Midwife Life: Midwifing you through health, motherhood, and the sacred mess of life’s transformations with Diane Ortega

Podfox Media
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Midwife Life—part podcast, part revolution that empowers and educates women on all things related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and careers in healthcare. Whether it's understanding the options available to you, advocating for yourself in a health care setting, or simply knowing that you're not alone, I want you to leave each episode feeling stronger and more equipped.

  1. 5d ago

    The Next Page Is Coming

    Who am I when the thing that has defined me for years no longer fits? This week I removed “birth center owner” from my Instagram bio. What looked like a simple profile update turned into something much bigger: a conversation about identity, grief, reinvention, and who we become when the roles that once defined us no longer fit. In this episode, I’m sharing what it feels like to let go of an identity you’ve carried for years, navigate the uncertainty between chapters, and trust that the next version of yourself is emerging even before you can fully see her. In this episode, I discuss: Why changing my Instagram bio felt far more emotional than I expected The grief that can accompany growth and transformation Releasing identities that once served us The uncomfortable space between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming Why rebirth often begins before clarity arrives What I’m learning about trusting the next chapter If you’re navigating a season of change—whether in your career, relationships, motherhood, health, or sense of self—I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. The next page is coming. And maybe you don’t need to have it all figured out before you turn it. ✨ Join Rebirth Conversations If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to join me for the first Rebirth Conversation—a gathering for women standing between chapters. 📅 June 18, 2026🕕 6:00 PM📍 Jasmine Jo Coffee & Rowan Tree Flowers, Tempe, AZ Reserve Your Seat → https://themidwifelife.kit.com/rebirthconversations Connect with Diane: Website: themidwifelife.co Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman who may be standing between chapters herself.

    17 min

  2. May 25

    63: The Women I’m Most Drawn to Right Now

    What happens when ambitious women stop trying to perform perfection - and start craving deeper, more honest connection instead? In this reflective solo episode, Diane shares what surfaced during a recent “Build Your Dream Network” challenge and the unexpected realizations it brought up about community, self-reliance, visibility, generosity, and receiving support. This conversation explores: Why high-capacity women often struggle to receive support The hidden loneliness beneath competence and achievement The exercise that revealed the gap between how deeply we give and how difficult it can feel to receive The power of reconnecting with people already in your orbit Audacious asks, visibility, and allowing yourself to be witnessed The kinds of women Diane feels most drawn to in this season of life Why spaces rooted in honesty, reflection, and becoming matter more than ever Diane also shares more about the heart behind Rebirth Conversations — intimate gatherings designed for women navigating identity shifts, reinvention, burnout, motherhood, ambition, grief, rebuilding, and the beautiful in-between seasons of life. This episode is less about networking…and more about the kinds of relationships that help us remember who we are becoming. Reflection Questions: Where does giving flow naturally for me? Where do I struggle to receive? What support, opportunity, or connection might I be unintentionally blocking? What kind of women and conversations am I craving right now? What version of myself might exist on the other side of deeper community? ✨ Rebirth Conversations will officially begin launching in June. If you’re craving deeper conversations, intentional community, and rooms where women can arrive honestly in the middle of becoming — make sure you’re following along for updates and first invitations. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman you’ve been thinking about lately — or someone you’d love to reconnect with. Connect with Diane: Website: The Midwife Life Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co Substack: The Rebirth Letters

    16 min

  3. May 18

    What Happens When Survival Mode Ends

    What happens when the thing you’ve been surviving finally ends… but your nervous system doesn’t get the message? In this episode, Diane shares honestly about the weeks following the closure of Willow: the lingering exhaustion, waking up in the middle of the night, getting sick again, and the unexpected realization that rest doesn’t always feel peaceful when your body has been living in survival mode for too long. This is a conversation about: leadership loneliness over-functioning and self-abandonment identity after caregiving and constant responsibility the nervous system after prolonged stress learning how to pause without immediately forcing the “next version” of yourself If you’ve ever felt like the one everyone depends on… if you’ve struggled to fully exhale… if you’ve been trying to rebuild before you’ve even recovered... this episode is for you. You don’t have to figure out your entire future this week. Maybe the pause is part of the becoming too. — ✨ Connect with Diane: Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co Website: themidwifelife.co ✨ Stay connected for upcoming Rebirth Conversations, podcast episodes, and future offerings centered around identity, healing, leadership, and transformation.

    9 min

  4. May 11

    Bonus Replay: Confessions of a Midwife: Stories, Healing & the Human Side of Birthwork with Brielle Jenson

    In this bonus replay, I sit down with Brielle Jenson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a midwife with over 20 years of experience, an IBCLC, and the author of the stunning new book Confessions of a Midwife. Brielle has worked in hospitals, home births, and birth centers, bringing a rare, unfiltered perspective on the challenges, triumphs, and deeply human moments of birthwork. Her work has been recognized in the field of midwifery, including a nomination for the ACNM Media Award in 2025, highlighting her dedication to sharing authentic stories and elevating maternal health conversations. In this episode, we dive into: The raw realities of being a midwife—beyond the perfect Instagram birth stories The emotional toll and healing power of birthwork Insights into perinatal mental health and supporting mothers through complex postpartum experiences Brielle’s journey to writing her book and why sharing these stories matters The balance of professional expertise and deep compassion in modern midwifery This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the human side of birth, whether you’re a parent, a birth professional, or simply fascinated by the art and science of midwifery. Key Takeaways / Reflection Prompts: What myths about birth and midwifery have you believed that might need reframing? How can compassion—for yourself or others—transform challenging experiences? In what ways can storytelling and shared experiences help heal communities of mothers and birth professionals? Next Step: Take the Sacred Reset Quiz Feeling inspired to reflect on your own energy, growth, and next steps? Try my Sacred Reset Quiz to discover: Which area of your life is ready for a reset Personalized insights to help you release what no longer serves you Clear guidance on the next steps for your transformation 🎯 Take the quiz here: ⁠What are you ready to reset?⁠ Resources & Links: Brielle Jenson’s Book: ⁠Confessions of a Midwife⁠ ⁠Good News: More Data on the Use of ADHD Medications During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications © - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns Exposed to SSRIs - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Study Supporting the Reproductive Safety of Gabapentin During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Allison Baker, MD on the Specialized Care of Pregnant and Postpartum Women with ADHD - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Essential Reads: Breastfeeding and ADHD Medications - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health⁠ ⁠Fact Sheets - Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Exposures | MotherToBaby⁠ ⁠Twin Cities Midwifery | Planning your Best Postpartum Babymoon⁠ ⁠Good Moms, Scary Thoughts – Happiest Baby⁠ ⁠Changes in your relationships after having a baby | NCT⁠ ⁠Psyched Mommy⁠ ⁠Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts – MOMBOX⁠ ⁠The Modern Mom: Embracing Motherhood In 2024 | Motherhood Center⁠ ⁠Order | Sanity School® for Parents⁠ ⁠the essential guide to raising complex kids - Search Shopping⁠ ⁠Home - Dr. Shefali⁠ 🎧 Check out more episodes of The Midwife Life: ⁠Listen Here⁠ 🌿 Connect with Diane & The Midwife Life Community: ⁠Check it out!

    41 min

  5. May 4

    You’re Not Burned Out - You’re Outgrowing Your Life

    Something in your life doesn’t feel the same anymore. Not in a dramatic way…but enough that you can feel it. You’re still showing up. Still doing what needs to be done. Still holding everything together. But something feels… off. In this episode, I’m exploring a shift I’ve been moving through personally, and what I’m seeing in so many women right now: A lot of what we call burnout…is actually something else. It’s outgrowing. Outgrowing a role. A version of yourself. A way of working or living that once fit… but doesn’t anymore. And when you don’t have language for that… you try to fix it. Push through it. Optimize it. Make it work. But what if nothing is broken? What if something is simply complete? In this episode, we talk about: The difference between burnout and outgrowing your life Why this season can feel confusing (even when everything “looks fine”) The pattern of high-capacity women sustaining things past alignment The shift from fixing → to recognizing How to move forward without forcing clarity If you’ve been feeling disconnected, unclear, or like something no longer fits… this conversation will meet you there. ✨ Reflection Prompt What in your life feels like it no longer fits… even if it technically still works? If this resonated with you… I’d love to invite you into a deeper conversation. Join me for the free masterclass: You’re Not Burned Out — You’re Outgrowing Your Life 👉 Save Your Seat: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/masterclass A space to understand the season you’re in… and begin to trust what’s unfolding instead of forcing clarity.

    11 min

  6. Apr 27

    The Phoenix Phase: When Everything You Built Ends… and What Comes Next

    Something in your life doesn’t feel the same anymore. Not in a dramatic way…but enough that you can feel it. In this episode, I’m sharing a more personal reflection on a season I’m currently walking through , where something I built is coming to an end… and something new is beginning to take shape. We talk a lot about the “phoenix rising” moment- the strength, the clarity, the transformation. But what about the part where everything burns? What about the in-between? The space where you can’t go back… but you’re not fully sure what’s next. If you’ve been feeling off, disconnected, or like something no longer fits… this conversation will meet you there. Mentioned in this episode If this resonated with you…I’d love to invite you into a deeper conversation. Join me for the free masterclass: You’re Not Burned Out - You’re Outgrowing Your Life A space to pause, reflect, and understand what this season is asking of you. 👉 Save your spot: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/masterclass

    8 min

  7. Apr 20

    In Transition — On Closing, Grief, and Trusting What's on the Other Side

    This week, Diane almost didn't hit record. But she's glad she did. In one of her most personal and vulnerable episodes yet, Diane shares that after years of serving families, her freestanding birth centers in Arizona will be closing their doors on April 30th. And while the decision to close was hard, she's discovering that the transition itself is harder. Join Us: Rebirth Conversations (Live Event) If this episode resonated, you’re invited into a deeper, in-person experience. Rebirth Conversations is a space for women navigating change, identity shifts, and personal growth - who are ready to be seen, supported, and witnessed in real time. 📍 April 23 👉 Save your spot: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/rebirthconversations Connect with Diane Website: https://themidwifelife.co Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co

    5 min

  8. Apr 13

    You’re Not Meant to Do This Alone (But You’ve Been Trying To)

    You can be surrounded by people… and still feel like you’re carrying everything on your own. In this episode of The Midwife Life, Diane explores the hidden loneliness many women experience during seasons of transition, especially high-functioning women who are used to being the strong one. If you’ve been trying to find clarity, make decisions, or navigate change on your own, this conversation offers a different perspective: What if clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder… but from being seen while you’re still in the middle of it? This episode is for women navigating identity shifts, burnout, life transitions, or personal growth, and who are ready to stop doing it all alone. In This Episode, We Cover: Why women feel alone even when they’re supported The pressure to “have it all together” during life transitions Burnout, overfunctioning, and emotional isolation Why clarity is hard to find when you’re doing everything alone The power of being witnessed in seasons of change A more supportive, connected way to move through personal growth Key Takeaway Clarity doesn’t always come from thinking. It comes from being seen… while you’re still in the middle of it. Join Us: Rebirth Conversations (Live Event) If this episode resonated, you’re invited into a deeper, in-person experience. Rebirth Conversations is a space for women navigating change, identity shifts, and personal growth - who are ready to be seen, supported, and witnessed in real time. 📍 April 23 👉 Save your spot: https://themidwifelife.kit.com/rebirthconversations Share This Episode Know a woman who’s been holding a lot on her own? Send this episode to her. Because healing, clarity, and growth aren’t meant to happen in isolation. Connect with Diane Website: https://themidwifelife.co Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co

    10 min
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Welcome to The Midwife Life—part podcast, part revolution that empowers and educates women on all things related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and careers in healthcare. Whether it's understanding the options available to you, advocating for yourself in a health care setting, or simply knowing that you're not alone, I want you to leave each episode feeling stronger and more equipped.

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