Episode 19 - Kelli Zakharoff - The MidWife Crisis - Trust to Trauma

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with home birth midwife Kelly Zarkaroff to explore the challenges, heartbreak, and resilience that come with working in one of healthcare’s most demanding roles. Kelly opens up about a critical moment in her career—losing a baby during a home birth—and the subsequent AHPRA investigation that placed restrictions on her practice. She shares how the process shook her confidence, intensified feelings of burnout, and forced her to confront the often-unspoken struggles midwives face. Her experiences are also shared in her book, "The Midwife Crisis," and she is touring Australia, speaking to relevant groups about her experiences. Through her candid reflections, Kelly offers valuable insights into the importance of self-care, professional support, and building resilience to prevent burnout. Her story is one of vulnerability, courage, and hard-earned wisdom. And towards the end of the episode, Kelly leaves us with a golden nugget tip—a piece of advice you won’t want to miss. 🌟   📲 You can connect with Kelly through her social media pages. 📧 If you are a Registered Nurse with a story to tell, or know one that has, reach back to me at www.healthyoptionsnow.org