What does it mean to have a voice in your birth? Far too often, “informed consent” is treated as just a checkbox. In this episode of the Discover Midwives Podcast, we sit down with Alison Shorten, PhD, RN, RM, a distinguished researcher, innovative educator, and Senior Associate Dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, with over 35 years of experience in nursing and midwifery.
Alison dives deep into her pioneering research on Shared Decision Making (SDM) and the implementation of midwifery models of care. We explore how her work has shaped international evidence-based clinical guidelines, why a strong relationship between providers and families is the foundation of a safe birth, and how true shared decision-making can dramatically reduce unnecessary interventions and lower cesarean rates. Whether you are an expecting parent navigating options like VBAC or a birth worker striving to improve maternal outcomes, Alison’s insights offer a masterclass on shifting maternity care toward a truly collaborative, respectful, and relationship-driven model