Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast

Send us Fan Mail"They wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks.""They made me get an injection.""I had to have a C-section."This is the language of permission and it's so normal in birth culture that most of us don't even notice it.In this episode, we're talking about how the words we use around birth quietly shape what we believe about our role in it. And our role in our birth is not a small thing.Here's what we get into:• Why language is never neutral including in birth• What "let," "made," and "had to" are really communicating about your autonomy• The legal principle of informed consent and why permission language doesn't reflect it• How this starts in prenatal care, long before labor• What ownership language sounds like in practice, with real examples• Why this matters before, during, and after your birth, including what the research says about birth trauma and perceived control• Why none of this is about going adversarial with your care teamThis episode is for every pregnant woman, regardless of where or how she plans to give birth.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailYou've read the books. You've taken the class. You've prayed about it more times than you can count.And you're still afraid.If that's you, this episode is for you.This isn't an episode about the physiology of fear or coping techniques for labor. It's a heart-level conversation for the mom who feels like she should have more faith by now and doesn't understand why the fear is still there.In this episode, I walk through three timeless biblical truths that I come back to again and again with the moms I work with:• Truth #1: Fear does not disqualify your faith; the story of the bleeding woman in Mark 5 shows us why• Truth #2: God doesn't promise control, but He does promise His presence (and what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can teach us about holding a birth plan loosely)• Truth #3: You are not the main character (and the freedom that comes with truly believing that)I also share why I think the Bible says ""do not fear"" 365 times, literally one for every day of the year, and what that tells us about how God views our anxiety.If you've been carrying shame about your fear alongside your faith, this episode was made for you.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailWe've made it to Part 4: the final chapter of my personal birth story series.This episode picks up after my second birth and covers my third pregnancy, my third birth, and the pivotal experience that led me to officially become a doula.This one is about learning that preparation and control are not the same thing.In this episode, I share:• My friend's VBAC story aka the birth I attended that changed everything and sent me home knowing I was going to become a doula• How I started my business, and the early messaging that was all about taking control of your birth experience• Going 42 weeks pregnant with my third baby, the pressure, the fear, the impossible decision, and what finally brought me peace• My third birth story; how it unfolded, and why it felt completely different from the first two• The shift in my birth philosophy that came out of all three experiences• What I believe God was teaching me through each birth and why that arc matters for you tooThis is the episode that closes the loop on why Rise exists and what it's really about.Thank you for coming on this whole journey with me. 💛Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailWe made it to Part 3, and this is the one where things started to change.In this episode, I'm sharing my second birth: a home birth after a traumatic hospital experience, and the story of how God used all of it to lead me exactly where I'm supposed to be.In this episode, I share:• Why I trained for a half marathon nine months postpartum (and what it was really about)• How we made the decision to pursue home birth and what my first phone call with a home birth midwife felt like• What prenatal care looked like with a CPM vs. the OB appointments I'd had before• The full story of my labor and birth, the long pushing stage, the birth stool, the moment everything clicked• The detail I didn't find out until after I gave birth • A childhood bicycle race story and what it taught me about feeling unseen by God• How my faith was transformed through all of this This is the one I've been excited to get to :)Thank you for going on this whole journey with me. 💛Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailThis episode picks up right where Part 1 left off: walking out of the hospital with my firstborn and a plan to just... never think about the birth again.That plan did not work.In Part 2 of this series, I'm sharing what the first year after my traumatic birth experience actually looked like: the physical recovery I wasn't prepared for, the PPD I got diagnosed with in a thirty-second clipboard interaction, the PTSD symptoms I didn't fully identify until later, and the pelvic floor issues I lived with in silence for six months before anyone told me it wasn't normal.In this episode:• What recovering from a second degree tear actually felt like (and why my recovery with my 2nd and 3rd babies was completely different)• The shock of early newborn life, breastfeeding, sleep support needs, and the feeling of losing myself • The thread connecting birth trauma to postpartum identity loss• What it looked like when my NP told me I had "severe postpartum depression" • The flashbacks I was from giving birth• What PPD actually looked like for me day-to-day • Starting a new job at 7 weeks postpartum • Six months of pelvic pain and what finally got me help• The pelvic floor PT experience that was the first turning pointIf you've ever told yourself your birth "wasn't that bad", this episode is for you. Trauma is not a competition. And you don't have to go through a medical emergency to be deeply affected by what happened to your body.Resources mentioned:• Postpartum Support International (PSI): postpartum.net• Pelvic floor PT- local to Cherokee County? DM me on Instagram @rise.birth, I have all the local recs for you.If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet (Episode 18), start there first so you have the full context.Part 3 is coming soon.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailThis episode is personal, a little less polished, and by popular request.In Part 1 of this series, I'm sharing my own birth story...my first baby, born in a hospital during the height of COVID, and the experience that ultimately changed the entire direction of my life and (eventually) led me to becoming a birth doula.I'm holding nothing back. I want you to understand not just what happened, but how it felt, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Because I believe this story matters, and I believe God has used it in ways I'm still uncovering.In this episode, I share:• The chaotic backdrop of 2020: living in Vietnam during COVID, coming home with no plan, and finding out I was pregnant• All the things that shocked me about labor and delivery• The moment my autonomy was first dismissed and how I didn't even have the language for that yet• What labor actually felt like• The interventions I consented to without fully knowing what I was agreeing to• Why I got an epidural and the aftermath of that decision• What happened during pushing that basically changed my lifeIt took me a long time to be able to call my birth traumatic. But it was, for me. Still, there is so much hope on the other side... and we'll get to that in the rest of this series ;)Part 2 is coming soon. Thanks for being here for this one.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailCan Christian moms “manifest” a positive birth experience… or is that idea at odds with biblical truth?In this episode, we’re unpacking a topic that’s becoming more common in pregnancy and birth spaces, even among Christians: manifestation.You’ve maybe heard phrases like: “Speak your birth into existence”  “Visualize your dream birth”  “Your thoughts create your reality” But how should we think about these ideas as Christian women?In this episode, we thoughtfully break down: What manifestation actually means (and where it comes from)  How it subtly shows up in Christian birth spaces  Why “name it and claim it” theology can be harmful (especially in pregnancy) What the Bible really says about control, faith, and outcomes  The important role mindset plays in labor (without crossing into manifestation)  How to use affirmations, visualization, and preparation in a way that honors God If you’ve ever felt tension between wanting a peaceful, positive birth and trusting God with the unknowns, this episode will help you find a grounded, faith-filled perspective.Because the goal isn’t controlling your birth outcome...it’s preparing wisely, trusting deeply, and walking into birth with peace.Scripture referenced in this episode:Psalm 115:3 "Our God is in the heavens. He does all that he pleases."Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.James 4:13-15 "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”"Psalm 42:11 "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Hebrews 11  Matthew 26:39  "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."" Colossians 1:17 "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Psalm 31:15a "My times are in your hand."Other resources mentioned:Allie Stuckey's episode about pain-free birth / word of faith theology: https://podcasts.apple.com/zm/podcast/ep-1047-pain-free-birth-false-promises-bad-theology/id1359249098?i=1000664629123Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered what exactly an OB, a midwife, and a doula each do, and how they're different from one another? You're not alone! This is one of the most common questions I get from first-time mamas who are just starting to research their birth options.In this episode, I'm breaking it all down so you can walk into your prenatal care feeling informed, confident, and clear on who does what.Here's what we cover:• What an obstetrician (OB-GYN) actually does and the surprising truth about how much time they spend with you during labor• The difference between a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and why it matters• What a traditional midwife is, and what questions to ask any midwife you're considering• What a doula IS and is NOT• How all three roles can work together beautifully as a team• How to choose who's right for your birth based on your values and goalsWhether you're planning a hospital birth, a birth center experience, or a home birth, this episode will help you ask better questions and build a care team that truly supports you.Questions? Come find me on Instagram @rise.birth, I love hearing from you!Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailIs it actually realistic to have a natural (unmedicated) birth in a hospital?If you’ve been researching birth options, you’ve probably seen completely opposite opinions: some saying it happens all the time, and others saying it’s nearly impossible.So which is true?In this episode, we’re breaking it down honestly and practically.We talk about what people really mean when they say “natural birth,” why it can be more challenging in a hospital setting, and most importantly how you can prepare if that’s the type of birth you’re hoping for.Spoiler: yes, it is possible… but it usually doesn’t happen by accident.In this episode, we cover:• What “natural birth” actually means (and why definitions matter) • The difference between unmedicated birth and physiological birth • Why hospital environments can sometimes disrupt labor hormones • Common hospital routines that can lead to a cascade of interventions • How your provider’s philosophy can impact your birth experience • Practical ways to prepare for an unmedicated hospital birthPractical preparation tips include:• How to choose a supportive provider • Why hiring a doula can make a difference • Preparing your mind and body for labor • Staying home during early labor • Creating a calm, supportive hospital environment • Using a birth plan as a communication toolAt the end of the day, this isn’t about having a “perfect” birth.It’s about preparing wisely, understanding your options, and walking into birth with confidence, peace, and trust in God’s design.Referenced:Evidence on doula supportMy projector lightScripture: Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Lainey Stancil, founder of the Peach State Birth Coalition, a Georgia-based nonprofit focused on maternal health education, community support, and birth freedom.Lainey shares the story of how her own birth experience completely changed the direction of her life. After feeling dismissed by a provider during pregnancy, she switched to midwifery care and planned a home birth...an experience that ultimately led her to start a nonprofit advocating for maternal health education and midwife access across Georgia.We talk about:• The moment Lainey realized her provider wasn’t listening • How midwifery care changed her experience of pregnancy and birth • The difference between hospital-based midwives and direct-entry midwives • Why midwife licensure matters for access to care in Georgia • The connection between surrender, trust, and physiological birth • How one mom’s birth grew into a statewide birth nonprofit organizationLainey also shares the story of her water birth and the mindset that helped her navigate labor with confidence and peace.Whether you are exploring home birth, curious about midwifery care, or passionate about improving maternal health in your community, this conversation offers an encouraging look at how one experience can grow into something much bigger.Lainey is also hosting the Peach State Birth Expo, a family-friendly event connecting expecting families with birth professionals and maternal health resources. Tickets and vendor information can be found through the Peach State Birth Coalition website.If you are interested in Lainey's birth doula services, check out her website here....Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailThere are many misconceptions about natural birth in modern culture. Some of these myths come from media portrayals of labor, some come from medicalized birth culture, and some even appear wrapped in spiritual language.In this episode, we walk through six of the most common myths about natural birth and gently replace them with truth grounded in physiology, history, and biblical wisdom.This conversation is not about creating pressure or suggesting that one type of birth is morally superior to another. Instead, the goal is to help pregnant Christian moms make informed decisions from a place of wisdom, peace, and understanding.In this episode, we discuss:• Why we believe that only certain women are “strong enough” for unmedicated birth • Why natural birth is not a modern trend • The truth about pain in labor and why some women choose to avoid medication • Why natural birth is not automatically “better” in every situation • Non-medicated pain relief methods during labor • Why trusting God and preparing for birth go hand-in-handBirth is not about proving toughness or earning a badge of honor. It’s about understanding how God designed the body to work, recognizing the cultural influences shaping our views of birth, and making thoughtful decisions rooted in wisdom rather than fear.Whether you are planning a medicated or unmedicated birth, this episode will help you think more clearly about the choices available to you.Scripture referenced:Isaiah 40:11“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”Psalm 139:13–14“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”Proverbs 18:13"If one gives an answer before he hears,    it is his folly and shame."Proverbs 18:15"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."Ecclesiastes 3:1"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:"Micah 6:8"He has told you, O man, what is good;    and what does the Lord require of youbut to do justice, and to love kindness,    and to walk humbly with your God?"Psalm 46:1"God is our refuge and strength,    a very present help in trouble."Proverbs 22:3"The prudent sees danger and hides himself,    but the simple go on and suffer for it."James 1:5"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailYou may have heard the phrase necessary vs. unnecessary interventions in birth. But what does “necessary” really mean?In this episode, we break down:What the word intervention actually meansThe difference between a true medical emergency and a normal physiological processWhy speeding up labor isn’t always medically indicatedHow common interventions (like Pitocin or artificial rupture of membranes) can affect hormones and labor progressionHow to make informed, autonomous decisions using benefits, risks, and alternativesBirth is not a medical emergency by default. It is a normal physiological process and wise stewardship means discerning when intervention is truly needed and when it’s simply routine.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gabrielle Wesemeyer, Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, to talk about women’s hormones, thyroid health, stress, cortisol, and simple lifestyle shifts that can make a major impact.Gabrielle shares her personal health journey, including medically induced menopause during chemotherapy, and how that experience led her to dive deep into women’s hormonal health.We discuss:Why your menstrual cycle is a “vital sign” of overall healthBasal body temperature and cervical mucus as hormone indicatorsThe 3 S’s of hormone healthCycle syncing workouts for better hormone balanceHormone support during pregnancy and postpartumThyroid dysfunction, stress, and gut health connectionsCortisol mythsBirth control misconceptions and reconnecting with your cycleWhy women are not meant to function like men hormonallyThis conversation simplifies complex hormone topics and brings it back to the foundations: sleep, nourishment, stress regulation, and working with your body instead of against it.If you’ve felt overwhelmed by hormone advice online, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters.Connect with Dr. Gabrielle Wesemeyer:Alliance Spine and Physical Medicine (Woodstock, GA)Follow Dr. Gabrielle on: InstagramTikTokJust getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailIf you're planning a natural birth in the hospital, understanding hospital policies and protocols is one of the most important things you can do to prepare.In this episode, we talk about:Why “going with the flow” without preparation can increase stress and interventionsHow hospital default policies influence birth (IVs, monitoring, movement, food, cervical checks, newborn procedures, and more)Why understanding routine vs. medical necessity changes everythingThe powerful question to ask your provider that reveals their birth philosophyHow to use your birth plan as a communication tool Why your husband or support person must understand your preferences tooHow preparation reduces fear and why that matters physiologicallyThe role of prayer, discernment, and flexibility in birth decisionsHospitals have a default flow. If you don’t intentionally speak into that flow, it will carry you along with it.This episode is not about being combative; it’s about being informed, calm, and confident. Preparation allows you to advocate respectfully, reduce fear, protect your oxytocin flow, and approach your birth with clarity and peace.If you’ve ever felt nervous about asking questions or worried about being “too picky,” this episode is for you.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Paige Head, licensed therapist and owner of Crescent Counseling & Consulting, to talk honestly about postpartum mental health, birth trauma, expectations, and the kind of support moms actually need.Paige shares her own story of traumatic birth, postpartum depression and anxiety, and how God used those experiences to shape her calling to serve women in every phase of motherhood...from trying to conceive to postpartum and beyond.We discuss:Why unmet expectations can deeply impact mental health in pregnancy and postpartumHow trauma is defined by nervous system response, not just medical eventsThe difference between “baby blues” and postpartum mood disordersWhy support (or lack of it) can change everythingHow to ask better questions when supporting new momsWhy accepting help is not failureHow faith, connection, and community play a role in healingThis conversation is compassionate, grounded, and deeply validating for any mom who has ever wondered, “Am I allowed to feel this way?”Resources Mentioned:Crescent Counseling & ConsultingInstagram: @crescent.ccllcFacebook: Crescent Counseling & ConsultingPostpartum Support International (PSI): https://www.postpartum.netFind a Perinatal Mental Health Provider (PMHC): https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/The Climb – North Georgia (June 7, Fowler Park, Cumming, GA)The Climb North Georgia on FacebookCharlotte Ramberg - Cherokee Rose Counseling and ConsultingVictoria Hefton - Lillidale Designs CoJust getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailExpectant parents often ask, “What’s the best hospital in Atlanta for a natural birth?” hoping for a clear, reassuring answer. But in this episode, we unpack why that question may be oversimplifying something far more complex.I share why I don’t rank or recommend specific hospitals, even though some have better reputations than others, and what actually matters more than the hospital name on your chart. Drawing from real client experiences and my observations as a Christian birthworker, we talk about why two people can give birth in the same hospital and have completely different experiences.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why hospitals aren’t monolithic and why reputation alone can be misleadingHow putting too much stock in finding the "right" hospital can actually work against youHow provider philosophy, nurse support, and unit conditions impact laborWhy preparation (mental, emotional, spiritual, and educational) matters everywhereIf you’re planning a natural birth in the Atlanta area (or anywhere) and feeling pressure to “pick the right hospital,” this episode will help you reframe the decision with clarity, stewardship, and peace.Scripture referenced: John 16:33Proverbs 4Luke 14:28-29Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailMost birth preparation focuses on labor and pushing but very few parents are truly prepared for what happens immediately after the baby is born.In this episode, we walk through the first minutes and hours after birth and talk about what is normal, what is routine, and where you may have options. For many moms, this phase feels confusing or overwhelming...not because anything went wrong, but because no one explained what to expect.This is a practical, educational episode covering:Why birth doesn’t end when the baby is bornThe physiology and importance of immediate skin-to-skin contactWhat happens during the delivery of the placenta (the third stage of labor)Common sensations after birth, including shaking, bleeding, and exhaustionFundal checks and why they’re doneNewborn procedures and how to protect the “golden hour”The emotional whiplash that can happen after birth (and why it’s normal)The goal of this episode is not to create fear, but to replace uncertainty with understanding so you can prepare for this phase of birth with the same intentionality you bring to labor.Resources & Research Mentioned:Cochrane Review: Strong evidence supports skin-to-skin contact after birthWHO: Immediate skin-to-skin care for newborn survivalUNICEF: Research on skin-to-skin contact Evidence Based Birth: The third stage of labor and PitocinJust getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailFear of labor pain can create a cycle that makes contractions feel more intense: the fear-tension-pain cycle. In this episode, we break down exactly what that cycle is, why it matters, and how to stop it before it controls your labor.You’ll learn:How fear physically affects your body during laborPractical tools to release tension and breathe through contractionsFaith-based strategies that actually impact your nervous systemHow to prepare now so fear doesn’t dominate your birth experienceIf you’ve ever worried that fear will take over your labor or wondered how to stay calm and confident when the pain hits, this episode is for you.Scripture referenced:2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he answered me    and delivered me from all my fears."Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailPregnancy is physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental...all at the same time. If you’re preparing for birth, it’s not enough to only focus on nutrition and physical preparation. Your heart and soul need care too.In this episode, I share five simple daily habits every pregnant Christian can use to nourish both body and soul while preparing for labor. These practices are meant to be realistic, gentle, and sustainable even in busy seasons of life.We cover:Why Scripture and prayer matter for birth preparationHow intentional movement supports both your body and your mindsetDaily surrender as an antidote to fear and controlNourishing your body in a way that honors GodEnding the day with reflection and gratitudeThese habits aren’t about perfection or adding pressure. They’re about showing up consistently, building trust in God, and creating a foundation of peace that carries into labor and birth.Scripture referenced: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”1 Corinthians 6 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you? Therefore honor God with your body.”Resources mentioned:Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily NicholsBrave Birth Bootcamp - learn pain-coping and mindset strategies for unmedicated birth. Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered how to pursue a natural birth when you’re not sure you can trust the system you're giving birth in?In this episode, we will cover:Why acknowledging your unease about hospital birth is actually a key part of Christian birth prep...How faith-centered pregnancy planning helps you prepare for natural childbirth without falling into fear or false optimism...My best tips for navigating hospital birth with confidence, boundaries, and spiritual peace as a pregnant Christian...… and a whole lot more!If you’re ready to prepare for a faith-filled birth even in a setting you don’t fully trust, then this episode is for you!Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailPlanning a natural birth can feel isolating...especially when you’re the only one in your circle choosing to go unmedicated.Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."In this episode, I’m speaking directly to the mom who feels misunderstood, questioned, or quietly discouraged by friends, family, or coworkers who don’t share her birth goals. If you’re tired of justifying your choices or wondering if you’re being unrealistic, this conversation is for you.We cover four key reminders to help you stay grounded and confident:Why you don’t need everyone’s approvalWhere true confidence actually comes fromWhen and how to limit what you share with othersHow to find support even if no one close to you “gets it”This episode will help you protect your peace, strengthen your conviction, and remember that you are not alone...and you are not wrong for wanting a natural birth.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailHow does a biblical approach to birth differ from the way U.S. culture views it?In this episode, we explore the key difference between fear-driven birth decisions and faith-filled, God-centered stewardship. Too often, U.S. culture treats birth as a high-risk event to control, leading to anxiety, rigid plans, and unnecessary interventions.We discuss:How fear and control shape US birth statisticsWhat Scripture says about trust, stewardship, and surrender in pregnancyPractical ways to prepare for birth without letting fear dominate your decisionsAligning your heart, mind, and birth plan with God’s designLearn to approach birth with peace, intentional preparation, and trust in God’s sovereignty and discover how Scripture can guide you to walk through pregnancy and labor with confidence.Scripture referenced: 2 Timothy 1:7 "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”1 Chronicles 29:11 – “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.”Scripture references to loving the Lord your God with all your heart/soul/mind/strength: Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailMany women choose their OB or midwife for birth the same way they choose a dentist...based on convenience, familiarity, or recommendations from friends. But birth is a completely different specialty, and a provider who is great at routine gynecologic care may not be aligned with the kind of birth you want.In this episode, I break down how to interview midwives and OB-GYNs for birth and, more importantly, how to interpret their answers so you can understand their true birth philosophy before you’re deep into pregnancy.We talk about:Why provider philosophy matters more than credentials aloneThe difference between managing labor and supporting physiologic birthKey questions that reveal how a provider views intervention, autonomy, and unmedicated birthRed-flag answers vs. answers that indicate alignment with natural or low-intervention birthWhy “I support all births as long as mom and baby are healthy” often tells you very littleHow tone, flexibility, and openness to questions matter just as much as statisticsChoosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your birth. This episode will help you approach that decision with clarity, confidence, and wisdom so you’re not surprised late in pregnancy by misaligned expectations.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast.This trailer introduces the heart behind the podcast and who it’s for: pregnant Christian women who want to prepare for birth with confidence, wisdom, and trust in the Lord...without being ruled by fear.Hosted by childbirth educator, doula, and mom of three Mannah Liu, Rise blends practical birth education with biblical truth to help you understand how the body and mind work together in labor, how fear impacts birth, and how to prepare for natural or unmedicated birth in a grounded, faith-filled way.This podcast isn’t about chasing a perfect birth or ignoring real risks.It’s about preparing with wisdom, confidence, and trust so fear doesn’t have the loudest voice in the room.If you’re a first-time mom, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or longing for more peace as you approach birth, you’re in the right place.New episodes release weekly.Just getting started?Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning.Free roadmap to planning a natural birth:10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor?Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity.Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsFor encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation CardsConnect with me on Instagram:@rise.birth