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

I had a great chat with coach, shaman-in-training, endurance athlete, author and artist and all-around amazing woman!If you're interested in getting in touch you can find her here https://www.coaching.kristinafolcik.com/and here https://www.instagram.com/dangergirl3.0/ Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Musings while running ... what do we do that can spiritual damage mother and baby during the birth process? Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

I'm just chatting here about the last 50 days of my training program to run 50 kilometers in February.How does a 67 year old woman train to run long distances? Listen up! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

I'll be checking in every day as I work towards running 50k in the desert on February 17, 2024.Training, physical and mental. Emotional and psychic hurdles. What is happening in my life and my work in the birth world; my dreams and insights, and some tips and advice for older runners. Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Vanessa is a spiritual midwife living in Nevada. She attends births, holds women's circles, and takes care of her many children.You can reach her here! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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 hereIf you're interested in becoming a Traditional Birth Attendant, send me a shout! My course starts January 2023! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

How one of the strongest women I know gave birth. Not for the fainthearted. Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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? Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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-pMyl1ZaiYr42gEand here is that documentary about Stephanie Case!https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/exploration/our-journal/free-to-run.html Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

"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..." Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

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! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

Is it legal to give birth on your own at home? Can you hire a midwife who works privately? What is the legal status of free birthing in Canada? Why should we care? What does it mean to work as a traditional birth attendant outside of the recognized medical system? Is there a community of women here in Canada, and elsewhere, who are birthing without doctors or midwives? Are there different kinds of midwives? These burning questions and more are explored in this episode. For more info, please contact me directly here Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

I had a chat with Maria, who pledged to run or walk 20 k per week throughout her pregnancy to support Free to Run, an organization that promotes women's and girls' empowerment through spots in conflict-torn areas of the world. We chatted about pregnancy and ultrarunning, empowerment, and play... then she went into labour and gave birth!! ps: if you're inspired to donate to this excellent organization, you can do so here! https://freetorun.org/ Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

My sound man isn't available so tune in next week for another great episode... but for now, listen to my musings about midwifery, the risk culture, womanhood, and fear. Don't forget to reach out if you have ANY questions about the podcast, birth, or if you want YOUR voice heard! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

I spoke with Hannah Boudali about midwifery training, doula work, volunteer birth companions, love, burnout, and mothering. This is a woman who speaks from her heart! Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe

My guest Rosemary shares her stories about her two babies' births. One was "risked out" of midwifery care and ended in surgery. After that disheartening experience, Rosemary chose to birth without a midwife or doctor present, and she shares her stories here.Am I promoting this approach to birth? No, actually. I believe that a woman needs and deserves a knowledgeable, wise, respectful birth attendant (maybe even a few!), and I'm sad that the lack of respectful care is leading women to choose to give birth alone. What do you believe? What's your story? Are you drawn to accompanying women on their journeys through birth? Reach out - @mbcdoulaschool Get full access to Montrealdoula at montrealdoula.substack.com/subscribe