In our fifth episode, we are thrilled to feature My Rafstedt a postdoctoral fellow in Sociology of Law at the University of Oslo. My brings a wealth of knowledge on reproductive justice, knowledge production, and economic governance. Her work centers on the intersection of care work and gestational labor, examining how pregnancy itself can be viewed through the lens of labor.

In this episode, My sheds light on the concept of gestational labor, exploring how pregnancy involves multiple forms of work—emotional, cognitive, and bodily. She explains how gestation can produce societal value and even be understood as labor, akin to other types of care work. We also discuss the ethical and political implications of commercial surrogacy and how regulatory frameworks affect surrogate rights globally, particularly in the context of marginalized groups.

My further elaborates on how the commodification of gestation through surrogacy reveals vulnerabilities within the care economy, where labor rights are often disregarded, and regulation remains limited. By framing pregnancy as work, she opens a conversation on how reproductive labor can be valued and safeguarded.

Join us as we delve into this compelling discussion with My Rafstedt, unraveling the connections between gestational labor, care work, and the economic and social structures that shape our understanding of reproductive justice.