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. Jul 13

    The Power of Choice: Shared Decision Making in Maternity Care

    What does it mean to have a voice in your birth? Far too often, "informed consent" is treated as just a checkbox. In this episode of the Discover Midwives Podcast, we sit down with Alison Shorten, PhD, RN, RM, a distinguished researcher, innovative educator, and Senior Associate Dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, with over 35 years of experience in nursing and midwifery. Alison dives deep into her pioneering research on Shared Decision Making (SDM) and the implementation of midwifery models of care. We explore how her work has shaped international evidence-based clinical guidelines, why a strong relationship between providers and families is the foundation of a safe birth, and how true shared decision-making can dramatically reduce unnecessary interventions and lower cesarean rates. Whether you are an expecting parent navigating options like VBAC or a birth worker striving to improve maternal outcomes, Alison’s insights offer a masterclass on shifting maternity care toward a truly collaborative, respectful, and relationship-driven model.

  2. Jun 29

    Birth Centers with Trinisha Williams

    What does it truly look like to be an active, empowered partner in your own birthing experience?In this episode of Discover Midwives, the host sits down with fellow Brooklyn native, Tranisha Williams, MPH, CM. With over 20 years of experience as a certified midwife and more than a thousand births attended across hospital, home, and birth center settings, Tranisha brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to the conversation. Today, she serves as the board president of the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC). Tranisha shares her personal journey into midwifery, which was sparked by witnessing her sister's empowering young pregnancy and birth. She unpacks the unique beauty, fidelity, and safety of the midwifery model of care in community-based settings. In this episode, we discuss: The Birth Center Advantage: Why birth centers offer an ideal, personalized environment where low-risk families can experience minimal interventions while letting the facility handle the logistics. -Home vs. Birth Center: Navigating the environmental differences, from the deep intimacy of birthing in your own curated space to opting for a simulated home-like environment. -Who is a Candidate?: A clear breakdown of the criteria for a birth center birth, including low-risk pregnancies, head-first baby positioning, and normal blood pressure. -Safety & Voluntary Accreditation: How the AABC and the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers set evidence-based standards, monitor strict protocols, and review outcomes to keep families safe. -How birth centers navigate hospital transfers. The reality of non-emergent hospital transfers for stalled labor or pain management, and how to mentally prepare for shifting from a birth plan to continuous monitoring or higher-level interventions. -Busting Midwifery Myths: Tranisha hilariously debunks misconceptions and clarifies the rigorous clinical, gynecological, and primary care training that separates midwives from doulas. - The Future of Maternity Access: An introduction to the bold "Beloved Birth 50 by 50" national initiative, aiming to grant 50% of birthing people access to midwifery-led care by the year 2050 to combat growing maternity care deserts. -Listen to the full episode now on your favorite streaming platforms to discover what respectful, relationship-centered maternity care can look like for you! Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with an expecting family.

  3. Jun 15

    Creating Choices: Nikia Grayson on Birth Justice & Community Care

    In this inspiring episode of Discover Midwives, host Jessica Brumley sits down with Dr. Nikkia Grayson, a nationally recognized Certified Nurse-Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner, educator, and reproductive justice leader. As Chief Clinical Officer of Choices Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Grayson has helped build one of the nation's most innovative Black midwifery-led models of care, where they offer birth center services, reproductive healthcare, abortion care, primary care, and community support all under one roof. Dr. Grayson shares her journey into midwifery and her vision for restoring community-centered care. Together, she and Jessica explore what "full-spectrum reproductive healthcare" really means, why relationship-based care matters, and how midwives are helping address the maternal health crisis, especially in underserved communities. You'll also hear an honest conversation about the realities of birth work, the importance of emergency preparedness, and why midwifery is both deeply compassionate and highly skilled clinical care. Whether you're pregnant, planning a family, seeking reproductive healthcare, or simply curious about what midwives do, this episode offers a powerful look at a model of care built on dignity, respect, and trust. Listen now and discover how midwives are transforming healthcare, one relationship at a time. About Discover Midwives Discover Midwives, presented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), introduces listeners to the people, stories, and evidence behind midwifery care. Through conversations with midwives and healthcare leaders, the podcast helps consumers better understand their healthcare options and the benefits of the midwifery model of care

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. 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!

  11. 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.

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
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • Show Website
    Discover Midwives

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