Discover Midwives

American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Discover Midwives Podcast was created to empower you with accurate, compassionate, and evidence-informed answers to your most pressing questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and women’s health—delivered from a uniquiely midwifery perspective. Our goals are to normalize conversations about reproductive health, offer clarity in a landscape saturated with misinformation, and build public trust in midwifery care!

Episodes

  1. Jun 1

    More than Birth: Reimagining Postpartum Care

    What if postpartum care didn't end at six weeks? What if new parents received the support, community, and care they truly needed after bringing home a baby?In this inspiring episode of Discover Midwives, our host Jessica Brumley, PhD CNM, interviews one of the nation's most influential midwifery leaders, Dr. Ebony Marcelle, Director of Midwifery at Community of Hope and the Family Health and Birth Center.Dr. Marcelle shares her remarkable journey into midwifery, from a life-changing gynecology visit to becoming a nationally recognized advocate for reproductive justice and maternal health equity. Together, Jessica and Ebony explore how racism, chronic stress, and systemic barriers contribute to disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, and how innovative, community-centered care can help change the story.You'll learn:• Why the postpartum period deserves far more attention than it receives• How Community of Hope has built a groundbreaking model of care that includes home visits, integrated mental health services, peer support, and year-long postpartum engagement• Practical ways families can prepare for life after birth during pregnancy• What friends and loved ones can do to support a new parent• Warning signs in the postpartum period that should never be ignored• Why community, continuity, and listening to families are essential ingredients for healthier outcomesWhether you're expecting a baby, supporting someone who is, or simply passionate about improving maternity care, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and actionable insights from one of midwifery's most powerful voices.Because birth is only the beginning, and we believe every family deserves support long after the baby arrives.

    44 min

  2. May 18

    Power, Pain & Choice

    Understanding Labor Pain vs. Suffering In this episode of Discover Midwives, we tackle one of the most discussed and often misunderstood topics of the third trimester: pain in labor. In a culture that teaches us to fear the intensity of childbirth, we shift the perspective toward understanding the physiological purpose of labor and how to navigate it with confidence. What’s Inside: Pain vs. Suffering: Explore the critical distinction between the physical intensity of labor and the emotional experience of suffering, and why the two don't have to go hand-in-hand. The Midwifery Edge: How the midwifery model of care provides the education, advocacy, and hands-on support needed to transform the labor experience. Beyond Survival: We discuss why "surviving" birth shouldn't be the goal—feeling safe, respected, and supported should be the baseline expectation for every birthing person. Building Your Team: Practical advice on choosing your support system, from doulas to midwives, to ensure you emerge from your birth feeling stronger, wiser, and transformed from your experience. Key Takeaway: You deserve care that listens to you and includes you in every decision about your body. Tune in to learn how to move from a place of fear to a place of informed power. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe and share this with someone in their third trimester to help them prepare for a respectful and supported birth experience.

    36 min

  3. May 4

    Midwives & Prenatal Care: More Than Checkups

    More Than Checkups: What Prenatal Care Is Really About Are prenatal visits just “check-the-box” appointments… or something more? In this episode of Discover Midwives, Jessica breaks down what prenatal care actually looks like, and why it’s so much more than quick checkups. From your very first visit to those final weeks before birth, you’ll learn what’s happening behind the scenes, what tests are offered (and why), and how your care can and should be tailored to your needs. She provides insight into the midwifery approach to prenatal care. Great prenatal care isn’t just about labs and ultrasounds. It’s about building a relationship with someone you trust, someone who listens, supports you, and helps you feel safe throughout your pregnancy. Inside this episode, you’ll discover: What really happens at your first prenatal visit. Which labs, screenings, and ultrasounds are offered (and your choices around them)How often you actually need to go, and why it can be flexible. The difference between home, birth center, and hospital-based careWhy bringing your questions (and your support people!) matters more than you think How feeling safe and respected in care can impact your birth experience

    29 min

  4. Apr 20

    Menopause, Midwifery & You

    Menopause is something every woman will experience, but so many of us feel unprepared, unheard, or even dismissed when it begins. In this episode of Discover Midwives, we’re changing that. Join host Jessica Brumley as she sits down with Dr. Amy Giles, Certified Nurse-Midwife and educator, for an honest, empowering conversation about what menopause really looks like, and how midwives are uniquely equipped to support you through it. Together, they break down: What perimenopause actually is (and why symptoms can start years before your last period) The wide range of symptoms—from hot flashes and sleep struggles to brain fog, mood changes, and low libido Why menopause is a whole-body, whole-life transition Simple, effective lifestyle strategies to feel better now Natural remedies, supplements, and when they may help The truth about hormone therapy, what’s changed, what’s safe, and who may benefit How to prepare for a menopause-focused visit so you feel confident and heard You’ll also learn why midwives are more than just birth providers. They are experts in caring for you from your first period through menopause and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered,“Is this normal?”“Why do I feel so different?”“Do I just have to live with this?” This episode is for you. You deserve care that makes sense.You deserve options.You deserve to feel like yourself again. Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s or supporting someone who is, this conversation will leave you informed, validated, and hopeful.

    44 min

  5. Apr 6

    Eating for Two

    You have likely heard the phrase "eating for two" your whole life; but how important is nutrition in pregnancy? And does it really matter how much weight you gain? This week, Jessica sits down with Dr. Cecilia Jevitt, a midwife with decades of clinical experience and whose research is all about nutrition, exercise, and weight in pregnancy. They talk about what foods actually support a healthy pregnancy; and, maybe most importantly, how to navigate a healthcare system that doesn't always treat pregnant people with the respect they deserve. Dr. Jevitt even gets into how what you eat today could impact your grandchildren's health. This conversation is warm, eye-opening, and completely judgment-free. No calorie counting, no diet talk, no shame. Jessica and Cecilia just provide real information you can actually use. You'll walk away knowing: How much you actually need to eat extra Which nutrients matter most and where to find themHow to recognize weight bias at your prenatal visitsWhy your grandmother's pregnancy may have shaped your health today

    41 min

  6. Mar 23

    What Your Midwife Is Really Paying Attention To

    What does it really mean to have a normal pregnancy — and who gets to decide what "normal" looks like? In this episode, midwife Jessica Brumley, CNM, cuts through the noise of social media portrayals, risk labels, and information overload to talk honestly about what healthy pregnancy actually looks like. She shares her own two pregnancies, the concept of emotional dystocia — how fear can literally slow labor — and why the relationship between a midwife and patient may be the most underrated factor in birth outcomes. From community building to stress management to who belongs in your birth room, this episode is a masterclass in what midwifery care is really all about. Your body knows how to do this. Your midwife's job is to make sure you believe it too.

    26 min

  7. Mar 9

    Midwives, Misconceptions, and a Legacy of Care

    Welcome to the first episode of Discover Midwives! Our host, Jessica Brumley, a midwife with over 25 years of experience, tackles the most common myths about midwifery head-on. From the surprise "unplanned" home birth of her own daughter to discovering that midwifery is a part of her own family legacy. Jessica shares the personal stories that shaped her mission to change the healthcare system. We’re stripping away the medical jargon to explain what a midwife actually does. Whether you are looking for routine GYN care, starting your first period, or navigating menopause, this episode explores how the midwifery model centers your body, your voice, and your right to informed, respectful care. Are you ready to Discover Midwives, together? In this episode, you’ll learn: The Midwifery Philosophy: Why pregnancy and menopause are healthy life events, not diseases to be treated. Pathways to becoming a midwife: The differences between CNMs, CMs, and CPMs, and how to find the right fit for you. How midwives support better outcomes: Why communities with integrated midwifery care see lower rates of C-sections and preterm births. Empowerment in Action: How to partner with your provider to make healthcare decisions that align with your values. Do you want to support our work? Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more midwifery- inspired conversations and guests. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!

    26 min

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    First Look at Discover Midwives

    According to host, Jessica Brumley, the Discover Midwives Podcast exists to answer real questions and to center what matters most: your body, your voice and your right to respectful and informed healthcare.

    1 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Discover Midwives Podcast was created to empower you with accurate, compassionate, and evidence-informed answers to your most pressing questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and women’s health—delivered from a uniquiely midwifery perspective. Our goals are to normalize conversations about reproductive health, offer clarity in a landscape saturated with misinformation, and build public trust in midwifery care!

Information

  • Creator
    American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • Show Website
    Discover Midwives

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