Birthkeeper Banter

Desirae and Taylor discuss what makes birth work challenging! Birth work is so beautiful and we can’t see us doing anything else, however we want others to know it’s not just sunshine and rainbows!

Desirae and Taylor dive into the subject of EUPHORIA. That birth high that is oh so addicting and that you wait ten moons for. We discuss when and how we experienced our own personal birth highs and why we think they differed among our births, and what we see in attending women that get sky high from their home births.

Abusive, toxic and unsupportive partners ARE an intervention, sometimes an even worse intervention than the hospital. Des and Taylor talk about their experiences witnessing and attending women that live in homes where they just aren’t loved well, if at all, and how that impacts their childbearing years.

On this episode Desirae’s husband joins her to discuss their journey to home birth, how he felt about it when Desirae first mentioned it, how each birth experience played out, and how each differed and went on to impact them as a family. Brad shares open and honestly about his emotions and thoughts throughout each experience and why he prefers home birth over their first two birth experiences. They go on to discuss what it is like being the partner of a Midwife. Brad shares on the challenges he’s experienced as the partner of someone who lives a life on-call, discussing how Desirae’s journey to Midwifery had left him to question their relationship entirely and why. Both share on how being a birth attendant impacts not only the attendant, but the partner of, as well as the children in the home as a domino effect. Brad offers helpful suggestions to the partners of birth workers as well as to the partners of women who desire to birth at home that might be hesitant. This podcast is a raw and deep conversation that sheds light on what life is like for Brad, as a father who witnessed 3 freebirths after 2 hospital births, and what it’s like for him sharing his life with a Midwife. You’ll hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly in this unfiltered podcast!

Des and Taylor discuss their own birth preferences, how those came to be, and what their ideal birth attendant is. Great listen for any expectant mom trying to pick a birth attendant, or a birth attendant thinking of ways to be the best servant to women and gain additional perspectives from two freebirthers.

Des and Taylor gets back to their roots, how they were inspired to start sitting at births, what they wish they knew when they first started, how their births have changed them as attendants, and tips to share for women newly inspired to be birth workers.

Desirae and Taylor go back and forth on this episode about the different ways to become a doula or how to become a midwife with all the various routes and pathways that there are! If you’ve ever considered or are actively considering a doula training, midwifery school and/or apprenticeship, or just straight up feel confused in how to choose the path for your birth work journey, take a listen and take notes! Badass trainings from HERBAL also coming to you soon, online and in person! Stay tuned!

Taylor jumps on to present to you life changing information: you are NOT required to file and pay federal income tax! For real! Though this is a deep subject, Taylor hits the major initial concerns that people have and provides resources to learn more! Please let us know if you have any questions or need help understanding! Livefreenow.org is the place to go to learn more!

Des and Taylor discuss how every person in the birth space makes an impact, and how the wrong people can be detrimental. We also jump into why depending on someone to hold your hand through births as a new birth worker can impact your journey!

Hallie joins us to share on her 5 home birth experiences. With her first, she utilized OB care the first few visits and quickly realized that their form of care was not her cup of tea. She went on to find a midwife who trusted in her ability to birth her first baby at home and would respect her autonomy and choices. She goes on to share about her other birth stories, including her fourth, which had it occurred in a facility would have played out differently. She reminds us that we do not need to birth our first baby in a captive facility to prove that a woman can birth at home. You do not need to endure chaos and lack of autonomy before being able to experience the freedom and empowerment offered in home birth. Her midwife mentioned whom attended and supported her birth experiences was the late Rebekah Knapp, whom will always be honored and appreciated for what she offered women and their families during her time here on earth. A wonderful and encouraging listen for all woman who might be considering home, regardless of what number birth it might be for them!