Episode 60: When the Birth Plan Falls Apart: Faith, Surrender, and Holding Gratitude with Grief with Jen Duesterhaus

Birth stories don’t always unfold the way we imagine. even when we plan carefully, pray intentionally, and prepare thoroughly.  In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Duesterhaus, mom of three, nurse practitioner student and business owner, to talk about her very different birth experiences- and the ones that didn’t go according to plan. After hoping for a VBAC and approaching this pregnancy with a calm, faith-filled mindset for baby #3, she found herself facing unexpected turns and the difficult tension between control and surrender.  Together, we talk about:  How each of her three birth experiences shaped her differently  Why a VBAC felt important emotionally, physically, and spiritually  What it’s like when a carefully held plan starts to unravel  Navigating disappointment while still feeling deep gratitude  Learning to hold grief and faith at the same time  How surrender in birth reshaped her view of control in motherhood and life  This conversation is for the mom who feels like her birth story didn’t go “right.” For the woman still carrying quiet disappointment alongside overwhelming gratitude. For anyone learning that trusting God doesn’t always mean getting the outcome you hoped for.  Jen’s story is honest, reflective, and deeply reassuring: you can trust God and still grieve what you lost. You can be grateful and still wish it had gone differently. Both can exist at the same time.  Connect with Jen  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jendues11   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenfarmwife   Connect with Denise of Working Moms Redefined:    Catch full episodes and subscribe to The Working Moms Redefined Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkingMomsRedefined    Click here for the 9 Minutes a Day for a Lifetime of Connection Masterclass!     Listen to The Working Moms Redefined Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and Amazon Music. New episodes drop every Thursday!    Follow Denise on Socials & visit the Working Moms Redefined website:    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workingmomsredefined2025/    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workingmomsredefineddenisetallcott    Website: https://www.workingmomsredefined.com    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/working-moms-redefined/posts/?feedView=all    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@denisetallcottleadership