Channel Title: indiebirth Channel Description: Welcome to the channel, where the sacred meets the practical, and the mystery of birth becomes a pathway to personal and collective empowerment. We are committed to revolutionizing feminine consciousness through the wisdom of birth, motherhood, and the profound spiritual journey of womanhood. We honor the ancient power that lives within each woman, guiding her through life's most transformative experiences. We explore the deeper spiritual and intuitive aspects of pregnancy and birth, while also offering radical perspectives on women's health, autonomy, and self-sovereignty. Beyond just birth, we are building a movement that empowers women to reclaim their voices, bodies, and choices in every aspect of life. Our aim is to spark a revolution in how we understand femininity, sovereignty, and the sacred nature of being a woman. Join us in unveiling the mysteries, celebrating the sacred, and forging a new path toward total feminine empowerment and consciousness. <video> Midwifery Reimagined Episode 2: What Does It Mean to Be a Midwife? Description: In this episode of Midwifery Reimagined coming straight from Margo's couch, we’re diving into the heart of the question: What does it really mean to be a midwife? I reflect on my own journey—from discovering midwifery as a 21-year-old inspired by Spiritual Midwifery to redefining what this word means to me 14 years later. Together, we’ll explore how midwifery goes beyond the typical frameworks of home vs. hospital or licensure vs. autonomy, and why it’s about so much more than catching babies. This episode is an invitation to rethink midwifery as a powerful force for transformation, connection, and healing—not just during birth, but throughout a woman’s entire journey. ✨ Join me as I reimagine midwifery and reflect on its sacred potential. Don't forget to subscribe, and to also check out all things Indie Birth at indiebirth.org What’s next? Next week, we’ll explore the Wise Woman Model of Care and what it looks like when a woman takes full responsibility for her pregnancy and birth. PS Here is that article I wrote about spiritual midwifery - https://indiebirth.org/spiritual-midwifery-side-eye/ </video> <video> Introducing the Indie Birth Series: Exploring the Sacred and the Science of Midwifery Description: In this inaugural video, Margo Blackstone, co-founder of Indie Birth, introduces a brand-new YouTube series dedicated to rethinking midwifery from a fresh and inspiring perspective. She shares the unique philosophy behind Indie Birth, combining the sacred and the science of birth work while fostering autonomy and critical thinking. Margo explains why Indie Birth Midwifery School is taking a pause from new enrollments in 2025 and how this reflective "winter season" will influence their work moving forward. This series will tackle big-picture questions and novel topics, including how midwifery can serve as a tool for creating a more beautiful world. Margo invites you to join her weekly as she wrestles with these ideas and explores how midwives and women can work together to honor the mystery and humanity in birth. Whether you're an aspiring midwife, a birth worker, or simply curious about Indie Birth, this series promises thought-provoking insights and heartfelt connection. Subscribe to follow along and be part of the conversation! Links and Resources: Indie Birth Website: www.indiebirth.org - Explore more about our mission, midwifery programs, doula training, and resources. Sacred Birth Certificate Training: www.sacredbirthcertificate.org - Learn more about this unique program starting again in 2025. Sacred Sisterhood Doula Training: www.sacredsisterhooddoula.org - Ongoing training for those looking to support women in birth. Indie Birth Newsletter: Stay updated on live events, new videos, and insights from Margo and Maryn. Visit www.indiebirth.org and sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of any page. Reflection: What resonated with you in this video? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Call to Action: Subscribe to this channel and hit the notification bell to follow along with weekly videos. Share this video with anyone interested in midwifery, autonomy, and creating a more beautiful world through birth work! </video> <video> A circle is a sacred group. Description: A sacred group with a holy mission; this one is to FEEL. Lots can happen in the group, and the group does take on its own energy. But in “moderating” or leading I can see the shape of that. I hold boundaries to the circle so that it doesn’t go off the rails into excessive story sharing and wounding; story is important but this vision I’m holding is for each woman in the circle to have a safe space to feel. If that sounds like the kind of circle you need or want as a birth worker, then join us. I can’t promise you what will happen for you and or that there will be a specific result. Even if there is, I can’t tell you when that may happen for you. There may be immediate shifts for you or they may not happen till later. It’s humbling to sit in a circle of birth workers and be led and supported in accessing our true self. That is the work we will be doing and it’s not for everyone. If it is for you, we're starting soon! xoxo Maryn Sign up at indiebirth.org/beyondthemind Song is Wild Sweet by Starling Arrow & Ayla Nereo </video> <video> Honoring Deva’s 7th Birthday! Description: The gift in all of that was my connection with her. I don’t think I had ever worked this hard on developing a bond with one of my babies, although I never had needed it so much. We were truly a team, and when things came up that challenged me emotionally and mentally in pregnancy (and they did), I had this bond and connection with her that reassured me. I was tempted, as many women are, by the lure of technology and whatever I could have done, really, to feel “safer” and to tell me everything was ok. I see why people choose those things, but ultimately for me, I had to come back to Deva. We had a constant dialogue, both in the real world and the dream/spirit world, and it was this connection that showed me what she wanted. A fiery spirit since before conception, Deva guided me through many choices and situations. She told me countless times in utero that she was great, fine and wanted nothing more than for me to relax and trust in that. She told me very clearly she didn’t want any anything from anyone else! Deva’s birth, as simple as it was, ended up demanding this same trust from me, and has truly changed my life once again. (watch the full birth video at thebirthmovie.com) Also the Somatic Circle for Birthworkers: Beyond the Mind — begins soon! More info -- indiebirth.org/beyondthemind </video> <video> Newborn choices. EVERYTHING IS OPTIONAL!!! Description: This includes weighing the baby, bathing the baby, doing the newborn exam, taking the baby away from mom for any reason, along with the more obvious choices (though not all care providers make these seem like “choices”) such as vitamin K, antibiotic eye ointment, the newborn screen, or taking baby to the pediatrician. Don’t just assume that because your midwife recommends it that it’s benign or fine or that you need it. That your baby needs it. There is so much more to every issue than what we are told and taught. And I was thinking about how the world kind of wants us to have this no questioning reaction. That would really screw things up, wouldn’t it? If people started questioning everything. So, it brings up that same question for me and for you. Are we really going to keep unnecessarily treating all babies the same? Is that an effective plan for the future? It is sacred and priviledged and midwives should not mess or meddle with any of it. This is the beginning of the mothering, of the bond that will hold these 2 souls together for eternity. Yes, it is that crucial. Women, mothers…you must question what these interruptions mean to you. It is a big deal that your midwife touches your baby at all in the postpartum period. What if your midwife totally took your lead? If you wanted to weigh and measure your baby, she would help you (or your partner) do this. I’ve noticed that when left unbothered, mothers will not hat their own babes. They will not ask for blankets. They will not ask to cut the cord or do anything practical. They will do what they are programmed to do; which is touch and talk to the baby, smiling at him and making eye contact. This isn’t just “nice” behavior. This behavior is instinctual and beneficial. What choices honor the sacredness of your birth experience and the mother-baby dyad? Question everything, your baby will thank you!!! For support and deeper exploration of these larger topics enroll in 13 Moons Childbirth Education before June 21st! Mama @ernyj7 Midwife @indiebirth Doula @modernmamacenter Video @birthingthenewearth Students @bendingwillowbirth & @birthingthenewearth </video> <video> Imagining the Virtual Apprenticeship as a Real Option Description: What if students could learn and practice and be in an “apprenticeship” that isn’t in the physical? We may try it out with a few of my former students who live in Kentucky as I stay living in Hawai’i. I love the idea of creating this model and making it sustainable and a win for all; the student, the mama client and the mentoring midwife. I do think it’s possible once the kinks get worked out, and we’ll keep you posted here on how it’s developing! </video> <video> Why Midwifery Licensing Can't Fix Stupid - Midwives Gone Wild Episode 2 Description: In this episode we go "wild" about midwifery licensing and the implications it has on the practice of midwifery. We talk about the pressure to conform to licensing requirements and how that affects the autonomy of midwives and birthing families. We highlight the lack of critical thinking and creativity in midwifery education and the need for a more holistic approach. This discussion started in response to recent events involving a licensed midwife who missed a uterine rupture during a home birth, resulting in the death of the mother and baby. In this episode, we talk about the need for building stronger communities and networks in midwifery rather than relying on more rules and regulations. Midwifery is a complex and challenging profession with a lot of issues to consider including insecurity, ego, and the lack of unity among midwives. Finally, we talk about the limitations of licensing for ensuring safety and preventing negative outcomes. Midwives need critical thinking skills, embodied knowledge, strong boundaries, individual responsibility and a focus on values such as autonomy, sustainability, and well-being. https://indiebirth.org/ https://indiebirthmidwiferyschool.org/ https://sacredsisterhooddoula.org/ </video> <video> How Do I Know I Want to Become a Midwife? Description: </video> <video> Join the birth revolution Description: Ready to become a doula and make a difference in the lives of birthing women? Start your transformation journey as a doula today! Apply before April 15th at www.sacredsisterhooddoula.org 📸 @bendingwillowbirth 🎶 Grandmother song by Sheffy Oren Bach </video> <video> Stories of Homebirth Mamas in Hawai’i with Dr. Alexandra Kisitu Description: “A return to all that is human, sacred and ancient” -Alexandra Kisitu I loved talking to kindred spirit and author Alexandra about her book, “Back to the Womb: Claiming Birth Sovereignty”. I really loved this discussion with such a kick-ass, smart woman who has dug deeper into the culture of home birth here in Hawai’i. Alexandra also includes her own personal stories and beliefs around the power and sacredness of birth. They are so similar to my own, and with midwifery politics to boot in our chat, we could have spoken for hours. Learn more and order a copy of her book here -- alexandrakisitu.com </video> <video> A Twin Story with a Twist Description: On this podcast, I wrap up the transgender madness from the week and then move on to the REAL discussion! I chat with my mama friend and former client Kaleigh about the birth of her two babies last year. Kaleigh has so many insights to share and such a fabulous story. It was so fun to reconnect with her after some time and talk about her experience. </video> <video> Miscarriage as an Embodied Experience with Alyssa Rafidi Description: What a pleasure to hold space for Alyssa as she shares her intimate journey through the death and birth of her baby in the middle of her last pregnancy. I know you will be inspired by Alyssa’s way of choosing to experience death and live life. You can find Alyssa on Instagram at: @alyssarafidi_ </video> <video> Somatic Circle for Birthworkers Starting SOON! Description: go to indiebirth.org/beyondthemind to learn more </video> <video> LEARNING and KNOWING Description: On one hand, the intellectual knowledge that is included in our school is EXHAUSTING. Like, our students seem to get used to it, and most make it through with flying colors…and then they need a serious BREAK because their brains are about to explode:) They LEARN a shit ton. I obviously don’t think that is universally true across the range of “midwifery schools” because first, it takes a lot of time and expertise to create such a program (thanks as well to the instructors we’ve hired over the years) AND also because we’ve chosen to not teach to meet flawed and lowered standards in midwifery education (read: we don’t give a fuck about MEAC). In many other places, there is the lack of mystery balancing the scales of knowledge. Or, there is a lack of knowledge balancing the scales of mystery. Either way, it’s out of balance. There is what we LEARN. Books, studies, videos, skills. And then there is what we KNOW from experience and wisdom. Which takes time. And cannot be duplicated, or 100% taught. One MUST put in the time. It cannot be bought. Anybody can learn, assuming they can access and process information. Not everyone is humble enough, and aware enough of the mystery to sit in the place of not knowing. Anyone can pretend to teach knowledge, but no one can teach wisdom. We can only exude wisdom; and pass it on through the reminder that we actually “know” nothing (in the big picture of life) and that wisdom comes to us when we’ve obtained the experiences that we need and that we ask for humbly and authentically. Wisdom comes to wisdom keepers when they have earned it. There’s no human hack to that. For all the women on the path to wisdom keeping… ❤️ Maryn </video> <video> Listening to your baby WITHOUT a doppler/ultrasound… Description: Listening to baby… In the medical paradigm there’s a really weird and sometimes scary energy around listening to baby. What will they find??? Is my baby okay??? What if something is wrong??? We’ve been conditioned to look outside ourselves for answers that so often lie within. That system benefits off the fear and disconnect and has convinced many women that the only way to listen to their babies’ heartbeat is by ultrasound or Doppler. And that, that machine knows more than you do as the mom. The connection to baby is actually sacred and you don’t need a machine to tune in to baby in most cases. Hearing a heartbeat is not the only way to connect. And ultrasound is sooo often wrong when it comes to determining if something is up with the baby or not. Feeling baby, palpating your belly, noticing the movements, position, listening with a fetoscope and feeling the energy of the baby are all things the mama can do for herself to tune in. And it can be so fun to include a midwife or mama friend in getting to know this baby. A fetoscope can be purchased for seriously like $15 on Amazon and is a simple tool passed down from traditional midwifery that allow mama and midwife to get to know that baby. And this way of listening is quickly becoming a lost art… We had a funny student midwife conversation the other day about other things you can listen to a baby with… a toilet paper roll, a shot glass… 😂 ear to the belly! This way of listening is intimate in ways that Doppler and ultrasound just can’t do… Where are you at with listening? What’s your favorite way of doing so? Are you a seasoned or budding fetoscope fan? Mama @sarahleesouth </video>

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Welcome to the channel, where the sacred meets the practical, and the mystery of birth becomes a pathway to personal and collective empowerment. We are committed to revolutionizing feminine consciousness through the wisdom of birth, motherhood, and the profound spiritual journey of womanhood. We honor the ancient power that lives within each woman, guiding her through life's most transformative experiences.

We explore the deeper spiritual and intuitive aspects of pregnancy and birth, while also offering radical perspectives on women's health, autonomy, and self-sovereignty. Beyond just birth, we are building a movement that empowers women to reclaim their voices, bodies, and choices in every aspect of life. Our aim is to spark a revolution in how we understand femininity, sovereignty, and the sacred nature of being a woman.

Join us in unveiling the mysteries, celebrating the sacred, and forging a new path toward total feminine empowerment and consciousness.

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