3 Birth Stories, 3 Experiences: Maren Rider’s Journey to Home Birth Bliss
Show Notes:
What do you get when you mix Irish twins, a surprise pregnancy, and a determined mama ready for her first home birth? A fast, powerful, and totally redemptive third birth story! 🙌 In this episode, Maren takes us through the highs, the stalls, and the five-minute pushing stage that made her say: “I’m never going back to the hospital.”
She shares the mental prep that kept her grounded, how her husband and mom tag-teamed support, and why letting her body lead was the best decision she could’ve made. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to give birth at home—this one’s for you.
✨ Spoiler alert: She’s now officially had a hospital, birth center, and home birth… and she’s got so much wisdom.
1:46 - Reviewer of the Week
Sending love to Maria Martinson! Not pregnant yet but soaking up all the stories and prepping early? Yes please! I’m rooting for you.
3:04 - Maren’s Background & Current Pregnancy
Maren lives in rural Idaho and is a mama of three girls. This third pregnancy? A total surprise—she found out she was pregnant again just 3 months postpartum. “It wasn’t exactly what we had planned… but you go with what God throws at you.”
6:36 - Location of Third Birth
After a hospital birth and a birth center birth, she decided to go with a home birth—and spoiler alert: she was so glad she did.
8:47 - Unique Aspects of This Birth
Maren had “Irish twins” (her second and third daughters are just four days shy of a year apart!). That didn’t leave much time for recovery, and she felt it. But it also made this birth super unique—and kind of amazing.
10:00 - Induction Considerations
She asked her midwives about going past 42 weeks and what induction would look like. Their response? “You’re not going to make it that far.” They weren’t even entertaining the thought—and turns out, they were right.
10:56 - Birth Partner Support
Her husband was on board—eventually. “He was a little skeptical about the home birth thing… but once I said it was what I wanted, he was all in.”
12:13 - Daily Preparation Routine
She focused on what mattered most: eating enough, drinking water, walking, and mental prep. “By the end, I spent a lot of time praying for strength and visualizing the kind of birth I wanted.”
15:07 - Labor & Birth Process
This birth came in two waves: early labor in the morning that stalled and then ramped back up later that night. Maren shares what it was like to have midwives who trusted the process and left her in peace to rest. “They just left and said, ‘Call us when you’re ready.’ That was so wonderful.”
28:32 - Contraction Experience & Coping Techniques
Back labor was real for Maren. She leaned on hip squeezes, counter pressure, movement, and vocalizing. “I’d talk myself through it—keep your face relaxed, keep your breath low, stay focused.”
30:09 - Helpful Affirmations
Between hymns in her head and counting her breath, Maren found strength in simple grounding techniques. “I wasn’t screaming—I was listening to how I sounded, so I could stay in control.”
31:42 - Support System Role
Her husband did the physical support (hip squeezes, rubbing her back), while her mom was her emotional support. “I needed someone to talk at me—he clams up, she chats. It worked.”
33:02 - Birth Setting Comparison (Home/Hospital/Center)
“I am so glad I was at home.” From avoiding the car ride, to not being sent home during early labor, to birthing in the comfort of her tub and climbing right into her bed—this birth just couldn’t have happened any other way.
38:05 - Placenta Discussion
The placenta came quickly, but Maren did have some retained membranes. Her midwives handled it calmly right there in bed. No stitches, no drama—just gentle support.
39:44 - Advice for Expecting Parents
Maren’s advice for mamas: “Trust your body. Your birth doesn’t have to be rushed or forced—it can unfold the way it’s meant to.” For partners: “Support doesn’t mean doing it all. Fill in the gaps with your village—it’s not weakness, it’s wisdom.”
41:57 - Outro
If you loved this episode (and I know you did), the best way to support the show is to leave a quick review! And when you’re ready to prepare for your birth, come join me in the My Essential Birth course. We’ll do it step-by-step together.
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ALL the best,
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