What does it look like to give birth at home five times over the span of 20 years?

In today’s episode, we talk with Melissa — mama of five and seasoned home birth veteran — about her powerful, unique journey through two decades of birthing at home. From her first home birth at age 19 to her fifth birth at 39, Melissa shares the rich tapestry of her experiences: the growth, the healing, the joy, the challenges, and all the moments in between.

This is a celebration of home birth in all its forms — fast births, long labors, water births, VBAC fears, healing after miscarriage, and welcoming a baby with both joy and strength.

Melissa’s message is clear: You are powerful. Your body is wise. Birth can be sweet, sacred, and sovereign.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

Why Melissa chose home birth from her very first pregnancy, and never looked back

What has (and hasn’t) changed in the world of home birth since the 90s

How she navigated birth across two marriages and five children

The differences in labor and recovery from her 20s to her late 30s

Planning home births with supportive partners and what that looked like for her

Her experience with miscarriage, healing, and conception after loss

The emotional and physical aspects of preparing for birth at age 39

Involving older siblings in the birth space and their beautiful role in the process

Why she describes home birth as “addicting” in the best way

The power of midwifery care and creating sacred, intimate birth environments

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