E19 – 8 Birth Stories 1 Podcast – Maryn from Indie Birth Midwifery School – Hospital and Home
Midwifes, Birth workers, Doulas, Childbirth Educators and the all important pregnant mothers this podcast is informative and full of life experience! Hospital to Home Birth, becoming a midwife, creating the Indie Birth community, a wonderful life is with a family of 7 children and I would say a pretty supportive husband! Enter Maryn Green and Indie Birth. I could have listened more and more to this womans insights, she has come from an array of experiences across all levels. 8 births, and becoming a midwife from a classical music background and then forming with her close friend and support person Indie Birth Association. I have found Maryn’s own podcasts to be so beneficial in my learning and growth as a person and as a Doula. Its refreshing to see people advocating and speaking out for birth preferences and rights of responsibilities to and for families. (pics below are the birth of True #6)
Maryn and I talk about her 7 births from Hospital experiences to home births. All so different and all lessons to teach into the person that she is today. Her beginnings are typical of a first time mother that with out the right support for the family in brith you could end up in the cascade of intervention, and Maryn was left feeling that something was not quite ‘right after her first birth.. One year on, she hired a Doula and decided halfway through her pregnancy that home was the best place to birth her baby. Then from there she become a birth advocate! From here on you will hear about many tales of her apprenticeship in midwifery, her next 5 births that all ended up being at home and teaching her the lessons that she uses in her midwifery and advocacy today.
Birth of Ever #7 – Taken by Maryns older daughter. Beautiful!
While you listen and gauge your way thought the podcast remember how important the ‘journey’ is in this and the lessons we can learn and how important the lessons are in our own personal growth with the support of others. Maryn speaks with such clarity on her experience and how this has shaped her.
NEXT EPISODE WILL CONTAIN PART 2 – WITH MARYNS STORY ON BIRTH / DEATH OF SABLE SAGE.
From Maryn – “As a midwife this has stuck with me.. Its so powerful the words we say to women if we don’t believe in them, then we should not be working with them and if we do believe in them then our words mean so much ”
“ You have to have the births to become the person you are today”
“Birth and life are journeys, they do teach us what we need.”
“I do believe these babies come with their lessons, and we are all here to learn”.
Resources
Taking Back Birth Podcasts – I have listened to all the podcasts! I love the informative and approach that Maryn applies to her work. Great personal stories and also interviews. The conversation we got into about midwife persecution. the podcast is 13 The Death of Midwifery.
Indie Birth Wise Womens Circle – Yearly membership to join a community of connected women to learn, enhance and find support for birth workers and families. ‘sisterhood’ with teaching, live calls and group chat. HERE
My journey into birth actually began with the birth of my first child, albeit in a hospital. I did not even know that homebirth was an option, but I was frustrated with the hospital experience I ended up having. With my second child, I was introduced to the idea of birthing at home by my doula, who could see no other option for me- given how “stuck” I was on wanting things to be unhindered, uncomplicated and the safest, most loving experience for my baby.
Needless to say, my homebirth was everything I needed and wanted, as a woman and a mother. I have gone on to have three more midwife attended births, and TWO amazing freebirths/unassisted births. I am passionate about helping to INFORM women, to educate them and support them on their path; and to help them make their own decisions both before, during and after birth. I strive to strike the balance between what I know intellectually and what I “know” intuitively.
I believe that birth is inherently safe, and that most women and babies are more than capable and willing to be born without a lot of fiddling from someone else. I support women that want unassisted births and women that would like an attendant. I believe that women know how to birth and that babies know how to be born. In this culture, sometimes we need to be reminded of our power and our potential as women. I cannot give anyone empowerment; I only try and show you a reflection of what is already right inside of you. I feel divinely lucky to be a part of the life cycle so intimately.
I was educated in the apprenticeship model, and completed a 4 year apprenticeship beginning in Chicago and ending in Arizona. I’ve completed formal midwifery studies and obtained a midwifery license in Arizona. As a result, I had my own homebirth midwifery practice, Red Rock Midwifery as an Arizona Licensed Midwife from 2009-2012. I am a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).
After 3 years, I saw very clearly that my birth philosophy and my role in women’s lives no longer fit into the “licensed midwife” model. In my opinion, this model uses outdated research evidence (as well as cultural myths!) to create rules and regulations that determine where women are “allowed” to birth and with whom. Ironically, these regulations do not ensure safety nor do they protect women or babies. I believe so strongly that pregnancy and birth are natural, private events, and that the government should have little to no involvement in these decisions. I do maintain current certifications in Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR and haven’t left behind any of the knowledge, expertise and experience I gained as a licensed midwife. In fact, I believe the bar is much higher now, and I continue to study and learn and ask questions every day of my life. I no longer practice as a “midwife” in Arizona but prefer the term “traditional birth attendant” or even “birthkeeper”.
Women deserve a birth option that is NOT black and white. “Medicalized midwifery”, hospital birth and freebirth are NOT the only options. We provide an option that integrates support, love, knowledge, research and intuition, and allows women to birth at home with the most comprehensive support available.
I believe the great Jeanne Parvati Baker illustrates my point most clearly:
“I coined the term
BIRTHKEEPER
— to marry EARTHKEEPERS and BIRTH
EarthKeeper is a word
for Eco-activists
as well as holders of the sacred Earth-based wisdoms.
Midwives can be the same,
yet the term “Midwife” has been usurped by MEDwives
and other medically-based perinatal professionals.
At this point in time on Turtle Island,
Midwifery is an endangered species.
Too many Midwives
have identified with the oppressor,
learned to speak the conquerers language,
and otherwise been vanquished to emerge as
obstetrically-trained “Medwives”.
In other words,
many Midwives have given up being
guardians and keepers of natural birth at home,
in order to survive as professionals.”
In that light, we do not offer “midwifery services” but that of birth consultants, birthkeepers, birth attendants..or whatever else you want to call it. Women guides have also been available to other women during birth and we are honored to carry on this ancient tradition.
We also provide classes and one-on-one consultations (in person, Skype or phone) for private members only.
We DO NOT provide Skype or phone assistance during birth.
The private membership association I founded is called the Indie Birth Association. We are a collective group of women that support women’s choices in birth, and we have varying education and support levels depending on what you require. I believe that birth is about the women; the mothers and their babies, not about the midwives or the doctors. Women own birth. As I watch women take back birth on a daily basis, a little part of my soul gets renewed. I have hope for birth and for our future generations to be born in love, peace and kindness.
In addition, I am working on my certification in Medicinal Aromatherapy. I am a lifelong student, always learning; I credit Ancient Art of Midwifery Institutewith providing me with an amazing midwifery education. I graduated from AAMI in 2012 with honors.
I live with my husband of 17 years and our 7 children. Life is good!
The podcasts have completed their cycle however, enjoy the 50+ hours of amazing stories of birth and beyond that will remain on this website or subscribe via all good podcast players. Thank you for all your support over the years! ♥️
From Maryn – “As a midwife this has stuck with me.. Its so powerful the words we say to women if we don’t believe in them, then we should not be working with them and if we do believe in them then our words mean so much ” 
From Maryn – “As a midwife this has stuck with me.. Its so powerful the words we say to women if we don’t believe in them, then we should not be working with them and if we do believe in them then our words mean so much ” 
My journey into birth actually began with the birth of my first child, albeit in a hospital. I did not even know that homebirth was an option, but I was frustrated with the hospital experience I ended up having. With my second child, I was introduced to the idea of birthing at home by my doula, who could see no other option for me- given how “stuck” I was on wanting things to be unhindered, uncomplicated and the safest, most loving experience for my baby.
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