Faithful Labor | Natural Birth, Pregnancy, Holistic, VBAC, Unmedicated

Y'all you are IN for a treat with today's interview. I'm telling ya, you do not want to miss the encouragement & wisdom laced throughout this episode!

Today you'll hear as my sweet friend Olivia (from @thenotsoangrymom over on Instagram) shares her powerful journey through motherhood—from navigating very different birth experiences, walking through postpartum struggles & experiencing God's redeeming work in healing her burn-out induced mom anger.

While none of her four births were unmedicated, her story is deeply rooted in God's faithfulness and the way He brings beauty from ashes.

This episode is a must-listen for any mom who finds herself in the trenches, wrestling with unmet expectations, anger, or the weight of motherhood.

Olivia’s honest reflections and hope-filled encouragement will remind you that God redeems, restores, and walks with us every step of the way.

Motherhood can be busy but doesn’t have to feel unbearable

How age gaps between children can be a beautiful blessing

Why birth plans are helpful—but flexibility is essential

How suffering can lead to healing and spiritual growth

The power of lament and speaking the hard things

The importance of surrounding yourself with a Christ-centered community

What it looks like to surrender anger, disappointment, and struggle to God

How God can transform “a nightmare” into something beyond a dream beautiful 

Psalm 126:5-6 – "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."

"It's not hard, it's busy."

"Suffering is never wasted."

"Speak the ugly."

00:00 – Introduction and Background

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Follow on Instagram: @faithful.labor

Follow Olivia (NO SERIOUSLY DO IT!) on Instagram: @thenotsoangrymom

May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly this week, sisters! 

Keep seeking, following & surrendering to the Lord in ALL that lies ahead of you!

And continue laboring faithfully with the One who is forever faithful! 

Blessings, 

Audrey 

In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Hunter, to talk about his journey from being a passive observer to an active, faith-filled support partner in our birth experiences. Together, we share how his understanding of natural birth has evolved over the years, the ways he grew through education and experience, and why it’s so important for fathers to step into their God-given role in the birth space.

From our early hospital births to our redemptive home births, Hunter opens up about how he came to trust God's design for birth, how doulas and preparation changed his confidence, and what it really means for a husband to support his wife in labor—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Whether you're a dad wondering where you fit into this process or a mama hoping your husband will be more engaged, this conversation is full of encouragement, real talk, and Christ-centered wisdom.

What You’ll Learn:

How Hunter’s role shifted between our first births and our later home births.

Why education is powerful for dads, too.

How husbands can be true team players in the labor room.

Why doulas don’t replace husbands—but can help empower them.

What it looks like to trust God through birth decisions together.

The importance of not making birth choices out of fear.

Free Resource:

Enjoy today’s episode?

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Blessings,

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the top three things that seem to come up all the time when I chat with curious moms about natural birth. Whether you’re just starting to consider a natural birth or you’re already on board and looking for encouragement, I hope you enjoy these little must-know tidbits that I just can’t help but talk about!

I'll cover:

Why your body is designed for birth—and how understanding that truth can change everything.

The importance of preparation—why birth is a marathon, not a sprint, and how training for it makes all the difference.

How stress impacts labor—and I'll give an example to help emphasize the importance of creating a peaceful, faith-filled environment for your birth.

I’ll share what these truths have meant to me, how they’ve transformed my own birth experiences, and how you can confidently embrace God’s design for your body. Pray you leave encouraged, empowered, and ready to lean into God’s faithfulness as you prepare for the beautiful work of birth.

Mentions:

Free Resource: Scripture-Based Birth Cards to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus during pregnancy and labor.

Newsletter Sign-Up: https://faithfullabor.myflodesk.com/faithful

Enjoy today’s episode? The best way to let me know is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one & they seriously mean the world to me!) & by sharing this episode with a friend who could use some encouragement today. 🎧 Apple Podcasts

For resources, future community updates, or birth encouragement, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and although I am mostly taking a step back from social media, you CAN also follow along on Instagram!

Want to connect with me directly? Please do! 📧 Email me at: [email protected]

Until next time, keep laboring faithfully with & for the One who is Forever Faithful!

Blessings,

Audrey

If you’re hoping for an unmedicated birth and want to avoid an epidural, this episode is for you! Whether you’re newly pregnant, preparing for your first natural birth, or looking for a different experience after a medicated birth, I’m walking you through five essential steps to help you labor naturally with confidence as you forgo using the most common labor intervention in the 21st century. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

💛 You were created for this, mama! 

📖 Books & Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Want more Christ-centered birth encouragement?

🎙️ Did you love this episode?

Until next time, keep trusting, keep seeking His will, and keep laboring faithfully with God & for His glory! 💛

If you’re hoping for an unmedicated birth and want to avoid an epidural, this episode is for you! Whether you’re newly pregnant, preparing for your first natural birth, or looking for a different experience after a medicated birth, I’m walking you through five essential steps to help you labor naturally with confidence as you forgo using the most common labor intervention in the 21st century. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

💛 You were created for this, mama! 

📖 Books & Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Want more Christ-centered birth encouragement?

🎙️ Did you love this episode?

Until next time, keep trusting, keep seeking His will, and keep laboring faithfully with God & for His glory! 💛

Have you ever felt a wave of fear or anxiety hit you after seeing those two pink lines? The reality of living in a changing body, the possibility of sickness, the timing of adding to your family wasn't what you had planned... Maybe you’re further along in your pregnancy, and doubt is creeping in about how you’ll manage another little one or even just handle one baby if this will be your first...

Hey. I see you, friend.

And so does our gracious, Heavenly Father -- and today, I want to bring you three truth-filled reminders to anchor your heart back where it belongs—on the Lord, His Word & the steady hope we have in Him through His perfect love & unwavering care for us. 

In this episode, you'll hear me talk about:

📖 Scriptures Referenced:

Mama, you are not alone in this. Your Father sees you, knows you, and will provide for you. Take a deep breath, grab a journal, and let’s press into His truth together today.

📩Want to connect with me - Please do!:

💻 Website: *coming soon!*

📸 Instagram: @faithful.labor

📧 Email: [email protected]

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: Natural Birth Prep for Kinda Crunchy, Christian Moms

Other links:

👉 If this episode blessed you, would you take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps more mamas like you find encouragement!

💛 With you in this Faithful Labor,

Audrey

In today’s episode, we’re diving into faith, fertility, and holistic health—particularly when it comes to conceiving after vasectomy reversal, pregnancy after 40, & caring for the bodies God has given us in a holistically mindful way. 

My guest, Susan Gladstein, is a holistic fertility practitioner, health coach, and mom of seven. After being faced with the challenges that come with trying to conceive following a vasectomy reversal, she became passionate about helping other mothers and couples couples navigate the journey to pregnancy with hope, faith, and holistic wellness.

Susan’s testimony includes having a miracle baby at 40, experiencing a miscarriage, and now being pregnant again at 44—all while leaning into God’s faithfulness & prioritizing her health.

She shares her wisdom on why medical labels like “geriatric pregnancy” shouldn’t define your journey, how faith sustains you through fertility struggles, and why your health choices today impact generations to come.

So whether you’re trying to conceive, preparing for birth, or needing encouragement as a mother, this episode will give you faith-filled wisdom and holistic health insights to trust God’s plan for your fertility and pregnancy journey.

The best way to let me know is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one & they truly bless my heart!) & by sharing this episode with a fellow mama who needs encouragement today.

🎧 Apple Podcasts

***COMING NEXT WEEK***

If you’re looking for more resources, future community updates, or birth encouragement, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and following along on Instagram.

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Blessings,

Time Stamps: 

00:00 Introduction to a Unique Mission

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the often-overlooked impact of epidurals on our precious babies.

While many women are aware of how epidurals affect mom, the effects on baby are often swept under the rug.

So whether you’re considering an epidural OR have already made the decision to avoid it & need some extra motivation to stay the course, this episode will give you 4 compelling reasons to pause and reflect on your choices surrounding this extremely common intervention. 

This episode is all about providing you with the education and empowerment to make a fully informed decision (no shame and guilt allowed <3 ) —so that you can trust God’s design for your birth and your baby’s health.

What You’ll Learn:

Mentions:

The best way to let me know is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one & they truly bless my heart!) & by sharing this episode with a fellow mama who needs this encouragement today.

 Apple Podcasts

Join Our Community:

Email me at: [email protected]

Blessings,

Sources: 

Study: "The Effect of Epidural Analgesia on Onset of Lactation" (Journal of Pediatrics, 2006)

Study: "Epidural Anesthesia and Its Effects on Neonates" (Breastfeeding Medicine, 2012)

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3481815/

Study: "Association of Epidural Analgesia With Cesarean Delivery in Nulliparous Women" (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014)

Study: "Fetal Heart Rate Changes After Epidural Analgesia" (Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 2009)

Study: "Mode of Delivery and Its Impact on the Infant Gut Microbiota" (Nature Communications, 2019)

Study: "Impact of Intrapartum Antibiotics on Neonatal Gut Microbiota" (Journal of Pediatrics, 2018)

Study: "Maternal-Fetal Neuroendocrine Signaling in Labor" (Physiology & Behavior, 2015)

Study: "The Role of Beta-Endorphins in Natural Labor" (Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2020)

Have you ever felt like birth was something to endure rather than embrace? Or maybe fear of the unknown made you outsource every decision to the “experts” without considering what aligns with God’s design?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Aly McClain(host of the Peaceful Homebirth Podcast), a registered nurse whose own journey through birth trauma led her to unlearn mainstream narratives, question the fear-based approach to birth, and rediscover the beauty of God's design. She shares how she moved from total fear and avoidance to confidently choosing home birth, and how this process deepened her faith and understanding of God’s heart for birth and motherhood.

• How birth trauma led Aly to re-evaluate the medical model of birth

The best way to let me know is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one & they truly bless my heart!) and by sharing this episode with a fellow mama who needs this encouragement today.

Email me at: [email protected]

Blessings,

But I thought you were "kinda crunchy"? Why are you talking about ePiDurAls?

Well. Here's the thing, epidurals are THE most common childbirth intervention in the western maternity model of care and, just as with EVERYTHING else related to birth, I believe that being informed and educated about ALL your options (including this one) is extremely important. 

We need to know what we are saying "no" to AND what we are saying "yes" to when we decline or accept any interventions during labor. And I hope this little mini-series on epidurals equips you to be able to do just that! 

Some things you'll hear me cover in today's episode:

Mentions:

Enjoy today's episode? 

***The best way to let me know you did is by leaving me a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one of them & they are truly such a blessing to my heart) & by sharing it with a fellow mama who could be helped or encouraged through tuning in to today's episode too! ***

Want to connect with me directly? Please do! 

Email me at: [email protected]

Blessings, 

Audrey

Resources:

1. History of Epidurals:

   - [National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): History of Epidural Techniques](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)  

2. Administration of Epidurals:

   - [Mayo Clinic: Epidural Procedures During Childbirth](https://www.mayoclinic.org)  

   - [Evidence-Based Birth: Epidurals](https://evidencebasedbirth.com)  

3. Drugs Used in Epidurals:

   - [Healthline: Understanding Epidural Medications](https://www.healthline.com)  

   - [Cochrane Library: Opioid Use in Labor](https://www.cochranelibrary.com)  

4. Financial Costs of Epidurals: 

   - [Parents.com: The Cost of Epidurals in Childbirth](https://www.parents.com)  

   - [Consumer Reports: Hospital Costs for Epidural Services](https://www.consumerreports.org)  

5. Luxury Epidural Options:

   - [Evidence-Based Birth: Innovations in Pain Management](https://evidencebasedbirth.com)  

 Time Stamps

(0:00) Introduction to the Epidural Mini Series

 epidural, childbirth, birth stories, anesthesia, labor pain, maternal health, epidural history, birth experience, pain management, healthcare costs