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About The Author

Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins, Ph.D, CNM, RN-CEFM, FACNM, FAAN, FNAP is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and Dean of the College of Nursing and Health at Loyola New Orleans.

Dr. Collins has been involved in nurse-midwifery education, research, administration, and practice since graduation from her nurse-midwifery program. She has a Diploma of Nursing from Saint Anthony School of Nursing and a BSN from Rockford College (both in Rockford, Illinois); MSN from Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), and PhD from University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis, Tennessee).

While in her undergraduate nursing education, Dr. Collins spent a semester in London, UK alongside midwives at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington Station. This experience was pivotal to her career as it is where she first saw midwives in practice as well as the use of nitrous oxide for childbirth. Upon returning from the UK, Dr. Collins was impassioned to become a CNM, as well as to facilitate the availability of nitrous oxide to birthing women in the US. Dr. Collins led the 2011 initiative to bring nitrous oxide to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (only the second hospital in the country to offer nitrous oxide for childbirth), and presents frequently nationally, and internationally, on the topic. Dr. Collins is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Academy of Nursing, and a Distinguished Scholar Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. She has blogged for the first 8 seasons of the series for PBS affiliate Nashville Public Television (NPT).

“Serving women in the capacity of a certified nurse-midwife has ALWAYS been an honor to me. As I have taught hundreds of students, it is the highest privilege, and responsibility, to be allowed into such a sacred space as midwives enter daily. My relationship with my patients is a partnership; I walk alongside them in their care. Whether providing contraception, aiding with infertility issues, treating gynecologic conditions, or being present throughout their pregnancy and birth – it is ALL part of a journey in which I am grateful, and humbled, as well as incredibly honored to be on with the women whom I serve.”

Advocating For Your Community
Advocating For Your Community
by Michelle Collins | March 28, 2024
This episode highlighted the pivotal roles midwives play in advocating for patients who have been neglected by society, as well as the fight for nurses to acquire better pay and conditions.
A Vocation With Challenges
A Vocation With Challenges
by Michelle Collins | March 21, 2024
Like any profession, the job of a midwife comes with its set of challenges — as well as its bountiful privileges.
Recapping the Emotional Rollercoaster of the Season 12 Finale
Recapping the Emotional Rollercoaster of the Season 12 Finale
by Michelle Collins | May 09, 2023
Fair warning for anyone who has not watched the episode yet…have tissue readily available!
Real Benefits Behind Birth in the Upright Position
Real Benefits Behind Birth in the Upright Position
by Michelle Collins | April 23, 2023
A real midwife unpacks the benefits of being in an upright position to birth: First and foremost, gravity is on your side in an upright position!
Women Are Warriors
Women Are Warriors
by Michelle Collins | April 17, 2023
Sometimes the words of Jenny Lee perk my ears more than at other times. This episode was one of those times. Her words describing women as “warriors” were (and are) spot on.
Temperance Against the 'Cutting Edge'
Temperance Against the 'Cutting Edge'
by Michelle Collins | April 09, 2023
Even though this episode begins with the start of summer holiday, there is no “rest” from the drama in this episode!
Episode 3 Showcases Disastrous Effects of Not Recognizing Spousal Rape
Episode 3 Showcases Disastrous Effects of Not Recognizing Spousal Rape
by Michelle Collins | April 02, 2023
One point always clear to me from these episodes is how far we have come, and yet, how very far we still must go.
Taking Stock of the Mental Burden
Taking Stock of the Mental Burden
by Michelle Collins | March 27, 2023
We as health care workers don’t often stop to take stock of the toll that our work takes on not only ourselves, but our families, our relationships, literally everything we do.
Parallels from the Past to the Present
Parallels from the Past to the Present
by Michelle Collins | March 19, 2023
Diving into this first episode of the season, as is customary for the show, the writers don’t shy away from difficult topics.
‘Present at Life’s Commencement and Its End’
‘Present at Life’s Commencement and Its End’
by Michelle Collins | May 08, 2022
And just like that, friends, we find ourselves at the end of another season.
The Delicate Dance of Life, Work and Motherhood
The Delicate Dance of Life, Work and Motherhood
by Michelle Collins | May 01, 2022
No matter the decade we are discussing, the delicate dance of trying to balance life, work, and motherhood is as problematic today as it was during the show’s time.
'Natural Isn’t Always Perfect, and Perfect Isn’t Always Natural'
'Natural Isn’t Always Perfect, and Perfect Isn’t Always Natural'
by Michelle Collins | April 24, 2022
I identified so strongly with Shelagh as she talked through how she was so calm in the moment of that emergent and traumatic birth only to fully realize the enormity of it after the fact.