S7 EP192: Jaylene: Home Birth / Breech Baby / Under 4-Hour Labour / Deep Grief + Healing

This week on the show I’m joined by Jaylene, a Canadian-born mother now living in New Zealand, whose journey into motherhood carries deep threads of grief, healing, intuition and trust.

Long before conception, Jaylene was navigating the devastating loss of her younger brother… a grief that reshaped her sense of timing, readiness.. It wasn’t until years later, after consciously creating space to reconnect with herself, that she stepped into pregnancy with intention and openness.

Throughout her pregnancy, Jaylene followed what felt aligned for her… immersing herself in positive birth stories, and trusting her body, which ultimately led her to choose to birth at home. However, when she discovered her baby was breech, she was met with resistance and had to deeply advocate for her choices, educating herself and standing firmly in what she knew to be right for her and her baby.

What unfolds is an extraordinary birth story… a fast, instinctive, under four-hour labour at home, where her son was born breech, in his own time and in his own way… on a date that carries profound meaning for her family.

Jaylene’s story is a powerful reflection of surrender, sovereignty, and trusting both the seen and unseen elements of birth.

In This Episode We Cover

Navigating deep grief before stepping into motherhoodCreating intentional space before conceptionPregnancy as a time of healing, reflection, and transitionChoosing a planned home birth in New ZealandDiscovering baby was breech and exploring optionsAdvocating for a breech vaginal birth outside standard recommendationsPreparing mentally, emotionally, and physically for birthA fast and instinctive 3 hour 45 minute labourPhysiological breech birth at home with midwife supportBaby born on her late brother’s birthday

Resources + Mentions

Books

Hypnobirthing – Siobhan Miller

Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage – Rachel Reed

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth – Ina May Gaskin