I woke up around 3 in the morning and had a contraction that felt a bit different than the Braxton Hicks I’d been having in increasing frequency lately. It came and then it went, and then another did the same as I was trying to fall back asleep. I really had thought baby wouldn’t come for at least a few more days - I was only 39+3 and Booker had come at 40+2. But the contractions felt different enough that I decided to start timing them right then."

We are so pleased to share with the community our new labor of love, The Community Roots Collective. With this special space we are inviting families to come grow with us! We hope to create a space where families can come grow their roots by building community through education, resources, and most of all- LOVE! We celebrated our official grand opening on Sunday May 17th. Thank you to the 250+ families that came out to celebrate and bless our new space! We had such a fantastic time with all of you and look forward to making more memories in the years to come! 

As a kick off to our grand opening weekend at the Community Roots Collective we hosted an awesome babywearing ballet with the help of Diana from Wrap Your Baby. 

So many mamas with their little squishes came and it was so fun to have the babies entertained while mamas got a fun but serious workout. We cannot wait to have these ballets monthly at the Community Roots! 

It was amazing to be apart of the birth team for Andrea's family. 

We try to keep it real with our clients. Any birth is a success. It takes great courage to walk into one of the most overwhelming, intense, and beautiful experiences in life- birth. No matter how it happens it takes so much strength and determination. We're excited to open the dialogue more about collaborative care, homebirth transfers, and especially necessary cesareans. 

A dedicated postpartum doula is just what the Tampa Bay Area has needed! Gaetane is here to provide support, love, and some much needed extra hands for families who have just welcomed new babes into their homes! 

The birth of Isla... 

This Family of three is about to become a family of five. 

J&J had their maternity on the beach so why not have their newborn session there too? 

. Even when a family plans a home birth, no one can guarantee them that outcome.  What I can do is provide one on one support throughout every possible bend and turn and help families feel prepared for wherever their birth journey heads. The important part, after all is said and done, is that the family feels heard, respected, and loved throughout the whole experience. 

I am pleased to say that our new family member and I go wayyyyyy back. We fell in birth-love our very first year of midwifery school together. Jenn has lived near Jacksonville, FL and I never thought I would see the day that her geographical location would change so that we could join forces. I am thrilled and so grateful to share that Jenn is building her new home here in Tampa with us and is going to be a fabulous addition to the Barefoot Family and a huge asset to childbearing families in the Tampa Bay Area. 

In keeping with my transparency promise, I am bringing you some more VERY exciting stats that I have been wanting to collect and publish for quite some time. 

Fred Howard Beach Maternity Session

A Vaginal Home Birth After Two Traumatic Cesareans - a mama's own story! 

No two days ever look the same in the life of a midwife. It is a huge reason I love doing home visits for my clients. I love preserving the ancient art of midwifery while seeing each family in their own space. No family is the same, and each day I get to spend walking with these families on their different journeys is so special. Here is a tiny glimpse into what a morning of prenatal visits looks like! 

Our long awaited bus promo video is here! Learn more about the Barefoot Bus and our mission.

Newborn twins!!! Double the cute, double the love. 

With so many women (myself included) thrown the "big baby" card these days, it is extra special when a mama really "proves her pelvis" and pushes out a 10lb 12oz baby AT HOME, SAFELY. 

It's Ladies Night, yall! Join us for a fabulously progressive and free evening that will start with a little champagne and hors d'oeuvres- segue to various talks on natural fertility, birth control and menstrual care options, aphrodisiac herbal liqueurs, as well as relaxing chair massage! There will also be goods for sale and lots of giveaways from our friends at The Period Store, Diva Cup, and Luna Pads just to name a few. 

As a collective, the birth community spouts off numbers and statistics quite regularly. We cite studies, projects, and reviews at the drop of a hat. Rarely though do we explore those numbers in depth, really dig deep and tear apart studies, or ask providers to provide their own statistics. That last point is a HUGE issue in the birth world- there is no required transparency for providers.