By baby #4, Tori and her husband were united on the plan to have a home birth, but they had to find a midwife. Using a local FB group to gather recommendations, they ended up finding a wonderful Mennonite midwife to work with, and what resulted was a simple, beautiful birth and a new friendship. 

Find tori on Instagram or Facebook to connect.

The choices, beliefs, and opinions of the mamas sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller herself and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or recommended choices of Lauren and/or Brooke.

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From Lauren:

From Brooke:

It's a new year and with that come new year resolutions which often include various forms of SELF-CARE.

As moms and women we're so often told not to forget to take care of ourselves, to fill our own cup so that we can pour out on others. And while none of that is entirely WRONG, it often seems shallow or laughably unattainable. 

That is until you redefine self-care and bring it into alignment with what your soul is really thirsty for. 

In this episode, Lauren and Brooke dig into what self-care is and isn't. We cover:

And more!

Grab your mug of hot beverage and listen in. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

An Invitation to Self-Care: Why Learning to Nurture Yourself Is the Key to the Life You've Always Wanted, 7 Principles for Abundant Living 

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From Lauren:

From Brooke:

Today's episode is for those of you who deeply desire a home birth or unassisted birth but whose husbands are not sold on the idea.⁠

⁠

We'll cover things like: ⁠

❤️ Why dads might be opposed or resistant⁠

❤️ What our response as Christian wives should be⁠

❤️ Tools for having a conversation that might bring you onto the same page⁠

And more!⁠

Oh, and this episode also has a special secret guest appearance that I'll think you'll really appreciate. ⁠

We're on a season break after this episode, so we'll see you back here in January. 

In the meantime, Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes here: Fill out the form

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Preparing for birth without preparing for postpartum is like preparing for a wedding without preparing for a marriage. 

Though we obviously think preparing for birth is vital, the truth is that it's only 2-48 hours of your life, and if what follows isn't also carefully set up, the negative implications can be vast.

Listen in on this conversation between two multiparas (moms of many!) who have learned a bit more each time about how to prepare well for this season and ensure we get every last benefit possible out of it. 

We'll cover things like receiving visitors, the 5-5-5 "rule", herbs, homeopathy, pelvic floor rehabilitation, the "winter" nature of this time, nourishing food, mothering the mother, doing the emotional work.... and MORE. 

This episode was recorded when Brooke was 1.5 weeks into her lying-in period, so she's speaking about this topic while living right in the middle of it. This also means you'll hear baby Gilbert in the background. 

Show notes:

From Lauren:

From Brooke:

Our very own Brooke gave birth to her 6th baby, Gilbert Ignatius, on October 29, and today she's telling her story in conversation with Lauren.

No two births are ever alike, and Brooke had to learn to flow with some things that she didn't see coming. It wasn't without agitation, but it was all purposeful and ultimately beautiful as she practiced flowing with it.

If you prefer to READ a birth story rather than listen, go here.

You can listen to Brooke's previous 5 birth stories on Birthing Outside the Box episode 25 or the Birth Journeys Podcast

Connect with us! [email protected]

From Lauren:

From Brooke:

"To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to women." - Michel Odent

From Brooke:

If you found out you were pregnant with twins -- both breech -- at 32 weeks and your midwife wasn't able to keep you on as her client, what would you do? Forced to choose between a scheduled c-section or a last-ditch effort to secure a different midwife and keep her home birth plan, Jessica opted for the latter. 

This is her amazing story of overcoming the voices of fear and doubt around and within her, tuning into the Good Shepherd's still, small voice... and then using her own voice with strength and clarity to give her babies the birth she knew was meant to be.

Tune in for this juicy and moving story which is also sure to boost your faith!

From Lauren:

From Brooke:

In this episode, Lauren and Brooke have a meandering conversation about all the varied aspects of preparing for labor -- mind, body, spirit, heart! Since Brooke is currently in the thick of this process, she'll share a bit from her own current experience. And at the end, you'll get to hear Lauren read a beautiful description of an Anointed Birth. 

Show notes:

-Christian Hypnobirthing app, Made for This Birth app, birth affirmations track from Natural Christian Mommas

-Sarah Buckley’s hormonal physiology of childbearing

-picture book recommendations

-Progressive muscle relaxation resources

-Letter to first time moms:  “is this really labor?”

-Fears Release document freebie (from Brooke)

-Holistic Nesting Guide freebie (from Brooke)

-Birth dream board freebie (from Lauren)

- Holistic, faith-based childbirth education/preparation membership

"They're giving credit to the wrong things! GOD is the one who deserves the credit."

This was Audrey's lament as she listened to free birth and birth story podcasts during her last pregnancy. Where she could so clearly see GOD's hand at work on behalf the mother's and babies, the credit was being given to everything and everyone BUT God. 

Audrey longed to tell her stories and then to point to God as her source and provision and protector, and that's exactly what she does in this episode of Holy Wild Birth.

Through three very unique births, Audrey listened for and heard God's voice. He led her graciously through a breech hospital birth on an operating room table, a precipitous birth on her kitchen floor (which her midwives barely made), and a completely wild pregnancy and free family birth in her master bathroom.

The stories themselves are completely engrossing, but what's even more special is the way she highlights God's hand in them and His goodness toward her. 

You'll walk away with so many nuggets of truth from this long but worthy episode.

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From Lauren:

From Brooke:

Cindy (from episode 15) is standing in for Brooke today in this "conversation episode" on the role of food in the physiology of birth. Very vital information here, so be sure to take loads of notes. You'll glean so much from the combined wisdom of Lauren and Cindy on this topic, whether you're an expectant mom or a midwife/birth keeper.

Grab Cindy's nutrition guide graphic for pregnancy and nursing.

From Lauren:

From Brooke: