Aurora's Birth: My dream birth and how I manifested the birth I always wanted to experience

This is the story of my third child, Aurora—her pregnancy, birth, and my postpartum journey. I’ve always felt inspired to share this because it was unlike anything I experienced with my previous pregnancies. It truly changed me, both as a mother and a person, as I stepped into my power and learned just how strong a woman’s body really is when you fully lean into your intuition.

To begin, I have to go back to the birth of my first child, Kason. I had a typical hospital birth—saw an OB-GYN and delivered in a hospital setting. I’ll never forget telling the doctor near the end of my pregnancy that I wanted a natural birth, only to have her laugh and say it never happens. That was when the seed of doubt was planted in me—that maybe I couldn’t do it without medication.

The contractions during Kason’s birth were the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced. After 10 hours of unmedicated labor and being 8.5 cm dilated with little progress, I ended up getting the epidural. He had all the routine hospital procedures, and yet, my intuition kept telling me something wasn’t right. I cried through many of those “normal” procedures, and looking back, I wish I had known more. It was such a traumatic experience as a young mom that I almost decided not to have any more children.

Five and a half years later, Brian and I decided to have another child. I was nearing my 30s and felt like time was running out. I was certain I was having a girl—I had dreamed of her, felt her presence, and had even named her. When I found out I was having another boy, I cried (LOL)—which makes me feel a little guilty now, but I’m being honest here. At the time, I thought I was done after two kids, and I didn’t know if I had it in me to go through it all again.

This time, though, I chose midwifery care and planned a homebirth. I was determined to have the natural birth I had always dreamed of. I knew I had to birth at home where I felt safe. My amazing midwife was Liz O’Shea with Morning Light Midwifery. Forest was born at home after about six hours of labor. The birth was intense, yes—but the pain was nothing compared to my first. It felt SO empowering and I was changed right then and there.

A little over a year later, I found out I was pregnant with Aurora. I couldn’t believe it. I took five tests before it sank in. I was initially upset—Forest was still so little, and I was still nursing him. I didn’t want to lose that bond. I felt a wave of sadness knowing he wouldn’t be the baby anymore.

But over time, I started to feel that same knowing—that my girl was coming. And this time, it was even stronger. Her name popped up everywhere—in a background scene of a movie, on a stuffed animal tag. It’s not a common name, so these felt like clear signs. On the morning of our gender reveal, I woke up to the entire house glowing bright pink from the sunrise. I just knew. When we found out that afternoon that we were having a girl, it felt like I had won the lottery. The bond between us existed long before she arrived.

I chose Liz again as my midwife of course. Which was one of the most important decisions I made in having a successful natural birth. There was no pressure, no unnecessary procedures. My kids were welcome at every appointment and my births. I even have photos of Forest lying next to me while we listened to Aurora’s heartbeat. It was a family experience—and that’s how it should be. I always felt safe, heard, and supported.

Aurora arrived nearly two weeks “late,” though Liz reminded me that due dates are just estimates and anything between 38-42 weeks is completely normal. Two days before her birth, a thunderstorm rolled through in the middle of the night, and I felt a slight pain in my lower back. It passed. But the morning of her birth, the feeling returned. I brushed it off, in denial but my mom was already on her way, feeling that today was the day. We spent the morning in the garden and went for a walk. Then the sensations faded again. I laid down to rest, sensing my body was preparing.

I knew once I got up, things would shift—and they did. I joined the boys playing baseball outside, and the surges picked up. I leaned against trees to find comfort and called Liz. She was already on her way and wanted to check the baby. I moved to my bedroom, stacked pillows, and swayed through each surge. Kason and Brian set up the birth pool. Brian took Forest to nap in the truck, and my mom began rubbing my lower back with Saint John’s Wort-infused oil (I always have back labor).

Liz arrived and listened to the baby—everything sounded great. I was hesitant to get in the pool too early, worried it might stall things. Liz reminded me I could always get out if needed. So, I got in.

The surges grew stronger, but instead of pain, I felt emotion—excitement as tears started to flow down my face. Forest woke up and quietly came to my side, handing me water and tissues, playing gently in the water. He somehow knew. Liz and my mom couldn’t believe how calm I was. They didn’t expect the baby to come so soon. But she did—just six minutes of pushing and she was here.

People ask how I had such a nearly pain-free birth. It wasn’t easy, but it also wasn’t painful—because I trusted my body. I leaned into the surges, didn’t fight them. I reminded myself that nothing lasts forever. Each wave was a mountain—rising, peaking, and falling. I stayed present and embraced the moments of rest in between. That’s what carried me through.

The birth was truly a dream. If I could go back and relive it, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Postpartum, I focused on rest—more than I ever had before—because I had learned how deeply important it is. I made nourishing meals (mostly broths and soups), used my skincare products, and stayed consistent with gentle self-care. I soaked in our Herbal Sitz Bath, used our Perennial Herbal Spray, sprayed my room + linen with our Lavender Herbal Spritz and kept fresh flowers in my room for weeks, trying to hold onto that birth high just a little longer. I continued applying Saint John’s Wort oil to ease cramping.

Massage also played a big role. I received prenatal and postpartum body massages from Christine at MTM Doula, which helped me stay grounded and find relief through those end of pregnancy discomforts.

I also took a Hypnobirthing class with Denyse Phelps with Flowering Dogwood Mind & Wellness. She’s one of the kindest souls I’ve met, and her teachings gave me strength and confidence. She’s currently studying to become a midwife herself, and her classes are such a gift to any expecting parent.

One book that made a lasting impact was The Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. It helped give me the confidence to pursue a homebirth with Forest, and I reread it again during Aurora’s pregnancy. It’s an empowering reminder of what our bodies were designed to do.

I prayed for my dream birth and visualized it often. I imagined it being fast, during the day, and pain-free. And that’s exactly what I got. Aurora was born in less than four hours of active labor.

The biggest lesson I learned? That birth doesn’t have to be something you fear. It’s something you can trust. Trust yourself. Trust your body. No one else can do this work for you. Society often paints birth as something to dread, but it’s not a curse—it’s a gift. And when you embrace it fully, it can be one of the most beautiful, transformative experiences of your life.

I hope my story reaches the women who need to hear it. If you’ve ever doubted your strength or felt unheard in your birth journey, know this: you are powerful beyond measure. Your body was made for this, and you have every right to birth your baby your way.

Thank you for holding space for this story—one that will always live deep in my heart!

With love,

Sara