Production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Milk. However it comes its a vital source of life. India Rakusen explores it’s various forms and the history and politics that have shaped the way we view how we feed our babies. The pressures around feeding our new-borns can be intensely difficult to navigate. India speaks to a new mum, Kerry, about her experience expressing and feeding in neonatal wards. She also finds out how milk is built from scientist Mary Fewtrell and talks to historian and author Joanna Wolfarth about the way milk has ruled motherhood, and how we can move forward. Presented by India Rakusen Producer: Ellie Sans Series Producer: Ellie Sans Executive Producer: Suzy Grant Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon and ESKA Mtungwazi Mix and Mastering by Olga ReedA Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

How are mother and baby developing? Sure, we’ve counted their toes - but what happens now? So many huge emotional shifts are happening in the “Fourth Trimester”. We talk about postnatal care with midwife Leah Hazard and the history of lying-in with Dr Sarah Fox. We also discuss postnatal depression, and inpatient support for mums. An area in which England is world leading. India visits a mother and baby unit to talk to Dr Trudi Seneviratne about the psychological support for new mothers.Presented by India Rakusen Producer: Ellie Sans Series Producer: Ellie Sans Executive Producer: Suzy Grant Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon and Eska Mtungwazi Mix and Mastering by Charlie-Brandon HillA Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

We’re taking a pause to lose ourselves down the rabbit hole of time. Because something strange happens to time in those first weeks of a baby's arrival. The rest of the world still seems to, mostly, rise with the sun, and sleep with the dark - but the world of a new parent has turned on its head. So what would happen if we looked at time in a totally different way? In this episode, India Rakusen explores the relatively new concept (but ancient experience of) Maialogical time with historian Joanna Wolfarth, discusses the impact of the first few months with Perinatal psychiatrist Trudi Seneviratne, and talks to musician and mother Eske Mtungwazi about her experience in the world of neonatal care.Presented by India Rakusen Producer: India Rakusen Series Producer: Ellie Sans Executive Producer: Suzy Grant Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by Eska Mtungwazi Mix and Mastering by Olga ReedA Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds