Baby Magic, Granny Sense: talking about women's bodies: reproductive rights, running, birth attendan...

Magical Nomad Mama

I had a lovely time meeting with Hillary. Some midwives in Mexico led her to me (note to self: get to Mexico!). She gave birth on her own terms in her living room one summer morning and she describes mothering, birthing, loving, traveling, and working with words. Her special message is: rest! You don't have to worry about failing to progress!
Normal everyday women can and do give birth at home every single day. You can too, if you want!
Join the circle ... spread the love ... listen up!
Thank you to Hillary B for sharing her story; AC for sound; Kahil El-Zabar for music.

Sail Away! The Traveling Birthkeeper

What do you do when you discover you're pregnant on the eve of a months-long sail through the southern seas? Get sailing! I had a fun chat with The Traveling Birthkeeper about her adventures, including birthing in a secret location in the southern pacific (listen up to find out where!)
You can reach her here
If you're interested in becoming a Traditional Birth Attendant, send me a shout! My course starts January 2023!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

How one of the strongest women I know gave birth. Not for the fainthearted.

Birthing with Midwives: MC’s story

MC birthed twice with registered midwives. She shares how the births unfolded and has some things to say about psychological/emotional support when things don't unfold as planned.

C’s HomeBirth Story

I did a bunch of interviews of real women's birth stories. Here's one of them!
Do you have a story you'd like to share?

SallyGoLightly: Circles, ultrarunning, and curiosity

This episode features Sally, who regularly runs very long distances, and works and plays in liminal spaces. Find out about her "Creating Circles" workshops, listen to her words of wisdom about running alone, ponder with us the nature of tenderness and holding space.
Here's a link to explore Sally's circles:
https://www.sallygolightly.co.uk/creating-circles-2/
and here's a link to one of her running playlists!
https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/running/pl.u-pMyl1ZaiYr42gE
and here is that documentary about Stephanie Case!
https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/exploration/our-journal/free-to-run.html

Happy Summer Solstice Pop-Up

"Lots of people, here in the northern hemisphere, celebrate today the longest day of the year, the day when the sun shines more than any other day. But this is what makes humans so compelling, so attractive, endearing, and profound. To me anyway. Because..."

Dr Snake: Homebirth Transfer

This Mama lived in a place where it was impossible to find a legal midwife, so she hired an unregistered midwife to assist her for her first birth.
Her subsequent transfer to the hospital and the "snakey" treatment she got there may be disturbing to some of you, but these stories need to be told. There is no reason why any laboring woman should be treated like garbage by their attendants. None at all. 
Let's shout out our stories: the transcendent ones, the traumatic ones, the ones full of joy, the sad ones. Our voices are powerful!

Labor Song

I've created a short labor mantra song that you can listen to - on a loop if you want! It will guide you during your labor, when you need to listen to the voice of an elder woman.
Feel free to share this with anyone who may need strength during birth.
Spread the love!

Intimacy, science, and a pandemic: a mother’s view.

Erica Gipson is a mother, a scientist, a homeschooler, and a doula who has an interesting view of life, science, mothering, and intimacy. Listen up! And get a science lesson about how viruses work!