Miscarriage as a Rite of Passage

Katie Silva - Indie Birth Contributor

Miscarriage in our culture is not often discussed openly. Women often pass through the experience of a miscarriage alone or with only her partner. In many cases, there is no ceremony, no special nurturing care afterwards, nor enough support from other women.

Even the word “miscarriage” somehow implies that the woman or her body is at fault somehow and she somehow didn’t carry her child well enough and that the whole thing was a mis-take.
Read more

Primal Mothering In a Modern World

About 7 months ago, I was wandering through a used bookstore when a book literally jumped off the shelf at me: Primal Mothering In a Modern World, by Hygeia Halfmoon. The front cover has a picture of a beautiful family. The mother is topless and breastfeeding her youngest child. I knew that the book was made for me. I bought it without even reading the back cover.

When I got the book home, I was delighted to find that the book was written by a raw foodist, a fruitarian to be exact. Being a raw foodist myself, I was expecting to read a book about raising a raw family. Little did I know I was in for so much more. Read more

Zaida Baby- What Pregnancy is Really About

What is pregnancy and birth really about?

The answer depends on what culture one is in, what the circumstances are, and who you ask.

Today, in the U.S., I am not quite sure we have kept our connection to the sacred, primal, usually simple process that is being pregnant and giving birth. Mainstream America doesn’t value a mom’s intuition in the process, encourage her to relish each and every moment of her empowerment as a (pregnant) woman. “Rite of passage” is an un-politically correct concept, because women should be able to come by a baby by many means, and pregnancy is no longer considered a special and exalted space. Read more

Feng Shui Babies and Birth

Raquel Rotnes - Indie Birth Contributor

Birth is one of the greatest transitions in our lives. During pregnancy you plan everything to have the safest experience possible. Whether you give birth at home or in the hospital there are many choices to make. One of your choices is about surroundings. In the process of birth you are more vulnerable and babies are especially sensitive, therefore the energy around you affects you both more. Thus it’s important to make the place you give birth an essential, supportive part of your experience. How can you create a safe environment for the birth transition? Read more

The Best Book About Birth and Spirit That You Need to Read

Never have I read a book about birth with which I so closely identify. I need to tell every woman I meet about this book, and I am already considering making it a “required read” for my homebirth clients.
Read more