Taking Back Birth

In this podcast, I talk about creating the bubble of energy and vibration that feels important to me as the midwife when waiting on mama’s to birth. We end up separating ourselves in a way from “normal” life, much like a pregnant mama does at the end of her pregnancy. I’d love to hear your thoughts!Click the icon below to listen.      

Margo and I get to chat about this complex topic, thanks to an Instagram comment recently and the fact that many/most people do not really understand the true value of a midwife. What is it, anyway? Is a midwife there to prevent death or to help enhance the woman’s experience? Maybe it’s all or none of those things. Let us know your thoughts so that we can get more clear on explaining these nuances.Click the icon below to listen.      

This is a question all women should be asking when interviewing a doula or midwife AND a question that all midwives and doulas should be asking when conducting consultations! Either way, this is an equal-opportunity relationship and the consultation is the most important first meeting that will determine which course a pregnancy and birth takes, and with whom! I have learned a lot about this over the last 15 years but it’s still a fascinating process that I enjoy engaging in and getting better at.Click the icon below to listen.      

I’m back on the Mothering series to talk about why and how we raise magical children. What is being magical and how can we support this natural state in our kids? I share some stories of our own family living these beliefs and philosophies. I hope this inspires you to raise more magical children!Click the icon below to listen.      

It’s been said that women get into birth work because they care about women, babies or birth; one usually more than the other! I reflect back on my path so far and how I got called to midwifery, and also how my “why” has changed and shifted over the years doing this work. What is your “why”? Download this Podcast Transcript Click the icon below to listen.      

What makes Indie Birth unique and special in the birth world? I want to tell you, since the energy behind our work, classes, school and more is the guiding force in our success and what we put out in the world. May you be inspired to follow your own path, access your freedom and share your own rockin’ brilliance in the world with whoever resonates. Download the Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

After a brief update, I rant for a bit about the low standard that our world, and most women, seem to have for their pregnancy and birth experience. Whether it’s hospital based, home based or a dogmatic freebirth, it seems to me that women need to want more for themselves first. Otherwise, we just take whatever else someone tells us we should do and it isn’t questioned because we become desperate to have approval from one extreme or another. Birth isn’t about being in a club or needing a certain story; but listening deeply and knowing how powerful we are. Download the Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

200 podcasts plus and no mention of sex or intimacy ’til now! That says a lot I think, but I’m here with this one to remedy it all by sharing my experience. This is especially for breastfeeding mamas of young kids, and includes ideas and resources for creating intimacy with yourself which I think is step number 1. I’d love to hear your thoughts and responses! Download this Podcast Transcript Resources: Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent My friend Devon at Inner Spark: https://innerspark.life My friend Stacey: https://www.staceyramsower.com/coachingClick the icon below to listen.      

Welcome 2022! This is a new year, a new chance to set intention and create a working routine for yourself that promotes growth and abundance. My routine isn’t the most exciting, but people ask from time to time how I take care of myself while also taking care of 10 kids + clients, and so here it is. (And for the record, bubble baths might be part of your self care, but I’m interested in the deeper, less superficial ways that we give ourselves the attention we need to thrive.)Click the icon below to listen.      

Yep, a shameless plug for doing a virtual prenatal or mentorship visit with me! But really; it was time to just blab about the options and how these visits can look and who they are for, since people are always asking. I cover the basic questions you might have; from how it works, to virtual birth support to the way I like to work and how this might benefit you. Take a listen, and pass it on to someone you know who might love this support. If you’re interested in next steps, here’s the link: https://indiebirth.org/virtual-prenatalsClick the icon below to listen.      

For years people have asked me; “are you going to have more?”, and I have also asked myself this many times too. I do eventually offer my two cents around this topic; including some thoughts about spirit baby communication. But first, a Solstice energy round up and a quick Tarot reading.Click the icon below to listen.      

This is a 2 for 1 episode as I explain what midwitchery means to me, and also what “metaphysical midwifery” is and how I see it. Each midwife is responsible for creating her own offerings as she sees fit, and these are the structures and beliefs mine are based on. “Metaphysical” means beyond the physical, and I encourage every student midwife/midwife and also all the pregnant mamas to figure out where they’d like to be on this spectrum. It’s time to redream midwifery!!Click the icon below to listen.      

Ok, not ALL the things. But here’s a 40 minute ramble about SOME of the things that people often don’t think about when they hit a wall with breastfeeding; whether it’s low milk supply or failure to thrive or any of the ways that nursing can feel hard. This list is not exhaustive, but I hope gives you some areas to focus on or talk about prior to birth; whether you are a doula or birth worker or even a first time mama. We were MADE to feed our babies; so what are we missing?Click the icon below to listen.      

This was QUITE a ramble! It starts with a Rumi poem and then a trip down the rabbit hole of self-love and REALLY TRULY BEING who you are and seeing it! Whether it’s because you are a midwife/doula/birthing woman or not, the female energy of total love and acceptance for ourselves is needed NOW. Check out our Magical Women Weekend Retreat at indiebirth.org/retreat. Download this Podcast EpisodeClick the icon below to listen.      

Today’s Amelia’s 19th birthday! How did this tiny 6 pound baby become this beautiful, smart and funny woman? I can’t take too much credit, but I hope you’ll enjoy hearing from her about the joys of being homeschooled, how it’s been to witness births and the oldest of 10 kids…plus more “randomness” that she shares. You can find Amelia’s photography on Instagram at @ameliagrayphotography and also her website ameliagray.net. Sign-up for her monthly Photo Journal and take a look at her new project just about to launch: Life Behind the LensClick the icon below to listen.      

Yes, it’s one year! Both the longest and shortest year of my life, and by far my most life-altering birth experience. First I share some updates but in typical stream of consciousness style, weave in the lessons and beauty of this day one year ago. Happy Birthday Rumi Sol! (His birth story is here: https://indiebirth.org/rumisol) Download this Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

Whether “death” is emotional or spiritual or even feels physical, what is the role of the death process when we are in the birth process? Thanks to a listener’s email, I offer you some thoughts around this topic at the darkest time of year. Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

The tide has turned! I have been challenged with my own physical process lately (and really since Rumi’s birth!) and I’m beginning to see how this relates to my role as a midwife. Gosh, life is funny! Just when you think you have something figured out, the Universe shows up point you in a different direction. In this podcast, I explore this issue of “vision” and how midwifing lately is so firmly rooted in the physical body. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

Yeah, taking back birth is still the theme! On this one, I share some ethereal stuff as an intro and then get into some nuts and bolts about Kentucky midwifery licensing as I understand it. Ultimately, it’s not a topic that I want to blab on and on about but basic awareness allows me to understand better where the birthing women here are at. Finally, I share our birth retreat center vision with you all….again! Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

And what I love about them, too! This was a list I started in my journal after some intense birth attending experiences. My list reflects the crazy nature of being an on call midwife, and is directly related to my own processing and emotional health. I will never “hate” birth, but there are some real things that I don’t love about attending them! And there are still so many parts that I truly do love. Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

Ok folks, some lessons coming in as I get back to birth attending! Listen in to 5 things I’ve learned or discovered lately. Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

We’ve been talking a LOT about gift economy here; whether it’s to change the world or just help women have better births, the learning is endless! I am so grateful for the time I’ve had to gather more information (both inside and out!) and am excited to offer this new version of midwifery care here in Kentucky. I am sure I will continue to learn so much, so this is probably the first of several podcast installments on this topic of giving and receiving.Click the icon below to listen.      

After years of emails and messages and literally hundreds of questions, I’m taking a few minutes here to review SOME of the reasons why you might want to hire an autonomous midwife! There are so many myths out there, and also lots of trauma around birth. I think both of those reasons make women feel like “doing it alone” is the best option for them…even when it may not be! Listen in on what I think about it all based on the years I have been listening to this conversation. Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

Margo joins me for the first in this new series about midwifery apprenticeship. As she says in our chat, it seems that the apprenticeship conversation has occasionally thrown the “baby out with the bathwater” (no pun intended!) around IF there is a structured path(And what it is), or not. I do feel like I have some responsibility to clear this up, since I may have muddied the waters over the years, talking about how intuition and a community “appointing” someone a midwife may (very rarely) take the place of a defined educational and hands-on learning path. In this podcast, Margo and I share some stories and try to name and describe the stepping stones of the apprenticeship path; from the very beginning of being a green observer, to the “primary under supervision” role. This path is not identical for everyone, but even in the autonomous and radical midwifery world, a structure is needed. We hope this inspires conversation and questions, and we’re excited to continue this series with all topics related to midwifery education and apprenticeship learning! Here’s the blog post we wrote for our Indie Birth Midwifery School students (and the world!) about our view and boundaries around calling oneself a midwife. https://indiebirthmidwiferyschool.org/2021/07/01/claiming-the-midwife-role/ Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

I left off with a podcast about leaving Sedona and the land there; so what more natural place to begin again than with a “hello” from Kentucky! I want to share with you the magic of the last 4 months in summary, with having landed at our new house and property. I want to share with you the magic of the land here, and the fun ways that we are connecting with her already. Listen in on how our road trip went, and what life is looking and feeling like right now in this new place. I am so honored to share this final piece of the moving journey with you. Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

A super short and last minute (and last!) podcast from Sedona. I wanted to say my goodbye and express my gratitude to this sacred land, to the mountain that has guided and guarded us. I also wanted to take one last visit to Rumi’s Cave, the special spot where I’d go in my pregnancy with him that helped shape my entire experience. Moving can be so transformative, and I give credit and thanks to this place that has mothered me for so long. Download This Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

One of my besties and former client Christina is back! She’s chatted with me twice on other podcasts (2 of her birth stories) but this time we talk about the ritual of placenta burial. We had the gift of doing this together recently, and like many things, it felt way deeper than we imagined it would be! Listen in for what our experience was like, and why giving our blood/placentas back to the Earth may be an awesome thing to consider.Click the icon below to listen.      

I’ve asked myself the community midwife question before but as I ponder what community actually is to me, or what I would want it to be, I feel like maybe the issue lies in the community. Midwifery is mostly fine! Women know how to take care of women, but it feels like we don’t generally know how to take care of our families, and larger groups of people that can support each other. In going to a new place soon, I wonder whether the community will be strong and whether the community midwife (as an archetype) will be valued or if it will be the same old thing. I don’t have any answers, but lots of questions and am excited to slowly discover what’s next.Click the icon below to listen.      

I talk with my amazing kindred sister friend Devon Battaglia on this episode! You’ll hear how we met and connected, but one of the topics that she’s written about captured my attention. Whether it’s birth or mothering or just being a woman, most of us can identify with “not being enough”. Listen to this juicy talk around the “mother wound” and feminine shame and more. I know you will hear JUST what you needed to hear with the wisdom and stories that Devon shares. Also, Devon will be contributing some serious flower essence wisdom teachings through my upcoming Witchery 101 course! A great reason to join us there. Download the Podcast Transcript https://indiebirth.org/witchery101/ Her “Mother Wound” article: https://innerspark.life/mother/ Devon’s Flower Essences: https://innerspark.life/apothecary/#essences Devon’s “Yoni Exploratory” Course: https://innerspark.life/courses/yoni-exploratory/Click the icon below to listen.      

Ah, packing up a house! I stumbled upon notebooks and journals, all from past (in person) midwifery events of the last 15 years. It was so fun reading through conference sessions I had attended, and I wanted to share some of the brilliant teaching highlights with you from masters like Michel Odent, Marsden Wagner, Gail Hart, Lisa Barrett and more (and extra motivation if you don’t even know who some of those folks are!). I was reminded myself of some golden nuggets of midwifery teachings and also it was just a trip down memory lane to reflect on each live event I went to and where it was and who I met. It’s been a long time in birth, and I am so grateful! Also, I start the podcast with a location reveal and a shout out to anyone in that area of the country to get in touch! We are so excited to experience something new and make new connections and community. I can’t believe the search is over, and that it all unfolded so beautifully and perfectly in the end. Click the icon below to listen.      

How do these two topics go together? They do! I want to share my perspective on MY reality of this virus thing and how ultimately, we need to choose each step of the way how we want to respond. Best way to do that? Get in touch with your own innate power and let your soul light the way. Sound too idealistic? Take a listen and let me know if you resonate with this. (And if you enroll in my new Witchery 101 class, let me know if there’s anything in particular you want to learn!). I can’t wait to share this new offering with you: https://indiebirth.org/witchery101 Click the icon below to listen.      

After a moving update and a post-vacation summary, I’m back! I’m calling this “part 1” because I know there will be more ideas and a creative plan that come to be eventually as we settle down in our lives and I get back to birth work. As I share, this is the “burn it down” phase! I know what I want to change and what has not been working for me, so I ask you to reconsider too what your heart is telling you and what “midwifery” might mean to you. I have some ideas, and look forward to sharing more about all of this as it evolves and grows. I want and need to do this work in a way that feels more soul-led and aligned to me, and I am guessing many of you feel the same. If it’s broke, you don’t just fix it, you make something new.Click the icon below to listen.      

This may be an intense one, but is highly personal as our kids experienced the death of one of our beloved dogs recently. This is another ramble, but one about the belief systems that we have taught our kids regarding death, and also a sharing into what this has looked and felt like for different family members. Click the icon below to listen.      

This podcast was not what I was planning on, but it’s what happened when I started talking about asking for guidance from my (deceased) grandma and grandpa. It’s not entirely unrelated to the spirit world that we talk about when talking about spirit babies, so I thought I’d share it with you as a “creating ceremony 101” podcast. I’d love to hear your experiences, questions and comments about connecting with other beings, relatives and realities as we navigate the “real world” (or is it?!).Click the icon below to listen.      

Wow, I’m feisty in this one! After a moving update and a nice card pull to share with you, I’m off…have you ever thought about the distinct differences between how midwifery and obstetrics are viewed in the world, and how most midwives have agreed to very little autonomy? This is NOT a new topic for me, but I felt a renewed interest in riling all of you wanna be midwives out there into choosing authentic truth over compliance. What kind of world do we live in when licensed midwives are treated like ignorant children, and their clients too? I am hoping this episode inspires you to question this narrative and mostly DO SOMETHING that will further a vision for birth and midwifery that is based on power and integrity.Click the icon below to listen.      

On this podcast, I share my outlook on the energy of moving and what’s going on in my life and why it’s all good and magic! And also, a few brief book recommendations of things I pulled off my shelf that I have really liked reading over the years. Books mentioned: Surrender Experiment; Michael Singer When Things Fall Apart and The Places That Scare You; Pema Chodron Home/Birth-A Poemic; Arielle Greenberg and Rachel Zucker Birth Models That Work and Birth as an American Rite of Passage; Robbie Davis Floyd Click the icon below to listen.      

It’s here! The episode on how sleep looks in our house; from newborns to teenagers, to what I have learned over the years about all of it; plus some pro tips I hope are helpful! Click the icon below to listen.      

I’ve been meaning to record this for a while but the timing is perfect because our own lives always get reflected in our midwifery work. In this podcast, I share my journey of spirituality from mindfulness to learning under a local shaman. I’m realizing more with each client and each experience that engaging in the emotional and spiritual aspects of pregnancy, birth and mothering is where my heart is. The Universe has been directing me more to these experiences, and leading me away from “midwifery care as usual.” See what you think, and share your thoughts with me! Also, our offering of virtual prenatals (or virtual visits for any time!) can be found at: https://indiebirth.org/virtual-prenatals. Click the icon below to listen.      

This monthly Q and A podcast wound up holding this theme of how we are in our power, and where we still need or want to claim it. But detail-wise, this podcast includes responses to questions about Pitocin, the newborn screen, intuition, marketing my midwifery business, the most impactful birth I’ve witnessed and many, many more. Hopefully you enjoy this and aren’t bothered by the extreme lack of focus on one topic. I’d always love to hear your feedback so email me! Download this podcast transcriptClick the icon below to listen.      

Listen in as I share how, when and where I moved from practicing as a licensed midwife to autonomous midwifery, practicing under a PMA (aka PCA) structure in a state that requires mandatory licensing. This is NOT a “how to” set up a PMA or why I think you need to, but a chronological explanation of my own journey and how I came to this place for myself. I really urge you to listen if you are at ALL curious, about any of it, including midwifery regulation. I’d also REALLY urge you to listen if you identify (openly or secretly!) with feeling fear in practicing autonomously. We need more courageous, truthful birth workers who follow their own light, and not the darkness of the current legalities/regulations/persecutions around midwifery and birth. This is really for any healer or practitioner who is curious and open about alternative ways to work with people. For more info and education on the technical side and with help in setting up a PMA, visit sovereignbusiness.org/pca101. My husband Jason offers education and 1:1 mentorship. Download this podcast transcriptClick the icon below to listen.      

How to sum up almost 20 years of breast-feeding my own 10 children? In a podcast of course! Impossible to completely cover this topic but in this one I talk about a few of my breastfeeding journeys, as well as nursing through pregnancy, tandem nursing, the tongue tie issue, how I’ve dealt with breast infections (mastitis) and more! I feel so grateful to be able to share this experience with you, and hope it is even a tiny bit helpful or comforting on your own breastfeeding journey.Click the icon below to listen.      

Maryn and Margo are together for this one! They discuss their “world view of midwifery” for anyone that is interested in this, and/or our Indie Birth Midwifery School. What is “midwifery” nowadays anyway? So many types of midwives, so many ways of practicing and so much confusing vocabulary and labels too (birthkeeper, anyone? We still don’t know what that means!) Have YOU thought about the actual word, “midwife” and what it means to you, and if you would actually use it? What goes into claiming that title? What IS an Indie Birth midwife? Listen in on this transparent chat about autonomous midwifery and how Indie Birth has shaped the vision for the new paradigm and future midwives. If you are curious about midwifery and/or an aspiring midwife, you need to listen to this one! Download this podcast transcriptClick the icon below to listen.      

In this monthly series, I take questions that have been gathered from our followers on Instagram and go from there. These questions cover a lot of territory, from birth to death, and mothering and beyond. Take a listen and let me know by email or comment if you want me to expand on anything you heard here. Also, you can submit questions to us on Instagram (@indiebirth) or email them to me at [email protected]. Download this podcast transcriptClick the icon below to listen.      

I like placentas; but I LOVE placenta birth because it allows us the opportunity as women to fully OWN the birth process from start to finish. On this podcast, I share my own placenta birth history and how it evolved for me to go from not even remembering placenta birth to really looking forward to it. I love sharing this all and teaching it to women everywhere through knowledge, guidance and a connection to our own instinct. Midwives and students can also benefit from this knowledge so that they can teach and help women connect to what is needed. Bonus: women are more fulfilled around their birth process and I rarely see excess bleeding. That alone is a reason to listen and give this some thought and attention! The “Manifesting a Third Stage Webinar” can be accessed at https://www.indiebirth.org/thirdstage but it’s also included in our 13 Moons which is https://www.indiebirth.org/13moons. Click the icon below to listen.      

I get the honor of talking to my friend Christina again on this podcast about her 3rd baby’s birth. Christina has appeared before, when she shared about her first VBAC at home, but this story of her daughter comes with even more profound lessons. There were some clinical things for her to share and for us to discuss, but mostly I am blown away by this woman’s wisdom about herself, birth and the journey of life that we are on. I know you will LOVE this story. Download this podcast transcriptClick the icon below to listen.      

This podcast has been a long time coming! People often ask how we keep our 10 kids healthy; what modalities we use and so on. I think I more than covered it here; I talk about my own childhood health, belief systems that keep us bound to sickness, ways I want to inspire my kids to respect their bodies, setting a model for daily movement and strength; moving on to my stance on vaccines for my kids, to specifics on what other therapies we’ve used and why and when. Good health is a blessings; yet there is so much in our culture that conspires to keep people dis-eased (masks, anyone So much of the health discussion is our perspective on where healing comes from and who (and what) is responsible for keeping these physical machines of ours running! Take a listen and email me your thoughts or questions! What would you love to hear more about (if anything) along the lines of kids, health and wellness?Click the icon below to listen.      

I am starting the year with a review of the births experiences in which I had the honor of being in the midwife role. There were first time mamas, and fifth time mamas. There were water births and land births. Boys and girls (just about even!) and of course each experience was unique and beautiful in it’s own way. Listen in on some abbreviated stories from my perspective and some clinical notes; plus what I took away from many of them and what I am manifesting going forward! I realized after recording I left a few out because technically I wasn’t present. But for the records sake (and because I still cared so much for these women!) one woman experienced a very very preterm birth (in the hospital, obviously and all is well!) and we had at least one special client who needed to move away given all the economic stuff around this virus. I also talk about the losses experienced as well, since that is most definitely a piece of midwifery care. It was a special year for babies coming onto this planet, and I see and feel more of those special souls making a graceful entrance in 2021.Click the icon below to listen.      

You’ve likely read the birth story (indiebirth.org/rumisol) but this is a long podcast I did with baby Rumi on my lap about his pregnancy and birth from a spiritual perspective. This birth was an initiation; and I recorded this so I would remember all the cool and crazy details that make up this tale. I talk about the way his name came in, my premonitions about the birth and the spiritual meanings or thoughts behind a lot of it. I’m happy to share these intimate details because I think there is growth and lessons for all of us on the path of conscious birth. Set aside a good bit of time to listen (if that all resonates) and let me know your thoughts or experiences. Download this podcast transcriptClick the icon below to listen.      

The written birth story is here, but in this podcast, I am so lucky to have Margo still here with me so we can talk in person about this crazy experience and how it felt and looked from each of our vantage points. Truly, this was one remarkable birth (and she is one remarkable friend!) and I feel SO BLESSED to have had this experience, and with her by my side. There are no coincidences; we recorded this at 3 days postpartum but we already are getting glimpses of why this birth needed to happen the way it did and why and how our work at Indie Birth will be positively affected. Thanks for listening and we’d love to hear your thoughts! Download the Podcast TranscriptClick the icon below to listen.      

Not so many intellectual thoughts here at the end; but lots of feeling, and dreaming and processing my pregnancy experience thus far. This finishes up baby #10’s pregnancy; and on this podcast I share my thoughts and dreams for birth as well as the overall themes of deep spirituality that were gifted to me over these last months. I am so grateful; and wish all pregnant women the kind of growth and change that I was allowed while growing this baby. Truly, a transformation and a shape-shifting has occurred and it’s something I wish we all talked more openly about. Listen in as I share with you; and let me know what your experience has been with spirituality in pregnancy. Click the icon below to listen.