17 years of Birthkeeping. Of holding Mamas. Of walking in the liminal. Of sitting at the feet of courageous women, navigating their own flavour of the birth labyrinth. Of witnessing the coming undone, and then building back up. Of learning the language of the birth, well beyond the physical.

I remember the first birth I attended - 17 years ago today - and I know this date because it is also my husband's birthday and I recall celebrating with him and our young son, and then getting the call that it was time for a baby to make its way earth side.

I wanted to share because it’s also my 17 year anniversary of entrepreneurship, and making my own way and my own money on my own watch. While I connect with many women and families, and my offerings have evolved over the years, this road has largely been a solo journey, and as any entrepreneur knows, it is more work excavating the depths within so that you can bring forth your light and offerings to this world. It can be incredibly difficult, but most certainly rewarding.

I have witnessed birth in all its settings; from hospitals, birth centres, unassisted births, and unexpected free births. I am so glad that the conversation in this arena is showing much more nuance these days. The dogma - from both ends of the spectrum - has been heavy. Every woman is unique, and I work with Moms to support HER in a way that works for HER - from the very beginning of pregnancy, right through to the end of the 4-6 weeks postpartum. Continuity of care for the win! And oh how these families have left a mark on my heart!

There are so many stories - In 2021, at the height of the lockdown shit show, I remember having to text the husband of a client so he could pull his car out of the garage and I could pull in without anyone seeing. The mother was struggling greatly in her postpartum, and I was there to help her in anyway I could. There was such an echo of persecution at this time - like I must have done similar work before, somewhere, at some time.

I have witnessed death and birth in the same moment.

I’ve seen women dig deeper than they ever knew possible.

I’ve laughed and cried with mothers and families, and it brings a lot of emotion to the surface even as I write this. I love you all so much!

I don’t take on as many births as I used to as I have other projects that are not conducive to me being on call. But I am still deeply grateful for all the experiences, and honoured to walk with mothers and families to do my part helping create the strongest foundations possible for these beautiful brave souls coming in at this time, and the mama’s who tend to them.

Mothers are the backbones of the family. May we all support them and centre them in our communities and lives so we can build the world we wish to see.