Advertise on podcast: The Birth Prep Podcast with Taylor Minaberry

If you’ve ever wished your husband or birth partner would actually GET IT when it comes to birth prep, momma, this episode is for you. I’m chatting with Travis Stroud, aka Doula Dude, about why men need to stop treating birth as “her thing” and start learning how to actually show up for the woman and baby they’re responsible for protecting. We go DEEP into birth education, unlearning what we’ve been taught, protecting momma’s peace, taking ownership of your birth choices, and why preparing for birth is really preparing for parenthood. Inside this episode: ✨ Why Travis went from knowing basically nothing about birth to becoming completely obsessed with learning about it alongside his wife ✨ Why “just be supportive” isn’t enough for dads, and what it actually looks like for a man to take responsibility and protect his wife’s peace during pregnancy and birth ✨ The importance of learning what physiological birth actually looks like BEFORE you start making decisions about interventions, providers, birthplaces, and everything else ✨ Why birth stories, birth education, and a little bit of unlearning can completely change the way you see what’s possible ✨ Why your birth prep isn’t just about getting the birth you want, but about laying the foundation for your marriage, your family, and the way you step into parenthood togetherConnect with Travis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.dude/Connect with Samantha (Travis' wife): https://www.instagram.com/risingsoulsamantha Travis' Recommended Resources: linktr.ee/Doula.dude Husband-Coached Childbirth by Dr. Robert Bradley - Travis’s top recommendation for dads who want to start learning about birth from a male perspective. He specifically recommends starting here because it teaches husbands how to coach and support their wives through childbirth. Uncovering Birth Doula Training by Eyla Cuenca - The doula training Travis’s wife completed and the resource he credits with giving them the majority of the birth education that shaped their decisions. Ayla also offers postpartum doula training. And of course, if you're here because you want to prepare for an unmedicated hospital birth, don't forget that you don't have to choose free birth or home birth to take ownership of your experience! You just need to be willing to learn, prepare, and become the HGIC 💖

We've all heard it: "Well... as long as the baby is healthy." It sounds comforting, grateful - even reassuring. But what if that phrase is actually shutting down one of the most important conversations we need to be having about birth? 👀 In this episode, we're calling it what is: a healthy baby is the bare minimum - not the gold standard - and your experience matters just as much as the outcome. ✨ Why this phrase gets thrown around so easily - and why it shuts women down✨ How it can minimize and dismiss very real birth trauma✨ Why you can feel grateful for your baby and still be upset about your birth✨ What respectful, informed care should actually look like (hint: you’re part of the decision-making)✨ Why birth prep isn’t just about “getting through it” or avoiding pain If you've ever walked away from your birth feeling unseen, unheard, or like things happened to you instead of with you—this episode is for you. 🙌 Ready to prepare for the birth you actually want? Inside The Birth Prep Course, you'll learn how to walk into your hospital birth feeling informed, confident, and in control of your decisions - so you can advocate for yourself and feel good about your experience, no matter how it unfolds. 👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 📲 Let's connect! Instagram: @thebirthprepcoach If this episode resonated with you, share it with another mom who needs the reminder that her experience matters, too! 💖

Choosing an unmedicated birth doesn't mean choosing to feel everything with no plan. It means building a different kind of plan - one that is more effective, more accessible, and more overlooked than anything a hospital can offer you. In this episode, I break down exactly why preparation is your most powerful pain management tool and what that preparation actually looks like in practice. In this episode:💖 Why the way our culture talks about labor pain is priming women to experience more of it💖 The science behind why preparation physically changes your experience of pain - not just mentally, but neurologically and hormonally💖 The marathon analogy that reframes everything about how we think about birth and pain tolerance💖 What real pain management preparation actually looks like: stage-by-stage education, breathing and relaxation practice, comfort measures, mindset work, and birth environment💖 Why knowing your tools and having practiced your tools are two completely different thingsReady to build your real pain management plan? The Birth Prep Course walks you through every single piece - the education, the skills, the mindset work, all of it - so you walk into your birth prepared, not just hopeful. There's more info here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-eand you can always DM me over on Instagram with any questions you have! https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach

One of the most common - and most consequential - mistakes women make when planning an unmedicated hospital birth has nothing to do with their provider, their birth plan, or their mindset. It's going to the hospital too early. In this episode:💖 What actually happens to your labor when you arrive at the hospital too early - and why your home is doing something for your oxytocin that the hospital simply cannot replicate💖 The most colorful analogy I have ever used on this podcast to explain why your birth environment matters (you'll never forget it, I promise 🤣)💖 Why the 5-1-1 rule is a generic guideline built for women without birth education - and why you deserve better than a generic guideline💖 How to actually know when it's time to leave: early vs. active labor, the emotional signpost, your personal factors, and trusting yourself💖 A real story from a momma (podcast listener) who showed up to the hospital at 10 centimeters and had the birth of her dreamsReady to actually understand your labor so you can make confident decisions in real time? That's exactly what we do inside The Birth Prep Course - the stages, the environment, the timeline, all of it.More info here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e

If you've ever wondered why some women walk out of their unmedicated births saying "I can't believe I did that" while others feel like they barely survived - this episode is your answer. Today we're talking about the fear-tension-pain cycle. What it actually is, how it works inside your real body, and exactly what you can do to stop it before it ever gets started. In this episode: 💖 The physiological chain reaction that connects fear, tension, and pain in labor - and why it has absolutely nothing to do with how tough you are 💖 Why adrenaline is the enemy of oxytocin, what that actually costs you in labor, and why this is the reason so many unmedicated births fall apart 💖 Why education is the single most effective fear prevention tool for birth - not positive thinking, not more affirmations, not just trusting your body 💖 The critical difference between being educated and being prepared - and why you genuinely need both to walk into that room ready 💖 The personal story from my third birth that changed everything, and the faith that carried me through preparing for my sixth Ready to break the cycle before it starts? Everything we cover in this episode - the education, the breathing and relaxation skills, the mindset work, the comfort measures - is all built out inside the Birth Prep Course!Enroll here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e

There is a five-letter framework that will completely change how you show up in your prenatal appointments and your labor room. Inside we break down B.R.A.I.N. - the informed consent tool that turns you from a passive patient into the HGIC of every single decision made about your birth! B - Benefits R - Risks A - Alternatives I - Intuition N - Nothing (or not yet) 💖 B.R.A.I.N. Cheat Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iaz3ltAsZ2-TP0hXdA7cXYzYvUtOxOwt/view?usp=sharing 💖 This is a small fraction of the work we do inside The Birth Prep Course. You can find more info and enroll here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e

Your birth partner could be the difference between the birth you planned and the one you're still emotionally recovering from two years later - and most of them are walking into that room completely unprepared. In this episode, we break down exactly what it takes to turn a well-meaning partner into a genuinely powerful one. 💪 In this episode:✨ The unprepared partner problem - why good intentions are not enough, and what happens in the room when your partner doesn't have a real job description✨ The 4 things every birth partner needs to know before labor starts - including why knowing what transition looks like could be the single most important thing you do together✨ The 3 layers of birth partner training: mindset, information, and hands-on skills - and how to actually work through each one before your birth day✨ Why an unprepared partner can accidentally derail your unmedicated birth without meaning to - and what to do instead✨ A direct word to the birth partners listening - because what you do and don't do in that room matters more than you know Ready to do this work together? Everything we talked about in this episode - the education, the skills, the mindset prep - is all inside The Birth Prep Course. Enroll here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e

Wanting an unmedicated birth and actually being prepared for one are two veryyy different things - and in this episode, we break down exactly what separates the women who walk out of that delivery room saying "I did it" from the ones who weren't ready when it mattered most. In this episode:💖 Why your pain tolerance has nothing to do with whether you can have an unmedicated birth - and what actually determines it💖 The fear-tension-pain cycle: what it is, why it's the real reason most unmedicated attempts stall, and how to interrupt it before you ever step foot in a hospital room💖 The skills most women completely skip (breathing, relaxation on command, comfort measures) - and why skipping them shows up in the hardest moments of labor💖 How to build a birth team that will actually go to war for your plan - including the one question most women never think to ask their provider💖 Why mindset is your most underestimated birth tool, and how to build the kind of mental strength that holds the line at 3am when someone offers you an epidural Ready to actually build these skills? Every single one of them is inside The Birth Prep Course - organized, practical, and built specifically for the woman planning an unmedicated hospital birth. Learn more and get started today: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e

After a little time away, I'm backkkk - and I'm sharing something I kept pretty close to my chest these last few months. Baby number six has arrived, and her birth story is unlike anything I've ever experienced or even planned for 🫶 All glory to GOD! In this episode: ✨ Why we chose a free birth and what led me to that decision after my last experience with provider pressure ✨ What early/active labor looked like (hint: Legos, Play-Doh, and cleaning my room at midnight 😂) ✨ How my husband Matt stepped up as my only support - from hip squeezes to catching our baby ✨ The cord around her neck, birthing the placenta, and everything we handled completely on our own ✨ The sweet moment all five kids woke up one by one to meet their new sister Want more behind-the-scenes vibes? Come hang out with me in my stories over on Instagram @thebirthprepcoach - that's where I share the real, everyday moments you won't always hear on the podcast! Shoot me a DM - I'd love to hear from you 💖

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… unless you’re due in December and your provider just mentioned “getting that baby out before Christmas.” 👀 In this episode, we’re talking about what really happens inside hospitals during the holidays, why so many December babies are born early, and how to protect your peace when everyone else is rushing through the season. Whether you’re due this winter or just trying to prep in peace, this one’s packed with real talk, faith, and HGIC-level strategy. Inside this episode, we cover:🎅 The truth behind the least common birthdays in the U.S. (and what that reveals about birth culture)🏥 What to expect when giving birth in a short-staffed, holiday-shifted hospital✨ How to stay grounded and peaceful when everyone else is in a rush💪 Red flags, boundary-setting, and advocacy tools for navigating pressure, family expectations, and “convenience culture” A few links mentioned in this episode may be outdated.Scroll down for the current resources I recommend! 🫶 💖 Free Resources to Support Your Prep The Unmedicated Birth Map - a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you know what to focus on, when ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/unmedicated-birth-map  Birth Plan Guide - create a strategic, provider-proof plan that protects your preferences ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-plan Birth Mindset Workbook - train your mind for contractions, pressure, and decision-making ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-mindset-workbook 🪩 Want full support from pregnancy → birth → postpartum? The Birth Prep Course walks you through:💖 How birth actually works (and how to support your body)💖 Navigating hospital policies without losing your power💖 Natural pain management that goes beyond “just breathe”💖 Birth planning, mindset, advocacy, and backup plans - all in one place  👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 🎧 Stay connected      ✨ Follow along on Instagram for daily birth prep, mindset shifts, and real-life strategy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach      ✨ New podcast episodes drop regularly - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing! 💖 If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. Your words help more mommas find this support when they need it most. That's HUGE.

Birth isn’t just physical - it’s spiritual. I’m diving into how the enemy uses fear to steal your peace, what it actually means to armor up using the Word of God, and how to walk into birth covered, equipped, and confident in who God says you are! Inside this episode:💖 Why birth is a form of spiritual warfare (and what that really looks like)💖 How fear becomes the enemy’s most effective weapon in labor💖 A breakdown of the Armor of God and how it applies to birth💖 4 ways to spiritually prepare for your birth (prayer, worship, affirmations, and rest)💖 The reminder that faith doesn’t replace preparation - it fuels it ✨ Birth Prep with Jesus (Free Guide) - prayers, devotionals, and Bible-based affirmations to anchor your birth in faith, not fear A few links mentioned in this episode may be outdated.Scroll down for the current resources I recommend! 🫶 💖 Free Resources to Support Your Prep The Unmedicated Birth Map - a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you know what to focus on, when ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/unmedicated-birth-map  Birth Plan Guide - create a strategic, provider-proof plan that protects your preferences ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-plan Birth Mindset Workbook - train your mind for contractions, pressure, and decision-making ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-mindset-workbook 🪩 Want full support from pregnancy → birth → postpartum? The Birth Prep Course walks you through:💖 How birth actually works (and how to support your body)💖 Navigating hospital policies without losing your power💖 Natural pain management that goes beyond “just breathe”💖 Birth planning, mindset, advocacy, and backup plans - all in one place  👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 🎧 Stay connected      ✨ Follow along on Instagram for daily birth prep, mindset shifts, and real-life strategy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach      ✨ New podcast episodes drop regularly - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing! 💖 If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. Your words help more mommas find this support when they need it most. That's HUGE.

It’s time to reframe how you think about the hospital... In this episode, I break down why seeing the hospital as your friend can actually hold you back - and why thinking of it as your enemy isn’t helpful either. Instead, I want you to walk in seeing the hospital as a tool - something you can use to get the birth experience you want. I’m also sharing the STEER Framework, my 5-step strategy to help you lead the room, manage pushback, and stay in control - without being combative. In this episode: 💖 The belief that kept me passive during my first hospital births 💖 Why the hospital system is designed against physiological birth 💖 The mindset shift that changes everything 💖 How to use the STEER Framework to prep your space and your team 💖 Real scripts and responses for when things get pushy or weird  A few links mentioned in this episode may be outdated.Scroll down for the current resources I recommend! 🫶 💖 Free Resources to Support Your Prep The Unmedicated Birth Map - a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you know what to focus on, when ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/unmedicated-birth-map  Birth Plan Guide - create a strategic, provider-proof plan that protects your preferences ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-plan Birth Mindset Workbook - train your mind for contractions, pressure, and decision-making ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-mindset-workbook 🪩 Want full support from pregnancy → birth → postpartum? The Birth Prep Course walks you through:💖 How birth actually works (and how to support your body)💖 Navigating hospital policies without losing your power💖 Natural pain management that goes beyond “just breathe”💖 Birth planning, mindset, advocacy, and backup plans - all in one place  👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 🎧 Stay connected      ✨ Follow along on Instagram for daily birth prep, mindset shifts, and real-life strategy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach      ✨ New podcast episodes drop regularly - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing! 💖 If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. Your words help more mommas find this support when they need it most. That's HUGE.

A sweet provider ≠ solid support. The #1 mistake I see women make? Hiring a provider without ever pressure-testing the partnership. In this episode, you’ll learn:💖 The 3 layers of alignment: values, process, and receipts💖 Smart questions that reveal if your provider is truly on board with an unmedicated birth💖 Red flags vs. Green lights to look out for💖 Scripts for switching late in pregnancy - or staying and steering when you can’t If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I know if my provider really supports me?” - this one’s for you. What to Expect Guide (w provider questions) - FREE:https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/what-to-expect  A few links mentioned in this episode may be outdated.Scroll down for the current resources I recommend! 🫶 💖 Free Resources to Support Your Prep The Unmedicated Birth Map - a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you know what to focus on, when ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/unmedicated-birth-map  Birth Plan Guide - create a strategic, provider-proof plan that protects your preferences ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-plan Birth Mindset Workbook - train your mind for contractions, pressure, and decision-making ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-mindset-workbook 🪩 Want full support from pregnancy → birth → postpartum? The Birth Prep Course walks you through:💖 How birth actually works (and how to support your body)💖 Navigating hospital policies without losing your power💖 Natural pain management that goes beyond “just breathe”💖 Birth planning, mindset, advocacy, and backup plans - all in one place  👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 🎧 Stay connected      ✨ Follow along on Instagram for daily birth prep, mindset shifts, and real-life strategy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach      ✨ New podcast episodes drop regularly - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing! 💖 If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. Your words help more mommas find this support when they need it most. That's HUGE.

You’ve got the call. You know this birth isn’t random - God assigned it to you. But now you’re stuck in the swirl: should you prep harder or surrender more? In this episode, I walk you through how to steward your birth prep with boldness and faith - without spinning out in overwhelm, control, or confusion. Here’s what we're covering:💖 Why trusting God doesn’t mean skipping the prep💖 The Mary Method posture (Luke 10:38–42) and what it means for your birth💖 My 4-part Stewarded Prep Framework: Heart • Head • Hands • Home💖 One question to ask your provider that tells you everything💖 How to prep with Jesus, breathe through doubt, and actually enjoy your birth You were chosen for this moment, for this baby, for such a time as this! Let’s get ready for it - with the One who called you. ✨ Download the Birth Prep with Jesus Freebie A few links mentioned in this episode may be outdated.Scroll down for the current resources I recommend! 🫶 💖 Free Resources to Support Your Prep The Unmedicated Birth Map - a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you know what to focus on, when ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/unmedicated-birth-map  Birth Plan Guide - create a strategic, provider-proof plan that protects your preferences ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-plan Birth Mindset Workbook - train your mind for contractions, pressure, and decision-making ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-mindset-workbook 🪩 Want full support from pregnancy → birth → postpartum? The Birth Prep Course walks you through:💖 How birth actually works (and how to support your body)💖 Navigating hospital policies without losing your power💖 Natural pain management that goes beyond “just breathe”💖 Birth planning, mindset, advocacy, and backup plans - all in one place  👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 🎧 Stay connected      ✨ Follow along on Instagram for daily birth prep, mindset shifts, and real-life strategy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach      ✨ New podcast episodes drop regularly - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing! 💖 If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. Your words help more mommas find this support when they need it most. That's HUGE.

Feeling snacky, sleepy, and a little overwhelmed? Sameee. But hear me loud and clear: it’s not too early to start prepping for your birth. In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 simple, powerful ways to lay the groundwork now - so you’re not scrambling at 37 weeks. 😅 Inside we're talking all about:✨ Vetting your provider like it actually matters (because it does) ✨ Learning how birth really works (no more fluffy balloon metaphors) ✨ Journaling your fears, prayers & desires ✨ Starting your birth investment - money, time, and mindset ✨ Building your birth squad with people who truly support you No stress. No 3-ring binder. Just small steps that build fierce confidence! A few links mentioned in this episode may be outdated.Scroll down for the current resources I recommend! 🫶 💖 Free Resources to Support Your Prep The Unmedicated Birth Map - a clear, step-by-step roadmap so you know what to focus on, when ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/unmedicated-birth-map  Birth Plan Guide - create a strategic, provider-proof plan that protects your preferences ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-plan Birth Mindset Workbook - train your mind for contractions, pressure, and decision-making ✨ https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/birth-mindset-workbook 🪩 Want full support from pregnancy → birth → postpartum? The Birth Prep Course walks you through:💖 How birth actually works (and how to support your body)💖 Navigating hospital policies without losing your power💖 Natural pain management that goes beyond “just breathe”💖 Birth planning, mindset, advocacy, and backup plans - all in one place  👉 Learn more here: https://www.thebirthprepcoach.com/tbpc-e 🎧 Stay connected      ✨ Follow along on Instagram for daily birth prep, mindset shifts, and real-life strategy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thebirthprepcoach      ✨ New podcast episodes drop regularly - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a thing! 💖 If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend or leave a quick review. Your words help more mommas find this support when they need it most. That's HUGE.