Ash on Queer Birth Justice, Pregnancy & Palestine

Midwife, parent, nurse, educator, and proud Palestinian Ash joins Jaimie for a powerful, expansive conversation that connects queer birth work, liberation, bodily autonomy, and the politics of modern healthcare. From becoming a parent before coming into their trans identity, to the crisis inside U.S. obstetrics, to creating community-centered birth education for queer & trans families, Ash brings depth, clarity, and truth. The episode also touches on Ash’s ties to Palestine, why so many people are re-examining the narrative they were taught, and how to learn, help, and show up with intention.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

• Birth is not inherently dangerous — but our systems are flawed.
• Rising U.S. gestational mortality rates are tied to financial incentives, outdated policies, and cultural fear.
• Where you feel safest is where you birth best.
• Stress pathways interrupt labor; safety & comfort matter more than location.
• Queer & trans people need trauma-informed preparation.
• Education + community before labor creates resilience when navigating misgendering or assumptions in hospitals.
• Intentional parenting is a queer superpower.
• Living outside the norms forces us to question, rebuild, and parent with intention.
• Liberation is interconnected.
• Ash links birth work to Palestinian liberation, colonial separation, and reclaiming humanity.
• Learning about Palestine doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
• Start with Palestinian voices. Complexity is often used to keep people disengaged.

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Ash (they/them) is a Trans Palestinian educator, speaker & midwife whose work centers birth justice and community care. They teach accessible, queer- and trans-inclusive childbirth classes through Embodied Birth Class and speak widely about physiologic birth, medical racism, and creating safer, more liberated birth experiences for all families.

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🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

• Ash’s Website: www.embodiedbirthclass.com • Join their mailing list for upcoming classes and events.
• Ash’s Instagram • @embodied.birth • @queertabletops
• The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine — Rashid Khalidi
• Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History — Nur Masalha
• Works by historian Ilan Pappé

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The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!