Pain Free Birth

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 birth
• Why one intervention dramatically changed the course of her otherwise peaceful first birth
• How prodromal labor during her second pregnancy deepened her trust in her body and God
• How discovering Supernatural Childbirth transformed the way Lauren prepared for her third birth
• What happened when Lauren arrived at the hospital 7 centimeters dilated and couldn’t feel her contractions
• How she recognized intrusive thoughts during labor and redirected her attention back to God
• Why listening for God’s voice became central to her pain-free birth experience
• How Lauren’s third baby was born in only two pushes, and the powerful response from her husband
• How her fourth birth became another peaceful, supernatural pain-free birth, this time at home
• How giving birth to her daughter became an unexpected part of Lauren’s healing from sexual trauma

Supernatural 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

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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-section
• Why learning she had reached 10 centimeters during her first labor mattered when preparing for her VBAC
• How Stephanie processed the emotional impact of her cesarean
• The fears she faced while preparing to give birth after a C-section
• Why surrendering the outcome to God became a turning point in her pregnancy
• How she approached informed consent and hospital VBAC protocols differently the second time
• Why communicating clear preferences with your birth team matters
• How Stephanie prepared to advocate for herself during labor
• Why she didn’t realize how far into labor she actually was
• The moment a shower turned into an unexpected home birth
• What it felt like when her body pushed her baby out without conscious effort
• Why Stephanie experienced intense pressure, but no ring of fire
• How understanding birth physiology helped her stay grounded as her baby was born
• The dramatic difference between her cesarean recovery and natural postpartum recovery
• Stephanie’s encouragement for women hoping for a redemptive birth after a difficult or traumatic experience

Connect 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 twins
• Why losing the option of another home birth required a real grieving process
• How she navigated hospital policies while still pursuing a physiological twin birth
• The one-page birth plan that helped her clearly communicate her values and informed decisions
• How reading her birth plan aloud helped Siera find her voice and advocate with confidence
• Why she chose to decline the operating room unless a C-section became medically necessary
• How prayer and birth affirmations helped her move from fear into trust and surrender
• What happened when she arrived at the hospital at 39 weeks and 1 day with twins
• How her body became so relaxed during transition that her midwife thought she was sleeping
• The unexpected complication with Baby B, including a nuchal cord wrapped five times, and how Siera adapted without losing her sense of empowerment

Pain 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 support
• What happened when her epidural completely failed during her second birth
• Why interviewing your provider and choosing an aligned birth team matters
• How Jamie went from being afraid of home birth to choosing it for her third baby
• The simple words from her midwife that changed the entire direction of her labor
• How her joyful, redemptive home birth transformed her confidence, motherhood, and faith
• Why Jamie believes our hardest birth experiences can ultimately prepare us to help others
• How her own birth journey led her to answer the calling to become a doula
• How Jamie booked four births within her first two months as a new doula
• Her 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 recovery

Beautiful 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 followed
• The difference birth education made in how she experienced contractions
• What five weeks of prodromal labor looked like for her
• Why being 41 weeks and 6 days challenged her desire for control
• The prayer under the stars that completely shifted her mindset
• How addressing emotional tension helped her feel safe enough to surrender
• Why her contractions progressed without feeling painful
• How cuddling her son helped her relax enough to fall asleep during labor
• Why Annelisa believes she may have slept through transition
• What happened when her husband could not get the birth pool filled
• The moment her body entered the fetal ejection reflex
• How she watched her baby crown and emerge using a mirror in the shower
• What happened when her baby was born with the cord around her neck
• How the experience transformed her husband’s view of physiological birth
• Why preparation and surrender are not opposites
• What 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 birth
• Why hospital water birth policies led her to consider home birth
• The simple explanation of uterine contractions that removed her fear
• How positive birth stories and physiological birth education shaped her mindset
• What Abby did during early and active labor with her first baby
• How she remained calm when her midwives did not arrive in time
• What it felt like to catch her own baby in the birth tub
• Why she describes her first birth as peaceful, natural, and pain-free
• How relaxed, physiological pushing affected her postpartum recovery
• Why her second birth felt emotionally intense without being physically painful
• How breathwork and prenatal yoga helped her release tension
• What the fetal ejection reflex felt like during her second birth
• Why Abby believes women should protect their minds from fear-based birth stories
• How her birth experiences inspired her to become a doula
• The incredible story of catching her first baby while serving as a doula
• How Abby’s experiences confirmed her future calling toward midwifery

Connect 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 birth
• Why birth pain is not always inevitable
• The connection between fear, tension, stress hormones, and labor pain
• How oxytocin and endorphins support the body during childbirth
• What Scripture may actually communicate about pain and sorrow in childbirth
• Why birth is not a random event that simply happens to you
• How to balance personal responsibility with surrender during labor
• What a redemptive birth can look like after stillbirth or pregnancy loss
• Why women cannot always “logic” their way out of fear after trauma
• How gratitude can help shift the nervous system during contractions
• Why the internal environment can override a difficult hospital environment
• How to prepare for a natural, physiological birth in a hospital
• The importance of choosing a trauma-informed provider, doula, or midwife
• Why honest communication can help release tension and support labor progress
• How practicing discomfort can teach the brain to respond differently to pain
• Practical ways to move from fear and resistance into trust and partnership with your body

CONNECT 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...