village prenatals and

mama circles

Village prenatals

are a concept created by Sister Morningstar, a talented indigenous midwife, who saw the need in her community to bring women together to nourish one another in the birthing continuum.

Women and people in general do not heal, create, love, emote, grieve, or anything else in a vacuum. We are, by nature, social creatures who have a capacity to deepen our experience of life and its passages through relationship and collective journeys. We are meant to grieve together, to heal together, to grow together, and to love together.

The village prenatal is an ongoing group of women both in their birthing year, and crones, healers, youth, and helpers who are available to weave story, help one another, and deepen in community. The aim is to nourish mothers in the birthing continuum, while also allowing others to shine in their capacity to provide shelter to others.

what to expect at a village prenatal:

  • Womben have a natural tendency to know what to do for one another when we gather. The space is loosely held by a guide such as myself, while also allowing womben to do what womben do best: Nurture

  • The “prenatal” aspect of this is not as one would expect at a medicalized prenatal. While we may do some basic prenatal activities such as measuring your fundus, this is a gathering that is much more focused on nurturing and community building.

  • Some belly mapping may however be a natural and fun point of connection for womben to their babies. I am available to help palpate bellies and imagine and talk to your baby about what position they may be in.

  • Talking story is a fundamental aspect of who we are as a species and a central theme to these gatherings. We ask that womben who have birthed, be willing to come and share stories of Empowering births. This is not the space to process traumatic births, though I’m happy to provide such space in other times and places. This is a space to bring potent, positive, empowering stories (not lacking in struggle, of course, but ultimately happy outcomes) to womben who are preparing for their own journeys.

  • Food of course is a naturally nurturing way womben gather, and we are happy to continue in the tradition of shared potluck style snacking, with no one expected to bring a huge feast, but happily provide what they can to a delicious nourishing environment.

  • I would also like to extend the monthly village prenatal into the evening to have a sweat lodge temescal for women. Those who do not wish to sweat are also welcomed to come and fire tend and gather around the fire.

  • Mama circles are another offering for the community to gather womben who recently birthed or are in the throes of motherhood to offer support and reflection with one another in the journey of motherhood. I am building my network now and would be happy to provide two circles if it seems fit, one for early childhood and one for older children.

  • These circles are inclusive and not meant to be only for cis gendered, home birthing or vaginal birthing womben! Please reach out if you feel you need support feeling safe and included in a circle such as this.

Currently Village Prenatal and Mamas Circle are combined, until we have enough attendance to feel the need for separating them.

stay tuned to my calendar page for dates-currently 1st Saturday Monthly

Current Village Prenatal and mamas circle is happening in Old Fort, NC on a monthly basis on second Saturdays at noon. Contact me for details.

Office hours~ I am also offering regular office hours after group on saturday, for focused one on one Doula and other care. $10-20 donation drop in care, or as part of my doula packages

Office hours also are included in my Doula services. Learn more HERE