The story of lara, Blake and boden

"There are no providers trained in breech births in my area"

Lara first emailed me when she was nearing 39 weeks of pregnancy. In her words, she was in “a unique situation.” She had recently moved from Iowa to an Airbnb in Milwaukee because her baby was breech (even after two ECVs). As ridiculous as it sounds, there were no providers in her area trained in breech vaginal birth.

She’d heard about a couple of hospitals in Milwaukee where trained providers were available, and hospitals that would be more than happy to support her vaginal birth. Lara was determined to avoid a c-section at all costs. Not only it was her desire for her first baby to be born vaginally, but she also has a health condition that makes a cesarean present more risks than the already significant risks of major surgery.



So, she moved into the Airbnb. Her partner, Blake, was still living in Iowa, traveling back and forth to be with her. In the meantime, Lara began talking with providers who might support her in a breech vaginal birth. She found a few options, which were far better than what she had in her home city. Then, through another local doula (Natasha, from Born strong doula services) she contacted me for the extra support a doula can provide, knowing I had experience with breech births in the past.

We spoke that same day and clicked immediately.

Over the next few days, we stayed in touch. I met Blake, and the three of us talked through Lara’s options, the hospitals, and the different providers she had contacted. I also put her in touch with the incredible midwife Kristine Lauria, who reassured her that she could, in fact, have her baby vaginally. She just needed to trust her body and confidently decline the cesarean that some hesitant doctors could possibly offer.

Thanksgiving Day came, and later that night, Lara called me. She was experiencing some leaking but no contractions. We discussed what it could mean, and I encouraged her to rest for the night: there was a good chance contractions would begin soon.



And that’s exactly what happened. Around midnight, Lara called me again, excitedly sharing that her contractions were already 5–10 minutes apart. She stayed home, laboring with Blake by her side.

At 4 a.m., we talked again. Her contractions were regular, but she was also experiencing significant back pain.

By 7 a.m., they decided it was time to go to the hospital.

At the hospital, the attending doctor was the same provider Lara had consulted before. Unfortunately, this doctor wasn’t fully supportive of her plan for a vaginal birth and had previously voiced that, in their opinion, a cesarean was the safest option. Despite this, Lara remained confident. She trusted her body and was ready to advocate for herself.

When I arrived, I found Lara laboring beautifully. Blake was by her side, and the nurses were wonderfully respectful. Intermittent fetal monitoring allowed Lara freedom of movement, which made a huge difference.

One detail caught my attention: the room was one much smaller than the usual labor rooms. Curiously, it was also the closest to the OR. A choice that, I believe, reflected the OB’s doubts about Lara’s ability to give birth vaginally.

 In addition, for breech births, it’s common for many people to be present in the room during delivery, so placing her in such a small space seemed like a poor decision.

Lara labored in the tub for a while, but as contractions intensified, she returned to the room to use nitrous oxide for relief. Every contraction hit hard, especially in her back. Blake applied counter-pressure to her lower back while I helped her breathe through the waves, encouraging her to take them one at a time.

The doctor eventually offered to check her cervix, and Lara agreed: 6 cm. I reminded her not to feel discouraged: dilation is just a number, and progress often happens quickly when the body is ready. I reassured her that her labor signs showed significant progress.

As time passed, Lara began feeling more pressure and the growing urge to push. The doctor returned, this time with a resident and a midwife in tow. Not long after, Lara reached down and exclaimed, “I feel toes!” Sure enough, her baby’s toes were peeking out—a beautiful and rare sight.

Lara followed her instincts with each wave, bearing down and bringing her baby further down with every push. She worked with such strength and focus, supported by Blake, the nurses, and me. The doctor asked repeatedly for fetal heart tones, but Lara declined. In a clear voice, the doctor instructed the nurses, “Please write in her chart that she doesn’t consent to monitoring.”

She kept going and going.

The baby began to emerge: first one foot, then his boy parts, his bottom (with a bit of meconium), one leg, and finally the other.

Boden was born.

Vaginally. Without medication. Breech.

Lara did it!

She was overwhelmed with joy, and Boden was perfect. The neonatologists who had gathered in the room quickly realized they weren’t needed and left. The space became calm, filled only with the quiet joy of Lara, Blake, and their newborn son.

This is the story of a determined woman, a supportive partner, and a baby who chose how and when he would be born. It’s a story about advocating for your preferences, trusting your instincts, and knowing what’s best for you and your baby.

Sadly, it’s also a story about the choices some providers make. Choices we can’t always control, but which can profoundly shape our experience. Lara might share that part of the story some other time, if she decides to share it.

But for today, I’ll leave it at this: Lara, I’m in awe of your strength. I’m so proud of you, and I stand with you.

Boden chose the perfect family to be born into.