An interview by Ashisha at Mothering Magazine
April 2004
COPYRIGHT JPB, Freestone Publishing LLC
Q: What are the true and common considerations that you have about suggesting a couple choose Freebirth?
The TRUE considerations -- I extend the invitation to Freebirth to anyone for whom the idea has heart and
meaning. Many are called yet few are chosen for it requires a deep trust in oneself and nature. The standard
advice is that Freebirth is not for everyone. It is for "low risk" families -- yet, in the words of Artemis, "Birth is as
safe as life gets".
The COMMON considerations -- I suggest Freebirth for families who are in love with life and one another and
who are healthy, faithful, knowledgeable about perinatal possibilities and can respond fully (be responsible) for
their own experience. Caveat emptor? Not really - for in Freebirth there is nothing to buy.
Q: What are the elements that you look for in choosing good candidates for this birth choice?
I do not seek nor judge "good candidates" for Freebirth. Families are drawn to it for as many reasons as there
are births.
With that said, if a family is attracted to Freebirth as a way to avoid a recurrence of birth disappointment at the
hands of a perinatal professional, I invite them to rather heal that and find a positive motive to Freebirth. As the
bumper sticker states, what we resist, persists. The common draw to Freebirth is the realization that if
conception can be spontaneous, without assistance or support by others than the original lovers, so can
childbirth: We can birth as we conceive.
Q: How do you specifically work and coach this family?
I listen with my third ear (intuition) to their hopes and fears. I ask questions to draw out their natural knowing.
I provide an immense amount of information and new perspectives to widen their lens into the mystery so that
they see a fuller picture of their own strengths and limitations. I confess, and do not prescribe, based on my
Freebirth journeys as a mother of six spontaneously born babies and grandmother of a freeborn baby in my
home.
Q: What do you emphasize about prenatal care?
I emphasize that the baby will guide the family into caring appropriately to his or her needs if they learn to
listen. Read the stories and learn from those who have had Freebirths. Meditate. Dream. Surrender to love and
mystery. Worship in the church of gratitude. Giving birth naturally is best grounded in making the world a
better place each day.
Live as close to the Earth as possible - fresh clean air and water, fresh organic food (including herbs), lots of
singing, dancing, and loving touch is the best prenatal care for the family.
Q: Could you supply a resource list of books, websites, organizations, professionals, videos, etc. for those
women who would make this choice?
(This list is by no means extensive yet is the best place to begin. Most are available through www.freestone.org)
FILMS
A Clear Road to Birth VHS by Judy Seaman
BOOKS
Conscious Conception by Jeannine Parvati Baker
Prenatal Yoga & Natural Childbirth by Jeannine Parvati Baker
Birth & The Dialogue of Love by Marilyn Moran
Unassisted Childbirth by Laura Kaplan Shanley
Unassisted Homebirth by Lynn Griesemer
The Farmer and the Obstetrican by Michel Odent
Hygieia: A Woman's Herbal by Jeannine Parvati
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun Weed
The Power of Pleasurable Childbirth by Laurie Morgan
MAGAZINES
New Nativity II - Unassisted Childbirth Newsletter Edited by Valerie Nordstrom
vnordstrom@comcast.net
4820 69th Ave. No.,
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429-1673
The Compleat Mother Edited by Jody McLaughlin
jody@minot.com
Box 209 Minot ND 58702
The Mother Edited by Veronika Robinson
mothermagazine@hotmail.com
The Cottage, Glasonby
Near Penrith, Cumbria, UK CA 10 1DU
Midwifery Today Edited by Jan Tritten
inquiries@midwiferytoday.com
PO Box 2672
Eugene OR 97402
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