Burnout, Boundaries, and Birth Trauma: A Somatic Conversation with Christie Davis Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-23 | Longtime midwife turned somatic trauma healing coach, Christie Davis talks about what it really takes to stay whole in the world of birth work. After over 20 years of attending births and running a private midwifery practice, Christie now supports midwives and birth professionals through the emotional aftermath of traumatic births, burnout, and the heavy expectations of the profession.Together, we unpack the somatic foundations of trauma, how nervous systems get "stuck," and what real healing can look like. We also talk boundaries (the kind that keep you and your clients safe), deconstruct the martyrdom baked into midwifery culture, and explore how to build more sustainable careers in birth work—without abandoning your heart.Whether you're a seasoned provider or a student midwife just entering the field, this is an honest, compassionate conversation you need to hear.Topics Covered:- Why so many midwives are burned out—and how to shift that- What somatic healing actually means (beyond the buzzword)- The emotional toll of traumatic births on providers- Signs you’re stuck in a survival nervous system state- Real-world examples of “normal” midwifery expectations that are not normal- How boundaries can change everything—for you and your clients- The difference between empathy and emotional entanglement- How to start healing—without talk therapy lasting 10 years🔗 Show Notes:Learn more about Christie Davis and her somatic healing work for birth professionals at perinataltraumacenter.com/aboutCheck out our Boundaries for Birthworkers course on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:11 Christie Davis' Background and Transition00:54 The Importance of Birth Trauma Healing02:12 Coaching and Support for Midwives07:48 Somatic Healing Explained12:00 Challenges in Midwifery15:32 Global Perspectives on Midwifery21:24 Comparing Midwifery to Other Professions22:58 The Importance of Boundaries in Midwifery24:52 Guidelines for New Midwives25:58 Challenges Facing Modern Midwives29:08 Somatic Approaches to Midwifery32:16 How to Work with Christie33:49 Practical Techniques for Nervous System Regulation37:10 The Future of Midwifery and Student Training41:11 Conclusion and Contact Information
Washington Alliance for Responsible Midwifery Presents: Augustine Colebrook Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-30 | We’re excited to share that Augustine Colebrook will be presenting at the WARM Fall 2025 Online Conference on October 4–5 — and you’re invited!This year’s conference is extra special because we’ll be launching three brand-new Midwifery Wisdom courses during the event. You’ll get early access to fresh content designed to elevate your midwifery practice.✨ Conference Topics Include:DAY 1 - The First 48 Hours for the Newborn - Oct 4th 2025 9:00AM PST- 3:00PM PSTDay 2 - Defensive Charting Updates & Midwife And The Machine - Oct 5th 2025 9:00AM PST - 4:00PM PST📚 Earn CEUs and connect with midwives from across the country.Discounts are available for students and WARM members!🔗 Register now by visiting warmmidwives.com/eventsWith gratitude,Augustine Colebrook & MWC Team
Too many midwives BURNOUT, its time for CHANGE. Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-18 | Too many midwives start their careers already burned out, underpaid, and unsupported — and sadly, many leave the profession within just five years. We believe that has to change.We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Midwifery Wisdom Fellowship. Christie Davis and Augustine Colebrook created this mentorship to help future leaders step into advanced practice with confidence, build sustainable careers, and truly change the culture of midwifery for good.And here’s the best part — to celebrate, we’re hosting a giveaway! One lucky midwife will win a complete starter kit valued at over $500 — everything from a Doppler and neonatal stethoscope, to a scale, instruments, NRP kit, blood pressure cuff and more. PLUS, a gorgeous handmade Patchwork Carpet Bag from St. Clair Designs to carry it all in.For more details, go to our website midwiferywisdomcollective.com/midwifery-wisdom-fellowship#birth-kit-giveawayThe winner will be announced on September 24th, so don’t miss your chance to join the Fellowship movement and start your practice with the tools — and support — you deserve.#midwiferywisdomfellowship #midwifeburnout #midwiferycareer
Talk to Your WORRY, Dont Shove it Aside Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-17 | In this clip, Professor Hannah Dahlen shares powerful wisdom for midwives: don’t shove aside your negative thoughts — they’re often there to protect you. The key is learning to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s manufactured.#MidwiferyWisdomPodcast #HannahDahlen
What does it really mean to hold space at a birth? | Hannah Dahlen | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-17 | Today’s rerun episode features the incredible Professor Hannah Dahlen, an Australian midwife, researcher, and international leader in maternity care. Hannah has published over 100 papers, spoken at more than 100 conferences, and appeared in documentaries and major media worldwide.In this conversation, Hannah shares:Her powerful journey into midwifery, growing up in Yemen alongside her mother, a practicing midwife.The art of holding space in birth, and why it’s often misunderstood as “doing nothing.”Stories of humility, intuition, and the delicate balance between action and inaction in midwifery.Her vision for shifting the global understanding of midwifery alongside obstetrics.We're also thrilled to announce the launch of the Midwifery Wisdom Fellowship. Christie Davis and I created this mentorship to help future leaders step into advanced practice with confidence, build sustainable careers, and truly change the culture of midwifery for good.And here’s the best part — to celebrate, we’re hosting a giveaway! One lucky midwife will win a complete starter kit valued at over $500 — everything from a Doppler and neonatal stethoscope, to a scale, instruments, NRP kit, blood pressure cuff and more. PLUS, a gorgeous handmade Patchwork Carpet Bag from St. Clair Designs to carry it all in.More details on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com
How Midwives Can Use Wearable Tech to Transform Client Care Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-14 | Smartwatches, rings, and health trackers aren’t just for fitness anymore—they’re quietly collecting valuable health data that could change midwifery practice. From oxygen saturation to temperature dips, these devices may reveal early warning signs of complications like postpartum preeclampsia.Midwives have a unique advantage: with smaller client loads and closer relationships, they can actually ask clients about their wearable data and begin forming their own case studies.#AIandMidwives #AIinHealthcare #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast
Who Owns Your Birth Data? The Hidden Risks of AI in Midwifery Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-13 | AI isn’t truly “artificial” — it’s built on human-created data. And that data is often biased, owned by private companies, and lacking real protections in the U.S. For midwives, this raises urgent questions:⚠️ Who owns your client’s birth data?⚠️ What happens when AI systems are built on biased information?⚠️ How do you stay compliant when different states (and countries) have stricter privacy protections than others?#AIandMidwives #AIinHealthcare #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast
Why Independent Midwives Can Adopt New Tech Faster Than Hospitals | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-12 | The future of healthcare isn’t moving fastest in hospitals—it’s happening in private labs, startups, and agile practices. From advanced hormone testing to cutting-edge tools, the private sector is driving innovation long before large medical systems catch up.That’s where midwives have a real advantage. As independent practitioners, we aren’t tied down by hospital politics, contracts, or layers of approval. We can pivot quickly, adopt the best new technology, and give families access to tools that traditional systems take years to adopt.Midwifery isn’t behind—it’s actually better positioned for the future.#AIandMidwives #AIinHealthcare #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast
Why Independent Midwives Can Adopt New Tech Faster Than Hospitals | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-12 | The future of healthcare isn’t moving fastest in hospitals—it’s happening in private labs, startups, and agile practices. From advanced hormone testing to cutting-edge tools, the private sector is driving innovation long before large medical systems catch up.That’s where midwives have a real advantage. As independent practitioners, we aren’t tied down by hospital politics, contracts, or layers of approval. We can pivot quickly, adopt the best new technology, and give families access to tools that traditional systems take years to adopt.Midwifery isn’t behind—it’s actually better positioned for the future.#AIandMidwives #AIinHealthcare #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast
Global Data could shape Birth Outcomes—But Who’s Driving It? | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-11 | Even if you don’t agree with every direction technology is heading, the reality is clear: we’re entering a future where global threads of information may influence the way birth is studied and practiced. The question is—who will be driving that model?👉 Subscribe for more conversations on midwifery, birth justice, and the future of maternal health.#AIandMidwives #AIinHealthcare #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast
Midwives & Technology: AI, Charting, and the Future of Birth Care | MWC Podcast Rerun Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-10 | In this rerun of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine sits down with Elke and Charlotte to tackle a timely question: how does technology help—or hinder—midwifery practice? From cybersecurity risks and data privacy to the practical tools shaping daily care, the conversation dives deep into both the promises and pitfalls of modern tech.You’ll hear candid stories about electronic charting, breaches, and the financial risks small practices face, balanced with a hopeful look at innovations like handheld ultrasounds, continuous glucose monitors, and integrated lab tools. The trio also explores how midwives can harness social media and AI—like ChatGPT—to expand influence, streamline documentation, and amplify their voices in a system that too often silences them.Whether you’re tech-curious, tech-cautious, or somewhere in between, this discussion reminds us that while technology can never replace the human essence of midwifery, it can support us in practicing more safely, efficiently, and visibly.Interested in learning more? Augustine will be teaching a course on AI and Midwives at this year's WARM conference. Sign up on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com
Women’s Healthcare in America: Why Midwives Must Stop Being Polite | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-09 | Women’s healthcare in America is facing a crisis—poor maternal outcomes, provider shortages, and restrictive regulations. Yet, instead of funding midwives and birth centers, the system gaslights both providers and consumers.In this clip, midwife Aubre Tompkins calls for change: it’s time for midwives in America to stop being polite, to stand up, and to claim their rightful place in healthcare. Midwifery care has the power to improve outcomes, increase access, and transform women’s health.👉 If you believe in the future of midwifery care in America, share this video and add your voice to the movement.#midwiferywisdompodcast #safebirth #healthcarereform
How Capitalism Is FAILING Womens Healthcare in the United States | Aubre Tompkins | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-08 | Healthcare should never be for-profit.Capitalism may have its place—but when it comes to healthcare and education, it’s failing us. The U.S. system is profit-driven, and it’s costing families their lives, safety, and access to care.Consumers hold more power than they realize. Where we spend our money, who we elect, and how loudly we demand midwifery care—it all shapes the future of our healthcare system.🗳️ From the city council to the federal level, our votes and our dollars matter.What’s one change you’d like to see in how healthcare works in the U.S.? Drop your thoughts below 👇
Women’s Healthcare in America: Why Midwives Must Stop Being Polite | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-05 | Women’s healthcare in America is facing a crisis—poor maternal outcomes, provider shortages, and restrictive regulations. Yet, instead of funding midwives and birth centers, the system gaslights both providers and consumers.In this clip, midwife Aubre Tompkins calls for change: it’s time for midwives in America to stop being polite, to stand up, and to claim their rightful place in healthcare. Midwifery care has the power to improve outcomes, increase access, and transform women’s health.👉 If you believe in the future of midwifery care in America, share this video and add your voice to the movement.#midwiferywisdompodcast #safebirth #healthcarereform
It’s dangerous to be pregnant in America—especially for BIPOC communities. | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-05 | 🚨 It’s dangerous to be pregnant in America—especially for BIPOC communities.👉 The data is clear: poor outcomes are coming from the hospital-based, physician-led system—not from home birth, birth centers, or midwifery care.Midwives, birth workers, and consumers: it’s time to speak up, get loud, and demand change. This is a human rights issue.💬 Do you believe healthcare should be for-profit? Let’s talk ⬇️Watch the full episode youtu.be/_ZnAi8Uka6M?feature=shared
It is DANGEROUS to be PREGNANT in this country | Aubre Tompkins | MWC Podcast | Midwifery Wisdom 2025-09-03 | This week, we’re revisiting a Season 3 episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast with Aubre Tompkins, CNM and author of Midwifery for Expectant Parents. At the time of recording, Aubre was Director of Midwifery at Seasons Midwifery and Birth Centre and President of the American Association of Birth Centers where she now continues to serve on the Executive Committee.Augustine and Aubre unpack the dangers of pregnancy in the U.S.—especially for BIPOC communities—revealing how poor outcomes stem from the hospital-based, physician-led system rather than midwifery care. Yet, the for-profit model of healthcare continues to suppress the most obvious solutions. This conversation, as urgent today as ever, is also a call to action—for midwives and consumers alike—to raise their voices and demand meaningful change in U.S. healthcare.✨ Topics covered:-Why profit-driven healthcare works against families-Polarization in the Midwifery World-Why midwives and consumers need to push for real change👉 If you care about maternal health, birth justice, and the future of midwifery, this is a must-listen.Keep the conversation going on skool.com/midwiferywisdom
These HEALING PLANTS That Could Be Growing in YOUR Backyard | Clinical Herbalism with Zaire Sabb Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-28 | Healthcare is changing—and sometimes the best medicine isn’t at the pharmacy, but in your backyard. 🌱Red clover for kidneys, plantain for skin repair, dandelion for detox—these powerful plants grow wild all around us.Would you recognize them? 🍃🎧 Listen now on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast youtu.be/tInksYXYIIE?feature=sharedJoin Midwifery Wisdom Skool—your all-in-one membership for courses, community, and NARM prep for $69/month. Unlock 12+ classrooms inside as you level up: skool.com/midwiferywisdom
PAINFUL, heavy PERIODS don’t have to be your “normal.” Herbal Medicine may have the answers! Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-27 | From food diaries 🥗, to work and lifestyle patterns 💻🚚, to unresolved trauma stored in the body 💔—Zaire explores the deep connections between health, womb space, and balance.✨ If you’ve ever felt like your period is a “death sentence,” this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen now on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast youtu.be/tInksYXYIIE?feature=sharedJoin Midwifery Wisdom Skool—your all-in-one membership for courses, community, and NARM prep for $69/month. Unlock 12+ classrooms inside as you level up: skool.com/midwiferywisdom
Herbal Medicine for Midwives: Health and Healing with Zaire Sabb | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-27 | In this week’s episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, host Shiphrah Israel sits down with Zaire Sabb—Clinical Herbalist, Traditional Midwife, Registered Nurse, and founder of Mystic Momma Herbals.Zaire shares her remarkable journey from pediatric cardiac transplant nursing to apprenticing with grand midwives in Georgia and herbal masters in Nigeria, weaving together clinical knowledge, traditional midwifery, and holistic herbalism. She discusses the vital difference between community herbalists and clinical herbalists, how unresolved emotions can manifest physically in the body, and why reclaiming herbal wisdom is essential for reproductive health and sovereignty.We also dive into her new book, Herbal Harmony: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Herbs to Help with Reproductive Health, which empowers readers to better understand their bodies, advocate for themselves in medical spaces, and pass on generational wisdom to their families.✨ Topics we cover:- The path from allopathic nursing to traditional midwifery- What sets a clinical herbalist apart from community herbalism- The role of emotions, trauma, and lifestyle in reproductive health- Everyday herbs growing in your own backyard- Practical steps to begin your herbal journey- How Herbal Harmony helps bridge the gap between patients and providers📖 You can find Herbal Harmony on Amazon and at mysticmommaherbals.comJoin Midwifery Wisdom Skool—your all-in-one membership for courses, community, and NARM prep for $69/month. Unlock 12+ classrooms inside as you level up: skool.com/midwiferywisdom.
Midwives, Don’t just HOPE YOUR CHART PROTECTS YOU—make sure it does | Defensive Charting Seminar Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-20 | In midwifery charting, the difference between protection and liability often comes down to the details. That's where making notable issues prominent on your chart comes in.By naming every issue and creating a plan you follow at each visit—whether it’s VBAC/TOLAC, creeping blood pressure, anemia, or co-care with a physician—you’re not just documenting, you’re building your best legal defense.That’s exactly what we’ll dig into inside the Defensive Charting Lab—a 3-hour, live, hands-on webinar with Augustine Colebrook. Together, we’ll review real charts, update defensive charting rules for 2025, and give you the tools to safeguard your practice while strengthening client care.🖊️ Learn more & join the lab → https://DefensiveChartingLab.eventbrite.com
The Combat Midwife with Jessica Arno Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-20 | In this episode host Shiphrah sits down with Jessica Arnold—better known as The Combat Midwife. From growing up with a calling to catch babies, to serving as a firefighter, paramedic, and military Combat Medic instructor, Jessica has forged a one-of-a-kind path in birth work.She shares her journey from witnessing her mother’s VBAC and traumatic hemorrhage as a child, to teaching life-saving skills in the army, to blending EMS training with midwifery wisdom in both civilian and disaster settings. Jessica opens up about why VBACs hold a special place in her heart, how resourcefulness and quick thinking translate across emergencies, and why every family—not just midwives—can benefit from basic birth and survival knowledge.We also dive into her Combat Midwife workshops and OB kit, created to prepare families and communities for emergencies, and discuss how midwifery and EMS share surprising historical roots. Whether you’re a birth worker, parent, or simply curious about resilience in the face of the unexpected, this episode is full of insight, grit, and inspiration.👉 Resources, free downloads, and kits are available at combatmidwife.com (use code WISDOM for a discount).👉 Listeners also receive 15% off CEU courses at www.midwiferywisdom.com with code MWCPOD15.
Midwives, if you didnt CHART it, it didnt happen | Defensive Charting for Midwives Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-19 | Even the best midwives with the most generous assumptions of skill can’t defend what isn’t charted. 🖊️ In a courtroom—or before a board—your notes in your medical chart are either your strongest safeguard or your biggest liability.That’s why we created the Defensive Charting Lab—a live, hands-on workshop where Augustine Colebrook will walk you through real midwives’ charts, pointing out risks, gaps, and the updates you need to protect your license in today’s climate of litigation and increased scrutiny.This isn’t a lecture—it’s a lab. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your commitment to making your chart your #1 legal defense.👉 Join us for the Defensive Charting Lab and learn:✔️ The top 5 rules of defensive charting—updated for 2025✔️ The most common mistakes that still put midwives' licenses at risk✔️ How to spot weaknesses in your patient chart before an attorney does✔️ Why charting is also a tool for client connection, not just protection🗓️ 3 hours. Real charts. Real-time edits. Updated strategies.Your future self will thank you.#DefensiveCharting #midwiferywisdom #CoursesforMidwives #ChartingforMidwives
Hot Flashes Aren’t a Joke — Why Menopause Deserves Celebration & Care Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-16 | Menopause isn’t only about challenges—it’s also a powerful stage of life that deserves care, respect, and celebration.In this clip from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Satori Shakoor shares why we must demand better healthcare and embrace menopause as a true rite of passage. With honesty and passion, she reframes this season as a time to stand proudly and say, “I’ve arrived at my destiny of giving birth to myself.”🎧 Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/_bD9xJOvo5o#MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #MenopauseSupport #SatoriShakoor #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast #HealthEquity
From First-Time Filmmaker to Global Release: Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-15 | When Satori Shakoor decided to make a film, she had no filmmaking experience—just a vision, a commitment, and the willingness to learn through mistakes.In this clip from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Satori shares the journey behind Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale—from navigating unknown territory to finally releasing her raw, vulnerable, and deeply human story worldwide.🎬 Now streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and Google Play, the film is earning rave reviews and touching hearts in ways Satori never imagined.🎧 Watch the full podcast episode here: youtu.be/_bD9xJOvo5o#FilmmakingJourney #WomenInFilm #Storytelling #MenopauseAwareness #ConfessionsOfAMenopausalFemmeFatale #SatoriShakoor
Menopause is inevitable — but trained help is SHOCKINGLY rare. Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-14 | Menopause is something every woman will experience—yet most doctors get just one hour of training on it. That means millions of women are left without accurate diagnoses, helpful remedies, or clear direction. Some even wait over a year to see a certified menopause specialist.In this clip from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, storyteller and advocate Satori Shakoor shares why she’s working with Governor Whitmer’s statewide panels—bringing together menopause doctors, psychologists, sex therapists, and researchers—to give women the answers, support, and connection they deserve.🎧 Watch the full conversation here: youtu.be/_bD9xJOvo5o📌 Learn more about Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale: youtu.be/EMWUKScmv4I?feature=shared#MenopauseAwareness #MidwiferyWisdomPodcast #WomensHealth #MenopauseSupport #SatoriShakoor #HealthAdvocacy
Avoid These Midwifery Charting MISTAKES That Put Your License at Risk Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-13 | In this sneak peek from our bestselling Defensive Charting Seminar, you’ll see why the way you document an informed decision conversation—whether it’s herbs, homeopathy, or any care plan—can mean the difference between protection and liability.Now, 5 years later, we’re taking it LIVE in a 3-hour Defensive Charting Lab:✅ Live critique of real midwives’ anonymized charts✅ The updated Top 5 Rules of Defensive Charting for 2025✅ How to spot weaknesses before an attorney does✅ Protect your license while strengthening client trust🗓 Seats are limited—reserve yours today:https://DefensiveChartingLab.eventbrite.com#Midwifery #MidwifeLife #Homebirth #BirthCenter #Midwives #DefensiveCharting #MidwiferyEducation #BirthWorkers #MidwiferyTraining
Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale with Satori Shakoor Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-13 | In this episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, host Shiphrah Israel sits down with Satori Shakoor - a master storyteller, story director, and coach whose gift for weaving words was born from generations of Black women in the Jim Crow South. Raised listening to her Alabama and Mississippi elders transform everyday events into epic tales, Satori learned to speak the language of storytelling with the power to teach, warn, entertain, and inspire.Satori brings that same storytelling magic to a topic too often shrouded in silence: menopause. From her acclaimed film Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale to her advocacy with the Michigan Women’s Commission, she shares her deeply personal journey through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause—illuminating the emotional, physical, and societal challenges along the way.This conversation explores the gaps in medical training that leave women unsupported, and the transformative self-discovery that can emerge in this life stage. With humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, Satori reframes menopause not as an ending, but as an opening to deeper self-awareness and freedom.🎧 Listen now to discover:-Why most doctors get only one hour of menopause training—and what that means for women’s health-The emotional and physical symptoms of perimenopause and menopause-How storytelling can break stigma and build community-The urgent need for advocacy, awareness, and accessible careResources & Links:Watch Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, or Google PlayLearn more about Satori on her website www.satorishakoor.com
Why Midwives NEED to Think Like CEOs to Scale Their Businesses | #AskAugustine Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-11 | If hospitals can run multiple locations with a CEO at the helm, why can’t midwives? In this short but powerful insight, Augustine Colebrook challenges midwives to zoom out, study successful healthcare business models, and realize that multi-location midwifery practices are 100% possible. Here's how.✨ Perfect for:Student & practicing midwivesBirth center ownersAnyone dreaming of scaling their midwifery practice🚀 Learn how to bridge the gap between clinical skills and CEO-level business thinking.#Midwifery #MidwiferyBusiness #BirthCenter #MidwifeCEO #MidwiferyWisdom #BirthBusiness #MidwiferyLeadership #HomeBirth #StudentMidwife #EntrepreneurshipInHealthcare
Are Pads Secretly DISRUPTING Your Hormones? | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-07 | 🚫 Bleach, fragrance, and hormone disruptors? Let’s talk about what’s really in common period and hygiene products. From dioxins in pads to perfumes messing with your hormones — it’s time to rethink what we’re putting on (and in) our bodies.✨ Watch this clip to learn how everyday products could be affecting fertility and hormone health. Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/Mt4b6GlDSkM?feature=shared#PeriodHealth #HormoneDisruptors #FertilityAwareness #CleanLiving #MidwiferyWisdom #WomensHealth #ToxicFree
Whats REALLY in your tampons? And what can you do about it? Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-06 | Toxic chemicals like lead, dioxin, glyphosate, PFAs... all found in products we use in the most absorbent part of our bodies.Your vagina is 10x more absorbent than your skin — and no one’s talking about this.🎙️ A must-hear clip from our latest podcast on @MidwiferyWisdom on period truth, body literacy, and reclaiming menstrual health.#PeriodTruth #ToxicTampons #BirthworkerEducation #BodyLiteracy #ReproductiveHealth #Glyphosate #PFAs #TamponStudy #MenstrualHealth #Midwives #NaturalLiving
Bleed Better: Breaking Up with Toxic Period Products with Arielle Loupos | MWC Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-06 | This week on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, we welcome the founder of Flower Girl, a radical period underwear brand born from one woman’s frustration with toxic menstrual products—and her deep desire to care for the bleeding body differently.As a former e-commerce strategist turned slow fashion entrepreneur, she brings both science and soul to this powerful conversation about conscious menstruation, cycle care, and body literacy. Together, we explore:Why midwives and birthworkers should care about what clients use post-birth and beyondHow period underwear is reshaping not just menstruation, but postpartum recoveryWhat it means to create a product that actually honors the female body🔗 Learn more: flowergirl.co📲 Follow on Instagram: @flowergirl.co_💬 Share with a postpartum doula or cycle educator or anyone in your life who needs to hear this!
How Much Bleeding Is Too Much? Placental Abruption in Labor | #AskAugustine Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-04 | What do you do when there’s bleeding during labor—but vitals are stable and birth isn’t imminent?In this episode of #AskAugustine, Augustine Colebrook breaks down one of the most complex clinical judgment calls: differentiating normal labor bleeding from a possible placental abruption.✨ Learn:When to worry (and when not to)Real-life case examples from community birth settingsHow to balance risk, intuition, and evidenceThe red flags that led to transfers—and what was actually discoveredThis is a must-watch for student midwives, doulas, and community birth providers navigating the gray areas of clinical care.📌 Mentioned:Retroplacental clotsCopious bloody show vs. real dangerWhat ultrasounds might missTransfer and return protocolsHospital collaboration and client autonomy👉 Join our community of midwives at Midwifery Wisdom Skool — over 50 hours of clinical education and business support: www.skool.com/midwiferywisdomHave a question for Augustine? Ask us in the comments!🔔 Subscribe for more clinical case breakdowns, birth stories, and wisdom from the field.#Midwifery #PlacentalAbruption #LaborBleeding #MidwiferyEducation #HomeBirth #StudentMidwife #BirthCenterCare #MidwiferyWisdom #CommunityMidwifery #BirthTransfer #ClinicalJudgment #askaugustine
Does choosing freedom help us avoid burnout — or is it a response to it? Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-04 | Does choosing freedom help us avoid burnout — or is it a response to it?In this honest conversation from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, two seasoned midwives reflect on life balance, team practice, and why sometimes sailing, side gigs, or building something totally different is what keeps them whole.Listen to the full episode now on our channel and don't forget to subscribe!🎧 Full podcast live now🌍 Join the Webinar Series Midwifery on the Move to explore whether the Traveling Midwife Lifestyle is for you!Tickets on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com#MidwiferyWisdom #MidwifeBurnout #MidwiferyOnTheMove #TravelingMidwives #PodcastShorts #LifeWorkBalance #GlobalMidwife #MidwiferyLife
Global Midwifery Leads to Greater Compassion | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-02 | In this clip from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, we explore what it really means to be a global citizen — and how living and learning across cultures sharpens not only our awareness, but also our humility.From lifelong friendships to deeper cultural sensitivity with clients back home, traveling midwives carry these lessons into every birth space they enter.Join our ongoing Webinar Series on the Traveling Midwife: Midwifery on the Move — an honest look at the joy, ethics, and complexity of practicing midwifery across borders.🎧 Listen to the full conversation now🧳 Join the full webinar series (live + recorded) on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com#MidwiferyOnTheMove #MidwiferyWisdom #CulturalHumility #GlobalMidwife #TravelingMidwives #MulticulturalCare #PodcastShorts #MidwiferyMatters #GlobalCitizenshipAsk ChatGPT
Want to MAXIMIZE Your Life? Watch This Now | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-08-01 | In this moment from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Allison shares what fuels her decisions to live boldly and embrace change.From the loss of her father at a young age to the clarity that comes with global travel, she reminds us that turbulence is part of transformation — and that expanding our worldview can deepen both self-compassion and understanding of others.If this stirs something in you, join our ongoing Webinar series on the Traveling Midwife. Sign up now on www.midwiferywisdom.com🎧 Full episode out now💻 Register for the full webinar series (live + recorded)#MidwiferyOnTheMove #MidwiferyWisdom #TravelingMidwife #BirthWorkerLife #GlobalMidwifery #LiveBoldly #LifeIsShort #PodcastShorts #PerspectiveShift #CompassionInPractice #WomenWhoMove
What Midwives Everywhere Agree On | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-31 | “There’s this simpatico that happens that’s hard to verbalize…” 💫In this clip from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine and Allison reflect on the deep, unspoken connection midwives share across languages, borders, and cultures.Whether you’re catching babies in Canada, New Zealand, or on a boat in the South Pacific — there’s just something about midwives. We see each other. We know each other.🎧 Full episode streaming now✨ Join our Webinar Series Midwifery on the Move and explor if the Traveling Midwife Lifestyle is for you.Subscribe for more global midwifery stories, interviews, and wisdom.#MidwiferyWisdom #TravelingMidwife #GlobalMidwifery #MidwivesUnite #MidwiferyOnTheMove #BirthWork #SisterhoodOfMidwives #PodcastShorts #WomenSupportingWomen #ReproductiveJustice
Midwives & the Magic of Travel: A Sailing Midwife’s Story with Allison | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-31 | In this week’s episode, Augustine connects with fellow midwife and world traveler, Allison, for a deep and expansive conversation about what it really means to live at the edge of reality—whether supporting births or crossing oceans. From an unexpected career shift out of accounting to midwifery school in New Zealand, and from practicing in Canada to captaining a sailboat across the Pacific, Alison shares how curiosity, courage, and midwifery magic have shaped her wild and winding path.This conversation is part of a larger theme we’ve been exploring this month in our ongoing webinar series Midwifery on the Move where we explore what it really means to live a mobile midwifery lifestyle. We’ve been talking about the beauty, the complexity, the ethics, and the practical steps to working around the world.✨ If this episode sparks something in you, know that it’s not too late to join the webinar and explore what traveling midwife life might look for you. Sign up today on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com00:00 Introduction and Backstory00:09 The Universal Bond of Midwives01:11 Adventurous Spirit of Midwives02:16 Allison's Journey to Midwifery03:55 Life as a Traveling Midwife09:30 Sailing Adventures Begin12:45 Challenges of Boat Life15:09 Reflections on Midwifery and Sailing18:06 Embracing Change and Uncertainty18:41 Breaking Free from Conventional Life19:45 Living in the Unknown21:53 Facing Burnout and Seeking Balance25:43 The Challenges of a Global Lifestyle27:32 Navigating Relationships as a Wanderer30:59 Future Plans and Adventures34:42 Connecting with Fellow Sailing Midwives
Trauma Isn’t the Event — It’s the Nervous System’s Response | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-26 | What if trauma isn’t about what happened — but what your nervous system couldn’t complete?In this powerful short, Christie Davis, Midwife and somatic practitioner, shares insight with Augustine, midwife and founder of Midwifery Wisdom, about how trauma can live in the body long after the event is over.Together, they unpack:✨ Why two people can live through the same crisis, but only one walks away with trauma✨ How your body protects you — and why “slowing down” can feel so threatening✨ What somatic support can do for birth trauma, burnout, and nervous system healingWhether you’re a new parent still carrying stress from birth or a birthworker supporting others through intense experiences, this conversation invites a gentler, deeper way to process and move forward.Listen to the full podcast here: youtu.be/uvexTV-PUYo#SomaticHealing #BirthTrauma #NervousSystem #MidwiferyWisdom #NewParents #ChristieDavis #Augustine #TraumaRecovery #ParentingSupport
How to Soothe Overwhelm (Without Quitting): A Somatic Tool for Midwives & Birthworkers Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-24 | Burnout doesn’t always mean stop.Sometimes, it means something deeper: shift.In this moment from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Midwife and somatic healer Christie Davis shares a powerful reframe for birthworkers, parents, and anyone living in a constant state of overwhelm:👉 Don’t shove your fear away.✨ Acknowledge it. Soothe it. Thank it.🧠 Tell your nervous system: “I see you. I get why you’re here. But you don’t get to drive.”This subtle shift—from suppressing emotion to meeting it with compassion—can change your entire approach to burnout, fear, and fatigue.Whether you're a midwife, doula, or a new parent navigating the postpartum fog… this is for you.🎧 Full episode available now on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast🔔 Subscribe for more somatic tools, birthwork support, and nervous system wisdom.#MidwiferyWisdom #BurnoutRecovery #SomaticHealing #ParentingSupport #BirthworkerBurnout #NervousSystemRegulation #FearIsNotTheEnemy #PostpartumSupport #FunctionalHealing #SootheDontSuppress #BirthworkIsBrave
Feeling Overwhelmed as a New Parent? Try This 5-Second Nervous System Reset Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-24 | Overwhelmed as a new parent?Try this surprisingly simple somatic tool to calm your nervous system in seconds.👉 Put your hand on the nearest surface.👉 Say one word to describe how it feels.That tiny pause sends your brain the message:“You’re safe. You’ve got this.”Whether you’re up all night with a newborn, anxious about doing things “right,” or just running on fumes — this practice can help bring you back to yourself.🎧 This gentle reminder comes from our conversation with somatic practitioner Christie Davis on the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast — a show supporting parents, midwives, and birthworkers with real talk and real tools.✨ You don’t have to push your feelings away. Acknowledge them, soothe them, and keep going.—🔔 Subscribe for more grounded parenting support, birth wisdom, and nervous system tools.🎙️ Full episode: youtu.be/uvexTV-PUYo#NewParentSupport #SomaticTools #GentleParenting #NervousSystemRegulation #MidwiferyWisdom #PostpartumCare #AnxietyReliefForParents #YoureDoingGreat
The Hidden Trauma Behind Home Birth Midwifery | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-23 | Hot take? Maybe.Augustine Colebrook and and Christie Davis explore how being an empath is often a survival strategy from childhood—and how part of the work as birthworkers now is learning to uncouple empathy from self-sacrifice.🌀 You can be empathetic without performing the role of the empath.🧠 You can do this work without burning out.Listen to the latest Midwifery Wisdom Podcast 🎧#MidwiferyWisdom #BirthworkAndTrauma #SomaticHealing #BirthworkerBoundaries
Not all shoulder dystocias are created equal | #AskAugustine Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-22 | Augustines breaks down three types of shoulder dystocia:1️⃣ Stuck but not compromised2️⃣ Compromised but not stuck3️⃣ The “oh sh*t” birth—stuck and compromisedMidwives, birth workers, have you ever wondered what really happened at a birth you attended? Understanding these types might offer a new lens.👇 Drop a comment—have you ever attended one of these scenarios?#Midwifery #ShoulderDystocia #BirthEmergency #MidwifeTraining #BirthEducation #InformedBirth
Midwifery on the Move: Webinar on The Traveling Midwife Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-16 | In this special episode, we’re stepping beyond borders — and beyond our usual programming — to bring you a snippet from our Midwifery on the Move webinar series.Host Augustine Colebrook is joined by two extraordinary traveling midwives: Katrina, a licensed midwife and educator who began her international work in India, and Jata, a neurodivergent advocate and researcher who has practiced in Tanzania, the UK, Australia, and more.This series explores what it really means to bring midwifery across cultures:- The beauty and challenge of practicing globally- Cultural humility vs. cultural competence- How travel shapes us personally and professionally- Navigating ethics, expectations, and impactIf you’ve ever dreamed of taking your midwifery work on the road — or you’re just curious about what’s possible — this conversation will inspire, challenge, and expand your view.Want more? This episode is just a taste of our four-part Midwifery on the Move (8 CEU) webinar. Sign up now to get the full recordings, handouts, and join us live on August 6 and 11, 2025 for the final sessions.Links:🎧 Learn more & register for the webinar → midwiferyonthemovewebinar.eventbrite.com📌 Follow us on Instagram → www.instagram.com/midwiferywisdom
Redefining Success Through Holistic Health with Kavita Sahai Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-09 | Host Shiphrah sits down with Kavita Sahai, founder of Vibes Tribe, to explore her journey from burnout and brain fog to vibrant health and grounded purpose. She shares how a simple shift in mindset—prioritizing wellness over hustle—led her from finance to natural wellness. We talk about the power of small daily practices, why midlife is such a profound (and often overlooked) period of transition for women, and how stacking five-minute habits can change everything. From meal planning to hormone shifts, from fiber to essential oils—this is a candid, practical, and empowering conversation for anyone seeking a more vibrant life. Whether you're in your 30s, 50s, or simply feeling the need for change, this episode reminds us: your well-being is a worthy goal—and you're not alone in the journey.Feeling burnt out from birthwork? You need to take our Boundaries for Birthworkers class online! midwifery-wisdom-collective.teachable.com/p/boundaries-for-birth-workersAccess the community at vibestribe.co00:00 Intro & Guest Welcome01:30 Burnout & Brain Fog03:00 Redefining Success04:30 Discovering Natural Health06:30 Building Vibes Tribe08:00 Balance Through Small Habits10:00 Nutrition & Macros 10112:30 Brain Fog Solutions14:00 What Midlife Really Means16:00 Aromatherapy Myths & Safety18:00 Final Thoughts
Student, Midwife, Mother, Survivor with Adilah Yelton | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-07-02 | In this episode, newly graduated midwife Adilah Yelton joins host Shiphrah Israel to reflect on her journey from student to practicing midwife. She shares openly about the complexities of shifting from student to colleague, navigating preceptor relationships, and the deep need for self-care, community, and nervous system regulation along the way.Adilah also recounts the unexpected discovery of a brain tumor just as she was preparing for her NARM exam—and how rest, community support, and cultural postpartum traditions helped her recover and slowly return to practice.Based in Houston, Texas, Adilah provides culturally rooted postpartum care through Malay Postpartum Spa and Wellness, alongside her midwifery work with Tulip Midwifery.Looking for a preceptor? Download our free Ultimate Preceptor Match Checklist at www.midwiferywisdom.com to help you find the right fit on your midwifery journey.00:00 Introduction to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast00:20 Meet Adilah Yelton: A Journey to Midwifery01:46 Navigating the Limbo: Graduated but Not Licensed06:14 The Importance of Humility and Confidence in Midwifery08:44 Building Bridges: Networking and Preceptorship14:27 Self-Care and Balancing Family Life18:11 The Final Stretch: Preparing for the NARM Exam20:01 Navigating State Protocols for Midwives21:28 Learning from Different Preceptors22:03 Preparing for the NARM Exam24:24 Transitioning from Student to Licensed Midwife25:44 A Life-Changing Diagnosis27:39 Rehabilitation and Community Support30:32 Returning to Midwifery Practice33:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Community39:08 Final Thoughts and Future Projects
Global Midwife, Local Impact with Indie McDowell Midwifery Wisdom 2025-06-25 | In this week’s episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine Colebrook sits down with Indie McDowell—a classically trained anthropologist and clinically trained midwife with a truly global journey.Indie began her career working with UNICEF’s Maternal and Neonatal Health Team in Kyrgyzstan before returning to the UK to complete her midwifery training. From there, her path led her to clinical work in Cambodia and Malawi, ultimately drawing her to Ethiopia.After a year and a half leading neonatal services and emergency obstetric care at a busy referral hospital in rural southwest Ethiopia alongside her colleague Atsede Kidane, the two chose to build something different: their own clinic, rooted in compassion and centered on women’s needs.Stories from their work in Ethiopia is beautifully captured in the book With Two Souls, co-written by Indie McDowell and Atsede Kidane.We also dive into what it means to truly commit to place, community, and long-term impact in global birth work.Are you a midwife called to work beyond borders? Join us for our upcoming Traveling Midwife Webinar —a 4-part, 8-hour CEU event designed for aspiring and experienced birthworkers who are exploring midwifery on the move.Led by Augustine Colebrook, and guest traveling midwives, this immersive series will cover legalities, logistics, and cultural considerations of traveling birth work—both international and domestic.🗓️ Part 1: July 3rd & 9th | 7–9PM EST🗓️ Part 2: August 6th & 11th | 7–9PM EST✅ 8 MEAC-approved CEUsRegister now on tinyurl.com/travelingmidwife
What Makes a Midwife with Sophia Ortiz | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-06-18 | Hosts Shiphrah and Susanna sit down with Sophia Ortiz, an independent midwife based in Corfu, Greece, to explore what it truly means to walk the path of midwifery.With over a decade of experience and more than 100 births attended, Sophia brings a deep reverence for birth as both a physiological marvel and a spiritual rite of passage. She shares how her journey—from drama school to midwifery school in the UK, to her current work supporting families in Corfu—helped her realize what she had always known deep down: she is and has always been a midwife.Learn more about Sophia on her website: birthingwisdomcorfu.com
Is Reverse Dilation Real? | New Course Physiological Induction and Augmentation Midwifery Wisdom 2025-06-16 | Midwives have long debated whether reverse dilation is real—spoiler: it is.In this video, Augustine breaks down what happens when a Foley bulb falls out but the baby’s head isn’t well-applied. Without strong contractions or proper engagement, the cervix can regress. Knowing how to recognize this and plan the next steps is essential for safe and effective labor support.Learn more in our newest course Physiological Induction & Augmentation
Finding Balance in the Birth Space: The Midwife–Client–Baby Triad Midwifery Wisdom 2025-06-16 | Midwives rarely arrive at this calling by accident. We each come to it with a heart already pulled in a certain direction—toward the birther, the baby, or the self.These three entry points form what I call The Balance Triangle.At the start, one angle of the triangle is disproportionately weighted. Maybe you entered midwifery through a passion for maternal health and sovereignty. Maybe it was the undeniable pull of attending to newborns and life’s first breath. Or perhaps, it was the transformation you yourself experienced through birthwork that called you to this path.Each is a valid doorway. But remaining in one corner of the triangle will limit your growth and effectiveness as a midwife.“Balance is not a static state — it is an active dance between self, birther, and baby.”Learn more in our latest course Physiological Induction and Augmentation:
Perihealth with Adelaide Adubuffour | Midwifery Wisdom Podcast Midwifery Wisdom 2025-06-11 | In this powerful episode, hosts Shiprah and Susanna sit down with Adelaide Adubouffour—renowned Perineal Specialist Midwife and founder of Peri Health London—to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of postpartum care: perineal trauma.Drawing from her work at West Middlesex University Hospital and nearly a decade of teaching and clinical leadership, Adelaide shares why perineal health matters, how we can improve outcomes for birthing people, and what inspired her to create a globally recognized training program for midwives and doctors.If you care about pelvic floor integrity, respectful repair, and empowering providers to do better, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Learn more about Adelaide's work here:perihealthlondon.com
