Practicing Care in an Imperfect System with Dr. Ono Nseyo

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear the full conversation, visit keelysemler.substack.com.Today’s guest is board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Ono Nseyo. We cover a wide range of women’s health topics, from birth control to the lack of women’s health research. We also talk about the gaps in prenatal nutrition education in medical training and the missed opportunities this creates for clinicians. We explore the importance of shared decision-making with patients, including how Dr. Nseyo navigates situations when a patient’s choice differs from her medical recommendation.One of the reasons I love this conversation is that Dr. Ono never pretends to have all the answers. Her honesty and humility are refreshing, especially in a field where overconfidence can overshadow curiosity and connection.In the extended interview, Dr. Nseyo speaks candidly about the pressures and limitations of modern medicine, the need to honor matrescence (the profound physical, psychological and emotional process of becoming a mother) and why postpartum care deserves more attention and support from clinicians.Resources from this episode:* For more on women’s health research, check out this episode with Katie Schubert from the Society for Women’s Health Research.* Read this article on how insurance companies are medicalizing the role of doulas to profit from them.* Join us for a roundtable discussion with Dr. Nseyo and midwife Nancy Beyda.Dr. Ono Nseyo is a board-certified OB/GYN and Medical Director of Women’s Health for Sutter East Bay Medical Group, where she leads efforts to expand access and equity in healthcare. Rooted in advocacy and compassion, her practice bridges clinical expertise with a deep commitment to maternal health and systemic change. She is also the host of Golden Hour.FM, a podcast that amplifies the many different voices and experiences of childbirth.If you love the Motherlands Podcast, please help us keep it alive by becoming a paid subscriber at keelysemler.substack.com.4:15 Birth control9:09 Keely’s experience of being pushed to take birth control for hormonal acne in adolescence & the need more women’s health research14:17 The black hole of nutrition in Western medical school20:13 Med school: from an algorithmic binary approach to patient-centered, shared decision-making care24:16 What is medical informed consent?27:09 Honoring patient autonomy43:27 The difficulties and frustrations of being a medical professionalBehind Closed Doors Extended Interview Includes:44:24 How medical insurance companies negatively impact the way doctors are able to care for their patients48:50 Matrescence & the need to invest resources in postpartum careWork with KeelyMOTHERLANDS: Online Education Program20% off code MOTHERLANDSPODConnect with Dr. Ono NseyoFollow our Host, Keely SemlerFollow The Motherlands PodcastYour support keeps The Motherlands alive. Paid subscriptions help me to keep doing this work full-time, offering real support to women through life’s biggest moments.Can’t subscribe right now? You can still– Leave a review on Apple Podcasts– Subscribe to Motherlands on Substack– Follow us on YouTube– Share an episode with a friend This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe