#128 - Decoding Meconium -the good and the bad with Dr Vijaya Krishnan, CPM and founder Sanctum Natural Birth Center

It’s all too common—women being rushed into surgery at the very sight or even assumption of meconium in conventional hospital settings. Add to that the pressure many women face to deliver before 40 weeks, based on general risks that may not even apply to them personally.

In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Dr. Vijaya Krishnan, Certified Professional Midwife and founder of Sanctum Natural Birth Center, a pioneering autonomous midwifery-led birth center in India. With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Vijaya brings insight into what truly matters when it comes to safe, individualized care.

We unpack:

1. What meconium really means—when it’s normal, and when it’s not.
2. How meconium is approached at different stages of labor.
3. Can meconium be detected on an ultrasound?
4. Is artificially breaking the water helpful to check for or speed things up?
5. Why shared responsibility between provider and parents changes everything.
6. How preparation, education, and continuity of care impact outcomes.

Book Recommendations by Dr Vijaya:

• Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery – by Ina May Gaskin
• Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage – by Dr. Rachel Reed ( My addition)

Connect with Dr. Vijaya:
📸 Instagram – @sanctumbirthcenter
🌐 Website – healthy-mother.com

Support the show

Sign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit www.birthagni.com/birthclasses

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