Advertise on podcast: Pain Free Birth

What if you were told you weren't dilating, your midwife went home, and less than two hours later you were holding your nearly 10-pound baby in your arms? After a difficult first hospital birth that left her baby with a broken collarbone, former professional basketball player and mom of three Vanessa Sugg knew she wanted a different experience. Through the Pain Free Birth course, prayer, and a deeper understanding of physiological birth, Vanessa went on to experience two incredible home births. But nothing could have prepared her for the beautiful, faith-filled arrival of her third baby. In this powerful Christian home birth testimony, Vanessa shares how she went from zero centimeters dilated to birthing her 9 lb 12 oz baby in under two hours, without coached pushing or tearing. From the discouragement of being told her baby wasn't coming that night to surrendering her fears, laboring peacefully in warm water, and breathing her baby into her own hands, her story is a beautiful reminder of the power of birth preparation, trusting your body, and leaning into God's peace. Tune in to hear: How Vanessa's difficult hospital birth inspired her journey toward natural home birthWhy the Pain Free Birth course completely transformed her mindset and confidenceHow Vanessa and her husband created a list of 30 specific prayers for pregnancy and birthWhat happened when her midwife checked her cervix, found zero dilation, and went homeHow she navigated discouragement, fear, and emotional surrender during laborWhy warm water and her husband's incredible support made such a differenceHow she used gentle breathing instead of forceful pushing to birth her 9 lb 12 oz babyWhy she believes slowing down helped her experience a birth without tearingHow she embraced a peaceful, nourishing postpartum seasonHer encouragement for first-time moms who want to replace fear with confidence, preparation, and faithResources mentioned: The First 40 Days Connect with Vanessa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veesuggs/ Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if the birth you are praying for could become an invitation to trust, surrender, and experience God in a completely new way? After an intervention-filled first birth and a heartbreaking miscarriage, Lacey Coffey longed for redemption. In the middle of her grief, she began praying for God to show her what was ahead. Lacey says dreams, visions, and signs began pointing her toward something incredibly specific: a rainbow baby, a Christmas birth, and a peaceful water birth. But getting there was not simple. Lacey navigated gestational diabetes, kidney stones, bleeding, and weeks of prodromal labor while continually returning to what she believed God had shown her. Then, in the early hours of Christmas Eve, everything changed. Her water broke, labor intensified quickly, and what followed was a breathtaking 2.5-hour birth filled with worship, surrender, laughter, and a race to the birth center that ended just five minutes before her daughter was born. Tune in to hear: How Lacey’s first birth and miscarriage shaped her desire for a redemptive birthThe dreams and visions that pointed her toward a Christmas water birthHow she navigated gestational diabetes, kidney stones, and weeks of prodromal laborThe breathing, relaxation, and surrender practices that prepared her for a pain-free birthHow she moved through fear by returning to “trust, relax, allow”The wild one-hour drive to the birth center while her body was already pushingHow her daughter was born in the water just five minutes after they arrivedWhat this birth taught Lacey about trusting God, surrender, and motherhoodCONNECT WITH LACEY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softbabynames/ Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if the most powerful part of childbirth isn’t something you can prepare for with your mind, but something you have to surrender to with your whole being? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Show, I’m exploring what I call “crossing the veil,” that profound shift that can happen during labor when birth moves beyond something you are thinking through and becomes something you are fully experiencing. It can be the moment when contractions intensify, time seems to change, your thinking brain quiets, and you are invited to surrender more deeply than you thought possible. We’re talking about the spiritual side of childbirth that so often gets overlooked in birth preparation. Birth is not simply a mechanical process of getting a baby out of your body. It can be a deeply transformative experience that brings your fears, doubts, trust, strength, and faith to the surface. This episode is an invitation to prepare not only your body and mind for birth, but also your heart and spirit, so that when you reach the place where control is no longer serving you, you can let go and allow birth to transform you. Tune in to hear: What “crossing the veil” can mean during laborWhy the transition from early labor into active labor can feel like entering an entirely different stateHow surrender can become one of your greatest tools during physiological birthWhy birth preparation is about more than information and checklistsHow women describe heightened intuition, altered awareness, and a sense of God’s presence during laborWhy your birth environment matters when you enter the deepest stages of laborWhat can happen when people interrupt, question, or try to manage a laboring mother who has gone inwardWhy trusting the mother and protecting her space can be so powerfulHow birth can bring fear, insecurity, doubt, trust, joy, and strength to the surfaceWhat it means to see birth as a transition from maiden to motherWhy pregnancy itself can become preparation for surrender and transformationHow faith can meet you when you reach the end of your own strengthWhy you don’t have to understand or control every part of birth to walk through it with confidenceThe invitation to see childbirth not simply as something to endure, but as an experience that can transform youDoors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if birth was never meant to be something you had to endure in your own strength? After experiencing sexual trauma as a teenager and again as a young woman in the Air Force, Lauren Frazier entered motherhood with a deep desire to reclaim trust in her body. Across four births, God transformed that trust into something even deeper. What began as a determination to advocate for herself eventually became an invitation to surrender, listen, and experience birth in partnership with Him. In this episode, Lauren shares the progression from her first birth, where intervention dramatically changed an otherwise peaceful labor, to her second birth, where she learned to trust her body through pushing, and finally to two births she describes as completely supernatural and pain-free. During her third birth, Lauren arrived at the hospital already 7 centimeters dilated, yet she could not even feel the contractions appearing on the monitor. Her fourth birth unfolded with the same extraordinary peace at home. Through both experiences, Lauren says her focus was not on avoiding pain. It was on staying close to God, listening for His voice, and surrendering one moment at a time. Tune in to hear: How Lauren’s history of sexual trauma shaped her relationship with her body, autonomy, and birthWhy one intervention dramatically changed the course of her otherwise peaceful first birthHow prodromal labor during her second pregnancy deepened her trust in her body and GodHow discovering Supernatural Childbirth transformed the way Lauren prepared for her third birthWhat happened when Lauren arrived at the hospital 7 centimeters dilated and couldn’t feel her contractionsHow she recognized intrusive thoughts during labor and redirected her attention back to GodWhy listening for God’s voice became central to her pain-free birth experienceHow Lauren’s third baby was born in only two pushes, and the powerful response from her husbandHow her fourth birth became another peaceful, supernatural pain-free birth, this time at homeHow giving birth to her daughter became an unexpected part of Lauren’s healing from sexual traumaSupernatural Childbirth by Jaci Mize:https://amzn.to/4qFAf91 CONNECT WITH LAUREN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liferich_coaching/ and https://www.instagram.com/laurenelizabethfrazier/ Website:  www.liferichcoaching.com Email:  [email protected] Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if the birth that broke your heart didn’t have to be the end of your story? After preparing for a natural birth with her first baby, Stephanie Andrade found herself transferring from a birth center to the hospital, receiving Pitocin, and eventually having an emergency cesarean. Although there were moments of peace and God’s presence throughout the experience, Stephanie was left processing disappointment, trauma, and questions about what future births might look like. When she became pregnant again, Stephanie knew she wanted to approach birth differently. She researched her options, communicated clearly with her midwife, learned to advocate for her preferences, and ultimately surrendered the outcome to God. What followed was something she never expected. Instead of making it to the hospital for her planned VBAC, Stephanie gave birth at home with only her husband present. Her labor was fast, instinctive, and pain-free, and her body pushed her baby out without conscious pushing. Tune in to hear: How Stephanie’s first birth went from a peaceful birth center labor to an emergency C-sectionWhy learning she had reached 10 centimeters during her first labor mattered when preparing for her VBACHow Stephanie processed the emotional impact of her cesareanThe fears she faced while preparing to give birth after a C-sectionWhy surrendering the outcome to God became a turning point in her pregnancyHow she approached informed consent and hospital VBAC protocols differently the second timeWhy communicating clear preferences with your birth team mattersHow Stephanie prepared to advocate for herself during laborWhy she didn’t realize how far into labor she actually wasThe moment a shower turned into an unexpected home birthWhat it felt like when her body pushed her baby out without conscious effortWhy Stephanie experienced intense pressure, but no ring of fireHow understanding birth physiology helped her stay grounded as her baby was bornThe dramatic difference between her cesarean recovery and natural postpartum recoveryStephanie’s encouragement for women hoping for a redemptive birth after a difficult or traumatic experienceConnect with Stephanie: Instagram: @stephreneeandrade Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What happens when the peaceful home birth you planned suddenly becomes a hospital twin birth, and you still deeply desire a physiological, unmedicated experience? After two beautiful home births, Siera Asivido fully expected to welcome her third baby the same way. Then, at her 20-week anatomy scan, she saw two heads on the ultrasound screen. She was carrying spontaneous di/di twins, and suddenly the birth environment where she felt safest was no longer an option with her trusted midwife. Instead of giving up on the birth she desired, Siera began learning how to advocate for herself. She created an intentional birth plan, learned how to communicate informed decisions to her OB team, declined routine hospital practices that did not align with her goals, and prepared both practically and spiritually for birth. At 39 weeks and 1 day, she walked into the hospital in early labor and experienced a peaceful, physiological twin birth that exceeded what she imagined was possible. Tune in to hear: The shocking moment Siera discovered at 20 weeks that she was carrying twinsWhy losing the option of another home birth required a real grieving processHow she navigated hospital policies while still pursuing a physiological twin birthThe one-page birth plan that helped her clearly communicate her values and informed decisionsHow reading her birth plan aloud helped Siera find her voice and advocate with confidenceWhy she chose to decline the operating room unless a C-section became medically necessaryHow prayer and birth affirmations helped her move from fear into trust and surrenderWhat happened when she arrived at the hospital at 39 weeks and 1 day with twinsHow her body became so relaxed during transition that her midwife thought she was sleepingThe unexpected complication with Baby B, including a nuchal cord wrapped five times, and how Siera adapted without losing her sense of empowermentPain Free Birth Episode #66 on Advocacy with Intentional Birth Connect with Siera: Instagram - @sieraasivido Siera's Birthplan: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oCFFQMW2ibTPsbjqc_0hFxLGyB2ugHIl?usp=sharing Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

Have you ever felt a tug toward birth work, but immediately wondered how becoming a doula could possibly fit into your real life? Maybe you have little kids at home, a full-time job, a husband who is not completely on board, or no idea how you would find your first doula client. Maybe you love birth and supporting women, but the thought of putting yourself out there feels terrifying. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it actually takes to become a birth doula and answering the questions that might be keeping you from taking that next step. After 13 years of doula work, I’ve learned that becoming a doula does not require having your entire life perfectly figured out. We’re talking about practical solutions for childcare, balancing birth work with motherhood or another career, getting your first clients, navigating difficult births, building confidence, and creating a doula business that works for your life. I’m also sharing what we’ve completely rebuilt inside the Pain-Free Birth Doula Certification Program and why community, mentorship, business training, and ongoing support matter so much when you step into birth work. Questions Answered in This Episode: How do you know if your called to doula work - and where do you start?How do you make childcare work as a doula?What if your husband or partner isn’t supportive?How do you get over imposter syndrome and the fear of being seen?How do you find clients when you’re just starting out?Is the doula industry already oversaturated - and how do you stand out?Can you become a doula if you’ve never given birth yourself?How do you prepare for hard or traumatic births?What if your not experienced or qualified enough?Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if the birth that changed everything was not your first birth, but the one that finally showed you what birth could be? In this deeply personal episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with someone very special to the Pain Free Birth family, her personal assistant, Jamie Bennett. After two difficult hospital births, including an epidural she did not originally want and a completely failed epidural during her second labor, Jamie entered her third pregnancy knowing something needed to change. Her search for truly aligned care eventually led her somewhere she never expected, a home birth. Jamie shares how that redemptive, euphoric home birth transformed far more than the way she viewed birth. It strengthened her faith, changed the way she approached motherhood, taught her to stop asking permission, and ultimately led her into her calling as a doula. Now, after years of working behind the scenes at Pain Free Birth and reading countless birth stories, Jamie is stepping into birth rooms herself and helping other women discover how supported, informed, and empowered birth can be. Tune in to hear: How Jamie’s first two difficult hospital births shaped the way she viewed birth and supportWhat happened when her epidural completely failed during her second birthWhy interviewing your provider and choosing an aligned birth team mattersHow Jamie went from being afraid of home birth to choosing it for her third babyThe simple words from her midwife that changed the entire direction of her laborHow her joyful, redemptive home birth transformed her confidence, motherhood, and faithWhy Jamie believes our hardest birth experiences can ultimately prepare us to help othersHow her own birth journey led her to answer the calling to become a doulaHow Jamie booked four births within her first two months as a new doulaHer encouragement for women who feel called to birth work but are afraid to take the first step Questions to Ask Your Provider: https://resources.painfreebirth.com/birth-provider-questions  CONNECT WITH JAMIE: Instagram: @birthwithjamie Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if being told you have a “big baby” creates more fear than the actual size of your baby ever needed to? If you have been told your baby is measuring large, your hips might be too small, or you should consider an induction because of suspected macrosomia, this episode is for you. We are unpacking the fear surrounding big babies and talking about what the evidence actually says about fetal size, late-pregnancy estimates, induction, shoulder dystocia, and cesarean birth. You will also learn why the way your body and baby move during birth matters so much. From the flexibility of the pelvis and molding of your baby’s head to positioning, breathing, pelvic floor relaxation, and upright pushing positions, this conversation will help you look beyond a number on an ultrasound and better understand the physiology of birth. Most importantly, you will walk away with questions you can bring to your provider so you can make informed decisions that feel right for you and your baby.  Tune in to hear:  What macrosomia means and why a suspected big baby can create so much fear  Why late-pregnancy estimates of fetal weight are not the same thing as knowing your baby’s actual birth weight  The primary concern providers have about large babies and shoulder dystocia  Why suspected fetal size can influence the way labor and birth are managed  How fear and doubt can affect tension, relaxation, and the experience of labor  Why your baby’s position may matter enormously during pushing  How your pelvis is designed to move during birth  How your baby’s skull molds as your baby travels through the birth canal  Why relaxing and yielding the pelvic floor is different from forcefully pushing against it  How upright and hands-and-knees positions can give the pelvis more freedom to move  What the Gaskin and McRoberts maneuvers are in the context of shoulder dystocia  Questions to ask your OB or midwife if your baby is suspected to be large  Why learning physiological pushing techniques before labor can change your birth experience  How to replace fear-based decision-making with education, informed consent, and confidence in your options Evidence Based Birth Article: EvidencebasedbirthWhat is the Evidence for Induction or C-section for a Big Baby? Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if your biggest, most peaceful birth could happen when you stop trying to control the process and learn to trust the way your body was designed to give birth? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with mom of three Michelle Owsley to share a remarkable journey that began long before she had children of her own. At just 18 years old, Michelle traveled to rural Kenya, where she unexpectedly found herself assisting at more than 50 births. Those experiences planted a seed of trust in physiological birth, but years later, Michelle still had to confront the fear and conditioning surrounding birth when it was her turn to become a mother. Michelle shares the progression from two unmedicated Pitocin inductions to her third birth, where everything changed. After experiencing situational high blood pressure, navigating recommendations for additional growth scans, and working intentionally to guard her mind from fear, Michelle prepared for birth differently. At 41 weeks, she finally released her expectations and surrendered the outcome to God. Hours later, she was in spontaneous labor. Her 10-pound, 1-ounce baby was born in the water, completely pain-free, without coached pushing and without tearing. Tune in to hear:  How attending more than 50 births in rural Kenya shaped Michelle’s view of natural, physiological birth  How Michelle navigated two unmedicated Pitocin inductions before experiencing pain-free birth  What her first birth taught her about the question, “Am I enough?”  How fear and stress dramatically affected Michelle’s blood pressure during her second pregnancy  Why choosing a birth center or midwife does not eliminate the need for informed consent and self-advocacy  How Michelle prepared differently for her third pregnancy by intentionally guarding her mind  Why she declined an additional growth ultrasound and navigated fears surrounding a potentially big baby  How surrendering control at more than 41 weeks transformed the way Michelle approached labor  Why Michelle chose not to forcefully push and allowed the fetal ejection reflex to birth her baby  How she birthed a 10-pound, 1-ounce baby pain-free, without tearing, and experienced her easiest postpartum recoveryBeautiful One Midwifery: Website or @beautifulonemidwifery CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: @michelle_owsley17 Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What happens when you prepare for birth with everything you have, only to discover that the final lesson is letting go? In this powerful birth testimony, Pain Free Birth doula-in-training Annelisa shares how five weeks of prodromal labor, an almost 42-week pregnancy, and a deeply personal journey of surrender led to an unforgettable birth. After a difficult first hospital birth and a redemptive second birth center experience, Annelisa entered her third birth equipped with a new understanding of physiological birth, her body, and the role fear can play in the birth experience. But nothing unfolded the way she had planned. Her carefully prepared birth room and birth pool were left untouched. Instead, after sleeping through what she believes was transition, Annelisa woke to intense pelvic pressure and realized her baby was coming much faster than anyone expected. With her midwife still on the way, her husband beside her, and a perfectly positioned mirror in the shower, she watched her baby emerge while standing and allowing her body’s fetal ejection reflex to do the work. Tune in to hear: How Annelisa’s first difficult hospital birth influenced the births that followedThe difference birth education made in how she experienced contractionsWhat five weeks of prodromal labor looked like for herWhy being 41 weeks and 6 days challenged her desire for controlThe prayer under the stars that completely shifted her mindsetHow addressing emotional tension helped her feel safe enough to surrenderWhy her contractions progressed without feeling painfulHow cuddling her son helped her relax enough to fall asleep during laborWhy Annelisa believes she may have slept through transitionWhat happened when her husband could not get the birth pool filledThe moment her body entered the fetal ejection reflexHow she watched her baby crown and emerge using a mirror in the showerWhat happened when her baby was born with the cord around her neckHow the experience transformed her husband’s view of physiological birthWhy preparation and surrender are not oppositesWhat this birth taught Annelisa about trusting God, her baby, and her body Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if birth could feel peaceful, natural, and so deeply joyful that you were actually sad when labor ended? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Abby Neese, an Iowa mom who experienced two pain-free home births. During her first birth, Abby followed her intuition, remained calm when her midwives did not arrive in time, and caught her own baby in the birth tub. Rather than feeling afraid, she trusted the physiological process unfolding within her body. Abby’s second birth was completely different, yet still pain-free. Through intentional breathing, prenatal yoga, hypnobirthing techniques, and a deep trust in God’s design, Abby allowed her body to take over. She experienced the fetal ejection reflex and gave birth without coached or forced pushing. Abby also shares how these births inspired her to become a doula, catch her friend’s baby, and begin pursuing a future calling toward midwifery. Tune in to hear: How Abby’s intuition accurately prepared her for a fast first birthWhy hospital water birth policies led her to consider home birthThe simple explanation of uterine contractions that removed her fearHow positive birth stories and physiological birth education shaped her mindsetWhat Abby did during early and active labor with her first babyHow she remained calm when her midwives did not arrive in timeWhat it felt like to catch her own baby in the birth tubWhy she describes her first birth as peaceful, natural, and pain-freeHow relaxed, physiological pushing affected her postpartum recoveryWhy her second birth felt emotionally intense without being physically painfulHow breathwork and prenatal yoga helped her release tensionWhat the fetal ejection reflex felt like during her second birthWhy Abby believes women should protect their minds from fear-based birth storiesHow her birth experiences inspired her to become a doulaThe incredible story of catching her first baby while serving as a doulaHow Abby’s experiences confirmed her future calling toward midwiferyConnect with Abby Instagram: harvesthopedoula Website: Harvest Hope Doula Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What if childbirth was not something you had to fear, endure, or simply survive? In this deeply personal and hope-filled conversation, Karen Welton joins Emily  Smaczniak from the Beyond the Pain Podcast to explore the physiology, mindset, and heart preparation behind an empowered birth. Karen shares how her own journey from fear to mostly pain-free home births led her to become a doula, birth educator, and creator of the Pain-Free Birth course. Together, Karen and Emily discuss pregnancy and birth after stillbirth, the desire for a redemptive birth experience, and how women can prepare for physiological birth even within a hospital setting. They also unpack the fear-tension-pain cycle, the physical effects of gratitude, the importance of releasing hidden fears, and why your internal environment can have a greater impact on labor than your external circumstances. Tune in to hear: How Karen’s fear of childbirth led her to research pain-free and physiological birthWhy birth pain is not always inevitableThe connection between fear, tension, stress hormones, and labor painHow oxytocin and endorphins support the body during childbirthWhat Scripture may actually communicate about pain and sorrow in childbirthWhy birth is not a random event that simply happens to youHow to balance personal responsibility with surrender during laborWhat a redemptive birth can look like after stillbirth or pregnancy lossWhy women cannot always “logic” their way out of fear after traumaHow gratitude can help shift the nervous system during contractionsWhy the internal environment can override a difficult hospital environmentHow to prepare for a natural, physiological birth in a hospitalThe importance of choosing a trauma-informed provider, doula, or midwifeWhy honest communication can help release tension and support labor progressHow practicing discomfort can teach the brain to respond differently to painPractical ways to move from fear and resistance into trust and partnership with your bodyCONNECT WITH EMILY: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-pain-heart-and-home-healing-after-loss/id1779756290 Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What happens when your carefully planned home birth turns into an unassisted birth at a family resort? After five years of hoping for a baby, fertility treatments, surgery, and the removal of one fallopian tube, Jessica Richards and her husband were overjoyed to conceive naturally. They prepared for a peaceful home birth with a trusted midwife, but when Jessica reached 42 weeks pregnant, their baby still had not arrived. With her midwife’s approval, the couple decided to join their family for a Christmas trip at a resort two hours from home. A day filled with laughter, water slides, connection, and relaxation soon became the beginning of labor. When Jessica’s contractions intensified and her water broke as they attempted to leave, she and her husband realized they would not make it home. Instead of panicking, they returned to their room, leaned into the physiological process, and welcomed their son in the bathtub with no birth team present. Jessica shares how preparation, prayer, movement, surrender, and trust helped her remain peaceful during an experience she never could have planned. Tune in to hear: Jessica’s journey through infertility, surgery, and naturally conceiving with one fallopian tubeWhy she felt peaceful traveling at 42 weeks pregnantHow relaxation, family connection, and oxytocin may have helped labor beginThe signs that told Jessica’s doula she was close to birthWhy Jessica and her husband chose to return to their resort roomHow water, movement, breathing, music, and low vocalization supported her laborWhat it felt like to experience spontaneous pushing without forcing her bodyThe surreal moment Jessica caught her own baby in the bathtubHow her husband remained calm and supported her throughout the unexpected birthThe role faith and surrender played in Jessica’s mindsetHow Jessica prepared physically with walking, chiropractic care, massage, and pelvic floor therapyWhat happened after the baby and placenta were bornWhy the family stayed at the resort for another nightJessica’s encouragement for women struggling with fear, anxiety, or going past their due dateHow this birth strengthened Jessica’s trust in her maternal instinctsCONNECT WITH JESSICA: @jessicanicolerichards  Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...

What happens when an unexpected pregnancy disrupts the life you thought you had finally learned to accept? When Amanda discovered she was pregnant with her fifth baby, she did not feel the immediate excitement she had experienced with her previous pregnancies. Instead, she felt shocked, angry, disconnected, and ashamed of her own emotions. For months, she struggled privately while pretending everything was fine. Through prayer, counseling, humility, and surrender, Amanda experienced a powerful change of heart that transformed the pregnancy she had resisted into one of the most redemptive stories of her life. That redemption continued into birth. Although Amanda secretly longed for a home birth, she and her husband planned to deliver at the hospital. But when labor progressed faster than expected, her water broke at ten centimeters while her midwife was already in the house. Amanda remained home, experienced a peaceful rest and be thankful phase, and delivered her baby in the bathtub after only three minutes of pushing. After four hospital births, she describes this unmedicated home water birth as her calmest and least painful birth. Tune in to hear: Amanda’s honest reaction to discovering she was unexpectedly pregnant with her fifth babyWhy she felt ashamed of struggling to accept a pregnancy that others would consider a blessingHow resentment began affecting her marriage and emotional well-beingThe role prayer, therapy, humility, and surrender played in changing her heartHow Amanda intentionally connected with her baby after months of feeling detachedWhy she chose midwifery care after four pregnancies with an obstetricianHow God opened the door for her to work with the Christian midwife she had specifically prayed forWhat prodromal labor felt like after four previously fast and straightforward laborsThe moment Amanda’s water broke at ten centimeters in her living roomWhy her midwife recommended staying home instead of rushing to the hospitalHow the rest and be thankful phase gave Amanda time to prepare for birthWhat made this water birth less painful than her previous hospital and epidural birthsHow breathing, worship music, gratitude, and Christian hypnobirthing supported her laborWhy physiological birth education changed Amanda’s fifth birth experienceHow this unexpected baby became an irreplaceable blessing to the entire familyConnect with Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_joy_photography/ Doors are open for the Doula Certification Program. Grab your spot HERE. CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit Your Birth Story Apply to Come on the Podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube Looking for a like-minded provider? View the PFB Directory HERE. Want to join the directory? JOIN HERE Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual health, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Pain F...