Reproductive Rights, Teaching Mental Health and Contraception Equality with with Dr Emma Chan

In this episode, Hannah is joined by Dr Emma Chan, who is a doctor working in mental health, the Reproductive & Sexual Health Lead at The School of Sexuality Education, and co-author of “Sex Ed: An Inclusive Guide to Relationships”. Emma discusses what current sex education neglects to mention about pregnancy, including fertility, miscarriage, and the experience of being pregnant. They and Hannah talk about reproductive rights, navigating the climate crisis while wanting to have a baby, and how to make pregnancy healthcare spaces more inclusive to trans people. Finally, Emma and Hannah discuss emotional vocabulary and the importance of teaching communication skills to help young people express themselves, as well as how we can work towards greater contraceptive equality.

CW: miscarriage

Read the episode transcript here!

What we chat about…

  • How education around things like fertility and pregnancy works when it's often such a such an individual thing

  • Misinformation targeted at pregnant people online

  • The “customer bias” around information for pregnant people

  • How does Emma’s work in mental health intersect with their work in sex education?

  • Teaching emotional vocabulary

  • Recognising what you value about yourself

  • Healthy conflict

  • Navigating healthy conflict

  • The difference between healthy conflict and unhealthy conflict

  • Tips for resolving conflict

  • Communication styles

  • Navigating the climate crisis while wanting to have children

  • Reproductive justice in history

  • Is there pressure on young people to use a certain type of contraception?

  • Contraceptive administration falling on people with uteruses

  • Types of contraceptive

  • The hormonal vaginal ring

  • How to make pregnancy-related healthcare more inclusive for trans people

  • As a doctor, how do you strike the balance of birth/pregnancy being a natural process and a medical event?

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MORE ABOUT DR EMMA CHAN

Dr Emma Chan is a doctor working in mental health, and a workshop facilitator with the School of Sexuality Education. Emma is one of the co-creators of 'Sex Ed: An Inclusive Teenage Guide to Sex and Relationships' and also regularly writes about relationship and sex related content on the blog.

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