Ep 276: A New Perspective on Birth: Labor Through Dad's Eyes

Ep 276: A New Perspective on Birth: Labor Through Dad's Eyes

Author: Katelyn Fusco May 19, 2025 Duration: 1:15:10
Dads- how does the idea of your wife giving birth make you feel?  Does the idea immediately excite you, or does it put a level of fear on you– do you wonder how you can protect her and your baby?  Do you feel out of control?   This week, all the way to episode 276, we are doing something new.  We are hearing a homebirth story completely from the perspective of the father.  Today we’re speaking to Dustin Garrett, a husband, father to two, and new to the club- homebirth dad!   Episode roundup:   Dustin’s story is so vulnerable, and I feel so certain that with a listenership this large, there are a number of you who can relate to his experience with abortion and the potential pain that has stayed with you for years.  Dustin realized at some point that he was not truly accepting all of the Grace and forgiveness available to him– that he felt like he needed to experience continual punishment, and that maybe he and his wife would never be able to have kids– maybe that was his punishment.  But at some point it became clear, when Jesus died on the cross, he died for every single one of Dustin’s sins, and every single one of yours.  He came to give us freedom, and our job?  Our job is to receive it. Next, I love how honestly Dustin shared what I know many fathers to feel- the sense that they want to take care of their wife, their baby.  The reason that birth often makes men feel uncomfortable is the glaring reality that, “Wow, actually I don’t have control here.” And boy, that uncomfortable feeling, if you’re honest with yourself, might turn to the realization that, “Oh, wow.  I guess I don’t actually have control over a lot of events and situations around me.”  To release control, while it can be so difficult, is one of the most beautiful things we can do as humans. And finally, I just love the joy that Dustin expressed as he caught his daughter in his own arms.  As he saw her look at him while between worlds, really.  Both in, and out.  To imagine this happening, all while his son is singing “Jesus loves me” in the next room… it’s just beautiful.  And healing for the entire family.    Links: Samaritan Ministries | samaritanministries.org/happyhomebirth Happy Homebirth Academy | happyhomebirth.thrivecart.com/happy-homebirth-academy-checkout/ Interview Application | interviewwithkatelyn.my.canva.site/direct-to-landing-page Youtube | youtu.be/5xVqa-SB22s

Hosted by Katelyn Fusco, Happy Homebirth creates a genuine space for conversations that go far beyond the simple how-to of having a baby at home. This podcast centers on the real, unfiltered narratives of people who have experienced natural childbirth, primarily in their own homes. You’ll hear directly from mothers as they recount the intensity, joy, and transformative power of their journeys, alongside the perspectives of midwives and other care providers who support them. While the tone is often uplifting and engaging, these discussions don’t shy away from the raw and challenging moments, offering a fully rounded picture of what homebirth can entail. It’s about building a supportive community through shared stories, where education and encouragement are woven into every episode. Tuning in means connecting with a resource that honors the entire spectrum of motherhood, from pregnancy and birth to parenting and personal health, all while exploring the intersections of family life and personal well-being. For anyone curious, planning, or simply seeking honest dialogue about this profound life experience, this podcast serves as a valuable and comforting companion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Homebirth
Podcast Episodes
Encore: Elizabeth’s Peaceful Surprise Twin Homebirth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:46
What surprised you most about your homebirth? Was it… the way you vocalized during your surges? Or maybe it was how incredibly accomplished you felt afterward? Or… was it the number of babies that you gave birth to? This…
Encore: Birth as a Rite of Passage with Dr. Rachel Reed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Today's guest: Dr Rachel Reed is a midwife, academic, author, and international speaker who focuses on childbirth physiology, midwifery practice, and women's rights (and rites). She has provided midwifery care for many w…
Encore: Homebirth is a Team Sport [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
Show Notes: Christine and Andrew started their pregnancy journey traditionally with OB care. However, as the pregnancy progressed, they began feeling more and more frustrated about the fact that appointments were fast an…
Encore: Emily Catches Her Own Baby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:29
Did you know that you could be so intimately aware of what's going on in your labor that you could be the one to reach down and catch your own baby? I sure didn't with my first daughter, and there's absolutely no way I w…
Encore: Real Food for Pregnancy (and Postpartum!) With Lily Nichols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:50
Pregnancy and postpartum. Many of us strive to maintain a healthy diet during these pivotal times, but what does a healthy diet look like? Should we stick to the guidelines? Enter Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE. Lily is an exper…
Encore: How Did We Get Here?! The History of U.S. Maternity Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:47
Have you ever been on a drive and say 15 minutes in you think to yourself, “Woah, how did I get here? You realize you’ve lost your way and you need to turn it around and go back to the start. In this week’s episode, we’l…
Encore: Leah and Her Midwife Handle a  Complication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:38
Show Notes: Leah is a registered nurse engaged to a UFC fighter, Brandon Davis. They have just grown their family with a new baby! She had a homebirth with her first baby. When asked how she decided to have a homebirth,…
Ep 232: A Primal First Time Homebirth with Sara Middleton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:49
First births: You don't know what's going on with your body, they're long, and mothers enter them feeling uncertain and needing reassurance.... right? This week we're speaking to Sara, who lives in Travelers Rest, South…