Pregnancy is a sacred time, and for many mothers, the journey toward birth represents one of the most profound and empowering transformations of their lives. As someone who has experienced the beauty of natural home birth, I’m deeply committed to sharing my stories in hopes of inspiring others to trust in their bodies and embrace a holistic birthing experience.

Fynn’s Miracle Birth: A Journey of Unexpected Joy

My story begins when I was 27 years old, having just returned from a transformative journey through South America. At that time, I believed that my body wasn’t capable of carrying children. A doctor had told me I couldn’t conceive, and while this news had been difficult, I accepted it. However, life had other plans for me.

Upon returning home, I started feeling odd—nauseous, tired, and completely out of sorts. I initially thought I’d picked up a parasite from my travels. After some time, I finally visited a doctor, only to discover that I wasn’t sick—I was 10 weeks pregnant! What I had thought was a travel illness was the miracle of life growing inside me. I was overcome with joy and disbelief at this unexpected blessing. I couldn’t have been more grateful to know I would soon become a mother.

I moved to Dundas, Ontario, and immediately began working with the Hamilton Midwives team. Living in Dundas was a special time in my life. I embraced the rhythm of community life—sourcing fresh food from the local farmers market, drawing pure water from a natural spring in Ancaster, and connecting with other mothers. Each day, I walked the streets, cleaning up litter and feeling more connected to the earth and my community.

For my birth team, I asked my dear friend Maureen, a Reiki Master, to be my partner and guide. She, alongside my team of midwives, supported me during the 21-hour labor that brought my son Fynn into the world on Friday the 13th in May. It was a long labor, but surrounded by loving and supportive women, I felt empowered and ready to bring him into the world naturally.

Rylie’s Birth Plan: A New Adventure

Eight years later, at almost 36 years old, I find myself on another beautiful journey with my daughter, Rylie, growing inside me. My life is vastly different now. Over the years, I have become a certified coach, traveled barefoot with Fynn through nearly every state and province in North America, and experienced deep personal growth.

Rylie’s conception came as another surprise, the result of a loving relationship that blossomed while I we were traveling in the United States. Though her father and I had planned a future together, life’s circumstances—such as immigration issues—made things more complex.

After overstaying my time in the U.S., we were faced with the reality that I couldn’t return for three years, and he was unable to join me in Canada. Although we hadn’t married yet due to personal reasons and mandates, I hold hope that our long-distance relationship will grow stronger as we navigate these challenges together.

Once again, I will be giving birth without my partner physically present, but I am not alone. A circle of wise women surrounds me, offering support, love, and wisdom for this birth journey.

The Power of a Women's Circle in Birth

A woman’s circle during birth is a spiritual and ancient practice that creates a sacred space for women to come together in support of the birthing mother. Historically, women birthed surrounded by other women—mothers, grandmothers, midwives, and doulas. This tradition fosters a deep sense of community, empowerment, and emotional support.

Research shows that women who have continuous support during labor often have shorter labors, fewer interventions, and a more positive birthing experience. On a spiritual level, these circles hold space for the mother, allowing her to feel nurtured, grounded, and empowered throughout her journey. For me, the women's circle will help me navigate the waves of labor without fear, knowing that I am surrounded by love and wisdom.

Returning Home to Ontario

After finding out I was pregnant with Rylie in California, I spent the first six months receiving incredible resources and support. However, due to our circumstances, I returned to Ontario for the birth, which brought its own set of challenges. I found it difficult to adjust to our old apartment, feeling that I had outgrown the space since our last adventure.

On top of that, the dynamics of my relationship, the border restrictions, and the fact that every midwifery practice was booked for my December due date made things more stressful. However, I persisted. I called every clinic, filled out every intake form, and got on every waitlist until finally, I found an incredible doula in the area who aligned with my vision of birth.

The doula we have chosen, is experienced in unassisted birth, and together with a midwifery team on standby, we have a beautiful birth plan in place. At 28 weeks pregnant, my birth pool is arriving in nine weeks, and my midwives will come to my apartment for a final checkup at 37 weeks. My entire birthing circle will be on call 24/7, ensuring that Rylie and I are supported through this transformative time.

Planning a Holistic Birth

Holistic birth is about more than just avoiding medical interventions—it’s about creating a peaceful, connected, and intuitive environment that honors the sacred process of bringing life into the world.

Here are some key roles and resources to consider when planning your natural birth:

• Midwives: Midwives provide expert care that focuses on supporting the natural birth process. They help minimize medical interventions and prioritize emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Midwives are trained to manage emergencies and are often advocates for home births, bringing calm energy into your space.
• Doulas: A doula offers continuous emotional and physical support during labor. They can help guide breathing techniques, offer comfort, and advocate for your birth plan, ensuring your wishes are respected.
• Birthing Partners: Whether it’s a spouse, close friend, or family member, a birthing partner provides personal support tailored to your needs. They can help ensure that you feel emotionally and physically supported throughout the labor.

Here are some tools and practices to consider incorporating into your holistic birth plan:

• Prenatal Yoga & Hypnobirthing: Both practices help manage pain, reduce stress, and foster a deep connection with your body.
• Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Lavender, chamomile, and clary sage can help relieve stress and pain during labor.
• Water Birth: Many women find that water births offer a calming, natural form of pain relief. Renting a birth pool for home is an accessible option through midwives.
• Birth Balls and Yoga Balls: These can help relieve pressure and aid movement during pregnancy & labor.

For further inspiration and guidance on natural home births, I recommend the following resources:

• Books: "Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method" by Marie F. Mongan and "Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin.
• Documentaries: "The Business of Being Born" by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein explores the American birth system and home births.
• Online Resources: BabyCenter’s birth plan templates and the website Evidence Based Birth for research-based insights.

I hope my story, along with these tools and resources, brings you closer to the birth experience you desire. Preparing for a home birth with a trusted team by your side can empower you to have a calm, peaceful, and connected journey into motherhood.

Sending all my love and positive energy your way!

If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to reach out!