In this Holy Wild Birth conversation, we’re getting honest about money, midwives, and the value of birth work. Too often, women feel uncomfortable talking about what birth support “costs” — but we’re turning that on its head and exploring what it’s actually worth.

Lauren and Brooke share candid thoughts on why hiring a midwife is an investment, not an expense, and how cultural narratives about “affording” care can quietly shape our choices around birth. From breaking down what goes into a midwife’s fee to unpacking the unseen hours, emotional labor, and sacred holding of women — this is a tender, fiery episode about money, mindset, and meaning.

If you’ve ever wondered:
✨ Why midwifery care seems “expensive” compared to hospital birth
✨ How to think about value and exchange in birth work
✨ What it really means to pay for presence instead of procedure

…this episode will help you see the full picture.

Join us for a conversation that honors the holy work of midwives, the true cost of birth, and the the wild abundance that comes from choosing care that honors the way God designed birth.

Why does it cost what it does?

Is it worth it? Why?

How to pay for it?

• yard sales

• registries

• HSAs

• Go Fund Me

• barter (and etiquette for that)

• side jobs

• payment plans

The Trouble with Insurance

• alignment with medical system

• abdicating responsibility

• don’t let it be a driver in your choices

money = skin in the game, responsibility, buy-in

• how do you put a price tag on keeping your autonomy and power?

The pure food analogy from my newsletter

What if you’re truly impoverished or experiencing true financial hardship?

• believing for miracles

• asking for provision

• sliding scales

• gift economy

• some midwives do a certain number of pro bono per year

Matthew 6
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Show Notes Links:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/28VCl8dD98i7tKjcEmgb30?si=mosPPCGXSnGS_0bHb4o87w

https://behervillage.com/

https://youtu.be/MUS7gBvgxB4Jess Ray: Lilies & Sparrows - YouTube

Join Lauren and Brooke in this heart-to-heart conversation on the language, philosophy, and everyday life of being a birth keeper. From redefining “birth team” to more soulful terms like birth companion and birth trust, to swapping stories about chickens and the beautiful chaos of big families, this episode weaves wisdom with warmth. You’ll also hear about their brand-new Birth Servant Starter Kit—a resource packed with video lessons and tools for those ready to step into holistic birth work. If you’re passionate about sacred birth, intentional language, and community-centered care, this one’s for you.Mentioned in this episode:

• Ancestral Protein Powder (makes a great mocha or hot milk drink)
• Birth Servant Starter Kit

Connect:

• Email us to say hi: ⁠holywildbirth@gmail.com⁠

• Put in a request for future topics and/or submit a question for future Q&A episodes: ⁠Fill out the form⁠

• Apply to tell your birth story on the podcast: ⁠Holy Wild Birth Podcast : Guest Application⁠

• Hang out with us and other Holy Wild Women in our private community (off Facebook): ⁠Rooted in Eden PMA⁠

• Become a holy, wild birthkeeper with us inside ⁠Hearthmother Journey⁠

From Lauren:

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• Midwifery consults: Email ⁠rootedinedenpma@gmail.com⁠

From Brooke:

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• ⁠Trust God, Trust Birth Workshop⁠ - a 5-part high-level roadmap to a confident home birth (pay what you can)

• ⁠Faith-Filled Home Birth Workshop ⁠- a free, 3-part video series delivered to your inbox

• ⁠Embrace Birth Journey ⁠- comprehensive and holistic faith-based home birth preparation (courses + private community)

Intro and Outra Music Credit -Betty Dear By ⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠ is licensed under a ⁠Creative Commons License⁠.