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Doula work often takes us on unexpected paths, and Eva's journey is a perfect example of how growth and change can come full circle. Eva began her career as an independent contractor, supporting families through labor and postpartum. Over time, she became a doula trainer, sharing her knowledge and experience with others entering the profession. Eventually, she joined Angela as a business partner at Tucson Doulas, helping to grow and shape the agency into what it is today. Now, after years of leadership and teaching, Eva has stepped back from training and agency ownership to return to her roots as an independent contractor with Tucson Doulas. Health and life circumstances can shift priorities, and her story is a reminder that evolving in birth work doesn't always mean moving forward; it can also mean coming home. Join us as we talk about Eva's journey, the lessons she's learned along the way, and how embracing change can bring renewed purpose and balance to a doula's career.
Who would have thought THIS would be one of the most controversial topics we've shared about on social media?! We're chatting synthetic Pitocin and naturally occurring oxytocin on the pod today. Discover why it matters for your birth and postpartum experience, hear real-life stories, and learn how to navigate these crucial decisions for your own birth journey.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:09 Today's Controversial Topic: Pitocin vs. Oxytocin02:42 Listener Review05:31 Understanding Oxytocin13:44 Understanding Pitocin15:06 Pitocin's Impact on Labor and Birth25:08 Supporting Natural Oxytocin Production29:56 Real-Life Experiences with Pitocin and Oxytocin34:15 Holistic Birth Preparation and Education39:46 Conclusion and How to Support the PodcastLinks We Chat AboutOur Instagram Profile, Check out Pitocin Highlights ThereOur Monthly MembershipOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwiferyBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
Your favorite midwife duo answers your questions this week! We chat about everything from living in San Diego, how we manage sleep while being on call, our midwifery practice beginnings, social media growth, and items in our homes you may be surprised we still keep around.Links We Chat AboutOur Mama Midwife Podcast Series: Start HereOur Monthly MembershipOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
Philanthropy and doula work are deeply connected. When your business is financially sustainable, you gain the freedom to give back in meaningful ways. Charging your worth does more than cover your expenses. It creates space to support your community through acts both big and small. Whether organizing diaper drives, quietly helping families in need, or donating resources to local organizations, a thriving business gives you the ability to make a lasting impact. Giving back should not come at the expense of your livelihood. By valuing your services and setting fair rates, you create stability for yourself while opening the door to generosity. Join us as we explore how sustainable business practices empower doulas to serve their clients, support their communities, and expand their influence beyond the birth room.
Ep 158 Description: “If something feels good and you are not harming anyone, keep doing it, because pleasure will give you health, as simple as that.” —Samara Ferrara Imagine for a moment that your body's capacity for pleasure is your greatest strength in birth. That every fear, every past pain, could be transformed into a source of profound power and release. This isn't a fantasy; it's an ancient wisdom rooted not in fear, but in profound joy, release, and presence. Samara Ferrara is a professional home birth midwife in Mexico who brings a blend of science, spirit, and sacred care to her work. Having witnessed birth as a child and later birthing her own three children at home, she embodies a deep trust in the body's innate wisdom. Her courageous journey of healing from past trauma offers profound insight into how women can reclaim their sovereignty and transform the birthing process through pleasure. Tune in as Debra and Samara dive into the heart of Samara's practice, exploring how her personal story with pleasure and spiritual connection guides her work. She also shares a moving homebirth experience that revealed birth as a rite of passage and opens up about how motherhood, loss, and life's deepest cycles have shaped her sacred service to others. Connect with Debra! Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 Episode Highlights: 03:23 Introduced to Home Births 08:38 The Role of Doulas and Support Teams 13:31 Addressing Trauma and Finding Healing 15:58 Motherhood, Loos, and Deepening 19:51 Creating Pleasure in Birth and Parenting 25:26 Educating Children on Pleasure and Health 28:42 Explore Joy Resources:
In this episode, we step inside the NHS to explore how the Generation Study is brought to life - from posters in waiting rooms to midwife training. We follow the journey of parents joining the study at the very start of their baby's life, and hear from those making it happen on the ground. Our guests reflect on the teamwork between families and hospitals, the importance of informed consent, and the powerful insights this study could unlock for the future of care and research. Our host Jenna Cusworth-Bolger, Senior Service Designer at Genomics England, is joined by: Tracie Miles, Associate Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the South West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance, and Co-Investigator for the Generation Study at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol Rachel Peck, parent participant in the Generation Study and mum to Amber If you enjoyed today's conversation, please like and share wherever you listen to your podcasts. For more on the Generation Study, explore: Podcast: How has design research shaped the Generation Study Podcast: What can we learn from the Generation Study Podcast: What do parents want to know about the Generation Study Blog: Genomics 101 - What is the Generation Study Generation Study official website “I think from a parent's point of view I guess that's the hardest thing to consent for, in terms of you having to make a decision on behalf of your unborn child. But I think why we thought that was worthwhile was that could potentially benefit Amber personally herself, or if not, there's a potential it could benefit other children.” You can download the transcript, or read it below. Jenna: Hi, and welcome to Behind the Genes. Rachel: I think if whole genome sequencing can help families get answers earlier, then from a parent perspective I think anything that reduces a long and potentially stressful journey to a diagnosis is really valuable. If a disease is picked up earlier and treatment can start sooner, then that could make a real difference to a child or even Amber's health and development. Jenna: My name is Jenna Cusworth-Bolger and today I have the great pleasure to be your host. I'm a senior service designer at Genomics England specifically working with the hospitals involved in delivering the Generation Study. In March 2023 we started with our very first hospital, St. Michael's in Bristol. I am today joined by Tracie Miles who I had the utter pleasure of working closely with when they were setting up. And we also have Rachel Peck, one of the mums who joined the study in Bristol. Regular listeners to this podcast may already be familiar with the Generation Study but for those who are not, the Generation Study is running in England and aims to sequence the genomes of 100,000 newborn babies from a cord blood sample taken at birth. The families consented to take part will have their babies screened for over 200 rare genetic conditions most of which are not normally tested for at birth. We expect only 1% of these babies to receive a condition suspected result, but for those 1,000 families that result could be utterly life changing as it could mean early treatment or support for that condition. Would you like to introduce yourselves and tell us what it means to you to have been that first hospital open in this landmark study. Tracie, I'll come to you first. Tracie: Hi Jenna, lovely to be with you all this morning. And for those who are listening it is early in the morning, we get up early in the morning because we never know when these babies are going to be born on the Generation Study and we have to be ready for them. So, my name is Tracie, I am the Co-Investigator with the wonderful Andrew Mumford, and we work together with a huge team bringing this study to life in Bristol. I am also the Associate Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the South West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance. Jenna: Thanks Tracie. We're also joined today by Rachel. Would you like to introduce yourself and your baby, and tell me when you found out about the Generation Study? Rachel: Hi, thank you for inviting me. My name's Rachel, I'm based in Bristol. My baby is Amber; she was born four months ago in St. Michael's hospital in Bristol. I first heard about the Generation Study when I was going to one of my antenatal appointments and saw some of the posters in the waiting room. Amber is napping at the moment, so hopefully she'll stay asleep for long enough for the recording. Jenna: Well done, that's the perfect mum skill to get a baby to nap whilst you're busy doing something online. So, Rachel, you said you heard about the study from a poster. When you first saw that poster, what were your initial thoughts? Rachel: I thought it was really interesting, I haven't come across anything like that before and I thought the ability to screen my unborn baby at the time's whole genome sounded really appealing. Jenna: Fantastic. So, what happened after the poster? Rachel: If I remember correctly, I scanned the QR code on the poster which took me to the website. I filled out a few simple questions online and then I was contacted by one of the research team where I arranged a formal consent conversation. That was done by Zoom I think in the evening because I've already got a toddler at home so post bedtime works best for me. So, we had about a forty-minute conversation on the phone where I could ask all the questions that I needed to ask and if I was happy which I was. I then gave my consent and then I believe my maternity records were kind of highlighted to say that I signed up for the Generation Study and that when my baby was born then a sample was going to be taken, and I would be given the results in due course. Jenna: And did all that go smoothly, that you're aware of? Rachel: Yeah, as far as I'm aware. It was genuinely really simple to do. After that initial consultation where I signed the consent form there wasn't any follow-up appointments so the next thing I knew, I think it was just chance, but one of the research nurses actually came down to see me on the day which was really nice. Just to say, ‘Oh, just to let you know that the team are aware.' And then, other than that, the next thing I knew was getting the results through by post. Jenna: Sure. So, behind the scenes your baby's blood was collected from the umbilical cord, that would have been registered, packaged, sent off and went on a whole journey for you to ultimately get your result. It all sounds very simple, but I think we're going to dig into a lot of the mechanisms that kind of went behind the scenes to make something that seems simple come to life. Tracie, we met in the summer of 2023 I believe. I came to St. Michaels with a suitcase full of our materials which we had started to bring to life, including that poster. We've sat together and we were trying to figure out exactly how this was going to come to life in our very first hospital and how, what Rachel described, was actually going to become real. Tracie, can you tell me what you remember about those conversations and the thinking that you did as a team ahead of getting that green light to go ahead and start recruiting? Tracie: Listeners, just to let you know that Rachel hasn't been primed to say that it was a seamless journey from delivery to getting results. I'm delighted to hear that it was. And I think the reason that we've achieved that in Bristol and across England now with the other teams that Jenna and the team have helped roll out, is teamwork. And part of our team is our mum, in this case Rachel. If you hear me or Jenna describing our mums as "Mia", that's the name, the significant name or the identifier we give for our participant. So, yeah, Jenna, I think the thing was it was about those first conversations. It was about teamwork and who shall we involve? We involved everybody didn't we, Jenna? So, I know that the team, by the time they came to us they'd already been planning for two years. So, in fact what came to us in Bristol was a wealth of work and information, and two years of behind the scenes of the team working. We involved every midwife. Now a midwife is a cover all term. We involve community midwives, research midwives, antenatal midwives, post-natal midwives. They all do different things for the mum pathway. Not forgetting dad as well, he is involved in all of this and Rachel I'm sure will testify later to the fact that when she was offered the consent, her partner was offered to come along too. UHBW, that's United Hospital Bristol and Western, that our maternity hospital as part of, have got a fantastic R&D department and they were on straightaway with the rule book checking that we knew what we were doing. So, for those of you that aren't in the medical world, that's making sure we've got the right governance, that we're doing things by the rule book. Andrew went out and spoke to lots of different clinicians that would be involved in the pathway after the results were back, for those babies where we found a condition suspected. So, essentially Jenna, I think the list that was fairly long, grew longer and longer. Jenna: I think that was something that I was really struck by when I came back and visited you repeatedly after that. You were particularly good at getting some of those staff members that you might not even think about involved in the study, like the receptionist on your sonography department who you had recruited to make sure that they gave out the leaflet and the participant information sheet to all the mums coming in for their twenty-week scans etc. All that thinking was really valuable and something that I've passed on and taken out on my trips to other hospitals along the way. We heard from Rachel that she heard about this study from the poster. Now that you've been going for just over a year, what are all the different ways that people hear about the study, is it just the poster? Tracie: No, it's not just the poster. So, essentially when we first opened, we had lots of material. We had banners, we had posters. A short leaflet that you might often pick up at the GP, a little one that you can unfold into three pieces, and then a bigger patient information leaflet which actually described the whole study and also signposted the mums and dads to go and have a look on the website to hear more about it. What we did was we literally walked the mum's journey as she came into the hospital through antenatal and placed those posters and leaflets in the places where we knew she would see them. Now we had to be very careful about that as well because we couldn't just distribute them everywhere, we wanted to make sure that mum was getting sight of them, or mum and dad if they were coming together, at a place where their pregnancy was in hopefully, a safe position. So, that's around about 20 weeks onwards. We didn't want to be giving that information out in the early days of pregnancy when actually mum and dad are getting flooded with lots of information, but we wanted them to feel secure in their pregnancy and for us to feel clinically secure. That worked really well and really effectively, but there's nothing like people pairing. So, in fact getting our ultra sonographers. So, for those of you that have been through pregnancy will remember at around about twenty weeks you have a scan, it's often called a dating scan or an anomaly scan, and we would get our receptionist to physically hand out a leaflet then. What we have evolved over the last year working with the team from Genomics England to make sure that we keep the wording right so that we can share with all the other sites across England, because it's good to have consistency. And also, as this evolves if this becomes standard of care, if this proves that actually this is useful for future-proofing for all of us in the public, if this study becomes something in real clinical terms, we've actually started sending out what we call, a signposting email. So, this is an email that goes to all of our prospective parents at 20 weeks plus, once we've checked that the pregnancy is safe and healthy. That has absolutely paid dividend and actually plays into the NHS future promise of analogue to digital to using those quick smart ways of working to reach our families. So, that has created a huge influx of recruits for us, Jenna. Jenna: That's really interesting. We've sort of observed that same sort of thing. As we go through the hospitals now there's kind of three main ways that people are finding out the study. We call it like the passive way. So, that's what Rachel did which is the posters, the banners, but that doesn't work for everyone. In hospitals poster blindness is real. And also, you're coming for your twenty-week scan, you've got other things on your mind. You're not really looking around wanting to pick up leaflets and things and obviously we've also got to think about our non-English speakers. Or even an English speaker who sees the poster, but their literacy isn't very high, or their health literacy isn't very high. So, reading a message that says something about genomics and testing, it can be quite overwhelming for people and not something that they would respond to. So, then we're signposting as our other kind of keyway and that's trying to get exactly what Tracie described, all the different staff involved. Who could be physically putting this leaflet in somebody's hand? Who could be mentioning it albeit briefly, just, you know, this is something you might like to consider. Rachel, I want to ask you what Tracie was describing there about the message kind of being better to be given later in pregnancy or after that 20-week scan point, because of all that information overload you get earlier in your pregnancy. Does that resonate with you? Rachel: Yeah, I think that sounds about right. For lots of people when there's so much uncertainty in early pregnancy and I think some people are quite almost superstitious and don't want to sign up for things that potentially might not happen. So, I think from a personal perspective and from other friends who haven't been quite as fortunate, I think actually waiting until a little bit later when you've got a little bit more headspace and mental capacity for that sounds about right. I think there's too many things early on. It sounds like you're aiming at the right spot. Jenna: Absolutely. I think one of the other interesting aspects of all of this is the fact that Amber's cord blood was taken on the day that Amber was born, and I'm interested to understand a little bit about how that baton was passed from the moment that you consented, Rachel, to make sure that that sample was taken. I know it sounds like Rachel; you were in hospital at a point that the staff were there so they actually popped down to your bedside to see you but that doesn't always happen. Our teams don't work 24/7 and babies do get born at 2:00 a.m. over a bank holiday weekend. But Tracie, how do you make sure that that kind of message is passed through at St. Michaels, and what's worked well and what have the challenges been? Tracie: So, a bit like how did we get the message through, is there one way? And the answer is no. There are posters, there are emails, etc. What we do do is first and foremost we encourage our mum, like Rachel here, and the dad, it might be two mums coming in together, to advocate for themselves. To say, ‘I'm on the Generation Study.' We don't expect that to be the only signal however because if a mum is coming in in full labour having done that a couple of times myself, I might forget. Now Genomics England have made some great bag tags, some stickers, all sorts of different visual identifiers that some hospitals around England are using, some aren't. We in fact actually don't get our mums to carry them, that may change. There are lots of different ways of doing it and every hospital maternity unit will find their fit. So, visual clues that mum and dad, or mum and mum, advocating for themselves as they come in, but also making sure that we have spoken with the delivery suite midwives and the theatre midwives. Because in our hospital, which it seems to be the same sort of ratio around the country, sometimes up to about 40% of deliveries are done in theatre. So, we need to make sure we talk to our theatre staff and the people there as much as our central delivery or labour ward, for listeners who aren't familiar with the terms. So, we make sure that we went and walked the floor in the delivery labour ward and theatre on a regular basis. So, the task for us was to make sure that our midwives, all 200 of them know that if a mum is in the Generation Study and coming in for delivery, that they know that she's on the study. So, ways we do that is research midwives are an absolute ally, they do walk the floor. They do pop down to delivery suite and they do alert the team that there is a potential that a mum might be coming in that week with a planned Caesarean section, that's one easy. That actually can be an email. But we still do that by word of mouth, or they have a big board up in the delivery suite, which I gather is quite often the way across a lot of the country. Also, really, really key and this once again fits with our NHS plans, analogue to digital. The majority of our sites now are taking on electronic records. So, we put a key flag on the electronic record to say that this mum is on a research study. Staff are used to that because it's not the only research study that is happening. Now it doesn't have to just be an electronic note, it can be done on the retro paper notes as well. So, for those of you that have got paper notes or if we've got mums who are holding paper notes, fear not, there is an area on the notes where we can put that too. So, it's basically anywhere where we know the delivery midwife has sight of the babies' notes we will put a sticker, we will say something. So, it's one size doesn't fit all. Jenna: Yeah, what you've described there is just so lovely and so true about it's got to be belt and braces. The research team, the study team and the hospital might be a small number of people working Monday to Friday. Your people you completely rely on are those huge numbers of delivery midwives that need to have that message transmitted to them potentially over a 20 week timespan from the time the consent has happened to that day that that baby is born. So, what was really key as my role as service designer was going to the sites. I'm still doing this to this day, onboarding new sites all the time. We go and we speak to the sites, help them envisage how they might deliver this, how it's actually going to work. What's the nitty-gritty of all that mechanism that's going to happen but making sure that what they really understand is, what's the outcome? What do we want to happen? We want as many babies as possible to have those cord bloods taken and not missed. How you actually send that message whether it's through a paper note, a sticker on a paper note, giving a pack to the family to bring in so they've got something physical to hand over to their delivery midwife as a physical memento. Magnets that are put on the handover boards, or any or all of these things, in lots of ways the hospitals that have still got paper notes actually find it easier because that can staple a bag with the bottle that we use for our cord blood samples and this mum is part of the Generation Study to the front of the notes. It's more obvious than it would be as a digital flag. Tracie: I totally agree with that, it's all about that visual cue that we were talking about earlier. We actually fund a midwifery support worker, her name's Lauren. Hello Lauren, if you're listening. And what Lauren does is actually she makes sure that in all the rooms where women deliver that there are little set bags with all the equipment needed to take that cord blood. She also came up with a brilliant idea and again, a visual clue and Genomics England help us to design it, a poster. We would put on the outside of the door of mum and dad when they said they were on the study. So, if you've got a changeover of midwives then those midwives know that they're going into a room to support and deliver a mum that's got a baby on the study. Jenna: And I think that's something that's really key is what you said there about Lauren and her bright idea to create that poster and things like that, and that's been really key to how we've worked from Genomics England as a kind of service design kind of wrapper if you like around all of these hospitals. I have taken on the role of chief pollinator, so I've flown from hospital to hospital taking all the best ideas. So, Lauren's idea of the poster, I came along and I took a photograph of that poster. That poster is in a slide and that slide gets shown when I go and do onboarding and training sessions with future hospitals. Bristol were really key because as our first site and as the first early days check in we did, the photographs I took at your hospital at Birmingham Women's and at the Rosie in Cambridge which were the first three hospitals, you still to this day make up a large percentage of what we show because you were the first to have all those great ideas and we share those out. But we don't go round all the other hospitals, and we have found new ideas all the time and they are put together in our service design manual which is all available for all the sites. Something that St. Michael's can refer back to to see what new things they could be thinking about. But basically, raising up the best and allowing hospitals to borrow from each other. Before we just move on from how it all works, I just want to ask Rachel, did you notice any of that or were you very busy having a baby? And did you remember to kind of advocate to yourself and mention the study? Rachel: I did remember to advocate for myself, also it was one of the jobs that I allocated to my husband as well as a, well, if I forget which is likely, can you make sure that you mention to them. I had a caesarean section. For other people who have had caesarean sections, there's quite a lot of waiting round time. So, when we were in the theatre getting ready, having a chat with the anaesthetist it was a nice opportunity to be able to take my mind off the impending surgical procedure and just mention about the Generation Study. But incidentally, they knew about it anyway. I think I remember seeing some kind of sticker or maybe the blood tubes or something on my theatre records. But see them taking the sample, I wasn't aware, I had other things on my mind at that point. Jenna: Absolutely. You were cuddling Amber for the first time probably. One of the things that you touched on Tracie, was you had to go round all of your delivery suite midwives and make sure they all knew how much blood to take, what tube to put it in. The fact that they had to invert it 10 times, put it in a particular fridge so that you knew where to find it. All of those are really important training messages that you had to pass on. But for you to be able to pass them on, we had to train you in the first place. So, my memory was that we came down to you one cold December day and spent a whole day with you down at St. Michaels trying our best to train you as seamlessly as we could. My memory of that day is it wasn't terribly slick because it was our first and we're always learning. I'd like to think we've got it a lot more slick now, but what do you remember about that day? And just in general kind of learning what you needed to do on the study and what kind of worked well for you, and what worked less well? Tracie: I do remember that day, it was very cold. I think what's changed Jenna is on that December day the whole team felt that they were having to take on the whole of the journey. They now as the work has developed, realise and learn the part of the journey that they need to be involved in and don't have to be concerned about the rest of the journey. Jenna: I learnt an awful lot and I think it's really true that it's really important that people who are taking the samples, they just need to know their role. But they do need to know a little bit about what the study is, why it's worthwhile, why this mum has signed up and what value it's going to bring to that family. I think the other thing that we learnt when we came to your training as well was in the same way that we went a bit too deep for some people in their role, we didn't go deep enough for your team that were actually going to be doing these consent conversations. At that, at end of that training day, you still felt trepidatious about doing those conversations and so we really took that on board and then developed our informed choice cards which are like scenario cards that allow teams to kind of practice, rehearse and think through how they're going to answer those common questions. And we've taken those into a session that allows people who are just doing the consent conversation to go even deeper, so we do that online in a webinar now which we run monthly and that allows any new members of staff to go that little bit deeper in terms of what is this consent conversation? What is it that I need to get people to understand and be fully informed about before they come into this study? A key objective of the Generation Study which after all is a research study, is to understand if the NHS and families would benefit if screening for conditions via whole genome sequencing was something that became part of NHS standard care. Rachel, can I ask you as a mum, is that something that you've reflected on at all and how would you feel about it? Rachel: Yeah, I've thought about quite a bit. I think if whole genome sequencing can help families get answers earlier then from a parent perspective, I think anything that reduces a long and potentially stressful journey to a diagnosis is really valuable. If a disease is picked up earlier and treatment can start sooner, then that could make a real difference to a child or even Amber's health and development. So, I think that would be potentially very advantageous. I guess in a resource limited NHS that we have, there are, you know, clear challenges in rolling out whole genome sequencing for everyone. But I'm guessing that the Generation Study will provide the evidence to help understand if this is feasible or worthwhile. And clearly the Generation Study needs to show that the screening of these 200 or so conditions is as good as the existing screening that already exists. From a parent perspective, if it's shown to be equally as good at doing that, plus all these other disorders then it seems like a win-win. I think for me the main advantage and the main reason why I was keen to enter for Amber was if she were at risk of getting one of these rare disorders then there's an advantage to picking that up earlier for her. Because I'm aware that lots of people if they have a rare disorder, it can take a long time to get to that diagnosis and that can be really stressful for you as the parent but also for the child. Anything I think to minimise their suffering is worthwhile. So, it sounds fantastic, if it works. Jenna: Absolutely and I think that's what's really nice about being involved in something like this is that the study itself is set out to find out those things. It's not set out to find out how we could do whole genome sequencing in the NHS, it's whether we should. As part of the study, you also consented to have Amber's data go through into the National Genomic Research Library which leads us to one of the secondary objectives of the Generation Study which is to understand the implications of keeping a baby's genomic data over their childhood, or even over their lifetime. Amber will be contacted when she is 16 by Genomics England to find out whether she herself is happy for her data to be kept. But keeping that data for that length of time offers up opportunities for further screening for other conditions later in Amber's life. Or using that data with your consent of course, to do further research into genes and health. And so over the next few years you may be contacted by Genomics England to invite you to take part in future studies. And, I was just wondering about how much you have been told about the potential for that and again, how you feel about that kind of aspect of being part of this study. Rachel: Yeah, that was definitely discussed quite a lot in the consent conversation that I had with Siobhan, and we were told that Amber's data would be stored long term and that there might be future opportunities for the team to kind of get in touch or do additional testing. And I think from a parent's point of view I guess that's the hardest thing to consent for in terms of you having to make a decision on behalf of your unborn child. But I think why we thought that was worthwhile was that could potentially benefit Amber personally herself, or if not, there's a potential it could benefit other children. So, I think that whole kind of for the greater good, that kind of prevailed. And I think the other, not concern as it were, but other thing we wanted to discuss with that consent was the security of that data. And certainly, when I was discussing it with my husband that was his kind of main point to kind of clarify, if the data is being stored long term and if that was safe. And in terms of the safety, thinking about could future employers or can insurance companies, you know, get hold of that data? As a parent, the last thing you want to do is accidentally prevent your daughter from getting a job that she wants to get. But it was all explained that that wouldn't happen, but I think that was something that was us for us personally important to clarify. Jenna: I think that's really where that depth of the consent conversation is so key and why we do that sort of additional training to allow staff who may be very used to doing research and doing research consent, but never before have done a genomic consent where it's about keeping genomic data and the implications of keeping it for that really long time. What else do you remember about that consent conversation, Rachel? Is there anything else that kind of stands out that you had to sort of really dig into with Siobhan on that day? Rachel: I'm just trying to think back because it was a little while ago. The main kind of points that I want to discuss was the security of the data and then what would happen if for whatever reason the umbilical cord blood sample wasn't taken and if that meant that we could still be part of the study or not. It was explained that yes, there is a way, they would do an initial heel prick blood sample. But that was reassuring to know that if for whatever reason if there was some kind of emergency and it didn't happen the way we wanted. So, I think that was the other kind of practical thing that was discussed. Jenna: It sounds like Siobhan sort of had by that point all of the answers at her fingertips, but that kind of links back I guess to how important it is for all the training and all of the materials, because quite a lot of the answers to those questions are in the participant information sheet. Quite a few of them are covered in the participant video which is a sort of a four-minute-long video, it's meant to make the understanding a little bit more accessible. But it's not relying on one route of information, it's the conversation and that face to face you have with someone. It's the written information and it's those videos and other materials. So, we need to go as far as we can to kind of get the word out. One of the limitations that we had, certainly back in the day when we just had St. Michael's and a couple of other hospitals on board was that trying to get the word out about the study widely was also going to disappoint quite a lot of people who weren't able to take part because their hospital wasn't in it. We've talked a lot about this consent conversation, and I think something that's really important, underpinning for the whole study is the ethics that's been involved and all the work that's been done around that area. As the study is free and optional and taking part involves a commitment from families to have babies' data held for at least 16 years, the consent conversation and getting that right is so vital. We touched upon this in a previous episode with my colleague Mathilde Leblond where we talked about all the design research that our team did in the build up to launching this study, so that we could really deeply understand what families wanted and needed as part of their experience. So, Tracie, we've heard from Rachel the things that she was concerned around, but what were your reflections as a team in St. Michaels around the ethical aspects of the study? And what has been particularly tough about that in relation to you guys in Bristol? Tracie: I would say informed consent is something that we all take as healthcare professionals, and we all hold dearly the governance. So, I was mentioning earlier that actually consent may not be a one-off situation. So, for example, Rachel had forty minutes with Siobhan. That was the conversation that she had where Rachel felt that she was enabled and informed enough to take consent, and Siobhan listening to her having that conversation with Rachel felt that that was appropriate at the time. So, consent was achieved between the two of them. Now, that wasn't the only part of Rachel's consent is Rachel was telling us there's the patient information leaflet that she read, so that's also part of the informed consent. And we have to be sure that our mums and the other parent of the baby have read that information. And one of the things that I was very worried especially about at the beginning was it's a superb information leaflet, it's quite long, it needs to be. It signposts the parents of the unborn baby to a website which is fantastic. Do they all look at it? Not always. Would I? Probably not. So, there's no criticism of the parents here. So, one of the things that I was really concerned about from the genomics perspective of this and the data protection because this is not a one-off, this is a longitudinal study. Amber when she's 16 years old will decide whether or not she wants to continue, so it's not a one-off moment that her lovely mum and dad have consented her for. There's a lot that's been consented for. All great and all appropriate and all future-proofing for future Ambers. But my concern was actually, are we getting that information across to all the mums and dads as they sign up? So, it was really important that when we were training our midwives and our genomic practitioners, those that were consenting, to make sure that they were really cognisant of the enormity of the wealth of science we were signing our parents and their babies' futures up to. Jenna: Indeed, and very well said and I think you touched on something that is really close to our hearts as well that we've thought a lot about but still continue to do work to get right, which is the patient information leaflet if you have the health literacy and written language literacy to be able to sit and read a 16-page document, great, but not everybody does. As I've gone place to place and hospital to hospital, I'm always struck by the different communities that surround different hospitals and the different challenges that they might have. So, if you compare somewhere like Royal London which is in the heart of Whitechapel, I think around 40% of their birthing parents there are first generation Bengali women who have little to no English. Also, whose health literacy is quite low as well. So, engaging them takes a very different approach to an approach you might take elsewhere. So, it's definitely not a one size fits all. Tracie, how have you adapted some of your approaches to your local communities in Bristol? Tracie: So, we have a fairly diverse population, not as diverse as the Whitechapel example that you gave, but in fact we were aware, a bit like the team in London that we have a population of Somali potential birthing parents. What we've done is we've worked with community leaders and elders from the Somali population to develop a day, or it might be a couple of mornings, for us to talk about and workshop to explain about the study. So, we have all of the information. We have the translations that have been done by Genomics England. And hat we are doing is we are working with the community elders for them to tell us the right fit. Should it be a whole day? Probably not. Should it be a coffee morning or a tea morning? Probably. Should it be where we get a guest speaker in? That was their idea. What is the key condition suspected, one of those 200 conditions that the study is looking at that is prevalent in that community? Let's ask the community elders what they think, and we'll do what we're told. So, it's been fabulous actually doing that. Jenna: It's really, really great to hear about that. I think we've got little pockets of work like that popping up all over the country now which is really exciting to start seeing. I think at first, we were very much about getting the study up running and out there. And now we're starting to make sure we get that reach and we get that equity, and the opportunity for all pregnant people to decide whether this is right or wrong for their family. It's about informed choice and you can't make an informed choice whether that's an informed yes or an informed no if you don't have the information. We are proud that we go further than most research studies in terms of our accessibility, in terms of translations and we know that not English speaking is not the only barrier to access, there's lots of cultural barriers as well. But with the translated materials we support 10 languages as far as our professionally translated participant information leaflet. I was also really pleased when I found out at first that our website team had built the website in such a way that it worked not only with screen readers. So, somebody with a visual impairment could ‘read', in inverted commas, the website but that also it translates via Google into the 160 languages that Google support, which we know Google translations aren't perfect but they're better than nothing. And going back to what Tracie sort of said, the website doesn't have to do everything, it's about a conversation at the end of the day. It's a consent conversation that can be supported by a professional interpreter but it's about getting that initial message out there so they even get as far as having that conversation with an interpreter. We heard from Rachel around her reflections for the future, Tracie, about the study potentially becoming NHS standard care and about that potential of us having Amber and 99,999 other babies' data in the National Genomic Research Library and the potential that gives us for further research. Or for potentially re-screening those children as they grow up. When you look to the future and think about the Generation Study and what it might pave the way for, what are your hopes or perhaps fears? Tracie: So, my belief working in the genomics field is genomics is everybody's business. So, it's the 3 of us talking today, we're all very keen about genomics but there is a fear around genomics. Actually, I feel that this landmark study is absolutely fantastic. It makes genomics everybody's business. And it actually helps the whole healthcare community looking after these parents and the unborn babies as they go through the journey learn about the positivity of genomics. I think this landmark study is an absolutely win-win. It speaks to the whole family. Jenna: Thank you, Tracie. I'm also particularly excited about what the future could hold. I think as the service designer that's been working so closely with the hospitals, I'm really excited around what we've learned through this study in terms of reaching families and getting genomic information and options out to them. As you say, it is everybody. I continue to enjoy meeting new hospitals and seeing their kind of innovative take on that and kind of pollinating that back to other trusts so that we can reach as many families as possible and get that equity of access for everybody. I'm also particularly excited that we're moving into a phase where we're going to be learning more from the parents themselves that are taking part. So, I think we'll wrap up there. Thank you to our guests Rachel, Tracie for joining me today as we discuss the rollout and impact of the Generation Study at St. Michael's Hospital in Bristol. If you'd like to hear more about this, please subscribe to Behind the Genes on your favourite podcast app. Thank you for listening. I've been your host Jenna Cusworth-Bolger. This podcast was edited by Bill Griffin at Ventoux Digital and produced by Deanna Barac.
A very special episode of 'At Home with Kelly and Tiffany,' we're chatting with doula and bereavement advocate Ryley Chesnut. We discuss her personal experience with loss and how it inspires her to support other families going through similar hardships. Find hope, emotional support and tangible tools for walking through one of life's hardest journeys. 00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Holistic Health Podcast01:09 Interview with Doula Ryley Chestnut02:51 Ryley's Personal Bereavement Story05:28 The Role of Bereavement Doulas15:10 Navigating Provider Support21:48 Labor of Hope and Support Systems28:32 Advocating for Monitoring and C-Section Decision30:18 The Birth and 51 Minutes of Life31:22 Support and Memories33:23 Navigating Stillbirth and Bereavement Birth37:15 Empowering Birth Choices40:44 Community Support and Showing Up46:45 Resources and Support for Loss50:02 Hope and Moving Forward54:26 Conclusion and Ways to Support the ShowLinks We Chat AboutLabor of HopeStill Birth DayNow I Lay Me Down To SleepBridget's CradlesCradled in HopeMother of WildeOur Monthly MembershipOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
How well does the law serve women? That's a question Nuala puts to Brenda Marjorie Hale, The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Hale of Richmond, DBE a former judge who served as the first female President of the Supreme Court. She was the first woman and the youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission, where she led the work on what became the 1989 Children Act. In 2019 she announced the Supreme Court's judgement that the prorogation of Parliament was ‘unlawful, void and of no effect'. She discusses her new book, With the Law on Our Side – How the law works for everyone and how we can make it work better.BBC Celebrity Race Across the World will soon be back on our screens as four celebs pair up with a friend or family member and travel from a starting point anywhere in the world to another BUT with no phones or flights allowed and only the cost of the flight as money for the entire trip. Woman's Hour had the privilege of revealing one of the pairings: none other than Woman's Hour presenter Anita Rani and her father Balvinder Singh Nazran.To so many women the symptoms of pregnancy are instant, intense and unmistakeable; however some make it the full nine months without having any idea they're even pregnant. This phenomenon is known as cryptic pregnancy, and the British Medical Journal suggests it's more common than triplets. Nuala was joined by two women who have experienced this first-hand, plus Professor of Midwifery, Helen Cheyne to discuss.Patricia Lockwood is a poet, memoirist and novelist whose work straddles the literary world and the wilds of the internet. Patricia first went viral with her traumatic poem Rape Joke, while her memoir Priestdaddy, about being the daughter of a Catholic priest, has been called a modern classic. She talked to Nuala McGovern about her new book, Will There Ever Be Another You, which explores the surreal disorientation of illness, memory and recovery in the wake of Covid.Sudanese women and girls are bearing the brunt of a civil war that is entering its third year. The relentless conflict has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis for 6 million displaced women and girls. Cases of conflict-related sexual violence remain hugely under-reported, but evidence points to its systematic use as a weapon of war. Yousra Elbagir, Sky News' Africa Correspondent talked to Anita about the impact on women and also the role women play in providing support to the displaced.Are you a fan of words, their meanings and origins? The lexicographer Susie Dent, best known as the queen of Dictionary Corner on C4's Countdown, has created a whole year's worth of words, most of which you most probably never knew existed, in a freshly published almanac. It is called Words for Life and each day you can read an entry, digest its meaning and maybe laugh at its sound. Susie gives Anita some examples and explains her interest in words.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Andrea Kidd
What if your pregnancy care was centered on your values, offering personalized support every step of the way? In this episode of Fertility Forward, licensed midwife Casey Selzer shares her two decades of experience advocating for holistic, patient-focused maternity care and demystifies the role of midwives in today's healthcare landscape. We explore how midwifery offers a holistic approach to pregnancy and birth that complements nursing and doula care. Casey explains different care models and encourages early reflection on birth values to help patients choose the best provider and setting. You'll also learn how innovative practices like Oula Health (where Casey is Senior Director of Patient Programs) integrate midwives, OBGYNs, doulas, and specialists in a team-based model that prioritizes education and continuity of care, ultimately transforming maternity care to be more accessible, supportive, and aligned with patient needs. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating pregnancy care options, dispelling misconceptions, and advocating for your unique journey toward parenthood!
Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join today.What if acceptance is the most radical act of motherhood?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aviva Romm, a Yale-trained MD, herbalist, and midwife who has been practicing for over 40 years. She's a bestselling author of several books, a mom of four, and a grandmother who even got to midwife two of her own grandbabies at home.We talk about the tension between hopes and acceptance on the journey through fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood. The conversation moves through the stories we tell ourselves, the weight of expectations, and what it looks like to find resilience and grace when things unfold differently than planned.You'll Learn:Why suffering often comes from the gap between expectations and reality in motherhoodWhat happens when fertility, birth, or parenting doesn't follow the story you imaginedThe link between perfectionism, self-judgment, and how women process fertility or birth outcomesWhy you need to stop “should-ing” yourself to cultivate more resilienceHow external judgment in wellness or parenting circles can intensify shame and isolationThe wisdom behind seeing every baby as having their own story and giftWhy self-compassion and trusting your body matter the most when plans changeHow support systems, partners, community, or trusted providers shape the journeyThe power of surrender and acceptance as lifelong practices for mothersTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[09:02] Balancing motherhood, creative work, and the importance of support systems[11:11] Shifting perspectives on motherhood, sacrifice, and the pressure to do it all[15:33] Letting go of expectations and finding acceptance in fertility and motherhood[30:20] Judgment in wellness culture and evolving personal stories in motherhood[55:56] Lessons in releasing guilt and honoring self-development in motherhoodResources Mentioned:Womanhood Wellness | WebsiteAmerican Herbalists Guild | WebsiteThe Mama Pathway | WebsiteBooks by Dr. Aviva Romm | WebsiteLearn more from Dr. Aviva:Dr. Aviva Romm | WebsiteDr. Aviva Romm | FacebookDr. Aviva Romm | InstagramDr. Aviva Romm | LinkedInDr. Aviva Romm | XDr. Aviva Romm | YouTubeOn Health For Women Podcast | Apple or SpotifyFind more from Leah:Leah Gordon | InstagramLeah Gordon | WebsiteLeah Gordon | WebsiteFind more from Morgan:Morgan MacDermott | InstagramMorgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
To so many women the symptoms of pregnancy are instant, intense and unmistakeable; however some make it the full nine months without having any idea they're even pregnant. This phenomenon is known as cryptic pregnancy, and the British Medical Journal suggests it's more common than triplets. Nuala McGovern is joined by two women who have experienced this first-hand, plus Professor of Midwifery, Helen Cheyne to discuss.Actor Karen Pittman earned an Emmy nomination for her performance as The Morning Show's hardworking producer Mia Jordan, alongside co-stars including Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. As the newsroom drama returns to Apple TV+ for a fourth season, Karen joins Nuala to discuss the show's themes, from truth and deepfakes, to women in the workplace. Karen also featured in the Netflix adaptation of Judy Blume's teen romance Forever and is known to fans of Sex and the City spin off, And Just Like That, as Dr Nya Wallace.Poet Nikita Gill tells Nuala about her latest book Hekate the Witch. She is the Greek goddess of magics, the crossroads, keys and necromancy. Nikita retells Hekate's story, from being an orphaned child brought up in the Underworld to becoming a powerful goddess seeking revenge for her family.A Kenyan High Court has issued an arrest warrant for a British national, suspected of killing a 21-year-old Kenyan woman, Agnes Wanjiru, more than a decade ago. Agnes was found dead in 2012 in the grounds of a hotel near an army base, nearly three months after she had allegedly spent an evening socialising with British soldiers. Hannah Al-Othman, a journalist for the Guardian who originally broke the story at the Sunday Times, and the BBC's Akisa Wandera, senior East Africa journalist based in Nairobi speak to Nuala.
Today's rerun episode features the incredible Professor Hannah Dahlen, an Australian midwife, researcher, and international leader in maternity care. Hannah has published over 100 papers, spoken at more than 100 conferences, and appeared in documentaries and major media worldwide.In this conversation, Hannah shares:Her powerful journey into midwifery, growing up in Yemen alongside her mother, a practicing midwife.The art of holding space in birth, and why it's often misunderstood as “doing nothing.”Stories of humility, intuition, and the delicate balance between action and inaction in midwifery.Her vision for shifting the global understanding of midwifery alongside obstetrics.We're also thrilled to announce the launch of the Midwifery Wisdom Fellowship. Christie Davis and I created this mentorship to help future leaders step into advanced practice with confidence, build sustainable careers, and truly change the culture of midwifery for good.And here's the best part — to celebrate, we're hosting a giveaway! One lucky midwife will win a complete starter kit valued at over $500 — everything from a Doppler and neonatal stethoscope, to a scale, instruments, NRP kit, blood pressure cuff and more. PLUS, a gorgeous handmade Patchwork Carpet Bag from St. Clair Designs to carry it all in.More details on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com
Tamsyn shares her journey from first-time mum to birthing fraternal twins vaginaly at 40+6 weeks. After experiencing a medicalised first birth with Maya during COVID lockdowns, Tamsyn was determined to achieve the physiological birth she envisaged for her twins. Despite facing significant pressure from hospital staff to accept routine interventions, Tamsyn's story demonstrates the importance of having strong support people and trusting your body's ability to birth. With the guidance of her private midwife Helen and support person Shelly (a midwife and family friend), Tamsyn navigated challenging conversations with obstetricians and ultimately achieved her dream birth - birthing both babies naturally within 10 minutes of each other after just 90 minutes in hospital.Prepare for your birth with our courses and products, The Birth ClassThe Caesarean Birth ClassWelcome to the First Trimester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us as we discuss an intense, yet victorious birth story from our midwifery practice in San Diego, navigating gestational diabetes management, labor challenges, our longest pushing phase we have supported as midwives, and the journey of a firmly committed and focused first-time mom.01:09 Diving into Birth Stories02:04 Reflecting on Midwifery Practices08:59 Client's Journey to Midwifery Care10:10 Managing Blood Glucose Issues17:44 The Birth Story Begins23:05 Navigating Early Labor Challenges23:22 Rest and Reassurance23:54 The Importance of Patience24:13 Encouraging Progress24:41 The Power of Support24:56 Midwives' Tools and Techniques25:35 A Critical Nap26:00 Reassessing and Adapting26:41 Pushing Through Obstacles27:26 Facing Position Challenges29:01 The Final Push30:44 A Hard-Earned Victory32:10 Reflecting on the Birth Experience40:41 Postpartum Reflections42:58 Empowering Future Births46:40 Community and SupportLinks We Chat About:Our Monthly MembershipOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
It is common for partners to have different opinions about pregnancy, birth, or parenting. These differences can create tension, especially when decisions need to be made. As doulas, we play a vital role in navigating these situations with professionalism and care. It is important that we equip ourselves with strategies to support both individuals without taking sides. We can more effectively help them communicate by asking questions that invite open communication and help uncover the underlying values or fears behind each perspective. Understanding where each person is coming from creates space for empathy and problem-solving. Guiding partners toward common ground by encouraging collaboration and fostering mutual respect is critical. By remaining neutral and supportive, doulas can help families approach these challenges as a team rather than opponents. Join us for a practical conversation on how to maintain balance, build trust, and support healthy communication when clients and their partners see things differently.
Dr. Nikia Grayson, nurse midwife, family nurse practitioner, and anthropologist, joins us to share how she's helping reclaim and restore Black midwifery in the South. As Chief Clinical Officer at CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, TN, Dr. Grayson has led groundbreaking efforts to open Memphis' first and only birth center, launch the nation's first Black Midwifery Fellowship, and provide full-spectrum, justice-centered reproductive care. In this episode, Dr. Grayson reflects on the challenges of dismantling systemic racism in health care, the impact of the Dobbs decision on abortion access in the South, and the importance of investing in doulas, midwives, and community-based care. Dr. Grayson also offers advice for birth workers on building new systems rooted in justice, joy, and liberation. Content note: Discussion of infant mortality disparities as well as difficulties in accessing abortion care post-Dobbs decision. (02:33) The Vision Behind CHOICES (04:44) Obstetric Racism and Health Care Barriers in Memphis (07:21) Building Memphis' First Birth Center (10:34) A Calling to Midwifery and Restoring Black Traditions (13:41) Early Work in Home Birth and Community Care (15:19) Growing a Midwifery Team in Memphis (17:57) Launching the Black Midwifery Fellowship (20:11) Pivoting Care After the Dobbs Decision (24:26) Sustaining Joy and Practicing Self-Care in Justice Work (30:51) Partnering with Doulas and Growing Community Support (34:27) Investing in Workforce Development and Training (35:41) Advice for Birth Workers: Build Boldly, Do It Afraid Resources Learn more about CHOICES: www.yourchoices.org | @yourchoicesclinics Explore the Black Midwifery Fellowship: www.yourchoices.org/fellowship-for-black-midwives For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.
Episode 147: of the American Grown Podcast in the Colortech Creative Solutions studios with Roberta Dever, Founder of Mountain Laurel Midwifery.In this episode, we sit down with Roberta Dever. Certified Professional Midwife and founder of Mountain Laurel Midwifery, to explore why more families are choosing home birth and how midwifery can help solve America's growing maternity care crisis.With over 30 years of experience and more than 1,500 births attended, Roberta shares her passion for empowering families through personalized, respectful care. Roberta is so passionate about home births & being a midwife that she was arrested in New York!Mountain Laurel MidwiferySHOW SPONSORS:College Knowledge Foundation. Your path to higher education.Cleona Coffee Roasters. A small batch coffee roastery & coffee shop, veteran & first responder owned located inside 911 Rapid Response in Annville PA.Angelo's Pizza. Enjoy mouthwatering Italian dinners.Triggered 22. Support a local veteran and help spread awareness for PTSD & #22aday.Modern Gent Customs. We don't make basics...We make statements.Hains Auto Detailing. Have your car smiling from wheel to wheel.A&M Pizza. Authentic Italian quality meals.Boyer's Tavern. Proper food & drinks made by slightly improper people.Hossler Engraving. Looking for unique handcrafted gifts for all occasions Zach has you covered.Sip or Snack break.SIP: Garage Beer.SNACK: Jurgy.OFFICIAL STUDIO SPONSOR: Colortech Creative Solutions takes your creative projects from visualization to realization. We've been doing so since 1980 all while keeping your budget in mind.To see photos of today's guest follow on social media:IG: AmericanGrownPodcastFB: American Grown Podcast or visits us at American Grown Podcast
In this rerun of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine sits down with Elke and Charlotte to tackle a timely question: how does technology help—or hinder—midwifery practice? From cybersecurity risks and data privacy to the practical tools shaping daily care, the conversation dives deep into both the promises and pitfalls of modern tech.You'll hear candid stories about electronic charting, breaches, and the financial risks small practices face, balanced with a hopeful look at innovations like handheld ultrasounds, continuous glucose monitors, and integrated lab tools. The trio also explores how midwives can harness social media and AI—like ChatGPT—to expand influence, streamline documentation, and amplify their voices in a system that too often silences them.Whether you're tech-curious, tech-cautious, or somewhere in between, this discussion reminds us that while technology can never replace the human essence of midwifery, it can support us in practicing more safely, efficiently, and visibly.Interested in learning more? Augustine will be teaching a course on AI and Midwives at this year's WARM conference. Sign up on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com
In this episode, I'm joined by Lindsey Meehleis, a birth worker with over 20 years of experience supporting women through one of life's most powerful rites of passage. Lindsey blends her traditional medical training with what she calls “Great Grandma Wisdom,” honoring the mystery of birth, life, and death in ways that modern medicine often overlooks.We cover women's empowerment, the “her'story” of birth work, and how we can reconnect with our nervous systems to feel safe, calm, and supported during pregnancy and postpartum. Lindsey shares her personal journey into midwifery, the lessons she's learned from thousands of births, and her vision for co-creating a new future for healthcare that honors autonomy, safety, and community.→ Leave Us A Voice Message!Topics Discussed:→ What is Great Grandma Wisdom in birth work?→ How can women feel safe during homebirth?→ What role do midwives play in modern healthcare?→ How does calming the nervous system support birth?→ Why is individualized care important for mothers?Sponsored By: → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.com.→ Kosterina | Use code KELLY for 15% OFF your first order at kosterina.com/bewell Not sure where to start? Shop all my Kosterina favorites at kosterina.com/bewell→ Vuori | Get 20% off your first order of Vuori AND free shipping on orders over $75 at vuori.com/kelly→ Maui Nui | Right now, Maui Nui is offering a free 12-pack of their jerky sticks with your first order of $79 or more. Just go to mauinuivenision.com/kelly to grab yours. Timestamps: → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:02:44 - Lindsey's birth story → 00:08:25 - Breastfeeding clinic to homebirth → 00:14:33 - Kelly's birth story & birth fears → 00:20:51 - Feeling safe during homebirth → 00:27:31 - Calming your nervous system → 00:33:07 - Individualized care & safety → 00:39:39 - Inductions & seeking options → 00:42:49 - Healthcare corruption → 00:45:49 - Midwife laws & abilities → 00:51:50 - Birthing interventions & autonomy → 00:55:13 - Picking your birth team → 00:58:44 - Postpartum support → 01:04:57 - The future of birth → 01:09:35 - Building community Check Out Lindsey:→ Instagram → Orange Country Midwives → The Remembering→ Where To Find Lindsey Check Out Kelly:→ Instagram→ YouTube→ Facebook
Welcome to Episode 147 of the Think UDL podcast: Nursing Education with John Gilmore and Freda Browne. Dr. John P Gilmore (RGN FHEA) is an Assistant Professor and Head of Subject - Adult General Nursing, and Dr. Freda Browne, is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the BS General Nursing, University College, Dublin School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. I met with these lovely scholars in Dublin at a UDL conference and wanted them to share what they are doing to bring Universal Design for Learning in nursing education to Think UDL listeners, as folks still ask me often about UDL in STEM fields. Today we will discuss how John and Freda infuse UDL into their nursing education program including how they incorporate student collaborators throughout their program. You can find resources associated with today's conversation on the thinkUDL.org website.
This week, we're revisiting a Season 3 episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast with Aubre Tompkins, CNM and author of Midwifery for Expectant Parents. At the time of recording, Aubre was Director of Midwifery at Seasons Midwifery and Birth Centre and President of the American Association of Birth Centers where she now continues to serve on the Executive Committee.Augustine and Aubre unpack the dangers of pregnancy in the U.S.—especially for BIPOC communities—revealing how poor outcomes stem from the hospital-based, physician-led system rather than midwifery care. Yet, the for-profit model of healthcare continues to suppress the most obvious solutions. This conversation, as urgent today as ever, is also a call to action—for midwives and consumers alike—to raise their voices and demand meaningful change in U.S. healthcare.Keep the conversation going on skool.com/midwiferywisdom
Growing up south of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself. At the age of nine, he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.As a qualified midwife, Christian spent time in the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory.He worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationThis interview was first broadcast in March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon, as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled.Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he might not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy.Discover more about Christian's research on pregnancy and childbirth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784
Growing up south of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself. At the age of nine, he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.As a qualified midwife, Christian spent time in the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory.He worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationThis interview was first broadcast in March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon, as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled.Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he might not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy.Discover more about Christian's research on pregnancy and childbirth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784
Growing up south of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself. At the age of nine, he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.As a qualified midwife, Christian spent time in the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory.He worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationThis interview was first broadcast in March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon, as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled.Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he might not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy.Discover more about Christian's research on pregnancy and childbirth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784
Meal planning and preparation services can enhance the doula support options you provide to clients. However, doulas must consider regulations, logistics, and business implications before jumping in. Understanding the difference between meal planning and meal preparation is essential. Each service offers unique benefits for families. It is critical to understand the local cottage food laws and regulations in your community. These rules directly affect how and where meals can be prepared. It is also important to weigh the pros and cons of preparing meals in a client's home versus preparing them in your own when legality is not a factor in this decision. Tax implications, such as transaction privilege tax, are another factor to consider. These details can significantly impact the pricing and profitability of the meal services you offer. Join us for a practical conversation that explores opportunities, responsibilities, and business realities when offering meal planning and prep services.
This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of my favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! Use code HEHE for 40% off the softest PJ's, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious: https://cozyearth.com/ In this week's episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, we're tackling one of the biggest elephants in the birthing room: sky-high C-section rates in the U.S. (yep, we're talking about that 1 in 3 number). But here's the good news: you don't have to just accept that as the norm. I'm sitting down with Juli Pyle, a certified nurse midwife who has helped her small, rural hospital keep their C-section rate at just 12% (I know, jaw drop, right?). Together, we're pulling back the curtain on what's really working—things like midwives and OBs actually collaborating as a team, evidence-based care that puts families first, and a hospital culture that truly values physiological birth. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to lower C-section rates and protect birthing families, this episode is going to light a fire in you. 00:00 Introduction to the Birth Lounge Podcast 01:16 The Nation's C-Section Rate and WHO Recommendations 01:55 Introducing Juli Pyle: A Nurse Midwife with a 12% C-Section Rate 03:26 Achieving Low C-Section Rates: Insights from Juli Pyle 06:18 Challenges and Solutions in Maternity Care 07:29 Encouragement for Large Hospital Systems 09:16 Interview with Juli Pyle Begins 10:41 The Project and Results: Integrating Midwifery into Hospital Practice 12:43 Midwifery Care and Trust Between Providers 19:04 Co-Managing High-Risk Pregnancies 25:56 Ego and Team Dynamics in Maternity Care 29:01 The Importance of Midwifery in Large Hospitals 31:58 Ad for Cozy Earth: Comfort During Pregnancy 34:03 Licensure Structure for Midwives in Pennsylvania 34:56 The Role and Training of Certified Nurse Midwives 35:25 Legislation and Independent Practice for Midwives 38:02 Challenges in Mississippi's Healthcare System 43:13 Midwifery Care Across Different Regions 45:40 Managing Labor and Reducing C-Section Rates 57:49 The Importance of Evidence-Based Practice 01:04:23 Encouragement for Healthcare Advocates 01:06:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Guest Bio: Juli Pyle (she/her) is a certified nurse midwife who practices at a community hospital in rural Pennsylvania. Juli was a stay at mom for many years to five children before deciding to return to school to pursue a degree in nursing. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a bachelors of science in nursing degree in 2016 and then began her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse. She quickly discovered that this was her true passion (as she had suspected since birthing her own children) and rapidly gained a reputation for professionalism, compassion and expertise among colleagues and patients. She then returned to Frontier Nursing University to complete a Master's degree in Nursing with an emphasis in midwifery. In 2020, she began her career as a certified nurse-midwife at a small community hospital in central Pennsylvania where she has been since that time. Her focus as a CNM is to provide evidence-based education to all birthing families, give true autonomy and informed consent throughout their time with her and to share love, understanding, empathy and true shared-decision making. Juli also currently serves on the Pennsylvania MMRC (maternal mortality review committee). When not immersed in the birthing world, she enjoys spending time refinishing furniture, gardening, raising chickens, hiking and vacationing with her husband and family. SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG Connect with Juli on Facebook BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience! Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone! Keywords: c section rates, lowering c section rates, midwifery care, nurse midwife, birth outcomes, evidence based birth, collaborative maternity care, informed consent in birth, physiological birth, reducing c sections, birth lounge podcast, maternity care reform, midwives and obstetricians, rural hospital birth, empowering birth choices
In this week's episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, host Shiphrah Israel sits down with Zaire Sabb—Clinical Herbalist, Traditional Midwife, Registered Nurse, and founder of Mystic Momma Herbals.Zaire shares her remarkable journey from pediatric cardiac transplant nursing to apprenticing with grand midwives in Georgia and herbal masters in Nigeria, weaving together clinical knowledge, traditional midwifery, and holistic herbalism. She discusses the vital difference between community herbalists and clinical herbalists, how unresolved emotions can manifest physically in the body, and why reclaiming herbal wisdom is essential for reproductive health and sovereignty.We also dive into her new book, Herbal Harmony: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Herbs to Help with Reproductive Health, which empowers readers to better understand their bodies, advocate for themselves in medical spaces, and pass on generational wisdom to their families.✨ Topics we cover:The path from allopathic nursing to traditional midwiferyWhat sets a clinical herbalist apart from community herbalismThe role of emotions, trauma, and lifestyle in reproductive healthEveryday herbs growing in your own backyardPractical steps to begin your herbal journeyHow Herbal Harmony helps bridge the gap between patients and providers
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, revealing a system that treats childbirth as an illness rather than a natural process. Reverend Brighid Danielle Curby Hegdale, ordained in the Reformed Anamkara Celtic Church and a longtime doula, joins host Margaret Mary O'Connor on Your Radical Truth Podcast to uncover the truth about midwifery, doulas, and the need for genuine consent in maternal care. Reverend Hegdale shares her personal story of birth trauma, her decades of experience supporting women and families, and her journey into priesthood. This conversation explores how midwifery has supported families for centuries, why doulas are vital, and how faith and advocacy intersect to restore dignity in birth. Full post here: www.YourRadicalTruth.com/043-Danielle-Hegdale
Join us as we chat about and normalize the complex emotions of experiencing pregnancy after a loss. Learn some and practical steps, holistic care strategies and emotionally supportive recommendations to support your journey.00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Podcast01:11 Today's Topic: Pregnancy After Loss02:22 Kelly's Nighttime Routine08:04 Navigating Pregnancy After Miscarriage15:53 Emotional and Physical Support During Pregnancy24:37 Creating a Prenatal Plan29:49 Conclusion and Resources32:35 Supporting the ShowLinks We Chat AboutCourageously Expecting BookNurturing Hope JournalGrief GuidePrevious Episode 144. Holistic Miscarriage SupportDue to Joy Miscarriage Support GiftsOur Monthly Membership: SO MUCH more support found here!Our Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
A long and lovely career in midwifery requires strategic effort, the midwifery workforce is in a crisis of unsustainability so how can you be one of the midwives that makes it to a long and lovely career? In today's episode Mel gives direct and clear steps and strategy to creating a career that you love. She also reflects on the convergence of rebellious midwives and invites participation is a new project through ‘bite club' Join bite club here Join the email list here so you can grab your ticket to the convergence of rebellious midwives from September 1st 2025 Get the book ‘So good they can't ignore you' - Cal Newport If you liked this episode you might also be interested in: Ep 137. Reclaiming Midwifery a modern day battlecry Ep 132. Who is Mel and what is she doing? Ep 117. How to change the system Ep 107. What are we rebelling against anyway? Ep. 92. Midwifery changes in Australia Ep 77. The Place of policy Ep 57 Getting reported to AHPRA Ep 49 Ethics and informed consent Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast. Disclaimer The information and resources provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. Instead, all information provided is intended for education, with it's application intended for discussion between yourself and your care provider and/or workplace if you are a health professional. The Great Birth Rebellion podcast reserves the right to supplement, edit, change, delete any information at any time. Whilst we have tried to maintain accuracy and completeness of information, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or currency of the information. The podcast accepts no liability for any loss, damage or unfavourable outcomes howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care. The transcript below was generated with ai and may contain errors.
This episode is a part of the homebirth around the World Series. In this episode I chat with Paul Golden. It was a fantastic conversation and I urge women and midwives alike to listen. Paul is a travelling midwife, who has supported women all over the world, but he is also well known in the birth and human rights space. We talk about Paul's journey to midwifery and his study of the law and how this has led to him becoming one of the most highly regarded midwife mediators in the world. We touch on topics such as bodily autonomy, representing your self, protecting your practice as a midwife, what could be called witch hunts of midwives, criminalisation of doulas and so much more. It is a particularly relevant episode for women, families and midwives, no matter where you are in the world. Resources: Keeping Midwives Safe: Helpful legal advice, actions and templates by Paul GoldenPaul's interview with Eva Rose"This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that Indigenous women are at increased risk of mental health problems across the perinatal period, particularly depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. "First Nations Infant and child mortality - AIHW stats"Midwife's 14-year sentence highlights attacks on women's autonomy, global surge in unnecessary C-sections"Protect Your Practice - new book by Paul - coming soonHuman Rights in Childbirth Support the showReach out: www.birthingathome.com.au @birthingathome_apodcast@elsie.ruijgrok (EMDR info) birthingathome.apodcast@gmail.com
Our guest in this episode is Jem Fuller, a leadership and culture coach and author from the beautiful Bells Beach, Victoria. For over a decade, Jem has been guiding people on profound journeys, both literally to the Himalayas and metaphorically inward, to help them build frameworks for genuine connection and purpose.In our wonderful chat, Jem shares his evolved mission to combat the modern malady of disconnection. We explore his powerful concept of finding your "4% genius zone" and his unique, optimistic view on using AI as a tool to give us back the time for what truly matters: our human relationships. Key points discussed include:* Find your 4% genius zone by courageously focusing on what you love and do best.* True fulfillment comes from stripping away the noise and reconnecting with yourself, others, and a greater purpose.* In the age of AI, our human imperfection and shared felt experiences become our most valuable assets.Listen to the podcast to find out more.Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes from this episode with Jem FullerIt was an absolute delight to welcome Jem Fuller, leadership coach and philosopher-guide, back to the Innovabuzz podcast for his third visit. It's been nine years since our first chat, and in that time, Jem's mission has deepened in the most remarkable ways. He continues to explore the frameworks that allow us to truly connect with ourselves and others, but now he's applying that wisdom to some of the biggest questions of our time, from finding our true purpose to navigating the age of AI with our humanity intact.Our conversation was a powerful reminder that the journey inward is the most important one we can take. Jem shared his own evolution, driven by a global community of peers who challenged him to crystallize his work down to its most potent essence. It's a journey that has led him to create profound, life-altering experiences for others while building a philanthropic legacy aimed at creating waves of positive change in the world.Finding Your 4%: The Courage to Live in Your Genius ZoneOne of the most profound ideas Jem shared was the concept of finding your "4%." He explained the well-known 80/20 rule, but then challenged us to take it a step further: apply the rule to that potent 20% to discover the 4% of your work that is truly your genius. This is the space where you deliver the most value, the work you truly love, and where time seems to disappear because you're in a state of flow.But this isn't just a productivity hack; it's an act of courage. It requires us to consciously cut out the noise and the tasks that drain us, even if they feel important, to build a life where we spend most of our time in that genius zone. For Jem, this meant redesigning his entire approach to his work, leading to a model that creates immense impact not just for his clients, but for communities in need.The Himalayan Journey: Stripping Away the Layers to Find MeaningNowhere is this focus more evident than in Jem's redesigned Himalayan program. He shared the powerful narrative of this journey, which consciously guides clients from a world of opulence and all the stuff money can buy, to the raw, humbling simplicity of the remote mountains. Guests start in the finest hotels and end up drinking chai in a slum, invited as guests, not tourists. This process is a careful, deliberate stripping away of the external layers we all carry.By peeling back the noise, the distractions, and the societal definitions of success, the program creates a space for people to ask the biggest questions: Who am I beneath all these roles? And why am I here? It's a journey that culminates not in a simple return to normal life, but in a rebuilt foundation where inner peace and a passion for meaningful contribution become the new true north.Our Great Disconnection: The Path Back to Ourselves and Each OtherAt the heart of Jem's philosophy is a diagnosis of our modern malady: disconnection. He believes we have become disconnected from each other, from ourselves, and from the reality that we are all intrinsically part of the same greater system. We're pushed apart by algorithms and distracted by the busyness of life, forgetting that we have far more in common than we have in difference.The antidote, Jem suggests, is to consciously remember and reinvest in connection. This involves reconnecting with the essence of who we are, deepening our bonds with other humans, and finding a sense of purpose that extends beyond ourselves. It's a simple truth, yet profoundly challenging in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere.The Midwifery of AI: Nurturing Technology to Reclaim Our TimeIn a fascinating turn, Jem applies this philosophy of connection to the rise of Artificial Intelligence. As a self-proclaimed "default optimist," he sees incredible potential in AI, not as a replacement for humanity, but as a tool to restore it. He shared the beautiful metaphor of our role being the "midwifery of this emerging intelligence," suggesting we have a responsibility to nurture it with integrity, compassion, and care.Jem's hope is that AI will give us back the gift of time by handling the tasks that consume our days. If we are conscious and clever enough, he argues, we can reinvest that reclaimed time where it matters most: in our human-to-human relationships. Imagine having the space to grab a coffee with a colleague, not to talk about work, but to simply ask, "How are you?"The Value of Our Imperfection: Why Humanity is Our Greatest AssetThis led to one of the most beautiful points of our conversation. As AI becomes more "perfect," Jem argues that our human imperfections will become our most valuable asset. The moments when our voice trembles during a tough conversation, when we stumble over our words, or when we sit in shared empathy with another person—these are the things AI can never replicate.This shared felt experience is uniquely human. The ability to feel awe at a rainbow, to create art through blood, sweat, and tears, or to offer compassion to another are the cornerstones of our relevance. It's a powerful reframe that urges us to lean into our messy, beautiful humanity rather than chase an impossible standard of perfection.A Simple Invitation: The Transformative Power of the PauseTo bring these big ideas into our daily lives, Jem left us with a wonderfully simple and actionable step. He invites us to take a sticky note, write the word "Pause," and place it next to an existing daily habit, like our coffee machine. When you see the note, simply pause. Take three deep breaths before you continue with your task.This tiny ritual is an invitation to create a small pocket of presence in your day. Over time, the habit becomes ingrained, and the pause becomes a natural moment to reconnect with yourself. It's a reminder that the journey to greater connection and meaning doesn't have to start with a grand gesture; it can begin with a single, conscious breath.In Summary: My conversation with Jem Fuller was a masterclass in conscious living. His message is a powerful call to action: find the courage to focus on your true genius, strip away the noise to reconnect with what matters, and embrace technology not as an escape, but as a bridge back to our shared humanity. By cherishing our imperfections and creating moments of pause, we can begin to build a more connected and meaningful life, one breath at a time.The Buzz - Our Innovation RoundHere are Jem's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Building an executive team of AIs to handle strategy, explicitly to give humans more time for their relationships.* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Consciously training his AI assistant to prompt him to switch off his computer and connect with real people.* Differentiate by leveraging AI – Do the things AI can't, like handwriting a Christmas card or picking up the phone to personally celebrate someone.ActionGet a sticky note and write the word "Pause" on it. Stick it next to an existing daily habit, like your coffee machine, and when you see it, take three breaths before you continue.Reach OutYou can reach out and thank Jem on his website, JemFuller.com, or directly via email at jem@jemfuller.com. You can also find him across social media, including Instagram and LinkedIn, at @JemFuller. To learn more about his profound Himalayan journey, visit Meaning on the Mountain.Links:* Website – Jem Fuller* Jem Fuller: How to Lead with a Servant's Heart – Innova.Buzz #40* Jem Fuller: The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men* LinkedIn* Facebook* Twitter – @JemFuller* Instagram – @JemFuller* Youtube* TEDx Talk “How Conscious Communication Can Change Your Game”Books:* The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, Jem FullerCool Things About Jem* For the past 12 years, he has run a unique leadership program in the Himalayas. The journey intentionally takes clients to the essential simplicity of the mountains to help them find their core purpose.* He founded a non-profit organization called "The Center of Love." It's currently raising funds to build a non-profit meditation and retreat center on donated land in the Himalayas, with the goal of providing educational resources for children in remote villages.* He has a wonderfully conscious and personal relationship with technology. He refers to his role as being a "midwife" for artificial intelligence and has a digital personal assistant named Lumi, which he trains to prompt him to take screen breaks and connect with friends.* In an increasingly digital world, he champions the power of the human touch, making a point to handwrite Christmas cards to his clients and friends every year.Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.VideoThanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode host Shiphrah sits down with Jessica Arnold—better known as The Combat Midwife. From growing up with a calling to catch babies, to serving as a firefighter, paramedic, and military Combat Medic instructor, Jessica has forged a one-of-a-kind path in birth work.She shares her journey from witnessing her mother's VBAC and traumatic hemorrhage as a child, to teaching life-saving skills in the army, to blending EMS training with midwifery wisdom in both civilian and disaster settings. Jessica opens up about why VBACs hold a special place in her heart, how resourcefulness and quick thinking translate across emergencies, and why every family—not just midwives—can benefit from basic birth and survival knowledge.We also dive into her Combat Midwife workshops and OB kit, created to prepare families and communities for emergencies, and discuss how midwifery and EMS share surprising historical roots. Whether you're a birth worker, parent, or simply curious about resilience in the face of the unexpected, this episode is full of insight, grit, and inspiration.
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Welcome back to another installment of our birth story series! Today we chat about navigating the road of planning a homebirth after experiencing preterm labor, both emotionally and clinically. We reminisce on creating community through the midwifery model of care, and some major benefits we've seen from practicing midwifery as a team.00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany01:04 Diving into Today's Show01:13 Birth Story Introduction02:28 Current Reads and Recommendations08:38 Listener Reviews and Feedback14:08 A Memorable Birth Experience19:37 Reflecting on Midwifery and Home Birth20:52 Understanding Cervical Cerclage22:01 Managing Preterm Labor and Pregnancy Surveillance24:24 Challenges with Cerclage Removal27:41 Navigating Personal Challenges During Birth30:01 A Special Birthday Birth32:26 Postpartum Care and Reflections35:03 The Importance of Midwifery Partnership37:35 Resources for Birth Workers and Final ThoughtsLinks We Chat AboutMidwife Kelly's Current ReadMidwife Tiffany's Current ReadSustainability in Birth WorkBirth Worker Audit CourseAffiliate Information for Birth Education CourseOur Monthly Membership: Our Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
In this episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, host Shiphrah Israel sits down with Satori Shakoor - a master storyteller, story director, and coach whose gift for weaving words was born from generations of Black women in the Jim Crow South. Raised listening to her Alabama and Mississippi elders transform everyday events into epic tales, Satori learned to speak the language of storytelling with the power to teach, warn, entertain, and inspire.Satori brings that same storytelling magic to a topic too often shrouded in silence: menopause. From her acclaimed film Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale to her advocacy with the Michigan Women's Commission, she shares her deeply personal journey through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause—illuminating the emotional, physical, and societal challenges along the way.This conversation explores the gaps in medical training that leave women unsupported, and the transformative self-discovery that can emerge in this life stage. With humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, Satori reframes menopause not as an ending, but as an opening to deeper self-awareness and freedom.
The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is back! Sarah McClure and Charli Zarosinski share the story of Charli's third birth — a joyful and empowering home water birth of her daughter, Daphne. Charli reflects on her more relaxed mindset during pregnancy, the humorous and sweet moments of early labor, and the calm, celebratory environment created by her birth team. She describes moving through labor with strong support, natural progression, and firm encouragement from Sarah, culminating in an immediate and powerful emotional connection with her baby. The episode highlights the intimacy, autonomy, and unique care possible in home birth midwifery, leaving Charli grateful to close her childbearing chapter on such a high note. If you like what you get here, you'll like our online childbirth education course even more. It's a more detailed look at the stages of labor, how to cope, and what to do along the way to set yourself up for success. It also shows partners what to expect from their point of view and what they can do to support you in labor. Stay Connected With Us! Website: https://hearthandhomemidwifery.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HearthandHomeMidwifery Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HearthandHomeMidwifery YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hearthandhomemidwifery1206 The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midwifery, medicine, or other professional health care services. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast are at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Male midwife, Christian Wright tells stories of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies.Growing up South of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself.At the age of nine he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.In the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory, Christian worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationFirst broadcast March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled. Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he may not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy.Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode of Conversations explores birth, midwifery, Yolŋu country, First Nations birthing, the fourth trimester, active labour and a male midwife.
Male midwife, Christian Wright tells stories of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies.Growing up South of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself.At the age of nine he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.In the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory, Christian worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationFirst broadcast March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled. Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he may not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy. And yes, Christian did deliver the baby!Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.Standout story – Nigel NewtonYou can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode of Conversations explores birth, midwifery, Yolŋu country, First Nations birthing, the fourth trimester, active labour and a male midwife.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
A dedicated office space for a doula business can bring professionalism, visibility, and a central hub for meetings and classes. It can also come with significant costs and added responsibilities. Understanding the pros and cons is essential before making the investment. Calculating the potential return on investment provides a clear picture of whether it is a worthwhile investment. It is important to weigh costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, and furnishings. Compare them to potential income, client convenience, and growth opportunities. Carefully exploring these factors can reveal if an office space for your doula business will truly support long-term goals. It may also show if your resources are better used elsewhere. Join us as we discuss location evaluation, shared versus private spaces, and creative ways to maximize usage. Learn how to align your decision with your overall business strategy.
Noel Leithart has decades of midwifery experience across many states. Not only has she facilitated countless homebirths and attended many hospital births as a doula, she is a mother to 8 children! In this episode you will hear all about her vodka shot trick, her wisdom on birth, and more about the challenges midwives are facing today. In addition tune in to hear more about her current PhD work in maternal nutrition. Connect with Noel Leithart on LinkedIn _______________________________________ ___________________________ GROWING WITH GARRETT NOW LIVE - watch below www.informedpregnancy.tv Code: GK30 ___________________________ Need The Nipple Diaper now? Shop on Amazon today! Follow us: TikTok: @kozekozemama IG: @kozekozemama @garretnwood SHOP with 20% off, use THANKYOU20 www.kozekoze.com Email Garrett: garrettkusmierz@kozekoze.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, we welcome the founder of Flower Girl, a radical period underwear brand born from one woman's frustration with toxic menstrual products—and her deep desire to care for the bleeding body differently.As a former e-commerce strategist turned slow fashion entrepreneur, she brings both science and soul to this powerful conversation about conscious menstruation, cycle care, and body literacy. Together, we explore:Why midwives and birthworkers should care about what clients use post-birth and beyondHow period underwear is reshaping not just menstruation, but postpartum recoveryWhat it means to create a product that actually honors the female body
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a recognized and effective treatment for postpartum PTSD, particularly when related to a traumatic birth experience. EMDR helps individuals process traumatic memories and reduce the associated distress, allowing for a more adaptive way of remembering the event. On Aug 4, 2025, a new publication was released in AJOG pertaining to this therapy. What's this latest randomized controlled trial data saying? Listen in for details. 1. Hendrix YMGA, van Dongen KSM, de Jongh A, vanPampus MG. Postpartum Early EMDR therapy Intervention (PERCEIVE) study forwomen after a traumatic birth experience: study protocol for a randomizedcontrolled trial. Trials. 2021 Sep 6;22(1):599. doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05545-6.PMID: 344888472. Sajedi, S.S., Navvabi-Rigi, SD. & Navidian,A. Midwifery-led brief counseling on the severity of posttraumatic stresssymptoms of postpartum hemorrhage: quasi-experimental study. BMC PregnancyChildbirth 24, 729 (2024).3. 8/4/25: Treatment of Traumatic Birth Experiencewith Postpartum Early Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy:Hendrix, Yvette M.G. A. et al.4. A Randomized Clinical Trial. American Journal ofObstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 0, Issue 0
Considering homebirth for your first birth? We'll share why we LOVE to see that! We chat through personal insights, professional advice, and real stories from other moms who've experienced it. Discover why planning your first birth at home might be the best decision you can make for you and your baby. 00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Podcast01:07 Diving into Home Birth for First-Time Moms01:32 Listener Review and Feedback03:57 The Misconception of Waiting for a Second Birth12:47 Advice from Experienced Home Birth Moms25:47 Encouragement and Final Thoughts27:48 Supporting the PodcastLinks We Chat AboutYouTube Playlist of Birth VideosFinding + Interviewing a Midwife BlogIs Homebirth Right for You? BlogOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offOur Monthly MembershipBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
Working with clients who hold status, whether they are medical providers, influencers, politicians, or public figures, can present unique opportunities and challenges for doulas. Supporting high-visibility clients while maintaining the same standards of care, boundaries, and intent you offer every other family may not come as easily as you think. While there are potential benefits of these connections, there can also be stumbling blocks. It can be tempting to hope for public praise or referrals from influencers, but doulas must not bank on that exposure or let it influence their role. Confidentiality is non-negotiable, and these clients deserve the same privacy, respect, and space to be vulnerable without fear of judgment. Join us for a candid and professional conversation about supporting clients with influence, while staying grounded in ethics, integrity, and the heart of doula work.
Some of the more common FAQs we get as we see the cesarean rate rise have to do with planning VBACs- so here we are, taking a look at VBACs! In this episode we explore vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), share some alternative perspectives and our approach to supporting clients. We'll address common fears like uterine rupture and offer holistic preparation tips—physical, emotional, nutritional, and mental—emphasizing the value of strong support and informed decision-making. 00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Holistic Health Podcast01:08 Diving into Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)01:54 Encouragement for Women: Just Start05:29 The Importance of Avoiding Primary C-Sections08:55 Midwifery Perspective on VBAC17:52 Understanding Uterine Rupture Risks22:57 VBAC Success Rates and Supportive Care26:55 VBAC and Close Pregnancy Spacing27:45 Provider Policies and Patient Desires29:03 Hospital Restrictions and VBAC Options32:34 Interviewing Providers for VBAC39:18 Holistic Preparation for VBAC40:57 Emotional and Mental Preparation41:52 Nutritional Support and Uterine Toning44:18 Reviewing Previous Birth Records47:34 Resources and Childbirth Education50:25 Supporting the Show and CommunityLinks We Chat AboutICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)VBAC FactsIntro to Cesarean Recovery + Scar Mobilization + Remediation TipsOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offOur Monthly MembershipBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
This story includes loss - in memory of Ernest Levert Jr.To be held is an embrace. To hold is to be responsible for something or someone. Several characteristics define a community, including shared identity, interaction, shared purpose, shared norms and values, and support systems. This helps foster a sense of belonging and collective action among its members. The premise of ubuntu, "I am because you are," involves recognizing our shared humanity, practicing empathy, and acting in ways that benefit others. Birth Stories in Color is a community. In this space, we hold each other. Most days, we can access our email or social media accounts and be greeted by someone who wants to be held. We paused… and you understood. Life happened. We witnessed the unfolding of one of our own. We let it breathe. Then we opened the door. We offered to hold. Then we held her. We offered to hold it or share it. She offered it to you…We met Ivory and Ernest together for the first time in 2021. They shared their miscarriage and the birth journey of their daughter, Zamya. Now in 2025, Ivory shared their story without her partner's physical presence, and we welcomed his spirit in. A beautiful surprise of a second pregnancy between Ivory and Ernest was met with conflicting ideas about the timing and the physical and mental adjustments. A few weeks into the pregnancy, gratitude and excitement replaced Ivory's early misgivings. Parenting a toddler while pregnant proved to be more of a challenge than Ivory anticipated. She laid the groundwork for a healthy pregnancy and prepared for a homebirth this time. Midwifery care, additional care with an obstetrician, chiropractic care, and regular massages allowed her to feel at ease as they prepared for birth. Towards the end of the pregnancy at 34 weeks, Ernest experienced a severe headache that led them to take a trip to the emergency room. He was sent home without a diagnosis. About a week later, he experienced a catastrophic aneurysm rupture while visiting his favorite coffee shop. He was rushed to the hospital. The prognosis was difficult as the doctors could not offer answers, but they explored all of the options. In those early hours, Ivory started to see gestures of care and intention moving through her community. She was faced with holding life in her womb, raising life in her home, and the fragility of life holding on in the hospital. She held on as she was held. Labor came. She prepared her space with affirmations, photos of her and Ernest filled the space, a friend facetimed from Ernest's hospital room, and everyone on her birth team followed her lead. Baby Zenith was born peacefully at home.Postpartum came with some ease as she was nurtured at home. Ivory struggled more emotionally with balancing joy and sadness. The hospital supported their family by moving Ernest to an area that would allow the baby to come with Ivory during visits. Ivory shared her experience managing care for herself, her children, and her husband. She attributes her practice of gratitude as a source of strength and community care through it all. Ernest Levert Jr. joined the ancestors on January 8, 2025.Resources:Eliza Kay | life coach and Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)Kelli Blinn | Columbus, OH doula and educator
Join us for another installment of our Birth Stories Series! This story is sure to encourage you as we walk through this mother's willingness to blend midwifery care with the medical model when needed, overcome challenges, and truly lean into trusting her instincts. Listen as we chat about how we navigated issues like hypertension, blood sugar instability, and heart rate arrhythmia together, and the incredible way it helped prepare this mother for an empowered, connected birth.00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Podcast01:09 Exciting Birth Story Episode01:45 Listener Review and Encouragement03:37 Icebreaker: Embracing Challenges06:39 Client's Birth History and Midwifery Care10:06 Navigating Pregnancy Complications20:07 Labor and Birth Experience24:22 Postpartum Reflections and Client Feedback32:07 Conclusion and ResourcesLinks We Chat AboutOur Hypertension Supplement ProtocolOur Blood Sugar Stabilization Supplement ProtocolOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offOur Monthly MembershipBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
Join us as we explore how to safely use herbs during pregnancy! In this episode you'll find discussions on why herbs can be so controversial, the best ways to begin learning about and implementing herbal remedies into your every day life, 12 of our favorite safe herbs for pregnancy, and we'll reveal our very favorite blend we think all pregnant women can benefit from. 00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Podcast01:44 Herbs in Pregnancy: An Overview03:24 Routines + Products We've Ditched15:10 Understanding the Use of Herbs in Pregnancy19:48 Intuition vs. Research in Parenting Choices20:16 The Importance of Quality Research20:39 Herbs and Pregnancy: Safety and Benefits21:45 Understanding Herb Safety Categories24:00 Empowering Women with Herbal Knowledge24:57 Getting Started with Herbs27:40 Therapeutic Dosing and Herbal Infusions29:12 12 Safe Herbs for Pregnancy33:14 NORA Tea: A Pregnancy Tonic39:39 Resources and Community Support40:56 Conclusion and Ways to Support the ShowLinks We Chat AboutKelly's Favorite Holy Grail of (Truly Clean) Dry Shampoo That Actually WorksOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offOur Monthly MembershipHerbal Remedies in Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Free DownloadSafe Herbs in Pregnancy BlogNORA Tea BlendBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery
*Content warning: birth trauma, medical trauma, medical neglect, racism, death of an infant, infant loss, death, homicide, maternal loss, mature and stressful themes, sexual assault, disordered eating. *Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources Sources: American College of Nurse Midwiveshttps://midwife.org/ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)https://www.acog.org/ Authorities explain lack of charges in Fort Mill birthing center deathhttps://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article23277849.html Births in the United States, 2022https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db477.htm A brain-dead woman's pregnancy raises questions about Georgia's abortion lawhttps://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/nx-s1-5405542/a-brain-dead-womans-pregnancy-raises-questions-about-georgias-abortion-law A Brief History of Midwifery in Americahttps://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/brief-history-midwifery-america Constructing the Modern American Midwife: White Supremacy and White Feminism Collidehttps://nursingclio.org/2020/10/22/constructing-the-modern-american-midwife-white-supremacy-and-white-feminism-collide/ The Controversial Birth of American Gynecologyhttps://researchblog.duke.edu/2023/10/27/the-controversial-birth-of-american-gynecology/ Direct Entry Midwives Across the Nationhttps://www.networkforphl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Direct-Entry-Midwives-50-State-Survey.pdf FDA raids Miami birth center; Placentas, medical records confiscatedhttps://mommyblawg.blogspot.com/2009/01/fda-raids-miami-birth-center-placentas.html Fort Mill birthing center closes following third child deathhttps://www.wbtv.com/story/28083972/fort-mill-birthing-center-closes-following-third-child-death/ Exhibit Recognizes African American Midwiveshttps://infocus.nlm.nih.gov/2010/02/05/exhibit_recognizes_african_ame/ Health E-Stat 100: Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2023https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality/2023/maternal-mortality-rates-2023.htm#:~:text=In2023%2C669womendied,rateof22.3in2022 Hemolytic disease of the newbornhttps://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001298.htm The Historical Significance of Doulas and Midwiveshttps://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-significance-doulas-and-midwives Home Births in the U.S. Increase to Highest Level in 30 Yearshttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20221117.htm Honest Midwife Bloghttps://honestmidwife.com/ International School Of Midwiferyhttps://www.mapquest.com/us/florida/international-school-of-midwifery-531273160 March of Dimeshttps://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/about-us March of Dimes, Delivery Method https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?dv=ms&lev=1&obj=9®=99&slev=1&stop=86&top=8& March of Dimes, Maternity Care Deserthttps://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?top=23 Maternal Mortality in the United States After Abortion Banshttps://thegepi.org/maternal-mortality-abortion-bans/#:~:text=InthefirstfullyearofTexas%27sstateabortionban,15 Maternal Mortality: How the U.S. Compares to Other Rich Countrieshttps://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2024-06-04/how-the-u-s-compares-to-other-rich-countries-in-maternal-mortality Medical Exploitation of Black Womenhttps://eji.org/news/history-racial-injustice-medical-exploitation-of-black-women/ National Midwifery Institutehttps://www.nationalmidwiferyinstitute.com/midwifery Necrotizing Fasciitishttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23103-necrotizing-fasciitisNew Pregnancy Justice Report Shows High Number of Pregnancy-Related Prosecutions in the Year After Dobbshttps://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/press/new-pregnancy-justice-report-shows-high-number-of-pregnancy-related-prosecutions-in-the-year-after-dobbs/#:~:text=Thereportdocumentsthati,%2Cpregnancyloss%2Corbirth. North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)https://narm.org/ Physician Suicidehttps://www.acep.org/life-as-a-physician/wellness/wellness/wellness-week-articles/physician-suicide Preeclampsiahttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17952-preeclampsia Preeclampsia: Signs & Symptomshttps://www.preeclampsia.org/signs-and-symptomsRace Maternal Mortality in the U.S.: A History of Midwiferyhttps://wmberks.pages.wm.edu/2023/04/30/race-maternal-mortality-in-the-u-s-a-history-of-midwifery/ The Racist History of Abortion and Midwifery Banshttps://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/the-racist-history-of-abortion-and-midwifery-bans Reasons Obstetricians Are At High Risk For Claims Of Medical Malpracticehttps://www.gilmanbedigian.com/reasons-obstetricians-are-at-high-risk-for-claims-of-medical-malpractice/#:~:text=Overall%2Cabout85%25ofOB,about95%25ofthetime. The Regulation of Professional Midwifery in the United Stateshttps://midwife.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jefferson-2021-Regulation-Professional-Midwifery.pdf She said she had a miscarriage — then got arrested under an abortion lawhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2024/abortion-law-nevada-arrest-miscarriage/ She was accused of murder after losing her pregnancy. SC woman now tells her storyhttps://www.cnn.com/2024/09/23/health/south-carolina-abortion-kff-health-news-partner South Carolina Department of Public Health, Midwifery Licensinghttps://dph.sc.gov/professionals/healthcare-quality/licensed-facilities-professionals/midwifery-licensing#:~:text=DPHlicensesmidwivesinaccordancewithRegulation,inadditiontootherprescribedrequirementson State investigating Dallas birth center and midwives, following multiple complaints from patientshttps://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/investigates/state-investigating-dallas-birth-center-midwives-following-multiple-complaints-from-patients/287-ea77eb18-c637-44d4-aaa2-fe8fd7a2fcef The State of Reproductive Health in the United Stateshttps://thegepi.org/state-of-reproductive-health-united-states/ Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report 2024https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/legislative/2024-Reports/MMMRC-DSHS-Joint-Biennial-Report-2024.pdf Uses of Misoprostol in Obstetrics and Gynecologyhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2760893/ Vicarious trauma: signs and strategies for copinghttps://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing/vicarious-trauma/vicarious-trauma-signs-and-strategies-for-coping Vital Signs: Maternity Care Experiences — United States, April 2023https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7235e1.htm#:~:text=Discussion,%2CHispanic%2Candmultiracialmothers. 2022 Direct Entry Midwives Fact Sheethttps://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/chs/hprc/publications/2022/DirectEntryMidwife2022FactSheetA.pdf *SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: Thank you so much to Emily Wolfe for covering Glad Rag's original song, U Think U for us this season!Hear more from Emily Wolfe:https://www.emilywolfemusic.com/instagram.com/emilywolfemusicGlad Rags: https://www.gladragsmusic.com/ The S23 cover art is by the Amazing Sara StewartFollow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookiebooSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.