Choosing a Different Path: A Peaceful and Empowering Home Birth

Our First Experience and the Desire for Change

With our first child we had a bit of a traumatic experience from care providers changing in the middle of care to needing to be induced at 38 weeks due to preeclampsia and eventually a c-section.

Exploring New Options for Our Second Birth

When we got pregnant with our second we knew that we wanted to do it differently. I knew of someone who had used Elizabeth for a home birth and had amazing things to say. We went into our first appointment with her with the thought that we would use a midwife but still have a hospital birth, we weren’t designed for “home birth", so we thought! After our first meeting with Elizabeth my husband walked out and said, “we can totally do this at home if that’s what you want! She knows what she's doing!” I was still struggling with the idea of having a home birth, I trusted Elizabeth immediately but was apprehensive already having a c-section.

Reimagining What Was Possible

I met with her again and asked her my loooooong list of questions and what-if’s, to which she had an answer for. She met my questions with compassion and knowledge, never making me feel dumb or like I shouldn’t be asking something. I left that appointment completely confident in our decision.

Answering the “What Ifs” With Compassion and Evidence

During care with Elizabeth no matter what came up she had a suggestion of something to try. I had preeclampsia with my first so we managed with herbs, supplements, and nutrition. She encouraged me to be active during pregnancy, to truly be the one in control rather than just “deal with any symptoms”, we managed anything as it came up. Her knowledge of supplements and homeopathic suggestions was so incredibly helpful and this was by far the healthiest pregnancy for me!

Care That Empowers the Whole Person

I met with Summer from True Freedom Physical Therapy as part of the care Elizabeth offers and really loved the information she provided me on my first visit. I chose to continue to see Summer throughout my care and would highly recommend others do too!

She helped give me the tools like stretching, breathwork and overall some mental work too that I think all helped empower me for a homebirth.

Managing Risk Factors With Knowledge and Trust

During my pregnancy I had gestational diabetes which was managed through nutrition. Elizabeth helped me stay on top of it and had tons of great suggestions so it felt manageable and not restrictive. Towards the end of my pregnancy I had a bit more anxiety since I was "over" my due date. I am the first in quite a few generations of my family to have a home birth and as expected my family was nervous the further along we went. Elizabeth eased any concern I had with actual evidence, studies and the fact that my baby each time we checked on him was as happy as can be inside.

The Worship-Filled Entrance of Our Baby

Elizabeth truly listens with all her heart. She educates that birth is so much more than a physical experience to prepare for but also a spiritual one, one of trust in yourself, in your Creator, and in the team he equipped for you. My delivery with Elizabeth and Caitlyn was such an incredible and healing experience. The ability to be home with my family, in a space I love and feel loved, I genuinely think helped with labor overall. With worship music playing and a team of people who loved me and encouraged me we welcomed a perfect baby boy. Being able to go through labor, deliver my baby and pull him from the water is a life changing experience - one I never thought I could do. I asked Elizabeth at least 8 times after he was born if this was real or if I was dreaming because I couldn't believe I did it. Someone with a traumatic, c-section birth and quite frankly a low pain tolerance I never knew I had the strength to do this. No matter my doubts, Elizabeth believed I could and encouraged me throughout.

A Birth That Changed Everything

We had a healing and redemptive homebirth, one that will replay in my mind for the rest of my life and I truly attribute so much of that to Elizabeth and the gifts God gave her.

From early on care all the way through postpartum she has never once made me feel like I can't ask her anything. She started as a care provider to someone I can't imagine my life without now! My hope for you reading this is that you feel inspired to ask her questions, anything you doubt or are unsure of. She will meet you with so much grace and knowledge! Birth doesn't have to be something we rush to "get over with" and rather it can be a healing, life-changing experience, one we are so blessed to have!

Watch this redemptive VBAC story here!

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 - January 4th 2026