Longtime midwife turned somatic trauma healing coach, Christie Davis talks about what it really takes to stay whole in the world of birth work. After over 20 years of attending births and running a private midwifery practice, Christie now supports midwives and birth professionals through the emotional aftermath of traumatic births, burnout, and the heavy expectations of the profession.

Together, we unpack the somatic foundations of trauma, how nervous systems get "stuck," and what real healing can look like. We also talk boundaries (the kind that keep you and your clients safe), deconstruct the martyrdom baked into midwifery culture, and explore how to build more sustainable careers in birth work—without abandoning your heart.

Whether you're a seasoned provider or a student midwife just entering the field, this is an honest, compassionate conversation you need to hear.

🔗 Show Notes:
Learn more about Christie Davis and her somatic healing work for birth professionals at https://www.perinataltraumacenter.com/about
Check out our Boundaries for Birthworkers course on our website www.midwiferywisdom.com

In this special episode, we’re stepping beyond borders — and beyond our usual programming — to bring you a snippet from our Midwifery on the Move webinar series.

Host Augustine Colebrook is joined by two extraordinary traveling midwives: Katrina, a licensed midwife and educator who began her international work in India, and Jata, a neurodivergent advocate and researcher who has practiced in Tanzania, the UK, Australia, and more.

This series explores what it really means to bring midwifery across cultures:

• The beauty and challenge of practicing globally
• Cultural humility vs. cultural competence
• How travel shapes us personally and professionally
• Navigating ethics, expectations, and impact

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your midwifery work on the road — or you’re just curious about what’s possible — this conversation will inspire, challenge, and expand your view.

Want more? This episode is just a taste of our four-part Midwifery on the Move (8 CEU) webinar. Sign up now to get the full recordings, handouts, and join us live on August 6 and 11, 2025 for the final sessions.

Links:
🎧 Learn more & register for the webinar → https://midwiferyonthemovewebinar.eventbrite.com
📌 Follow us on Instagram → www.instagram.com/midwiferywisdom

Host Shiphrah sits down with Kavita Sahai, founder of Vibes Tribe, to explore her journey from burnout and brain fog to vibrant health and grounded purpose. She shares how a simple shift in mindset—prioritizing wellness over hustle—led her from finance to natural wellness.

We talk about the power of small daily practices, why midlife is such a profound (and often overlooked) period of transition for women, and how stacking five-minute habits can change everything. From meal planning to hormone shifts, from fiber to essential oils—this is a candid, practical, and empowering conversation for anyone seeking a more vibrant life.

Whether you're in your 30s, 50s, or simply feeling the need for change, this episode reminds us: your well-being is a worthy goal—and you're not alone in the journey.

Feeling burnt out from birthwork? You need to take our Boundaries for Birthworkers class online!
Access the community at vibestribe.co

In this week’s episode of the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast, Augustine Colebrook sits down with Indie McDowell—a classically trained anthropologist and clinically trained midwife with a truly global journey.

Indie began her career working with UNICEF’s Maternal and Neonatal Health Team in Kyrgyzstan before returning to the UK to complete her midwifery training. From there, her path led her to clinical work in Cambodia and Malawi, ultimately drawing her to Ethiopia.

After a year and a half leading neonatal services and emergency obstetric care at a busy referral hospital in rural southwest Ethiopia alongside her colleague Atsede Kidane, the two chose to build something different: their own clinic, rooted in compassion and centered on women’s needs.

Stories from their work in Ethiopia is beautifully captured in the book With Two Souls, co-written by Indie McDowell and Atsede Kidane.

We also dive into what it means to truly commit to place, community, and long-term impact in global birth work.

Are you a midwife called to work beyond borders?

Join us for our upcoming Traveling Midwife Webinar —a 4-part, 8-hour CEU event designed for aspiring and experienced birthworkers who are exploring midwifery on the move.

Led by Augustine Colebrook, and guest traveling midwives, this immersive series will cover legalities, logistics, and cultural considerations of traveling birth work—both international and domestic.

🗓️ Part 1: July 3rd & 9th | 7–9PM EST
🗓️ Part 2: August 6th & 11th | 7–9PM EST

✅ 8 MEAC-approved CEUs

Register now on https://tinyurl.com/travelingmidwife

Hosts Shiphrah and Susanna sit down with Sophia Ortiz, an independent midwife based in Corfu, Greece, to explore what it truly means to walk the path of midwifery.

With over a decade of experience and more than 100 births attended, Sophia brings a deep reverence for birth as both a physiological marvel and a spiritual rite of passage. She shares how her journey—from drama school to midwifery school in the UK, to her current work supporting families in Corfu—helped her realize what she had always known deep down: she is and has always been a midwife.

Learn more about Sophia on her website: https://www.birthingwisdomcorfu.com/

In this powerful episode, hosts Shiprah and Susanna sit down with Adelaide Adubouffour—renowned Perineal Specialist Midwife and founder of Peri Health London—to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of postpartum care: perineal trauma.

Drawing from her work at West Middlesex University Hospital and nearly a decade of teaching and clinical leadership, Adelaide shares why perineal health matters, how we can improve outcomes for birthing people, and what inspired her to create a globally recognized training program for midwives and doctors.

If you care about pelvic floor integrity, respectful repair, and empowering providers to do better, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about Adelaide's work here:

https://perihealthlondon.com/

We’re still on a break from the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast but will be back with new episodes in just a few weeks!

In the meantime, enjoy these clips from the Q&A section of our latest Teachable e-course, Preventing and Treating Hemorrhage.

This in-depth course is perfect for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge and stay up to date on the latest hemorrhage management protocols in the community birth setting.

Resources:
Preventing and Treating Hemorrhage E-Course
Boundaries for Birthworkers E-Course