When Lindsey Cantu’s water broke unexpectedly at 36 weeks, she had a choice: head to the hospital for a medical induction as recommended, or trust the deep wisdom of her body, the peace she felt in her spirit, and the years of experience she carried as a former doula and chiropractor. What unfolded next was a breathtaking story of surrender, divine timing, and strength—culminating in a beautiful home birth under the Texas stars.
In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Lindsey, founder and CEO of BirthFit, shares how she gave birth naturally and confidently at 40 years old, despite every curveball thrown her way. From trusting her intuition to firing her midwife to embracing a faith-led approach to pregnancy and birth, Lindsey’s story is a masterclass in surrendering to the process and reclaiming your power as a mother.
Getting Pregnant at 40: Nourishment, Prayer, and Preparation
For years, Lindsey had supported other women through birth as a doula and chiropractor. But when it came to starting her own family, things didn’t unfold on her timeline. After turning 35, then 36, and still not getting pregnant, she began to wonder: Was this really in the cards for me?
Despite the doubts, Lindsey held fast to her values. She focused on nourishing her body, staying active, seeking alignment in her relationship, and staying rooted in prayer. Then, just two weeks after her 40th birthday, she took a pregnancy test—and it was positive.
This pregnancy wasn’t the result of IVF, medications, or tracking apps. It was the result of years spent listening to her body, nourishing her system, and preparing emotionally and spiritually for motherhood. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s not too late, and that fertility is about more than just age—it’s about alignment, intention, and wellness.
A Holistic Pregnancy Without Fear
Once pregnant, Lindsey chose a path not often traveled. She declined all ultrasounds, genetic testing, and the group B strep swab. She opted out of traditional prenatal care models in favor of intuitive, midwife-led care and holistic check-ins.
“I was in better health at 40 than I was at 28,” she shared. “I trusted the rhythms of my body, and I knew I didn’t need the noise of unnecessary interventions.”
Her midwifery care was hands-off, deeply personal, and focused on relationship and trust. Instead of monitoring by machines, they used a fetoscope and hands-on assessments. Lindsay spent her pregnancy walking in nature, training intentionally with her BirthFit method, and preparing mentally and spiritually through journaling, prayer, and surrender.
Her mantra throughout pregnancy?
Simplify. Soften. Surrender.
When the Unexpected Happens: Water Breaking at 36 Weeks
As a birth professional, Lindsey had always told her clients to expect their babies around 41 weeks. So when her water began leaking at 36 weeks, she was caught completely off guard.
She was away for a girls’ weekend with her sister when she felt the first signs. Confirming her suspicion, she calmly texted her husband: “Hey boo… I think my water’s leaking.” From that moment on, things moved quickly.
Her midwife, following Texas state regulations, told her she would be unable to legally attend the birth. The recommendation? Head to the hospital for an induction.
But Lindsey didn’t feel panic. She felt peace.
She and her husband prayed, connected, and decided to honor what they felt was God’s plan for their family. They lovingly released their midwife from care and prepared to move forward on their own—while still holding respect and gratitude for her support during pregnancy.
Trusting Intuition Over Protocol: Firing the Midwife with Love
Lindsey’s decision to part ways with her midwife wasn’t rooted in fear or rebellion—it was rooted in discernment, peace, and autonomy.
“It doesn’t have to be negative when you part ways with someone,” she said. “You can release with love and still hold mutual respect.”
Their midwife had to follow her licensing limitations, but Lindsey knew this wasn’t the path meant for her. With calm conviction, she and her husband decided to remain at home, supported by their years of birth experience, their trust in God, and a deep knowing that everything was okay.
As a backup, Lindsey phoned a trusted mentor—Dr. Stu Fishbein—who reaffirmed her intuition and reminded her of her legal options in Texas: hire a CNM (certified nurse midwife) who could attend early births, or prepare for an unassisted birth.
Divine Provision: The Midwife Who Showed Up Just in Time
In a stunning display of divine orchestration, Lindsey ran into a CNM friend just the day before her water broke. On a whim, she texted her and asked: “Any chance you’re in town this weekend?”
The midwife replied the next morning: “Actually, I am—and yes, I’d love to attend if you go into labor.”
Lindsey’s labor began in full later that night. Her husband rushed to set up the birth tub on their unfinished back porch. Under tarps and twinkle lights, with no hospital bags packed and no plants arranged like she imagined, Lindsey went into labor surrounded by faith, peace, and simplicity.
At 1:24 AM, her daughter was born into her husband’s hands. No fear. No panic. Just trust, surrender, and love.
What Her Birth Taught Her: Strength Is in Surrender
After supporting hundreds of women through birth, Lindsey says her own experience taught her something deeper:
“The biggest lessons I learned? Simplify. Soften. Surrender. And when things feel uncertain—lean in, not out.”
Even when her plan took an unexpected turn, Lindsey never lost peace. She didn’t resist what was happening; she flowed with it. Her years of training and nervous system work made it possible to stay grounded in the face of the unknown.
The Truth About Fit Moms and Birth Preparation
As a strength and conditioning coach, Lindsay often works with athletic women—CrossFitters, runners, bodybuilders—who assume they can “out-train” labor. But this mentality, she says, can lead to more tension and resistance in birth.
“You can’t grit your way through labor. You have to feel. You have to soften.”
Instead of bracing, Lindsey teaches women how to train intentionally for birth—by syncing movement with nervous system regulation and awareness. This includes:
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Strength with intention (not just exercise)
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Movement in all planes (not just linear or sagittal)
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Nervous system safety before adding load
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Somatic awareness to release stuck emotions
Her method combines breath, strength, mobility, and vagal toning. She calls it a “polyvagal sandwich” and says even two days of intentional training per week can transform a woman’s ability to handle birth with ease and resilience.
Movement Is Medicine: Why Pregnant Women Need to Move
Lindsey believes that movement is a powerful tool—not just for physical health, but for emotional and spiritual well-being.
“Movement completes the nervous system cycle. Without it, you hold trauma and emotion in your body—especially in your fascia and pelvic floor.”
She encourages every woman to make movement part of their daily rhythm, whether through strength training, dancing, walking, or flowing through hip circles. Even two minutes of deep breathing can begin to restore the mind-body connection and prepare the body for birth.
Final Words of Encouragement for Moms
Lindsey’s story is a testimony to the power of faith, preparation, and intuition. She didn’t need machines or tests to tell her what she already knew—that her baby was safe, her body was ready, and God was with her.
Her message to other moms?
“You are more powerful than you’ve been told. Tune into your body. Trust your instincts. And don’t be afraid to do things differently.”
Resources from Lindsey Cantu
Lindsey offers several programs through BirthFit to support women in every stage of the motherhood transition:
BirthFit Prenatal Package (Get 20% off with code: PAINFREEBIRTH)
BirthFit Basics Free Video Training
Website: https://birthfit.com
More about Lindsey:
Lindsey Mathews Cantu is the founder and CEO of BirthFit, a movement committed to supporting women through the motherhood transition with education, functional movement, and nervous system regulation. She is a chiropractor, former doula, strength and conditioning coach, and a passionate advocate for autonomous, informed birth. After spending over a decade serving women in birth work, Lindsay experienced her own powerful transformation becoming a mother at age 40—giving birth naturally at 36 weeks in her home, guided by intuition, training, and trust in God.
Lindsey combines her expertise in biomechanics, the polyvagal theory, and holistic health to help women reconnect with their bodies, prepare intentionally for birth, and heal in postpartum. Through her programs, speaking, and storytelling, she empowers women to soften, simplify, and surrender—while staying strong in body, mind, and spirit.
You can find her at birthfit.com or on Instagram at @birthfit.
Want to Experience a Faith-Filled Birth Too?
If you’re ready to transform your mindset and birth with peace and purpose, check out the free Unlocking a Pain Free Birth Masterclass. Discover the 3 keys to a Pain-Free birth so you can experience the joyful, supernatural power of birth the way God designed it.
