The EngagED Midwife

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The EngagED Midwife

Cara Busenhart and Missi Stec

120 episodes

2 weeks ago

Send us a text 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 t...

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Send us a text 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 t...

Show more...

Episodes (20/120)

The EngagED Midwife

Silent Signals: Understanding Ovarian Clues

Send us a text 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 t...

2 weeks ago

49 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Inside ACNM: Leadership, Advocacy, and the Path Forward for Midwives

Send us a text 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...

4 weeks ago

50 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Drug Dilemmas: Navigating Pharmacology for Expectant and Nursing Mothers

Send us a text 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 med...

1 month ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Your Energy Is Expensive: Protecting Your Passion as a Midwife

Send us a text 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.&n...

1 month ago

46 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Beyond the Pap: How Primary HPV Testing Is Changing Women's Healthcare

Send us a text The cervical cancer screening landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and it's time everyone knows about it. From the revolutionary PAP test that changed women's healthcare decades ago to today's primary HPV screening methods, we're witnessing a transformation that promises less invasive care with better outcomes.Did you know that high-risk HPV causes 100% of cervical cancer cases? This fundamental connection has reshaped our approach to screening. Where women once faced the p...

2 months ago

45 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

The AI Conundrum: Working Smarter Without Getting Dumber

Send us a text The digital revolution continues to transform healthcare, and midwifery is no exception. As we launch Season 12 of The Engaged Midwife Podcast (approaching an incredible 100,000 downloads!), Missi and Cara dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its applications for midwifery students and clinicians. From study techniques to clinical decision-making, AI offers powerful tools that can streamline workflows and enhance learning—but only when used thoughtful...

2 months ago

46 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

The One Where We Empty Our Inbox

Send us a text Wrapping 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 screenin...

4 months ago

35 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

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

Send us a text Are 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...

4 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

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

Send us a text When 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 litt...

5 months ago

57 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Scanning the Unknown: Decoding Ultrasound Findings in Midwifery Practice

Send us a text Ultrasounds 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 consul...

5 months ago

55 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

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

Send us a text What 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 strengt...

6 months ago

41 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

The Midwifery Boards: Are You Ready For It?

Send us a text Thinking about when to take your midwifery boards? Cara and Missi dive into the art of timing on this episode. They cover essential exam prep strategies, discuss the importance of self-assessment, and help you determine if you're truly ready to showcase your skills. From managing test anxiety to understanding the nuances of exam readiness, Missi and Cara help you make the best decision for your journey to certification. #DeliverEDExamPrep #ReadySetTest #AsSoonAsYouAreReady #Ind...

6 months ago

33 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

The Care and Keeping of Your V

Send us a text Ever wondered what's really the best way to help patients care for their vagina and vulva? This week, Cara and Missi are cutting through the noise and providing you with the essential guide to keeping things healthy and comfortable. From gentle cleansing to debunking common myths, we're covering all the basics (and maybe a few things you didn't know!). Tune in for practical tips and empowering information about the vagina and vulva. #Vagina #Vulva #LoveYourV #TheCareAndKeepingO...

7 months ago

55 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Sparklers & Squiggles: Demystifying Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Send us a text Ever feel like fetal heart rate tracings are speaking a language you don't quite understand? In this episode, Missi and Cara are here to translate--they are diving deep into the world of FHR tracings, breaking down the physiology and naming those tricky patterns. They'll also share their go-to interventions and actionalble steps for non-reassuring tracings, and, of course, there will be plenty of those *asterisk* moments—because, let's face it, those little side notes are like ...

7 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Nourishing New Beginnings: Growth, Feeding, and When to Worry

Send us a text In this episode, Missi and Cara dive deep into the world of infant growth curves, normal feeding patterns, and how to identify potential concerns. Newborn feeding and growth can be a source of anxiety for many parents (and midwives). They'll empower you with the knowledge you need to understand newborns and make appropriate management decisions about their care. Tune in to gain confidence and clarity on all things newborn growth and feeding. #Newborn #Growth #FailureToThrive #B...

7 months ago

42 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Drop It Like It's Hot

Send us a text To kick off season 11 of The EngagED Midwife podcast, Cara and Missi dive into the high-stakes world of umbilical cord prolapse—because sometimes, the cord just can’t wait for its grand entrance. They break down risk factors, recognition, and rapid interventions with their signature blend of clinical expertise and witty banter. Tune in for a conversation that’s equal parts informative and entertaining—because when the cord drops, you’ve got to move fast (but you can still have ...

8 months ago

41 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Cheers to 10 Seasons: Celebrating You, Our Listeners!

Send us a text Cheers to ten incredible seasons! In this special episode, Missi and Cara are celebrating 10 seasons of bringing you engaging and informative conversations about midwifery. They share their gratitude for your continued support and exploring some of their favorite memories from the past ten seasons. Cara and Missi also are dreaming big about the future of the podcast and inviting you to be a part of it! Share your feedback, topic requests, and questions on social media or via em...

9 months ago

32 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

High Stakes: Marijuana and Pregnancy

Send us a text In this episode, Cara and Missi take a look at the high stakes surrounding marijuana, THC, and cannabis use during pregnancy, including the complex risks and potential effects on both mother and child. They also iscuss the importance of drug screening and testing, providing intervention and/or referral, and the challenging terrain of mandated reporting to child welfare services. Ethical principles that guide nurses and midwives in their duty to avoid harm to patients, ensuring ...

9 months ago

54 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

From Gut to Great: Supporting Patients with GI Issues

Send us a text For the first episode of 2025, Missi and Cara delve into the importance of gut health, the differences between IBS and IBD, and the management of gastrointestinal symptoms. Their conversation touched on the importance of gut health and its impact on overall well-being, while also emphasizing the importance of understanding bowel disorders to provide appropriate care and support to patients. The role of stress, sleep, and physical activity in managing symptoms was reviewed, as w...

10 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The EngagED Midwife

Fight or Flight? Uh....Flight, Please!

Send us a text In episode, Cara and Missi take us on a tour around the body to see what the effects of chronic stress can be on health. From identifying types of stress, reviewing risk factors, listing signs and symptoms, and explaining long-term effects, they break it down to explain how chronic stress leads to abnormally high cortisol levels and inflammation. But, most importantly, Cara and Missi talk about how to manage stess and reduce cortisol with personal examples and advice. #St...

11 months ago

48 minutes