Pain Free Birth

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

What happens when you’re told you’re infertile, exposed to toxic mold, living in constant stress—and still believe for a miracle?In this powerful episode, Karen sits down with Ashlee Rowland, a Christ-centered nutritionist and wellness educator from @simplholistic, to share her incredible journey from infertility and illness to a pain-free, breech homebirth—all while living in a mold-contaminated house.This is more than a birth story—it’s a testimony of God’s faithfulness, a lesson in trusting your intuition, and a raw look at the realities of anxiety, postpartum, and walking through the fire with Jesus by your side.Tune in to hear:How Ashlee went from infertility and autoimmune diagnoses to a thriving pregnancyThe jaw-dropping moment her midwife realized the “head” was actually something elseHow she delivered her frank breech baby in runner’s lunge with zero tearingWhy she didn’t feel pain, even during the ring of fireWhat it's like to live in toxic mold while pregnant—and still have a healthy babyHow God showed up in the chaos to bring peace, clarity, and strengthThe difference between anxiety and intuition (and how she learned to tell the two apart)Why postpartum spiritual warfare is real—and what helped her stand firmPractical tools Ashlee used to regulate her nervous system and heal emotionallyHow surrender, faith, and affirmations shaped her birth and postpartum experienceA powerful prayer for any mama walking through fear, anxiety, or hardshipUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE: https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/Try Lifewave x39 patches: https://lifewave.com/painfreebirth Check out Ashlee's courses:Naked HormonesHolistic Mold ProtocolHolistic Mold Protocol (Body)Holistic Mold Protocol (Home)Connect with Ashlee:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplholistic/ Website: simplholistic.org 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

Have you been told VBAC is too risky?In this episode, Karen pulls back the curtain on the fear-based messaging surrounding VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and delivers the real evidence every mom deserves to know. If you’ve ever been told VBAC is too risky, this episode is your permission slip to ask better questions, trust your intuition, and get truly informed before making one of the biggest decisions of your life.Tune in to hear:The real evidence behind VBAC success rates (hint: it’s not 15%!)Why so many OBs still quote 100-year-old beliefs about birthThe actual risk of uterine rupture—and what doctors aren’t telling youHow fear-based care is keeping women in the darkThe difference between relative risk and real riskThe risks of repeat C-sections that almost no one talks aboutWhat it means to get true informed consent5 powerful ways to prepare for a successful VBACWhy choosing the right provider is the #1 decision you’ll makeUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/VBAC Resources: -Birth by the Numbers -PubMed Views of Women From Countries With High VBAC Rates -EBB 113 - The Evidence on VBACCONNECT 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 walk into the hospital at 8.5 cm dilated… and still end up with a C-section?In this episode, Karen sits down with Carrie Coppins to unpack her journey from a traumatic first birth to a redemptive, healing home VBAC. Carrie vulnerably shares how her first birth left her feeling devastated, angry at her body—and even at God. But through therapy, faith, and deep preparation, she chose to believe for a different story with her second baby.This episode is for every woman who has ever doubted her body, grieved a birth that didn’t go as planned, or is preparing her heart for a VBAC. It’s a story of healing, hope, and holy redemption.Tune in to hear:What really happened when Carrie “stalled” at 9 cmHow birth trauma impacted her mental health and relationship with GodThe resources that helped her prepare for a VBAC (and the mindset shift she needed)What her OB told her about her “15% chance” of VBAC successThe stark contrast between OB and midwife careHer beautiful, redemptive home birth story (spoiler: her husband caught the baby!)Advice for VBAC moms navigating doubt, fear, and outside opinionsUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/Resources mentioned:VBAC book: https://amzn.to/4lu4bl5 Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: https://amzn.to/3TC8w9M VBAC Resources: -Birth by the Numbers -PubMed Views of Women From Countries With High VBAC Rates -EBB 113 - The Evidence on VBACCONNECT 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 really have a safe breech or twin birth at home? What if your OB told you yes?In this powerful episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Victoria Flores, a Southern California-based home birth obstetrician who specializes in breech and twin births. After decades inside the hospital system, Dr. Victoria made a radical shift—leaving behind a broken model to fully support women outside of it.From childhood, Victoria was fascinated by breech birth. But after 20+ years in the medical system, the soul-crushing grind took a toll on her health and spirit. Now, she’s taken the reins of Dr. Stuart Fischbein’s legendary practice and brings her unique intuition, deep knowledge, and unwavering belief in women’s bodies to every birth she attends.Tune in to hear:The spiritual and intuitive shift that led Dr. Victoria to leave hospital birth behindWhat she really sees inside the birth canal (hello, x-ray vision)Common myths vs. medical truth around breech birth safetyWhy head entrapment is often used to scare women out of vaginal breechThe #1 reason most OBs won’t support breech births—even if they canWhat qualifies someone as a good candidate for breech or twin home birthA shocking 11-hour wait between twin births A radical story of a triplet home birth you’ll never forgetConnect with Dr. Victoria: https://victoriamdbirthing.com/ 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

In this episode, Karen sits down with holistic birth doula and mom of two, Lauren McEnulty, as she shares her incredible story of planning and executing a successful vaginal breech birth. Despite being pressured into a C-section by her original birth center and rejected by multiple providers, Lauren stayed true to her intuition and her baby’s needs.She shares the emotional and physical toll of trying everything to flip her baby—including spinning babies, acupuncture, and moxibustion—only to later discover that her baby’s short cord and positioning made flipping impossible. After being dismissed by her original providers, Lauren sought out a breech-trained midwife over an hour away and finally found someone who believed in her.This episode is a beautiful testimony of maternal instinct, perseverance, and the truth that women’s bodies are capable of birthing breech when supported by the right providers.Tune in to hear:How Lauren navigated the emotional and physical stress of learning her baby was breechWhat she tried to flip her baby naturally, including spinning babies, acupuncture, and moxibustionThe moment her providers gave up on her—and how she refused to give up on herselfHow she found a breech-trained midwife after being turned away by multiple birth centersThe powerful moment she discovered why her baby never flippedHer labor experience, from water breaking in a hotel to giving birth surrounded by supportA vivid, hands-off breech birth story that was calm, safe, and deeply affirmingHer advice to moms navigating a breech diagnosis and how to find the right providerConnect with Lauren:https://www.waves-doula-care.com/ Watch Lauren's birth video (TW: Graphic Content)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 happens when your water breaks at 36 weeks—and your midwife legally can’t attend your birth?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen Welton interviews Lindsey  Cantu, a chiropractor, doula, and founder of BirthFit, who shares her incredible story of navigating an unexpected early labor, trusting her body, and giving birth outside under the stars in a peaceful, unassisted birth.Tune in to hear:How Lindsay got pregnant naturally at 40 after years of waiting What most women misunderstand about training during pregnancy How to support the pelvic floor for birth and postpartum Why strong doesn’t mean tight—and why softening is vital How movement, breath, and nervous system connection prepare you for     laborBirthFit Prenatal Package (Get 20% off with code: PAINFREEBIRTH) BirthFit Basics Free Video TrainingWebsite: https://birthfit.comUse 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

In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen welcomes first time mom Brenna Burkins to share her extraordinary 4-hour pain-free home birth story. What makes Brenna’s birth so remarkable? Not only was it her first baby, but she labored with joy, laughter, and zero pain after intentionally preparing—spiritually, mentally, and physically—for a supernatural birth experience.Brenna opens up about the moment she first believed pain-free birth was possible, after hearing a testimony that challenged everything she’d been taught about childbirth. From there, she immersed herself in faith-building resources like Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize and partnered with her husband in prayer and belief.Tune in to hear:How Brenna rejected fear from the start of her pregnancyHer experience using Scripture and worship music as labor toolsWhat happened when pain began to creep in—and how she stopped it through prayerThe moment she felt the fetal ejection reflex and her body took overLaughing during pushing (!!) and the overwhelming joy when her son was bornWhy this birth radically impacted her faith, her confidence, and her identity as a momResources Mentioned:Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie MizeBrenna’s labor worship playlistKaren’s worship playlist for laborWatch Brenna’s birth video on InstagramConnect with Brenna:@brennaburkins on all platforms - instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, +  Pinterest Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE 

In this episode, Karen sits down with Lauren Leonard—ER nurse, mental health advocate, and former NFL cheerleader—who shares her miraculous and deeply personal journey from infertility and generational birth trauma to a pain-free, supernatural birth marked by worship, surrender, and divine intimacy.After four years of trying to conceive and a lifetime of hearing her mother’s traumatic birth story, Lauren never imagined she’d one day experience a birth that felt euphoric, empowering, and completely God-ordained. But that’s exactly what happened.Tune in to hear:Lauren's experience growing up with fear around natural birth—and what changed her mindsetThe miracle timing of getting pregnant during her mother’s heart transplant journeyHow the Pain Free Birth course gave her the tools to walk through labor in peaceHer supernatural, pain-free hospital water birth and the power of surrenderThe emotional intimacy and spiritual transformation she experienced with her husbandHow birth reshaped her relationship with God and her view of femininityThe unexpected ways her partner showed up powerfully because of the Partner Prep courseHow birth became the foundation for deeper trust, parenthood, and postpartum healing🎁 Try Outlast Audio free for 1 month with code: PAINFREEBIRTH https://outlastaudio.comConnect with Lauren:@laurenmleonard_ @outlastaudio Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE 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

In this special Father's Day episode, I’m joined by her husband, Jonathan Welton. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like for dads to walk through pregnancy, labor, and birth—especially outside the hospital system.From initial hesitations about home birth to fully showing up with unwavering presence, Jonathan shares the fears, surprises, and transformations he experienced through our three unmedicated births. Whether your partner is nervous, unsure of his role, or simply wants to be a great support person, this honest conversation offers practical advice and heartfelt encouragement from a dad who’s been there.Tune in to hear:How to support your partner during a natural or home birthWhy your presence matters more than your knowledgeHow birth transformed Jonathan as a fatherAdvocating in the hospital vs. trusting the birth processBreaking through fear, control, and cultural conditioningHow to be your partner’s hero in the birth roomWhat faith, midwives, and ancient wisdom taught him about fatherhoodUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE 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 your birth experience could be more than just physical—what if it became a holy encounter with God?In this episode, Karen sits down with Emily Vondy—musician, speaker, content creator, and mama of (now) six—to share the unforgettable story of her fifth birth. From walking through the fear of a pregnancy after loss to experiencing a supernatural encounter with God during active labor in the car, Emily’s story is a beautiful testimony of faith, surrender, and divine joy.Emily vulnerably shares how God transformed her labor from anxiety and dread into laughter, peace, and profound connection. She opens up about how He met her in her weakness, carried her through transition, and gave her visions that forever changed how she sees Him.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Emily’s Background02:00 – Pregnancy After Loss & Surrendering Fear06:00 – Facing Induction and the Mental Battle10:00 – The Foley Balloon & Labor Begins16:30 – Praying Through the Fear25:00 – The Car Ride: Heaven Breaks In33:00 – Running Up Waves with Jesus41:00 – Jesus Carries Her50:00 – Pushing & Arrival of Vivian56:00 – Naming, Meaning, and Legacy01:05:00 – This Baby is the Missing Piece01:12:00 – Joy in Motherhood & Social Media ConfidenceConnect with Emily:Instagram: @emilyvondyTiktok: @thevondyfamUse code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE 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