Soft Centre

In case you missed it — Meg from .studios recently shared with us her reflections on creativity, community and resistance.

Now up on the community journal – link in bio.

Acknowledging the messy multitudes –

What can you softly nurture to co-exist? And which fu***rs can you let go? 😘👋🏼

Via

Lately I’ve been feeling into the roots of this work for me. This full body, mind and heart work. This work that brings me closer to my essence.

I’m reflecting in particular about my childhood loves, and how in this work now I see them reflected back to me daily. Birth/doula work is so interwoven with my life, that the edges are so blurry they are barely there. This is not to say I don’t have good boundaries, but just that this ‘work’ is a natural extension of myself.

I have always been curious about the intersections of creativity, nature and birth/death/rebirth. As a child I loved drawing and painting, storytelling and mythic creatures, I was a proud big sister and brewer of herbal potions. I would pack my little bag with books + snacks and ‘run away’ to sleep under the gum trees in the back paddock. I loved the moon and growing things and I was fearless. I’m still all of these things – still making herbal brews, cuddling babies and packing my bag for adventures. Still stepping into spaces to fearlessly support people through cycles, seasons and shifts. And I love it! It fills me up and I have such gratitude for this work and the people it brings into my life.

Soft Centre emerged as a union of these lived experiences, learnings, landscapes and loves. It weaves my many parts and acknowledges the messy multitudes of being human.

Now, I know that being a doula is so much more than cuddling sweet babies, but it’s a perk I’m here for 😘

In the early hours of the morning one year ago today, I stood my your side as you fiercely (and very swiftly) birthed your sweet baby boy. You said you would do it and you did. No one could ever doubt you, really.

It has been a joy to witness your growth as a mother and human, to be welcomed into your birth space and your family. Here’s to you my darling friend. Celebrating you both today – one year of Will! 🎂

Lara Esrey () on caring for oneself as a community care, knitting as an act of love, and their values as a full spectrum doula and community herbalist.

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Now on the community journal – link in bio.

Farewell February —

The last few months / weeks have carried much heaviness + uncertainty. The wars, the climate disasters, the humanitarian crisis and the injustices. And, as is always true with life, there have been moments of pure joy and gratitude amongst the heavy. Babies being born. Birthing people in their full power. Long term Love. Friendships. Deep belly laughs. Conversation. Spiced chai. Campfire gazing. Sunshine on my chest and ocean swims. Emerging Autumn, and the turning season. Evening laps at the local pool. Community showing up for one another again and again and again. Oof it’s been a month of big feels and soupy transition. This tender cancerian heart is trying to hold all the multitudes and keep doing my best to continue to show up with kindness and hope. x

Soak — a new playlist up on the site today.

Bodies of water, body of mine ♒︎ Music to mirror your own ebb and flow, to ride the waves and ripples through the week.

I grew up on the river, on Waveroo country. The muddy banks offering a steady embrace as the currents pulled me along. The smell of the dirt and the gum trees and that unmistakable heat of the earth underfoot, tempered by the cool dark water. Bodies of water offer us the opportunity to be held, to surrender, to emerge anew.

In her book ‘Transformed by Birth’ Birtta Bushnell likens labour and birth support people to the banks of the river, while the birthing person is the moving water. A potent image and one I am really drawn to. I always hold this analogy in mind when I am at a birth - how can I embody those grounding, steady banks? How can I allow the birthing person to move freely, to feel held, and find their own rythm unhindered?

I’ll practice by immersing my own soft and tender body in healing bodies of water, to be held, rinsed, renewed.

Photo by

love keeping me safe
every day, all day

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All the feels this Cancer full moon. 🌕 Remembering that tears shift cortisol and moonlit strolls with your beloved fur friends is also the medicine. Thinking about love, basking in its soft glow. The slow hum of the ceiling fan, late night love in the moonlight. Tending to my garden, tending to my self. Wearing my heart on my sleeve. And what about you? How is love holding you in these full moon, full feeling moments?

Image: Eye to Eye, Portrits of le****ns by JEB

Holiday blessings all 🕯

Dropping in to let you know that dear Maribeth Helen Keane’s reflections on intersectional care, community and the medicine of wild things, are now up on the site – our final community journal entry for 2021. What a joy to share these words and this gentle soul with you all.🌿

I cannot remember what first drew me to Maribeth’s offerings – it was many years ago now – but I know that in her writing I continue to see myself reflected back. The curious, soft, and tender parts. And, there is also more than this – her connection to the natural world as a guide, the respect for its wisdom and gentle weaving of these elements into her work is inspiring. There is space to grow there, in the nurturing ground of her words and offerings. I hope you get a glimpse of this too.

I will be taking a short break to be with my family, the sun, the earth and myself over the next few days. May you find the space and energy to connect with the people, animals and earth/water that you love. May you find space to be yourself, and may you be gently held and nourished.

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“I’ve come to know my community as being much more than just humans – it includes animals, birds, trees, plants, the elements, my spirit guides and ancestors.”

Photo by

As I wrap up my first (very) full year of attending births, I’m reflecting more on the sustainability of this work and the immense energy that I put into what I offer. When I show up for a person through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum I am bringing my whole self. I bring the knowledge I have gained through many years of self study and academic practice. I bring my lived experience and ongoing learning / unlearning. This works takes presence, the ability to authentically hold space and show up for people without judgement when they need it most. Care work / birth work is a worthy investment, and it is also hard to put a price tag on.

It is with all this in mind that I have decided to update my pricing – previously listed at student prices – for my birth support packages. As always, sliding scale rates / trade for services for BIPOC, LGBTIQ+ folk and those facing financial disadvantage remain available.

I have also been thinking more about what it means to be trauma informed in this work, and these principals are woven through my practice. For me, part of this is fostering trust and transparency around my offerings and pricing.

I’ve been slowly integrating this into my website over the last few months, however, as of today I will now be listing all my foundational prices online so that I am being 100% upfront with folk about their investment. I know this might not be a ‘savvy’ marketing move, but I also know that this feels most aligned with my values in this moment. I hope this aligns with you too.

In other news I will be learning more about childbirth education with Erika Davis of this summer, and friends, IM SO EXCITED.

Image: My Birth, Carmen Winnant