5 Home Births Over the Course of 20 Years with Melissa Rae Irish-Miller

What does it look like to give birth at home five times over the span of 20 years? In today’s episode, we talk with Melissa — mama of five and seasoned home birth veteran — about her powerful, unique journey through two decades of birthing at home. From her first home birth at age 19 to her fifth birth at 39, Melissa shares the rich tapestry of her experiences: the growth, the healing, the joy, the challenges, and all the moments in between. This is a celebration of home birth in all its forms — fast births, long labors, water births, VBAC fears, healing after miscarriage, and welcoming a baby with both joy and strength. Melissa’s message is clear: You are powerful. Your body is wise. Birth can be sweet, sacred, and sovereign. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Why Melissa chose home birth from her very first pregnancy, and never looked back What has (and hasn’t) changed in the world of home birth since the 90s How she navigated birth across two marriages and five children The differences in labor and recovery from her 20s to her late 30s Planning home births with supportive partners and what that looked like for her Her experience with miscarriage, healing, and conception after loss The emotional and physical aspects of preparing for birth at age 39 Involving older siblings in the birth space and their beautiful role in the process Why she describes home birth as “addicting” in the best way The power of midwifery care and creating sacred, intimate birth environments Connect With Us Website: https://diahpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@diahpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doingitathome Merch: https://doingitathome.dashery.com/ Our Book: https://amzn.to/45Sxyr1 Support DIAH: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KA3QQRRU58VPL Check Out Our Partners: Needed: https://needed.sjv.io/XY3903 - use code DIAH to get 20% off your first, one-time order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices