from avoidance to a calling: how I got into birthwork

Jan 17, 2018

After the birth of my first child, I felt relief - like I’d dodged a bullet, really. His birth was attended by midwives, and relatively smooth, although I’d been threatened with hospital transfer for the crime of “postdates” and had a so-called ‘natural’ induction.

Thankfully, it turned out well - but I felt like I had very little control over what happened to me.

I didn’t plan on having FOUR more babies over the next twelve years, but that’s exactly what I did!

To be fair, I did have one uncomplicated hospital birth - click this link to hear more about all five of my births.

My 3rd birth was also ‘natural’ (that word again - what does it mean, exactly?), yet also a traumatic experience.

It wasn’t until my last two babies - my homebirths - that I began my process of healing and empowerment.

Reclaiming what was taken from me was not an easy path, and I navigated it primarily alone.

Not that my husband wasn’t supportive (he was!) - but just, women weren’t talking about birth trauma as much back then.

Birth is primarily a feminine rite of passage, and I believe we have a deep, primal craving to process our experiences within a circle of trusted, wise women.

I didn’t have that available to me at first - I had to create it.

Finally - my fifth and last baby’s birth was unlike anything I’d ever experienced - and it galvanized something inside me.

Before, women would turn to me for advice about pregnancy and birth, but I felt like all I could do was warn them away from potential harm.

Before I had my last baby - I felt like the best any woman could hope for was that “dodged a bullet” feeling … Lucky that nothing bad happened, perhaps - but damn, is that REALLY as good as it gets??

In pregnancy and birth, we’re transcending the physical realm to create a portal between worlds together with the consciousness of our babies … shouldn’t that feel more hopeful, nourishing, grounded in love and transformation—??!

Experiencing the raw power and magic of freebirth with my last baby lit a fire in me that hasn’t wavered since.

After that, I found myself consumed by a desire to do something - not just to help other women avoid trauma - but to inspire and encourage them to embrace a radical level of trust in the ancient wisdom of birth.

I truly beleve that birth is meant to be a multifaceted experience that forges us thru ancient fires of wisdom, self-clarity, and sovereignty - and it’s been reduced to a clinical travesty in modern times.

Too many of us face unsavory birth choices (or none at all), and aren’t given the tools or techniques that can make a huge difference in how we experience birth.

So, you could say I REALLY got into birthwork when I realized the journey of birth should be surrounded by love, instead of fear.

We as mothers can educate ourselves and make informed, courageous choices about our care, instead of shrinking and cowering behind a list of standard medical protocols.

The courses I offer are created with women in mind - women who are seeking deeper consciousness, heart-connection, and empowerment.

My work is full of concrete information on how to shift your mindset and take charge of your own care--regardless of where or how you’ll be giving birth.

I realize that not every woman has access to a doula, nor is partnered in a loving and supportive relationship. Not every woman has the means, access, or low risk profile to give birth where she would most prefer.

So my work is also meant for those women who yearn for a different approach to birth, even if they can’t change everything about their perinatal care experience.

My mission in childbirth education is to expand the horizons of possibility for all women who know they’re capable of MORE - whether that’s healing, peace, or simply the power that comes with real CHOICE.

I invite you to download my free eKit, called Releasing Birth Fears.

Together - we can reinvigorate our feminine wisdom - and it all starts with pregnancy.