The Journey so far…🤰🏻

Hi,

It’s great to have a safe place we all can come for advice, support and feel free to always be ourselves. As my middle hippy kid says, always be who you were born to be… no matter what remember who you are… well anyway…

My name is Carisa, a little bit about myself. I’m originally from southern Mississippi, Foxworth to be specific. I was born and raised there but my family and I have moved and lived many places over the years. Wyoming was one of our favorites. We lived there for several years and loved it. My kids still consider it one of their top states to have lived in. There I had the opportunity to learn and see first hand how living “crunchy” or natural, can benefit your life in so many ways. We still may not be perfect & have it all together but we try… 🍔🍟🍪🍷🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Hey life happens sometimes… am I right?!?! 🤷🏻‍♀️

We moved back to Mississippi after living in WY for several years. Here working as a doula and learning so much during this time in our life. I decided at this point it was time to finally start my educational journey towards this driving midwifery calling that was constantly beckoning to me. I wanted to eventually be able to support and give people a different option for birth. One that was much different than three of my four previous personal birth experiences.

My birth philosophies,
I believe birth is “NOT” a medical emergency that should be feared and that must be managed with this present day cascade of interventions. I believe birth “IS” a natural physiological process. One that our bodies have an innate primal instinct to see through to the completion. One where we gain strength from our belief, education, support, and foremothers who have birthed for so many generations before us.

I am a midwife but I consider myself somewhat of a bohemian birthkeeper. What is a bohemian birthkeeper you may ask… Well, let’s start with the word bohemian …. Through the eyes of an outsider, Bohemia is often introduced as a modification of the hippie style, or the root word, the ever-captivating “boho”. More than the all-around style, it is much much deeper. In a nutshell, it is living a unconventional lifestyle. Being in close ties with like minded individuals alike who are usually living up their free willed and free spirited life with artistic, educated, literary, musical, adventurous, and other alternative passions.

Evoking the essence of philosophy, spirituality, and mythology, This is more than the individual’s pursuit of self-expression. It also opens up pathways to showcase each person’s impact on the world, their reach to spread light. It is the belief that if a person “jumps onto life’s pages in full color”, he or she can leave a mark in history that in some way could nourish and support others of like minded belief. The belief that a person has their own path and they must walk that path helping make positive change no matter the thoughts and opinions of others all while still respecting others ideas and beliefs. 

The term “birthkeeper” refers to a person who not only supports a birthing person during pregnancy, the birth and the time after but even more importantly, encourages them to know their rights, to be educated, to empower themselves with the knowledge to ensure that we as people are claiming our power and choices. 

A Birthkeeper holds the sacred wisdom surrounding physiological birth and walks with birthing people in their childbearing years. To help guide them down that primal path that their ancestors has walked so long ago before them. They are the keepers of sacred space. They are able to serve the person to their desire and fullest extent of the law. Supplying genuine care and concern. Birth does not have limitations, (outside of refraining from offering areas of medical assistance they are not trained in). A woman being supported by a Birthkeeper would likely be supported to the fullest extent of the law.

A Birthkeeper serves their communities to the fullest extent of the law (varies by state) and bases her service offerings/limitations on her personal training. Some may carry more knowledge on the physiological birth process, with different supplies in their birth bag than some other mainstream providers might. 

If you ask me, titles are at times binding. They can tie the hands of well meaning and supportive birth workers. They can minimize the options available to birthing people. I do not care for titles, any of them. If I had to pick one, I’d choose Birth Attendant or Birthkeeper. Why? Because there is no definition. A birthkeeper is there to help and support birthing people’s choices within the capacity of the birthkeeper’s training and the birthing persons comfort level. 

If we must bring titles to the table, I’m currently a licensed practical nurse, doula, childbirth educator, midwife and forever doctor of natural and sacred medicine student. I mean do we ever really stop learning? We are all forever students of life… I am the partner of one awesome, hardworking, diehard oilfield/trucker. As well as the proud mom of three outgoing, exceptional kiddos and two time gestational surrogate.

 I worked in MS and LA as a nurse and doula in many different settings before moving to Texas with my family in 2018 to help further my educational opportunities as a student midwife. After that we moved again to New Mexico where I apprenticed under an amazing home birth midwife. We moved back to Mississippi in 2020 where I gave birth to my first little belly buddy. 

In June 2021, another great path emerged and started that adventure. I am now attending the Institute of BioEnergetic Medicine. Upon graduation from IBEM seminary in 2025, I will have completed degrees as a Bioenergetic Doctor (BD), Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM), and Doctor of Sacred Medicine (DSM).

In 2022-2023 I had the amazing opportunity in LA to finish up some final requirements and sit for the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Test to gain my Certified Professional Midwife status or CPM letters to add to the mix. 

I continue to learn and grow daily. I mean it’s a never ending process, right? There is always something new to learn. With all that said, you can see how my plate may be a little full at times between balancing this crazy 😜 life. Truth be known I wouldn’t have it any other way though . I love our crazy boho 😜 life and I always have time for my family and my birthing peeps!

Soooo we will all get there one day at a time. 👍🏻😉Hey life’s about the journey … another of my middle hippy kids sayings . ❤️😍 We can manage this journey together and do it all with strength, wisdom, and team work!