Free Birth Society

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, we have doula- turned -Radical Birth Keeper, Olivyah Bowens, from Baltimore, Maryland on the show today.

Olivyah is a mother of two, a perinatal community health worker, a holistic birth educator, and a graduate of Free Birth Society’s Radical Birth Keeper School.

After learning about the atrocious maternal mortality rate of Black women in the United States, Olivyah committed herself to understanding why Black women were dying.

Olivyah walks us through the intersection of racism and healthcare, and how it directly, and obviously, negatively impacts Black women and their families. 

Olivyah will also provide historical context of racism in OB/GYN and how that links to institutional racism in health care today.

Join us in an important conversation around epigenetics, implicit bias, the importance of women seeing themselves reflected in their birth team, and to learn about the far- too -often subhuman treatment of Black women and their babies, in the system.

Olivyah also shares how freebirth is a potential solution to opt out of the system for many Black women today.

Connect with Olivyah on IG & FB: @herholisticpath 

Work with Olivyah & attend her workshops: https://www.herholisticpath.com/course

Listen to Olivyah’s podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Nw6Y40klYn83XxhLAurQF

Resources:

Mamatoto Village

Black Mamas Matter Alliance

Natal Stories (podcast)

Ancient Song Doula Services

Black Women's Health Imperative

Shafia Monroe

Sistersong

Unnatural Causes with Dr. Michael Lu

Dr. Joy DeGruy

My Grandmother’s Hands

OBGYN Whistleblower Episode: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/the-free-birth-podcast/the-ob-gyn-whistleblower

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/radicalbirthkeeper

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

Check out more of Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Get The Complete Guide to Freebirth: A sweeping, all-inclusive childbirth education course, designed to prepare pregnant mothers and families for the most powerful independent birth experience possible: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Are you wanting to take responsibility for your life? Work with Emilee: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/collections/coaching

Want more? Birthing Truth: A Collection of Freebirth Stories:

https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/birthing-truth-a-collection-of-freebirth-stories

Our Gift to You: Gorgeous pregnancy affirmations straight to your inbox:

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/opt-in-pregnancy-affirmations-gift

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

Rebecca left her first hospital birth thinking that the doctors saved her life. She went on to become a doula in the system, but all that did was normalize her traumatic birth experience. After removing her IUD unassisted, Rebecca discovered a newfound trust for her body. When she found out she was pregnant again, she asked for two things from her partner: total trust, and total support to birth unassisted at home. Rebecca herself remained in total trust throughout her pregnancy, despite bleeding often. She birthed her baby in her bathroom, with her family present, and in total power. Rebecca also shares the autonomous pregnancy release she experienced, and the mantra that gets her through anything.

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Get The Complete Guide to Freebirth: A sweeping, all-inclusive childbirth education course, designed to prepare pregnant mothers and families for the most powerful independent birth experience possible: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

Are you wanting to take responsibility for your life? Work with Emilee: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/collections/coaching

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/radicalbirthkeeper

Want more? Birthing Truth: A Collection of Freebirth Stories:

https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/birthing-truth-a-collection-of-freebirth-stories

Our Gift to You: Gorgeous pregnancy affirmations straight to your inbox:

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/opt-in-pregnancy-affirmations-gift

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

On today’s episode, we have Maura Sternberg: a healer dedicated to pelvic integrity, and the radical self-responsibility of the women she serves. We dive deep into the lineages of mainstream self-care practices, and their roots in patriarchy. Maura shares with us the wisdom of the cervix being the base of the vagus nerve, and the importance of somatic healing as a way to dismantle embodied patriarchy. 

Connect with Maura: www.blossomingdaughters.com

@blossomingdaughters/@callmeawitch

Connect with Rachelle Garcia Seliga: https://www.innatetraditions.com/

Learn more about Byron Katie: https://thework.com/

Cervical Wellness with Denell Barbara: http://www.cervicalwellness.com/

Read A Thousand Names for Joy: https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Names-Joy-Living-Harmony/dp/0307339246

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Get The Complete Guide to Freebirth: A sweeping, all-inclusive childbirth education course, designed to prepare pregnant mothers and families for the most powerful independent birth experience possible: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

Are you wanting to take responsibility for your life? Work with Emilee: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/collections/coaching

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/radicalbirthkeeper

Want more? Birthing Truth: A Collection of Freebirth Stories:

https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/birthing-truth-a-collection-of-freebirth-stories

Our Gift to You: Gorgeous pregnancy affirmations straight to your inbox:

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/opt-in-pregnancy-affirmations-gift

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

Before OBGYNs, stirrups, and forceps, there were wise women, herbal remedies, and soft touches. The procedures which we now view as “normal” in the birth world are actually a fairly recent addition to the patriarchal and medical model of modern industrial birth, and they do not center or serve women. In this episode, we answer the question: “How did women possibly survive childbirth before men and hospitals came on the scene?!” Historian Ana Sabrina walks us back a couple hundred years before men came to “deliver” women from the “pathology” of childbirth. Settle in, and listen with open ears. If we know our roots, we can rise into our future.

Connect with Ana Sabrina on Instagram: @anasabrina.b

On women as healers before male care was the norm- “The Healer’s Calling: Women and Medicine in Early New England”

On the history of abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth- “The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy”

On the systematic medical rape of enslaved black women in the American south- “Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology”

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/radicalbirthkeeper

Check out more of Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

Arielle de Martinez is Free Birth Society’s in-house healer and herbalist who has spent the duration of her motherhood journey navigating illness outside of the system.

She mentors mothers about plant medicine and natural healing in her local community, guides women as they hone their intuition, develop their skills, and find their confidence as mothers and leaders through the potent initiation of illness.

The Wild Mother’s Medicine Chest is a course for matriarchs who have realized the lies of allopathic medicine and are ready to take charge of their family’s health and wellness. Despite knowing deeply that you don’t want to pop pills or go to a doctor, when your kids get sick it's scary and you wish you just knew exactly what to do.

Through the Wild Mothers Medicine Chest, you will learn how to turn sickness into an opportunity for your children to not just heal, but to become stronger, more robust, and *truly* healthy... So that you can ensure your family gets sick less, respond to illness with natural remedies, and mother from a place of total trust and wise woman wisdom.

***The course mentioned in this episode, The Wild Mother’s Medicine Chest, is no longer available.

Connect with Arielle: https://www.instagram.com/arielledemartinez

Arielle’s Herbal Offerings: https://www.arielledemartinez.com/herbalofferings

Our Gift to You: Gorgeous pregnancy affirmations straight to your inbox:

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/opt-in-pregnancy-affirmations-gift

Check out more of Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Get The Complete Guide to Freebirth: A sweeping, all-inclusive childbirth education course, designed to prepare pregnant mothers and families for the most powerful independent birth experience possible: 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf  

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

Want more? Birthing Truth: A Collection of Freebirth Stories:

https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/birthing-truth-a-collection-of-freebirth-stories

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/radicalbirthkeeper

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

It was following the death of her father, that Rebecca got total clarity that it was time to call in her children. Rebecca shares about the harassment she dealt with from the NHS midwives in England, and how medical supposed midwifery felt wrong the entire time. She was unnecessarily and unfortunately transferred right before her son emerged, and Rebecca shares how the sabotage of her birth also led to a sabotaged breastfeeding relationship. 

Four years later, she was thrilled to be pregnant again. She connected to the concept of free birth, found this podcast, and solidified her truth to birth her way, even in the absence of a supportive partner. 

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

 Our Gift to You: Gorgeous pregnancy affirmations straight to your inbox:

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/opt-in-pregnancy-affirmations-gift

Get The Complete Guide to Freebirth: A sweeping, all-inclusive childbirth education course, designed to prepare pregnant mothers and families for the most powerful independent birth experience possible: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

Want more? Birthing Truth: A Collection of Freebirth Stories:

https://www.freebirthsociety.com/blogs/birthing-truth-a-collection-of-freebirth-stories

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://radicalbirthkeeperschool.com 

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

After finding out she was pregnant just 3 months into her relationship, Omni shares her story of stepping into full trust of herself and her baby.

She speaks about letting it be easy, awakening to her instincts and her intuition, and how the mother always knows just what to do. Her freebirth story is an example of just how simple, and just how beautiful birth can be. 

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership  

The Radical Birth Keeper School starts again September 1st, 2021. You won’t want to miss it: https://radicalbirthkeeperschool.com 

The Complete Guide to Freebirth: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

Courtney Piper is a mother, birth attendant, activist, spiritual warrior, and director of Women Picket DC.

She brings to us today the truth of how patriarchy seeks to destroy and erode our intuition, and how our embodiment is the antidote.

We cannot afford not to speak out, and together, we dream of a woman-centered world where all are liberated.

This podcast is dedicated to Carla Hartley- a devoted homebirth midwife, mother, survivor, and mentor who pioneered the Ancient Art of Midwifery Institute. She is an inspiration in truth-telling, midwifery, and activism. 

Women’s Human Rights Campaign: https://www.womensdeclaration.com/en/about/

Please support the resistance. You can donate and give signatures to help fight this bill at www.womenpicketDC.org.

Women’s Liberation Front: https://www.womensliberationfront.org

Read about Executive Order 13988: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01761/preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Want to become the Radical Birth Keeper the world needs? Join The Radical Birth Keeper School: https://radicalbirthkeeperschool.com

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

The Complete Guide to Freebirth: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

Kara Dansky is a feminist and attorney, here to talk with us today about Executive Order 13988. In this EO,  the definition of sex is rewritten to include gender identity throughout all federally funded agencies.

Kara brings us a message of hope-filled action as she informs us of what our future will look like if we don’t protect sex-segregated spaces for women and girls.

How many women are we going to sacrifice at the altar of this ideology? 

Please support the resistance. You can donate and give signatures to help fight this bill at www.womenpicketDC.org.

Feminist Current Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feminist-current/id603245791

Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights: https://www.womensdeclaration.com/en/

 Women’s Liberation Front: https://www.womensliberationfront.org

Read about Executive Order 13988: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01761/preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Want to become the Radical Birth Keeper the world needs? Join The Radical Birth Keeper School: https://radicalbirthkeeperschool.com 

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

Are you searching for clarity and alignment? Work with Emilee: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/collections/coaching 

The Complete Guide to Freebirth: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms

Radical feminist & activist Lierre Keith shares with us how the Equality Act will amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, by inserting gender identity wherever biological sex currently exists.

If this bill is passed, gender identity will trump biological sex in all federally funded agencies. Boys and men will be legally acknowledged as girls and women if they self-identify as girls and women.

At Free Birth Society, we understand the importance and necessity of sex-segregated spaces. We ask the question- if we don’t protect girls and women, who will?

Please support the resistance. You can donate and give signatures to help fight this bill at www.womenpicketDC.org.

Lierre Keith is a writer, radical feminist, food activist, and environmentalist. Find her work here: www.Lierrekeith.com

Read about Executive Order 13988: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01761/preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation 

Check out Free Birth Society’s courses and offerings! 

https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com

Want to become the Radical Birth Keeper the world needs? Join The Radical Birth Keeper School: http://radicalbirthkeeperschool.com 

Craving your village? Join Free Birth Society’s Private Membership: https://www.freebirthsociety.com/pages/private-membership

The Complete Guide to Freebirth: https://www.freebirthsocietycourses.com/cgtf

Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms