51 - Unpacking Freebirth: When Birth Happens Without a Provider (feat. Leah)

What happens when a baby comes too fast for your midwife to make it? Or when a family decides to intentionally birth without any medical professional present? In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Leah the Doula to talk all things freebirth—both unplanned and planned.We dig into:What unplanned freebirth looks like, and how moms, partners, and doulas can prepare just in caseSkills and practical tips to navigate a precipitous or unsupported birthWhy some families are choosing to freebirth on purposeThe legal, emotional, mental, and spiritual layers of planned freebirthWhat it’s like to be a doula in a freebirth space—and why it’s not for everyonePersonal stories from both of our experiences witnessing or supporting freebirthWhether you're curious about this topic or feel it could be a possibility in your birth journey, this episode will give you clarity, insight, and support.Leah is a seasoned doula, lactation counselor, childbirth educator, and circle leader based in NYC. Her rich and diverse background—from her first birth on the mission field over 15 years ago to working with underserved communities, teen moms, and VBAC families—has shaped her into a grounded and deeply wise birthworker. She’s been part of everything from hospital births to triplet births… and yes, even a car birth! Learn more about her work at @leahthedoula on Instagram.Take a step TODAY toward your natural, faith-filled birth!Grab my FREE guide for navigating your first trimester: FREE GUIDEGet access to the beautiful guidebook of information all pregnant women need but may not have access to: $17 EBOOKJoin my online birth classes!: Birth Tide Academy👋🏼 Hey, I’m Karissa — a Christian homebirth doula serving Lancaster & Lebanon, PA. I bring faith alongside evidence-based birth education to help women embrace a physiological-centered pregnancy so they can birth with confident autonomy and deep, Holy Spirit-led peace. 🕊️ If you’re preparing for a natural, Spirit-led birth and want to feel excited instead of overwhelmed, you’ll love my online faith-based birth course. It will help you and your husband feel genuinely prepared, connected, and ready for an amazing birth. 👉🏼 Enroll Today! ❤️ Come say hi to me on Instagram @thebirthtide — my DMs are always open!