Before Taste of Midwifery: a Birth and Baby Expo even began this year, we already knew why it mattered. More than half of registered attendees shared that they did not feel confident making decisions about pregnancy, birth, or early parenting. We understood that families were actively seeking information and support, and in Florida’s current landscape, spaces where folks can explore their options in familiar and comfortable ways matter deeply.
This year’s theme ‘Informed Together: Stronger Families, Confident Choices’ was more than a slogan. We watched it play out in real time throughout the day. We saw more dads, grandparents, and chosen family attending than years past. Couples started their morning with the ‘sound bath in the park’ before heading to workshops and conversations with providers across Lake Lily. One pregnant attendee shared that they were on their way to a hospital tour that morning but wanted to stop for the sound bath first. This was a beautiful reminder that families want care experiences that feel intentional and aligned with their values.
Throughout the event, families had thoughtful conversations with vendors and providers. Pregnant attendees received hands-on support including belly taping and free ultrasounds, while others connected with community organizations like Florida Access Network to learn more about reproductive health resources and the types of support available. We heard someone say “I never heard of a midwifery expo!” while exploring the marketplace, which perfectly captured why events like this are so necessary. Many families are not aware that these types of resources and care systems exist until they experience them in person.
Some of the most meaningful moments came through simple interactions. One former volunteer attended this year as a pregnant parent and stopped by for an infant car seat safety check, only to learn that her toddler’s car seat was actually the one incorrectly installed. What started as a quick check for the new baby became an unexpected moment of education and safety for the entire family.
Caregiving was visible everywhere throughout the event. One of our volunteers spent the entire day babywearing while utilizing the comfort tent throughout the afternoon to nurse, reset, and care for her child. Families moved through the event at their own pace, taking breaks with food vendors, gathering information from product makers, and finding moments of connection throughout the park while music from our DJ helped create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. And we learned that some providers and attendees traveled from up to an hour away to participate, and throughout the day we repeatedly heard the same thing: “This was the best year yet.”
What stood out most was how deeply people engaged with the workshops and conversations. Families were not rushing through the event collecting freebies and leaving. They stayed. They listened. They asked questions. They explored options. They built relationships.
Central Florida Birth Network created Taste of Midwifery to introduce families to community based care in a way that feels approachable, supportive, and human. This annual event brings together local midwives, doulas, lactation professionals, reproductive health organizations,wellness providers, and family resources so people can explore their options, ask questions, and build connections face-to-face. Because reproductive freedom can look like families gathering in a park, meeting providers, learning about support systems they may not have known existed, and realizing they are not alone.
