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A packed hallway at the ACNM Annual Meeting turned into the perfect backdrop for a clear, compassionate deep dive on adolescent gynecology. We talk candidly about what really helps teens feel safe in care: transparent consent, real confidentiality, and avoiding unnecessary pelvic exams. From there, we walk through the high-yield topics every clinician faces with young patients—irregular cycles after menarche, painful periods that derail school days, and the difference between normal discharge and vaginitis that needs treatment.

We spotlight the red flags that can’t be missed, especially ovarian torsion posing as vague lower abdominal pain, and why transabdominal ultrasound often beats transvaginal imaging for adolescents. You’ll hear how we build a thorough menstrual history that captures timing, flow, and impact on daily life; how we normalize the maturing hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis; and where first-line therapies like NSAIDs, combined pills, progestin-only methods, and levonorgestrel IUDs fit. We also lay out a patient-led approach to contraception counseling—centered on goals like bleeding control, privacy, and ease of use—while weaving in emergency contraception, STI screening strategies, and the crucial role of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical and other cancers.

Throughout, we keep the focus on trauma-informed practice. That means offering safe words like stop and out during exams, letting teens handle instruments to reduce fear, and moving complex conversations to when patients are fully dressed. We include considerations for transgender and gender-diverse adolescents, from menstrual suppression to reputable clinical resources. By combining practical tools with a respectful tone, this episode gives you a roadmap to adolescent gyn that improves comfort, detects danger early, and builds trust that lasts into adulthood.

If this conversation helps you care for teens with more confidence, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

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A fracture rarely starts with drama. It’s often a quiet misstep, a stumble off a curb, or a slip on a throw rug—and that’s exactly why bone health deserves our full attention. We’re taking a clear, practical tour through osteoporosis and osteopenia: what they are, why they’re “silent,” and how to get ahead of them with smart screening, daily habits, and targeted treatments.

We unpack the biology of bone remodeling—osteoclasts that break down old bone and osteoblasts that build new—and the outsized role estrogen plays as it declines through perimenopause and menopause. You’ll hear exactly who should get a DEXA scan at 65 and who needs it earlier based on risk factors like prior adult fractures, long-term steroid use, low body weight, family history, or conditions like hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. We demystify T-scores versus Z-scores so you can read your results with confidence and know where osteopenia ends and osteoporosis begins.

From there, we get tactical. Nutrition that actually moves the needle, weight-bearing exercise and resistance training you’ll actually do, and when medication is actually warranted. We round it out with fall prevention you can implement today: balance training, better lighting, grab bars, safer footwear, and a clutter-free path through your home. If you care about staying strong, steady, and independent, this conversation gives you the tools.

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Ever wonder how midwifery knowledge makes its way from practice to publication? This episode pulls back the curtain on the world of midwifery publishing with two luminaries who shape how we learn and share our profession's wisdom.

We're joined by Dr. Melissa Avery, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, and Dr. Julia Philippi, lead author of the foundational text Varney's Midwifery. These publishing powerhouses share their journeys and offer practical advice for midwives at every career stage who want to contribute to our collective knowledge.

"Your work doesn't do you," Dr. Avery reminds us. "Until we write about it and disseminate it, no one else is really benefiting from it." Both guests demystify the publishing process, from crafting that intimidating first draft to navigating peer review. Their message is refreshingly straightforward: just start writing. Whether you're considering a clinical case study for JMWH or wondering how textbooks like Varney's evolve to reflect contemporary practice, this conversation provides the roadmap you need.

We explore the differences between journal articles and textbooks, the value of becoming a peer reviewer, and practical strategies like forming writing teams and protecting your writing time. For students and educators, Dr. Philippi offers fascinating insights into how midwifery texts might evolve to meet changing learning styles, potentially moving beyond the "eight-pound two-ounce textbook" to more interactive formats.

Whether you're a student, new graduate, or seasoned midwife, this episode will inspire you to share your unique midwifery knowledge and experiences. Your voice matters—and with the right approach, it can strengthen midwifery care everywhere.

#EveryMidwifeHasAStory #AcademicMidwife #GetPublished #MidwivesWhoWrite #TheScholarlyMidwife #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork @jblearning @midwiferyandwomenshealth @juliaphillippi

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The ACNM hallways are still buzzing in our heads, our voices are scratchy from a thousand hugs, and we’re curled up with a year’s worth of holy-grail favorites to share. This is our practical, joyful guide to small upgrades that make real days better. If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts, travel allies, or daily comforts that punch above their weight, this roundup is our best-of—the things we buy again, gift often, and swear by. If something here makes your day easier or your night softer, share this episode, leave a review, and tell us your favorite under-the-radar find so we can try it next.

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A stomach that feels “off” can be easy to brush aside—until it shouldn’t be. In this episode, Cara and Missi dig into the quiet warning signs of ovarian disease, separating the everyday from the rare but dangerous ovarian pathology. You’ll learn how to read the body’s cues using the BEAT mnemonic (Bloating, Early satiety, Abdominal/pelvic pain, Trouble with urination or bowels), what ultrasound reports actually mean, and why most ovarian cysts are benign even as we stay alert to red flags.

We walk through the physiology of the menstrual cycle—why ovulation naturally creates a cyst each month—and how that helps explain functional cysts that disappear on their own. Then we shift to the features that raise concern: septations, solid components, irregular borders, and blood flow on Doppler. We talk openly about the limits of CA125, the absence of a reliable screening test, and why surgical biopsy still anchors a definitive diagnosis.

We unpack how opportunistic salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy or permanent sterilization can cut risk, and how combined oral contraceptives lower lifetime risk by suppressing ovulation. We also cover who needs genetic counseling—BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, and other familial cancer clues—and how to build smart follow-up plans that balance reassurance with action. Most ovarian findings are benign; the key is knowing when to watch and when to act. If this conversation helps you or a patient put a name to a nagging symptom, it’s done its job.

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Midwifery is so much more than clinical care. It's about advocacy, education, research, community, and creating the future of healthcare. In this illuminating conversation with ACNM Vice President Dr. Alexis "Lexi" Dunn-Amore and CEO Dr. Michelle Monroe, we explore the heart and soul of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and why every midwife—from student to seasoned practitioner—has a place in this professional home.

The conversation reveals ACNM's dramatic transformation, streamlining from 61 committees to a focused 20, with the Midwives of Color group elevated from committee to council status—signaling the organization's commitment to centering diversity and inclusion. For those considering joining or becoming more active, the benefits extend far beyond journal access and CE opportunities. ACNM provides a supportive community where midwives find mentorship, discover new career pathways, and contribute to advancing the profession through advocacy for full practice authority and pay parity.

As the 70th annual meeting approaches in Palm Springs, both leaders express excitement about bringing midwives together to celebrate, learn, and forge connections. Whether you're a student sleeping four to a hotel room or a seasoned midwife, the message is clear: your voice matters, and ACNM is stronger with your involvement.

Ready to discover how you can shape the future of midwifery? Listen now and find your place in this vital professional community!

#MidwivesWhoLead #MidwifeLife #ACNMEngagement #MidwiferyAdvocacy #BuildYourCommunity @acnmmidwives @lexithemidwife @mmunroecnm

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It’s easy for healthcare providers to feel overwhelmed by medication safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In this episode, Cara and Missi take this complex topic and make it simple.

They start by highlighting a common issue: many clinicians still use the outdated FDA risk categories (A, B, C, D, X), which were replaced in 2015 by the more detailed Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR). The hosts explain how pregnancy changes a person’s body and how this affects medication, from blood volume to heart rate. They also cover specific medications to be cautious with, like ACE inhibitors and statins. When it comes to breastfeeding, the discussion turns to lactation risk categories (L1–L5) and practical factors like timing and a baby’s age as well as what's really important for nursing moms.

This episode covers common clinical scenarios and provides clear guidance on safe medication options for both pregnant and breastfeeding patients while providing valuable resources for students and practicing midwives. This episode turns an intimidating topic into a manageable framework for confident prescribing.

#PrescribinginPregnancy #MedicationAndMotherhood #PerinatalPharmacology #PharmForWomensHealth #NoMoreABCDX #MidwiferyMatters #JusticeForTylenol #CallTheMidwife #OurFavePharmD

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Feeling emotionally drained, cynical about your work, or lacking professional fulfillment? You're not alone. Burnout affects healthcare providers at staggering rates, with midwives facing unique vulnerabilities due to the intensity of our profession.

Drawing from personal experience and evidence-based strategies, in this episode, Cara and Missi unpack the differences between burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress while offering practical tools to rebuild resilience. We explore the four pillars of resilience that sustain midwives through challenging times: connection with supportive community, establishment of healthy boundaries, development of self-compassion practices, and reconnection with purpose and joy. These foundations help counteract the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization that characterize burnout.

While individual coping strategies matter, we emphasize that burnout isn't just a personal failing—it's often systemic. Midwives deserve workplaces that protect their wellbeing through adequate staffing, reasonable expectations, and supportive policies. Those in leadership positions have a responsibility to advocate for these changes.

Our top ten resilience strategies provide actionable steps you can implement immediately: giving yourself permission to rest, advocating for your needs, continuing to learn, debriefing after difficult experiences, keeping visual reminders of your "why," moving your body, protecting your sleep, creating post-shift rituals, setting boundaries, and finding your people. Remember that a thriving midwife provides better care—your wellbeing matters not just for yourself, but for all the families you serve.

What resilience practice will you commit to this week? Share your thoughts or questions with us on social media—we'd love to continue this important conversation.

#TheEngagedMidwife #MidwifeLife #MidwivesMatter #MidwifeWellbeing #ResilientMidwife #BeatBurnout #HealthyMidwives #WorkplaceWellness #ReslienceInPractice