Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:15:32 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2610754 en-us © 2026 Mindful Midwifery Presents: Calm, Collected & Consented Childbirth yes 62ab52ef-9282-53ac-add6-8b0c08e41c00 Katie episodic false Birth isn't a solo event, so why does birth prep treat it like one? Hosted by certified nurse midwife Katie O'Brien, who has spent nearly two decades welcoming babies into the world, this podcast rebuilds childbirth education from the ground up — for the whole family unit, not just the person giving birth.
Each episode dives into the real conversations couples need to have before labor starts: how to prepare support partners so they walk in with skills and confidence instead of guesswork, how to communicate through disagreements before you're in the middle of them, and how to navigate the countless gray areas of pregnancy and labor and postpartum without buying into the myth that there's one "right way" to do it.
No TikTok clips, no oversimplified takes — just complete, judgment-free information delivered with the flexibility of a podcast you can listen to anywhere, together or apart. Calm, Collected, and Consented is here to help you and your support people show up for birth and postpartum as a confident, capable team.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Katie https://storage.buzzsprout.com/1168brt5fe7xft1cvy8n523glu2j?.jpg https://www.buzzsprout.com/2610754 Katie O'Brien Knowledge is Power vs. Ignorance is Bliss: Finding Balance in Pregnancy to Keep You Sane Host Katie O'Brien explores two opposing mindsets in pregnancy: chasing every piece of information available versus opting out of some tests and research altogether. Using relatable analogies, she breaks down when knowledge genuinely helps you control outcomes versus when it just breeds anxiety without changing anything. She digs into the guilt culture around pregnancy outcomes in the U.S., reminding listeners that pregnancy and birth can't be fully controlled — only your response to them can be. The episode closes with seven practical tips for couples: talking openly about testing decisions, avoiding "Dr. Google/ChatGPT," building a real support network, and recognizing "artificial urgency" (like obsessively checking lab portals) that fuels unnecessary stress.

]]> Host Katie O'Brien explores two opposing mindsets in pregnancy: chasing every piece of information available versus opting out of some tests and research altogether. Using relatable analogies, she breaks down when knowledge genuinely helps you control outcomes versus when it just breeds anxiety without changing anything. She digs into the guilt culture around pregnancy outcomes in the U.S., reminding listeners that pregnancy and birth can't be fully controlled — only your response to them can be. The episode closes with seven practical tips for couples: talking openly about testing decisions, avoiding "Dr. Google/ChatGPT," building a real support network, and recognizing "artificial urgency" (like obsessively checking lab portals) that fuels unnecessary stress.

]]> Classes Buzzsprout-19556168 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 895 full false Building Your Birth Dream Team: Who Belongs in Your Corner Childbirth isn't a solo sport — it's a team effort. In this episode, Katie O'Brien breaks down every player who can join your birth "care team," from midwives and OBs to doulas, family, chiropractors, pediatricians, and even your birthing location itself. She unpacks the real differences between midwives and obstetricians, walks through the various midwifery certifications (CPM, CM, CNM), and explains why maternal-fetal medicine specialists get called in for higher-risk cases. Beyond providers, she dives into the emotional side of the equation — choosing the right support person, navigating family opinions, and communicating your needs clearly. Katie also compares hospitals, birth centers, and home birth, covering key questions to ask about C-section rates, NICU access, doula-friendliness, and transfer policies. The takeaway: whether you're just starting to build your team or reevaluating an existing one, trust and communication are the foundation of a birth experience that truly supports your goals.

]]> Childbirth isn't a solo sport — it's a team effort. In this episode, Katie O'Brien breaks down every player who can join your birth "care team," from midwives and OBs to doulas, family, chiropractors, pediatricians, and even your birthing location itself. She unpacks the real differences between midwives and obstetricians, walks through the various midwifery certifications (CPM, CM, CNM), and explains why maternal-fetal medicine specialists get called in for higher-risk cases. Beyond providers, she dives into the emotional side of the equation — choosing the right support person, navigating family opinions, and communicating your needs clearly. Katie also compares hospitals, birth centers, and home birth, covering key questions to ask about C-section rates, NICU access, doula-friendliness, and transfer policies. The takeaway: whether you're just starting to build your team or reevaluating an existing one, trust and communication are the foundation of a birth experience that truly supports your goals.

]]> Classes Buzzsprout-19515644 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400 1773 1 2 full false Welcome to the Calm, Collected & Consented Childbirth Podcast What if birth prep is broken because we've only ever prepared half the team? Certified Nurse Midwife, Katie O'Brien, opens her podcast by naming the blind spots: birth prep that stops at delivery and also leaves support partners sidelined. In this founding episode, she reframes childbirth education as a shared skill set, not a spectator sport, and sets the tone for everything ahead: no "right way" to birth, honest conversations before the big day, and permission to adapt when the plan changes. A grounding first listen for anyone expecting a baby — and anyone standing beside them.

]]> What if birth prep is broken because we've only ever prepared half the team? Certified Nurse Midwife, Katie O'Brien, opens her podcast by naming the blind spots: birth prep that stops at delivery and also leaves support partners sidelined. In this founding episode, she reframes childbirth education as a shared skill set, not a spectator sport, and sets the tone for everything ahead: no "right way" to birth, honest conversations before the big day, and permission to adapt when the plan changes. A grounding first listen for anyone expecting a baby — and anyone standing beside them.

]]> Classes Buzzsprout-19514426 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400 428 1 1 full false