After Loss, A Miracle: Tayler’s Peaceful Waterbirth Story

Walking Through Loss Together

Tayler and I met in 2024 when she was pregnant for the first time. When the day came to hear her baby’s heartbeat, instead we ended up walking through loss. Some months later another loss… but we figured out some possible causes and fixed them, and I was ecstatic to hear from her later in 2025 that there was a 3rd Baby Heinen on the way.

Hope Returns: A New Pregnancy

Tenderly, and with so much attention we walked this pregnancy. As we passed each milestone you could see Tayler’s joy, that is always infectious, become brighter and brighter! We would play with baby at appointments, measuring, and listening, and then revel at how perfectly all was going! When it came time for baby, there were so many moments of thinking labor was beginning only for Tayler to get to go to sleep and wake with her little one still in her tummy. Until 3 days past her guess day of 40 weeks, it was really time.

The Long Wait Past 40 Weeks

I asked if I could stop by on my way to drop some labs off in Alexandria. She said yes, and it was obvious this was different. Baby sounded amazing and she felt like she had a while to go and encouraged me to leave and finish my errands. I encouraged her to eat something and do some belly tucks for 10 contractions. As I was on my way back I heard from them that things were way more intense and to please hurry. Midwife Student Kiana had been called already. And I made my way back.

“This Is Different”: Labor Begins

Things had shifted! We took heart tones and baby sounded amazing, blood pressure was fantastic, and she hopped in the pool about 8 pm. Not long after Student Midwife Kiana arrived, and soon after that her photographer, Samantha, who also doubled as the most amazing doula and extra help to Kiana and I. Each contraction was breath work and quiet encouragement from us all. Tayler stayed steady and determined each step of the way. You could hear worship music permeating the room and see that Tayler was feeling strong and full of peace.

Gathering the Birth Team

About 8:55 pm something shifted and she began pushing at the peak of her contractions, following her body beautifully. No vaginal exam to double check, just trusting her body. Here are my favorite quotes from this part of labor. Tayler said, “Won’t lie. I thought these were gonna feel worse.” After pushing a bit, Chris left to do something for a minute and when he came back she clung to his hand and said, “You make this so much better!”

(Note: Men, please know that just by being there the pain level goes down as much as with IV pain meds, stay present!) After the next contraction she looked up at Chris and said, “I can’t believe we’re doing this!”

Trusting Her Body Through Every Push

After an hour of pushing baby was molding but not quite under the pubic bone, we tried reverse Walchers for 3 contractions (which is like an inverted rainbow with your belly floating and your arms and feet on the side of the pool, you can see the picture with her feet up on the pool) and then decided to do deep squats for a few more contractions and this made some great progress! Tayler was so brave and I even remember after helping her do squats in the pool through several contractions she thanked us, saying “We needed that. That helped.”

A Long-Awaited Miracle: Baby Boy Arrives

It wasn’t much longer after that statement that we could see baby crowning! She took her time alternating gentle pushes and breathing to help her sweet baby out, and after those moments of what seem to be eternity, all at once baby was here! I will never forget the feeling in that room as she lifted baby to her chest and Chris held and supported her, and after a few moments more they found together that it was their little boy!!! No lie, I wept, and I am weeping now as I write this. It was a moment for the ages, and I am so humbled to have been honored to walk with this family each step of the way.

Congratulations Tayler and Chris and thank you for letting me walk this journey with you.

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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 - April 28th 2026