The Retrievals

These are such important issue that have been overlooked for so long. The story is told in a really compelling way that sucks you in. However, I’m not a fan of the “creative” spin used in season 2, framing it as a medical drama. The stories are so compelling on their own that it wasn’t necessary and distracts from the people’s experiences. Even so, I highly recommend this docuseries

This is such a well made podcast and posits on topics concerning women. Topics that are usually dismissed and never regarded. The host has such a nice, kind voice that brings me in every time. She’s so thoughtful and intelligent, which is why I love listening in. I hope this podcast continues for as long as issues like these persist.

I avoided this topic for a while, thinking I wouldn’t relate; I’m in my 70s & my child is age 50. How wrong I was, because this story is important on a number of levels and I suspect each listener will find their particular point of importance. For me, the way I discuss pain with a health professional will change. Ex: If asked if I feel “pressure” during a procedure, I’ll ask if they mean “pain.” This story is a high quality production, well researched, and a pleasant listening experience…even aged 70s.

I never write reviews, but I had to reach out to say thank you. Thank you for bringing light to this issue. I experienced pain during my c-section and it was the most traumatic thing I’ve ever experienced. I felt like no one believed me, not even my doctor husband. The surgeon didn’t slow down or stop, despite me crying out in pain. The anesthesiologist told me I could either bear the pain, or they could put me under (an option I didn’t want). So I suffered through. The ob poured a vial of lidocaine directly into my open abdomen and the anesthesiologist drugged me up so much that I don’t remember most of the rest of the surgery. My records capture absolutely nothing about my experience and make me want to SCREAM. 3.5 years later, I still think about my c-section every day. Listening to this podcast was HARD. I cried, I felt like I was having a panic attack, I wanted to throw up. It is a relief to know that I wasn’t imagining the pain and that so many other women have similar stories. More than anything, I am MAD. Mad that so many women suffer and are gaslit and the medical establishment is just fine with their pain. I don’t plan on having any more kids (I did have one successful VBAC, thank god) but I hope that bringing light to this topic will lead to radical change in hospitals across the country.

Season 1 was a very important and impressive piece of journalism told through a compelling storyline with lots of interviews. I don’t know what they were thinking with the writing for season 2. I couldn’t get through the first episode. The storyline feels contrived and at times condescending. I don’t like the style of being told how to consume the show like I’m watching TV. It’s a podcast?!

Season 1 was fascinating but I couldn’t make it through Season 2 because of the contrived and ineffective attempt at framing the story as a medical drama. I appreciate the attempt from a creative perspective, but it ultimates turns this true story in which real people suffered actual pain feel like a fictional TV plot, minimizing the experiences of those it portrays.