In this episode of The Midwives Podcast, Margie and Amy sit down with Cassie, a mother of three, as she shares the powerful, redemptive story of her third birth—her first out-of-hospital, water birth at the birth center.

Cassie reflects on her previous hospital births, describing how bright lights, rushed providers, and impersonal care left her anxious and disconnected. After a particularly difficult second birth with an OB, she knew she wanted something different for her next baby: dim lights, water, trust, and calm.

She walks listeners through her unexpectedly fast labor, the hilarious pizza-induced denial that she was actually in labor, and the dramatic four-minute drive to the birth center. Once she arrived, everything shifted. Supported, grounded, and guided by her midwife’s confidence, Cassie stepped into the tub—and into the birth she had always hoped for. She describes touching her baby’s head for the first time, her husband catching their son in the water, and the overwhelming sense of triumph: her personal “Ironman moment.”

Cassie also discusses her breastfeeding journey, the supportive postpartum care she received, and the deep trust she built with her midwifery team and students. She shares what she wishes other parents knew about choosing a birthplace: trust your body, ask questions, and pick a provider who makes you feel safe.

This heartfelt episode highlights the transformative power of compassionate midwifery care, the importance of feeling seen and supported, and the beauty of reclaiming birth on your own terms.