On a quiet Saturday morning, something extraordinary unfolded in the most familiar place of all, home. After enduring the heartbreak of two miscarriages, we welcomed our long-awaited rainbow baby in a deeply personal, peaceful, and empowered home birth surrounded by love and intentionality with my partner Travis and our daughter, Paisley. 

Contractions were subtle but rhythmic, and within an hour, it became clear: labor had begun. After months of careful planning, emotional & mental preparation, this was my moment to birth naturally and fearlessly in my power. 

With the scent of lavender in the air, twinkle lights glowing softly, affirmations adorning the walls, and candles casting the perfect golden glow, the bedroom transformed into a serene, enchanting birth sanctuary. It was absolutely magical. Travis played a vital role- setting the mood, preparing food and snacks, applying counter pressure during surges, and whispering encouragement that anchored me. 

As the hours passed, labor intensified. Lots of movement, breath, and confidence carried me through those surges. I just kept giving myself a pep talk of encouragement- “I’ve prepared for this. I am so ready to meet this baby. My body is capable. My mind is at peace”. I rode every wave full of anticipation and without fear. 

My midwife, Amy, arrived with the most calming presence, but confidently full of knowledge and wisdom. She honored and respected my body and its natural birthing rhythm. After massaging a band of cervical scar tissue, things progressed rapidly. My water broke unexpectedly right there on the bed and within minutes, my body surged toward birth going from 1cm to complete in seconds.

The birthing pool was filled and became a vessel for transformation. The warmth was indeed “nature’s epidural”. Every contraction was guided with love and an unshaken trust in my body. I labored with strength, grace, and power with Travis and my mom by my side. Amy’s presence and a second midwife's support created a cocoon of safety and wisdom for me to feel confident and capable. Colleen was there capturing every moment with her lens. The raw vulnerable moments, the pain, the power, and our sweet baby coming earth side. 

Travis never left my side. In times I felt powerless he carried my soul. He spoke life into me, restoring my confidence when I wavered. I’m forever grateful for that man. He smiled at me, pressing his face up against mine and time stopped. He held me mentally and physically and created the safest haven for the most beautiful birth experience. I whispered to him “I can do this”. 

I let out a deep, low, and almost primal groan and with one final powerful push at 5:29 pm, my sweet baby was born into Travis’s hands and onto my chest. 

This was it. This was the magic I’ve chased. I heard the first cry and I closed my eyes to breathe that baby in and savor this moment with tears of joy and relief. I look over at Travis “I did it!”. He was beaming in awe, filled with tears. Time was frozen. My mind etched this moment into my heart with clarity that words can’t even begin to hold.

My sweet Paisley ran through the door just in time, eager and ready to reveal the baby’s gender. She was brave and calm, full of wonder and excitement. 

“It’s a boy!” 

This was womanhood in its most raw and radiant form and our daughter got to witness it. My heart was so full. 

A 9.1 pound healthy baby boy, born in the comfort of home- wrapped in peace, love, and a powerful sense of fulfillment. Against doubt and expectation, I proved that birth could be beautiful, empowering, and utterly enchanting. I birthed not only my sweet baby boy, but a new chapter of myself—fearless, powerful, and whole.

If I could prepare someone for birth I would tell them to trust the process and completely surrender to labor. The mind is just as vital as the body. Let your confidence be your companion and your preparedness be your peace. Fear not because you are divinely capable. Speak kindly to yourself and hold space for your birthing experience. - Paris

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I woke up Saturday, January 4th thinking it was going to be normal day, little did I know Paris had been experiencing the beginning stages of labor for hours throughout the night. 

I needed to focus on Paisley getting breakfast and ready for her fun day at COSI, all while closely monitoring Paris as she was experiencing increasing pain as the minutes went by. 

While I needed to focus on Paisley getting breakfast and ready for her fun day at COSI, seeing what we started to understand as labor meant i needed to split my duties.

Fully realizing that today just may be the day we have been waiting for, the day I’ve been envisioning in my head for 9 months, I quickly began to set the scene. Luckily the hard part of hanging lights on the wall was done thanks to Paris’ preparedness. I cleared everything off of the newly renovated dresser and moved them into a different room, leaving behind only the essentials. I then lit the candles and arranged them meticulously on top of the dresser to match the vision Paris painted for me in my mind hundreds of times over. 

The contractions continued and Paris was pacing back and forth between the bathroom and bedroom, finding unusually unique positions to sit in to ease the pain of the coming baby. Paisley was hanging out downstairs somewhat unsure of what was going on upstairs. Her mind was preoccupied with the upcoming fun of her cosi trip with aunty Reyna. 

The time finally comes for her to leave and then I now focus all of my attention on Paris, stunned by how close together the contractions are

I first texted our midwife Amy around 1:45 pm which prompted her to call us, trying to speak to Paris but the conversation was broken up by the strong contractions Paris was feeling. Amy decided it was best for her to come check things out and told us she was on her way and told me to get the tub ready asap.

Colleen sent me a text almost immediately after Amy hung up and said she was on her way too - turns out word travels fast with an effective team

Amy and Colleen arrived within minutes from eachother as I was filling up the tub. Between the hose, and all 4 burners of the oven heating up pots and pans full of water, we managed to get the temperature just right and the tub filled up just in time. Once I was done I let our closest friends and family know that our baby was almost here. 

I gave Paris’ mom Nana my phone to call Reyna to bring paisley back, since she didn’t respond to our calls and texts yet and we didn’t want Paisley to miss the moment her little sibling was born. She began calling and calling non stop to no avail. 

Paris got in the tub first and I did my best to comfort her from the outside, giving her reassurances and support and trying to counter her pain. As time went on I got in the tub with her because we were so close to the finish line. Amy leaned over to check Paris progress, and told me to put my hand down to feel the baby’s hair. My heart skipped a beat because that was when I knew that all we had been planning for for months was really real. 

In what felt like the blink of an eye after that, Amy told me to get ready to catch my baby. Paris gave a couple of deep pushes, and on the last one both of our hands were down there grasping our new bundle of joy. I quickly brought the baby up and handed the baby to Paris who immediately squeezed the baby with relief. I remember seeing the pain, joy, relief, and happiness on her face all at the same time. I even began to cry for just a second because there were so many emotions i was feeling at the time I couldn’t contain it.

Just as the baby finished their first minute of life, Paisley finally arrived from her Cosi trip and changed so fast to get in the tub with us. She Had been waiting for this moment and was so excited as she had one of the biggest jobs of all. She would get to answer the burning question that was on everyone’s mind; was the baby a boy or girl?!

Paisley took a good look and with nervous excitement while all of us were on edge she shouted ITS A BOY! - Travis

Photography: Colleen Murtha @colleenmurthaphotography