The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode: 1KHO 647: Rediscovering the Power of Birth | Beth Barbeau, Indigo Forest
Host: Ginny Urch
Guest: Beth Barbeau (Indigo Forest)
Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and enlightening conversation, Ginny Urch and midwife/educator Beth Barbeau explore the profound impact of birth experiences—not only on babies, but on mothers and families. Ginny shares her personal journey through five births, beginning with little information and progressing toward empowerment, with Beth offering wisdom, context, and a respect for every birth story. The episode underscores the transformative power of birth, the need for informed choices, and the importance of regaining generational wisdom around childbirth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Continuum of Birth & Health

• Beth: Emphasizes viewing birth, parenting, and health as a continuum rather than isolated events.
  • “Happy is healthy births, healthy lives because I see one leading into the other… I don’t know how to only talk about the day the baby comes out…to me, it all goes together.” (01:42)
• Advocates for holistic preparation over focusing exclusively on the moment of birth.

2. Birth Location and Informed Choice

• Beth’s Free Resource: A downloadable guide on the pros and cons of various birth locations is promoted, intended for everyone, regardless of birth plans.
  • “Even if somebody else in the family's having a baby, even if you already know you're having planned C-sections...this birth location download is really suitable for pretty much anybody.” (03:31)
• The guide is meant to foster empowered decision-making—knowing your options can reduce trauma and surprise during labor.

3. Respect for Every Birth Story

• Both hosts make clear: No single “right” way to birth—honoring caesareans, medicated, home, birth center, etc.
  • “Everyone listening—your birth story—everyone listening has been to at least one birth because we’ve said it before: they’ve all been born.” (04:33)
• The importance of respect and non-judgment in discussions about birth (04:33).

4. Ginny’s Early Birth Perspective: “No Idea”

• Ginny describes initially being under-informed and considering an elective C-section based on a friend’s positive experience:
  • “My friend had a C-section. I’m just gonna do the C-section. It’s 45 minutes, then it’s over.” (08:17)
• A gentle comment from a doula friend sparks research and change ("There are some pros to the baby coming through the birth canal." –09:12).

5. The Role & Value of Doulas

• Historical Context: Across generations, women were supported by experienced helpers: “There are 10,000 generations of successfully birthing women behind every single person listening to this podcast.” (10:00)
• Modern Doula Role: Critical support in any setting, not just home birth; Doulas provide advocacy, education, reassurance for both mother and partner, and hands-on help.
  • “If I needed or wanted a hospital birth, I would not birth in the hospital without a doula. Period. End of story.” (13:14)
• Doula fees vary ($500–$3,000), but their value is in personalized care, continuity, and emotional support.

6. The Loss of Generational Birth Wisdom

• Beth: Notes today’s mothers have little direct experiential knowledge of normal, undisturbed birth.
  • “In the last 15 years, not one person has [seen a cat or dog give birth]. Nobody has seen life.” (24:46)
• Media portrayals and isolation have replaced hands-on knowledge, amplifying fear and uncertainty.

7. Pathways to Empowerment Through Birth

• Ginny’s incremental journey: from elective C-section mindset, to discovering birth centers, to being “disqualified” and experiencing hospital induction/intervention.
• Each birth story shapes confidence and approach—Beth emphasizes the power of evolving knowledge and self-trust.
  • “They evolved from a place of sort of fear and not exactly sure and tentative...and then they're all like holistic health coaches.“ (32:00)
• Notable quote (from a client): “I learned to trust my body and my creator more. I saw my sister have a disassociative experience, and I knew I wanted to be present.” (34:52)

8. “Failure to Progress” and C-section Statistics

• Beth: “Failure to progress” is the most common reason given for C-sections, but she distinguishes medical necessity from systemic overuse.
  • “Statistically…surgical birth should never ever be more than 10 to 15%. In the United States right now, it’s more like a 25 to 30% average.” (45:18)
• Advocates for asking questions, getting real information, and understanding alternatives.

9. Birth as Transformation

• Ginny reflects on how hospital births were something to "endure," while later home births “changed me, and each one changed me in a different way.” (40:00)
• Beth reiterates birth's potential to be a triumph and a “truly transformative experience” (53:14).

10. Moving From Surviving to Thriving

• Encouragement for listeners: Even when birth experiences don't go as planned, each step can lay a better foundation for advocacy and empowerment the next time.
  • Ginny: “Even though it didn't work out like how I had hoped… it did get me started on a better path, on a different path, on a more informed path.” (51:23)
• The power of small moments and supportive words to alter whole life trajectories.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Beth (on generational birth success):
  “For anybody to be here at this moment is tremendous cellular success. Generational success.” (10:11)
• Beth (on support):
  “You need a witness. You need someone who can remember things that you…you're busy. Like a woman having the baby is really busy.” (15:08)
• Ginny (on losing the birth center):
  “They said, you've been disqualified from the birth center. I'm like, could they have said it nicer?” (31:42)
• Beth (on birth plans changing):
  “Birth can go different ways. Right. People who plan a C-section sometimes end up birthing in the car on the way to the hospital by accident.” (39:02)
• Beth (on the mother’s transformation):
  “It has the potential to be a truly transformative experience, right? It's often the most physical thing that many of us women will ever do, and it's kind of an amazing triumph. However, we have our babies.” (53:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:42] – Birth as a continuum of health; Beth’s perspective on holistic care
• [03:31] – Free download on birth locations and its purpose
• [08:17] – Ginny’s early approach: elective C-section and the power of a gentle, informed comment
• [10:00] – 10,000 generations of birth support; explanation of the doula’s role
• [13:14] – Beth’s endorsement of doulas in hospital birth
• [21:22] – Historical context: support systems for birthing women
• [24:46] – Loss of animal-husbandry/birth wisdom among modern parents
• [31:42] – Ginny’s experience of being “disqualified” from the birth center and issues of medical communication
• [40:00] – Ginny on the difference between hospital (“endured”) and home (“empowering”) births
• [45:18] – Beth on C-section statistics and reasons; “failure to progress” vs. failure to wait
• [53:14] – Birth as transformation and the power of informed, empowered choices
• [57:25] – The importance of passing on generational wisdom, not trauma

Resources Mentioned

• Beth’s Free Download: Pros and cons of birth location guide (indigoforest.com)
• Recommended Birth Books: Blog post on books doulas and midwives suggest for natural birth (link via indigoforest.com)
• Past Podcast Episode: “Ask the Midwife” (in-depth on preeclampsia and practical advice)
• Documentary: The Business of Being Born (Ricki Lake)

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, humorous, and supportive—never prescriptive or shaming about birth choices. Ginny and Beth validate all birth experiences, focusing on empowerment, learning, and community. The tone is nurturing and realistic, blending wisdom with approachability.

Next Episode Teaser

This episode ends with a “to be continued,” promising a deeper dive into Ginny’s three home births and the unique lessons from each, as well as further exploration of how birth changes parents and families on the next installment.