In this episode of the Born Wild Podcast, Sophia Henderson sits down with Rachael, midwife and creatrix of the Elemental Birth Rites course journey, to explore the profound intersections of loss, birth, and personal transformation. Drawing from her own experiences with miscarriage and witnessing challenging birth stories, Rachael shares how these moments shaped her approach to midwifery and deepened her reverence for the sacredness of birth.

The conversation touches on the importance of addressing the “mother wound,” embracing rites of passage, and integrating ancestral healing into the birth space. Rachael also speaks to the significance of self-care for caregivers and the need to normalize discussions around loss in pregnancy.

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What You’ll Learn:

• How personal loss shaped Rachael’s path into midwifery

• Why miscarriage and loss must be openly acknowledged and supported

• The role of ancestral healing, shadow work, and earth-based spirituality in birth work

• Understanding and healing the “mother wound”

• Threshold tending and rites of passage in pregnancy and birth

• Why self-care is essential for midwives and birth workers

• How death and birth are interconnected as sisters

• The vision and offerings of the Elemental Birth Rites course journey

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Guest Bio:

Rachael is the creatrix of the Elemental Birth Rites course journey and founder of Elemental Midwifery in rural Maine. Her background in alternative healing—massage therapy, sound healing, herbal medicine, and more—deeply informs her approach to midwifery. Since graduating in 2015, Rachael has provided home birth care in the mountains of Colorado and beyond, witnessing firsthand the impact of unprocessed trauma in the birth space.

Determined to address the emotional, spiritual, and ancestral dimensions of birth, she created the Elemental Birth Rites course journey, a synthesis of ancestral healing, transpersonal psychology, and earth-based spirituality. Through her work, podcast (Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine Arts), and community offerings, Rachael supports families and birth workers in honoring the full spectrum of the birth experience.

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Links and Resources Mentioned:

🌐 Websites: elementalbirthrites.com | elementalmidwifery.com

📸 Instagram: @elementalbirthrites

🎧 Spotify Podcast: Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine Arts

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Call to Action:

If this conversation resonates with you, share it with a friend or fellow birth worker. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the Born Wild Podcast to help us continue bringing you real, raw conversations from the birth world.

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Connect with Us:

📸 Instagram: @sophiabirth | @bayareahomebirth | @bornwildmidwifery

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141. The Healing Power of Loss in Birth Work with Rachael