Fear is the most powerful torture of all. -Lisa Lister, Witch This blog post is in support and solidarity of Lisa Barrett; a mentor and friend who is being persecuted in Australia for supporting women in birth. Lisa is/was one of the most genuine, humble and brilliant women I have ever met. I want her…
What’s In a Midwife’s Fee?
I feel like this is a topic I revisit often in my own life, but hope that this will be of benefit to other birth attendants and families trying to understand the cost and value of their services. I’ll use my own package as an example of what is offered, and why care costs what…
No More Toe Dipping: A Case for Just Hiring a Midwife Already
It seems like the intense focus we at Indie Birth have had on education has started to pay off in a lot of ways locally and in far off lands. Lots of women are more knowledgeable and more confident about birth. Some of them are doing their own prenatal care in lots of different ways….
The FreeBAC of Escher Reed Willem
My “due date” was on a Saturday. As it approached I noticed an uptick in my braxton hicks contractions. I had been experiencing prodromal (pre-labor) for about 3 weeks until this point. I would have actual labor type contractions that wrapped around my back and squeezed my body and would come at 3-5 minute intervals…
The Freebirth of Ever Wild
I write, speak, think and dream of birth regularly; this pregnancy was no exception to the documentation that I kept about myself, my journey and this wild one. Re-reading my pregnancy journal, I looked forward to her birth, reminding myself how “raw” I knew it would be. I also wrote what’s below at 37 weeks,…
Birth Photography – Digging Deeper
Birth photography is booming, and we are seeing more and more birth photos of all varieties circulating online. Jenni Goldman, an incredibly talented photographer and Indie Birth Trustee, has come along to some Indie Births, and her photos are truly awe inspiring. They have created dialogue and discussion, and have served as educational tools for…
What’s a “midwife” to do?
What does a midwife do? What is the role of a midwife within the vision I hold of healthy, vibrant, empowered communities? I’ve been trying to answer this question succinctly and clearly in my brain for a few weeks now. This post is as clear and succinct as I’ve gotten so far. My thoughts about…
What Went Wrong With Kate’s Homebirth
Today I want to tell you the story of a woman named Kate. Kate’s story, unfortunately, is not unlike the stories of millions of women all across the country. Kate was interested in a home birth, and was investigating her options for having her first baby at home. But without a solid understanding of the…
5 Ways to Know You’re Ready for an Indie Birth
Indie Birth: A birth experience arising from decisions made in alignment with your individual truth. Making and owning your birth decisions based on your own unique needs, desire and intuition. Not subject to anyone else’s authority. Autonomous; free. You know you’ve thought about it. Whether it’s firing your current care provider, finding another or just…
Hands-Off Home Birth
It was one of those days when I was feeling disillusioned with birth in the “system”-it happens, and as a midwife I deal with it more than I want to. So, yes, it was one of those days when I met her. Sitting across the table from one another, just having met, and an instant…
