#290: What to Know Before Choosing a Home Birth with Sarah Bivens

If you’ve been curious about home birth or are navigating conversations with a partner about birth choices, this episode is for you. Steph sits down with Sarah Bivens, co-creator of the Doing It At Home podcast, to explore what it really looks like to plan for and experience a home birth. Sarah shares her personal journey from a traditional OB model to choosing home birth, and how that decision became a turning point in her motherhood experience. She opens up about conversations with her husband, mindset shifts, and how birth transformed her confidence. We also explore what helps partners get on board, what to ask midwives or OBs during interviews, and why some parents choose to switch birth providers halfway through pregnancy. Plus, Sarah walks us through her first birth story and what she’s planning differently the second time around. Whether you’re already planning a home birth or are just curious about your options, this episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and more connected to your instincts. Topics Covered in This Episode The decision-making process behind choosing a home birth How to navigate conversations with hesitant partners Tips for creating a supportive birth environment Sarah’s full first birth story and how she’s preparing differently this time Favorite home birth essentials and how to prep your space Show Notes: Watch Happy, Healthy Child documentary Learn more about the Splash Blanket Listen to the Doing it at Home Podcast  Follow Doing it at Home on Instagram Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate! Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood. Listen to today’s episode on our website Sarah Bivens is the co-creator of Doing It At Home, a podcast and community helping parents to feel confident, prepared and excited for home birth. DIAH started in 2016 when Sarah was pregnant with her first child and switched from a hospital birth to a home birth halfway through the pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant, both Sarah and her husband Matthew worked as life coaches. Taking their previous experiences and marrying it with their awakened passion for home birth, they created the ultimate space for home birth empowerment. DIAH includes a podcast, community, resources and lifestyle programs. Sarah currently lives in Marietta, Georgia with Matthew and their daughter Maya and is pregnant with her second child. You can learn more about DIAH at www.diahpodcast.com or www.instagram.com/doingitathome This Episode’s Sponsors  Enjoy the health benefits of PaleoValley’s products such as their supplements, superfood bars and meat sticks.  Receive 15% off your purchase by using code DOCTORMOM at checkout or head to paleovalley.com/doctormom  Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by women’s health practitioners and mamas alike to support optimal pregnancy outcomes. Try their 4 Part Complete Nutrition plan which includes a Prenatal Multi, Omega-3, Collagen Protein, and Pre/Probiotic. To get started, head to thisisneeded.com, and use code DOCTORMOM100 for $100 off your first 3 months of Needed’s Complete Plan! Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $35 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order. INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can’t wait to meet you! @stephgreunke @drelanaroumell Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.