Power, Pain & Choice

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.

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 care * Why bringing your questions (and your support people!) matters more than you think * How feeling safe and respected in care can impact your birth experience

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.

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 them * How to recognize weight bias at your prenatal visits * Why your grandmother's pregnancy may have shaped your health today

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.