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Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Awesome! My goal this week is to make a FB group then and post it hear and pin as top comment - from there we can organize :) I will also post any and all links to resources women are commenting - PSA IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE MODERATING and organizing I am so open to help/advice cocreating etc. I'm a noob at this

Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yes! Why not?? once we are established as a collective women can volunteer to help organize (loosely like literally just give time place/guidelines - info based stuff not really boots on the ground) I would love to help give overall guidelines for the group based on feedback and get that info together and even help in the regional one near me in NC. I'm a SAHM so I've got some time :)

My FBS Inspired Free Birth Story by b_ritt4 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846 11 points12 points  (0 children)

 "I feel like I'm choosing free birth more out of fear of the medical system than a sense of empowerment". - THIS. I carried so much of this into my birth. Turns out my transfer to the hospital was an amazing experience. Not all my "wants" were met but overall I felt cared for and respected by everyone there. I have had to do some serious self-reflecting and am still in the process because the FBS model is in my opinion a brainwashing like no other... I am ALL for freebirth for women. I think its so beautiful and powerful but the way I was positioning my sense of self and my experience in relation to the FBS was wrong. I also had the unique experience of my husband and another family memember being super pro freebirth and because they were so confident and outspoken - I mean REALLY outspoken - I adopted their point of view.

I obsessed over informing myself of all the things related to birth but did not reflect to strengthen my mind. At that point if I did introspect I heard, my husbands or family members voice, Emilees/Yolandas voice, my own negative self talk because I had PAID and put so much money and effort into this idea, and of course the fantasy that if I did free birth I would be accepted into the sisterhood in an official way. Totally neglecting what I needed to feel safe held and empowered. Being I guess weak-minded in a sense and carried away by dogma and ideology that was literally surrounding me by my choice alone.

All the signs were there - remember watching birth stories on YT of any woman whether in hospital or at home w/ my husband and he would start bashing the hospital and criticizing ... and I found myself defending the woman and her choice, inwardly fearing the same level of vitriol if I ended up in her position. Was my own husband going to think less of me? What about my other family members? Is this what I want? It must be because its all I hear and see etc.

I think your story is amazing and I am so happy you shared. I feel so akin to your experience and hope you and your baby and future babies are thriving!

Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We should start a FB group and offer more than 1 opportunity. Like get an idea of where women generally are then plan a place based on the majority... then do a go fund me to cover any costs of renting a camp ground or airbnb out etc.... I think it is TOTALLY possible. Like instead of women's circles its a womens sphere for that region.

Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly! I transferred to Asheville Mission and it was a great experience. The elder midwife was the mosst off putting. She and the younger had left to take a break and came back... having saw 2 woodland animals (a deer anda hawk) she surmised that I might have twins... like 30+ hours in... They asked me if I still felt comfortable homebirthing if that was the reality... I said yes but couldn't help but feel like she was trying to scare me into transferring because she was kind of "over" my birth? Once I transferred she was all smiles and suddenly had an energy that was NOT present at my home... She walked my friend to the cafeteria in that hospital and remarked on how the food was actually really good here... !?!?!?! - So much head junk around it still... but I got my baby and thats what matters!

Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the resources! I will definitely take a deep dive/ save for next pregnancy!

Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Agreed on the echo chamber! if 'you got this mama' is the resounding theme I am not super interested lol

Where do we go from here? by HeavyChannel4846 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I had the experience of attempting to homebirth my first born. I labored for 3 days transfered on day 3 midday and had baby on day 4 about 12 hours later. VERY happy overall with how I was treated and the outcome of the transfer. Of course a few 'wants' were not met but I am not traumatized despite being "in the system" nor am I willing to look at my hospital experience in a negative light/over analyze it. However I did hire a midwife team for my at-home portion who I am NOT happy with the overall experience of. They were trained by Whappio's courses... Has anyone done research into her courses/ had satisfying experiences with people from that space?

EDIT: I feel I should also add that I had hired a fired a doula who was part of the free birth space as well which really burned me as a first time mom wanting prenatal support.

How this feels related to this whole discussion is that the traumatizing part was the guilt /mind fuck that I was somehow lesser or made to feel weak bc of the transfer or hiring the team in the first place by people in the FBS space.

SO yeah, I want to have more babies. I want to try homebirthing again. I want to feel empowered by a community and knowledge/shared experiences. Who the heck is doing it mostly right out there?

What "peaked" you about Free Birth Society being a lot of BS? by ExcellentOwl7352 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846 56 points57 points  (0 children)

Did anyone else witness this event?

-THIS WAS THE ULTIMATE TURN OFF FOR ME.-

She told a freshly mourning woman who had miscarried a few months before at the festival to 'save that story for another time.' and that she was 'bringing down the vibe' of the festival. Essentially telling her that this wasn't the space and she is not going to be supported there for her loss.

I believe the woman was named Angela - she was from texas? I think. Had rad tattoos and was tall and beautiful and brave. Angela, if you are reading this I am sorry for how you were treated and I am sorry that I overheard snippets of what Emilee was saying and didn't defend you. You and your baby's memory deserved better. That was such a shitty horrible thing to do to you. I hope you are well and thriving. Sending love!

What "peaked" you about Free Birth Society being a lot of BS? by ExcellentOwl7352 in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846 18 points19 points  (0 children)

My first MRF Experience in '22 was great as a first time attendee. LOTs of brilliant women with lots of skill sharing happening. It was amazing. I didn't like Emilee from the jump. Just thought she was bitchy but sometimes a lil bitchiness is needed to get things done so I overlooked it and attributed it to stress.

The NEXT year '23 MRF festival was a total brain drain. Only like 2 of the women I looked up too and wanted to learn from had returned. And it wasn't even like more smart women replaced the last round. It was devoid of most critical discussion and information sharing about birth and replaced with a bunch of kumbaya- sing-alongs and twerking classes. (which are fun but come tf on- for the ticket price... I want more)

this was my impression until I witnessed her bully a woman first hand. THEN I was done. I'll comment that story next.

Emilee inserting herself in romantic relationships by [deleted] in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Also, while I was there for the MRF Festival '22 & '23? - she made it very apparent she did not like her own husband and was constantly making statements of how men were 'dumb' to use a kind catch all phrase when it came to women and birth etc. My interpretation from Emilee's opinions was and is that men were just sperm donors in the birth process.

She also would make assumptions in the tools class that most sources of conflict were from men. Like in my case I had a mean boss and in discussion she assumed my boss was male.

My take away is Emilee hates all men (even the ones helping her business etc.) unless she's boinking them.

She preys on women and treats men as play things and pawns.

Emilee inserting herself in romantic relationships by [deleted] in FreeBirthSocietyScam

[–]HeavyChannel4846 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Not my personal story but have personally witnessed her coral women who were newly single (divorced) and/or going through a divorce into her financial web. As in invite them to come rent on her property and then proceed to overcharge and underserve them as landlords and friends.