What if understanding midwifery care didn’t require convincing—but simply seeing?

This week on The Happy Homebirth Podcast, I’m joined by Caleb Phipps, filmmaker and father of four, and Midon Wingo, licensed midwife and passionate advocate for family-centered birth care.

Together, they’re creating a documentary called Birthing Revolution—a film designed to show what midwifery care actually looks like. Prenatal visits. Birth spaces. Families. Trust.

One of the most powerful ideas from this conversation is the way they frame birth as a story: the mother as the hero, the midwife as the guide.

Episode Roundup:

First, I’m struck by the power of seeing. Caleb shared how witnessing midwifery care firsthand changed his understanding in a way facts and statistics never could. That’s exactly why Birthing Revolution matters—because when people can actually see birth unfolding with trust and respect, fear begins to loosen its grip.

Second, I love the way both Caleb and Midon frame birth as a journey where the mother is the hero and the midwife is the guide. That story deserves to be told well—and protected—so families everywhere can understand what’s possible.

And finally, I want to invite you into this work. If this episode resonated with you—if you’ve ever wished your partner, your parents, or your friends could see what midwifery care really looks like—this film could be that bridge.

If you’re able, consider supporting the Birthing Revolution project. Even a small contribution helps move this vision forward and makes these stories accessible to families who need them.

Links:

Donate to Birthing Revolution:

https://phippsphilms.com/birthing-revolution-movie/

Birthing Joy: A Home Birth Experience | https://youtu.be/iyhCAG2CQE8?si=YzgT2NRb3J_rd87E

Midon Wingo Beautiful Blessings | https://www.beautifulblessingsbirthservices.com/

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Do you have any highly specific desires in regards to your upcoming birth?

Maybe that it will be at a certain time of day, or that you’ll labor for a specific amount of time…?

What happens when those desires are unfulfilled and you’re given a very different experience instead?

This week we’re speaking with Jamie, a first-time mom from Chicago who had some very beautiful ideas of what she wanted her birth to look like. After a very long pregnancy, she hoped for a very short labor… and today we will hear how she learned to surrender both her plans and her fears.

Episode Roundup:

First, I love how Jamie’s story began before pregnancy — with a season of deep healing. When she leaned into holistic restoration, she wasn’t just preparing her gut or her body; she was preparing her spirit for motherhood. That alignment and surrender created the foundation for the birth that would later test her faith in such profound ways.

Second, her honesty about fear is so relatable. Even with all the preparation, the reading, and the prayer, fear can creep in. And yet, in those moments when she felt she couldn’t go on, God’s Word met her — “My grace is sufficient for you.” What a testimony to the truth that sometimes the victory in birth doesn’t come through ease, but through endurance.

And finally, the image of her midwife stepping in, calm and capable, to help her baby take his first breath — that moment captured the essence of womanly strength and care. It’s such a powerful reminder that when birth is held in reverence, even the most intense moments can become sacred.

Jamie’s story reminds us that birth is both holy and humbling. It’s where heaven meets earth, and where a woman’s body, soul, and spirit are refined in love.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)

What does it look like to walk through birth with deep peace — even when things don’t go exactly as planned?

This week we’re speaking to Paige Schwickerath, a young mom from central Iowa whose life has been beautifully transformed through marriage, motherhood, and her first home birth. Paige and her husband welcomed their son, Boaz, at home in an experience that tested their faith, strengthened their trust, and revealed the calm presence of God in every moment.

In this episode, Paige shares how her husband’s encouragement first led her to explore home birth, the ways she prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually for labor, and how her peaceful birth at home unfolded — even when her baby needed a little extra help transitioning earthside.

Her story is one of surrender, support, and steady faith — a powerful reminder that birth can be both holy and human, unpredictable and yet perfectly held by God’s design.

Episode Roundup:

First of all, I love the role that Paige’s husband played in leading their family toward a more holistic way of living—before they were even pregnant. It’s not often that we hear about the husband introducing the idea of homebirth, but what a beautiful example of partnership and trust. His faith in God’s design and confidence in Paige’s ability to birth set such a peaceful tone for their entire experience. What a gift it is when husband and wife move forward in unity like that.

Next, I was struck by how Paige prepared—physically, mentally, and spiritually—while still holding her plans with open hands. She stayed active, saw a pelvic floor therapist and chiropractor, and filled her mind with encouraging homebirth stories, all while surrendering her timeline and experience to the Lord. That blend of readiness and release—that’s such a powerful lesson for all of us.

And finally, what a testimony of peace under pressure. When her son needed help transitioning after birth, Paige didn’t spiral into fear. She began quietly saying the name of Jesus over and over, trusting that He was present and that her birth team was equipped to care for her baby. Within minutes, her son was breathing in her arms. From the outside, someone might see this as a scary story, but for Paige, it was a story of God’s sovereignty and the calm assurance that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Wow—what an incredible reminder that even when our stories don’t unfold perfectly, they can still be perfectly the Lord’s.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)

Change can be tough. How do we integrate the arrival of our new baby? Moreover, how do we integrate the arrival of our new baby mere weeks after the arrival of our foster child and a move into a new home?

This week, we're speaking to Alexis. A foster-turning adoptive mother to a 7-year-old daughter, and homebirth bio mom to a 1 year old baby boy at the time of this recording. Alexis and her family experienced so. much. change. during her pregnancy, and leading up to her birth, and yet you will love the attitude and perspective with which she holds all of this as we hear her journey.

Episode Roundup:

• Alexis found confidence in herself as she navigate pregnancy and motherhood, and so much of this was because she was in control of her care. She wasn't being told what to do or forced or coerced. Alexis was surrounded by midwives who truly cared for her and wanted her to be in charge of her experience. What a massive difference this makes in terms of how we feel about ourselves as mothers. What a beautiful gift of an experience to know that we've got the stuff we need to be who we were designed to be.
• Alexis said that, overarching, she sees how God's timing was so perfect in her story, despite the fact that she certainly couldn't see that or even fully feel that during the process at times. Isn't it so humbling to realize that our perspective just isn't as big as that of our Creator's? What feels like pain, a struggle, something incredibly difficult or even wrong from where we're standing.... that can be used, too. Alexis celebrates the fact that in His timing, she gained two beautiful children-- two children she wouldn't trade for the world. How amazing.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)

When you found out you were pregnant, what emotions ran through your brain? Excitement? Thrill? Joy? Or did you experience fear, shame, or a resurgence of old traumas?

This week, we're speaking to Amanda Lopez. A mama to 3 children, two of whom were born to her while Amanda was still a teenager. We'll be discussing Amanda's experiences as a teen mother, and how her most recent homebirth (at the time of this recording) brought incredible healing to her previous perceptions of pregnancy and birth.

Episode Roundup:

• I am so blown away by how Amanda used her experience of becoming pregnant at 14, having a baby at 15 to propel her forward in her aspirations. At a time when she felt so alone and was struggling so deeply, she still saw the worth of her child and knew that she was worth the struggle and toil. She turned something so difficult into something so triumphant, even graduating from high school with a 4.0 GPA.
• When Amanda became pregnant for the second time as a teen, she felt so much pain and confusion, and yet... she looked at her other daughter and knew that this baby was going to be a blessing. I am so overwhelmed at the beauty of Amanda's choices to celebrate life. And what seemed so tragic at the time, having two daughters as a teen herself, turned into the beautiful blessings of her daughters. As Amanda and her mother discussed, sometimes the things that seem so difficult at the time are, in retrospect, the things that save us. Praise God for his provision for Amanda in terms of her ability to raise her babies, and in the loving support, yet firm boundaries that her parents set out for her in the process.
• And finally, when Amanda became pregnant with her third child... DESPITE the fact that she is a fully grown adult woman and certainly capable of taking care of another baby, one of the first things that happened when she sat looking at the pregnancy test was a rush of old traumas... of feeling down on herself because this pregnancy was "unexpected". But what I loved about this story was the fact that Amanda now so clearly sees... this pregnancy, along with her two other pregnancies... they weren't unexpected. They were known, they were seen, and they were expected by the Creator. Amanda was able to triumphantly and confidently give birth to her third baby, safely in her own home. She was able to reclaim motherhood with a new sense of power and confidence, and I am so thrilled that Amanda's children are able to see what a strong, loving, beautiful mother they have-- one who will lay it all down for them.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)

What was life like for you before you became pregnant? Were you pretty much the same person then as you are now, or have you changed drastically?

Today we'll be speaking with Gabrielle, and precious mother who has truly been pulled from death to life. From addiction to heavy narcotics and homelessness to being pulled out and called into life through Jesus. This story is unbelievably powerful, and I'm so thrilled that Gabrielle's heart desires to share how she has been forever reborn.

Episode Roundup:

• God makes messy things beautiful. I've seen it time and time again in my own life and in the lives of others, and how clearly was this put on display in Gabrielle's story. Gabrielle shares how she overdosed and flatlined 3 times-- died- and yet now is a whole new, reborn creation who is pointing others to her Savior. What a beautiful testimony.
• And next, I think it's so incredible to see how the life experiences that she's had, of dysfunction, of such severe struggle-- she's used those to change the paradigm for her own family. Gabrielle and her husband are taking their children down an entirely new path-- one that's functional and full of love and grace.
• And lastly, I just want to share about the beauty in Gabrielle's decision making. Despite the fact that she's off of social media and thus not being bombarded with pretty homebirth images, she prayed for discernment and knew that what she wanted for her babies was different from the conventional path. I just find it so powerful that Gabrielle trusted and obeyed and had two beautiful girls in a way that empowered her and granted her confidence in motherhood.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)

First births: You don't know what's going on with your body, they're long, and mothers enter them feeling uncertain and needing reassurance.... right? This week we're speaking to Sara, who lives in Travelers Rest, South Carolina with her husband Rob, their first child and son, Charlie, and their two big all american mutts, Captain and Bucky. Sara and her husband Rob strive to live a gospel-centered and holistic/ancestral lifestyle to create the best and safest environment for their children to learn and thrive. Homebirth was their Plan A and Charlie’s birth Story wasn’t exactly what Sara envisioned, it was BETTER and one of the best and most intimate memories she and Rob will ever share together.

Sara is a former student of mine, and she’s gone on to have a second beautiful experience. I love hearing the power and confidence in her story, and that’s my desire for every single mother that I work with inside of Whole Mother Homebirth.

Episode Roundup:

• Just because it's your first birth does not mean that it's going to be long, that you're going to feel uncertain and need reassurance and that you don't know what to do. Sara walked into birth with confidence. Did she expect to give birth to her baby in the closet? No. But did her body know exactly what it was doing? Absolutely. Sara had admitted that she felt totally confident in her ability to birth her baby, and Rob's ability to support her. With their lifestyle and their deep trust in the birthing process and the Lord, this experience was so... them.
• And postpartum- there is just so much going on during this time. Physically, mentally and emotionally. I love hearing Sara gush about how Rob has been such an incredible support throughout. This is such a special time for your spouse to step up. To shower you with care, to be your hero, and to leave the two of you feeling more drawn together than ever before.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)

Your Brilliant Body Course:

https://www.intelligentmovementlab.com/your-brilliant-body-1fde4c68-3b5d-4a67-aa51-3541ad2262b

$50 discount code: HAPPYHOMEBIRTH50

expires: 1/4/26

Previous episodes with Paris:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537?i=1000614823851

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537?i=1000715087698

Paris on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ParisLatka

When you’re unable to have a homebirth in your area, what happens? Are you totally out of luck…. Or are there other ways to get creative?

This week we’re speaking with my friend Shanies Pearcey- a stay at home mother to 8 children at the time of this recording, but she’s since had a few more sweet babies, and a minister's wife in Northwest NJ. Shanise enjoys cooking, sewing, and spending time with her precious kids, and I can tell you right now you are going to gain SO MUCH from this interview, as we unpack her journey to a homebirth… across the country from her own home. Get ready for a beautiful, uplifting story.

One thing I love about Shanise is the confidence she’s gained throughout her experiences of birth and motherhood, and that is my goal for all of the mothers I get to work more closely with inside of Whole Mother Homebirth. You were gloriously designed to give birth. With this as my driving truth, it is my greatest pleasure and privilege to come alongside mothers seeking to give birth not only at home, but more importantly, with a deep sense of connection to their instincts and intuition. This birth course is for the woman who is ready to be transformed into the new, powerful iteration of herself as Mother.

Episode Roundup:

• Question everything, unfortunately. Shanise was told with her twins that her hips were “too small” for a 5 pound baby– and yet, she was able to give birth to an 8 pound baby just fine later on. Another example of this could be seen when her OB told her that if she wanted to give birth without an epidural, they should totally break her water. It’s so unfortunate when we hear these examples of care providers looking out for themselves and not for their patients.
• If you find yourself in a situation that seems unfavorable, like Shanise did with her 8th pregnancy and upcoming labor, keep your mind open to other ideas. It could have been so easy for Shanise and her husband to dismiss the idea of traveling to Texas for a homebirth, but look at what they would have missed if they’d ignored the idea– and consider the hostility that so many women were facing in hospitals in that area at the time. What a beautiful experience Shanise’s family had– all because they were open to ideas outside of the norm.
• And finally, how incredible are our bodies. The way that Shanise’s body gave her an opportunity to process her fears and anxieties by stopping labor– that was so beautiful to me. She was able to reach out to a friend, who, by the way owns a beautiful merino wool shop called Truly Charis, for all of the cloth diapering mamas out there, be sure to look her up– and process the feelings and emotions that were welling up inside of her. And once she did that– her body knew that it was now safe to give birth. What a blessing that entire experience was. As we wrap up this amazing episode, I can’t help but share Philippians 4: 4-9

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Links:

Redeem ™ | https://hubs.ly/Q03K0Dr90

“Click here to learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry”

Restorative Roots | restorativeroots.com (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

Whole Mother Homebirth | https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/presale (use code PODCAST for 10% off)