A Birth Filled With Prayer: Welcoming Their Son in Peace and Faith

A Special Beginning: A Student Midwife Steps Into Care

This story is one of those that felt like such a beautiful, spiritual experience. Student Midwife Caitlyn called me to let me know her sister-in-law was pregnant and that they wanted to use us for care. It was such a beautiful opportunity for Caitlyn to step into the role of mostly primary care for an entire pregnancy since they were so close to each other already. So, I determined from the beginning to act mostly as supervisor for this journey. Ana and Evan were proactive in making sure that they did all the things to help make labor and postpartum better. An evaluation with Summer at True Freedom Physical Therapy and all of the breathing and stretches she learned there to prepare her body and pelvic floor for birth. Eating well, taking supportive herbs and supplements, and they took preparing for this role spiritually very seriously as well.

Waiting for Labor: When a Slow Leak Turns Into a Sudden Start

When the day came, her water started leaking around 11am on the 12th of February and she really didn’t have contractions to speak of, as often happens with high leaks. We decided to be patient for a time and as we were thinking of helping things along with some natural induction methods we got the call that her water had REALLY broken with a big gush at 4:45pm the next day. Side note: apparently sitting on the couch, reminiscing about your honeymoon and eating cold brew M&M’s will spark enough oxytocin to induce you. From that moment contractions were close and strong, and Caitlyn and I made a run for it.

A Peaceful Space: Prayer, Worship, and Support in Active Labor

Caitlyn arrived first and, when I walked in, was quietly watching over them. She had been updating me on heart tones as I was on my way and all was well. Baby and Mama working as a beautiful team. They had worship music filling the space with peace. Evan was by her side almost every moment, he would pray over her and the baby often, for their strength, for guidance, and for their protection. And he encouraged her verbally every step of the way. Caitlyn would gently encourage and I literally blinked back tears witnessing the beauty of this family journeying together to bring baby earthside. Contractions continued to get stronger and closer together. Soon she was ready to enter the pool, and it wasn’t long before her body was urging her to push and guide their baby down.

Working Together: Bringing Baby Down in the Birth Pool

Mostly using a hands and knees position with Evan supporting her and continuing in prayer and encouragement she slowly brought baby down. Both Evan and Ana were able to reach down and find encouragement as they felt baby's head getting closer with each push. Caitlyn supported her perineum and shared her progress encouraging her as well. At 10:10 pm baby gently emerged and Evan and Ana lifted him from the water into her arms. Previous to birth Evan had decided that he wanted to make praying over and blessing their son soon after birth a priority. So Caitlyn gently asked if he wanted to do that.

A Father’s Blessing: Praying Over Their Son’s Life

He found his notes and read prayers of divine protection and guidance, scriptures of promises to their son and ended with the Priestly blessing “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” I wept through the entire thing. To see a man, young man, have such intention, and put so much thought into how he would step into his role as a father is beyond beautiful. I truly have no words to describe that moment’s power. It will be etched in my mind forever. Also, the joy of watching Caitlyn step even more into the role of midwife, yet with humility and a teachable spirit the whole way through. It made me so proud. I very much felt like I was bestowed an honor to witness all of this.

I am so glad they trusted me to help care for them as they welcomed this sweet little man. Thank you, Evan and Ana, for allowing me to share your story. It is so awesome to see you thriving together postpartum and continuing forward as such amazing loving parents.

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Every birth has its own rhythm, its own challenges, and its own quiet moments of courage and love. At Heart Strings Birth Services, we believe birth is more than a medical event - it is a sacred unfolding, lovingly supported and deeply personal. These stories are shared with permission to honor the families who trusted us with their care and to encourage others as they walk their own birth journeys.

This blog post originated from @heartstringsbirthservices - March 12th 2026