About Mindful Midwifery Presents: Calm, Collected & Consented Childbirth
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.
The Hospital Bag Simplified: The Midwife's Guide to Packing for Labor, Delivery and Postpartum
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you are enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 Host Katie O'Brien sits down with her cousin, Brittany, to demystify the hospital bag. They break down exactly what to pack — and what to leave at home — for labor, postpartum, and bringing baby home. From the often-forgotten essentials (phone chargers, lip balm, hair ties) to comfort items that actually make a difference (unscented toiletries, nursing-friendly bras, a...
18 Oct 2026
Induction Part 2: You're Here-Now What?
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you were enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 In this episode of Mindful Midwifery Presents: Calm, Collected, and Consented Childbirth, host Katie O'Brien, CNM, and her pregnant cousin Brittany walk through exactly what happens when you arrive at the hospital for an induction — from the phone call telling you to come in, to going through the check in process, to the realities of starting Pitocin. The conver...
4 Oct 2026
All About Induction Part 1: It's Not Just About Pitocin
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you were enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 In this first episode of the Induction Series, Katie sits down with her pregnant cousin Brittany and breaks down everything that happens before active labor begins during an induction — and why it's rarely as simple as "starting Pitocin." They discuss the real definition of labor, how the Bishop score predicts cervical readiness, and the three main ripening methods (C...
9 Aug 2026
Dates, Walks & Water: How to Prep Your Body for Labor
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you were enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 You wouldn't run a marathon without training — so why wing childbirth? Midwife Katie O'Brien breaks down everything you can do before your due date to give your body (and your cervix) a fighting chance: eat your protein, drink your water, walk that dinner off, and yes, eat six dates a day. And if you're the support person? Katie's got a whole section just for you — co...
27 Jul 2026
Knowledge is Power vs. Ignorance is Bliss: Finding Balance in Pregnancy to Keep You Sane
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you were enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 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 pregnanc...
19 Jul 2026
Welcome to the Calm, Collected & Consented Childbirth Podcast
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you were enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 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 ev...
19 Jul 2026
Building Your Birth Dream Team: Who Belongs in Your Corner
Thanks for listening! I would love to hear from you if you were enjoying the show or would like to suggest an episode topic 💜 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 certifica...
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