Caring for families through several pregnancies is such an honor. I am so pleased to say I have walked with this family for all THREE of their babies coming earthside- from a birth assistant, to a senior student, to their primary midwife 2 babies later. They are such a beautiful family and I am grateful to have been invited to be a honorary part of the family over the past 6 years.

Being asked to be the midwife of a fellow birth professional is potentially one of the most joyful and humbling requests I have had in my midwifery journey. It means that through the years of someone attending births in many settings, with many providers, and in a community with many options that they felt you were 'their' midwife. Even just typing that gives me all the good feels goose pimples. Birth worker sisterhood is something fierce.

At 40 +5 I went to bed that night extremely tired as any past due pregnant Mama would be, and not at all thinking I would soon meet our baby. On 12/6/15 at 2:30 AM I woke up to that pop and gush everyone mentioned would happen when your membranes rupture spontaneously. I thought "this can't be?!" This was my fifth baby and I dreamt of having this water breaking moment like in the movies but never thought it would happen.

We may be a little partial to Shannon, The Green Mommy, as Charlie attended her last birth and she has been a huge supporter and sponsor of the our Barefoot Bus project. We love seeing all of her customers cute cloth booties and appreciate the advocacy Shannon does in the community at large.

Maternity care in our country is in crisis. We need change and change happens from the bottom up- by informing, supporting and empowering women and families to get in the driver's seat when it comes to childbirth. We advocate for each other as individuals and as a group. WE are the solution.

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is held the first week of every August. Each day this week, my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter newsfeeds have been full of beautiful, strong, and inspiring photos of breastfeeding moms and babies/toddlers. These images make me proud to be a breastfeeding mom and international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).

The theme of WBW this year is Breastfeeding: A Key to Sustainable Development. Studies have proven over and over again that moms who have support breastfeed longer. This in turn makes moms and babies healthier, improves economies, and strengthens families.

Here are 4 ways to set yourself for a successful breastfeeding relationship.

On January 21st 2015 I was given the news that a baby, whom I named Marley no longer had a heart beat. I was 15 weeks pregnant and just like that, I wasn't. I'll never know if Marley was a baby girl or a baby boy but none the less that was my baby.. One I'll hold in my heart and memory until my last breath. I never knew much about rainbow babies, like I assume most don't who haven't experienced loss but I knew right away I wanted another baby. I NEEDED another baby.

When I began my practice here in Tampa it was very important to me that we keep transparency about our statistics and outcomes. None of the birth centers or midwives I had previously worked for or with routinely did this- those who did never routinely published them. As a mother, I felt I would want this information when seeking out a provider. It is something I wish was mandated for all providers!

Ah summer, we know it all too well here in Florida! This is the beginning of Barefoot Herbals summer survival staples that will help beat back this crazy season.

Sometimes our ideas about what to expect can hinder how things are needing to unfold in birth. We are our own worst enemies and can get in our own body's way more than anyone else. As midwives, we sometimes joke about the 3rd baby for a family being the 'wild card.' I want to believe this is just old midwifery folklore but the reality is that in 9 years I think I have seen this true more often than not. 

Hey there! I’m Erica Lea Barclay and I am Florida Licensed Midwife 331 who is officially joining the Barefoot Birth family, though I have been an honorary member for quite some time now. I’m here to say ‘hello!’ following this exciting announcement and introduce myself to everyone!

When families take good care of themselves during pregnancy it is rare we have to step in as midwives to intervene in the normal process. This mama took excellent care of herself prenatally and knew after a disappointing first birth in a local hospital she wanted to take her care into her own hands this time around

Basic medicine making terms and methods along with a few recipes for you to try yourself.

Taking care of families through multiple pregnancies is super special. This mama and I met in an ICAN meeting about 6 years ago. I will never forget Katye's willingness to share about her traumatic experience with her first son. A completely unnecessary cesarean forced upon her by a very aggressive doctor who lacked patience and compassion. Every single meeting Katye would come and cry and my heart broke for her every time.

We are proud and excited to be offering more breastfeeding support to our local moms. We now have 2 Lactation Consultants in the house!!

I’ve always thought of myself as a fairly confident person, as far as body image goes. I don’t often care what others think, as evidenced by my love for very short hair, wearing bright colors, and being seen in public often in leggings (“not-real-pants,” as my husband calls them). I rarely wear makeup anymore, often forget that my eyebrows are bushy or my legs need shaving, and don’t even own a scale since I never weigh myself. But I find that I’m likely just as self conscious as the next person- looking in the mirror and seeing only the bags under my eyes or that flabby skin, thinking my hair hates me today, wondering if the shorts I just put on are too short for these thighs or if something this tight should be worn out in public. I have my struggles like anyone.

When a home birth does not work out for one reason or another with a first baby, it can be so redemptive to see families navigate their way peacefully the second go around.

My first son was born in the hospital with typical hospital scares (and almost a c-section), but I was able to have him naturally and vaginally.

The night after he was born, I walked up to the nurses counter and had a conversation with one of the nurses.  She had six children, five were born at home.  She told me “don’t come back here stay at home.”

Last year I made a promise to the community that I would provide annual statistics reflecting our year in births as a form of transparent care. You can read our 2013-2014 statistics here. 

I have planned to give birth at home for years. Not 'just' a crazy hippie, it was actually my extensive education and years of work in the field of maternity care that had convinced me.

I knew that for my healthy baby and I, the care of a trained midwife at home had far fewer unnecessary interventions, more personal and respectful care, and was as safe as giving birth in the hospital.