About Me

Hi, I’m Polina, and I’m a mom of two boys—both born right here in my living room.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t always picture myself as a home birth mama. Like many women, I’d been led to believe that hospitals were the safest and most sensible choice for childbirth. But during my first pregnancy, things took an unexpected turn. I was planning to deliver at Yale Hospital and was seeing my OB regularly. At eight months, I was hit with the suggestion of early induction due to my baby’s size, which felt unsettling.

Having some understanding of the “cascade of interventions,” I began to question the path I was on. One day, after a particularly tough conversation with a nurse, I broke down. I called my husband in tears and told him I wanted to have our baby at home. With little time left, I threw myself into learning everything I could about home birth. When the day came, I delivered a healthy 9 lb 6 oz boy. The labor was long and challenging—at one point, my baby got stuck in my pelvis—but with the guidance of my midwife and doula, I made it through. I’m convinced that if I’d been in the hospital, I would’ve ended up with the interventions I was hoping to avoid.

My second home birth was a much quicker and easier experience, and both were beautiful in their own way. These experiences transformed me, showing me the power of trusting my instincts and taking charge of my birth journey. Now, I’m on a mission to help other mamas do the same.

The Sensible Mama is all about helping you feel confident and prepared to have the home birth of your dreams. I’m here to support you, share what I’ve learned, and cheer you on as you take control of your birth experience—one that’s empowering, safe, and truly your own.