Save the Date for Tuesday, October 15th from 5-7pm for the Community Roots Collective’s 3rd Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Family Walk at Ulele on the Riverwalk.

From juggling childcare, to navigating the logistics of getting a nursling to a birth who's mama doesn't respond well to a pump, or simply holding space for how hard this parenting thing is.. we're ALL in, supporting each other in the most beautiful, messy, and hard, yet amazing period of our lives, MOTHERHOOD. With that being said, we'd like like to let you in on a little secret! Our family Barefoot Birth family is growing!

Bennett came to us with birth background but looking for something more. We are so happy she found us and are so grateful to know her heart. We know our families from the last 3 years can agree and we hope she will be around for many, many more years and families to come!

As mothers ourselves we know how stressful choosing the right care provider for your pregnancy can be. We know relying on governmental programs like Medicaid to cover your prenatal care can add a layer of stress that is often debilitating. We want to help make prenatal and postpartum care accessible and as stress free as possible.

Midwifery care is not just for those planning to deliver their babies at home. We care for families regardless of their plans for home or hospital birth. Maybe you’d like an epidural for labor or maybe your home is located too far away from a hospital with obstetrical services to be considered a safe option for home delivery. Maybe you just feel most comfortable in a hospital setting? Any and all of those options are why we offer care for families no matter their birth plans.

Some families look for midwifery care and homebirth in particular because they want to be in the drivers seat of their care. Some find us because they have had a previous care experience that left them looking for more. Some families find us because they know pregnancy and birth can be a normal, psychological process that they want respected. Some folks may find us because they have been marginalized in our current impersonal, for profit health care system and want to be treated as the individual they are.

Planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section) can feel so overwhelming for families. Where can I deliver? What are my rights? Do I have any choices? Will a provider really support me?

Wanting to avoid busy clinics with packed waiting rooms? Would you prefer an intimate space where the providers know you and your family by name?

North Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus counties can seem like a desert for birth options. Luckily for families who would like personalized prenatal care we have a solution that is individualized to your family’s needs.

Introducing a new addition to the Barefoot Fam- our new birth doula, Vanessa Kekuewa.

Thanks to all who came out to our second annual family walk to commemorate Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 13, 2018. We are so glad to continue this conversation to reduce the stigma and loneliness surrounding pregnancy and infant loss. We hope relationships were formed and support was found through the resources and stories shared.

“ I had goosebumps but didn’t feel cold. I felt numb. The baby kicks in my belly. Still alive. What does it mean to be alive? I question this as I rub my belly. I speak out loud and reassure the being inside me that all will be okay. After all, that’s what mother’s do for their children…right? Tears rolled down my cheeks. The earth cried for me that month and I with it. “

As part of our mission at the Community Roots Collective we honor October as Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month. We invite you to join the several local events hosted by the Community Roots and other local support services this October to hold space for you in your loss journey.

We have some new faces on our volunteer team here at the Roots!  We'd like to introduce you to a few of the peer leaders starting up in our free groups this September. These leaders are going to make our groups more welcoming and enriching. We hope you join us!

***TRIGGER WARNING***
Our little angle is two months old! I can't believe it has been two months since I faced my fears about an un-medicated birth, and brought this wonderful blessing into the world!  I want to tell my birth story to help any woman who has been through anything similar, to let you know you too can take back your power!  And to shed light on what a home birth is, how empowering it can be and what a fantastically, amazing experience it is! 

We were so excited to participate in the Big Latch On this year. We had 83 attendees with a total of 31 latches!

We love to cozy up with a family, dive deep into their childbearing history, answer the hard questions, and share about our work. The problem with that sometimes is that you miss out on meeting the rest of our fabulous team. 

Some of you may have heard about our Barefoot Birth project we started way back in 2013. The Barefoot Bus provided an 'easy access' model of care to families right in their own neighborhood. With changes to Florida Medicaid a few years ago the bus slowly became too expensive to run.

Meet Whitnee, our new volunteer!

Do you have a passion for working with families? We could always use more hands and hearts around here! Get in touch and we will work on finding a great fit for you! 

We celebrated our 3rd birthday a few weeks ago and it was a great milestone to celebrate! We are so proud of the work we've done for the past three years and hope to continue to grow our programs and community.

As you may know, we are a registered 501(c)(3) which means we rely on public support of our programs and can accept donations that are tax deductible.

In case you were wondering how you can help, we want to let you know how you can support the work of the Roots!