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On April 24, 2025, I woke up not feeling my best—my stomach was upset, and overall, I just felt off. I was having contractions every 5 to 10 minutes, but they never lasted more than 30 seconds. I reached out to my birth team to let them know what was going on. They advised me to keep monitoring the contractions and to contact them again if they became stronger and more consistent.
Unfortunately, by around 3 p.m., the contractions completely stopped. I felt deeply discouraged—honestly, defeated. It was one of those moments where my heart just felt heavy. But instead of staying in that place, I turned to the One who never fails. I brought my worries and disappointments before God and laid everything at His feet.
That evening, Dylan and I had some quiet time to ourselves with no kids at home. Thankfully, they were with family. We did our best to rest, unwind, and trust that God was still in control—because He always is.
On the morning of April 25, 2025, I woke up around 5:30 a.m., feeling extremely sore and completely worn out from the day before. My body ached, and I felt drained in every way. I decided to take a hot Epsom salt bath, hoping it would help me relax and soothe my tired muscles.
Around 6:00 a.m., I felt a light stomach cramp. I took note of it and paused to pray over the day ahead, choosing once again to trust in God’s perfect timing and sovereign plan.
As the morning progressed, those light cramps began to shift into consistent, regular contractions. I reached out to our birth team to update them on how I was feeling and how close the contractions were becoming. We also notified my aunt, who was caring for our older children, and let my best friend, Heather, know what was happening.
“Children too are a gift from Adonai;
the fruit of the womb is a reward.
The children born when one is young.
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
How blessed is the man
who has filled his quiver with them..”
– Psalm 137:3-5
Around 12:30 p.m., my contractions had become much more intense—they were lasting between 1 to 2 minutes and coming every 3 to 4 minutes. My best and dearest friend, Heather, had just arrived, and our birth team wasn’t far behind her.
Both Dylan and Heather lovingly took turns offering counter pressure, supporting me in every way I needed—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They continually lifted me up in prayer, covering me, our precious rainbow baby, and the journey of labor still ahead. Their faith, presence, and love created a peace-filled space, reminding me that God was with us in every breath, every wave, and every moment.
Our birth team arrived and quickly began setting up the birth pool in our living room, filling it with warm water as everything fell into place—perfectly aligned with God’s timing. There was such a sense of calm and purpose in the air. Not long after the pool was ready, I had been lying in bed when my body began to shake. For me, that’s always been a clear sign that I’ve entered transition—the most intense and powerful phase of labor. Even through the trembling, I held onto God’s peace, knowing He was carrying me through.
As I gently slipped into the birth pool, I allowed each contraction to rise and fall, surrendering to the rhythm of my body. With every wave, I reminded myself that I was one step closer to holding our precious rainbow baby. There was such peace in that moment—knowing God was with me, guiding each breath, each movement, each sacred step toward new life. Soon, Dylan joined me in the birth pool, offering steady counter pressure on my hips and back as each contraction rolled through me. His presence was grounding—a quiet strength beside me—supporting me through the intensity with love, patience, and unwavering faith.
I did my best to listen closely and stay in tune with my body, surrounded by worship music and the sound of prayers being lifted up. With each contraction, I focused on riding the wave, one by one, trusting that each one was bringing us closer to our rainbow baby.
I rose up onto my knees and began to bear down, but something didn’t feel right. The baby seemed stuck. We tried several different positions to help open my hips and guide the baby into a better position, but nothing seemed to be working. Contraction after contraction racked my body. The pain was agonizing, and fear began to creep into my heart. But even in that dark moment, God remained constant—His presence steady, His hand over every moment. I clung to that truth.
Sensing a shift was needed, my incredible birth team gently encouraged me to stand and bear down. Within seconds, Dylan and the team lifted me to my feet. My arms wrapped around Dylan’s neck and shoulders as he held my weight, grounding me with his strength. There we stood, together in the birth pool, united in purpose, working as one to bring our baby into the world.
After a few powerful pushes, I felt a change in pressure—our baby was crowning. Dylan and I slowly sank into the water again, holding onto each other through two more intense contractions. Then, with the next wave, our precious little one came sliding into the world, and Dylan reached into the water to catch and lift our baby into my arms.
The three of us sat there in a moment of raw, overwhelming emotion. We had done it—together, and only by the grace and faithfulness of God.
Our surprise rainbow baby… Ellianna Wolterman. Born at 3:53pm, weighing 8lbs and stretching 21 1/2 inches long.
God created pregnancy, labor, and birth—they are sacred, intimate moments in life. Each one is a powerful reflection of His design and love. Pregnancy is often a 40-week journey, though for some it’s shorter and for others, a bit longer. I’ve come to learn that I tend to carry my babies past the 40-week mark.
In Scripture, the number 40 often represents a time of testing, preparation, and deep dependence on God—a wilderness season. That’s exactly what pregnancy can feel like. A season to walk closely with the Lord, to trust Him more deeply, and to lean not on our own understanding.
Ellianna is our rainbow baby. After experiencing the heartbreak of miscarriage, this pregnancy was filled with many “what ifs” and quiet fears. But more than anything, it became a journey of faith—of listening to God, trusting His voice, and surrendering to His perfect plan.
If you’re pregnant or planning a home birth and reading this, I pray you feel encouraged and covered in God’s peace. May you find strength in Him, hope in His promises, and joy in the sacred journey you’re walking.
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for the gift of new life. Thank You for this precious baby growing within, and for the incredible journey of motherhood. Lord, I lift up this expecting mother to You. You know every detail of her heart—her hopes, her fears, her dreams for this birth.
As she prepares to welcome her child, especially in the sacred space of her home/hospital, I ask that Your presence would be near and tangible. Fill her home/hospital room with Your peace. Let every room be filled with Your Spirit, every corner a sanctuary of comfort and safety.
Give her body the strength and endurance it needs. Give her mind rest and clarity. Guard her heart from fear and doubt. Let every contraction be a reminder that You are with her, and that You are guiding each step of this journey with love and purpose.
Surround her with people who will speak life and encouragement over her. Let her birth team be led by wisdom and compassion. Bless her partner with patience, peace, and a steady presence. And may this mother feel supported, empowered, and never alone.
Lord, we thank You for designing birth with such care and intention. You are the Creator of life, and we trust You with every detail of this one. Let this birth be filled with grace—however it unfolds. Let it be marked by Your faithfulness and love.
I pray this baby would be born into peace, joy, and overwhelming love. Let this mother’s heart be filled with awe and gratitude for all You have done and are still doing.
We trust You, Lord. We rest in Your perfect timing. And we praise You, even now, for the miracle to come.
In Yeshua/Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“For you fashioned my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders — I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes could see me as an embryo, but in your book all my days were already written; my days had been shaped before any of them existed.” – Psalm 139:13-16
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