In our recent MamasteFit Podcast episode, Roxanne and I sat down to talk through what her transition into the third trimester has looked like, how she’s balancing life, and why she’s preparing for a home birth this time around. Roxanne shares her experiences and challenges during her second trimester, including juggling midwifery school, work, and raising three other children. We discuss her preparation for the upcoming birth, including prenatal visits, the decision for a home birth, birth preparation items, and how she’s normalizing the birth experience for her other children. We also delve into experiences with previous births, the importance of having a supportive provider, and the potential financial and logistical considerations of home birth.
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The Third Trimester: A Turning Point
As Roxanne wrapped up the second trimester, I could see the shift happening — that familiar moment where pregnancy starts to feel more real, more immediate. She’s been saying it feels like the “okay… we’re actually doing this” phase, and I remember that feeling well from my own pregnancies.
The third trimester carries a different emotional energy. There’s excitement, yes, but there’s also this subtle tightening of focus as the body grows and prepares. Seeing that in her has been both grounding and beautiful.
Wearing Many Hats: Mother, Student, Nurse
One of the most compelling parts of the episode is Roxanne’s description of juggling several roles:
Mother of three
Midwifery student
Labor & delivery nurse
This multidimensional perspective gives her unique insight. She understands birth as a clinician, a student, and someone who has been through it multiple times personally. It brings confidence — but also complexity.
If you’re balancing motherhood with work, school, or caregiving, you’ll recognize that feeling — the sense that you’re stretched but still trying to pour into your family and yourself. Roxanne is living that daily, and we talk often about how important it is to ask for support before the overwhelm hits.
Why She’s Choosing Home Birth
We spent a good portion of the episode discussing her choice to plan a home birth, and honestly, it’s been amazing watching her step into this decision with such clarity.
Here’s what has mattered most to her:
Feeling completely comfortable in her own space
Maintaining a calm environment to support her labor
Having a provider team she trusts deeply
Including her older children in meaningful, age-appropriate ways
But she’s also very realistic, which I appreciate. Home birth isn’t an aesthetic or a trend; it’s a thoughtful, intentional choice. She’s considered:
Backup hospital plans
The logistics of supplies and space
The financial investment
The emotional dynamics of the whole household
I love that she’s allowing herself to choose what truly aligns with her values and her family — not what she “should” do based on previous births or professional experience.
Reflecting on Her Past Births
We also spent time in the episode remembering her past birth experiences — what surprised her, what felt empowering, and what she’d do differently.
I love these conversations because they highlight how every birth leaves an imprint. Each experience shapes how parents approach the next one, and Roxanne is intentional about carrying forward only what serves her and leaving behind anything that doesn’t.
There’s a groundedness in her this pregnancy that I admire. She knows herself, trusts her body, and has clarity about what she wants her experience to be.
Involving the Kids: Normalizing Birth Through Experience
One of the standout themes Roxanne and I both agree on is including our older children in the process.
From prenatal visits to conversations about what birth looks like, the goal is to demystify the experience. Making birth familiar—not frightening—can create a more grounded and connected family dynamic.
This is especially helpful for parents wanting siblings to feel included and prepared, not surprised or anxious.
Mind, Body, and Space: How She’s Preparing
One thing I always stress in childbirth education — and that Roxanne embodies — is that preparation isn’t just about the physical logistics. It’s about mindset, environment, and connection.
Physical Preparation
Gathering home birth supplies
Setting up the birthing area
Final prenatal checks
Coordinating support people
Emotional & Mental Preparation
Visualizing labor
Reducing external pressure
Creating family routines that support rest
Talking openly about fears and hopes
Watching Roxanne prepare reminds me that birth is not just a physical act — it’s an emotional journey, one that requires just as much internal work as external organization.
What I Hope Others Take Away From Her Story
If you’re entering your third trimester, or considering a home birth, or simply trying to balance pregnancy with everyday life, here are some reflections inspired by Roxanne:
Your environment matters.
Your provider should align with your values.
Your kids can be part of this experience in beautiful ways.
Every birth is different — comparison is unnecessary.
You’re allowed to create a birth experience that feels right for you.
Birth doesn’t have to be overwhelming or mysterious. With intention and support, it can feel grounded, empowering, and deeply connected.
The Takeaway
Perhaps the strongest takeaway:
Your provider matters. Your environment matters. Your sense of safety matters.
Whether someone chooses a hospital birth, birth center, or home birth, feeling supported, seen, and heard makes a measurable difference.
For families considering home birth, this means choosing a midwife whose philosophy, communication style, and safety protocols align with your own.
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