Pain Free Birth

What happens when your carefully planned home birth turns into an unassisted birth at a family resort?After five years of hoping for a baby, fertility treatments, surgery, and the removal of one fallopian tube, Jessica Richards and her husband were overjoyed to conceive naturally. They prepared for a peaceful home birth with a trusted midwife, but when Jessica reached 42 weeks pregnant, their baby still had not arrived. With her midwife’s approval, the couple decided to join their family for a Christmas trip at a resort two hours from home.A day filled with laughter, water slides, connection, and relaxation soon became the beginning of labor. When Jessica’s contractions intensified and her water broke as they attempted to leave, she and her husband realized they would not make it home. Instead of panicking, they returned to their room, leaned into the physiological process, and welcomed their son in the bathtub with no birth team present. Jessica shares how preparation, prayer, movement, surrender, and trust helped her remain peaceful during an experience she never could have planned.Tune in to hear:Jessica’s journey through infertility, surgery, and naturally conceiving with one fallopian tubeWhy she felt peaceful traveling at 42 weeks pregnantHow relaxation, family connection, and oxytocin may have helped labor beginThe signs that told Jessica’s doula she was close to birthWhy Jessica and her husband chose to return to their resort roomHow water, movement, breathing, music, and low vocalization supported her laborWhat it felt like to experience spontaneous pushing without forcing her bodyThe surreal moment Jessica caught her own baby in the bathtubHow her husband remained calm and supported her throughout the unexpected birthThe role faith and surrender played in Jessica’s mindsetHow Jessica prepared physically with walking, chiropractic care, massage, and pelvic floor therapyWhat happened after the baby and placenta were bornWhy the family stayed at the resort for another nightJessica’s encouragement for women struggling with fear, anxiety, or going past their due dateHow this birth strengthened Jessica’s trust in her maternal instinctsCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What happens when an unexpected pregnancy disrupts the life you thought you had finally learned to accept?When Amanda discovered she was pregnant with her fifth baby, she did not feel the immediate excitement she had experienced with her previous pregnancies. Instead, she felt shocked, angry, disconnected, and ashamed of her own emotions. For months, she struggled privately while pretending everything was fine. Through prayer, counseling, humility, and surrender, Amanda experienced a powerful change of heart that transformed the pregnancy she had resisted into one of the most redemptive stories of her life.That redemption continued into birth. Although Amanda secretly longed for a home birth, she and her husband planned to deliver at the hospital. But when labor progressed faster than expected, her water broke at ten centimeters while her midwife was already in the house. Amanda remained home, experienced a peaceful rest and be thankful phase, and delivered her baby in the bathtub after only three minutes of pushing. After four hospital births, she describes this unmedicated home water birth as her calmest and least painful birth.Tune in to hear:Amanda’s honest reaction to discovering she was unexpectedly pregnant with her fifth babyWhy she felt ashamed of struggling to accept a pregnancy that others would consider a blessingHow resentment began affecting her marriage and emotional well-beingThe role prayer, therapy, humility, and surrender played in changing her heartHow Amanda intentionally connected with her baby after months of feeling detachedWhy she chose midwifery care after four pregnancies with an obstetricianHow God opened the door for her to work with the Christian midwife she had specifically prayed forWhat prodromal labor felt like after four previously fast and straightforward laborsThe moment Amanda’s water broke at ten centimeters in her living roomWhy her midwife recommended staying home instead of rushing to the hospitalHow the rest and be thankful phase gave Amanda time to prepare for birthWhat made this water birth less painful than her previous hospital and epidural birthsHow breathing, worship music, gratitude, and Christian hypnobirthing supported her laborWhy physiological birth education changed Amanda’s fifth birth experienceHow this unexpected baby became an irreplaceable blessing to the entire familyCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTubeConnect with Amanda:https://www.instagram.com/amanda_joy_photography/

Have you ever wondered if a twin birth can truly be peaceful, unmedicated, and even pain free?In this powerful episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Destiny Randolph, a mom of six who has birthed two sets of twins naturally, unmedicated, and in the hospital. Destiny shares the incredible story of conceiving both sets of twins naturally, navigating the mental weight of a “high risk” label, and learning to trust her body, her intuition, her husband, her care team, and the Lord through it all.This conversation is full of practical wisdom for any mama preparing for birth, especially those navigating hospital birth, induction, twin pregnancy, provider pressure, or fear of the unknown. Destiny’s story is a beautiful reminder that your internal environment matters deeply, that advocacy can be peaceful and collaborative, and that birth can be powerful, holy, joyful, and far less painful than you have been led to believe.Tune in to hear:Destiny’s story of conceiving two sets of twins naturallyHow she processed the shock and fear of finding out she was pregnant with twins againWhy twin pregnancy felt mentally and physically harder, but twin birth felt easier than her singleton birthsHow she prayerfully navigated an induction recommendation at 37 weeks and 4 daysWhy she chose Pitocin but declined breaking her water right awayThe role of her husband in advocacy, decision making, and emotional supportHow a supportive nurse helped her trust her body and make decisions with peaceWhy cervical checks can impact labor mindsetThe “open hands” practice that helped her relax through intensityHow worship music, water, closed eyes, and her husband helped her stay focused in the ORWhat happened when Baby A was born in the OR and Baby B came later in the labor roomThe shocking moment Baby B came flying out in her sac while the nurses thought it was “just fluid”Why Destiny believes hospital birth can still be beautiful, spiritual, and empoweringHer encouragement for twin moms, hospital birth moms, and women afraid birth will ruin their bodiesThe deeper lesson Destiny learned about surrender, trust, and letting go of controlCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

Did you have a healthy baby, but still feel broken after birth?For decades, women have been told that if their baby is healthy, they should simply be grateful. But what happens when your body, your heart, and your spirit are still carrying the weight of a birth that left you feeling unheard, violated, disappointed, or ashamed?In this deeply personal episode, I unpack the hidden damage behind the phrase "healthy mom, healthy baby," why birth trauma is so often minimized, and how true healing begins. Whether your birth included unexpected interventions, a cesarean, feelings of failure, or simply didn't unfold the way you dreamed, this conversation will remind you that your story matters and that healing is possible.Tune in to hear: Why "healthy mom, healthy baby" has become one of the most harmful phrases women hear after birth  How birth trauma happens, even when everyone says your birth was "normal"  The emotional signs that you may still be carrying unresolved birth trauma  Why trauma is about what happened inside of you, not just what happened to you  The connection between birth trauma, nervous system regulation, and postpartum healing  How shame, fear, and self-blame become trapped in the body  The powerful role forgiveness plays in healing, including forgiving yourself  Questions that help uncover the root of birth trauma and lifelong patterns  What family, friends, doulas, and birth workers can say instead of "At least you had a healthy baby"  Practical first steps for processing grief and reconnecting with your body  Why empowered mothers create healthier families and healthier birth culture  Resources available through Pain Free Birth for deeper healing and supportCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if your birth doesn't go according to plan, but becomes even more transformative because of it?In today's episode, actress, filmmaker, and creator Eliana Ghen shares her incredible 42-week induction journey. After being pressured toward an early induction for a suspected IUGR diagnosis, Eliana learned to advocate for herself, trust her body, and ask better questions. That decision ultimately allowed her baby more time to grow and led her into one of the most transformative experiences of her life.What followed was a 42-hour labor that tested every mental, physical, and emotional reserve she had. Through Pitocin, Cytotec, Foley balloon induction, relentless back labor, extreme exhaustion, and moments where she believed she couldn't continue, Eliana discovered a level of strength she never knew existed. Her story is a powerful reminder that birth does not have to be perfect to be empowering.Tune in to hear:• How a suspected IUGR diagnosis almost led to a 37-week induction• Why she chose to continue her pregnancy past 42 weeks• What really happened during her Foley balloon and Cytotec induction• The truth about Pitocin and whether it made contractions more painful• How mindset preparation changed her entire labor experience• The fear release exercises that helped her stay grounded• Why back labor became the biggest challenge of her birth• The moment she nearly chose an epidural• How her husband helped her avoid a decision she wasn't ready to make• What happened when her water was finally broken• Why pushing felt completely different than labor• The surprising pain-free ending after 42 hours of labor• How birth transformed her confidence forever• Her advice for women facing induction• Why empowerment matters more than any specific birth outcomeConnect with Eliana:ElianaGhen.comTikTok: Eliana GhenYoutube: Eliana GhenInstagram: eliana_ghenFacebook: Eliana GhenUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Can a traumatic birth experience be redeemed, even after years of fear, postpartum struggles, and disappointment?In this powerful episode, Karen sits down with Anna Kroese, a homeschooling mom who shares her journey through three radically different birth experiences. After an induction for suspected IUGR, a difficult breastfeeding journey, and a fast but overwhelming home birth that left her feeling disconnected, Anna wondered if birth would ever feel empowering.Seven years later, everything changed. Through intentional preparation, understanding birth physiology, renewing her mindset, and partnering with God throughout pregnancy and labor, Anna experienced a peaceful, redemptive home birth that transformed not only her labor, but her entire postpartum experience.Tune in to hear: Anna's first hospital birth and unexpected IUGR induction  How breastfeeding struggles, tongue ties, and body tension impacted her family  Why bodywork, fascia release, and craniosacral therapies can be game changers  The red flags she missed during her first pregnancy  How she convinced her husband to support home birth  Why she switched midwives in her third trimester  The surprising lessons she learned from a fast, intense second birth  How fear changed her perception of pain during labor  The physiology behind pain-free birth  The role of Christian hypnobirthing and faith during pregnancy  How her husband became an incredible labor support person  The moment she realized birth didn't have to hurt  Delivering her baby before the midwife arrived  Why her postpartum experience was dramatically different after her third birth  How birth hormones can impact postpartum healing and mental healthUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if the birth you've been praying for feels impossible according to everyone around you?After five cesarean births, Derika Brown was told over and over that a vaginal birth was out of the question. Doctors dismissed her questions, providers refused to support her, and fear surrounded every conversation about birth. But deep in her heart, she believed God was showing her a different path.In this powerful episode, Derika shares the remarkable story of her journey from five cesareans to a pain-free home birth. From hospital coercion and birth trauma to finding a supportive midwife just four days before labor, this testimony is a powerful reminder that faith, preparation, advocacy, and trust in the body's design can transform the birth experience.Tune in to hear: How Derika's first birth led to a cascade of repeat cesareans  The dream that first planted the possibility of a VBAC in her heart  What happened when she attempted a VBAC after four cesareans  The shocking hospital experience that ended in a fifth cesarean  Why informed consent matters in maternity care  How birth trauma impacted her emotionally and spiritually  The role faith played in rebuilding her confidence for another pregnancy  Finding a supportive midwife only four days before labor  How her 9-year-old daughter became her unexpected doula  The atmosphere of worship, prayer, and peace surrounding labor  What a pain-free birth actually felt like  Experiencing the fetal ejection reflex after five cesareans  The emotional moment of finally achieving her long-awaited VBAC  Encouragement for mothers believing for their own redemption birthDerika's Birth Video on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXkpAMrDY-e/ Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Can you trust your body completely and still acknowledge that medical emergencies sometimes happen in birth?In this episode, Karen shares a perspective she's never publicly discussed before and diving into the recent conversations surrounding free birth, birth emergencies, and the growing divide between the natural birth community and the medical model of care.This conversation is not about fear. It's about wisdom. It's about holding confidence in the body's design while also recognizing that true emergencies can happen. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, birth center birth, or free birth, this episode will help you navigate conflicting messages and make informed decisions rooted in both faith and discernment.Tune in to hear: Why I decided to speak publicly about free birth and birth emergencies  The growing divide within the birth community  What the natural birth movement gets right about physiology  What concerns me about some free birth teachings  How to distinguish between physiological birth and pathology  Why medical intervention is sometimes life-saving  The difference between overmedicalization and undermedicalization  Common red flags women should never ignore in labor  Why informed consent requires understanding both risks and benefits  The role intuition plays in preventing poor outcomes  How birth trauma can occur in any setting  Why needing help in labor is not a failure  What true radical responsibility looks like  Encouragement for mothers healing from birth disappointment and trauma  How to prepare for birth with both confidence and wisdom Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What would you do if you were 29 days overdue… and everyone around you was afraid?In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Christine Janicke, a mom of five, who shares her incredible story of carrying her fifth baby to 44 weeks + 1 day before experiencing a beautiful, natural home birth.Christine opens up about the intense mental, emotional, and spiritual journey of waiting far beyond what most providers (and most people) would consider “normal.” From navigating fear-filled comments and pressure from others to learning how to radically surrender and trust the Lord, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and perspective-shifting conversations around birth, intuition, and motherhood.You’ll hear how Christine protected her peace during those final weeks, the profound spiritual lessons God taught her through the waiting, and the miraculous moment she specifically prayed for a 3-push delivery… and got exactly that.Tune in to hear: What it was like being 29 days overdue  Navigating fear and outside pressure during pregnancy  Trusting God when everyone around you is afraid  The emotional and spiritual surrender of motherhood  Why Christine intentionally kept her circle small  The difference between intuition vs fear in birth  How mindset changes the experience of labor  The surprising reality of her healthy placenta and baby at 44 weeks  Her fast, joy-filled 3-push home birth  Why “surrendering to God will never disappoint”CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Could you trust your body after a traumatic birth experience?In today’s episode, Karen sits down with Connie Johnson, a mom of four from Phoenix, Arizona, who shares her incredible journey from a traumatic military hospital birth and C-section to experiencing three redemptive VBACs—including a completely peaceful, supernatural hospital birth that ended with her baby being born before the doctor even made it into the room.This episode is a powerful reminder that hospital birth does not have to equal fear, trauma, or loss of control. Her story is deeply encouraging for moms preparing for VBACs, hospital births, or healing after previous traumatic birth experiences. Tune in to hear: Connie’s traumatic first birth in a military hospital during COVID  The pressure and fear surrounding “geriatric pregnancy”  How induction led to a 36-hour labor and eventual C-section  The emotional impact of birth trauma and NICU separation  Why she chose to pursue a VBAC after her first experience  The importance of choosing the right birth team  How mindset shifts transformed her subsequent births  Navigating grief and pregnancy after losing her father  The connection between fear, tension, and pain during labor  How she prepared mentally and spiritually for birth  Creating a peaceful worship-filled hospital birth environment  What physiological pushing actually felt like  The incredible moment her body birthed her baby naturally  Why her doctor completely missed the birth  How she recovered immediately after birth without exhaustion  Encouragement for moms believing for a redemptive birth storyCONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What started as a planned unmedicated hospital birth quickly turned into an unexpected free birth on the side of the highway.In this episode, Selina shares the incredible story of giving birth to her posterior baby in the front seat of a truck before ever making it to the hospital. From laboring alone in her bathroom to feeling her baby’s head in her own hand, this story is filled with faith, surrender, instinct, and the undeniable power of the female body.This episode is an emotional, empowering reminder that birth is not something to fear and that our bodies were beautifully designed for this work.Tune in to hear: Why Selina originally planned a hospital birth instead of a home birth  How hearing positive birth stories helped eliminate fear around birth  The moment she realized labor was progressing quickly  What it felt like to experience the fetal ejection reflex  Why she says the contractions were painful but the actual birth was painless  How she accidentally delivered her baby in the truck on the side of the highway  What it was like to catch her own posterior baby  The emotional moment she saw her baby’s face before his body was born  Why she felt complete peace immediately after birth  The prayers she says God answered throughout her labor and delivery  How unmedicated birth transformed her faith and confidence as a woman  Karen’s insights on surrender, physiological birth, and trusting the bodyCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if motherhood isn’t something you’re losing yourself in… but something you’re being reborn through? We are celebrating 100 episodes of Pain Free Birth! In this episode, we are re-airing a powerful message from Karen on the transformation from maiden to mother and the sacred, often overlooked rite of passage that motherhood truly is.  With Mother’s Day as the backdrop, this conversation honors both the beauty and the weight of motherhood. Karen speaks directly to the emotional, physical, and spiritual shifts women experience as they step into this role highlighting the surrender, identity shifts, and deep inner work that come with it. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why motherhood is a sacred rite of passage, not just a life transition  The emotional and identity shifts that happen from maiden to mother  How surrender in birth mirrors surrender in motherhood  Why resisting the process creates more pain—and how to release control  The difference between masculine productivity and feminine presence  How cultural expectations can disconnect women from their intuition  Why feeling like you’ve “lost yourself” may actually be a rebirth  The power of embracing each season of motherhood without judgment  How to navigate doubt, overwhelm, and identity shifts with grace  A new perspective on what it means to be “doing enough” as a motherMothers Day Sale: Get $60 off the Pain Free Birth E-Course and get Birth Partner Bootcamp Free: https://resources.painfreebirth.com/pfb-ecourse-mothers-day-2026 CONNECT WITH KAREN:Submit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What would you do if your dream birth plan completely fell apart… and still turned out better than you ever imagined?In this powerful episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Brie Kuikahi, who shares her incredible first birth story-a breech hospital birth during COVID that she describes as “better than I imagined” and “absolutely perfect.”After planning for a natural birth center experience, Brie’s baby remained breech, and due to state laws, no midwives were able to support her. What followed was a journey filled with fear, surrender, and ultimately, divine alignment.Despite every obstacle, Brie had the birth she prayed for: minimal intervention, deep connection with her husband, and a delivery that “went perfectly.”This episode will encourage any mama navigating uncertainty, unexpected changes, or fear around birth. Tune in to hear: What happens when your baby stays breech—and your options feel limited  The emotional reality of being denied support for your birth preferences  How Brie navigated fear, disappointment, and uncertainty during pregnancy  The moment everything shifted—and she found the only supportive provider  What it’s like to have a vaginal breech birth in a hospital setting  How mindset, faith, and surrender transformed her birth experience  Why “losing control” can actually lead to your most powerful birth  The role of a supportive partner during labor (and what helped most)  How her birth ended up being better than she ever imaginedConnect with Brie:@BriekuikahiCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if the most important factor in your birth experience isn’t where you give birth… but how safe you feel? In today’s episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with trauma healer and embodiment coach Monica Yates to unpack her powerful first-time home birth story and the mindset, preparation, and support that made it possible.From having a husband who was initially 100% against home birth… to witnessing a complete transformation after experiencing it firsthand, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to advocate for your birth, trust your intuition, and create an environment where your body can fully open and surrender. This episode also explores the often-overlooked connection between postpartum struggles and lack of support, and why so many women are left trying to “do it all” instead of being deeply cared for. Tune in to hear: How Monica shifted her husband from fear to full support for home birth  Why feeling safe is the #1 factor in how your labor unfolds  What it looks like to prepare for birth like a high-performing woman  The mindset shift that helped her move through intense sensations without fear  Why she never pushed during labor and what that reveals about the body  The powerful role of masculine support in helping women fully surrender  The real reason many women struggle postpartum (and how to avoid it)  Why asking for help is the most important thing you can do as a new mom  How to proactively set yourself up for a peaceful, supported postpartum  The emotional and relational transformation that birth can create in your marriage Connect with Monica:Feminine as F*ck Podcast: https://monicayateshealth.com/pages/feminine-as-fuck-the-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicayateshealth/Website: https://monicayateshealth.com/ Birth story on Youtube: YouTubeMy Birth Story: A Positive Unmedicated Home Birth The Immersion: Somatic immersion that will guide you home to yourself through deep trauma healing and embodiment work with women IN PERSON over the course of 3 days https://monicayates.samcart.com/referral/BeBgbeVO/kiAUM0YexLSEstlR Use Code: WELCOME500 for $500 off  Book: https://www.becomingherbook.com/CONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

Is home birth actually safe… or have we been asking the wrong question all along?In this nuanced episode, Karen dives into one of the most debated topics in the birth world: home birth vs hospital birth and what’s truly the safest option. Instead of taking sides, this episode breaks down the evidence, the misconceptions, and the emotional layers behind birth choices so you can make a decision that feels aligned, informed, and confident.You’ll learn why “safety” isn’t as black and white as we’ve been taught, how your environment impacts your body in labor, and what the research actually says about outcomes for low-risk women. Whether you're considering a home birth, planning a hospital birth, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you cut through the noise, release fear, and trust your body. Tune in to hear: Why the question “what’s the safest place to give birth?” might be misleading  The difference between what is safe vs what is safest for YOU What large-scale research (including the Lancet study) actually says about home birth safety  Why comfort and safety are directly connected in labor  The truth about interventions and over-medicalization in hospital birth  What really happens if something goes wrong during a home birth  Why a hospital transfer does NOT mean failure The real role of midwives and how they handle emergencies  The pros and limitations of birth centers (and why they aren’t necessarily “safer”)  How to choose the right birth environment based on your body, your needs, and your intuition Grab the Questions to Ask Your Birth Provider Resource: https://resources.painfreebirth.com/birth-provider-questionsCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if birth didn’t have to be something you “push through”… but something you fully surrender to? In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Zatha Aiken, a former U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence Officer turned stay-at-home mom of three, who shares her incredible journey from control, compliance, and “pushing through” to complete surrender, trust, and experiencing a pain-free birth.After her first birth within the medical system and a second free birth, Zatha entered her third birth with a radically different mindset: instead of bracing against the sensations, she chose to fully feel them. What followed was a deeply spiritual, fully present, and pain-free birth experience that transformed not just how she views birth, but how she experiences life, emotion, and her relationship with God. This episode is an exploration of the fear-tension-pain cycle, the shift from masculine to feminine energy in birth, and what becomes possible when women release fear and trust their bodies as they were designed.Tune in to hear: Zatha’s journey from military conditioning and compliance to full bodily autonomy  Why she initially saw birth as something to “push through” like any other challenge  The moment everything shifted from control to surrender in her third birth  How understanding physiology changed her entire perception of pain  The powerful mantra that transformed her experience: “Feel it, don’t fear it” Why pain in birth is often tied to fear not the sensations themselves  What it actually means to experience a pain-free birth (and why it’s not what you think)  The role of awareness, curiosity, and presence in eliminating fear during labor  How her birth journey mirrored a deeper spiritual healing and emotional transformation  Why she believes pain-free birth is possible for every woman CONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What would you do if doctors told you to abort one of your twins… with no medical reason?In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Victoria McGuckin, a mom of three who shares her incredible twin home birth story.After being labeled “high risk” and pressured into a highly medicalized birth plan, Victoria chose a different path rooted in faith, trust, and physiological birth. Her story is a powerful reminder that birth is not something happening to you. It’s something your body was designed to do, even in situations the world calls “high risk.”Tune in to hear:What happened when doctors asked if she wanted to abort one of her twinsWhy hospital protocols for twins often lead to unnecessary C-sectionsThe mindset shift that replaced fear with peace during her pregnancyHow she prepared her body physically for a twin birthThe moment she went from 1 cm to 9 cm instantly during laborWhy oxytocin (not control) was the key to her labor progressingWhat pushing actually felt like during a twin birthHow baby #2 was born just minutes after the firstThe truth about “pain” vs. intensity in laborWhat postpartum life with twins really looks like (including sleep + breastfeeding!)Encouragement for moms navigating fear, pressure, or “high-risk” labelsResources Mentioned:Birthing Instincts podcast (Dr. Stu)Connect with Victoria:@wholebirthwellneswithvic@victoria_alexandra_mcguckinCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if your second birth could be completely different from your first...even after a long, difficult hospital birth?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Sarah Tollison, a nurse and mom of two from South Carolina, who shares the incredible story of her 45-minute, pain-free birth. After experiencing a 36-hour hospital birth with her first baby, Sarah hoped her second birth would be different , but she never expected labor to progress so quickly.Sarah shares what it was like to experience the fetal ejection reflex, how learning about birth physiology transformed her confidence, and why her mindset going into her second birth made such a difference. Her story is a powerful reminder that one difficult birth does not define future births and that the body is capable of far more than many women realize. Tune in to hear:Sarah’s first birth experience and why it lasted 36 hours in the hospitalHow hospital protocols and interventions impacted her first laborWhy she chose a birth center and midwife for her second birthHow she caught her own baby during a completely unexpected unassisted birthWhat the fetal ejection reflex felt like during laborWhy the birth was nearly pain-free despite being extremely fastHow watching positive birth stories changed her mindset about birthThe difference between preparing for birth in fear vs preparing in trustWhy childbirth education can transform the way women experience laborHow recovery differed after a physiological birth without pushingEncouragement for moms hoping for a redeeming birth after a difficult first experienceConnect with Sarah: @Sarah.tollison.rnCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

Are you preparing for birth by gathering more information… but still feeling anxious and overwhelmed?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen dives into one of the most common mistakes first-time moms make when preparing for childbirth: focusing almost entirely on gathering information instead of regulating the nervous system. While education is valuable, Karen explains how consuming too much information (especially when it’s filtered through fear or anxiety) can actually dysregulate the nervous system and create more stress around birth.This episode invites pregnant mothers to shift their focus from over-preparing mentally to learning how to regulate their nervous system and reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies. Karen also walks listeners through simple ways to check in with their bodies, identify hidden fears or tension, and begin cultivating the calm, parasympathetic state that supports physiological birth.Tune in to hear:The nervous system mistake many first-time moms make when preparing for birthWhy information overload can actually increase anxiety during pregnancyHow the fight-or-flight response can stall labor and increase painWhy birth happens best in a parasympathetic “rest and receive” stateThe connection between nervous system regulation and oxytocin productionHow fear, tension, and anxiety in the body can show up during laborPractical ways to begin regulating your nervous system during pregnancyWhy preparing your body is just as important as preparing your mindHow learning to surrender and release control can transform your birth experienceCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What happens when you learn to meet the power of contractions instead of fearing them?In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen welcomes Petronella, a first-time mom from Sweden who shares her incredible pain-free home birth story. Despite home birth being rare in Sweden, Petronella followed her intuition and chose to give birth in the place where she felt safest (her own home).Petronella describes how years of hearing positive birth stories from her mother and witnessing friends give birth shaped her belief that birth could be empowering, natural, and even enjoyable. During her pregnancy, she intentionally prepared by listening to countless birth stories, studying the physiology of birth, and connecting deeply with her body and intuition.This episode beautifully illustrates how preparation, mindset, and trust in the body’s design can transform the birth experience.Tune in to hear: Why Petronella chose a home birth in Sweden, where home births are uncommonHow early exposure to positive birth stories shaped her mindset about childbirthThe importance of preparing for birth before pregnancyHow listening to birth stories can help reframe fear and build confidenceWhat it means to “meet the power” of contractions during laborHow vocalizing and using the voice can support cervical dilation during birthWhy creating a safe and peaceful birth environment mattersThe role of intuition and trusting your body during laborWhat pushing felt like for Petronella and why she actually enjoyed that stageHow relaxation and surrender can help prevent tearing during birthThe emotional moment of meeting her baby after a peaceful home birthCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube 

What if labor wasn’t random? What if bonding isn’t luck? What if your brain is biologically designed to change in birth?In this profound and science-rich conversation, Karen sits down with Dr. Sarah Buckley, family physician, researcher, and pioneer in physiological birth, to unpack the true hormonal science of labor and postpartum.Dr. Buckley has spent decades studying oxytocin, the primary hormone of labor, bonding, and breastfeeding. In this episode, she explains how birth activates the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, how oxytocin creates maternal bonding, and why feeling safe during labor is not emotional fluff. It’s biological necessity. This episode bridges the gap between science and spirituality, physiology and experience proving that ecstatic birth is not fantasy. It is mammalian biology.Tune in to hear:How oxytocin changes the maternal brain during laborWhat actually causes bonding between mother and babyThe neuroscience behind the “birth high”Why safety is essential for oxytocin releaseHow synthetic oxytocin works differently in the bodyThe surprising research findings on Pitocin and oxytocin levelsHow epidurals impact the oxytocin feedback loopWhy some women miss the hormonal peak at birthWhat happens hormonally during cesarean birthHow skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding can “fill hormonal gaps”Why birth is a relational experience, not an engineering eventThe mammalian design behind maternal transformationHow to protect your physiology in hospital birth settingsConnect with Dr. Buckley:Website: www.sarahbuckley.comFB: @DrSarahBuckley IG: @DrSarahJBuckley Twitter: @SarahjbuckleyCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

Can birth really be different the second time? What if releasing fear was the missing piece?In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Callie shares her redemptive Christian home birth story after experiencing an excruciatingly painful first labor. At just 22 years old and pregnant with her second baby, she knew she could not walk into birth carrying the same fear and tension that defined her first experience. In this conversation, Callie shares how understanding the fear–tension–pain cycle transformed her perspective on contractions, how inviting God into her labor brought peace and confidence, and why birth can feel intense without feeling traumatic.She also speaks honestly about postpartum complications and anxiety, reminding listeners that redemption does not always mean perfection. Birth can be both powerful and messy. Faith does not eliminate challenges, but it reframes them. Her testimony is a reminder that birth can be both powerful and messy, and that God can be present in both.This episode is filled with encouragement for any mama who has experienced birth trauma, fears labor, or feels stuck believing her story is already written.Tune in to hear:What made Callie’s first birth “excruciatingly painful”How fear contributed to her labor experienceThe power of addressing the fear–tension–pain cycleHow Scripture and worship reshaped her mindsetWhat contractions felt like in her second laborThe moment she felt her baby rotate and descendHow her husband showed up differently the second timeWhat really happened during her postpartum hemorrhageHonest conversation about postpartum anxiety and healingEncouragement for moms believing their story cannot changeRESOURCES MENTIONED:Faith Filled Childbirth  Supernatural Childbirth Birth PlaylistCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

Are you planning an unmedicated birth… but wondering if you’re actually doing enough to prepare?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen breaks down the five essential steps to preparing for a natural, physiological birth with intention. Not just hoping for one. Not just writing a birth plan. But truly preparing your mind, body, and spirit for the birth experience you desire.If you’ve been binging birth stories and thinking, “I want that too” but still feel unsure where to start, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap.Because birth is not random. And while it is unpredictable, there are patterns. There are principles. There are ways to stack the odds in your favor.Tune in to hear:Why overcoming fear is the first and most important step in birth preparationHow unresolved birth stories and trauma can influence your laborThe fear–tension–pain cycle and how it impacts your bodyWhy understanding the physiology of birth changes everythingThe hormones that drive labor and how to support them naturallyHow clarity about your desired birth experience increases confidenceThe difference between the medical model and midwifery model of careWhy your provider choice statistically impacts your birth outcome more than anything elseResources mentioned:Questions to Ask Your Provider: https://resources.painfreebirth.com/birth-provider-questions CONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if going past your due date wasn’t a problem to solve?In this Karen sits down with Pinsi Lei, a mom of three and business coach from New York City, to share one of the most jaw-dropping birth stories ever told on the show.After two long, medicated hospital births, Pinsi experienced an unintentional unassisted home birth at 42 weeks. With no pushing, no tearing, and a nine-pound, ten-ounce baby born standing up through the fetal ejection reflex, this story is a profound testimony to what happens when fear is released and physiology is allowed to lead.Tune in to hear:How Pinsi went from two epidural hospital births to an unassisted home birthWhy releasing emotional fear triggered labor at 42 weeksWhat the fetal ejection reflex feels like and why she didn’t push at allHow worship, prayer, and mindset eliminated pain during contractionsThe surprising differences between epidural babies and unmedicated babiesWhy she instinctively birthed in the smallest, darkest corner of her homeHow standing birth prevented tearing with a 9 lb 10 oz babyWhy her postpartum recovery was faster and calmer than ever beforeHow trusting intuition transformed her confidence as a mother and womanConnect with Pinsi: @pinsileiPinsi's Birth Story on IG: BIRTH STORY: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM6SUHlO7oU/?igsh=MWY0NWVpbGIxaXZ0Mg==CONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if fear doesn’t have to be part of your first home birth experience?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen Welton sits down with Katie Brambila, a first-time mom and midwife-in-training, to share her incredible, God-filled home birth story.Katie brings a unique perspective to birth. Before becoming pregnant, she had already spent nearly three years in midwifery school and attended close to 100 births, most of them at home. Despite her extensive experience, Katie still had to confront common fears and stigmas surrounding first-time home birth, including the belief that first labors are always long, difficult, or destined for transfer.Throughout the conversation, Karen offers expert insight on dismantling birth fear, the importance of mental preparation, and why even highly knowledgeable women still need intentional support and mindset work in birth. Together, they normalize fear, highlight the vulnerability of labor, and encourage women to trust their bodies and God’s design for birth.Tune in to hear:Why first-time home birth fears are common and how to reframe themHow mindset and mental preparation impact the experience of laborThe role of surrender and faith in pain-free birthWhy identifying and targeting specific fears is more effective than avoiding themHow breath, prayer, and focus can change how contractions feelWhat it’s like to actively push and birth at home as a first-time momWhy support from a doula and birth team matters, even for birth professionalsConnect with Katie:IG: @katiebrambilaSend her a DM & mention this episode to receive free shipping on NORA Moon Time tea blend to support your luteal and menstrual phases.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREInstagramFacebookYouTube

What happens when a woman stops outsourcing her intuition and starts trusting her body?In this episode, Karen sits down with Polina Westcott, creator of Sensible Mama, to share two transformative home birth stories that radically changed the way Polina views birth, fear, pain, and personal authority.Polina opens up about her first pregnancy, where everything seemed medically “normal” until routine testing suddenly turned her pregnancy into a problem to be managed. When questioning protocols led to pushback from her providers, Polina made the bold decision to fire her OB team at eight months pregnant and pivot to a home birth. What followed was a long, challenging, and deeply empowering first labor that revealed strength she never knew she had.Her second birth could not have been more different. She shares how mindset, education, and surrender completely transformed how her body responded to contractions and labor progression. This episode dives deep into birth autonomy, informed consent, intuition, and the mind-body connection in labor. Tune in to hear:Why Polina chose to fire her OB team late in pregnancyHow questioning medical authority led her to reclaim birth autonomyWhat really happens during transition and why many women want to “tap out”The doula moment that changed everything during her first laborHow mindset radically altered her second birth experienceWhat fetal ejection reflex actually feels like in real lifeWhy trusting intuition protected her during the third stage of laborHow fear, resistance, and control affect labor progressionWhy birth can be an initiation into motherhood, strength, and self-trustConnect with Polina:Www.sensiblemama.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@sensible_mamaIG: @sensible_mamaCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREInstagramFacebookYouTube

What if pain, stress, and even birth trauma weren’t things your body needed to “push through”, but signals your nervous system was asking for safety?In this powerful and deeply grounding episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Scherina Alli, a network spinal chiropractor specializing in nervous system regulation, somatic respiratory integration, and care for pregnant women, babies, and children.Together, they explore how the body holds emotional stress, why babies are communicating far more than we realize, and how nervous system regulation can transform pregnancy, birth, postpartum healing, and even fertility. Dr. Scherina also shares her own beautiful home birth story. One rooted in trust, presence, and deep connection with her body offering a refreshing and empowering perspective on what birth can be when women feel safe, supported, and embodied.Tune in to hear:How the nervous system stores emotional stress and trauma in the bodyWhy “colic” is often a sign of nervous system dysregulation, not a diagnosisThe difference between traditional chiropractic care and network spinal careHow babies communicate stress, tension, and discomfort without wordsWhy babies don’t “grow out of” nervous system stress How pregnancy and birth experiences shape a baby’s lifelong nervous system blueprintThe role of breath, movement, and pelvic mobility in preparing for birthHow unprocessed emotions can impact pregnancy, fertility, and laborDr. Scherina’s calm, fast, and deeply present home birth storyWhy presence (not avoidance) is the key to an empowered birth experienceHow women can rebuild trust in their bodies after trauma or infertilitySimple ways to recognize stress versus safety in your own nervous systemCONNECT WITH DR SCHERINA:Follow Dr. Scherina on Instagram: @drscherinaWebsite: drscherina.comNetwork Spinal Chiropractor Directory: https://www.drscherina.com/directoryPX Docs Directory for neurologically focused prenatal and pediatric chiropractors: https://pxdocs.com/px-docs/CONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREInstagramFacebookYouTube

In this of the Pain Free Birth podcast, Karen Welton sits down with Anastasia Malyk, a mother of four, to share one of the most jaw-dropping birth stories you will ever hear.After experiencing two prior free births, Anastasia found herself unexpectedly pregnant with mono-di identical twins just seven months postpartum. What followed was a journey marked by medical pressure, fear-based recommendations, spiritual surrender, and unwavering trust in God’s design for her body.This episode is a bold testimony of faith, bodily wisdom, and the importance of advocacy in pregnancy and birth. It is especially encouraging for twin moms, women navigating medical pressure, and anyone seeking reassurance that physiological birth is possible, even when circumstances seem stacked against you. In this episode, you’ll hear:What led Anastasia to choose free birth for her first two babiesHow she navigated fear and faith after learning she was pregnant with twinsWhy she fired her OB after being pressured into a cesareanWhat it was like carrying twins past 41 weeksHow labor progressed so quickly she didn’t believe it was realWhat it felt like to birth twins with no pushing and no painHow faith shaped every decision throughout pregnancy and birthEncouragement for twin moms who desire a natural or physiological birthConnect with Anastasia:IG: Anastasiamalyk_TikTok: @anachenkoCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREInstagramFacebookYouTube

What happens when you stop fighting labor and start working with your body? In today’s episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Mallory Ryan, a mom of two who shares her deeply transformative birth experiences. Mallory walks listeners through her first unmedicated birth at a birth center and her second, rapid home birth that she describes as joyful, empowering, and profoundly connected to God’s design for birth.Whether you are pregnant, preparing for birth, or simply curious about physiological birth and faith-filled preparation, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, informed, and inspired to trust your body and God’s design.Tune in to hear:Why Mallory chose unmedicated birth for both of her babiesHow learning the physiology of birth helped reduce fear and painThe role mindset and relaxation play in labor intensityWhy fast labors are not always more painfulHow choosing joy impacts oxytocin and birth progressWhat a “butter birth” is and how surrender changes pushingHow faith influenced Mallory’s confidence during laborThe difference between pain and suffering in childbirthWhy birth is not something happening to you, but within youHow empowering births shape confidence in motherhood and postpartumCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. InstagramFacebookYouTube

While Tara was blacking out from pain, losing hope, and believing she didn't have enough faith for a pain free pregnancy, she experienced a deeply spiritual experience that led her to creating the first of its kind, her own app, for Christian Hypnobirthing. Tune in to find out how drastically different Tara's births were with and without the power of hypnobirthing, how our thoughts and emotions can imprint on our babies brains, and how you can use hypnobirthing beyond labor!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:How Tara started Christian HypnobirthingDealing with coercion and losing faith in Tara's first birthHow hypnobirthing transformed Tara's second birthCultivating peace throughout your pregnancyUsing hypnobirthing beyond pregnancyCombining faith with neuroscience and how our babies brains are wired MORE ABOUT TARA MENZIES:Tara Menzies is the creator of the Christian Hypnobirthing app and the Faith-Filled Childbirth Course. She created the app in early 2018 after the birth of her first son, because she wanted to combine traditional hypnobirthing techniques (breathing and visualisation exercises, positive affirmations etc) with the incredible love, strength and support that come from our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, to help expecting mamas feel confident relaxed and connected to God throughout their births. The Christian Hypnobirthing app has since become one of the most highly rated hypnobirthing apps worldwide, and has helped tens of thousands of women have more relaxed, confident and faith-filled birth experiences.Instagram: @christianhypnobirthingChristian Hypnobirthing WebsiteCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. InstagramFacebookYouTube

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IS LIVE! https://resources.painfreebirth.com/pfb-12-days-of-christmasIn this episode, Alla shares her miraculous twin home birth story - giving birth precipitously to healthy babies at 38 weeks pregnant in her bathtub and overcoming fear so she could have a supernatural birth experience through prayer and trust in God.CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ 

What if your next birth didn’t have to look anything like your last one and could actually be better?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Blake, a mom of four who shares her incredible journey from a discouraging first C-section to three transformative home births after cesarean.Blake walks listeners through each birth from a 77-hour marathon VBAC to a three-hour birth and finally a two-hour labor where she felt completely in control. Along the way, she opens up about healing hidden birth trauma, learning to trust her body, choosing supportive providers, and experiencing the redemptive power of faith-centered birth preparation.Tune in to hear:What led Blake to her first C-section and how it impacted her confidenceHow she identified and healed birth trauma she didn’t realize she was carryingWhat it was like laboring for 77 hours during her first home birth after cesareanHow her next birth lasted just three hours with almost no pushingWhy her babies got bigger AND her births got easierThe role mindset, faith, and emotional release played in shortening laborHow choosing the right midwife changed everythingThe power of a supportive husband during home birthWhat it feels like to birth standing up and fully in controlWhy Blake believes women are not destined to repeat their birth traumaUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ 

What if everything we thought we knew about birth was missing the most important perspective - the baby’s?In today’s episode, Karen sits down with renowned neonatal resuscitation instructor and midwife Karen Strange, whose groundbreaking work has reshaped how more than 17,000 birth professionals understand newborns, birth physiology, and the imprinting that happens in the earliest moments of life. With over three decades of experience, Karen Strange brings a trauma-informed, baby-centered lens to birth - one that reveals the innate blueprint inside every baby, the sequence nature designed, and what happens when it’s interrupted.Tune in to hear:The embryological blueprint and sequence every baby followsPausing at birth and honoring newborn pacingHow prenatal stress shapes a baby’s nervous systemWhy repair matters more than ruptureWhat babies remember and communicate through their bodiesHow to support newborns after a difficult birthPhysiologic transition and first breathsWhy doulas should know neonatal resuscitationThe simplicity of what saves lives in birth emergenciesTools for connecting with your baby in pregnancy and beyondAdditional resources from Karen: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UAA9yc7-JbMdO-qbYiQZl9XLn8yTmY8P?usp=sharingWebsite: karenstrange.comInstagram: @neonatalresuscitationUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ 

What if birth wasn’t something to fear… but a place where heaven meets earth? In today’s episode, Caitlin Svoboda shares a supernatural, pain-free home birth story that will leave you breathless.In this interview, Caitlin opens up about her sixth pregnancy, her deep trust in God’s design for birth, and the unexpected spiritual encounter that forever changed how she views motherhood. From spiritual visions and the “veil of heaven” thinning, to a fast, instinct-led labor and a peaceful 10-pound baby born into her husband’s hands, Caitlin’s story is a breathtaking look at what can happen when women reclaim physiological birth and trust the God-designed hormonal blueprint of labor. If you've ever wondered how spiritual encounters, altered states of consciousness, and the quietude phase of labor fit into the birth experience, this episode breaks it down with both awe and practicality. You’ll walk away with encouragement, revelation, and a renewed sense of what God intended birth to be.Tune in to hear:How losing a baby shaped Caitlin’s faith and future pregnanciesWhy she chose an undisturbed home birth with no medical interventionsThe moment she surrendered fully and slipped into a transcendent stateHer vivid vision of Jesus walking toward her holding an infantThe role of safety, support, and environment in physiological birthWhat the “quietude/rest-and-be-thankful” phase actually feels likeHow she gave birth to a 10-pound baby with no tearingWhy she believes this experience transformed her marriage and identityThe truth about pain in childbirth from a biblical and physiological lensConnect with Caitlin:sehlahmomservices.comIG: sehlah.motherhood.service Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ 

What happens when a traumatic first birth becomes the catalyst for two radically pain-free, God-filled home births? Today’s episode is a powerful testimony of redemption, physiology, faith, and a mother reclaiming her God-given authority in birth. In this conversation, Karen sits down with Sara Gilboy, a mom of three from Toronto, Canada, who experienced a deeply traumatic first home birth during COVID-complete with medical coercion, fear, hemorrhage, separation from her baby, and months of postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts. But Sara refused to let that be the end of her story. She returned to birth armed with knowledge, prayer, physiological understanding, and a fierce sense of ownership that transformed her next two births into supernatural, pain-free, joy-filled experiences. Tune in to hear:How Sara's first home birth turned traumatic and why she “felt the fear through her uterus”The spiritual battle of intrusive thoughts and how she learned to take each one captiveWhy “knowledge is power” completely changed her second and third birthsHow she created two entirely pain-free births using physiology, relaxation, and faithWhat she told her midwives the second time that changed everything (“This is the birth I’m going to have…”)Her children worshipping and praying over her during laborThe moment her pelvic floor “parted like the Red Sea”How God replaced her disappointment with joy instantly during her third birthThe connection between birth trauma and postpartum mental healthWhy understanding your physiology is essential no matter where you give birthUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IS LIVE! https://resources.painfreebirth.com/pfb-12-days-of-christmasWhat if the secret to a pain-free birth isn’t found in a technique or a position… but in your ability to surrender? In this episode, Karen sits down with Taylor Cleveland, a mom who experienced a radically pain-free second home birth after taking the Pain-Free Birth Course. Taylor opens up about her first difficult labor, the mental battle she faced, and how a simple mindset shift changed everything.She shares how learning to fully surrender physically, mentally, and spiritually led to a birth that was not only free of pain but filled with peace, presence, and divine trust. From letting go of her first birth story to feeling her pelvic floor move out of the way as her baby descended, Taylor’s testimony is a look at what’s possible when we get out of the way and allow our bodies to do what they were designed to do.Tune in to hear:The mindset shift that completely transformed Taylor’s second labor experienceWhy pain is often created by resistance and how to release itThe power of understanding what your body is doing in laborHow water, movement, and deep relaxation supported a pain-free experienceWhat it means to fully surrender to your body and to God during birthThe difference between pain and intensity in laborHow Taylor’s pain-free birth impacted her postpartum healing and her faithKaren’s breakdown of the “resistance vs. relaxation” principle that changes everythingHow surrendering control leads to trust, peace, and even a shorter laborUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course: https://painfreebirth.com/pain-free-birth-birth-partner-bootcamp-bundleConnect with Taylor:Moonwoven Postpartum - Ayurvedic Postpartum servicesInstagram: @Moonwoven.PostpartumWebsite: https://moonwovencare.com/ CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ 

For generations, women have been told that pain in labor is simply part of the curse and that it’s what Eve brought upon us in the Garden of Eden. But is that truly what Scripture teaches?In this episode, Karen takes a deep dive into Genesis 3:16 and the verses that have shaped our modern beliefs about birth, pain, and womanhood. You’ll learn how a single mistranslated word has influenced centuries of theology and fear surrounding birth and how reclaiming the truth of God’s design can set women free from the belief that they are destined to suffer.Karen also shares how this revelation changed her own understanding of birth, transforming her experience from fear and pain to faith and peace. If you’ve ever wrestled with the question, “Did God design birth to hurt?”, this episode will bring clarity, healing, and hope. Tune in to hear:What Genesis 3:16 actually says about pain in childbirthWhy the Hebrew word for “pain” was mistranslated and what it truly meansHow both Adam and Eve experienced toil, not punishmentThe powerful truth that Eve was never cursedHow fear and cultural conditioning contribute to pain in laborWhy God’s design for your body is rooted in love, not sufferingHow understanding Scripture can transform your faith, your birth, and your motherhoodUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if birth was never meant to be painful? In this episode, Karen sits down with Sammy Murry, a holistic mama of three (soon to be four!) who shares how her third birth became the most peaceful, pain-free, and faith-filled experience of her life.After two beautiful but challenging labors, Sammy discovered the book Supernatural Childbirth and began to pray differently and believing that God could rewrite her birth story. She walks us through how she prepared her heart, strengthened her faith, and experienced a fast, calm home-water birth that transformed how she sees birth and God’s design for women. Tune in to hear:How listening to positive birth stories prepared Sammy’s mind for a new kind of birthThe mindset and prayer shifts that turned fear into faithWhy what you read, watch, and listen to before birth truly mattersHow she and her husband prayed specifically for a pain-free, peaceful, daytime home-water birth—and saw every prayer answeredThe difference between “pain” and “hard physical work” in laborWhat it means to surrender control and trust God with your body and birthWhy every contraction can be worshipHow her third birth became a faith-builder for her entire familyThe simple prayer that brought her peace through postpartum Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you. Connect with Sammy:IG: cleanlivingsammyWebsite: www.cleanlivingladies.comCONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if your body was powerful enough to birth a ten-pound baby without force, fear, or tearing?In this powerful VBAC home birth story, Jenny Duke shares how she went from a planned C-section with her first baby to an unmedicated, pain-free VBAC birth of her second-a ten-pound baby born at 41 weeks and 4 days.Jenny opens up about her first pregnancy, discovering her baby was breech, and how that unexpected cesarean became a divine setup for her healing and preparation. She walks through how she rebuilt her body and confidence using pelvic floor therapy, chiropractic care, and The Pain Free Birth Course to prepare for a redemptive second birth filled with faith, surrender, and power. Tune in to hear:How Jenny’s first breech pregnancy led to a planned C-sectionWhy her VBAC journey started before her second pregnancyHow pelvic floor therapy, chiropractic care, and faith prepared her bodyThe mindset shift that removed fear and made her birth pain-freeThe truth about pushing and why force isn’t what your body needsHow she birthed a 10-pound baby without tearing or medicationThe emotional “surrender moment” that opened her body for birthThe power of a supportive midwife who trusts physiological birthJenny’s advice for moms preparing for an unmedicated VBAC Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What happens when a labor and delivery nurse decides to trust God’s design for birth, surrender control, and experience birth the way He intended?After seven long years of infertility and waiting on God’s timing, nurse and mama Shelby Swanton miraculously conceived her daughter and went on to experience a pain-free, supernatural, and deeply spiritual birth.In this episode, Shelby shares her journey from years of disappointment and doubt to an ecstatic, worship-filled birth that defied everything she’d seen as a nurse in the hospital system. She opens up about her struggles with control, fear, and prodromal labor that lasted for three days, and the moment she finally surrendered to God’s plan.This story will leave you in awe of how the body and the Holy Spirit work together in birth and how letting go can unlock the most peaceful, pain-free, and empowering experience imaginable.Tune in to hear:Shelby’s seven-year infertility journey and miraculous conceptionThe faith that led her to trust God’s design for birthHow her background as a nurse shaped (and challenged) her mindsetOvercoming fear and learning to surrender controlThree days of prodromal labor and the emotional release that changed everythingA “God moment” that reminded her she wasn’t aloneThe power of worship, gratitude, and movement in laborTransition, surrender, and catching her own babyWhy she never experienced pain, only pressureHer message for first-time moms: nothing is normal, and that’s okayUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if birth didn’t need to be managed, induced, or controlled? In this episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Melanie Jackson, known as Melanie the Midwife, to unpack why the modern maternity system so often views women’s bodies as “a ticking time bomb” and how that fear drives the epidemic of unnecessary inductions.With 17 years of experience as an Australian midwife, Melanie brings evidence-based wisdom and a rebellious spirit to the conversation. She shares what she discovered in her PhD on birth outside the system, the truth about “preventative inductions,” and why trusting the design of birth might be the most radical act of all.Tune in to hear:The surprising philosophy driving unnecessary inductionsWhy 45% of first-time mothers in Australia are being inducedHow fear of women’s bodies shapes modern maternity careWhat questions to ask before agreeing to an inductionThe truth about stillbirth statistics and relative vs. actual riskWhy “going with the flow” often means going with hospital protocolThe hormonal design of physiological birth (and how hospitals disrupt it)How to prevent obstetric violence and over-medicalizationThe sacred transformation of matrescence (from maiden to mother) Connect with Melanie:@melaniethemidwife @thegreatbirthrebellionThe Great Birth Rebellion podcast https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What happens when you’ve done everything “right,” but your labor still isn’t going according to plan?In this episode, Karen interviews Bernise Theron, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from South Africa, who found herself facing one of the most faith-testing moments of her life in labor. After months of praying, preparing, and believing for a peaceful birth, she suddenly faced unexpected complications, fear, and a decision that would change everything.But instead of panic, Bernise and her husband turned to something sacred. Something that completely shifted the atmosphere in the room, and what followed was nothing short of miraculous.Tune in to hear:How Bernise's faith helped her move through fear after miscarriageWhat birth looks like for women in South Africa and why natural births are so rareThe turning point moment that changed everything in her laborThe beauty of worship, gratitude, and communion during birthHow God’s hand was revealed in the smallest details of her baby’s deliveryWhy she now believes that miracles can be messy and still absolutely divineUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What happens when your first birth leaves you traumatized and fearful—but God writes a redemptive story through your next births?In this powerful episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Grace Kaminkow, a mom of three, who went from an unexpected emergency c-section to experiencing a VBAC home birth and eventually a pain-free birth filled with faith and worship.Tune in to hear:How her first c-section birth unfolded after a cascade of interventions and left her questioning everything.The shocking words her husband heard from the anesthesiologist that fueled his fears about birth.Why she started researching VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and discovered the truth about home birth safety.How she convinced her hesitant husband to consider home birth, and the midwife who completely changed their perspective.The role of prayer, Scripture, and faith in moving from birth trauma to joy.Her second home birth after c-section, where peace replaced fear and her husband found redemption too.The incredible story of her third birth—worshipping through labor, resting at home, and experiencing a nearly pain-free supernatural home birth.Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERECONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in#VBAC #HomeBirth #PainFreeBirth #BirthWithoutFear #ChristianBirthTestimony #EmergencyCSection #BirthTrauma #VBACHomeBirth #NaturalBirthStory #FaithInChildbirth #RedemptiveBirth #ChristianMom #SupernaturalBirth #BirthAsWorship #PeacefulBirth

In today’s episode, Karen sits down with Tommi Kirkpatrick, a mother of six whose powerful story captures the highs, lows, and supernatural beauty of birth and motherhood. From her first home birth to the moment she thought she couldn’t go on, Tommi vulnerably shares how each of her births shaped her faith, her family, and her understanding of what it means to be a mother. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or your sixth, this conversation will give you hope, courage, and a renewed belief in the way God designed birth.Tune in to hear:How Tommi’s early births stretched her limits and reshaped her expectationsWhy brokenness in motherhood can actually be a giftThe role of community, faith, and support when raising little onesWhat shifted between her fifth and sixth birthsThe incredible story of her first pain-free birth after five babiesHow birth can become your greatest “pep talk” for life and motherhoodUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREConnect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if the “impossible” was actually possible?In this jaw-dropping episode, Karen sits down with midwife Kristine Lauria, a global midwifery director with more than 30 years of experience, to unpack the viral story of a home birth triplet delivery.Kristine has attended over 5,000 births worldwide — from refugee camps in South Sudan with Doctors Without Borders to high-risk deliveries in the U.S. — and she brings an unmatched perspective on what physiological birth can truly look like.Tune in to hear:The incredible story of Amber’s viral home birth with tripletsWhat actually happens in a breech extraction (and why it was needed in this case)How Kristine stayed calm in an emergency and why that saved a lifeWhy the role of a good midwife often means having the skill to do nothingThe difference between scary and traumatic births — and how a mother’s experience matters just as much as the outcomeWhat Kristine has learned from thousands of births in hospitals, homes, and disaster zones around the worldWhy hospital cesarean rates don’t compare to what’s possible when birth is left undisturbedThe spiritual and emotional side of birth that modern maternity care often overlooksTriplet home birth video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C38V_IIpWzX/ Connect with Kristine: @globalmidwife64 @allowedtobirthConnect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What happens when you’ve been told your body “can’t” birth vaginally… and then God writes a different story?In this episode, Karen sits down with Audrey Stinson, a mom of four, who went from believing she would never experience a vaginal birth to having not one, but two redemptive home births—the last being completely pain-free.Audrey vulnerably shares her journey through two cesareans, the heartbreak of feeling her body was “broken,” and the desperate prayers that led her to invite God fully into her birth story. With the support of her doula, a faith-filled mindset shift, and leaning deeply on God’s presence, Audrey discovered strength, redemption, and joy in birth that she never imagined possible.Tune in to hear:The limiting beliefs that often follow cesarean birth—and how faith can rewrite themHow prayer and preparation paved the way for a redemptive VBAC at homeThe integral role a doula played in supporting Audrey and empowering her husbandThe difference between “intensity” and “pain” in laborHow inviting God into every part of pregnancy and birth can transform the experienceAudrey’s pain-free birth story with her fourth baby and how she walked away with an even deeper faithUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREConnect with Audrey:IG: @faithful.laborConnect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

In this episode, Karen sits down with Kendall Pattillo — a mom of two (with one on the way!), wife, follower of Christ, and graduate of the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind. Although she’s just beginning her doula career, Kendall has already supported a variety of powerful births: VBACs, hospital births, birth center births, and home births.Whether you’re a new doula searching for wisdom, a mom preparing for birth, or a partner curious about how doulas support families, this episode is full of encouragement, practical insights, and inspiration.Tune in to hear:Kendall’s calling into birth work and how God opened the doors for herThe powerful VBAC story she supported at her very first birth as a doulaWhy doulas are both servants and shields in the birth spacePractical doula tips — knee pads, birth stools, showers, and headphonesHow doulas enhance a partner’s role instead of replacing itLessons on presence, boundaries, and avoiding burnout as a new doulaThe confidence and tools Kendall gained through the Pain Free Birth Doula MastermindJoin the Doula Mastermind: https://painfreebirth.com/doula-mastermind/Connect with Kendall:IG: @everedendoulaservices @kendallpattilloWebsite: https://everedendoulaservices.com/Connect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if walking into a hospital birth didn’t mean giving up your voice?In this powerful conversation, Meredith and Alicia from Intentional Birth share how to advocate for yourself in a hospital setting so you feel respected, informed, and truly in charge of your birth. From simple language shifts to knowing your legal rights, you’ll walk away with practical tools you—and your partner—can use to create a positive, empowering experience, no matter what unfolds.Tune in to hear:Why birth trauma is often less about what happened and more about how you were treatedThe difference between hospital policy and patient consent (and why policy does not override your rights)A simple 3-step framework (OWN IT) to decline procedures without confrontationThe role of your partner as the guardian of the birth—and how they can protect your spaceKey phrases that change the room instantly: “We do need her consent” and “Please document that I am declining ___”How to use the chain of command if you’re not being heard (charge nurse → nurse manager → house supervisor)“Secret menu” options in the hospital most families don’t know they can requestA real-life VBAC story where intentional advocacy led to a hospital water birth, minimal interventions, and an unhurried third stageJoin the Doula Mastermind: https://painfreebirth.com/doula-mastermind/Resources mentioned:5% discount on the Advocacy Trainings: Code: PAINFREEBIRTHIG:  @intentional.birthWebsite: www.intentionalbirth.coConnect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Have you ever felt a little nudge that maybe you were meant to support women in birth? Maybe you’re the one who stays up late watching birth videos, fascinated by how God designed the body, secretly dreaming of being in the room one day. If so, this episode was made for you.In today’s conversation, Karen pulls back the curtain on the realities of birth work — the beauty, the challenges, and the sacred calling of becoming a doula. She shares the struggles many doulas face, from burnout and being on-call to working in hospital systems that don’t always support women’s physiology. And she reminds us why women supporting women through life’s biggest transitions is not only historical, but biblical.Tune in to hear:Why the average doula career lasts only two years — and how to prevent burnoutThe surprising origin story of doulas and how their presence was “accidentally discovered” to improve birth outcomesThe missing rituals of modern maternity care — and why women are crying out for community againThe biggest challenges doulas face today (on-call life, finding clients, hospital politics, and more)What it truly means to protect a woman’s physiology, her power, and her voice in laborHow the vision of the Red Tent is reviving sacred sisterhood for doulas and birth workersJoin the Doula Mastermind: https://painfreebirth.com/doula-mastermind/Connect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if the pushing phase of birth didn’t have to be painful, exhausting, or filled with strain?In this powerful episode, Erika shares her incredible birth story — from an unexpected pause in labor that gave her one more week to prepare, to the fast-moving labor that had her in transition before she even realized it. But the highlight came in the final moments: instead of force pushing, Erika learned to breathe her baby down, allowing her body to work with her baby for a gentle, peaceful birth.You’ll hear how faith, prayer, and intentional breathing transformed her experience — and how you can apply these same principles for your own birth. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or hoping for a redemptive birth after trauma, this episode is filled with encouragement, practical tips, and the reminder that God cares deeply about your birth story.Tune in to hear:The emotional block Erika faced leading up to birth and how she overcame itThe miraculous “false labor” that gave her more time to prepareWhat it felt like to go from early labor to transition in the backseat of a truckHow she stayed focused and avoided negative self-talk in active laborThe exact breathing technique she used to “breathe baby down” instead of pushingWhy her postpartum recovery was so much easier this timeEncouragement for moms to release fear and trust God with their birth storiesResources & Links Mentioned:Pain Free Birth Course – Learn how to prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for a peaceful, pain-free birth. Use code PODCAST to get $50 offBook: To Light Their Way  Connect with Karen:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in