In this deeply honest and emotional episode, we sit down with Justina and Michael to talk through their first two birth stories — a planned home birth that turned into a hospital induction, and a fast, instinctual home birth that left them forever changed.

This episode is for anyone navigating uncertainty, dealing with unexpected birth outcomes, or wanting to hear the power of transformation when fear is replaced with trust.

🎧 In This Episode:

• 💬 Justina’s initial expectations of birth — and how they completely changed during pregnancy
• 🏥 The story of Judah’s birth: A last-minute hospital induction, unexpected diagnoses, and emotional overwhelm
• 🧘🏽‍♀️ What it’s like to prepare mentally and spiritually for birth — and how fear can hijack that process
• 💡 Why “fear takes the joy out of childbirth” — and how that realization shaped their future births
• 🛁 Bru’s story: A fast, peaceful, empowering home birth… most of which Justina labored through alone
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Michael’s honest perspective on becoming a dad — the emotional difference between baby #1 and baby #2
• 🤯 A side-by-side comparison of hospital vs. home birth — what they learned and what they’d do differently

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• Fear is powerful — but so is trust. Justina and Michael share how fear disrupted their first birth plan and how they fought to reclaim peace the second time around.
• Your body knows what to do. Even without traditional cues or support, Justina leaned into her intuition and birthed her second baby in less than 7 hours.
• Preparation matters. From care models to support people, having the right kind of guidance makes all the difference.
• Every birth teaches you something. And sometimes, the births that don’t go according to plan are the ones that prepare you most for the next.

🌿 Resources + Mentions:

• 💡 Interested in learning how to prepare for a fear-free birth? Download Amanda’s free guide: The 5 Steps to a Fear-Free Birth
• ❓ Got awkward questions or something you’re too embarrassed to ask? Submit them anonymously right here — we will answer them in upcoming episodes!

🙌 Connect + Subscribe:

• 📬 Sign up for email notifications so you never miss an episode
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• 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

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