Barefoot Mamas' Network
"Natural Mothers Empowering One Another"
Barefoot Mamas' Network Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to provide local support, education and awareness for holistic and natural parenting. We are passionate about educating ourselves and discovering natural solutions for the health and future of our families. We strive to encourage families on their quest to parent naturally and provide measures for like moms to connect and share ideas and information. If you are new to holistic parenting or have years of experience, we welcome all members. We strive to empower one another on our journey while respecting each person’s parenting choices.A little about Lara...
Hello. My name is Lara Carlos. Starting Barefoot Mamas’ Network is a dream come true. For all of my life, I have felt a connection with women and their babies. I have two deep passions, my family and the amazing world of natural childbirth. Looking back into my childhood, my calling was trying to reach me in many different ways. I remember making my younger cousin Audra, pretend to give birth, with me catching the baby in my bedroom. I was always the pregnant mommy when my friends and I played house. By the time I entered college, my curiosity for birth led me to major in anthropology where I became enchanted by the way women in other cultures gave birth and raised their children so closely with other women. Before I had a child of my own, I gave a presentation on waterbirth for a class on Life Cycle Rituals. After my presentation, many women shared their birth stories with me and it was then a realization grew, that most women were not experiencing birth the way they should.
My fascination with birth only got stronger through my own birth journeys. I have three beautiful children, and the memories from their births are forever fresh in my heart and memory. I think it was destiny for me to have three very different births, so I am able to express empathy for women that I will be working with in the future. I am currently enrolled with ALACE, and working my way to become a certified childbirth educator. My Birthing Barefoot Workshops, will be available soon. I am also the office manager for Active Life Chiropractic and The Wellness Loft. I love seeing the amazing things that chiropractic does for families. I feel so lucky to have a job that I love, and I work for two amazing doctors that always support me and encourage my own personal growth.
My husband is starting his second year in
I feel so honored that the universe aligned me with Jennifer, my partner for the Barefoot Mamas’ Network. Together we are a strong force and see the potential for this network of mommies to empower one another. Thank you for your support in our network, and I look forward to the things we will learn from eachother.
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A little about Wendy...
(pic coming soon!)
I remember doing a "Self II" project in junior high school where I had to do a presentation in front of the class about my goals for the future. On my poster board I had drawn myself as a mom pushing her baby in a stroller. I think I was the only student whose goal was to pro-create! Though out my childhood and into my teens I babysat and was always drawn to babies, even spending my time volunteering in a newborn nursery. I was thrilled to death when I became pregnant at the age of 22. All I could dream about was holding a baby of my own. As a Respiratory Therapist I would work with a lot of babies and children but nothing compared to the thrill of motherhood. My labor with Chloe was too fast for an epidural but also too fast to be able to get on top of the rushes that seemed to knock me over like powerful ocean waves. When she emerged I was immediately in love. Chloe and I were truly the best of friends. We never went anywhere without each other and she was anxious to be apart from me. Austin was born just under two years later. He was an unmedicated birth at a birth center with a midwife. It was a good birth, about six hours of labor total and he was a nice large baby, but I still felt like something was missing out of the experience. When I became pregnant with Noah four years later I experienced a complication that required me to undergo abdominal surgery and an eight week recovery. I felt traumatized by the whole experience and when it was time for him to be born I opted for an induction with an epidural. At the time I just couldn't undergo anymore pain and thankfully Noah was born with very little effort. I felt like a spectator at my own labor. It was strange after having two unmedicated births. After Noah was born I decided to start my own doula business designed to help expectant mothers and their partners. Owning Origins Doula Services has been my dream job! I love helping pregnant mothers and their partners through labor and post-partum. I am also a writer for various websites and blogs. As for my family, I have changed a lot since Chloe's birth. Instead of pre-packed food I have opted for organic, healthier choices. I use natural cleaners, avoid plastics, and use homeopathic remedies and acupuncture. I have also chosen to breastfeed each child into toddler hood.
I feel so blessed that Jen, Lara, and Melissa have come into my life! I think we enrich each other and we hope to carry that over to all the members of our Barefoot Mamas Network.
My first pregnancy experience was at the age of sixteen. My son Alec arrived 3 months shy of my high school graduation. I completed my high school education with the assistance of a Pregnant Minor’s Program offered through my high school. It was through this program and the support of a very experienced mother that I learned how to be a “mom” and what my childbirth options would be. I found great comfort through this program and after having my child I dedicated myself to assisting other young moms in the same situation. I became a labor support person for many young girls and even had the privilege of wearing the “daddy” bracelet in the hospital when a young mom found herself without any family support. These years greatly impacted my life.
I went to college, became a licensed vocational nurse and began working in the OB/GYN department at LLUHC. I enjoyed assisting with pregnant and gynecological patients but desired more patient interaction. Something was missing…
My second child was a very “western medicine” pregnancy and delivery with a planned epidural and no attempt at natural childbirth. This was a very difficult time in my life as I found myself questioning my abilities as a mother. I could not understand the struggles I was experiencing with breastfeeding and post-partum depression. Again, something was missing…
When I discovered that I was pregnant a third time, I immediately decided that I wanted to educate myself more about pregnancy and childbirth and the options that were available to me. I wanted this pregnancy to be different but I was not quite sure what I was after. I sought out every friend I knew that had experienced this “natural childbirth.” After months of receiving answers to my questions, reading and research, I knew what I wanted. I prepared my body, mind and spirit and gave birth to my third child, Miles on Sept 18, 2007 after 18 hours of natural childbirth. This is a moment my soul will never forget. I finally felt empowered, fulfilled and blessed. At last I had found what I was searching for.
I have engulfed myself in my desire to live holistically. I strive for a healthy family in all aspects of body, mind and soul. I believe it is my job to be a positive example to my children especially in lifestyle habits. I believe in my ability to homeschool my children. We eat organically, use non-toxic products in our home, use cloth diapers, use homeopathy when the body is not at ease and get regular chiropractic adjustments. I am so excited to be a co-founder of this group. Lara has become a great friend of mine and I am so excited to be on this journey with her. I feel that this will be a successful and empowering group and that we will learn many new things together. Thank you for your support.
