The Truth About Birth Plans

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, FACNMAdvocate Health, Aurora Sinai Medical CenterAssistant ProfessorWake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyWaterbirth 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.2025.100558Malloy, 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.70180The 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 + #DiscoverMidwivesVisit our website for more info and resources: Discover MidwivesConnect on Socials:Instagram — @discovermidwivesFacebook — ACNM MidwivesYouTube — Discover Midwives PodcastThe Discover Midwives TeamJessica Brumley, PhD, CNM — HostRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original MusicA Buyride ProductionPresented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives Brought to you by our sponsors: MomCozyBiogen

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 careHashtag #DiscoverMidwives #MidwifeCare #Midwifery #ACNM #ACNM2026Topic: #Breastfeeding #BreastfeedingSupport #LactationSupport #IBCLC #Lactation #PostpartumSupport #FourthTrimester #NormalizeBreastfeeding #MastitisThe 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 + #DiscoverMidwivesVisit our website for more info and resources: Discover MidwivesConnect on Socials:Instagram — @discovermidwivesFacebook — ACNM MidwivesYouTube — Discover Midwives PodcastThe Discover Midwives TeamJessica Brumley, PhD, CNM — HostRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original MusicA Buyride ProductionPresented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives Brought to you by our sponsors: MomCozyBiogen

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 Chapters00:00 – 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 + #DiscoverMidwivesVisit our website for more info and resources: Discover MidwivesConnect on Socials:Instagram — @discovermidwivesFacebook — ACNM MidwivesYouTube — Discover Midwives PodcastThe Discover Midwives TeamJessica Brumley, PhD, CNM — HostRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original MusicPresented by the American College of Nurse-Midwives Brought to you by our sponsors: MomCozyBiogen

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

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.

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 careOne 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

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!

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!

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.

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, Trinisha 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, Trinisha 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).Trinisha 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: Trinisha 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 give 50% of birthing people access to midwifery-led care by 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.