Should I set up a Consult?

(and ways to prepare)

Hey!

Thanks for inquiring about scheduling a consult. I love that you are exploring your options, and have prepared this page so that you can see what I am all about and help you get closer, and more quickly, to the match that is right for YOU for this birth.

Ready?

Rooted in Eden offers independent traditional midwifery services. I am a woman that voluntarily chooses to serve women outside of the medicalized midwifery system of birth. I serve only members of Rooted in Eden Private Membership Association. Since I greatly limit the amount of clients I take, in order to give focused individualized care because I deeply believe that midwifery is first about relationship, I am very selective on who I take on as a client. I encourage you to be as equally selective on all those you chose to have on your birth team. I offer a very specific type of homebirth midwifery care that is not right for everyone; and is PERFECTLY suited for others.

Therefore my goal is not “to be hired”, my goal is that you are fully informed on all of your choices and that I click well and share similar birth philosophies with the women I do have the honor of working with.

Rooted in Eden’s Mission

Creating space for autonomous intuitive pregnancy, birth and whole woman wellness care.

Revival of relationships through community, with sacred wisdom, knowledge of our foremothers, and ever-growing understanding of our original design.


Serving as guides and offering tools that educate and empower each family unit in birthing a transformative legacy.

These consults are on a “PAY WHAT YOU CAN” donation scale (with a suggested donation of $120.)  I do think it’s reasonable to spend some time preparing for this consult by knowing what kind of birth you want and the type of birth attendant that will align with that vision so we can make the most of our time together. I hope find this resource is helpful in doing so.

You should schedule a consult if…

you know you want a home birth

You’re 100% dedicated to your choice for a HOMEBIRTH and are wanting a different style of care than is offered in the allopathic medical system.

 (if curious/interested in birth centers or hospital births still, we may not be a good fit.) 

Please listen to this prior to scheduling a consult:

The truth about birth centers 

You may also find this article by Robbie Davis-Floyd and this tongue in cheek article by Brooke Collier of interest. 

You want complete control and freedom over your pregnancy.

You want to take full responsibility for your own health and desire full autonomy with informed consent and refusal on all choices, from what pregnancy testing you’d like to have (lab work, testing, ultrasound) to the right to not choose any at all.

The type of women I serve are fully in charge of their choices and are looking for an expert guide and witness, not a director.  You may enjoy my podcast episode on autonomy and radical responsibility. Here

You are committed to your nutritional/physical Health

You understand (or willing to learn and make adjustments) the incredibly vital role of nutrition and are committed to feeding yourself well.

Check out my nutrition podcast Food Informs Physiology here.

you have no desire to go into the western medical model

You want your wishes, beliefs, intuition respected above all or any medical rules.

  • You believe the right match of midwife to woman is special, even intimate, and would prefer a midwife that serves you and not the government. 

This is meant to be of no disrespect for licensed midwives or even OBs or to make some sort of diochatmic statement that one is always better than the other. I have much respect and honor for care providers from all walks of life and belief systems. There is room for us all. However I do have strong personal convictions that led me to stay unlicensed.  You can hear more on my podcast about my stance on choosing a midwife here (Midwife, Rightly Ordered) and here. (I don’t midwife with the government) 

  • No matter who you go with, understanding their birth philosophy and what policies they are bound to should be something you have questions about.

You know Birth is more than a Physical Experience

You want to invest emotionally and spiritually in this experience.

If it intimidates you or scares you to think of uncovering fears and deep dark layers of yourself, please wait. I would encourage you to read through this article as well as this one by Brooke Collier. 

If you want to hear more about my whole woman model of care give this podcast a listen: The Way of the Hearthmother

You want an unregulated midwife caring for you.

you know you need/want access to independent midwifery care because you anticipate being “risked out” with a licensed midwife (breech baby, VBAC status, past 42 weeks, etc)

“Risk is more of a legal term than an actual event. Risk is something which has not happened. In itself, risk does not exist. It is only a mathematical estimate of probability.” -Gail Hart Another Indie Birth Podcast on this topic

Along same lines, you don’t want to be “risked out” at last minute in your pregnancy or birth by a licensed midwife for a silly reason (ex: past due date, because you don’t agree to certain testing, because you are over a certain age, because you have had a certain number of babies, because you don’t want a time limit on your labor, etc.)

.

You have lots of questions about creating the experience you want, and how to best optimize your chances of a physiological birth. 

You should investigate other options first and/or check out the resources below if:

(and perhaps circle back around to us later)

If after reading this you feel our ideals align then lets’s connect!

Please come with your questions and I will have some for you as well. I will also be presenting my health and birth philosophy and model of care; and be available to hear your concerns, previous birth stories if you desire to share, and offer any general information or advice you may be seeking.


I believe 500% in women knowing their options and desire for you to find the exact care provider that is right for you! 

Thanks for reading and considering Rooted in Eden!

Blessings,

Lauren