Episode 146: The Financial Impact of Informed Consent for Birthing Choices with Dr. Stu

<p><i><strong>For Episode 146 of the Wealth On Any Income Podcast, Rennie is joined by Dr. Stuart Fischbein. Known as Dr. Stu, he has been a practicing obstetrician for over 40 years. He is co-author of the book “Fearless Pregnancy, Wisdom & Reassurance from a Doctor, A Midwife and A Mom” and peer-reviewed papers on home birth and breech birth. Dr. Stu has spent 24 years assisting women with hospital birthing and hosts The Birthing Instincts Podcast.</strong></i></p><p>For the last 13 years, Dr. Stuart Fischbein has been the only home birth obstetrician in CA who works directly with midwives. He also travels around the world as a lecturer and advocate for re-teaching breech & twin birth skills, respect for the normalcy of birth, and honoring informed consent. </p><p><i><strong>Wondering what this has to do with building wealth and Complete Financial Choice®? Listen in and find out how your decisions around birthing options can impact your health and your wealth.</strong></i><br /> </p><p><strong>In this episode, Rennie and Dr. Stu cover:</strong></p><p>02:00 How Rennie and Dr. Stu met and why Rennie felt this was an important topic for his podcast.</p><p>02:51 Dr. Stu’s professional background and his personal journey learning about midwifery and the birthing world.</p><p>04:48 Why using the word client instead of patient is important in empowering an expectant mother.</p><p>05:39 How Dr. Stu found a different way of doing things and how he chose to embrace it.</p><p>09:01 The many things Dr. Stu does to give back, including supporting the Physicians for Informed Consent, the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and FLCCC.</p><p>11:51 How the C-section rate in the US has increased and why.</p><p>15:44 The financial implications to consider if a woman adopts a more natural approach to childbirth. Looking at childbirth as a major life event – like a wedding is.</p><p>17:02 The cost of childbirth or C-section vs. the average cost of a home birth.</p><p>19:41 Why home births are not covered by insurance a