Bonus Replay: Confessions of a Midwife: Stories, Healing & the Human Side of Birthwork with Brielle Jenson
About this episode
Diane Ortega interviews Brielle Jenson about the human side of midwifery and the emotional aspects of birthwork.
In this bonus replay, I sit down with Brielle Jenson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a midwife with over 20 years of experience, an IBCLC, and the author of the stunning new book Confessions of a Midwife. Brielle has worked in hospitals, home births, and birth centers, bringing a rare, unfiltered perspective on the challenges, triumphs, and deeply human moments of birthwork. Her work has been recognized in the field of midwifery, including a nomination for the ACNM Media Award in 2025, highlighting her dedication to sharing authentic stories and elevating maternal health conversations. In this episode, we dive into: The raw realities of being a midwife—beyond the perfect Instagram birth stories The emotional toll and healing power of birthwork Insights into perinatal mental health and supporting mothers through complex postpartum experiences Brielle’s journey to writing her book and why sharing these stories matters The balance of professional expertise and deep compassion in modern midwifery This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the human side of birth, whether you’re a parent, a birth professional, or simply fascinated by the art and science of…
People in this episode
Host: Diane Ortega
Guest: Brielle Jenson
Topics covered
- midwifery
- birthwork
- mental health
- maternal health
- storytelling
- postpartum experiences
Keywords
- midwife
- birth stories
- emotional toll
- perinatal mental health
- maternal health
- storytelling
- postpartum
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ACNM
Books & works: Confessions of a Midwife
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- 60: The Phoenix Phase: When Everything You Built Ends… and What Comes Next
- 59: In Transition — On Closing, Grief, and Trusting What's on the Other Side
- 58: You’re Not Meant to Do This Alone (But You’ve Been Trying To)
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