#111 | An Unexpected Pain-Free Resort Birth at 42 Weeks

What happens when your carefully planned home birth turns into an unassisted birth at a family resort?After five years of hoping for a baby, fertility treatments, surgery, and the removal of one fallopian tube, Jessica Richards and her husband were overjoyed to conceive naturally. They prepared for a peaceful home birth with a trusted midwife, but when Jessica reached 42 weeks pregnant, their baby still had not arrived. With her midwife’s approval, the couple decided to join their family for a Christmas trip at a resort two hours from home.A day filled with laughter, water slides, connection, and relaxation soon became the beginning of labor. When Jessica’s contractions intensified and her water broke as they attempted to leave, she and her husband realized they would not make it home. Instead of panicking, they returned to their room, leaned into the physiological process, and welcomed their son in the bathtub with no birth team present. Jessica shares how preparation, prayer, movement, surrender, and trust helped her remain peaceful during an experience she never could have planned.Tune in to hear:Jessica’s journey through infertility, surgery, and naturally conceiving with one fallopian tubeWhy she felt peaceful traveling at 42 weeks pregnantHow relaxation, family connection, and oxytocin may have helped labor beginThe signs that told Jessica’s doula she was close to birthWhy Jessica and her husband chose to return to their resort roomHow water, movement, breathing, music, and low vocalization supported her laborWhat it felt like to experience spontaneous pushing without forcing her bodyThe surreal moment Jessica caught her own baby in the bathtubHow her husband remained calm and supported her throughout the unexpected birthThe role faith and surrender played in Jessica’s mindsetHow Jessica prepared physically with walking, chiropractic care, massage, and pelvic floor therapyWhat happened after the baby and placenta were bornWhy the family stayed at the resort for another nightJessica’s encouragement for women struggling with fear, anxiety, or going past their due dateHow this birth strengthened Jessica’s trust in her maternal instinctsCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube