Real Talk on Birth Culture: Trust, Trauma, and Resilience with Dr. Janelle De Jesus

EPISODE 4: When the OB Becomes the Patient — Dr. Janelle De Jesus on Autonomy, Fear, and Trust

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Janelle De Jesus, a practicing OB who opened up about what changed for her when she became the patient.

We talked about:

• How pregnancy shifted her whole view of maternity care


• Why she switched OBs mid-pregnancy to protect her own autonomy


• The quiet pressures providers feel inside the system


• How fear of litigation impacts how OBs practice


• Why doulas matter, and where collaboration sometimes breaks down

Janelle shared what it was like to realize that even as a doctor, she didn’t always feel heard. That’s when her perspective changed—from checking boxes to slowing down, listening better, and building care that prioritizes the person, not just the protocol.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered why OB care feels rushed, why some providers resist questions, or what real collaborative care could look like. It’s not always easy to hold space for both sides, but this episode gets real about why it matters.

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