Chad (Kya's Dad): Home Birth Transfer, Navigating the Hospital System and Being of Service
One moment Chad and Rachel were preparing for a calm, empowering home birth. The next, everything changed. An unexpected turn saw Rachel transferred to hospital, and Chad found himself driving behind the ambulance carrying his wife and unborn daughter.
In this first episode of Dad’s First Words, Chad shares the raw, emotional story of Kya’s birth — from the preparation for a home birth, to the reality of hospital intervention, and what it felt like to step up as a dad in the middle of it all.
We talk about what dads can expect when plans shift, how to navigate the hospital system under pressure, and the importance of being present and supportive through every stage of labour and birth.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- What it’s like when a planned home birth becomes a hospital transfer
- How Chad processed the sudden change and kept grounded
- The challenges of stepping into the hospital system as a home birthing dad
- Why being of service to your partner and newborn is so powerful
- Lessons on support, presence and fatherhood from day one
Chad’s story is a reminder that birth rarely goes exactly to plan, but dads can play a huge role in holding space and offering strength when it matters most.
A huge thanks to Chad for the incredible chat, the first on Dad's First Words. I couldn't have asked for a better conversation get this podcast off and running.
