Trying to decide whether or not to hire a midwife to attend your home birth? There are many considerations to take into account when deciding whether or not to have a free birth or an unassisted birth.
In this episode we cover:- history of midwifery (very abbreviated)- reasons having a midwife can be great- influx of interest in unassisted birth due to desire to leave behind hospital/medical birth (including midwives who are becoming more medicalized!)- factors to consider when deciding whether or not to go unasssisted- how to seek direction from the Lord about it- my own process of coming to having a free birth with my 5th baby after 4 midwife-assisted home births.Get equipped with the most comprehensive, freebirth-friendly, faith-based pregnancy/birth/postpartum course library out there Embrace Birth Journey
Or skip straight to the free birth prep with Free Birth With God (this course is also inside Embrace Birth Journey).
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Stuff I Recommend:
Restorative Roots -- ancestral meals for postpartum mamas (and other people too). Use code SISTERBIRTH to save $20 on your first order of >$200
Needed supplements - radically better nutrition for conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save on your first subscription or bundle
17Hats - client management system I've used/trusted for nearly 10 years. Use this link to get a referral deal!
Body Talk Basics -- puberty and cycle wisdom class for mothers and daughters. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save 10%
YNAB - the budgeting program I'm addicted to and which has kept me out of the red for 15 years (even with variable/unpredictable income). This link gets you one free month!
There are some universal needs of women in labor. In this book review and discussion, I'm digging into a little booklet by midwife Ruth Ehrhardt, which draws heavily from the work of the late Dr. Michel Odent, to paint a picture of what those needs are, and how to ensure that those needs are met.
If you are about having a smooth, physiological birth, this episode is for you.
Resources for going deeper:
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Stuff I Recommend:
Restorative Roots -- ancestral meals for postpartum mamas (and other people too). Use code SISTERBIRTH to save $20 on your first order of >$200
Needed supplements - radically better nutrition for conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save on your first subscription or bundle
17Hats - client management system I've used/trusted for nearly 10 years. Use this link to get a referral deal!
Body Talk Basics -- puberty and cycle wisdom class for mothers and daughters. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save 10%
YNAB - the budgeting program I'm addicted to and which has kept me out of the red for 15 years (even with variable/unpredictable income). This link gets you one free month!
In the world we're living in, we have to pay to have things left alone. If you don't want additives, fillers, and preservatives in your food or your birth, you may have to pay a higher price tag.
Check out The Basic Needs of a Woman in Labour, now also available as a podcast mini-series on Spotify.
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Stuff I Recommend:
Restorative Roots -- ancestral meals for postpartum mamas (and other people too). Use code SISTERBIRTH to save $20 on your first order of >$200
Needed supplements - radically better nutrition for conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save on your first subscription or bundle
17Hats - client management system I've used/trusted for nearly 10 years. Use this link to get a referral deal!
Body Talk Basics -- puberty and cycle wisdom class for mothers and daughters. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save 10%
YNAB - the budgeting program I'm addicted to and which has kept me out of the red for 15 years (even with variable/unpredictable income). This link gets you one free month!
Is there an invitation for us hidden in foregoing the use of at-home pregnancy tests? What if skipping them might be the perfect way to begin the journey of intuitive, spirit-led, autonomous pregnancy and birth?
Listen in!
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Stuff I Recommend:
Restorative Roots -- ancestral meals for postpartum mamas (and other people too). Use code SISTERBIRTH to save $20 on your first order of >$200
Needed supplements - radically better nutrition for conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save on your first subscription or bundle
17Hats - client management system I've used/trusted for nearly 10 years. Use this link to get a referral deal!
Body Talk Basics -- puberty and cycle wisdom class for mothers and daughters. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save 10%
YNAB - the budgeting program I'm addicted to and which has kept me out of the red for 15 years (even with variable/unpredictable income). This link gets you one free month!
In this episode, we're exploring 4 sources of words that may be spoken over you during a pregnancy: your birth attendant(s), your husband, your self, and your birth preparation materials.
Words are powerful -- holding the power of life and death! -- so use them with intention and gather life-speakers around you during this vulnerable time.
Get $100 off Embrace Birth Journey with code SPEAKLIFE (available only to the first 5 who claim it)
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Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Stuff I Recommend:
Restorative Roots -- ancestral meals for postpartum mamas (and other people too). Use code SISTERBIRTH to save $20 on your first order of >$200
Needed supplements - radically better nutrition for conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save on your first subscription or bundle
17Hats - client management system I've used/trusted for nearly 10 years. Use this link to get a referral deal!
Body Talk Basics -- puberty and cycle wisdom class for mothers and daughters. Use code SISTERBIRTH to save 10%
YNAB - the budgeting program I'm addicted to and which has kept me out of the red for 15 years (even with variable/unpredictable income). This link gets you one free month!
Ok, I’m trying something new here today for my 30th episode.
This one is NOT scripted. It’s just a grab-bag of thoughts and updates, mostly related to birthy things, but not always.
Things I’m about to chatter about:
Let me know what you think of this format!
Helpful, related links:
Stuff I Recommend:
Let’s have a talk about the other “N word”: Need. There’s a pendulum swing that can happen here and we need to talk about that. Whether you’re planning a free birth or a home birth with a midwife, you will be challenged to make room for need in your journey.
Mentioned in this episode:
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
If you're afraid of birth (and even pregnancy), you are NOT alone and you aren't crazy! We live in a world that gives us lots of scary images and stories that naturally induce fear. BUT you don't have to stay there. I'm chatting a bit about the process of moving past fear and into joyful anticipation. There's much more that could be said, but this is a good start. There's lots more about releasing fear in Embrace Birth Journey, too. Not to mention the fact that the whole course dismantles fear just by its nature of holistically inspiring and equipping you so that you're approaching birth confidently. It just sort of "crowds out" fear, I think.Go through my 5-day workshop Trust God, Trust Birth: The Path to Confident, Joyful Home Birth...www.sisterbirth.com/trust
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Birth nerd merch
You're a Christian woman pursuing a faith-filled, anointed home birth, so naturally, you're thinking about creating a birth team that can facilitate the spiritual environment you desire. Ideally you'd love a midwife who knows and follows Jesus like you do, but what if you can't find one? How much does it matter? Here are some thoughts to consider.
note: this episode was originally recorded as a Facebook Live in Natural Christian Home Births.
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
Weekly email Newsletter
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Is home birth riskier than hospital birth? How do we make room for risk and weigh it against the benefits? I'll use a metaphor about free-range chickens and vaccine-free humans to make my points. ;)
Note: this was originally recorded in 2021 as a Facebook Live in Natural Christian Home Births.
The workshop I reference at the end is here: www.sisterbirth.com/trust
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Birth nerd merch
What did you do wrong? What if you didn’t do anything wrong at all? What if there are reasons for a long labor that aren't in your control and are even "meant to be" for the good of you or your baby?
(Note: this episode was originally a short YouTube video.
Like this episode and want to go deeper?
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
When it comes to home birth preparation, is there such a thing as learning TOO much? When is it time to put down the birth courses, books, and podcasts and approach birth from a less cerebral angle?
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
So is there a fail-proof way to prevent pre-eclampsia from developing and stealing your home birth dreams right out from under you? Maaayyyybe? There are things you can do to minimize the risk, but other things are out of your hands, sister. Listen to learn more.
Mentioned in this episode:
Have you considered the value of laboring alone for a while, delaying waking up your sleeping husband or alerting your midwife to your labor patterns? Here's why it might be worth doing.
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
If you have never experienced a [non-induced] labor before, whether because you're a first-time mom or because your previous births were inductions or planned cesareans, this perspective will help guide you through it with grace.
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
I'm seeing lots of advice to seek out unlicensed midwives. But what if it's not the only thing that matters? Could it be more nuanced than that? Let's dig in.
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!) - 30% in May 2025 with code BIRTHLIKEAMOTHER
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
No one else has to deliver your baby or even "catch" them in most cases. You can do this yourself! If you've never considered doing so, here are some reasons you might want to, and some tips for making that dream come to fruition!
Mentioned in this episode:
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
In this episode, I'm reading aloud my old IG journal entries from my postpartum lying-in period with my 4th baby, Maeve.
To read this, and to see the accompanying photos, go here.
I've made candid journal entries on IG to chronicle the first few weeks after the birth of each of babies, starting with baby #3. I did an episode on postpartum with baby #6 already. In the future, I'll make an episode of my other 2 postpartum diaries as well.
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Pay-What-You-Can Trust God, Trust Birth workshop
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Meet Dana. She's not real, but she's also a composite of many women I've met over the years. We're going to hear about her first birth (for which she sort of prepared, but mostly hoped and winged it), and her second birth (for which she did the work and reaped the rewards).
Mentioned in this episode:
👉🏼the Mother's Day Course Sale going on now through May 31st, 2025. Use code BIRTHLIKEAMOTHER at enrollment checkout to get 30% off any of my many courses, including the ones Dana used. 😉
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Courses (so many!)
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Sometimes I write poetic reflections on the births I witness. These are 3 of them. Each of these is about a free birth. It's just so goooooood.
Mentioned in this episode: Free Birth With God
Preparing for home birth (with or without a midwife)? Here's how I can help:
Pay-What-You-Can Trust God, Trust Birth workshop
Holy Wild Birth Podcast, co-hosted with Lauren Hall (longer, deeper episodes featuring birth stories and conversations)
The Blog
Weekly email Newsletter
Embrace Birth Journey -- comprehensive course library for holistic, faith-based pregnancy, home birth and postpartum
Free Birth With God mini-course
Birth nerd merch
Nourishing Fertility – a free mini course
