The EngagED Midwife

The One Where We Empty Our Inbox

Send us a textWrapping up Season 11, Cara and Missi dig deep into their fan mail bag to answer questions from listeners spanning clinical practice, education, and professional development. With their characteristic warmth and wisdom, they tackle everything from postpartum mental health screening to specialized pharmacology knowledge that you won't find in textbooks.The conversation flows through practical clinical topics, starting with the importance of comprehensive mental health screening for postpartum patients.  They share touching feedback from colleagues about creating supportive collaborative practices with physicians, highlighting how direct, respectful communication builds successful interprofessional relationships.For students and new midwives, the hosts offer a treasure trove of specialized resources. They offer insights to suturing resources, discuss scope of practice questions, and answer questions galore. Pharmacology pearls abound as they discuss innovative approaches to breakthrough bleeding, the exact formulation for All-Purpose Nipple Ointment for treating breast yeast infections, and compounded antiemetic gels for pregnancy nausea.Before previewing exciting topics for Season 12—including ovarian masses, cancer screening, osteoporosis, fertility treatments, and AI in midwifery—Cara and Missi remind listeners of the best ways to reach them with questions. Their generosity in sharing expertise and resources demonstrates why this podcast has become such a valuable companion for midwives at every career stage.Email your questions directly to missi@deliveredexamprep.com or cara@deliveredexamprep.com to become part of future episodes, and visit deliveredexamprep.com to access the resources mentioned throughout this knowledge-packed finale.

Sweaty Sheets and Foggy Brains: A No-BS Guide to Menopause

Send us a textAre you feeling exhausted, irritable, foggy-brained, or experiencing night sweats that leave you drenched? These symptoms aren't just "part of getting older" – they're signs of hormonal changes that can be effectively treated. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Val Schulte joins midwives Missi and Cara to demystify perimenopause and menopause with straightforward, evidence-based information that healthcare providers often miss."I can't describe how excited I am about today," says Missi at the start, acknowledging that many midwives received minimal education about menopause, especially after the Women's Health Initiative study created widespread fear around hormone therapy. Dr. Schulte, who transitioned from traditional OBGYN practice to focusing on hormone therapy and lifestyle medicine, shares how her own perimenopausal symptoms sparked her passion for helping women navigate this transition.The conversation dives deep into practical aspects of hormone testing and treatment options. Dr. Schulte explains how bioidentical progesterone can improve sleep and mood, why testosterone (often overlooked in women) dramatically affects energy and libido, and how proper estrogen therapy protects heart, brain, and bone health. She details the advantages of different delivery methods – from daily creams to pellet therapy that slowly releases hormones over months – and dispels myths about hormone risks.What makes this episode especially valuable is the real-talk about symptoms many women experience but rarely discuss: brain fog that interferes with work, anxiety that appears out of nowhere, joint pain, changes in body odor, even ridges in fingernails. Dr. Schulte connects these seemingly unrelated issues to hormonal fluctuations and offers solutions beyond the standard "here's an antidepressant" approach many providers default to.Whether you're approaching perimenopause, in the thick of menopause, or supporting someone who is, this conversation provides clarity and hope. As Missy realizes toward the end, "I do not have to feel this way for another five years." Listen now to discover how you can reclaim your energy, mood, focus, and quality of life through evidence-based hormone therapy and lifestyle approaches.#EngagEDMidwife #MidwiferyMatters #HormoneTherapy #MenopauseCare #PerimenopauseSupport #WomensHealth #MidlifeHealth #HotFlashesAndHope #ToolsInOurToolbox@menopause_society @acog_org @drjennsimmons @drrachelrubin @dlberkson @auria.care 

Pills & Protocols: Midwives, Microbes, and Making the Right Call

Send us a textWhen is the right time to prescribe antibiotics—and how do you pick the right one? In this episode, Cara and Missi are joined by a clinical pharmacist, Dr. Teresa Ash, to break down the science (and the art) of antibiotic selection in midwifery. From GBS prophylaxis to upper respiratory infections, we explore when antibiotics are essential, when they’re not, and how midwives can be antimicrobial stewards without sacrificing patient safety. Smart, evidence-based, and just a little cheeky—this is the prescription for better practice. #AntibioticStewardship #MidwiferyEducation #WeHeartPenicillin #PerinatalCare #PharmacyAndMidwifery #InfectiousDiseases #MaternalHealth #SafePrescribing #AntibioticAwareness #InterprofessionalTeam 

Scanning the Unknown: Decoding Ultrasound Findings in Midwifery Practice

Send us a textUltrasounds offer essential insight into maternal and fetal health—but interpreting the findings and knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming for midwifery students and new graduates. In this episode of The EngagED Midwife, Cara and Missi take a deep dive into the most common (and most confusing) ultrasound findings in OB/GYN practice. Whether it’s a low-lying placenta, a thickened nuchal fold, or an unusual fetal measurement, we’ll break down what it means, when to consult, and how to manage it. Practical, focused, and rooted in real clinical scenarios—this is your go-to guide for making confident, evidence-based decisions in practice. #TheEngagEDMidwife #UltrasoundInPractice #MidwiferyEducation #OBGYNultrasound #NewGradMidwife #ClinicalConfidence

From Shift to Shoulder: Conversations Between Midwives and L&D Nurses

Send us a textWhat happens when midwives and labor & delivery nurses sit down to get real about collaboration, communication, and mutual respect? In this episode, Cara and Missi welcome a seasoned L&D nurse to unpack what nurses really want to know about the midwifery model—and what they wish midwives better understood about the nursing role in the birthing space. With stories from the floor, candid reflections, and practical tips, this is a must-listen for anyone striving to strengthen interprofessional relationships and improve maternity care outcomes. Whether you're a nurse, midwife, student, or educator, you'll leave with new insights and renewed respect for the people standing beside you during one of life’s most powerful moments: birth. #TheEngagEDMidwife #LDRNurse #MidwifeLife #NurseMidwifeCollab #BirthTeam #MaternityCare #InterprofessionalTeamwork #DreamTeam #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork