What does it look like to prepare for birth so thoroughly that, by the time labor arrives, your whole body already knows how to say yes?

In this episode of the Happy Homebirth Podcast, Katelyn sits down with Petronella Sjöö, a first-time mother in Sweden whose preparation for birth began long before she ever saw a positive test. Raised by a mother who genuinely loved giving birth, Petronella carried a rare, positive imprint of birth her whole life. She deepened it by assisting at her friends' homebirths, witnessing her sister's birth, and immersing herself in birth stories nearly every day — a quiet apprenticeship in trust.

Petronella shares what it meant to choose homebirth in a country where it's deeply uncommon: seeking out private midwives outside the standard system, stepping back from routine checks she didn't feel she needed, and honoring her own knowing about her due date and her baby. She walks us through her water breaking under the largest full moon of the year, the wave of fear that met her in early labor, and the inner moment that turned everything — the sense that she was being invited to meet her power.

From there, she describes a birth she experienced not as pain, but as intensity and surrender: moving, sounding, saying yes in her native Swedish, then settling into a deep inward stillness as her daughter made her way earthside. She reflects on the vulnerability of being asked, even gently, to accept interventions she'd declined — and the strength it took to keep choosing herself. And she opens up about the tender, grounded peace of early postpartum, supported by a meal train and friends, and the discovery of what she calls a brand new "mother heart."

This is a story about trust built slowly, fear met with curiosity, and the quiet power of surrender — a reminder that preparation isn't about controlling birth, but about becoming the woman who can meet it.

 Listen to the full episode here: Petronella's Story

Watch the full episode here: Petronella's Story

FAQ 

Is a pain-free homebirth actually possible? 

Yes, some women experience birth without pain, though it isn't guaranteed or the norm. In this episode, Petronella describes her first homebirth as intense but not painful, feeling contractions as waves of power rather than suffering. Preparation, environment, fear-release, and a sense of safety all shape how a woman experiences the sensations of labor.

Can you have a homebirth in Sweden? 

Yes, but it's uncommon. Sweden has relatively few midwives who support home birth, and availability varies sharply by region. Petronella found private midwives outside the standard system and paid for that care herself, while keeping one hospital-system checkup on file in case a transfer became necessary.

How do you prepare for birth before getting pregnant?

Preparing before pregnancy often looks like immersing yourself in birth: witnessing other births, listening to birth stories, studying physiology, and reflecting on your beliefs about birth and your body. Petronella assisted at friends' homebirths, attended her sister's birth, and listened to birth stories almost daily for years before conceiving.

What does it mean to surrender during labor? 

Surrender in labor means releasing the need to control the process and trusting your body to do what it's designed to do. It doesn't mean passivity. For Petronella, surrender meant meeting her fear, saying yes to the intensity, and letting the waves move through her rather than fighting them.

Do you have to get cervical checks during labor? 

No. Cervical checks are offered, not required, and you can decline them. Petronella chose not to be checked during her birth and reflected on how vulnerable it felt to be asked, even gently, in the middle of labor. Informed consent means every exam and intervention is yours to accept or decline.

Note: This episode and article share one woman's personal experience and are offered as an educational and encouraging resource, not as medical advice. Every birth and body is different — always make decisions in partnership with a care provider you trust.