We recently connected with Barbara Steppe and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Barbara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

My doula practice began 25 years ago in Madisonville during a routine prenatal visit at the local freestanding birth center. I’d recently graduated nursing school and the director of midwifery offered me a job as we chatted about my prenatal care! It took years of observing, learning, holding space for and being present to women who were birthing in ways that empowered them and safely brought babies into the world, predominantly without medical intervention. Developing trust in a woman’s innate ability to birth was key. Working through, mindfully, my own baggage so as not to bring it into another woman’s experience was essential to becoming the birth worker that I am today.
Logistically, I build bonds and relationships with local providers and established my reputation as a childbirth educator and doula who firmly stands with a woman’s inner knowing. To skillfully bring awareness to one’s own abilities is a skill and it takes time and practice responsibly mentoring women to trust their intuition and express their desires.
I learned to market myself, build websites, establish social media relationships and things I never thought that as a woman focused on birth rights I’d need to know! Let’s not even get into what the pandemic brought to the table when it came to providing what very essentially needs to be an in person experience!
It’s been a quarter of a century and there are some things I’d do differently. For example, it took a good while to learn to charge my value. Turn the hands of time back and I would’ve established an appropriate rate for the skill and expertise I bring to the table much sooner. But there are other things I would never change. In the birth community I’ve always been known as a direct speak, hard driving feminist and it hasn’t always gained me a field of fans but this is one part of me and my business that is going nowhere.
To those yet to take this journey: it’s not an easy life. On call through the night and weekends and holidays isn’t always easy. To be fully present; a task few accomplish. Recognition and ego take a firm backseat. My advice would be to firmly find your why. Why is this the venue through which you deliver your skill and talent? Women who love being pregnant and gush over babies don’t last here long. It takes a deeper knowing about what it is you’re bringing to the table to establish an enduring, stable, gratifying birth business.

Barbara , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Between my desire to live a holistic lifestyle AND my appreciation for the body’s innate knowing, I found my heart’s desire.

For 15 years I worked alongside some of the best midwives in the industry! Old school midwives, former home birth midwives, midwives educated at Vanderbilt, midwives from foreign countries, midwives who were also therapists and counselors…you name it! And good gosh what a joy! It was during this time that my love for natural birth grew as did my comfort level and ability to support normal, natural birth.

When the opportunity to work directly with Pam England, author of Birthing From Within, came along I jumped. After certifying with BFW and becoming an Advanced Mentor, I co-hosted Advanced Mentoring Workshops with Pam and am delighted to say that 24 years later we are still fast friends and, together, moving and shaking the birth industry. Additionally, I written for the International Journal of Childbirth Education and spoken at and attended workshops with greats like Ina May Gaskin and Whapio Diane Bartlett.

FreeSpirit Birth is now my baby and more than 1,200 births later I am so pleased to have a thriving practice!

I provide: Pregnancy Wellness Coaching, Childbirth Prep Classes and Workshops, Master Doula Services and Placenta Encapsulation.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

My passion sits in the lap of personal growth and the potential for actualization during life transition. It just so happens that I do that for women during their pregnancies. So, yes, I would choose the same venue through which I deliver my message, talent and experience. There is no more ripe time or opportunity for significant personal change, for a woman, than during her childbearing year.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

To build your reputation within your community of peers is absolutely imperative. It’s always been my choice to think outside the box, remain up to date and to continue to work on my own self … this and more contributes to setting myself apart. For those who make doula recommendations (obstetricians, midwives) it’s an easy win for them as they have come to know the quality of care their patients are receiving from me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.freespiritbirth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespiritbirth_prep/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeSpiritBirth
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbsteppe/

Image Credits
Aw Snap Shots and Martha at Howell Photography