Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast

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While I’m taking a short season of rest during my first trimester, I’m bringing back one of the most impactful and listened-to conversations we’ve had on the podcast. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear that your birth or postpartum might not go the way you hoped, or if you’ve struggled in the weeks after bringing your baby home, this replay will meet you with truth, honesty, and encouragement.

In this episode I'm joined by my friend Crystal Doiron, a licensed clinical social worker and mama, as she courageously shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety—and the hope she found on the other side.

Crystal's journey began with detailed plans, a "birth binder" (not just a birth plan!), and the determination to do everything "right." But when preeclampsia led to an emergency induction, C-section, and a cascade of unexpected challenges, Crystal found herself struggling with the gap between expectation and reality.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply encouraging. Crystal opens up about the darkest moments of her postpartum experience—including the day she realized she was having thoughts of ending her life—and how that became her wake-up call to seek help and find healing.

Whether you're currently struggling with perinatal mood challenges, supporting someone who is, or want to prepare your heart for what might come—this episode offers both practical wisdom and spiritual hope.

In this episode, Crystal shares:

🧠 How her perfectionist, control-focused personality made her more vulnerable to postpartum depression

💔 The moment her carefully planned birth completely fell apart and how that affected her emotionally 

🚨 Five medical red flags that can contribute to or worsen perinatal anxiety and depression 

💪 Practical steps she took toward healing: therapy, reclaiming body autonomy, and prioritizing self-care 

✝️ How reconnecting with God felt like "winter fading into spring—things slowly coming back to life" 

📝 The "sticky note strategy" for getting postpartum help without the awkwardness 

👥 Why community and vulnerability are essential for maternal mental health

Scripture Shared: 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness." – Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode: 

✨ Seven Oaks Therapy: Connect with Crystal at [email protected]

 📚 Postpartum Support International: Virtual support groups and resources 

💛 Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free Birth Preferences Checklist, worship playlists & more 

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

Remember: struggling doesn't make you a bad mom—it makes you human, and help is available.

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear Crystal's story of 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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While I’m taking a short rest during my first trimester, I wanted to bring back one of the most-loved episodes of the podcast. This conversation has helped so many mamas release fear, embrace God’s design, and feel more confident heading into birth. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it again, I pray it blesses and encourages you today. 

In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, we’re talking all about natural ways to help your body prepare for labor—without fear, overwhelm, or pressure to do “all the things.”

Whether you’re weeks away from meeting your baby or just starting to plan for birth, understanding cervical ripening can empower you to partner with your body, honor God’s design, and prepare from a place of peace. I’m breaking down what cervical ripening actually is, why it matters, how your provider might assess your body’s readiness for labor using something called the Bishop Score, and simple, gentle things you can do to support the process naturally.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about what you should be doing to get ready for birth—or wrestled with the fear of “what if my body doesn’t know what to do?”—this episode will meet you with encouragement, education, and faith.

In this episode, I share:

🌿 What the cervix does as you approach labor—and why ripening matters

 🧠 A simple breakdown of the Bishop Score (so it actually makes sense!)

 🫖 Gentle natural methods to support ripening (like red raspberry leaf tea, dates, and more)

 📖 The mindset shift that frees you from control and anchors you in trust

 🙏 How to pray through the waiting and release pressure to perform

Scripture Shared:

A Prayer for You:
I close this episode with a prayer over your heart and your pregnancy—that you would feel God’s nearness in the waiting, be free from fear, and walk in confident peace knowing He is preparing your body and writing your baby’s birth story with care and love.

Mentioned in this episode:

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

💛 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let’s keep choosing faith over fear!

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

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In this special bonus episode, I'm sharing some big news with you—we're expecting our third baby! This surprise pregnancy has been both a tremendous blessing and a journey that's teaching me so much about rest, surrender, and where my true worth comes from.

This announcement comes during a challenging first trimester filled with nausea, exhaustion, and the physical demands of being a pregnant doula. After walking through unimaginable losses with friends and battling fear about this pregnancy, hearing our baby's strong heartbeat was such a gift of peace from the Lord.

But this episode isn't just about baby news—it's about the deeper lesson God is teaching me about stepping away from performance-based worth and trusting His provision. As someone who's prone to proving my value through what I do, the Lord keeps whispering "I will provide" when I start spiraling about how we'll manage three little ones.

Whether you're in a season where you need to slow down, wrestling with perfectionism, or simply needing a reminder that your worth isn't tied to your productivity—this episode is full of encouragement for your heart.

In this episode, I share: 

🤱 Our surprise pregnancy announcement and my honest struggles with first trimester symptoms 

🏥 Starting pelvic floor physical therapy early to get ahead of debilitating pelvic pain 

💭 How the enemy planted fears after witnessing friends' losses, and finding peace in the Lord

✝️ Learning to rest instead of perform, and trusting God's provision over my own efforts 

🏠 Our plans for another home birth with a completely different heart posture this time 

📻 Why I'm taking a 4-week podcast break to practice the rest and boundaries I preach

Scripture Shared: 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." – Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode: 

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

📱 "Not By My Strength" 30-day devotional - A faith-focused devotional designed specifically for pregnancy.

📚 Childbirth Education Course – Learn the stages of labor, comfort measures, and labor positions all with a faith-focus!

💛 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 me on Instagram @faitoverfearbirthdoula

📅 New episodes return September 9th, 2025 with a wild birth story from my very first doula client!

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear that her worth isn't tied to her productivity.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one surrender at a time.

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In this episode, I'm walking you through everything you need to know for a confident, faith-filled first trimester—from the moment you see that positive test to building the foundation for your entire pregnancy journey.

Whether you're holding a pregnancy test with shaking hands, feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions ahead, or wanting to honor God through this long awaited season, this episode will equip you with both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for the weeks ahead.

This isn't just another pregnancy to-do list. It's a grace-filled guide that helps you navigate early pregnancy without fear, make provider decisions with confidence, and find rest in God's perfect plan for you and your baby—even when morning sickness has you feeling anything but peaceful.

In this episode, I share:

🙏 How to celebrate and pray over your pregnancy as an act of worship (whether this pregnancy was planned or not)

👥 Wise guidelines for deciding who to tell and when—protecting your heart in the process 

🏥 How to choose the right provider and birth setting that aligns with your values 

🍎 Nutrition foundations and prenatal vitamin recommendations that actually make a difference 

😴 Gentle, grace-filled strategies for managing morning sickness and soul-crushing fatigue 

💪 How to build a support system and ask for help without feeling like you're failing 

✝️ Biblical encouragement for surrendering control and trusting God's sovereignty over your pregnancy

Scripture Shared: 

"Behold, I am doing a new thing. I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." – Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode: 

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Your go-to collection of faith-based birth prep tools, including "Top 10 Questions to Ask a Prospective Provider" handout.

📚 Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols - The ultimate evidence-based nutrition guide.

📖 The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin - A comprehensive guide for your support person (partner, mom, or friend) with practical tips for emotional and physical support.

🎧 Listen to Episode 13 - I have a deep dive on the pros and cons of each birth setting.

📊 Birth Setting Quiz - Not sure if hospital, birth center, or home birth is right for you? Take this simple quiz.

 💊 FullWell Fertility Prenatal Multivitamin - The prenatal that actually meets your nutritional needs during pregnancy.

📱 "Not By My Strength" 30-day devotional - A faith-focused devotional designed specifically for pregnancy.

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

💛 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. 

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

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

Let's choose faith over fear in every season of motherhood

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In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dr. Victoria Adeeb, a pelvic floor therapist and founder of Better Body Rehab in Jacksonville Beach, to talk about something every mom needs to hear—that caring for your body isn't selfish, it's sacred kingdom work.

Victoria specializes in women's health and has such a heart for helping mamas feel confident in their bodies before, during, and after pregnancy. As a soon-to-be first time mama herself, she brings both clinical expertise and personal experience to our conversation about pelvic floor health, self-care, and what it truly means to steward the body God gave you.

If you've ever been told that leaking, painful intercourse, or pelvic discomfort is "just part of being a mom"—or if you've felt guilty about taking time to care for yourself—this episode will challenge those lies and remind you that you deserve so much better.

In this episode, we discuss:

🌸 What the pelvic floor actually is and signs of dysfunction every woman should know

🩺 Why "just do your kegels" advice can actually make some problems worse

✝️ How motherhood is kingdom work and why self-care isn't selfish but sacred

💪 Real stories of moms reclaiming strength and confidence in their bodies

👶 Victoria's upcoming early postpartum program for moms in weeks 0-6

Scripture Shared:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord." – Colossians 3:23

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Better Women’s Health - $50 discount on first visit when you mention this episode

✝️ The Jesus Storybook Bible - Add this incredible book to your registry

📚 Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more

💕 Work with Me 1:1 – Virtual Doula Support, Birth Coaching & Childbirth Education

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear this message. Read the full show notes here!

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In this episode, I'm walking you through one of the most important decisions you'll make during pregnancy—choosing your birth setting. Whether you're considering a hospital birth, birth center, or home birth, each option comes with different levels of support, intervention, comfort, and control, and there's no "right" answer—just the one that's right for you and your baby.

I'll be honest—when I was pregnant with my first, I didn't even realize I had options beyond my OB-GYN's office. But as I started researching and praying about what kind of birth experience I truly wanted, I discovered a whole world of possibilities that I wish I had known about earlier.

Whether you're just starting to consider your options, feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, or even in your final weeks wondering if it's too late to make a change—this episode is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and most importantly, help you discern where God is leading you for your birth.

In this episode, I share: 

🏥 The honest pros and cons of hospital births—from immediate medical access to potential intervention cascades 

🏡 Why birth centers offer a sweet middle ground between medical care and home-like comfort 

🌸 The unique benefits and considerations of home birth, including my own experience with Daniel 

💰 How to navigate insurance coverage and financial considerations for each setting 

✝️ How to tune into the Holy Spirit's leading when making this deeply personal decision

Scripture Shared: 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Mentioned in this episode: 

📊 Birth Setting Quiz: Take the quiz to help determine which setting aligns with your values and desires 

📞 Schedule a Private Coaching Call: Get personalized guidance for your birth preferences and options

📚 Christian Mama Birth Prep Library; Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more

💕 Work with Me 1:1 – Virtual Doula Support & Christian Childbirth Education

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

Remember, mama—this isn't about what setting sounds most impressive. It's about what aligns with your body, your baby, and where you feel God is calling you to give birth. You are not alone in this decision, and He will equip you wherever He's leading you.

If this episode gave you clarity, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might be weighing these same decisions.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth decision at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and the birth settings quiz!

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In this episode I'm joined by Katie Prizzia, a faith-filled mama of three, as she shares her incredible testimony of three completely different birth experiences—and how each one revealed God's faithfulness in unexpected ways.

Katie's journey took her from an overwhelming premature birth with her first baby, to a faster but still medicated delivery with her second, and finally to the unmedicated birth she felt called to pursue with her third. But this wasn't just about achieving a "natural birth"—it was about learning to surrender her body, her fears, and her expectations to the Lord through every contraction, every unexpected turn, and every moment of doubt.

After facing perinatal anxiety for the first time in her third pregnancy and wrestling with family members who questioned her desire for an unmedicated birth, Katie discovered what it truly means to present your body as a living sacrifice to God. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how your birth unfolds, God is present in every detail.

Whether you're preparing for your first birth, healing from a difficult experience, or wrestling with anxiety about what's ahead—Katie's testimony will encourage your heart and remind you that God's plan is perfect, even when it looks nothing like what we expected.

In this episode, Katie shares: 

🌸 How her traumatic first birth (a 34-week preemie NICU stay) taught her there was so much more to learn 

🩺 Why she chose to decline certain interventions and went to the Lord more for her second pregnancy 

🎶 The daily journaling, worship, and scripture that sustained her through pregnancy anxiety 

✝️ How Romans 12:1 became her anchor verse: "Present your body as a living sacrifice" 

👶 The lightning-fast unmedicated birth that required her to literally trust God  completely 

🙏 Why her mom went from saying "you don't get a medal" to helping fund doula support

Scripture Shared: 

"I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship." – Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Mentioned in this episode: 

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library; Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more 

💕 Work with Me 1:1 – Virtual Doula Support & Christian Childbirth Education

📚 Childbirth Education Course – Learn the stages of labor, comfort measures, and labor positions

🤰 Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

✝️ Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear Katie's powerful testimony.

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 of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I'm walking you through everything you actually need to pack for your hospital stay—not too much, not too little, but just right for your comfort and your baby's first precious days.

If you're staring at your hospital bag wondering if you're doing this whole thing right, you're in exactly the right place. This isn't just another generic packing list—it's about preparing your heart and your bag so you can approach birth with confidence instead of anxiety.

Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, whether you're feeling overwhelmed by all the "must-have" lists online, or you simply want to feel prepared and peaceful—this episode will help you pack with intention and walk into your birth experience feeling ready.

In this episode, I share:

🎒 The comfort items that will actually make a difference in your recovery (not just what everyone says to bring)

🤱 Essential breastfeeding supplies and what you can skip to avoid overpacking

🍼 What to pack for baby—and why less is more

💤 Sleep and rest essentials that help you get actual rest in the hospital

🧴 Personal care items you'll actually use (including the one thing that saves labor breathing!)

👨 Your partner's packing list so he's comfortable during your potentially multi-day stay

⏰ When to start packing (hint: 34-36 weeks is the sweet spot)

✝️ Why this is about preparation, not perfection—and trusting God's plan for your birth

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ FREE Hospital Bag Packing Checklist inside the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library

💕 Work with Me 1:1 – Virtual Doula Support & Christian Childbirth Education

🥤LMNT Electrolytes – Clean electrolyte drink mix

🍫 RX Bars – Healthy, non-perishable snacks

👶 Velcro Swaddles – The kind we loved with our kids

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

If this episode helped you feel more prepared and confident, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mama who needs to hear this.
Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one well-packed hospital bag at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I'm joined by Jamie Ortiz, a pediatric sleep coach, military spouse, and mama of two who shares her powerful journey through pregnancy loss, high-risk births, and finding God's faithfulness in the midst of heartbreak.

Jamie's motherhood story began with devastating loss—giving birth prematurely to her baby at 22 weeks while her husband was deployed overseas. But even in that unimaginable grief, God was preparing her heart with Scripture and dreams, showing her His character before the storm hit. Her subsequent pregnancies brought month-long hospitalizations and emergency deliveries—none of which looked like the plan she had envisioned.

Through it all, Jamie discovered that God's sovereignty doesn't diminish in our suffering—it sustains us through it. Her story is a beautiful testament to trusting the Lord's plan even when it looks nothing like what we expected, and how He can use our deepest pain to serve others in their greatest need.

Whether you're walking through pregnancy loss, navigating high-risk pregnancies, or feeling overwhelmed by sleepless nights with your little one—this episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and a fresh reminder that God sees you in every season.

In this episode, Jamie shares: 

🕊️ How God prepared her heart for loss through Scripture and dreams during her first pregnancy 

💔 The raw reality of losing a baby at 22 weeks and grieving while trusting God's goodness 

🏥 Navigating subsequent high-risk pregnancies, hospitalizations, and deployments 

👶 Her journey from sleep-deprived mama to certified pediatric sleep consultant 

💤 Practical encouragement for nursing moms struggling with sleep associations 

✝️ Why introducing bottles early creates healthier family dynamics and stronger marriages 

🤱 The importance of considering your whole family—not just baby—in sleep decisions

Scripture Shared: 

"He is the Lord. Let him do what is good in his eyes." – 1 Samuel 3:18

Mentioned in this episode:

📸 Jamie's Instagram: @littleonessleepsociety

🌙 Pediatric sleep coaching for families with children up to age 6, including neurodivergent support: learn more at littleonessleepsociety.com

💖 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library; Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more 

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear Jamie's story of faith over fear.

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

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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I’m walking you through one of the most common questions expectant mamas ask: “Am I in labor?” Whether you’re experiencing your first round of practice contractions or wondering if this is finally the real deal, this episode will help you discern the signs with confidence and peace.

As you approach your due date, it’s natural to analyze every sensation and wonder if labor is beginning. But those Braxton Hicks contractions can be so convincing! After experiencing this uncertainty myself—I want to equip you with the knowledge and faith-filled perspective you need to navigate this waiting season.

Whether you’re a first-time mama feeling overwhelmed by all the “what ifs” or an experienced mom who needs a refresher on labor signs, this episode offers practical wisdom rooted in trusting God’s perfect timing for your birth story.

In this episode, I share:

🤔The difference between possible, preliminary, and positive signs of labor

🫖What to do (and what NOT to do) when you start experiencing these signs

🛁 Comfort measures and relaxation techniques to practice during early labor

📞 How to discern when it’s time to call your provider or head to your birthplace

✝️ Faith-filled encouragement for trusting your body and God’s timing

Scripture Shared:

“But I trust in you, Lord. I say, you are my God. My times are in your hands.” – Psalm 31:14-15

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ “Am I in Labor? Discerning the Signs” Free Handout – Grab this companion resource in the Christian Mama Birth Prep Library

🤰 LMNT Electrolytes – My favorite clean electrolyte supplement for pregnancy

📚 Childbirth Education Course – Learn comfort measures and labor techniques

💛 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey

🎴 NEW Christian Birth Affirmation Cards: You can now purchase them here

If this episode helped clarify the signs of labor for you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mama who might be wondering the same thing.

Let’s keep choosing faith over fear as we trust God’s timing for our babies’ arrivals. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned

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