Birth Keeper
About Grounded
I work with women in confronting their fears with gentleness, through connection, education and truth. With the knowledge that these things are a catalyst for courage, power and taking radically authentic self-responsibility.
Nice to meet you. I’m Katie.
I’m here to help you detangle the knots and lies surrounding womanhood, motherhood & birth. I’m here to witness you, hear your story, inspire you to find your own power & get you to the birth you’re dreaming of.
Birth Keeper vs Doula
A doula is a lay person who provides physical, emotional and informative support typically to a woman throughout her pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience but also to anyone who is experiencing a medical or turbulent event. The word “doula” comes from Greek, meaning “a female slave”. At birth, she typically works alongside the medical system where the medical practitioner always takes on the authoritative role.
A birth keeper, synonymous with a traditional birth attendant, an authentic midwife, a sovereign woman’s witness and potentially many other variables, is a woman who holds reverence for the sacred process of birth. She guides the mother, the highest authority in the birth space, to seek her own strength and power. A birth keeper knows birth intimately, she respects the wisdom of a mother’s body and its innate and intelligent design. A birthkeeper serves only the woman and her highest good.
WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE SAYING…
Katie showed me empathy, compassion, wisdom and trust throughout my pregnancy and birth which I otherwise lacked from my support network such as my family. She was not just a mentor but a friend. Without her I would’ve not experienced the empowering and open minded journey that I did for my first pregnancy. Her passion is limitless and she utilises her knowledge and passion to ensure you are receiving the best care possible. She will be invited on my next pregnancy journey without a doubt.
Free Birth vs Sovereign Birth
The definition of free birth seems to be up for debate, I personally have adopted the definition used by Emilee Saldaya and Yolanda Norris-Clarke, my teachers, at the Free Birth Society.
Free birth happens in the absence of any hired birth professional.
Sovereign birth happens in the absence of any licensed birth (or medical) professional. Sovereign birth may take place in the presence of a radical birth keeper, a doula or other non-licensed and private birth professional.
All free births are sovereign births, but not all sovereign births are free births.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in words and definitions and many women feel a sense of pride in using the term ‘free birth’ to describe what they want or what they experienced. Yet being alone with just a partner and perhaps a family member or friend really isn’t right for everyone. Many of the pioneers of free birth themselves experienced home birth with birth professionals present before they experienced free birth with their second or third children. Words are interesting, yet all that really matters is that you take hold of your authority, grasp your own power and choose the birth you want.
FAQs
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I am not a medical midwife, I do not have a medical licence and am not associated with any governmental establishment. I serve you, the woman, and only you as a private and independent entity.
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Birth is designed to have a lasting impact on the psyche and physiology of a woman. While I’m sure we can agree that it’s a worthwhile investment to ensure that the experience creates the most positive impact possible, I understand that sometimes there are true financial barriers that get in the way. Please contact me anyway! I offer a sliding-scale price option for many of my offerings, and generous payment plans for others. Occasionally couples or families may have skills or services to offer that I would be happy to trade for.
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I respond quickest to a text or Whatsapp message on 07453 661 688
You can also give me a call, or send an email to katie@groundedbirth.com
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So long as you’re pregnant, then now is the right time! Whether you just found out or were ‘due’ last week, it’s never too early or too late.