Christina’s first experience with pregnancy and birth was not what she had imagined, due to her son being diagnosed with a rare birth defect early in the pregnancy. You can (and should!) listen to that story in Part one of this series.

When her first son was around 18 months old, Christina discovered she was pregnant again—and she knew immediately that this birth would be a redemptive, sovereign experience.

France can be a challenging place to have a baby at home, and many people mistakenly believe that home birth is illegal. But Christina connected with the right people and gained the knowledge she needed to navigate the French system, ensuring she wouldn’t face any obstacles to birthing at home.

She welcomed her second son at home, with just her partner present, and experienced a blissful postpartum.

Christina would like to be a resource for other mothers who have had a baby diagnosed with gastroschisis, or otherwise connect with her story. You can find her on Instagram @natureofbirth

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you’d like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at contactus@healingbirth.net

Check out the website for lots of other birth related offerings www.healingbirth.net

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Christina was 25 and living abroad in France when she fell in love, and unexpectedly became pregnant.

She had spent years before this pregnancy immersing herself in homebirth and freebirth stories, always dreaming of giving birth at home.

But those dreams were abruptly upended at her 12-week ultrasound, when her baby was diagnosed with gastroschisis—a rare birth defect in which the intestines develop outside the abdomen through a hole in the abdominal wall. The diagnosis meant her baby would need surgery immediately after birth and that Christina’s pregnancy would be closely monitored by medical professionals.

Despite all of this, Christina manages to hold on to the spiritual sanctity of the experience of pregnancy, and skillfully advocate for herself and her son.

This is only part one of her story. Tune in next week for part two!

Find Christina on Instagram @natureofbirth

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you’d like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at contactus@healingbirth.net

Check out the website for lots of other birth related offerings, and personalized support: www.healingbirth.net

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Kayleigh’s first two births took place in a hospital, but her third—at a birth center with midwives—was a turning point. The contrast in care, both during pregnancy and birth, sparked a passion for natural childbirth and ultimately led her to become a childbirth educator.

Six years later, when she became pregnant with her fourth baby, Kayleigh knew exactly what she wanted: a peaceful home birth, surrounded by her husband and older children.

Find Kayleigh at www.kindacrunchykayleigh.com

And on Instagram @kindacrunchykayleigh

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you’d like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at contactus@healingbirth.net

Check out the website for lots of other birth related offerings, and personalized support: www.healingbirth.net

Intro / outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto