Politics

Calling for Radical Birth Action

July 1, 2022

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We're Maryn + Margo

We are mamas and birth workers who decided to do birth differently– and bring others along with us. We are kind, fun to work with, and great at (lovingly) calling people on their bullshit. With 12 children and 20 years of midwifery between us, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way, and Indie Birth is our space to share it all with you.

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Margo here, and I’m feeling massively fired up. Not necessarily about my “midwife” role, but about my activist role.

​​I was listening to the podcast Mother Country Radicals last week, and it really got me thinking about the question “What am I willing to do to bring my vision into the world?”.

​​I am a radical, through and through. I do not think the system is fixable, and even if it is, I don’t think that is the most effective way to get to a more just, beautiful place. It would take too many people willingly giving up their money, power and agendas to actually make any difference inside of the systems like ACOG, the CDC, NARM and MANA, the local hospitals, the private insurance companies, the state insurance companies, midwifery licensing boards, and on and on.

​​I have a background in radical activism. Having my own babies, and the process of becoming a midwife put a lot of that on the back burner, but my radical spirit is alive and kicking, and ready for action now that I am getting sleep, recently got two iron infusions (I am a bionic woman now) and have got even more time to myself to work, dream, and create.

We already have the best childbirth education available through our 13 Moons.​ We already have the best doula training available at The Doula Academy. We already have the best authentic, direct entry midwifery program available at the Indie Birth Midwifery School. These are massive projects that I am so proud of, (and we are constantly improving those resources!).

S​o what else is there to do? What more can we create, offer or ACT on to move this truth more fully into the world? I am so tired of waiting for things to improve. I am so tired of hearing shitty birth stories. I’m tired of hearing about terrible midwives, doctors, nurses who don’t care about mothers, and yet they have made it their day job to take care of them.

So while I scheme and plot about my own personal plans over here, I want to poke you a little bit. Are you tired of it, too? What are you going to do about it? ​I know you have a lot on your plate, but it is going to take all of us stepping up and giving 1% more, just to get in the game.

​​What can you do this week to spread the truth about birth to even one person? Share our 13 Moons course? Start training to become a midwife or doula? Bring a copy of your favorite birth book to a pregnant friend? Stick some propaganda in the childbirth ed books at your local bookstores? (you could print out a flyer about our course, or print on our your favorite alternative articles about pregnancy testing/choices, I’ll make a list below).

​​Pick something. Commit to it. Tell us what it is by hitting reply. Welcome to the revolution.

Books to bring to a friend:
1. Indie Birth: A Story of Radical Birth Love by Maryn and Margo
2. Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley
3. ​Ancient Map for Modern Birth​​ by Pam England

Articles to stick in pregnancy/birth books at the store or library: ​
1. ​The Assessment of Progress
2. ​Pushing for First Time Moms
3. ​Pain in Labor: Your Hormones are Your Helpers by Sarah Buckley

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Meet the duo behind Indie Birth

We are mamas and midwives who decided to do birth differently– and bring others along with us. We are radical, fun to work with, and great at (lovingly) calling people on their bullshit to help move us all towards a new more beautiful world. With 12 children and over two decades of midwifery between us, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way, and Indie Birth is our space to share it all with you.

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