In this heartfelt episode of Midwife Crisis, Kelli Zakharoff sits down with the thoughtful and passionate Amy Garrett—registered midwife and perinatal counsellor—to talk about the emotional weight midwives carry, and why it’s time we start acknowledging it.

You might remember Amy’s moving post on the International Day of the Midwife—it resonated deeply with many in the birth world. In this conversation, she shares the story behind it and reflects on the grief, trauma, and moral tension that often go unspoken in midwifery care—especially within systems that don’t always make space for emotional honesty.

Kelli and Amy explore the signs of vicarious trauma, the emotional cost of bearing witness, and the need for better support structures like clinical supervision.

(00:44) Meet Amy Garrett: A Midwife's Journey

(01:55) The Emotional Impact of Maternity Care

(03:16) Amy's Viral Post: Honouring Midwives

(05:57) Understanding Vicarious Trauma

(10:52) The Weight of Grief and Guilt

(12:56) Creating Safe Spaces for Midwives

(13:46) The Importance of Speaking Up

(15:15) Supporting Midwives: A Call to Action

(17:00) Amy's Personal Reflections and Advice

(22:25) The Need for Systemic Change

Thanks for listening, for more resources and support relating to today's episode check out these links:

https://www.collectivebeing.org/

https://blueknot.org.au/

https://blueknot.org.au/supporters/self-care-for-supporters/

https://nursemidwifehpa.org.au/our-program/peer-support-service-explained

https://www.nmsupport.org.au

https://www.anmf.org.au/

https://www.nmsupport.org.au/managers-employers-and-educators/Navigating-the-notification-process

https://pynkhealth.com.au/psychologist-for-trauma

https://ntgcounselling.com.au/contact/

Griefline 1300 845 745

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline Australia

Hours: Available 24 hours

Call 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14

Midwifery Birth Trauma Support by Jess The Midwife

Instagram - @jess.themidwife

To buy your copy of Midwife Crisis: From Trust to Trauma visit: midwifecrisis.com.au

Follow Kelli on Instagram: @kellizak

In this episode of Midwife Crisis, Kelli Zakharoff is joined by the incredible Jess—a midwife, lactation consultant, hypnobirthing practitioner, and Australia’s first certified birth trauma resolution therapist. You’re going to want to lean into this one.

Jess shares her personal and professional journey into the complex world of birth trauma, and what it means not just for birthing families, but for the midwives and professionals who witness it day in and day out. From recognising the signs of secondary trauma to practical healing tools like the Rewind Technique, this conversation is equal parts grounding and transformative.

Together, Jess and Kelly explore how we can create safer, more trauma-informed spaces for caregivers and why the system urgently needs to shift to better support the people holding the space. It’s raw, wise, and deeply moving—an essential listen for anyone working in perinatal care.

(00:29) Meet Jess: A Journey in Perinatal Care

(01:54) Reading from 'Midwife Crisis: From Trust to Trauma'

(03:05) Jess's Professional Journey and Birth Trauma Work

(06:06) The Rewind Technique: Healing Birth Trauma

(10:52) Recognising and Addressing Trauma in Midwives

(18:42) Balancing Professional and Personal Well-being

(24:56) The Importance of Support and Debriefing

Thanks for listening, for more resources and support relating to today's episode check out these links:

https://www.collectivebeing.org/

https://blueknot.org.au/

https://blueknot.org.au/supporters/self-care-for-supporters/

https://nursemidwifehpa.org.au/our-program/peer-support-service-explained

https://www.nmsupport.org.au

https://www.anmf.org.au/

https://www.nmsupport.org.au/managers-employers-and-educators/Navigating-the-notification-process

https://pynkhealth.com.au/psychologist-for-trauma

https://ntgcounselling.com.au/contact/

Griefline 1300 845 745

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline Australia

Hours: Available 24 hours

Call 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14

Midwifery Birth Trauma Support by Jess The Midwife

Instagram - @jess.themidwife

To buy your copy of Midwife Crisis: From Trust to Trauma visit: midwifecrisis.com.au

Follow Kelli on Instagram: @kellizak

Welcome to episode 15 of Midwife Crisis! This week, Kelli sits down with the incredible Melanie Jackson to tackle one of the most pressing issues in maternity care right now: rising induction rates. With 43% of first-time mums in Australia being induced, this isn’t just a blip—it’s reshaping the whole birth landscape.

Melanie brings her usual fire and wisdom as a midwife, educator, and advocate, breaking down what’s really driving these numbers, the impact on women, and the pressure midwives are under to toe the line. This one’s all about informed choice, pushing back against fear-based care, and standing up for what matters.

Oh—and if you’ve been curious about the Great Birth Rebellion Convergence, Melanie’s got all the juicy details. Don’t miss it.

(00:28) The Rising Rate of Induction

(01:06) Impact on Midwives and Mothers

(02:58) Exploring the Reasons Behind Inductions

(03:44) Interview with Melanie Jackson

(04:17) Melanie's Bold Statement: Just Stop It

(07:38) Midwives' Role and Challenges

(11:29) Empowering Women with Information

(25:45) The Rise in Inductions: Causes and Consequences

(28:07) Accuracy of Growth Scans in the Third Trimester

(29:48) Navigating Informed Decision to Decline

(30:44) Challenges for Private Midwives

(31:41) Importance of Thorough Documentation

(37:39) Midwives Managing Induction Epidemic

(40:21) Advice for Midwives: Practical Tips and Mindset

Thanks for listening, for more resources and support relating to today's episode check out these links:

https://www.collectivebeing.org/

https://blueknot.org.au/

https://blueknot.org.au/supporters/self-care-for-supporters/

https://nursemidwifehpa.org.au/our-program/peer-support-service-explained

https://www.nmsupport.org.au

https://www.anmf.org.au/

https://www.nmsupport.org.au/managers-employers-and-educators/Navigating-the-notification-process

https://pynkhealth.com.au/psychologist-for-trauma

https://ntgcounselling.com.au/contact/

Griefline 1300 845 745

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline Australia

Hours: Available 24 hours

Call 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14

Midwifery Birth Trauma Support by Jess The Midwife

Instagram - @jess.themidwife

To buy your copy of Midwife Crisis: From Trust to Trauma visit: midwifecrisis.com.au

Follow Kelli on Instagram: @kellizak