Footprints: Barefoot Birth Stories

Some of the lovely mothers we've partnered with we're kind enough to share their birth stories below. Click any image or title to read. And please visit our DoulaMatch page to read more stories and share your own Barefoot Birth experience with us. We would love to hear from you again!

My story is quite different from most women’s in that I was not really scared of giving birth. My partner and I knew I would give birth naturally and that my body was made to do this. During the last few weeks of my pregnancy, and after Bradley Method classes, I started toying with the idea of switching from a planned hospital birth to one at a birthing center.

  • I was, unfortunately, risked out of that being a possibility. I knew I would need help asserting my desires to a hospital staff. Enter Barefoot Birth.

    They came to our house and met with us for the first time to explain everything we needed to know. When my day finally came and I made the call, they were at my house within the hour. I labored at home from 7PM to 9 AM, calling them at an un-Godly hour somewhere in between. Megan was with me from 4:00 am until we left for the hospital, where Charlie met up with us. She followed Anthony and I around the house with my laptop all morning on Contraction Master and kept my times recorded so we knew how I was progressing. When we finally agreed it was time to leave she took care of everything so Anthony could focus on coaching me and I could focus on the long awaited arrival of our little surprise (we waited to find out the sex).

    Upon arrival, I knew my odds of “getting along” with the nursing staff were slim. Many hospitals these days seem to scoff at a woman’s ‘attempt’ to have a natural birth. And from the reaction I got from the nurses that day, I knew it was going to be a problem. After too many hours at the hospital, and much to the dismay of the hospital’s staff who were trying to convince me I was “putting my baby in danger”, I left. Charlie and Megan stayed by my side and supported me in my choice to leave an establishment that was trying to scare me into agreeing to things I was against, and a possible C-Section. They guided me, and reminded me of my wishes for a natural birth. After hearing the things the doctors and nurses were saying amongst themselves they prepared me for the possibility of needing to AMA myself in order to succeed in getting the birth that I so longed for.

    When we arrived back home they prepared a wonderful, relaxing environment for me to labor in (including an essential oil filled bath…highly recommended). We decided our backup plan would be to return to an alternative hospital when I knew I was ready to push. They continued to support me, keep the environment nurturing and comfortable for me, and explain all questions to my family. The latter of which was not an easy task due to my family being so concerned by the false information they had been fed by the hospital staff. An hour and a half later, my daughter was ready to meet the world. We left for the hospital. Charlie and Megan were right by my side. They followed us there and called ahead to alert the staff. As we arrived, so did Mirielle. And we were overjoyed to meet her.

    Having Charlie and Megan as my doulas was an amazing experience. They are so welcoming and knowledgeable. I could never imagine my birth without them. Thank you both so much for all you did. You put up with my family, supported my wishes and were my voice at the hospital when my doctors were not listening to me. I truly value everything you did for me.

Where do I begin??? These ladies are AMAZING!!! 

My husband and I decided to hire a doula when I was just beginning my second trimester. Our first meeting lasted 3 hours; we found that Megan was so personable and knowledgeable. I found it so helpful to have Megan be a part of my journey.

  • We met all throughout my pregnancy to chat and for me to ask her tons of questions about what was going on with my body. She was also very available via phone calls or text messages. When the big day came, she was at my home as soon as she could get there and never left my side

    (unless I asked her to do something for me). She made sure I had food and fluids and did anything I asked her to do. When I was experiencing back pain, she massaged my back for as long as I wanted her to, it was wonderful! 

    Our baby is now 6 weeks old and I have maintained a wonderful relationship with Megan, and will continue forever! We have met a few times postpartum and talked on the phone a bunch. Megan will always hold a special place in our hearts and will forever be a part of our lives. 

    I was introduced to Charlie by Megan about half way through my pregnancy, not knowing at the time that she would be the assistant to our midwife we would soon be hiring (at 32 weeks). Charlie was also such a ball of knowledge, answering so many questions I had about the birth plan, hospital procedure, and homebirth. Charlie assisted Marianne in checking fetal heart tones, preparing for the delivery, and helping me feel as comfortable as possible. 

    Both Megan and Charlie are well worth the money and we couldn’t be happier with their services. 

    We had the best team possible at our home, thank you for your professionalism and forever friendship!

These two ladies are marvelous. If you want women who are not only passionate, but well-versed in their field you want one or both of these ladies at your birth. These ladies, Charlie and Megan, are professional yet compassionate... you will feel taken care of physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually... and you will have no doubt in your mind that they are confident in their abilities.

  • My story/labor did not go as I anticipated, which could not be helped - and these two ladies stuck it out with me. I endured 54 hours of natural labor and these ladies slept on exam tables in order to stick it out! Megan would check my vitals every 

    contraction and EACH time she was quiet, gentle and thorough. Charlie and Megan both gave me tips and advice as I was laboring in order to help me progress, each tip worked! Talk about DEVOTED! 

     These ladies were invested in me as a woman and believed in me when no one else would have... had I been anywhere else, with anyone else, I would have been transferred hours earlier, but these ladies, along with the midwife KNEW that I needed to get to a certain place mentally before I could accept a transfer and these ladies never gave up on me, they confidently told me that NO MATTER WHAT I was going to have a baby and that I was doing my very best, encouraging me not to give up. 

    I would be more than happy to answer any questions, or go into further detail about my experience, but in closing - do not hesitate in choosing Charlie and Megan to be at your birth, you will NOT regret it.

My experience with these two amazing women started at Sweet Child O' Mine midwifery service. I got to know Megan through our weekly check ups and my boyfriend and I decided to hire the two for our home birth.

  • I met Charlie at our first doula consultation, and quickly understood the chemistry these women have together. They work well off of each other, and combined, have many stories, experience, and knowledge to share. 

    When it came time for labor, Charlie was our doula, due to Megan being under the weather. Charlie showed up to our house within 15 minutes of calling her at 3:30 in the morning! She weathered the wait

    for 19 hours with us, offering helpful aromatic massage, encouraging words, and homeopathic supplements to help with the labor. She constantly filled the birthing tub with hot water, she used the rebozo to help with my sons positioning in the birth canal, and took candid pictures of those precious moments we'll cherish forever. Overall, she tied all the loose ends, and truly showed her expertise in making our birth experience perfect. 

    After birth and delivery, I decided to have my placenta encapsulated, in which Megan so kindly dehydrated for me. I would, without a doubt, recommend this process to any new mother. In my opinion, it has helped with recovery time, and has balanced my hormones preventing those low baby blues. Charlie has continued to be a great support post partum. I can call or text her at any time regarding questions, and they both have been persistant in assuring me that they are here to help. I love them both, and cant say enough how beautiful these two women are. Thank you Charlie and Megan!

I wanted to thank you for taking on the role that you have in being a support system for women and coaches during such a precious time. My entire birth story and delivery was amazing and I am so excited that you were able to experience it with me. 

  • Since the birth of Sarah, there have been a few over-whelming moments , but everything has been fine. I never knew that there was so much love in the world! No one ever paid so much attention to me before. I want to thank you ladies for sharing this experience with me; you will forever be a part of my birth story and I that's a bond that will last forever. I mean you saw my va-jay-jay! I normally make it past the 3rd date before that happens! 

    All jokes aside, I am very appreciative and would recommend Barefoot Birth to anyone I know. You were very professional, but friendly and warm at the same time. (And having my phone fully charged while walking in the park at 8:30PM while 5 centimeters dilated ) Also, thanks so much for the beautiful photos! They were amazing.

Charlie attended my home VBAC - My labor progressed really well and efficiently.  Charlie was there to help with all those simple things that seem so hard to remember when you re in labor (drinking, eating, massaging my back).

  • It was very important to me to do my own vaginal exams - when I would do a check and describe what I was feeling she was so helpful to tell me what it was I was feeling - my bag of waters then my baby's head!

    At one point in my labor, I told everyone at my birth that the baby was physically stuck, not a mental block with labor or birth.  Charlie was the only one at my birth who believed me that the baby was somehow physically stuck. I was almost in tears that I could no longer move my baby with

    hypnobirthing breathing. Charlie was the one who came to me and told me that if the baby is really stuck, I may have to just bear down and push him out. She understood how important laboring down was to me and helped me come to the emotional decision that this baby was going to require a little more to get him out. I am so thankful I had Charlie at my birth to help me through everything but especially this moment. When my baby was born, he had a nuchal arm and I felt so validated and understood it was likely his elbow stuck on my pelvis.

    Charlie also helped me with my placenta. I wanted to consume it raw in a smoothie.  Charlie cut it into chunks and made a smoothie with some fruit from the fridge. It tasted like a fruit smoothie with a shot of Floradix Iron and Herbs. I didn't see Charlie at the moment when she was preparing the placenta, but saw pictures later. My son says that is the happy pictures of Charlie - she took so much love and care in preparing that smoothie for me and it was perfect postnatal medicine!

    I am so glad I had Charlie at my birth and if we have a third, I hope she can be there for that birth as well (maybe as a midwife by then).