I’ve never shared Rylo’s birth story publicly—until now. This episode feels both vulnerable and freeing, because his birth shaped so much of who I am today and even plays into why we haven’t had another baby yet.

From the moment we started trying to conceive, I was full of hope and anticipation. But by week six of pregnancy, everything shifted. I was hit with hyperemesis gravidarum, and let me tell you, throwing up 12–18 times a day until 34 weeks pregnant was brutal. I couldn’t eat, I could barely function, and the exhaustion, anxiety, and depression that came with it were overwhelming.

Still, I was so grateful for my incredible midwifery team. They held me up and helped me plan for the peaceful home birth I’d always dreamed of. My husband and I worked hard for two years to create a home that felt safe and sacred for bringing Rylo into the world. But as any mom (especially a postpartum nurse and birth doula) knows, birth rarely goes as planned.

On the night of my labor, things took an unexpected turn. My midwives all being unable to attend last minute and we were left calling in backup—a woman I’d never met and actually couldn’t stand. That was a turning point for me. Between the intensity of labor, some pretty wild body reactions, and realizing my plan wasn’t going to unfold the way I even remotely imagined, I had to make peace with transferring to the hospital. (Oh, and yes—there’s a story in here about cinnamon rolls mid-labor that you don’t want to miss. 😅)

The car ride was messy, the hospital was overwhelming, but in the end, I can honestly say my birth experience was still beautiful in its own way. As a postpartum nurse, I’ve learned that babies have their own way of coming into the world, and it rarely matches the “perfect” plan we create in our heads.

If you’ve ever struggled with birth disappointment, changing birth plans, or the weight of postpartum healing, I hope my story reminds you that you’re not alone. Every birth is unique. Every journey is worth honoring. And sometimes the most unexpected paths are the ones that teach us the most.

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