Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega

By: Diane Ortega of Willow Birth Center
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to The Midwife Life, the podcast that empowers and educates women on all things related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and careers in healthcare. Whether it's understanding the options available to you, advocating for yourself in a health care setting, or simply knowing that you're not alone, I want you to leave each episode feeling stronger and more equipped.
    2024
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Episodes
  • 03: Evolving as a Doula: Building a Sustainable Birth Practice with Alyssa Leon

    03: Evolving as a Doula: Building a Sustainable Birth Practice with Alyssa Leon
    Nov 11 2024
    In this episode of The Midwife Life, host Diane Ortega is joined by Alyssa Leon, founder and CEO of Cherry Blossom Doula Services. Together, they discuss Alyssa’s unexpected journey into the doula profession and the evolution of her solo practice into a thriving doula team. Alyssa opens up about the joys and challenges of supporting families through birth and postpartum care, and how her work has shaped both her career and her life. From establishing a successful practice to creating a sustainable work-life balance, Alyssa shares invaluable insights and experiences that will resonate with anyone passionate about birthwork and supporting women. Listeners will gain an in-depth look at how Alyssa has expanded her offerings, founded Root & Rice Collective, and how she’s now empowering other birth professionals through mentorship and community collaboration. This candid conversation highlights the importance of aligning integrity and sustainability within the doula community while emphasizing the need for self-care and balance. Key Takeaways: A Doula’s Origin Story: Discover how Alyssa’s love for birthwork began, from early childhood inspiration to becoming a childbirth educator and, ultimately, a sought-after doula. Creating a Sustainable Practice: Learn how Alyssa built and expanded Cherry Blossom Doula Services, navigating challenges in finding like-minded team members and creating a supportive, collaborative environment for doulas. Root & Rice Collective: Explore Alyssa’s philanthropic venture dedicated to accessible community support and education in Mesa, Arizona, emphasizing equity in birth and postpartum care. Work-Life Balance in Birthwork: Alyssa candidly shares how she manages the emotional, physical, and psychological demands of running a doula agency, with practical tips on maintaining boundaries, self-care, and resilience. Empowering Women Through Advocacy: Hear how Alyssa empowers families to make informed decisions and why advocating for oneself and others is crucial in the birth space. Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe to The Midwife Life for more empowering conversations about birth, postpartum care, and women’s health. Leave a review and share with friends who would benefit from these inspiring stories and expert insights. Your story matters—reach out and share it with us! Resources Mentioned: Cherry Blossom Doula Services: https://cbdoulaservices.com Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima: https://amzn.to/3YDUC91 What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter: https://amzn.to/4fclDrg Be Her Village Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/
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    30 mins
  • 02: Mind & Matter: A Deep Dive into Women’s Mental Health

    02: Mind & Matter: A Deep Dive into Women’s Mental Health
    Nov 11 2024
    In this compelling episode of The Midwife Life, host Diane Ortega sits down with Dr. Cara English, CEO of Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies and an expert in perinatal mental health. Together, they explore the often overlooked but critical subject of mental health for women during pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. English shares her expertise on recognizing, understanding, and addressing perinatal mental health conditions, offering actionable advice and insights on building supportive systems that promote well-being for women at every stage. Key Takeaways: Understanding Perinatal Mental Health: What perinatal mental health encompasses, how it differs from postpartum depression, and why the distinction matters. Barriers to Care and Advocacy: Insights into the systemic challenges women face in receiving adequate mental health care and the innovative solutions being implemented in Arizona. Screening & Early Detection: Why early screening is critical and how providers can create safe spaces for open conversations about mental health. Building Community Support Systems: The role of peer support, community circles, and safe spaces for women to connect and find strength during challenging times. Self-Care Strategies and Beyond: Practical self-care approaches, counseling considerations, and the importance of support for partners and families. Did you enjoy this episode? If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Midwife Life for more insightful discussions on women’s health, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Share this episode with a friend or leave a review to help us reach more listeners on their health and wellness journeys. Together, we can make a difference. Resources Mentioned: Universal screening: https://policycentermmh.org/universal-screening-for-maternal-mental-health-disorders-issue-brief/?emci=94c440c6-0787-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&emdi=aa3abac5-3287-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&ceid=8744634 Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): https://www.cope.org.au/health-professionals/health-professionals-3/calculating-score-epds/ Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder (PHQ-9 and GAD-7): https://uhs.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu1651/files/docs/PHQ-9%20and%20GAD-7%20Form_a.pdf Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ): https://novopsych.com.au/assessments/diagnosis/mood-disorder-questionnaire-mdq/ Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults: https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf Somatic Therapies: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-somatic-therapy-5190064 SNOWBALL Mental Health Tips: https://birthwellbirthright.com/snowball-a-new-mothers-guide-to-postpartum-wellness/ Recommended Reading: What Happened to You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry: https://amzn.to/3YqrAto The Pain Gap: How Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill Women by Anushay Hossain: https://amzn.to/3YhqTCK Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype: https://amzn.to/3BYtp9F It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told) by Karen Tang, MD, MPH: https://amzn.to/3Ur8wtZ Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Certificate, Women's Health Specialty: https://cgi.edu/ibh-women/ Trauma Informed Care Certificate: https://cgi.edu/tic/ Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/
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    51 mins
  • 01: Midwives + Doulas: Building the Dream Birth Team with Michelle Ludwig

    01: Midwives + Doulas: Building the Dream Birth Team with Michelle Ludwig
    Nov 11 2024
    In this premiere episode of The Midwife Life, host Diane Ortega sits down with Michelle Ludwig, an experienced birth doula and passionate advocate for women’s health. Together, they delve into the vital roles of midwives and doulas, how they work hand-in-hand to support birthing parents, and the unique benefits they bring to pregnancy and postpartum journeys. Michelle shares her personal journey from client to doula and offers insights into the collaborative dynamic between midwives and doulas in various birth settings. This episode emphasizes the transformative impact of feeling supported and empowered during childbirth and explores why every birthing parent deserves access to a nurturing birth team. Key Takeaways: Defining the Roles: Learn the key differences and unique contributions of midwives and doulas, and how these roles complement each other to provide holistic support. Empowerment Through Advocacy: Discover how informed choice and patient-centered care elevate the birth experience, empowering parents to make decisions that feel right for them. Navigating the Birth Journey: Michelle breaks down how doulas assist in different birth settings—home, birth centers, and hospitals—and the importance of being seen as an asset to the healthcare team. Building a Supportive Birth Team: Why every birthing person deserves a midwife and doula, and how to find the right team to support your unique journey. Addressing Fear and Reframing Pain: Exploring cultural narratives around childbirth, the impact of fear, and strategies for reframing pain as a productive part of the process. Did you enjoy this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who would benefit from feeling empowered and supported through their own birth journeys. Your story matters—reach out and share it with us! Resources Mentioned: Modern Mama Doula: http://www.modernmamadoula.com/ The motherhood co.: https://www.themotherhoodco.com/contact Connect with Michelle on Instagram: @modernmamadoula: https://www.instagram.com/modernmamadoula/ @the.motherhood.co: https://www.instagram.com/the.mother.hood.co/ Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/
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    59 mins

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