Yes, you read that right— I have FOUR children under the age of 5! It’s wild, it’s beautiful, it’s organized chaos, and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. But while motherhood has been a deeply rewarding journey, it hasn’t been without its fair share of struggles and pain.

At 22, I delivered my first daughter via cesarean section due to breech positioning, and it was a traumatic experience that I was completely unprepared for. There were multiple complications, and I wasn’t ready for the physical and emotional toll of major abdominal surgery. To make matters worse, COVID lockdowns began just weeks after my delivery, and the lactation support I desperately needed was abruptly cut off. I struggled deeply with postpartum depression during my daughter’s first year, and honestly, I was terrified of having another baby.

But then, when my oldest was 11 months old, I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter. I was overwhelmed, scared, and still carrying the trauma of my first birth. I knew I didn’t want another cesarean, so I dove headfirst into learning everything I could about VBACs. This journey led me into a deep exploration of evidence-based care, holistic obstetric practices, and the kind of birth experience I truly wanted. I’m proud to say that 20 months after my first cesarean, I had a successful VBAC with an epidural and a smooth, empowering breastfeeding journey with my second daughter.

But my story didn’t stop there. Just when I thought we were ready to settle into our family, my husband and I unexpectedly conceived again when my second daughter was just 6 months old. We were shocked and overwhelmed, but our excitement grew as we imagined our growing family. Unfortunately, we lost our little girl at 15 weeks, and it was a devastating heartbreak. We took our time to grieve and heal as a couple before we were finally ready to try again.

That led to my most recent pregnancy—our rainbow twins! We welcomed our first son and fourth daughter in the winter of 2023 and it was such a redemptive experience for us. I had planned for a home birth, but as I learned we were having twins, I had to change my plan, as delivering multiples at home or a birth center is illegal in California at this time. I was determined to give birth with as little interventions as possible. I’m so proud to share that I had a relatively intervention-free hospital birth—no drugs, no induction, and no NICU time! We were home just 36 hours later with healthy, thriving twins! We’ve had an incredible breastfeeding journey, and I’m still nursing both of them today.

I share my story with you in the hopes that it encourages anyone who feels their motherhood didn’t start the way they imagined. No matter the challenges or the unexpected turns, your journey can still be beautiful and redemptive—full of healing, hope, and new beginnings. I’ve experienced the full spectrum of birth, and I truly believe that with the right knowledge, support, and advocacy, it’s possible to have the birth you’re hoping for. I’m here to help guide you, support you, and empower you to create the birth experience you deserve.