Through the Labyrinth Blog
Medical Perspectives, Part 1: Medical Decision Making in the Childbearing Year
In 2020, the Birthing From Within Medical Perspectives Committee brings us a series of blog posts on various medical aspects of the childbearing year. In her new book, Heart Centered Pregnancy Journal, BFW co-owner Nikki Shaheed writes that “while it is important for modern birthing parents to have an understanding of birth and the maternal healthcare…
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A Statement on Becoming a More Equitable Organization
When Pam England wrote Birthing From Within in 1998, she changed the conversation about birth in our culture, taking the traditional approach to birth preparation and turning it on its head in a way that touched birth professionals and parents deeply, and continues to do so today. Pam created a counter-culture legacy, pushing back against…
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Meet the Mentor: Charlene Hamilton
In our ongoing Meet the Mentor series, you’ll get a chance to meet some of our amazing Birthing From Within Childbirth Educators and Doulas. You’ll learn a little bit about their Birthing From Within work – and, just for fun, get a glimpse into their personal lives and opinions! Today, let’s meet… Charlene Hamilton Charlene…
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Resources for Studying Birth Justice and Anti-Racism
This list is in service of furthering birth justice by acknowledging and addressing racism and white supremacy in birth in our culture. This is by no means an exhaustive list; it will be updated frequently. We are open to suggestions and/or feedback on these resources. Books White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to…
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BFW Dictionary: Shared Terms for an Equitable and Anti-Racist Framework
Equitable Adjective. Fair and impartial. Antiracist Adjective. Opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance. — Oxford Dictionaries online The following terms and definitions are intended to serve as building blocks towards an equitable and anti-racist framework. The majority of this text was provided to Birthing From Within by Aimée Brill of Village Birth International. If you…
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Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 12: Acknowledging and Addressing Racism and White Supremacy as Birth Professionals
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
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Meet the Mentor: Christy Cozby
In our ongoing Meet the Mentor series, you’ll get a chance to meet some of our amazing Birthing From Within Childbirth Educators and Doulas. You’ll learn a little bit about their Birthing From Within work – and, just for fun, get a glimpse into their personal lives and opinions! Today, let’s meet… Christy Cozby Christy…
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Crossing the Threshold: Powerful, Magical, Soul-Enriching
BFW’s signature offering, the Crossing the Threshold weekend retreat, has been receiving wonderful feedback from new and experienced birth workers alike. We are so thrilled by this, and we can’t help but share some of what we have been hearing…and we hope that it may inspire you to come experience the magic yourself. “This workshop…
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12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 11: Use Inclusive Language in Your Birth Practice
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
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12 Ways to Change Birth in Our Culture, Part 10: Know that Birth is a Heroic Journey
In 2010, Pam England wrote a series of pieces about ways in which we can change birth in our culture. The Birthing From Within leadership and blog team has chosen some of these pieces as inspiration and jumping-off points to create a new 12-part series about changing birth in our culture that reflects current understandings within the…
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Meet the Mentor: Christine D’Esposito
In our ongoing Meet the Mentor series, you’ll get a chance to meet some of our amazing Birthing From Within Childbirth Educators and Doulas. You’ll learn a little bit about their Birthing From Within work – and, just for fun, get a glimpse into their personal lives and opinions! Today, let’s meet… Christine D’Esposito Christine…
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Who Should Be There?: Making Decisions about Who Will Attend Your Birth
Many parents-to-be spend at least some time worrying about who should be present for the births of their babies. Childbirth educators, doulas, and other birth professionals often field questions about the matter. “Who should I bring to the hospital with me?” “So-and-so wants to be at the birth, but I’m not sure I want that…what…
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