When our guest was born, her mom’s labor was candles, olive oil, and vibes… Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same experience. In this episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re getting honest about our real birth experiences — the beautiful, the unexpected, and the moments that left us questioning everything. We’re joined by Certified Nurse Midwife Jyesha Wren, who breaks down what midwives actually do, how they differ from OBs and doulas, and why more supportive, culturally aligned care is critical — especially for Black families. Because the truth is: birth outcomes in the U.S. aren’t where they should be — and experiences matter just as much as outcomes. CHAPTERS 00:00 The birth expectations vs. reality 01:00 Meet midwife Jyesha Wren 03:00 What midwives actually do 06:00 The difference: midwives vs OBs vs doulas 10:00 Our real birth stories (the good + the hard) 15:00 When care feels dismissive or rushed 18:00 Why the system isn’t working (especially for Black women) 22:00 What better care actually looks like 26:00 The Beloved Birth model explained 30:00 What you should expect from your provider 33:00 How to advocate for yourself in birth 36:00 Final thoughts: you deserve better care As Jyesha explains, midwifery is about supporting birth as a natural process — while also knowing when medical care is needed — creating a more balanced and human-centered approach. This is a conversation every mama — and every support system — needs to hear. ✨ Because you deserve more than just getting through birth. You deserve to feel supported in it. ________________________ LOVE BLACK LOVE? Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/blacklove?sub_confirmation=1 For more Black Love interviews and articles, visit http://www.BlackLove.com Follow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacklovedoc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklove Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/blackloveinc #BlackLoveDoc #blacklove #blacklovemagic