Dozens of women seeking to become mothers came to a fertility clinic at Yale. A (five-part) narrative series about the shocking events that unfolded there. From Serial Productions and The New York Times.
Serial Productions & The New York Times
The Retrievals podcast is a powerful and eye-opening series that focuses on the pain, both physical and emotional, experienced by women, as well as the ways in which it is ignored and minimized. As a woman myself, I found this podcast to be incredibly relatable and thought-provoking. It shed light on the ways in which my own pain has been disregarded by healthcare professionals, bosses, and even family members. The storytelling throughout the series was well-done and kept me engaged from the very first episode.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to evoke a range of emotions in listeners. As I listened to the stories of these women, I felt horror, anger, hope, bewilderment, and rage all at once. This rollercoaster of emotions not only drew me further into the podcast but also allowed me to empathize with the experiences of these women on a deeper level. The storytelling was poignant and challenging, leaving a lasting impact on me as a listener.
However, one aspect that could be improved upon in this podcast is its exploration of certain topics. For example, while the podcast delves into the institutional responsibility of Yale University in relation to these events, it fails to fully address the institutional failure of the court system and society as a whole when it comes to recognizing domestic abuse and providing support for victims. This important layer of the story is glossed over rather than thoroughly examined.
In conclusion, The Retrievals is an incredible podcast that addresses crucial topics surrounding women's pain and their experiences being dismissed or minimized. It tells these stories with care and nuance while highlighting systemic issues and societal failures along the way. Despite some limitations in its exploration of certain topics, this podcast is a must-listen for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in understanding and advocating for women's health rights. It has left a lasting impact on me personally and will continue to resonate with me for years to come.
C-sections are the most frequently performed major surgeries in the world. So why do so many patients feel severe pain during them? Season 2 of the award-winning podcast “The Retrievals” is an investigation into this underreported problem — and the new effort to solve it. Coming July 10th. To get full access to this show, and to other Serial Productions and New York Times podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, subscribe at nytimes.com/podcasts.To find out about new shows from Serial Productions, and get a look behind the scenes, sign up for our newsletter at nytimes.com/serialnewsletter.Have a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on our shows? Email us at serialshows@nytimes.com
This week, we're sharing an episode from our friends over at Heavyweight, one we think listeners of The Retrievals would enjoy. You can listen to their new season now, where ever you get your podcasts.
In fertility treatment, a successful outcome is defined as a healthy baby. In this story, the outcomes are complicated for everyone involved.
At the nurse's sentencing hearing, the patients learn a shocking detail that forces them to confront the limits of their compassion.
The patients know what happened to them. Now they learn who did it. The story of the nurse whose own pain was also unseen.
Patients at a fertility clinic experience excruciating, unexpected pain. For months the reason for that pain remains hidden. Then they get a letter from the clinic.
The patients in this story came to the Yale Fertility Center to pursue pregnancy. They began their I.V.F. cycles full of expectation and hope. Then a surgical procedure called egg retrieval caused them excruciating pain.Some of the patients screamed out in the procedure room. Others called the clinic from home to report pain in the hours that followed. But most of the staff members who fielded the patients' reports did not know the real reason for the pain, which was that a nurse at the clinic was stealing fentanyl, and replacing it with saline.From Serial Productions and The New York Times, The Retrievals is a five-part narrative series reported by Susan Burton, a veteran staff member at “This American Life” and author of the memoir “Empty.”Susan details the events that unfolded at the clinic, and examines how the patients' distinct identities informed the way they made sense of what happened to them in the procedure room. The nurse, too, has her own story, about her own pain, that she tells to the court. And then there is the story of how this all could have happened at the Yale clinic in the first place.Throughout, Burton explores the stories we tell about women's pain. How do we tolerate, interpret and account for it? What happens when pain is minimized or dismissed?Episode 1 of The Retrievals arrives Thursday, June 29th.
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