POV Season 10 Episode 3 A Healthy Baby Girl

In POV season 10 episode 3, titled "A Healthy Baby Girl," viewers are taken on an emotional journey with filmmaker Judith Helfand as she tells the story of her own personal experiences with DES (diethylstilbestrol), a synthetic hormone that was prescribed to her mother during pregnancy in the 1950s. The episode follows Helfand as she explores how DES has affected her own health and fertility, as well as the health of her family members and others who were exposed to the drug.

Helfand's mother was prescribed DES during pregnancy in order to prevent miscarriage and the hormone was commonly prescribed to millions of pregnant women for the same reason. However, it was later discovered that DES was carcinogenic and could lead to a variety of health problems, particularly cancer. In "A Healthy Baby Girl," Helfand shares her own journey of navigating the long-term effects of DES exposure, which included a near-fatal cervical cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgeries.

The episode also delves into the broader social and political implications of DES, including the role of the pharmaceutical industry in pushing the drug despite its dangers and the lack of government oversight in regulating the drug. Through interviews with other DES survivors, medical professionals, and researchers, as well as news footage and historical archives, Helfand paints a vivid picture of the complex and far-reaching impact of DES on women's health and fertility.

Despite the heavy subject matter, "A Healthy Baby Girl" is a nuanced and engaging exploration of not only the physical and emotional impact of DES exposure but also the larger societal forces that contributed to its widespread use. Helfand's personal story provides a compelling through-line for the episode, while expert interviews and historical context offer a broader perspective on the issue. Ultimately, "A Healthy Baby Girl" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of speaking truth to power in the face of injustice.