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In this episode I'm exploring what happens when our prayers for birth come from a place of control rather than surrender—and how God has been transforming my heart from anxiety to trust as I prepare for my third baby's arrival.

After carrying the weight of perfectionism through my first two births, treating them like report cards of my strength and worth, I'm experiencing something radically different this pregnancy. God has been gently revealing how my determined, control-seeking nature had turned birth preparation into a crushing source of pressure rather than an opportunity for faithful stewardship.

Whether you're praying for an uncomplicated birth, comparing your journey to others, or feeling the pressure to "get it right," this episode will help you identify when your prayers might be rooted in fear rather than faith—and show you how to shift toward God-glorifying trust.

In this episode, I share: 

🙏 Five signs your birth prayers might be coming from control rather than surrender 

📖 How the parable of the talents applies to birth preparation and stewardship 

✨ Why faithful preparation looks different than fearful striving 

💭 Practical prayer swaps to move from anxiety to trust 

✝️ How to hold birth preferences with open hands while still preparing wisely

Scripture Shared: 

The parable of the talents from Matthew 25, focusing on being a "good and faithful servant" rather than a successful one

Mentioned in this episode: 

📩 Share your rewritten prayers with me on Instagram @faithoverfearbirthdoula 

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

📞 Free 15-Minute Discovery Call: Schedule your no-obligation consultation with me today! I would LOVE to connect with you.

If this episode stirred your heart (even if it stung a little!), please rate, review, and share it with another mama who needs this reminder.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, remembering that our birth stories are in the hands of the One who writes only good things. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode I'm joined by Maria Lilly, a Christian mom whose first birth experience completely transformed her life—leading her from a corporate accounting job to becoming a doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator. Maria shares her powerful story of navigating a terrifying prenatal diagnosis, NICU stay, and ultimately discovering God's faithfulness in the most unexpected ways.

When Maria was told at 35 weeks that her baby was severely growth restricted with only a 25% chance of survival, all her carefully laid birth plans seemed to crumble. But through faith, preparation, and God's grace, she experienced a redemptive hospital birth that defied medical expectations—and later learned her daughter had Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare chromosomal condition.

Whether you're facing pregnancy complications, wrestling with fear about your birth, or simply need encouragement that God is present even in the hardest moments—Maria's testimony will remind you that He holds every detail of your story.

In this episode, we discuss: 

🌸 How thorough birth preparation served Maria even in a high-risk hospital induction 

💔 Processing the grief of an unexpected diagnosis while bonding with a NICU baby 

✝️ Finding comfort in Mary's story as a mother who also faced extraordinary challenges 

🙏 Why no birth experience is neutral and preparation matters more than you might think 

👶 How God used Josephine's diagnosis to birth Maria's calling to serve other mothers

Scripture Shared: 

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." – John 9:3

Mentioned in this episode: 

📱 Primal Pregnancy App: Maria's comprehensive birth preparation tool with labor guides, weekly pregnancy tips, and pain-reducing recipes 

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a pregnant friend who needs hope.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode, I'm walking you through everything you need to know about preparing for an induction—from practical tips to spiritual encouragement—so you can approach your birth with peace and confidence, even if this wasn't your original plan.

Maybe your provider has mentioned induction as a possibility, or perhaps you already have a date scheduled. Whatever emotions you're feeling—excitement, disappointment, nervousness, or fear—I want you to know that an induced birth is still a beautiful birth story where God can be glorified.

In this episode, I share: 

🌸 How to reframe an induction as part of God's plan for your birth story 

🩺 Understanding different induction methods and what to expect with each one 

🎶 Comfort measures and coping strategies specifically for induced labor 

🧠 The B.R.A.I.N. acronym to help you make informed decisions about your care 

✝️ Practical tips for preparing physically, mentally, and spiritually for your induction

Scripture Shared: 

"The Lord will fight for you. You only need to be still." – Exodus 14:14

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." – Romans 8:28

Mentioned in this episode: 

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

📞 Free 15-Minute Discovery Call: Schedule your no-obligation consultation with me today! I would LOVE to connect with you.

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with any friends preparing for an induction.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode I'm diving deep into a topic that's been on my heart—how you can experience professional doula support while keeping your birth intimate and private through virtual birth support. This option could be the perfect solution for mamas who are torn between wanting expert guidance and maintaining the sacred space of birth with just their husband present.

After supporting many families as an in-person doula and experiencing my own intimate birth with my husband as my primary support, I've seen firsthand how powerful it can be when couples work together during labor. But I've also witnessed how having professional guidance at key moments can make all the difference. That's why I'm passionate about sharing how virtual doula support bridges this gap beautifully.

Whether you're facing financial constraints, living in an area without faith-based doulas, or simply preferring a more private birth experience while still wanting expert support—this episode will show you how virtual support can transform your birth experience without compromising intimacy.

In this episode, I share: 

🏡 My own birth story and what I wish we'd had for guidance during critical moments 

💻 Exactly what virtual doula support looks like from prenatal prep through postpartum 

👫 How this model empowers husbands to be confident, capable birth partners 

💰 Why virtual support costs a fraction of in-person services while still providing comprehensive care 

🙏 The biblical foundation for seeking wise counsel and community support during birth

Scripture Shared: 

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Mentioned in this episode: 

📞 Free 15-Minute Discovery Call: Schedule your no-obligation consultation with me today! I would LOVE to connect with you to see how I can serve you!

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

If this episode stirred hope in your heart about having supported yet intimate birth experience, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who might be searching for this exact solution.

Let’s keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Kate Smith, pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Nurture You Pelvic Health, to discuss a topic that affects countless women but is often dismissed: severe pelvic pain during pregnancy. If you've ever been told your excruciating pain is "just part of being pregnant," this conversation will validate your experience and offer real hope.

After experiencing debilitating pelvic pain during my pregnancies—pain so intense that my active labor contractions felt like nothing in comparison—I discovered the connection between hypermobility and pregnancy pain. Dr. Kate breaks down why some women are more prone to this pain and, most importantly, what can actually be done about it.

Whether you're currently struggling with pelvic pain, planning for future pregnancies, or supporting someone who is, this episode provides both immediate relief strategies and long-term solutions that can transform your pregnancy experience.

In this episode, we discuss: 

🌸 The difference between SPD, pelvic girdle pain, and SI joint pain—and why it matters 

🩺 Signs you might be hypermobile (and why that increases pregnancy pain risk) 

🎯 Simple posture changes that can provide immediate relief 

✝️ Why "just dealing with it" affects your mental health and quality of life 

👶 How prenatal pelvic floor PT prepares you for birth AND postpartum recovery

Key Takeaways: 

✨ Pain during pregnancy is common but NOT normal—and you deserve help 

💛 Small movement changes now create lasting benefits for life 

🙏 There's hope even if you've been dismissed by other providers

Mentioned in this episode: 

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

✨ Follow Dr. Kate Smith on Instagram: @nurtureyou_pelvichealth and @drkatesmith_pfdoc 

🏋️‍♀️ Body Ready Method Programs: Pregnancy-specific workout programs you can use from home  

🎯  Schedule a free discovery call with Dr. Kate on her website www.nurtureyoupelvichealth.com

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear that her pain matters and help is available.

Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode, I'm walking you through a practical, faith-filled checklist to help you prepare well during your second trimester—the sweet spot of pregnancy when energy returns and you can finally focus on nourishing your body, mind, and heart for the journey ahead.

Whether you're just starting to feel like yourself again or you want to make sure you're on the right track, this episode covers seven key areas to help you steward this season with intention and grace—without perfectionistic pressure or anxiety about outcomes.

From rebuilding your nutrient stores after first trimester survival mode to understanding how pelvic floor care and chiropractic adjustments can support your body's design, we're covering the practical and the spiritual side of preparing for birth.

In this episode, I share:

🍊 How to rebuild your body with nutrient-dense foods (including a fun fact about vitamin C and your amniotic sac!) 

💧 Why electrolytes (like LMNT) are a game-changer for hydration, Braxton Hicks, and swelling 

🏃‍♀️ Gentle movement ideas that support your body without exhausting it 

🤰 The importance of pelvic floor PT and Webster-certified chiropractic care 

👥 How to build a birth team that sees, hears, and respects you 

📚 Why childbirth education helps you surrender fear and trust God's design

✝️ A reminder that you're called to faithfulness—not perfection or control over outcomes

Scripture Shared: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we don't give up." – Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

📖 Recommended Books: "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin & "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin 

🏋️‍♀️ Body Ready Method Programs: Pregnancy-specific workout programs you can use from home 

🧂 LMNT Electrolytes: My go-to for staying hydrated and reducing pregnancy discomforts

🫖 B6 and magnesium supplements for morning sickness - Take 50mg or less of B6 1-2 times a day, and suggests this magnesium supplement.

Coming Up Next Episode: I'll be chatting with Dr. Kate Smith, a pelvic floor physical therapist, about pelvic health during pregnancy—plus I'll share my own journey with pelvic pain and hypermobility. You won't want to miss it!

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one faithful step at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode, I'm sitting down with my dear friend Gracie Clowe—a mama who prepared her heart, mind, and body for an unmedicated birth, only to find herself on an operating table for an unplanned C-section. But that's just the beginning of her story.

Gracie's journey is one of confusion, surrender, heartbreak, and ultimately, miraculous revelation. After feeling clearly called by God to pursue a natural birth, she did everything—acupuncture, an ECV, even playing music on her belly—to get her breech baby to flip. But her daughter wouldn't budge. The C-section felt like a contradiction to everything she thought God had told her to prepare for.

Then, just before her daughter's first birthday, Gracie discovered she was pregnant again—only to lose the baby weeks later. What followed was a traumatic miscarriage, an emergency surgery, and a shocking medical discovery: Gracie has two fully formed uteruses. Suddenly, all the pieces came together. Her daughter never flipped because she couldn't—and the fact that she grew full-term was nothing short of a miracle.

Whether you've had a birth plan fall apart, walked through pregnancy loss, or simply wrestled with God's timing and purposes, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Gracie's story is a beautiful reminder that God sees what we cannot, and His plans—even when confusing—are always for our good and His glory.

In this episode, we talk about:

🌸 How Gracie felt God calling her to an unmedicated birth—and what happened when it didn't go as planned

 💔 Walking through miscarriage, sepsis, and the grief of losing a baby

 🙏 Meeting God as Comforter in suffering and learning to trust His sovereignty

 🩺 The shocking medical discovery that explained everything—and revealed God's hand in her story all along

 👶 What her current pregnancy looks like and how she's surrendering week by week

 ✝️ The beauty of sacrificial motherhood and how it reflects the love of Christ

Scripture Shared:
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." – John 16:33 (NIV)

Connect with Gracie:
Instagram: @gracie.clowe

Mentioned in this episode:
✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode, I'm breaking down something every pregnant mama needs to know: you always have a choice when it comes to your birth care, no matter where you're planning to deliver. We're diving deep into informed consent and informed refusal—your fundamental rights that don't disappear just because you walk into a hospital or birth center.

Too often, I see birth educators and doulas painting medical staff as the enemy, creating an "us versus them" mentality that honestly breaks my heart. The truth is, your birth team wants what's best for you and your baby. Interventions have their time and place, and sometimes wisdom means choosing something that wasn't in your original plan—and that's perfectly okay.

Whether you're planning a home birth, birth center delivery, or hospital birth, feeling overwhelmed by medical decisions, or simply wanting to feel more confident advocating for yourself—this episode will equip you with practical tools and biblical wisdom for navigating birth choices with peace and partnership.

In this episode, I share: 

🧠 The BRAIN method for making informed decisions (a framework I teach in my Online Christian Childbirth Education that works for any health decision) 

⚖️ What informed consent and informed refusal really mean—and why both matter 

🤝 How to work collaboratively with your birth team instead of against them 

🏥 Your rights in every birth setting: home, birth center, and hospital 

💭 Practical tips for advocating for yourself while building partnership 

✝️ How James 1:5 fits perfectly into wise decision-making during birth

Scripture Shared: 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." – James 1:5 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode: 

🎧 Episode 5 Creating Your Birth Preferences: A Step-by-Step Guide - A good overview of typical choices you’ll want to think through before birth

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

✝️ Online Christian Childbirth Education - Explore my complete birth preparation self-paced course

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

If this episode empowered you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear this message.

Let's choose knowledge and collaboration over fear and opposition, one birth decision at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode I'm sitting down with Laura Lindahl—certified pre and postnatal coach, exercise physiologist, and Christian body image coach—to talk about something so many moms wrestle with: the pressure to "bounce back" after baby and how to approach postpartum health from a place of grace, not guilt.

Laura's story will resonate with so many of us. She went from being trapped in superficial fitness obsessed with how she looked and what others thought, to experiencing a complete transformation when God called her back to her first love. Now she helps moms rebuild strength physically, emotionally, and spiritually after birth through her ministry True Strength Collective and the Strong After Birth Podcast.

This conversation challenges the harmful "bounce back" culture that puts unrealistic timelines and expectations on postpartum moms. Instead, Laura shares how we can build strength from a place of acceptance rather than striving for acceptance—honoring our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit while giving ourselves the grace and time our bodies actually need to heal.

Whether you're currently pregnant, in your postpartum season, or just tired of feeling like your worth is tied to how quickly you "bounce back"—this episode offers biblical truth and practical wisdom for approaching health as an act of worship, not performance.

In this episode, we discuss:

🌸 How Laura's fitness obsession led to burnout and distance from God—and the moment everything changed 

⚖️ Why "bounce back" culture is hormonally harmful and biblically unsound for postpartum moms 

💪 The difference between building strength from acceptance vs. for acceptance 

🎯 Practical first steps for moms who feel stuck or disconnected from their bodies 

✝️ How our identity in Christ frees us from the comparison trap and cultural pressure 

🏃‍♀️ Why focusing on building muscle (not losing weight) transforms how we feel as moms

Scripture Shared: 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." – Romans 8:1 (ESV)

"Do not despise small beginnings." – Zechariah 4:10

Mentioned in this episode: 

💪 Laura's 3-Day Core Restore Plan: Free postpartum recovery guide with exercise demos and diastasis recti assessment 

🩷 True Strength Collective: Laura's online coaching for moms 

🎧 Strong After Birth Podcast: Postpartum strength training and body image encouragement

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more 

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education

If this episode encouraged you to see your body and health through God's eyes, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs this message.

Let's reject the lies of bounce back culture and embrace the freedom found in Christ—one faithful step at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know about breastfeeding before your baby arrives—because preparing for this beautiful journey is just as important as preparing for birth itself. Too many mamas focus all their energy on delivery day but don't think about the feeding relationship that follows, and I don't want that to be you.

Whether you're pregnant and considering breastfeeding, already planning to nurse your baby, or have had challenges in the past and want to set yourself up for success this time—this episode is packed with encouragement, practical wisdom, and the preparation tools you need.

I'll be honest: breastfeeding is natural, but it's also a learned skill. And just like you wouldn't run a marathon without training, breastfeeding success really starts with education before baby arrives. But here's what I want you to know—however you choose to feed your baby, there is so much grace in that decision.

In this episode, I share: 

🤱 The incredible benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mama (including some that might surprise you) 

📚 Why preparation during pregnancy is the key to breastfeeding confidence 

🆘 How to recognize normal challenges vs. when to seek help immediately 

👥 The support system that makes all the difference in your breastfeeding journey 

💰 Practical benefits you might not have considered (financial, environmental, and convenience) 

✨ Resources that have helped countless families succeed in their breastfeeding goals

Scripture Shared: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you." – Isaiah 49:15

Mentioned in this episode: 

📖 Breastfeeding Made Simple - One of my favorite breastfeeding book recommendations

🤝 La Leche League - Breastfeeding support groups online and in-person

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more 

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education (includes breastfeeding basics). 

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear this. Remember—you're loved, you're equipped, and you're doing an amazing job.

Let's prepare well together, one feeding journey at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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