IN THIS EPISODE, WE CHAT ABOUT:
- Melissa’s journey into the career of midwifery
- Melissa’s credentials as a licensed midwife and integrative and functional medicine practitioner
- advocacy for birth justice, maternal health equity, and sustainable healthcare reform
- the difference between a doula and a midwife
- the differences in responsibilities and medical capacities
- the importance of home birth and birth center care
- emotional and physical support during and after birth
- high maternal mortality rate in the United States
- financial challenges faced by midwives and birth centers
- legislative efforts to support midwifery and birth centers
RESOURCES + LINKS
Explore Casa Natal Birth & Wellness Center at casa-natal.com
Follow Casa Natal on social media
Instagram: @casanatalbirthcenter
Facebook: Casa Natal Birth Center
LinkedIn: Casa Natal Birth Center
Connect with Melissa
Instagram: @midwife_melissa_dean
LinkedIn: Melissa Dean
Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative
Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot
THIS SHOW IS AN ELLY AND NORA CREATIVE PROJECT
Elly and Nora Creative helps purpose-driven businesses grow their income and impact through branding, digital content, and publicity.
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Instagram | @ellyandnoracreative
Website | ellyandnoracreative.com
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode of The Chicks Who Give a Hoot podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Melissa Dean, a licensed midwife and the founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center in Silicon Valley. With over two decades of experience, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering passion for birth justice, maternal health equity, and sustainable healthcare reform.
We talk about her inspiring journey from doula to midwife and what makes midwifery care so essential—especially in addressing maternal mortality and improving postpartum outcomes. Melissa breaks down the difference between doulas and midwives, sheds light on the critical role midwives play in supporting birthing people, and shares the behind-the-scenes challenges they face when it comes to insurance reimbursement and legislative barriers.
This conversation is such a powerful reminder of the transformational impact midwifery care can have—not just on individuals but on our entire healthcare system. I walked away deeply moved and incredibly hopeful, and I know you will too.
CLIP HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:59 Meet Melissa Dean
02:53 Melissa’s Journey into Midwifery
05:28 Understanding Doulas and Midwives
07:01 Transition from Doula to Midwife
09:52 The Importance of Postpartum Care
14:07 Maternal Mortality and Postpartum Risks
27:54 Advocacy for Midwifery and Insurance Challenges
38:50 Final Thoughts
