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Holy Wild Birth

Holy Wild Birth

By Brooke Collier and Lauren Hall

For Christian mamas and birth workers who desire to embrace physiological birth... outside of the medical system.

Holy Wild Birth is a podcast embracing the reclamation of giving birth rooted in God’s original design, undisturbed. Here we share home birth stories highlighting God’s presence as the Great Midwife as well as conversations about all aspects of a holistic, Spirit-led childbearing year from the perspectives of traditional midwife Lauren Hall (Rooted in Eden Private Contract Association) and birth keeper and childbirth educator Brooke Collier (Sister Birth).
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Katie :: Wildnerness Birth & Big Family Life

Holy Wild BirthMar 26, 2024

00:00
01:10:42
Katie :: Wildnerness Birth & Big Family Life

Katie :: Wildnerness Birth & Big Family Life

This episode with the beautiful Katherine DeGroot -- a MN mama to 4 young children all born outside the hospital -- covers not only her four birth stories (with a special emphasis on the 4th) but also went down some delightful rabbit trails, which I did NOT edit out because I believe you'll find them very worthwhile to listen to.

Some of what we covered:

  • How each birth was a different “era” for her relationship and family
  • Being open to life
  • The foreshadowing and significant dreams she expereinced leading up to her fourth birth  
  • Why hard isn’t bad — not shirking away from pain
  • The “cost” of castor oil use
  • The fourth baby effect 
  • Reclaiming Big family culture for our generation 
  • The way that home birthing puts us on a different health trajectory 
  • Creating - -by design-- the childhood you want your children to have
  • Reverting  to Catholicism 
  • Radical trust in God alone for the work no one else can do for you 
  • The gift of birth is that it strips us down to our humanity 


You can find Katie at @katherinelouisedegroot on IG or on her website.

A written version of her 4th birth story is on her blog.


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.



 “FOOTER”

From Lauren:

  • Instagram

  • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

From Brooke:


Mar 26, 202401:10:42
Staci :: Birth is for Everyone

Staci :: Birth is for Everyone

In this conversation with Staci -- a midwest mom to five -- you'll hear about themes like:

  • How she learned to trust herself and authentically know her own preferences 
  • Having a mother who bcame a midwife after she had grown up
  • The slow evolution from being people who would never be crazy enough to have their babies at home to ultimately choosing unassisted birth for their fifth baby
  • Her process of choosing birth attendants and a photographer for her unassisted birth
  • Wrestling with God over the timing of the start of her labor and ultimately choosing a new attitude, which led to release
  • The difference it makes to have no other perceived authority present during labor
  • Her moment of mentally deciding -- even in the absence of some physiological signs -- that birth doesn’t need to be long and it was time to push the head out
  • How God saw and honored so many of her very specific desires 
  • Why she believes birth like this is the birthright of every woman


You can find Staci at www.StacisHouse.com


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:

From Lauren:

Instagram

Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com


From Brooke:

Instagram

Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop - a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox
Embrace Birth Journey - comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation courses library + community

Mar 06, 202401:09:01
Christina :: Coming Into Alignment with HIS Way

Christina :: Coming Into Alignment with HIS Way

Christina is a Catholic mom of three, who came into marriage "late" and has joyfully received 3 sons, all via homebirth, into their family. In this episode she shares all three of her birth stories, with a particular emphasis on the final one, at which she experienced a greater degree of surrender and worship than ever before. By the way, she sites the Faith Filled Home Birth Intensive as one of the tools that helped her come into alignment with God's dreams for her birth, so be sure to grab that free resource for yourself, sister. Also mentioned in this episode is the work of her mentor over at Make Joy Normal. 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. You'll find Christina here: Instagram Email: theevangelistaa@gmail.com  SHOW NOTES “FOOTER” 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
Jan 09, 202401:20:26
Healing from Trauma

Healing from Trauma

In this episode we invite you to listen in on a conversation with Lauren and Kathy Bryan, The Founder and CEO of The Genesis Project.

Kathy is a respected international speaker/trainer, consultant, mentor, and author, who works tirelessly to communicate the stark truths of trafficking. She has trained thousands of professionals on how to identify and respond to those victimized by human trafficking, including medical personnel, Homeland Security, anti-trafficking organizations, and churches, to name a few.

She also happens to be Lauren's mom!

In this episode they scratch the surface on the many topics around unpacking one's trauma as preparation for birth but most importantly in order that you might walk more fully in the freedom and healing that Jesus has for you.


Mentioned in the episode:

https://www.thegenesisproject.life/

Text to give: Text4THEM to 53555

Red Flags of Sex Trafficking for Medical Professionals PDF

Book mentioned: When Survivors Give Birth by Penny Simpkin


SHOW NOTES “FOOTER”

From Lauren:

  • ⁠Instagram⁠

  • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

From Brooke:




Dec 27, 202301:10:41
Rethinking the Birth Plan

Rethinking the Birth Plan

Birth plans. You've probably been told you need one.

But we'd like to pick it up, shake it around, and see what comes out as we re-examine this now-common practice of writing hand-over birth plans to your birth team.

There are some shortcomings that we think you should know about.

But don't worry: we won't leave you hanging there. We'll also present a fresh take on how to get the clarity you need for your birth. We'll present some other words, like vision, intentions, goals, principles... and why they're more important to focus on.


Mentioned in this episode:


SHOW NOTES “FOOTER”

From Lauren:

  • Instagram

  • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

From Brooke:


Dec 27, 202339:59
Defining Birth
Nov 21, 202301:15:18
Living As Cyclical Beings

Living As Cyclical Beings

If you've gone most of your menstruating history seeing it as an annoying inconvenience at best or a painful torture session you'll want to tune in for this episode.

We'll explore:

  • the deeper meaning and symbolism of our cycles
  • what it means to be a cyclical being (our menfolk too!)
  • similarities between cycles phases in our bodies and in creation as a whole
  • how God "sees us" in our cycles and makes provision for us
  • how our bodies express truths about YHWH and the gospel
  • feminine and masculine ways of learning and living with our cyces
  • and so much more.

It's a delicious conversation. We hope you'll never see your period the same way again!


PS: Don't forget that our first-ever cohort of our one-of-a-kind holy wild birthkeeper training Is OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT until October 25th. We start classes on November 1st. Join us in Hearthmother Journey today.


Resources for Your Deep Dive

  • Zola Levitt -- The 7 Feasts of the Lord - The Making of a Baby


  • Oct 09, 202301:01:08
    News About Life and Hearthmother Journey
    Sep 25, 202342:39
    A Good Birth Attendant PLUS A BIG ANNOUNCMENT!
    Jul 07, 202346:57
    A Pause for the Cause

    A Pause for the Cause

    Hey Sisters! We just wanted to drop a quick hello, to tell you where we have been. Give it a listen and drop your guesses on what you think we are working on!

    Jun 02, 202303:58
    Aly :: Acceptance and Advocacy

    Aly :: Acceptance and Advocacy

    On this week's episode of Holy Wild Birth I (Brooke) am joined by a graduate of Embrace Birth Journey who is offering up her stories of miscarriage, followed by a rainbow baby and lovely home birth, then a slow transition for her baby, which was punctuated with a difficult NICU stay. ⁠ ⁠ Aly speaks candidly about the highs and lows of every part of her journey to becoming a mother, the ways she experienced God's provision and care along the way, her acceptance of the painful parts, and the ways she learned to wisely advocate for her daughter.⁠ ⁠ I hope you'll be inspired by her faith and courage. ⁠ ⁠ You can read Aly's written miscarriage story on her substack. Subscribe if you'd like to also catch her written birth story when she adds it there in the near future. https://open.substack.com/pub/alyolichny/p/baby-jack-and-grandpa-darrell?r=2sg05&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post 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 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) ⁠
    May 09, 202301:05:04
    When Our Babies Don't Get To Stay

    When Our Babies Don't Get To Stay

    This is an episode about loss, specifically first- and second-trimester loss.


    They say that 1 out of 4 of women will experience miscarriage at some point in their childbearing years. This is not uncommon, but it is often hidden and unspoken.


    In this episode, we hope to bring our own stories -- as well as the stories and wise reflections of our friends in the Believing Birth Keepers Circle -- into the light. We hope that hearing of them will communicate to you that you are not alone and that perhaps you will hear your own heart and experience mirrored in what is shared here, then paired with a powerful hope.


    These stories include experiences of being very well supported and also very much alone. There are stories of the miscarriage process happening at home as well as in the hospital, with varying degrees of medical intervention. These are stories of grief, and also stories of meeting Jesus in places of great sorrow.


    Be warned that this episode is long, and of course, the content is sad. Please take your time and take care of yourself as you listen through this at a pace and in a place that is best for you. If that means skipping this episode altogether, that's ok too.


    CONNECT


    From Lauren:

    • Instagram

    • Midwifery consults or processing your own loss story: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:







    May 03, 202301:47:22
    Ella :: Values Over Ideals

    Ella :: Values Over Ideals

    This is our first FTM home birth story! So often we think that only moms who have already had a baby in the hospital have a home birth. NOT TRUE! Brooke's first was born at home, too, but today we have a beautiful guest mama to share her experience of having her first baby at home.


    Ella's first pregnancy was a surprise, but she was pretty clear right out of the gate about her desire to have a home birth, even though some voices around her said they'd never have been brave enough to have a first baby at home. Even with some scary first trimester incidents, and even when she was thrown a couple of curve balls at the beginning of her labor, she went on to have a beautiful and pretty textbook home birth, keeping her curiosity and connection very much online through it all. Her story shows how home birth is a wonderful choice for first-time moms!


    But breastfeeding turned out to be the bigger challenge. Ella had to navigate her self-judgment for "failing" to live up to some cherished ideals, connect with her underlying values, and make some compromises to give her baby what he needed in order to thrive (and herself too!). Her message for moms here is SO important.


    Ellla is a jazz singer and a teacher of somatic practices (hello, nervous system regulation!). You can find her and her music/work here:

    • Personal IG @thesounds_ofearth
    • Band IG @third_coast_swing_band
    • Band FB https://www.facebook.com/thirdcoastswingband


    CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND BROOKE


    Apr 25, 202301:31:59
    Stewarding Our Fertility
    Apr 18, 202359:10
    Taleitha :: Stepping Out Onto the Water
    Apr 11, 202345:33
    Dismantling Modern Idols

    Dismantling Modern Idols

    They aren't stone statues, and we don't bow down on a literal knee, but they're idols all the same.


    Certain "brands"/styles of mothering, nutritional principles/disciplines, birth choices or outcomes, birth attendant titles/positions.... we're tearing 'em down in today's episode.


    That may seem strange coming from a couple of passionately opinionated gals like us, but we're striving to keep all things rightly ordered.


    Mentioned in this episode:


    CONNECT

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram

    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:


    Apr 04, 202349:39
    Intense * Peaceful * Precipitous Births

    Intense * Peaceful * Precipitous Births

    Lauren, with guest Jaclyn have a fun conversation swapping their precipitous birth stories, 6 to be exact! They both each have had 3 fast labors and so they not only share their stories but discuss the mutual experience of having babies in a fast and furious style. They chat about way to prepare their hearts and minds to be able to surrender to whatever birth may hand them. It's a fun conversation and I hope it helps you feel seen and hear if your perfect but fast birth felt a traumatizing and gain some perspective should you find our self preparing for a possibly very fast birth again. Note: Lauren couldn't recall that it was Kimberly Ann Johnson define trauma as "too much, too fast, too soon" 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)
    Mar 28, 202301:26:37
    The Aligned Birth Team

    The Aligned Birth Team

    Arguably, one of the most important decisions you'll make about your birth is not WHERE or HOW you give birth but WHOM will be there with you. For an expectant mother, the birth team MATTERS and we have some things to offer up for consideration as you're selecting your attendants. 

    The lesser-known other side of the coin is how important it is for a birth attendant to carefully select which mamas/families she will serve. If that sounds iffy to you, this episode is a must listen for you, too!

    We cover:

    • The role of time and prayer before saying yes to one another
    • Pre-screening processes 
    • Having an aligned philosophy of birth
    • Knowing yourself and your biases (birth attendant) or needs (birthing mama)
    • The intangible things people carry into birth spaces

    ...and more!

    RESOURCES mentioned in this episode:

    CONNECT

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Mar 21, 202301:10:07
    Marina :: An Abrahamic Birth Journey

    Marina :: An Abrahamic Birth Journey

    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:

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults or virtual services: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Mar 14, 202301:16:51
    When Motherhood and Birth Work Collide

    When Motherhood and Birth Work Collide

    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)
    Mar 07, 202301:02:52
    Grace :: Orthodox Birth

    Grace :: Orthodox Birth

    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

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Feb 28, 202345:21
    Persecution, Victories, and the Continued Fight - Angee Hock

    Persecution, Victories, and the Continued Fight - Angee Hock

    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:

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Feb 21, 202353:37
    Tori :: Support From Unexpected Places

    Tori :: Support From Unexpected Places

    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

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Feb 14, 202353:44
    True Self-Care

    True Self-Care

    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:

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Feb 07, 202301:23:53
    Hesitant Husbands
    Nov 29, 202253:18
    Prioritizing Postpartum

    Prioritizing Postpartum

    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:


    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Nov 22, 202201:09:23
    Brooke: Flow and Agitation
    Nov 15, 202257:01
    I don't Midwife with the Government - Hannah Penaluna's Story
    Nov 08, 202255:17
    Jessica: A Clear, Strong Voice
    Nov 01, 202253:01
    Holistic Labor Prep
    Oct 25, 202201:22:23
    Audrey: God Gets The Credit

    Audrey: God Gets The Credit

    "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: 


    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults: Email  lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Oct 18, 202201:43:04
    Food Informs Physiology
    Oct 11, 202201:12:46
    BONUS: Brooke's Personal Pregnancy "Journal"
    Oct 06, 202236:10
    Cindy: Midwife Like a Mother
    Oct 04, 202201:32:33
    The Way of the HearthMother

    The Way of the HearthMother

    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:

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Email lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com to set up a midwifery consult

    From Brooke:

    Sep 27, 202201:33:23
    Brittany: Face-First Into The World

    Brittany: Face-First Into The World

    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:


    Sep 20, 202237:21
    Mystery Can't Be Measured
    Sep 13, 202255:08
    Sharon: Overcoming Doubts
    Sep 06, 202201:06:46
    Surpassing Pain-Free Birth
    Aug 30, 202256:12
    Sarah: Peaceful Power and Sacred Pain

    Sarah: Peaceful Power and Sacred Pain

    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: 

    Connect with Sarah on IG

    From Lauren:

    • Instagram
    • Midwifery consults
    • Email - lauren.rootedineden@gmail.com

    From Brooke:

    Aug 23, 202201:23:14
    [Un]-Natural Induction
    Aug 16, 202257:51
    Angee: Grateful Surprises
    Aug 09, 202201:02:08
    Safety Isn't the Point
    Aug 02, 202239:42
    Jalina: An Almost Boring Free Birth

    Jalina: An Almost Boring Free Birth

    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:

    ---------------------------------

    From Lauren:

    From Brooke:

    Jul 26, 202201:21:41
    Midwife, Rightly Ordered
    Jul 19, 202254:05
    Nikita: Taking God at His Word and as Her Midwife

    Nikita: Taking God at His Word and as Her Midwife

    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
    Jul 12, 202201:08:15
    Autonomy and Radical Responsibility
    Jul 05, 202252:53
    The Origin Story
    Jun 30, 202251:44