In this episode of The Midwives Podcast, hosts Margie and Amy sit down with Ernestine, a registered dietitian and first-time mom who shares her journey from IVF to an empowering home birth. Ernestine opens up about how her background in healthcare shaped her birth choices, her decision to seek a heartfelt, supported experience through midwifery care, and how she prepared for labor with education, hypnobirthing, and the right birth team.

From early contractions that didn’t quite feel “real,” to eating Chick-fil-A mid-labor, to the quiet peace of meeting her baby at home, Ernestine’s story beautifully captures the strength, humor, and trust that birth invites. She also shares wisdom for new parents navigating their own choices—encouraging education, self-trust, and finding a care team that honors your values.

This is a tender, grounded conversation about birth after IVF, informed choice, and the deep empowerment that comes from knowing yourself and your body.