Discover Midwives

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 careWhy 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 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 libidoWhy menopause is a whole-body, whole-life transitionSimple, effective lifestyle strategies to feel better nowNatural remedies, supplements, and when they may helpThe truth about hormone therapy, what’s changed, what’s safe, and who may benefitHow to prepare for a menopause-focused visit so you feel confident and heardYou’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.

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 themHow to recognize weight bias at your prenatal visitsWhy your grandmother's pregnancy may have shaped your health today