Baby Magic, Granny Sense: talking about women's bodies: reproductive rights, running, birth attendan...

This episode features Sally, who regularly runs very long distances, and works and plays in liminal spaces. Find out about her "Creating Circles" workshops, listen to her words of wisdom about running alone, ponder with us the nature of tenderness and holding space.
Here's a link to explore Sally's circles:
https://www.sallygolightly.co.uk/creating-circles-2/
and here's a link to one of her running playlists!
https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/running/pl.u-pMyl1ZaiYr42gE
and here is that documentary about Stephanie Case!
https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/exploration/our-journal/free-to-run.html

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"Lots of people, here in the northern hemisphere, celebrate today the longest day of the year, the day when the sun shines more than any other day. But this is what makes humans so compelling, so attractive, endearing, and profound. To me anyway. Because..."

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This Mama lived in a place where it was impossible to find a legal midwife, so she hired an unregistered midwife to assist her for her first birth.
Her subsequent transfer to the hospital and the "snakey" treatment she got there may be disturbing to some of you, but these stories need to be told. There is no reason why any laboring woman should be treated like garbage by their attendants. None at all. 
Let's shout out our stories: the transcendent ones, the traumatic ones, the ones full of joy, the sad ones. Our voices are powerful!

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I've created a short labor mantra song that you can listen to - on a loop if you want! It will guide you during your labor, when you need to listen to the voice of an elder woman.
Feel free to share this with anyone who may need strength during birth.
Spread the love!

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Erica Gipson is a mother, a scientist, a homeschooler, and a doula who has an interesting view of life, science, mothering, and intimacy. Listen up! And get a science lesson about how viruses work!

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Is it legal to give birth on your own at home? Can you hire a midwife who works privately? What is the legal status of free birthing in Canada? Why should we care? What does it mean to work as a traditional birth attendant outside of the recognized medical system? Is there a community of women here in Canada, and elsewhere, who are birthing without doctors or midwives? Are there different kinds of midwives? These burning questions and more are explored in this episode. For more info, please contact me directly here

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I had a chat with Maria, who pledged to run or walk 20 k per week throughout her pregnancy to support Free to Run, an organization that promotes women's and girls' empowerment through spots in conflict-torn areas of the world. We chatted about pregnancy and ultrarunning, empowerment, and play... then she went into labour and gave birth!! ps: if you're inspired to donate to this excellent organization, you can do so here! https://freetorun.org/

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My sound man isn't available so tune in next week for another great episode... but for now, listen to my musings about midwifery, the risk culture, womanhood, and fear. Don't forget to reach out if you have ANY questions about the podcast, birth, or if you want YOUR voice heard!

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I spoke with Hannah Boudali about midwifery training, doula work, volunteer birth companions, love, burnout, and mothering. This is a woman who speaks from her heart!

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My guest Rosemary shares her stories about her two babies' births. One was "risked out" of midwifery care and ended in surgery. After that disheartening experience, Rosemary chose to birth without a midwife or doctor present, and she shares her stories here.
Am I promoting this approach to birth? No, actually. I believe that a woman needs and deserves a knowledgeable, wise, respectful birth attendant (maybe even a few!), and I'm sad that the lack of respectful care is leading women to choose to give birth alone.
What do you believe? What's your story? Are you drawn to accompanying women on their journeys through birth? Reach out - @mbcdoulaschool

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