Sign in

Avital Norman Nathman

@avitalnn.bsky.social
3.9K followers 172 following 211 posts

Cheerio connoisseur. Freelance writer and editor. Find me here and there writing pop culture, maternal health, repro health, good mother myth, cannabis, and more.

PostsRepliesMedia
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Today, The Perfect Birth Myth: Pushing Back Against a Broken Industry is officially out! I wrote this book because I'm tired of a system that asks individuals to carry the responsibility for problems they did not create. We don't need more pressure to have the perfect birth.
100
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Bloomsbury Academic @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
What exactly is “the perfect birth myth?” Authors @avitalnn.bsky.social and @wagedj.bsky.social‬‬‬‬‬ sat down with @msmagazine.com to discuss the realities of modern maternal care. Read the Q&A: bit.ly/4fQsAQn 📚💙 #AcademicSky
msmagazine.com
The Myth of the 'Perfect Birth': What America Gets Wrong About Pregnancy, Birth and Maternal Care
Project 2026's pronatalist vision insists that America needs more babies—but largely ignores the conditions that make pregnancy and childbirth unnecessarily dangerous in the first place. In this inter...
045
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Bloomsbury Academic @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
⭐ A starred review for a bold challenge to the “perfect birth” myth. @publisherswkly.bsky.social praises @avitalnn.bsky.social and @wagedj.bsky.social’s “The Perfect Birth Myth.” See what they had to say: bit.ly/4wCZlHz 📚💙 #AcademicSky
bit.ly
The Perfect Birth Myth: Pushing Back Against a Broken Industry by Avital Norman Nathman, Deborah Wage
Nathman, editor of The Good Mother Myth, and Wage, a nurse practitioner and midwife, lay out a supportive road map to maternal h...
052
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Deborah Wage @wagedj.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
There’s no such thing as a perfect birth. But the US system sells the myth anyway. @avitalnn.bsky.social and I wrote a book about what that actually costs: financially, in outcomes, and to all of us. Read the starred review from Publishers Weekly www.publishersweekly.com/9798216277262
002
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Pretty gosh darn exciting!!
000
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Jessica Luther @jessicawluther.com · 14/04/2026
Wow. In 2017, @avitalnn.bsky.social and I reported on the women’s rugby team at Quinnipiac and the school’s ongoing failure to comply with T9. I guess now that T9 is defunct in practice, they finally did what they’ve wanted to do. www.sbnation.com/2017/4/3/151...
sbnation.com
Title Fight: Quinnipiac has conquered women’s rugby despite its own administration
Come fan with us. SB Nation is the largest independent sports media brand, consisting of SBNation.com, MMAFighting.com and over 300 fan-centric team communities.
63015
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Deborah Wage @wagedj.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
You can order it now: presale link here: www.bloomsbury.com/us/perfect-b... What a journey this has been. I’m grateful to have traveled it with @avitalnn.bsky.social.
275
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
One of the things I name as harmful to birth in the US in my upcoming book, The Perfect Birth Myth, is the MAHA movement and how their spreading of mis/disinformation is truly deadly. Absolutely devastating as more and more stories come out. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
theguardian.com
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
020
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Charlotte Clymer @charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
If you're a Marine or other service member being mobilized to Los Angeles and you'd like to apply for conscientious objector status, call the GI Rights Hotline to get some guidance on your options: 1-877-447-4487
902215511230
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Who are folks following/paying attention to when it comes to #birth and #maternalhealth? Now that The Perfect Birth Myth has a pub date, I want to update our Pushing Back chap highlighting folks who are not just talking the talk but doing the work when it comes to healthy, safe pregnancy and birth.
011
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Deborah Wage @wagedj.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Indeed. Many things on the front end seem benign and even helpful. But @avitalnn.bsky.social and I wrote about the underlying stoking of fear and sabotaging self confidence in this piece medium.com/the-establis...
medium.com
Fear-Mongering Among New Mothers Is A Profitable Business
When a parent stands at the cross-section of Perfection and Fear, they are opening themselves up to being preyed on by a host of companies.
001
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
I 🫶LA.
030
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Denise Wheeler @denisedwheeler.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
ICE ran over some protesters in Los Angeles. We crossed the rubicon a long time ago. Look at the massive amount of vehicles being used in these Los Angeles raids. And Trump and his thugs are not going to let up.
youtube.com
Protester tries to stop ICE SUV from leaving site of raid in L.A.
YouTube video by KTLA 5
28397155
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Vince D. Monroy @vincedmonroy.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
HAPPENING NOW: Protesters are not backing down in their clash with ICE agents over raid operations in the Los Angeles area 📍Paramount, CA
545129423021
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
ProPublica @propublica.org · 29/05/2025
ProPublica's Brett Murphy just appeared on @msnbc.com to to discuss his reporting with @annamaria.bsky.social on the fallout of the Trump administration's abandonment of its humanitarian commitments around the world. Read the full story here: www.propublica.org/article/trum...
ProPublica reporter Brett Murphy on MSNBC's Deadline White House. Chyron reads :America in Retreat: Cuts to Foreign Aid Causing Violence and Chaos
9566175
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
🚨New book alert!! The Perfect Birth Myth has been almost a decade in the making. From the sprout of an idea years ago while I was working at the Yale School of Public Health to create group prenatal care curriculum (where I met @wagedj.bsky.social) 1/2
142
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Had a 1:40pm appt yesterday with a specialist. Just a follow up appt. Was brought back at 2pm (not bad!), got vitals and whatnot done. Was left alone until just after 2:40 when doc finally came in. Asked me 1 Q, I answered, appt done (less than 3 min total). I just…
media.tenor.com
a cartoon of spongebob with the words this could have been an email
ALT: a cartoon of spongebob with the words this could have been an email
110
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Just as my teen is headed to college in the fall. 🫠
000
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Boston rejects Trump's fascism and embraces liberty. "This is what democracy looks like" ( 📹 @whoiskf.bsky.social ) #3E #FiftyFiftyOne #EndImpunity #EndOligarcy #EndAutogenocide
12974871700
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Deborah Wage @wagedj.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
@avitalnn.bsky.social & I wrote a book digging deep > shameful perinatal outcomes in the US. Before it goes to press I hope we can edit our chapter “White Supremacy, Racism, and a System Set Up to Fail People of Color” to say Momnibus Act passed. Track it here www.congress.gov/bill/118th-c...
congress.gov
011
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Robin Marty @robinmarty.com · 10/04/2025
Alabama’s most extreme antis are trying to get a bill to throw abortion seekers in jail (right now they can’t be charged under Alabama law). Gross? Yes. But also a potential opportunity for us to make GOOD change. Here’s how:
This post is mostly for the Alabamians upset about Ernie Yarborough’s bill.

First of all, this is not the first time it has been introduced. Hopefully, like in the past, it will just die without a hearing. I suspect that’s the case, since the only real difference is this time media covered it, so more people are aware it exists. I don’t think he made many friends after he gave the other representatives copies of OSA’s Lesser Magistrates Doctrine two years ago. As far as I can tell, Alabama likes its Christian Theocracy a little less blatant.

But…the reality is this bill can keep coming back. Just like challenges to the IVF quickly fix law last year can come back at any time. Both of these (and ALL things “chemical endangerment”) are real threats for as long as we still have that so called “Sanctity of Life” amendment on the state constitution declaring “life” begins at conception and the state has an interest in protecting it from that moment on.

If you want to do something with your outrage, contact your local legislator. I can promise you that you are NOT alone. Polling that was done repeatedly since the Dobbs decision consistently shows that 80 PERCENT of Alabama opposes the amendment and its impacts - including putting IVF in danger and the complete, no exceptions ban. And yes, that includes 50% of those who identify as Republicans. It is perhaps the most unifying belief in this state - and one that we cannot exercise because the politicians at the legislature are who get to decide if we have a revote now that the consequences of the amendment are clear.
So make them give us the chance. Call (not email) your rep and demand they introduce and pass a bill to strike the amendment from the constitution. Almost every lawmaker voted for the IVF bill (and most of the ones who didn’t were Democrats we said no as a protest to the quick fix rather than opposing the idea), so use that as a way to get a revote bill going. Tell them IVF will never be safe without its removal. Tell them exceptions to our total ban won’t be possible without this step (and remind them that they promised to go back and add them when they passed the ban in 2019). Tell them they don’t want their power as legislators usurped by the court. Tell them that all they are doing is providing their constituents they chance to make their voices heard again, now that everyone knows the stakes. Tell them whatever you need to that will allow them the cover to send this back to the voters - because based on polling the odds are most of them don’t want this anymore, either.

This is the ONLY way IVF will truly be safe. The ONLY way we can guarantee people won’t be investigated and potentially jailed for miscarriages. The only way to stop this “prison for anyone who terminates” bill from coming back over and over again.

We have the power to stop this now, today. We missed our chance in 2024 with the IVF ruling. Let’s take it now - we may not get another.
03515
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
My dear friend Dr. Deb (who is also a much needed abortion orovider!) is raising $ for Project Callisto, an incredible organization that is working to combat serial sexual assault on college campuses. Please join me in donating! give.projectcallisto.org/GreatLove
give.projectcallisto.org
Survivors Deserve Better 2025
{{MetaTags.description}}
001
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Today, on #TransDayOfVisibility (and every day!) I see and support my trans family and friends, and those I haven’t met. Especially now, may you be seen, loved, and safe. Protect Trans Kids and Protect Trans Adults. 🫶🩷🤍💙
030
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Breaking: RFK Jr. has forced out PETER MARKS, the nation’s top vaccine regulator. In his resignation letter, obtained by the Post, Marks said he was willing to work with RFK Jr on his vaccine concerns — but said Kennedy wishes “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”
washingtonpost.com
RFK Jr. forces out Peter Marks, FDA’s top vaccine scientist
Marks, an architect of Operation Warp Speed, warned that a recent measles outbreak shows how confidence in science and public health is being “undermined.”
11933225413318
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Lindsay Sabadosa @sabadosama.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Elected officials are supposed to represent the best interests of their constituents. Raising bank fees is not in anyone's best interest and will harm, not help. This is a shameful vote.
031
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Thanks, I hate it
1953436806
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
How about “goodies” like #abortion access/rights? Can we get that? Or paid maternity leave? Lower rates of maternal mortality?
3487
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Another day, another bigot cheering on this inhumane administration. This was posted in a FB group on out how to pay for college. www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/... My response was that there are more measles cases in TX than trans collegiate athletes and I was told I was misinformed.
nbcphiladelphia.com
World Athletics to require chromosome testing of women's track and field athletes
The planned changes include reinstating a version of chromosome testing that was discontinued in the 1990s.
110
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Abortion bans are deadly and make conditions much more dire for those who want to be pregnant and give birth.
010
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg @theradr.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
WE TOLD YOU
18895265
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
This new EO will harm the most vulnerable. It will disproportionately affect students with disabilities or who come from lower income families and school districts.
000
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Puff the Magic Hater @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
This is catastrophic on so many levels. Archived link: archive.ph/tmra3
archive.ph
10273122
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Fellow GenX -ers. Check your vax status! I wanted my doc to check my tigers for MMR but they don’t do it bc insurance doesn’t cover it. She said I’m prob fine and got two. Went to look at my little booklet and I only got one! But check out all that polio protection!! Will be getting a booster asap!
193
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
This administration’s priorities are anti-humanity on multiple levels. patch.com/pennsylvania...
011
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Ken Paxton is using his office to escalate attacks on #abortion in Texas. There is already a painful lack of maternal health providers in some areas and this will only harm those seeking care. 👏👏👏 for midwives who provide a full range of care!! www.thecut.com/article/texa...
thecut.com
The Chilling Arrest of a Midwife Under Texas’s Abortion Ban
It appears to be the first time since the overturn of Roe that someone has been arrested for allegedly providing abortion care.
112
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Sigh.
Top of the meme says “When they try to take school lunches away from hungry kids and tell them to get jobs instead.” Image is of Maya Rudolph at the Judge from The Good Place saying “Obviously earth is cancelled. It’s just too much of a mess down there, you know?”
041
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
This is what this presidency has become. At best.
media.tenor.com
Inflatable Tube Man Air Dancer GIF
ALT: Inflatable Tube Man Air Dancer GIF
030
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
“She’s in this orange prison outfit,” he said. “She just feels so isolated and desperate, you can imagine, she’s saying, ‘I want to come home’.” She is safe, he said, but living “in horrendous conditions” and had not had access to legal representation. Stop traveling to the U.S, It’s not safe.
theguardian.com
British tourist detained by US authorities for 10 days over visa issue
Backpacker Rebecca Burke was handcuffed and taken to a detention facility in Washington state
12303146
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
This is horrific and awful and absolutely against what this country *should* stand for. We cannot go after people we disagree with like this. This is an abuse of power.
010
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Jk bc even if you don’t have kids you prob won’t make as much as a dude. Happy #InternationalWomensDay
1142
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Fellow #EDS -ers: what are your tricks/tips/suggestions for when it comes to slow healing cuts or skin blemishes? I have a tiny thing on my face that refuses to heal up.
000
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Public Citizen @publiccitizen.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Food assistance $200 Medicaid $150 Social Security $800 Pentagon $850,000,000,000 Housing assistance $150 someone who is good at the economy please help me budget this. our government is dying
8428113
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Rewire News Group @rewirenewsgroup.com · 06/03/2025
1/ Are you worried about maternal health? A second Trump term could worsen outcomes, @avitalnn.bsky.social writes. His first term saw a rise in maternal mortality, especially for Black women. rewirenewsgroup.com/2025/03/03/o...
rewirenewsgroup.com
Opinion: Trump’s Second Presidency Will Be Even Worse for Maternal Health
What maternal health could look like in the next four years, and how we can push back.
22816
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Deborah Wage @wagedj.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
The fact that, just 43 days into this administration, we are facing huge setbacks and the destruction of pathways for improving maternal health serves as yet another alarm bell for the country. #maternalhealth
021
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
New York confirms two cases of measles as Texas outbreak climbs over 140 (one child has died) I hate to say this, but we will continue to see more & more of this because people aren’t getting vaccinated. Anti-vaxx rhetoric has real world consequences. Wear a mask! Measles (like covid) is airborne
nbcnewyork.com
NYC reports two confirmed cases of measles
The New York City Health Department has confirmed two cases of measles in the city so far this year. The cases are unrelated, according to health officials. “For each case, our agency conducts routine...
17443179
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Up at @rewirenewsgroup.com discussing why Trump’s 2nd term will be devastating for #maternalhealth and will set back any of the small gains we’ve seen. rewirenewsgroup.com/2025/03/03/o... This makes it really challenging to finish up the book on #birth @wagedj.bsky.social & I are writing
rewirenewsgroup.com
Opinion: Trump’s Second Presidency Will Be Even Worse for Maternal Health
What maternal health could look like in the next four years, and how we can push back.
154
Avital Norman Nathman @avitalnn.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
More options: -Ms. Frizzle (those field trips alone are surely osha violations) -Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters -Springfield Elementary (SO much to say about Principal Skinner) -Sweet Valley High -Tree Hill High
010
Reposted by Avital Norman Nathman
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 28/02/2025
“That included people like Andrew Hazelton, a physical scientist for the Weather Service and a veteran of NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters missions — which fly through the heart of storms to collect data and improve forecasts.” www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
washingtonpost.com
Trump fires hundreds working on weather forecasts, satellite data and radar systems
The terminations come days before a potential severe weather outbreak in the southeastern U.S. — and just months ahead of the next Atlantic hurricane season.
912556