Discover Midwives

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

  1. 1h ago

    The Science of Waterbirth

    Recorded LIVE at the 71st ACNM AnnualMeeting in Kansas City, Missouri! Our host Jessica Brumley sitsdown with Emily Malloy, CNM, PhD, a midwife fromMilwaukee, Wisconsin.Emily shares her incredible journey of advocating for andestablishing water birth protocols within a major hospital system, which led her to conduct the first randomized controlled trial of hospital water birth in the US, published in 2025. Together, they break down what the research actually shows: how water immersion acts as "the midwife's epidural," reducing epidural rates, improving patient satisfaction, and maintaining equivalent safety outcomes for low-risk birthing families. Guest: Emily M. Malloy, PhD, CNM, FACNM Advocate Health, Aurora Sinai Medical Center Assistant Professor Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Waterbirth articles: Malloy, E., Kram, J. J. F., Adefisoye, J. O., Forgie, M., Kleber, D., Scherer, M., Anklam, A., Hernandez, N., & Hanson, L. (2025). Hospital waterbirth for low-risk birthing people: findings of a randomized controlled trial. AJOG global reports, 5(4), 100558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2025.100558 Malloy, E., Luff, A., Kram, J. J. F., Adefisoye, J., Forgie, M., Oliver, V., Scherer, M., Wolf, C., Chakrabarti, D., & Hanson, L. (2026). Characteristics Associated With Tub Entry and Birth in Water Among People Planning a Waterbirth. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 10.1111/jmwh.70180. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.70180 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 uniquely 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! Tune in, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring and informative conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @discovermidwives + #DiscoverMidwives Visit our website for more info and resources: Discover Midwives Connect on Socials: Instagram — @discovermidwives Facebook — ACNM Midwives YouTube — Discover Midwives Podcast The Discover Midwives Team Jessica Brumley, PhD, CNM — Host Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music A Buyride Production Presented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives  Brought to you by our sponsors: MomCozy Biogen

  2. Oct 19

    Breastfeeding 101

    Recorded live at the 71st Annual ACNM Meeting in Kansas City, this episode of Discover Midwives welcomes Amelia Henning, CNM, IBCLC, a certified nurse-midwife and lactation specialist at Mass General. Amelia focuses on breastfeeding, lactation, and postpartum care. She explains how midwives can diagnose and treat lactation complications just like any other health concern. Keywords: breastfeeding support, lactation consultant, midwife podcast, mastitis treatment, postpartum care Hashtag #DiscoverMidwives #MidwifeCare #Midwifery #ACNM #ACNM2026Topic: #Breastfeeding #BreastfeedingSupport #LactationSupport #IBCLC #Lactation #PostpartumSupport #FourthTrimester #NormalizeBreastfeeding #Mastitis 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 uniquely 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! Tune in, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring and informative conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!Tag @discovermidwives + #DiscoverMidwives Visit our website for more info and resources: Discover Midwives Connect on Socials:Instagram — @discovermidwivesFacebook — ACNM MidwivesYouTube — Discover Midwives Podcast The Discover Midwives TeamJessica Brumley, PhD, CNM — HostRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music A Buyride Production Presented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives  Brought to you by our sponsors: MomCozy Biogen

  3. Oct 5

    Perinatal Mental Health: More Than Treating Depression and Anxiety

    In this episode of  Discover Midwives, our host, Dr. Jessica Brumley sits down with Jamie Swietlikowski, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and founder of Perinatal Mental Health Partners. Jamie shares her inspiring journey from community birth centers and high-acuity academic centers to expanding her midwifery scope into reproductive psychiatry. Together, they explore how applying the midwifery model of care which focuses on prevention, relationship-building, and holistic support—can radically transform how we handle mental health across reproductive transitions. Timestamps / Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Discover Midwives & Introduction of Guest Jamie Swietlikowski  01:30 – Zooming Out: Mental Health Across the Entire Reproductive Life Cycle  04:16 – Jamie’s Journey: From Dutch Maternity Systems to Mental Health Midwifery  11:31 – Specialized Reproductive Psychiatry & Keeping the Mom-Baby Dyad Together  15:19 – What Preventive Perinatal Mental Health Care Really Looks Like  22:01 – Rethinking Psychiatric Medication During Pregnancy & Lowest Effective Dose  32:42 – Perinatal Mental Health Partners: Innovating Access to Care  40:52 – Structural Factors: Paid Parental Leave, Social Support, and Systemic Change  46:36 – Defining "Mental Health Midwifery" for the Future of Healthcare  Primary Keywords: Discover Midwives podcast, Mental Health Midwifery, Jamie Swietlikowski, Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Depression, Reproductive Psychiatry, Maternal Mental Health, Lowest Effective Dose, ACNM, Midwifery Care. Hashtags: #DiscoverMidwives #MentalHealthMidwifery #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalMentalHealth #PostpartumDepression #MidwivesMakeADifference #reproductivehealth  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 uniquely 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! Tune in, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring and informative conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!Tag @discovermidwives + #DiscoverMidwives Visit our website for more info and resources: Discover Midwives Connect on Socials:Instagram — @discovermidwivesFacebook — ACNM MidwivesYouTube — Discover Midwives Podcast The Discover Midwives TeamJessica Brumley, PhD, CNM — HostRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Presented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives  Brought to you by our sponsors: MomCozy Biogen

  4. Sep 21

    The Truth About Birth Plans

    Birth plans get a lot of attention on social media, with numerous templates offering advice on everything from fetal monitoring to essential oils. But what is the actual point of creating one,especially when labor can be so unpredictable?In this episode of Discover Midwives, host Dr. Jessica Brumley breaks down why a birth plan should not be approached like a rigid script, but rather a powerful tool for communication, team building, and self-advocacy. From understanding historical shifts in childbirth to navigating unexpected scenarios in labor, Jessica shares practical ways to structure your birth preferences so you feel safe and empowered. Links & Resources Mentioned: • Subscribe to Discover Midwives on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode. • Share your birth plan questions or experiences with us in the episode comments! #BirthPlan #Midwifery #Pregnancy #DiscoverMidwives #MaternalHealth #LaborAndDelivery#BirthPreferences

  5. Sep 7

    Wait...Midwives Do Primary Care?

    Many people believe that midwives only care for women in pregnancy and during labor and delivery. In this episode of Discover Midwives, our host Jessica Brumley explores the full scope of midwifery care that goes far beyond the delivery room. Joined by clinical insights, this conversation breaks down how midwives act as primary healthcare partners for individuals across their entire lifespan.From annual wellness exams, PAP tests, mammogram referrals, routine contraception, menopause management, tracking blood pressure or thyroid health; midwives offer a holistic, personalized anchor in a complex healthcare system. Tune in to discover how midwifery care prioritizes shared decision-making, continuity, and your unique health goals at every stage of life.

  6. Aug 24

    Cell Free DNA: What Every Pregnant Person Should Know

    Genetic screening tests like cell-free DNA (sometimes called NIPT) are becoming more popular across the country. What does this screening really tell you? Should we think of it as “just a routine blood test”? What does a positive result actually mean? And what happens when prenatal genetic screening gives you information you weren’t expecting? In this episode of Discover Midwives, we sit down with Julie Knutson, CNM, Assistant Professor with the Brown OBGYN Residency Program, to unpack one of the most complicated topics in prenatal care: cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, also known as NIPT or non-invasive prenatal screening. Julie brings years of experience in birth centers, public health clinics, and hospital settings, along with her work on genetics education for midwives and her article on cell-free DNA testing. Together, we explore what midwives need to know to help clients make informed decisions about prenatal genetic screening. We talk about: • What cell-free DNA/NIPT actually tests, and what it doesn't test • Why NIPT is considered a screening test, not a diagnostic test • Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13 • Why a positive screening result does NOT necessarily mean the baby has the condition • False positives, placental mosaicism, and the importance of diagnostic follow-up • What an “indeterminate” or “no-call” result can mean • Sex chromosome screening and some of the unexpected information families may receive • How NIPT can influence birth planning, pregnancy decision-making, and emotional preparation• Why more testing isn't necessarily better testing • The financial and emotional “cost” of prenatal genetic testing• Genetic privacy, and what happens to your DNA after testing • Emerging uses of cell-free DNA, including fetal RhD testing • How genetic counseling and MFM consultation fit into the process• Why shared decision-making is at the heart of midwifery care One of the most important messages from this conversation is simple: a prenatal genetic test is not just a test. It is information, and people deserve to understand what that information could mean before deciding whether they want it. For midwives and other maternity care providers, this episode offers a practical framework for counseling clients without overwhelming them. For pregnant people and families, it provides a starting point for asking better questions and making decisions that align with their own values and circumstances. You don't have to say yes just because a test is offered. And you don't have to say no because you're afraid of what you might learn. You deserve the information and support to make the decision that's right for you. Listen, subscribe, and share Discover Midwives with a pregnant person, midwife, student, or maternity care provider who could benefit from this conversation. Keywords: NIPT, cell-free DNA, prenatal genetic testing, non-invasive prenatal testing, prenatal screening, Down syndrome, trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13, amniocentesis, CVS, genetic counseling, midwife, midwifery, pregnancy, prenatal care, informed consent, shared decision-making, genetic privacy #DiscoverMidwives #Midwifery #NIPT #PrenatalTesting #Pregnancy #Midwives #GeneticTesting #PrenatalCare #BirthChoices #SharedDecisionMaking

  7. Aug 10

    Listening to Labor: Understanding Intermittent Auscultation and Why It Matters

    In this episode of Discover Midwives, we dive into birth innovation, patient engagement, and evidence-based care with Amy Romano, midwife, healthcare leader, and founder of Primary Maternity Care.Amy shares her 22-year journey in maternal health. From her clinical practice to co-authoring Optimal Care in Childbirth, she breaks down how systemic incentives and clinical choices impact the birthing experience. Together, we explore the crucial differences between routine electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and intermittent auscultation (IA), examining how less invasive monitoring techniques can safely preserve freedom of movement, reduce unnecessary interventions, and support natural physiologic birth.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Shift to Human-Centered Care: How system design, funding, and clinical innovation can improve maternity outcomes and birth equity. Intermittent Auscultation (IA) vs. Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM): Why continuous EFM isn't always better for low-risk births and how it can lead to unnecessary C-sections. Preserving Freedom of Movement: How low-intervention monitoring allows birthing individuals to listen to their bodies and move freely during labor. Advocating for Choice: Tips for navigating birth settings and advocating for evidence-based monitoring options. "When we replace hands-on care and presence with continuous technology, we often trade true physiological safety for a false sense of certainty."Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Discover Midwives, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with friends, clients, or healthcare providers looking to humanize maternal care!

  8. Jul 27

    More Than Birth: How Midwives Care for Newborns

    Did you know that midwifery care extends well beyond pregnancy and childbirth? In this episode of Discover Midwives, we dive into a core yet often overlooked aspect of midwifery training and practice: caring for healthy newborns.We are joined by Dr. Michelle Palmer (PhD, CNM), a passionate advocate for physiologic birth and Specialty Director at the Yale School of Nursing. Dr. Palmer shares her extensive clinical expertise on the critical first hours and days of a baby’s life.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Magic of the "Golden Hour": Why skin-to-skin contact, quiet environments, and sensory transition matter so deeply for a newborn's nervous system and development. Essential Newborn Screenings: What midwives look for during early clinical evaluations, including jaundice, blood sugar levels, pulse oximetry, and metabolic screenings. Navigating Red Flags: How midwives distinguish normal newborn behavior from warning signs that require pediatric or specialist intervention. Postpartum & Feeding Support: The role midwives play in supporting parents through the trials and triumphs of early infant feeding and transition. Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share Discover Midwives with expecting parents and birth workers!

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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
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © American College of Nurse-Midwives
  • Show Website
    Discover Midwives

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