Holy Wild Birth

You know the story of Abraham, right? Of how God told him it was time to hit the road and go to... a place he would show him later (huh?!). In other words, "Pack up everything you have and everyone in your family and get going. But you don't get to know the destination just yet." How do you plan a road trip (with thousands of livestock, nonetheless) when this is all you have to go on? FAITH is what carried that man forward. As Marina shared her story with me for this episode, that biblical story kept coming to mind because the similarities are many. Walking in faith, Marina and her (big!) family ended up in places they didn't expect to be -- metaphorically and literally -- for the birth of their 8th baby. It wasn't always easy, but in the end, it was just right. May you be encouraged also, dear listener, to walk by faith. Like Abraham. And Marina.  You can connect with Marina (and her incredible wisdom as a big family mama and mission to share Jesus) on IG at LewandowskiAdventures or email her at mommilew@gmail.com. CONNECT: Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Join Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults or virtual services: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

You think you might be called into birth work... And you're also a mother of small children (another calling!).  How can you live out both of those callings without either of them suffering?  We hear women wrestling with this so often, reaching out in the DMs or making posts about it in Natural Christian Home Births. And we ourselves have wrestled through it. In this characteristically meandering conversation we'll cover: How do you know you are called? Discerning your season The role of your marriage/husband in birth work Not sacrificing your family on an altar of birth work Types of apprenticeships (numbers & speed & preceptor type) Embracing a Head-down-power-through season Knowing that "the work will always be there" Expand our definition - what are you actually called to? Why being older when you start birth work isn't such a bad thing How our everyday life is training for this work Resources mentioned in this episode: Are You Called To Be A Midwife (blog post by Brooke) Anointed Midwifery Unschool  - email Lauren to apply! The Way Of The Hearth Mother (an episode from season 1) Connect: Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Join Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community Go Deeper with Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com Go Deeper with Brooke: Instagram Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

Grace took a long, meandering path to home-birthing her 4th baby, and that path was inexorably intertwined with her conversion to eastern orthodoxy. You'll love hearing how the practices, perspectives, and prayers of her faith informed her journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We touch on facing the fear of death, the church's discomfort with the feminine, offering up our suffering to Christ... and much more. If you'd like to reach out to Grace, you're welcome to email her. Birth Story Disclaimer The choices, beliefs and opinions of the mamas sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller herself and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or recommended choices of Lauren and/or Brooke. ------- CONNECT Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Join Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

If you missed it, there was recently a court case in Nebraska that made the mainstream media and was even televised on Court TV. The state of Nebraska brought charges against traditional midwife Angela Hock (aka Angee). Angee is a friend of ours and for the three years leading up to her trial, we've been prayerfully holding vigil. We wept when the verdict was declared: NOT GUILTY. In this episode, Lauren recorded a conversation with Angee with the intention fo really just giving her the floor to share about this experience as much as she wanted to, without censorship or agenda. Her story touches on so many of the issues facing midwives today and the rights of birthing women. If the Spirit leads you to link arms with Angee, here is the donation link for our donors to contribute to her extensive legal fees. https://chuffed.org/project/zplbylweo4ya  Connect: Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Join Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

By baby #4, Tori and her husband were united on the plan to have a home birth, but they had to find a midwife. Using a local FB group to gather recommendations, they ended up finding a wonderful Mennonite midwife to work with, and what resulted was a simple, beautiful birth and a new friendship.  Find tori on Instagram or Facebook to connect. The choices, beliefs, and opinions of the mamas sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller herself and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or recommended choices of Lauren and/or Brooke. -------------------- CONNECT Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Join Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a facebook community From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

It's a new year and with that come new year resolutions which often include various forms of SELF-CARE. As moms and women we're so often told not to forget to take care of ourselves, to fill our own cup so that we can pour out on others. And while none of that is entirely WRONG, it often seems shallow or laughably unattainable.  That is until you redefine self-care and bring it into alignment with what your soul is really thirsty for.  In this episode, Lauren and Brooke dig into what self-care is and isn't. We cover: How the podcast season break was a self-care thing Self-care doesn’t equal "me time" Distinguishing between distraction/tuning out vs true self-care Lauren’s “cheat sheet” of things to do after a hard birth Building in rhythms proactively The role of self-talk in self-care And more! Grab your mug of hot beverage and listen in.  Mentioned in this episode:  An Invitation to Self-Care: Why Learning to Nurture Yourself Is the Key to the Life You've Always Wanted, 7 Principles for Abundant Living  Connect: Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Join Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

Today's episode is for those of you who deeply desire a home birth or unassisted birth but whose husbands are not sold on the idea.⁠ ⁠ We'll cover things like: ⁠ ❤️ Why dads might be opposed or resistant⁠ ❤️ What our response as Christian wives should be⁠ ❤️ Tools for having a conversation that might bring you onto the same page⁠ And more!⁠ Oh, and this episode also has a special secret guest appearance that I'll think you'll really appreciate. ⁠ We're on a season break after this episode, so we'll see you back here in January.  In the meantime, Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes here: Fill out the form Other Links: Email us to say hi: holywildbirth@gmail.com Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: Fill out the form Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: sisterbirth.com/podcast-guest Connect with Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com Connect with Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Preparing for birth without preparing for postpartum is like preparing for a wedding without preparing for a marriage.  Though we obviously think preparing for birth is vital, the truth is that it's only 2-48 hours of your life, and if what follows isn't also carefully set up, the negative implications can be vast. Listen in on this conversation between two multiparas (moms of many!) who have learned a bit more each time about how to prepare well for this season and ensure we get every last benefit possible out of it.  We'll cover things like receiving visitors, the 5-5-5 "rule", herbs, homeopathy, pelvic floor rehabilitation, the "winter" nature of this time, nourishing food, mothering the mother, doing the emotional work.... and MORE.  This episode was recorded when Brooke was 1.5 weeks into her lying-in period, so she's speaking about this topic while living right in the middle of it. This also means you'll hear baby Gilbert in the background.  Show notes: Lauren’s IG post on Winter Brooke’s PP “journal” on IG - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Brooke’s postpartum worksheet --> sign up for Brooke's Freebie email sequence and it'll arrive in email #3 Lauren’s postpartum vision journal A Sacred Beginning (book) From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a FREE, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Our very own Brooke gave birth to her 6th baby, Gilbert Ignatius, on October 29, and today she's telling her story in conversation with Lauren. No two births are ever alike, and Brooke had to learn to flow with some things that she didn't see coming. It wasn't without agitation, but it was all purposeful and ultimately beautiful as she practiced flowing with it. If you prefer to READ a birth story rather than listen, go here. You can listen to Brooke's previous 5 birth stories on Birthing Outside the Box episode 25 or the Birth Journeys Podcast Connect with us! holywildbirth@gmail.com From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

"To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to women." - Michel Odent Listen in as Hannah tells her story of rediscovering midwifery and everything that has led to the proclaiming of a promise to herself and women she serves. "I don't midwife with the government" From Hannah: Business Instagram Personal Instagram From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

If you found out you were pregnant with twins -- both breech -- at 32 weeks and your midwife wasn't able to keep you on as her client, what would you do? Forced to choose between a scheduled c-section or a last-ditch effort to secure a different midwife and keep her home birth plan, Jessica opted for the latter.  This is her amazing story of overcoming the voices of fear and doubt around and within her, tuning into the Good Shepherd's still, small voice... and then using her own voice with strength and clarity to give her babies the birth she knew was meant to be. Tune in for this juicy and moving story which is also sure to boost your faith! From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

In this episode, Lauren and Brooke have a meandering conversation about all the varied aspects of preparing for labor -- mind, body, spirit, heart! Since Brooke is currently in the thick of this process, she'll share a bit from her own current experience. And at the end, you'll get to hear Lauren read a beautiful description of an Anointed Birth.  Show notes: -Christian Hypnobirthing app, Made for This Birth app, birth affirmations track from Natural Christian Mommas -Sarah Buckley’s hormonal physiology of childbearing -picture book recommendations -Progressive muscle relaxation resources -Letter to first time moms:  “is this really labor?” -Fears Release document freebie (from Brooke) -Holistic Nesting Guide freebie (from Brooke) -Birth dream board freebie (from Lauren) - Holistic, faith-based childbirth education/preparation membership

"They're giving credit to the wrong things! GOD is the one who deserves the credit." This was Audrey's lament as she listened to free birth and birth story podcasts during her last pregnancy. Where she could so clearly see GOD's hand at work on behalf the mother's and babies, the credit was being given to everything and everyone BUT God.  Audrey longed to tell her stories and then to point to God as her source and provision and protector, and that's exactly what she does in this episode of Holy Wild Birth. Through three very unique births, Audrey listened for and heard God's voice. He led her graciously through a breech hospital birth on an operating room table, a precipitous birth on her kitchen floor (which her midwives barely made), and a completely wild pregnancy and free family birth in her master bathroom. The stories themselves are completely engrossing, but what's even more special is the way she highlights God's hand in them and His goodness toward her.  You'll walk away with so many nuggets of truth from this long but worthy episode. Connect with Audrey:  Instagram Read her birth stories From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Cindy (from episode 15) is standing in for Brooke today in this "conversation episode" on the role of food in the physiology of birth. Very vital information here, so be sure to take loads of notes. You'll glean so much from the combined wisdom of Lauren and Cindy on this topic, whether you're an expectant mom or a midwife/birth keeper. Grab Cindy's nutrition guide graphic for pregnancy and nursing. From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

This is an "extra." I (Brooke) just had it on my heart to insert a little bonus episode into our lineup here in which I share about the journey of my current pregnancy in real time, at 38 weeks, as well as my birth vision/intention for my 6th home birth and postpartum time. It's unscripted and a little rambling, but it's real and hopefully somewhat interesting! And I can't wait to record ANOTHER bonus episode down the road that tells my birth story. So listen in on my story and my process -- mind, body, spirit, heart -- during my 6th pregnancy at age 42. Mentioned in this episode From Brooke: Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox (my maternity leave "gift" to you) The birth story of my 5th baby

Cindy vulnerably shares birth and battle history in this episode. Both her literal births of her children and battle with postpartum depression, and also her birth into becoming -- and recently UN-becoming -- a CPM. You will hear her how she let the Lord defend her after a fierce attack came her way after a tragic birth outcome. Cindy is a dear friend to both Lauren and Brooke, and we're excited for you to hear her beautiful heart for God and for women and her quest to live in integrity as a midwife, even if that means voluntarily giving up a certificate that "legitimizes" her work to the world. From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Yes, we know you don't know what a hearthmother is. But let your curiosity about it hook you in to give this episode a listen.  The concept of hearthmother is a very personal one for Lauren, one which the Lord has been fleshing out over the years and has grown to include a model of sorts for finding your way into wholeness and health in virtually any area of life, but for our purposes here, in regards to pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.   This episode is long and may require a couple of listening sessions to finish up, but it's RICH and we couldn't imagine shortening it.  ALSO: Be sure to grab Lauren's gift of PDF with a visual and write-up about The Way of the Hearthmother as well as a template for care providers to use this model in their own practice. You might even want to download it before you begin listening, so that you can follow along.   Read in this episode: "Hearthmother Calls" by Katlyn R.H. Hudgins; The Pretentious Toad From Katlyn: Website Instagram From Lauren: Instagram Email lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com to set up a midwifery consult From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Brittany has five babies before the one whose story she tells in this episode, but this 6th baby was her first home birth.  And it also included some rather unusual elements. You'll love hearing about how she and her team navigated the unusual sorts of curve balls that occurred in this labor and the role that prayer played in it.  This story was recorded in the context of  Virtual Sister Circle call -- a bi-weekly community and mentoring call that's part of Brooke's Embrace Birth Journey --- and is now being shared here on the podcast with Brittany's permission.  Be prepared to flinch with sympathy and then to have your jaw hit the floor... well, those were two the reactions that came up for ME as I heard her story. Email us any time at holywildbirth@gmail.com Mentioned in this episode:   Embrace Birth Journey Courses/Membership  From Lauren: Instagram Need a Midwifery consult? Email lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Cervical dilation, the 5-1-1 rule, stages of labor. We've become rather obsessed with finding ways to describe the "pattern" of "normal" labor and assessing its progress. But what if the methods listed above are lacking and possibly even misleading us into conclusions (and interventions) that do us a great disservice? In this episode -- which piggy-backs off Sharon's birth story in episode 9 -- we explore alternative ways of understanding and "assessing" the flow of labor. We think you'll find this new perspective refreshing and freeing. Mentioned in this episode: Lauren's Observing Labor Progress

When you are choosing birth that’s outside of the mainstream, it’s common to wonder to yourself, “Can I really have a smooth home birth for my first baby?”Yes! “Surely, not two in a row?” Yes! “For my third, it must be my time for that metaphorical shoe to drop?” Then what if it's so far from being a "textbook" labor that you're pretty thrown off and have to mentally re-adjust over and over? Such was Sharon's experience. She had Lauren in her corner and more importantly God guiding her to release her fears and trust and in the end, was able to surrender to her "a-typical" labor progression. You'll love the twists and turns and happy ending of this birth story.  In our next episode, you'll hear the midwife's (Lauren's) perspective on this story, too, so stay tuned for that. Mentioned in this episode:  Sharon is a doula herself and you can find her on IG: @_wildwisdomdoula_ Sharon’s Doula Alyssa: @breathingthroughlifetampabay From Lauren: Instagram: @anointedbirth For Virtual Midwifery Consults Email - lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram @sisterbirth YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Ok, if you're a Christian planning a natural birth, you've probably heard the descriptor of "pain-free" tacked to the front of the word birth. Sounds good, right? Who wouldn't want that? Lauren and Brooke have both had what could be called pain-free births and yet they don't really care that much. Why? Because God's purposes for His daughters in childbirth so greatly surpass the physical sensations or lack there-of that whether or not there is pain is really more of an after-thought. Join us as we explore the theology of pain, the "curse" on Eve in the garden, why pain-free births end up happening (or not), redemptive suffering, expecting the goodness of God in birth, and what a better focus and goal might be instead of pain avoidance.  Mentioned in this episode:  Genesis 3:14-19 Fear-Tension-Pain cycle Eve and Mary (a profound painting depicting the redemption Christ brings) Sarah's Story of peaceful power and sacred birth (episode 9 of this podcast) From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults Email - lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community) Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Meet Sarah - mama of two, holistic dietician, and amateur crocheter -- as she shares with us her birth stories on today's episode.  She shares how her primary birth goals shifted from Safety&Survival to Peace&Power and what a difference that shift made. What struck me most about my conversation with Sarah is how eloquently she weaves deep truths and profound insights into her telling of her stories. She encountered God in some really poignant ways in her second birth, and I know you'll me encouraged by every detail of it. As always, the choices, beliefs and opinions of the mamas sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller herself and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or recommended choices of Lauren and/or Brooke. Get your Holy Wild Birth STICKER. Resources Mentioned in this Episode:  Episode 6 - Safety is Not The Point Proverbs 3:5 Natural, At-Home Miscarriage Christian Hypnobirthing app (especially love the Scripture Track) Romans 8:19-23 Embrace Birth Journey courses (Brooke's holistic home birth course, an older version of which Sarah took during her second pregnancy) Reishi mushroom (for postpartum support) - use Sarah's sponsor number to get her a small referral bonus (10002299008) or 30% cheaper if you sign up for a wholesale membership Sarah's fave holistic nutrition resource Connect with Sarah on IG From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults Email - lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Type "Natural induction methods" into the Google search bar and you'll find loads of information about DIY things to try at home to make labor start. Ask your midwife and she'll probably have a few more tricks up her sleeve to offer up should you so desire/need.  But... Can an induction ever be natural? What reasons are given for seeking to induce "naturally" outside of the hospital? What makes those reasons so compelling? Is there a time and a place for that? What is the actual BEST strategy for getting labor started? (It might surprise you!) Join Lauren and Brooke for a conversation about all of that and more. Get your Holy Wild Woman Sticker here. From Lauren: Instagram Email - lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Lauren and I got to sit down and hear our mutual friend, Angee (a traditional birth attendant and mama to 6) share a deep dive retelling of the birth of her son Killian. It was a quick birth full of happy surprises and loads of redemption. If you're curious about how a traditional birth attendant navigates her OWN birth, this one will be a fun one for you.  She also shares meaningful insights about marriage healing and postpartum rest. As with all birth stories shared on this podcast, the choices, beliefs, and opinions of the mamas sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller herself and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or recommended choices of Lauren and/or Brooke. Connect with Angee: Website IG Blog post and photos of Killian's birth story Email Angee - nebraskabirthkeeper@gmail.com SHOW NOTES “FOOTER” From Lauren: Instagram Email Lauren - lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

When it comes to making birth plans, safety is often a top-of-mind concern. This leads into the concept of understanding and weighing risks, real or perceived, and looking around for strategies, protocols and practitioners who we feel will minimize risk and ensure saftey. But what if, like my flock of chickens locked up too long in a small chicken run, the parameters we put into place to protect ourselves and our babies end up costing us something(s) even more valuable? Tune into this episode to unpack the myths of safety and risk, in which a real-life metaphor from Brooke's experience of chicken keeping ends up being a helpful framework. (Who would have thought?!) Resources mentioned in this episode: "She will be saved in childbearing" passage -- 1 Timothy 2:15 Home Birth Outcomes study The Highest Goal of Birth (and IG post) From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

After years of infertility, Jalina was led through healing and went on to have 4 sons, though not without significant losses in between. While her first 3 sons were all born in hospitals (albeit barely, in the case of #3!), she always felt she was missing out on something, and that the thing she really needed had nothing to do with the hospital. When she found herself pregnant with her 4th, it didn't make sense to go to the hospital again... but the leap from there to free birth wasn't an easy or light decsion. All the same, God led her and her husband to that plan, and with Brooke in their corner as a virtual birth keeper, they had a totally unassisted birth between dinner and bedtime on an ordinary weekday night. Please note: the personal choices and beliefs of the mothers sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller and are not necessarily advised by nor reflect the beliefs of Lauren and/or Brooke. Look up Jalina for Doula Support and Birth Photography in Upstate NY/Vermont: Website IG FB Written version of free birth story Story of infertility and loss Guest piece in a book on infertility and loss, written by Jalina and and Anthony The Police Chase Birth (blog post) --------------------------------- From Lauren: Instagram Midwifery consults From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Lauren and Brooke have each had free births and are supportive of them. But we're also supportive of midwifery (I mean, Lauren IS one!)... But what does the word "midwife" mean anymore? Doesn't it seem like that word gets applied to lots of very different sorts of birth attendants?  What do the letters after her name mean? What if she doesn't have any letters? How much do those letters (or lack thereof) really tell you about what sort of a midwife she is? What makes someone a midwife and what are her roles and functions? And how do you go about choosing one? Does it matter if she's a believer?  You won't walk away from this episode with a one-size-fits-all guide to finding/selecting a midwife but you will walk away with some great questions to ask yourself, discuss with your husband, and pray through. Don't miss it. References related to this episode:  Shiphrah and Puah, the midwives in Exodus 1:15-20 Types of Midwives From Lauren: Instagram Email From Brooke: Instagram YouTube Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - a 5-part high-level roadmap to confident home birth (pay what you can) Embrace Birth Journey Membership - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - a FB community

Nikita's first two babies were born in hospital, even though she dreamed of a home birth both times. It was for her third birth that her dream came true. Following the direct leading of the Lord, she and her husband stepped into a peaceful unassisted pregnancy and a joyful unassisted birth. Please note: the personal choices and beliefs of the mothers sharing their stories are as individual as the storyteller and are not necessarily advised by nor reflect the beliefs of Lauren and/or Brooke. Resource mentioned in this podcast:  Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop - 5-part, pay-what-you-can home birth class Natural Christian Home Birth (Assisted and Unassisted) - FB group

What is autonomy and how does it relate to radical responsibility? We'll unpack the meaning of these concepts and their application to pregnancy, birth (and beyond)! Grab practical tips for walking joyfully in your responsibility as a pregnant woman, and consider the big picture theology behind this invitation, too.  We welcome your thoughts and reflections on this subject, too. Shoot us an email at holywildbirth@gmail.com. Find us both online Lauren's IG: @anointed birth  Brooke's IG: @sisterbirth / sisterbirth.com

In this episode, we'll introduce ourselves - Lauren Hall (Rooted in Eden) and Brooke Collier (Sister Birth) and let you in on the winding path that led us into birth work, to one another, and then to the creation of this podcast. You'll see the fingerprints of God all over this origin story! You'll also hear more about what to expect in this space moving forward.  Lauren on IG Brooke on IG