In this episode of Births at Home: The Podcast, I sit down with Kelly, a mom of four, birth doula, and birth photographer, to talk about her journey from hospital births to her first home birth in November 2024. While home birth is often portrayed on social media as calm, peaceful, and pain-free, Kelly’s experience was a reminder that birth is raw, intense, and deeply personal.

She opens up about the challenges of pregnancy, transitioning from OB care to traditional midwifery, and the unexpected realities of labor—including a five-hour pushing phase that tested her physically and emotionally. We also discuss how social media can create unrealistic expectations about birth and why it’s important to honor every experience, even when it doesn’t fit the “perfect” birth narrative.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✨ The realities of home birth vs. how it’s often portrayed online
✨ Kelly’s journey from hospital births to her first home birth
✨ The challenges of balancing doula work, military life, and pregnancy
✨ Dropping OB care and trusting traditional midwifery for her fourth pregnancy
✨ The emotional and physical demands of a long pushing phase
✨ The importance of not comparing your birth to what you see on social media
✨ Postpartum reflections—accepting your unique birth experience
✨ Kelly’s work as a birth doula, photographer, and her upcoming move to Florida

Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder that birth is unpredictable, intense, and transformative—and that no one experience defines what birth “should” look like.

Resources & Links:

📌 Follow Kelly on Instagram: @slimmliving_birthsupport
📌 Enrollment is now open for the Birth Mindset Mentorship! Click here
📌 Explore my offerings & resources: Click here
📌 Support the podcast with a love donation: Click here

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