Taking Back Birth

I have so much to share about my recent miscarriage but it felt easiest in some ways to begin by sharing the experience from a midwifery perspective. It really gets me how many women don’t know what a “normal” loss looks or feels like, or are told lies or shoved into the medical system for unnecessary intervention. I realized once again my body’s strength and power and the strength and power in ALL women to know their bodies and to release a pregnancy that is no longer growing. This is information that all women should have, and even though one doesn’t “need” a midwifery education and experience to navigate personal loss, it sure did help and come in handy when I needed it most.

I’ll be sharing the spiritual and emotional story(ies) in our upcoming new Sacred Birth program.

Some updates here first and then a ramble about considering what your soul desires for birth rather than your ego or mind. Take a listen and see if you can feel for yourself what I am talking about.

This podcast was inspired by a student considering working with a mama who’s had a prior cesarean and wanting to birth at home. I realized how much goes into this for me as a midwife, and what helps me understand and fully believe in a mama who I’m supporting after cesarean. I told her that even when it all goes beautifully (which is often!) it can feel like a grad level course for the new midwife or student. Here are some things to consider, assess and weigh for yourself if you are considering taking on a woman who has had a cesarean; they make amazing clients often, and of course are still just birthing women like everyone else.

In this podcast, Margo and I dream about the new version of “midwife” that we are helping to create in this world and through our Indie Birth Midwifery School. It is truly time for a change; away from the drastic, static versions of what exists and has come before. We are imagining a world where the midwife archetype is values by herself, her clients and her community as a world and life changing role.

Enrolling in Indie Birth Midwifery School now!

In this podcast, I talk about some of the ways that our school is unique and special…plus, she (Indie Birth Midwifery School) is almost 8 years old!!!

I share my take on this question of knowing, between stories from my own life and further thoughts for your own inquiry. We are accepting applications and enrolling for Indie Birth Midwifery School through July 1.

On this podcast, I wrap up the transgender madness from the week and then move on to the REAL discussion! I chat with my mama friend and former client Kaleigh about the birth of her two babies last year. Kaleigh has so many insights to share and such a fabulous story. It was so fun to reconnect with her after some time and talk about her experience.

Links:

What if students could learn and practice and be in an “apprenticeship” that isn’t in the physical? We may try it out with a few of my former students who live in Kentucky as I stay living in Hawai’i. I love the idea of creating this model and making it sustainable and a win for all; the student, the mama client and the mentoring midwife. I do think it’s possible once the kinks get worked out, and we’ll keep you posted here on how it’s developing!

“A return to all that is human, sacred and ancient” -Alexandra Kisitu

I loved talking to kindred spirit and author Alexandra about her book, “Back to the Womb: Claiming Birth Sovereignty”. I really loved this discussion with such a kick-ass, smart woman who has dug deeper into the culture of home birth here in Hawai’i. Alexandra also includes her own personal stories and beliefs around the power and sacredness of birth. They are so similar to my own, and with midwifery politics to boot in our chat, we could have spoken for hours.

Learn more about her here.

What a pleasure to hold space for Alyssa as she shares her intimate journey through the death and birth of her baby in the middle of her last pregnancy. I know you will be inspired by Alyssa’s way of choosing to experience death and live life.

You can find Alyssa on Instagram at: @alyssarafidi_

Deva is 7 today! Her majorly watched birth video is below for you to watch again and share. Otherwise, I share a short recent story and celebration of my womb in the event that you feel inspired and are led to do something similar. I am being shown more and more that ritual in one way that our bodies lead us when they need us to focus and feel; ceremony and ritual can be simple, something we do alone in the spur of the moment, and still be profound and meaningful.

Deva’s Birth: thebirthmovie.com