Our annual 2 day intensive doula training workshop is coming up at The Community Roots Collective Sat April 6th and Sunday April 7th! Two consecutive days from (Sat/Sun) 12-6pm Learn techniques to help support women during their childbearing year and beyond. During this intensive training you will learn: -What it means to be a doula -What a doula does -Labor support techniques -Skills for supporting women in hospital and out-of-hospital settings -Prenatal support skills -Basic breastfeeding support -Postpartum support techniques -Marketing doula services in your community -The politics of bir ..read more

Midwife musings from 2013 that felt most relevant today… There is a large piece of land in rural Florida where you will find the frame house where my grandmother, Mema, was born 75 years ago. In this home today reside my cousin and his family. Adjacent to this relic lives his father and Mema’s brother, my great uncle Buddy. If you look out of Uncle Buddy’s front window and across the yard you will find my Mema’s current home, and directly across from her front window is the house I spent my early childhood in. All separated by a dirt road and framed by giant oak trees. Surrounding the homes a ..read more

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that causes painful symptoms such as painful periods, pain during intercourse, excessive menstrual bleeding, and even pain during bowel movements or urination. While there is no cure for this condition, it is possible to treat endometriosis naturally, starting with your diet.  The gut is often called “the second brain” because of its significant influence on the other systems in our bodies. What you eat – and what you don’t eat – can have a tremendous impact on easing the painful symptoms caused by endometriosis. Symptoms associated with endometriosis ..read more

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in every 10 women is affected by endometriosis. If you are one of these women struggling with life-altering endometriosis, know that you don’t have to go it alone. Our holistic midwives can guide you in treating your endometriosis symptoms naturally, including following the endo diet and incorporating supplements and herbs into your daily routine.  The supplements and herbs we recommend using are natural and backed by scientific evidence to address the root causes of painful symptoms caused by endometriosis, including inflammation, pa ..read more

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to that found inside the uterus begins to grow outside of the uterus. Most commonly, this tissue will grow in areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the lining of your pelvis. Similar to the tissue inside of your uterus, this external tissue will thicken, break down, and bleed with each menstrual cycle. However, without a way to exit your body, this tissue becomes trapped. Eventually, it can become irritated and develop scar tissue and adhesions, resulting in severe pain. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in every ..read more

Let’s begin by clearing the air. At Barefoot Birth, we believe that all births are natural. Like the rising sun or the changing tides, few experiences in life are more natural than bringing new souls earthside. What Is Natural Childbirth? Natural childbirth is a term commonly used to describe an unmedicated birth, or a birthing experience without the use of an epidural or other medications for pain relief. Unmedicated births can happen in many different settings such as a hospital, birthing center, or in your own home.  Child birth can be an intense experience, but it’s also a normal expe ..read more

Routine exercise is one of the best ways to prepare for childbirth, be it unmedicated or not. Like any other physically challenging experience, your labor will be easier and faster if you condition your body ahead of time.  Other benefits of regular exercise during your pregnancy include reduced risk of gestational diabetes and C-section, better sleep, reduced backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling, and boosted mood and energy levels.  Here are five daily exercises that work to build endurance, lengthen the pelvic floor, stretch the perineum, and strengthen your core and thi ..read more

Thinking about making a birth plan, but not sure where to start? There are so many different variables to consider, and having a plan ahead of time can help you feel prepared, confident, and ease any worries before your labor.  It’s important to keep in mind that a birth plan is simply that, a plan. Plans can be flexible, so in making your preparations, keep in mind that you can change your mind at any time during your birthing experience. Having a plan helps to prepare yourself, your family, your birthing team, and your environment to create the best possible birthing experience for you ..read more

Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for the mother and better nourishment for her baby. Massage can help relieve depression, anxiety, and resulting physical symptoms from stress or confusion that both expectant partners may be experiencing in this transitionary period. Massage helps the woman's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps her feel more energetic. Massage help ..read more

Since 2008 Barefoot Birth has been providing holistically focused midwifery care to families seeking a community birth in the comfort of their own home. We are currently one of the only independent practices offering the European standard of two midwives at each delivery. We offer home visits, an office in historic Tampa Heights, as well as a satellite office in Brooksville. You can read our general FAQs about our practice here. If you are curious about the financial considerations of homebirth in regards to private insurance with our practice you can find an in depth explanation here. We als ..read more