• 21: Strength Born Twice: Motherhood, Cancer, and the Power of Resilience (Part 1)
    2025/05/05
    Today’s episode is the first half of a powerful story of courage, motherhood, and healing. I’m honored to be joined by Shaleigh Rae, a former birth center client, registered nurse, and breast cancer survivor whose diagnosis came during pregnancy. Together, we explore her extraordinary journey: Choosing midwifery care and preparing for birth The unexpected discovery of breast cancer during pregnancy Navigating treatments while nurturing life Redefining strength, hope, and self-advocacy as a new mother What she learned about herself, motherhood, and healing Shaleigh's story is one of raw resilience — a testament to the ways women rise for themselves and for the next generation. Whether you are navigating your own health challenges, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking a story of hope, this conversation will move you deeply. Tune in to hear: How Shaleigh Rae balanced cancer treatment and pregnancy Her birth story and the incredible support of her midwifery team Life after birth: recovery, motherhood, and reclaiming her strength Powerful lessons about intuition, trust, and community support Links & Resources Mentioned: Willow Midwife Center: https://willowbirthcenteraz.com/https://willowbirthcenteraz.com/ Connect with Shaleigh on Instagram: @itspronouncedshaylee (https://www.instagram.com/itspronouncedshaylee) Breast cancer awareness resources: Susan G. Komen Foundation: https://www.komen.org/ National Breast Cancer Foundation: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-resources/ Connect with Us Follow The Midwife Life on Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co (https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/) Visit our website: www.themidwifelife.co ✨ If you loved this episode: Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Share this episode with a friend who needs a story of strength today. Tag us on Instagram and tell us: What does resilience mean to you?
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    54 分
  • 20: Forget Balance. Find Your Rhythm Instead.
    2025/04/28
    The truth? Work-life balance is a myth that keeps women stuck. In this episode of Midwife Life, Diane Ortega, certified nurse midwife and maternal mental health advocate, dismantles the toxic idea of balance and offers something better—living in seasons. Whether you're an entrepreneur, caregiver, or doing all the things (usually at once), this conversation will help you release the guilt of trying to do it all. Diane shares personal stories and practical strategies for aligning your work, life, and well-being in a way that honors your energy—not some impossible standard. What You’ll Learn: Why work-life balance doesn’t work How to identify the season you’re in (growth, rest, caregiving) Ways to align your energy—not your hours How to integrate your life instead of compartmentalizing it The power of sacred no’s (and why they protect your peace) If you’re tired of feeling like you’re failing at balance, this episode is your permission slip to live differently. 🎧 Listen now and tag Diane with your favorite mindset shift from this episode.
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    18 分
  • 19: Spring Renewal: What Birth & Motherhood Teach Us About Rebirth
    2025/04/14
    As spring unfolds around us, we’re reminded that rebirth doesn’t happen all at once — it happens in layers. In this reflective solo episode, Diane explores how birth and motherhood parallel the season of spring. From the tender, muddy beginnings to the fierce and intuitive becoming, this episode is your invitation to slow down and honor your own unfolding. ✨ Inside this episode: Why you’re not meant to “bounce back” — you’re meant to become The hidden power of motherhood as personal transformation Journaling prompts for spring renewal Grounding affirmations for the messy middle A gentle reminder: You are not behind. You are becoming. Resources Mentioned: Postpartum Guide & Workbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FDQNwjVmYz1cPmmG_5lweHx_K7MQSur7/view Upcoming Workshops: https://themidwifelife.co/events/ Let this episode hold you like a warm spring breeze — soft, steady, and full of permission to bloom in your own time.
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    12 分
  • 18: What No One Tells You About the Fourth Trimester
    2025/04/07
    Pregnancy gets all the prep—but what about postpartum? In this episode of Midwife Life, Diane Ortega, certified nurse midwife and maternal mental health advocate, shines a light on the fourth trimester—those crucial 12 weeks after birth that often get overlooked in standard care. Whether you’re currently pregnant, newly postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a real-talk guide to the physical, emotional, and mental realities of postpartum recovery. Diane breaks down everything from pelvic pain to postpartum rage—and calls out the major gaps in U.S. postpartum care. What You’ll Learn: What the fourth trimester really is How your body and mind recover post-birth What questions to ask your provider Signs of postpartum depression and anxiety Why support and policy change matter If you're feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or exhausted after birth—you’re not alone. This episode is a must-listen for every new mom (and everyone who loves one). 🎧 Listen now and share with a mama who needs to hear this. Resources Mentioned: Create a postpartum plan (free template): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FDQNwjVmYz1cPmmG_5lweHx_K7MQSur7/view Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net/
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    16 分
  • BONUS REPLAY: New Mom School: Educating and Empowering Mothers for the Journey Ahead
    2025/03/31
    Navigating the early days of motherhood can be overwhelming, lonely, and filled with uncertainty—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I sit down with Kylie West and Jacquie Koopman, co-owners of the New Mom School franchise in Gilbert, Arizona. Both Kylie and Jacquie know firsthand how challenging early motherhood can be, and they’ve dedicated themselves to creating a supportive, empowering space where new moms can find education, friendship, and confidence in their parenting journey. We’ll discuss: ✅ The personal journeys that led Kylie and Jacquie to open a New Mom School franchise ✅ Why education and community are essential for new moms ✅ The biggest challenges new moms face—and how to overcome them ✅ How New Mom School programs support moms emotionally and practically ✅ The importance of mental health, self-care, and relationships in early motherhood ✅ Advice for new moms who are feeling overwhelmed or isolated Whether you’re an expecting mom, a new mom, or know someone navigating early motherhood, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical tools to make the transition into motherhood smoother and more supported. Guest Bios: Kylie West Kylie West is a dedicated advocate for new moms in the Gilbert, Arizona area through New Mom School. As a mother of two, she understands the highs and lows of early motherhood. Her own experience led her to create a space where moms can feel empowered, educated, and supported. With a background in [mention her field], Kylie combines her professional expertise with her passion for community-building, ensuring that moms have the resources they need to thrive. Jacquie Koopman Jacquie Koopman is a mom of three who believes that every birth makes you a ‘new mom’ all over again. Originally from Southern California, she attended New Mom School in Newport Beach with her first child and saw firsthand how powerful it was to have a built-in support system. After moving to Arizona, experiencing postpartum challenges, and struggling to find local support, she knew she had to bring New Mom School to her community. With a corporate career in financial technology, Jacquie is especially passionate about making support accessible for working moms and moms of multiple children. Resources & Links: 📌 Learn more about New Mom School: https://newmomschool.com/gilbert-az/ 📌 Follow Kylie & Jacquie on Instagram: @newmomschool_gilbert 📌 Join a New Mom School class: https://newmomschool.com/class-registration/gilbert-az/ 📌 Connect with me on Instagram: @the.midwife.life.co 📌 Subscribe to The Midwife Life Podcast: https://themidwifelife.co/the-midwife-life-podcast/ Rate, Review & Subscribe! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Your support helps us reach more moms who need encouragement and resources on their motherhood journey. 🎧 Subscribe on [Spotify/Apple Podcasts/Amazon Podcasts] ⭐ Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts 📢 Share this episode with a new mom who needs support!
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    1 時間 10 分
  • BONUS REPLAY: From Dreams to Decisions: Life Lessons in Your 20s
    2025/03/24
    This week Diane welcomes two inspiring guests—her daughter Julia Ortega and her “adopted” daughter, Klea Soliman. Both are 23-year-old nurses navigating the ups and downs of their early 20s, from building careers in healthcare to prioritizing health and relationships. Together, they dive into the challenges of this transformative stage of life and share lessons on self-discovery, balance, and empowerment. What We Cover: Defining Your 20s: The pressure to "have it all figured out" and why it’s okay to take life day by day. Social Media and Comparison: The impact of seeing “picture-perfect” lives online and how to reframe your mindset. Health and Wellness: How their nursing careers have shaped their views on physical, mental, and emotional health—and why self-care is essential. Career Path Uncertainty: Exploring the highs and challenges of hospital settings, the freedom of outpatient care, and the beauty of growth in the nursing field. Relationships and Support Systems: The role of family, friends, and personal boundaries in creating a supportive and meaningful life. Life Lessons and Advice: Insights into learning from experiences, embracing your worth, and living as the main character in your own story. Top Takeaways for Young Women: You don’t need to have everything figured out—your 20s are for exploration and growth. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a necessity for thriving personally and professionally. Stop comparing your journey to others—social media only shows a highlight reel. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and value your worth. Love yourself first, and the rest will fall into place. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/ Join the Conversation: If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Whether you're navigating your 20s or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical wisdom for embracing this stage of life with confidence.
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    39 分
  • BONUS REPLAY: Holistic Healing Through Pregnancy and Motherhood with Ashley Andrews
    2025/03/17
    \Diane is joined by Ashley Andrews, an Integrative Nutrition & Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor and Reiki Practitioner, who shares her inspiring journey into motherhood and the transformative practices that have guided her along the way. From navigating unexpected pregnancy and birth experiences to discovering the power of integrative nutrition, Reiki, and intuitive movement, Ashley's story is a testament to the resilience and wisdom that can emerge from life's twists and turns. What We Cover: Ashley's path to pregnancy, including a miscarriage and the conception of her son Kai Her plans for a home birth or birth center delivery, and the unexpected turn of events that led to a hospital C-section with her daughter Mia The emotional process of grieving the birth experiences she envisioned and finding beauty in the unexpected Ashley's early introduction to yoga and holistic healing, and how those practices evolved through her world travels and studies in France, India, and Integrative Nutrition The principles of Integrative Nutrition and how nourishing the whole self - relationships, career, creativity, and spirituality - can impact physical health Ashley's personal journey with food, movement, and intuitive guidance during pregnancy and postpartum Strategies for postpartum rehabilitation and balancing motherhood, career, and self-care Advice for mothers facing unexpected birth outcomes, and the importance of emotional processing and community support Resources for exploring Reiki, intuitive nutrition, and virtual wellness sessions with Ashley Meet Ashley: Ashley is an Integrative Nutrition & Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor and Reiki Practitioner based in The Lehigh Valley. She began practicing Vinyasa when she was 14 years old and realized, “yoga is as much for the mind & soul as it is the body.” A few years later, Ashley discovered the universal law of attraction, began researching metaphysics and started teaching yoga classes while studying Mass Communications and Marketing at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. At 19, she had her first Reiki session and understood the profound healing potential in energy work. That same month, she followed her inspiration and left to study abroad in Europe, where she lived for 3+ years and earned her Masters Degree in International Business Development at IPAG Business School in France. After finishing grad school in 2018, Ashley traveled to Goa, India, where she completed her first 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training in the styles of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin. In 2019, she received her Reiki L1 certification and became the Mind & Body Coordinator of a large health & wellness center in Allentown, PA. The following year, Ashley graduated from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in New York, New York. She has since been attuned to the Master Level of Reiki and completed 15 hours of Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training through Tribe Yoga in Fogelsville, PA. Today, Ashley sees clients both online and offline in Full Circle Studio at Three Circles Therapeutics (New Tripoli, Pennsylvania). She blends the tools and practices she’s learned and used over the years for self healing to assist others along their journeys of transformation. Ashley is a new mom to her son, Kai, and daughter, Mia. She enjoys spending time in nature with her family (which includes two Australian Shepards), getting out in the community, sourdough baking and various forms of art. Connect with Ashley: https://www.valleymamma.com/ https://www.instagram.com/valleymamma Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/ Website: themidwifelife.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/ Join the Conversation: If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends!
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    49 分
  • 17: Listener Q&A with Midwife Diane Ortega
    2025/03/10
    In this special Q&A episode, I’m answering YOUR biggest questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum mental health, and how to build a strong support system—even if you’re not a mom! We’ll cover misconceptions about midwifery, how to prepare for birth, recognizing postpartum depression, and the power of sisterhood. If you have a question for a future episode, send it my way on Instagram (@@the.midwife.life.co) or via email (Hello@themidwifelife.co). ✨ Topics Covered: ✔️ The biggest misconceptions about midwifery care ✔️ How to decide if a birth center is right for you ✔️ Preparing for an unmedicated birth ✔️ Recognizing the difference between baby blues & postpartum depression ✔️ How partners can offer better support during pregnancy & postpartum ✔️ How to cultivate strong female friendships & community 📖 Resources Mentioned: Midwifery Care & Birth Outcomes – Sandall J, et al. The Lancet, 2016 Birth Centers & C-section Rates – Stapleton SR, et al. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 2013 Continuous Labor Support & Doulas – Bohren MA, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev., 2017 Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Screening – Wisner KL, et al. JAMA Psychiatry, 2013 The Science of Female Friendships – Taylor SE, et al. Psychological Review, 2000 📝 Additional Support & Links: Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net (Call or text "HELP" to 800-944-4773) Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Screening Tool: https://perinatology.com/calculators/Edinburgh%20Depression%20Scale.htm Find a Birth Center Near You: www.birthcenters.org 💌 Want More? 👉 Submit Your Questions: DM me on Instagram @themidwifelife or email hello@themidwifelife.co 👉 Sign Up for My Upcoming Workshop: Midwifing Your Life—an immersive experience designed to help women live with more intention, balance, and empowerment. Sign up for details here! 🎧 Share This Episode! If you loved this episode, please take a moment to leave a review—it helps other women find this podcast! And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who needs it. 💜 📢 Tag me on Instagram @themidwifelife when you’re listening! I love seeing your takeaways and connecting with you. Until next time, trust your body, trust your intuition, and keep midwifing your life! ✨
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    30 分