In the tradition of the wise-woman

Long before there were regulated midwives, throughout the world, a local woman was called to be with a woman in birth. She was recognised for her personal study of plants, seasons, women’s physiology, the process of birth, newborn care, and new mother care. She may have learned at the feet of her predecessor, another wise woman. In time, these women who were also healers due to their knowledge of food, herbs, ritual, and prayer were eliminated at the hands of ‘learned and religious’ men through the witch burnings and then through licensing and elimination. Much of their knowledge is lost to us forever.

Eventually, women were allowed back into the birth room by submitting to training in the obstetrical model and participating under the supervision of male physicians. There is some midwifery autonomy in some parts of the world, but it’s still the obstetrical model based on an ancient and wholly inaccurate understanding of the female experience.

What is a traditional birth companion?

After nearly 40 years of serving families and teaching internationally, yet dealing with ignorant persecution, smear campaigns, lies, and mean-girl nonsense from regulated maternity practitioners, I chose the words “traditional birth companion” to more accurately reflect this sacred role. Not too long ago, this role would also have been known as “the neighbour”.

This is not midwifery as it exists today. It does not follow the obstetrical model or its ancient and inaccurate assumptions about our bodies and our experiences. It does not assume philosophical superiority or exert agency over our femininity. It does not demand compliance or threaten us.

Instead, it is a sacred path of companionship from preconception to parenting that adheres to Natural Law where one is sovereign over their own bodies and their actions are for the benefit of humankind and not to harm another. This holistic woman-to-woman care includes familiarity with accurate scientific knowledge, a deep understanding of the female experience, and years of experience and hard-won wisdom.

Technocracy, that is, the government or rule of people through the application, interpretation, and expertise of technology, has changed the childbirth experience from one of ‘labour’ and joyful anticipation to one of great fear, submission, coercion, and trauma - with no better outcomes in the last several decades. It is not benevolent.

The traditional birth companion doesn’t eschew technology, it just doesn’t replace a woman’s innate knowledge, her culture, her wishes, and her choices. It is the woman herself who chooses how she interacts with technology, if at all, and how she uses its information. The companion is there to offer additional information, encouragement, holistic approaches to wellness, and to support her increasing wisdom as she regains her sovereignty over her body, her female experience, and her family.

Why become a traditional birth companion?

The medicalised birth services industry has continued to deliver dehumanised care for families that now includes unconscionably high rates of interventions, surgery, obstetric violence, and trauma. While almost all mothers and babies live despite unchecked increases in non-scientifically supported interventions, families are not thriving. There is a global crisis of birth-related trauma, postpartum PTSD, postpartum depression and anxiety, breastfeeding failure, relationship breakdown, and postpartum suicide.

Frankly, we can do better ourselves.

We can learn the knowledge and skills to support families from pre-conception to parenting including

• pregnancy nutrition that is proven to improve outcomes

• the purpose and value of all prenatal testing so that parents can make informed medical decisions with their medical provider, if desired

• safe and effective use of herbs and other complementary modalities

• the physiology of safe birth and how to both enhance safety and avoid those things that introduce risk

• how to manage variations with non-medical, traditional skills

• lactation support

• equipping parents to care for their new baby including future medical decisions

• fully trauma-informed care that does not contribute to harming families

We don’t need to rely on an industry that has refused to be accountable for its behaviour and refuses to offer the services that families want. We can leave medical issues to the medical people who work in medical facilities and we can get on with the business of companioning with families as they welcome their precious children into the world in the way that they decide is best for them. In other words, we can become more useful humans.

Why now?

The exodus has begun. Families are done with trying to birth in an industry that has imposed unreasonable restrictions on their options, refuses to learn and practice basic birth skills (mandatory surgery for breech, anyone?), coerces them into non-evidence based inductions, has growing and un-checked surgical rates, and leaves them with trauma. Add to this, a dire nursing shortage, midwifery that is indistinguishable from obstetrics, and an industry that continues to deny it has a problem regarding client care.

Pregnant and birthing families want to partner with someone who aligns with their values. Someone who

• is well-versed in pregnancy and birth-related research and knows what the evidence actually says

• understands the emotional, spiritual, and relational needs of the pregnant family

• can help the family assess their own wellness using common tools and strategies

• can help enhance and optimise wellness for a healthier pregnancy, baby, and family

• understands how past trauma impacts current health and future plans and takes a resiliency-based approach that fosters hope and healing

• can problem-solve with clients to find solutions that are best for them

• doesn’t rely on fear to motivate clients

• enjoys spending time with clients talking about life

• has chosen to become a more useful human by learning basic birth skills that anyone can use

The need is dire and the time is now.

What can a traditional birth companion do?

A well-educated, trained, and skilled companion can offer her community a variety of services.

• holistic non-medical mentoring and education through prenatal visits, attending the birth, and postpartum care

• childbirth education

• fertility awareness and planning for conception

• one-on-one consultations regarding pregnancy, birth, or postpartum concerns to help clients find and understand relevant research and support their decision-making process

• knowledgeable peer support for processing previous births or birth-related trauma

• help parents plan for a future pregnancy and birth according to their values and wishes

• in-person or virtual visits for prenatal wellness

• in-home care for the postpartum family

• breastfeeding support

Could I serve as a traditional birth companion?

It takes a special kind of person to serve a traditional birth companion!

It takes a sense of the dire knowing that far too many families are needlessly hurting.

It takes time and commitment to devote to learning the knowledge and skills that families are asking for.

It takes faith that you are called to this work and that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It takes a community of like-minded people who share in your determination to do better and offer more and support each other.

It takes moral courage to do what our professionals refuse to do, to act in fearless integrity, be accountable for our actions, to learn what they say shouldn’t be learned, to show up when others won’t, to oppose systemic abuse, and to stand up to tyranny knowing that the current industry will probably seek to eradicate you. It’s the moral courage to say ‘enough! We can do better ourselves’.

It takes you. ❤️

Why is this different?

This isn’t that

Although I’ve taught midwives in 125 countries and authored accredited continuing education, my wisdom-sharing won’t include medical midwifery. It won’t include how to freebirth or become a doula. My wisdom is most closely aligned with holistic, traditional, community midwifery that has been largely eliminated around the world in favour of the obstetrical model of maternity services.

I will share today’s medical literature to teach you what the actual science says about safe birth while equipping graduates to provide holistic, non-medical, wise-woman care to support each family’s growing wellness and path to sovereignty over their bodies and families.

You will not be equipped to work within the medicalised, regulated, hospital-based system. Nor will you have a medical license to order medical tests, diagnose diseases, or prescribe treatments. That calls for a Registered Midwife or physician.

Instead, this is a unique combination of extensive academic research into the science of safe birth, experience from teaching internationally, and 40 years of real-life experience in working with birthing families.

It’s a collaborative endeavour that embraces each participant’s prior learning and experiences, that honours each other’s perspective, that strives to form partnerships that will sustain and endure during tough times and celebrate with abandon during the triumphant times.

It opens doors of possibility where there is no one-size-fits-all and everyone gets what’s on the menu. It equips you to serve in your community according to their needs, your talents, and your passion and calling.

How does this mentoring experience unfold?

Fully online

We’ll be sharing this learning and mentoring experience in a private proprietary network that is free from prying eyes and censorship. Each cohort will unfold over 9 months. It’s organised into 13 learning units made up of 139 modules that covers topics specific to the role of a traditional birth companion as I have learned and experienced it. Each module has written content and may also include links to external videos, audios, articles, and relevant research. It may also include proprietary videos not available anywhere else. Each module includes a section for engaging with your fellow learners to ask questions, share your thoughts, answer questions, and post your assignments.

Weekly live tutorials

Each Monday, I host a live tutorial that provides unique learning opportunities by discussing topics that are not covered in the written material. Participants can ask questions, post their comments, and connect with others at the same time. These tutorials are recorded so they can be viewed or watched again at any time.

Guest speakers

From time-to-time we’ll have a guest come to share her personal experience or expertise that will further equip you for the path ahead.

Learning exercises

Each unit has several learning exercises that enhance your development, help to integrate the expansive content, and prepare you to work with future clients. Your completed exercises are shared with the group to build on each other’s knowledge and skills. There is no competition, just collaboration.

Required reading

There’s a lot to read as you learn about becoming a traditional birth companion! The one additional book that is required is Rachel Reed’s Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage. In addition to this one required book, there are several additional books you are encouraged to read and add to your library, but are not mandatory (although you’ll be glad you have them).

Biweekly study hall

Every 2 weeks there’s a live online Study Hall where participants can work through sections with each other. These sessions help participants to stay on track, talk through challenging content, share their experiences in the field, debrief experiences, and find support. We have a mentor and sherpa that guides these discussions and I’ll often pop in to answers questions and offer my perspective on challenging experiences.

Skills share

Everyone knows something! Every participant is invited and encouraged to host their own live tutorial to share something that interests them. It could be budgeting, making kombucha, baby wearing, yoni steaming, using a rebozo for labour, eating seasonally, or cleaning hacks. These tutorials are recorded so you can catch them and rewatch whenever you like. We get to find out how very cool everyone is.

Monthly gatherings

It’s not all work, we also play. Each month there’s a live online gathering to come as you are, sit back, chew the fat, talk about life, and enjoy each other’s company. This helps develop deeper friendships that often turn into great partnerships for supported birth work.

Becoming trauma informed

We live in a traumatised world and we are hurting. Everyone who participates in my wisdom-sharing to becoming a traditional birth companion will also participate in becoming a trauma informed. You will emerge from this experience with a deep understanding of what creates trauma and how we can heal.

How it’s structured

INTRODUCTION

Why I'm Here
The Culture of Childbirth
Traditional Research?

THE ROLE OF A TRADITIONAL BIRTH COMPANION

Legalities
Privacy Considerations
Getting Organised
Paperwork & Documentation
Registering a Business
Insurance

GETTING IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND

Know Yourself
Identifying Personal Values & Ethics
Values Exercise
Ethics Exercise
Emotional Intelligence
Moral Courage
Understanding Research
Preparing for Homesickness

STARTING WITH CLIENTS

Identifying your Role
Perspective & Expectations
Giving Advice
Putting Yourself Out There
Boundaries & Money
Rethinking 'Risk'
The First Meeting
A Birth Bag and Her Contents
Registering a Birth Outside the System

PRENATAL CARE

Menstrual Cycle and Conception
Understanding the Pelvis
Dating a Pregnancy
Nutrition in Pregnancy
Supplements
MTHFR Polymorphisms
Understanding Blood Work
Resus Negative and Anti-D (RhoGam)
The Low-Down on Ultrasound
Blood Pressure
Palpation
GBS Testing
Glucose Screening
Advanced Maternal Age
Previous Pre-term Birth
Threatened Miscarriage

PREGNANCY CONCERNS

Nausea & Vomiting
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Heartburn
Bleeding in Pregnancy
Trauma & PTSD
Prior Caesareans
BMI
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
Herpes
Candida Overgrowth
Pupp
Macrosomia - The Big Baby
IUGR - Small for Gestational Age
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Pre-Eclampsia
Cholestasis
Oligohydrmanios
Polyhydramnios
Breech Presentation
Postdates
Domestic Abuse

LABOUR

'Natural' Inductions
Stretch and Sweep
Spontaneous Onset
Prelabour Rupture of Membranes
Preterm Labour
Supporting a Normal Labour
The Water Breaks
The Catecholamine Surge
Assessing Progress
Precipitous Labour
Prolonged Labour
Posterior or Mal-Presentation
Back Labour

BIRTH

Universal Precautions
The 'Just-in-Case' Tray
Positions for Pushing
Everybody Poops
The Baby Arrives
Foetal to Neonatal Circulation
Blood, Boogies, and Breath - Neonatal Resuscitation
Preventing & Treating Haemorrhage
Preventing & Managing Tearing
Shoulder Dystocia
Breech
Umbilical Cord Prolapse

POSTPARTUM & THE NEWBORN

Assessing and Caring for the New Mother
Newborn Assessment
Examining the Placenta
Umbilical Cord Care
Vitamin K
Newborn Concerns
Newborn Jaundice
Rambo - First Blood
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Cultural Approaches to Confinement
Postpartum Food
Postpartum Sexuality & Contraception
Newborn & Family Sleep
Circumcision

LACTATION & BREASTFEEDING

A Little Physiology
Human Milk vs Formula
Establishing Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Positions
Interventions & Breastfeeding
Helping the Breastfeeding Mother
Breastfeeding Problems 1: Nipple & Breast Pain
Breastfeeding Problems 2: Supply Concerns
Oral Ties
Herbs for Lactation

LOSS & GRIEF

Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Loss of a Planned Birth
Lactation after Loss
Pregnancy after Loss
When the TBC Grieves

SELF CARE

Post-Birth Rituals
Preventing Burnout
Surviving the Long Labour
When Sleep isn't Enough

COMPLEMENTARY CARE

Herbs for Labour
Homeopathy
Acupuncture & Acupressure
Chiropractic Care
Osteopathic Care
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

115 External readings
202 Supporting videos
17 Podcasts to expand knowledge
40 Downloads
45 Learning exercises to quickly prepare you to work with clients
1 Final submission
430 Academic references to support your expanding knowledge

FAQs

How long does this mentoring experience last?

I’ve offered this wisdom-sharing in a few formats and the most beneficial has moved through a 10 month intensive running from September to June. Although my weekly sharing will conclude at the end of June, you’ll still have a full 3 years’ access to all my information so you can complete all the exercises and launch into serving your community in the way that best meets their needs and honours your gifts and passions. And if you still need more time, or just want ongoing access to the course, there are options for an annual subscription.

How many hours a week will I need for study?

You can expect to spend about 20-25 hours a week working through both becoming a traditional birth companion and becoming trauma informed if you would like to conclude in 10 months. Some weeks will be less and others will be more. And when you find a topic that stirs your curiosity, you’ll find yourself going down more rabbit holes as you find more and more information or you may devote more time to preparing handouts for future clients. And another week, you may just chill and digest what you’ve been learning.

How much does it cost?

This is not a business venture. This is woman-to-woman sharing. Billie accepts compensation for her involvement. Compensation will total $9000 CAD. Arrangements for compensation are made privately in accordance with private member associations.

Are there any additional costs?

You’ll be required to read Rachel Reed’s Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage which you can purchase or borrow. You’ll need a computer and reliable internet. If you plan to attend births, you’ll need to invest in a birth bag and some supplies to ensure you can safely and wisely support families. You are also expected to take a course in neonatal resuscitation along with training in resolving shoulder dystocia and breech birth. It’s important to be a useful human at a birth if needed.

Are there requirements before I start?

You’ll need a computer and internet along with some support for the journey. You’ll need a reason to be here, especially when it gets tough, and a desire to learn and serve.

If you’re here, you know how bad it is under our current technocratic medicalised birth services industry. You’ve probably read a few books about birth, listened to dozens of podcasts, and followed people on line who make sense to you. In other words, you’re a birth nerd.

You may also be a former nurse, midwife, doula, or complementary health care practitioner. If so, you may find the sessions on physiology a simpler learning experience. And if you’re new to reading research, you can move at the pace that works for you.

What’s the difference between a TBC, a midwife, and a doula?

Depending on where you live, a midwife is a medically trained, government regulated, primary health care provider with a defined scope of practice and legislation that defines which practices their license allows them to engage in and which also cannot be performed without said license. A midwife will probably have hospital privileges and can attend births in a hospital as well as prescribe and administer medications, initiate and supervise inductions, cut and suture, diagnose and treat, and is limited to only those clients whom the obstetrical industry has defined as “low risk”. If the client meets all the “low risk” parameters and the midwife agrees, the midwife may attend the client’s home birth. “High risk” clients are referred to an OB and a hospital birth. The midwife is also limited by the policies and protocols of the hospital that has granted the admitting privileges.

A doula is a non-medical support professional who specialises in education, advocacy, and emotional and physical support through the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The doula may also specialise in prenatal support and advocacy, attending births, or postpartum care and breastfeeding. Doulas attend home, birth centre, and hospital births, where permitted.

A traditional birth companion, although not medically trained, is well-versed in the medical information, research, and culture of technocratic birth. She provides holistic care through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for clients of all ‘risk’ categories. She specialises in birth after trauma as she is trained in trauma-informed care and understands what draws clients to out-of-system birth. She does not perform any restricted practices as defined in relevant legislation, nor does she conduct or manage another woman’s labour and birth. Any medical testing is accessed through a family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or other medical specialist. She helps clients to understand the results of any testing and how to use that information to improve wellness and to make informed decisions that are right for that family. There is no diagnosing, no medications, no cutting or stitching, no inducing, no arbitrary time-limits, and no coercion. The TBC does not have hospital privileges and does not attend hospital births. She serves as the community wise-woman, helping to restore physiological pregnancy and birth where possible and encouraging additional care from medical or complementary practitioners when warranted. She restores common wisdom to common families and helps them to welcome their babies in the safety and sanctity of their homes. She serves as a more useful human!

Will you teach me to deliver babies?

No. Only pregnant mothers deliver babies. I’ll teach you how to be a more useful human if you attend another woman’s birth. This might involve smiling, providing a back rub, giving her a hand to squeeze, putting on a wash load, making some tea, snoozing with the dog, or being an extra set of hands if needed. You’ll have the skills that ordinary humans should have - how to help a baby start breathing if needed, how to help a breech arrive safely, and how to ensure a mother is not bleeding excessively - without using restricted medications. There’s no “conducting” or “managing” another woman’s birth. That’s what the licensed folks do and why their clients don’t want to work with them.

I have small children and can’t leave them for births, can I still become a TBC?

Absolutely! What you do with this wisdom-sharing is up to you. You can choose to attend births, or offer only virtual coaching and support, provide childbirth education, specialise in high risk antenatal home care, offer postpartum care and breastfeeding support, teach adolescents about their sexual physiology, provide fertility awareness education, and much more.

What about in-person mentoring?

I’m offering this wisdom-sharing online so that it’s available to anyone who is called to serve as a TBC. Sometimes there are in-person events organised by me or other participants with a focus on a particular topic. You’re welcome to organise an event for your area. If possible, you may also find a TBC in your area who will provide in-person mentoring. When there are more of us, there will be more opportunities for learning and sharing what we know.

What if I decide I don’t wish to continue in this learning experience?

You can request to be removed from our private learning group at any time. No further compensation will be expected and you can request that any compensation that exceeds your time spent in the learning group is returned.

If you are removed for a violation of our written Agreement, then any compensation that exceeds time spent in the learning group will be returned.

Will I get a certificate?

I am happy to provide you with a document that says you participated in this wisdom-sharing through to its completion. You can display this in your own promotional material.

What are the requirements for completion?

In order to qualify for completion, you’ll need to

• Frequently participate in group learning discussions adding your perspective and input

• Post completed learning activities as an indication of your educational development

• Submit a reflection on Rachel Reed's book Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage

• Complete Becoming Trauma Informed with its final submission

• Submission of a Request for Completion with a final reflection

Where is this wisdom-sharing hosted?

I have a special section of my proprietary network The Harrigan Hive set aside for this learning experience. In this network, you’ll also find The Hive Community, which is a subscription-only community of like-minded women on a journey to reclaiming their sovereignty over their bodies, births, babies, families, finances, and futures. You’ll find an oasis of kindness, compassion, and support far away from the prying eyes of social medial and the comments of those who are just not on the same path.

How do I get started?

I accept learners prior to the start of another session. Potential participants will submit an application that helps to clarify where they’re coming from and why they’re here. You’ll find the application in The Harrigan Hive.

Our next session will begin September 5, 2024. JOIN NOW