Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ 

Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist 

Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast!

In this episode we’re meeting one of my personal doula clients Sondra Almeiter - I’ve been hounding her to come on the show for a YEAR and she finally did. I’m so excited to share her amazing birthing stories, including a breech vbac birth. We explored Sondra’s transformative journey into motherhood, starting with her first birth's challenges and the vital role of a doula. From informed consent to the "birth high," and even an unexpected home birth, we celebrated every birth's uniqueness and the miracle of unmedicated experiences.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Sondra's Unique Journey

06:02 First Birth Experience: Challenges and Triumphs

12:02 Finding Support: The Role of a Doula

18:00 The Importance of Informed Consent

23:57 Labor and Delivery: Overcoming Obstacles

29:43 The Importance of Support in Labor

35:51 The Role of the Doula

45:41 The Birth High and Aftermath

52:30 Witnessing Miracles: The Impact of Unmedicated Births

01:01:18 The Unexpected Home Birth Experience

01:06:36 Celebrating the Journey: Every Birth is Unique

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

 Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist 

Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast!

In this episode we’re meeting two doulas, Jessica Grant and Kallie Caton, the founders of the “Birth Belongs to Women” movement. We discuss why birth does, indeed, belong to women, and how the medical system and current social/political movements are unfairly marginalizing women and doulas who believe birth belongs to women. We discuss many of the contemporary debates around being a doula and how Mamas like you can best prepare to work with doulas in today’s climate.

CHAPTERS

00:38 - The origin story of the Birth Belongs to Women movement, and the state of the Doula and medical birthing industries

07:26 - How birth should be (and why the birthing industry system is rigged)

13:13 - Why the phrase “birth belongs to women” is so resonant for some and polarizing to others in today’s social climate

15:37 - “Inclusivity” in birthing

17:33 - Birth Belongs to Women is not anti-trans at all, it is pro-women. Karen’s thoughts on forced gender-inclusive language.

22:53 - Doulas should stay true to themselves regardless of social or political pressure

25:50 - Many women have felt silenced or unable to speak their mind

27:36 - Restoring the sacredness to the experience and tradition of birthing

32:48 - Doula v Birth Worker and how centralized certification regimes effect the Doula tradition

36:53 - Is it possible for doulas to do good work within the hospital system?

38:51 - The doula is not the “rescuer” - and avoiding unfair dynamics between mothers and doulas

40:29 - What women getting pregnant now most need to understand

42:07 - Advice for women who want a doula but still need to give birth in a hospital

46:25 - Doula burnout and creating sustainable work for birthing professionals without “turning it into a business”

53:00 - The true calling and passion of Doulas to serve mothers

55:05 - The “scope” of a doula’s work, and allowing the mother to have room for her own spiritual journey

56:25 - Healthy boundaries in doula work and why clients sometimes need to be turned down

1:00:10 - The future of the doula space

1:05:45 - Why there’s so much fear and dogma in the medical birthing system

CONNECT WITH BIRTH BELONGS TO WOMEN:

Connect with Kallie here: instagram.com/kalliecaton

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/

Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731

Website - https://painfreebirth.com/

Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Learn more about Birth Belongs to Women → https://www.birthbelongstowomen.com/

In this episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Lizzie Kieffer as she shares her personal birth experiences and professional insights. From her hospital birth to her empowering home birth, Lizzie opens up about the lessons learned along the way. Tune in as we dive into why relying solely on kegels might not be the best approach for birth and postpartum recovery, how diaphragmatic breathing helps relax the pelvic floor, and explore practical tips for avoiding severe diastasis recti. Plus, learn how to surrender to the natural timing of labor rather than trying to control it.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT DR. LIZZIE KIEFFER:

Lizzie is a doctor of physical therapy, a mom of two, and a strong advocate for movement as medicine. After earning her doctorate in 2018, she began her career in a traditional clinic but soon realized her passion lay in helping women navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic floor health. Motivated by the lack of specialized information in these areas, she opened her own practice and developed the Mind Body Core programs to empower and educate women worldwide. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys pickleball, hiking, and spending time with her daughters, Mia and Lily, her husband Matt, and their dog Snickers. A lifelong learner, she is dedicated to helping women feel confident, understood, and supported as they embrace the changes of womanhood and motherhood.

Instagram: @doclizziedpt

PRENATAL: Mind Body Core Prenatal Program — Use code: PAINFREEBIRTH for $15 off

POSTPARTUM: Mind Body Core Postpartum Program — Use code: PAINFREEBIRTH for $15 off

Christian Hypnobirthing App — Get one month FREE with the purchase of the Faith-Filled Childbirth E-Course

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

Grab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you.

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While Tara was blacking out from pain, losing hope, and believing she didn't have enough faith for a pain free pregnancy, she experienced a deeply spiritual experience that led her to creating the first of its kind, her own app, for Christian Hypnobirthing. Tune in to find out how drastically different Tara's births were with and without the power of hypnobirthing, how our thoughts and emotions can imprint on our babies brains, and how you can use hypnobirthing beyond labor!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT TARA MENZIES:

Tara Menzies is the creator of the Christian Hypnobirthing app and the Faith-Filled Childbirth Course. She created the app in early 2018 after the birth of her first son, because she wanted to combine traditional hypnobirthing techniques (breathing and visualisation exercises, positive affirmations etc) with the incredible love, strength and support that come from our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, to help expecting mamas feel confident relaxed and connected to God throughout their births. The Christian Hypnobirthing app has since become one of the most highly rated hypnobirthing apps worldwide, and has helped tens of thousands of women have more relaxed, confident and faith-filled birth experiences.

Instagram: @christianhypnobirthing

Christian Hypnobirthing Website

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

Grab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you.

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Facebook

YouTube

Jessie thought she was prepared to have a smooth, natural, and pain free birth until... The hospital kept interrupting the labor room, asking for continuous monitoring, and made the birth experience something Jessie never wanted to relive again. When she got pregnant with her second child, Ava, she knew things would be different. She and her husband weren't 100% sold on having a home birth, but that's why we have peace that God's plan is greater. Tune in to hear all about Jessie's redemptive and unplanned home birth.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT JESSIE RITTER:

Mom of two, wife, and musician living in the Florida Panhandle. Jessie had a difficult first birth in the hospital, and an absolutely blissful second time unplanned home birth.

Instagram: @jessie.l.ritter

TikTok: @jessieritter

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

Grab Karen's Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE. This course is for any woman experiencing trauma in the body. If you're ready to release it, this course is for you.

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Right after high school, Brandyn witnessed a dear friend having excruciating menstrual cycles. After being prayed over by a team member in ministry school, her friend no longer experienced pain during her cycles! This was when Brandyn's eyes were open to the possibility that we don't have to experience pain and birth can be amazing. This was a very special episode to chat about as Karen and Brandyn shared so many similarities between their births.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT BRANDYN GIPE:

Wife to Steven, mom to Quinn, dog mom of 3, and currently serving as the communications director at New Day for Children (a faith-based non-profit that supports kids recovered from trafficking in America) in the Shasta County, CA and the surrounding area. Brandyn loves Jesus, fun, adventure and exploring the world. Steven and Brandyn dream of one day starting a home for minor boys recovered from trafficking here in the USA.

Instagram: @brandynpruettgipe

Website

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

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Facebook

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In this episode, Gina Conley shares how impactful movement could be supportive for a strong and pain free pregnancy as an industry-leading perinatal fitness provider. What if the answer to a pain free pregnancy and birth was simply understanding the difference in mobility throughout our pregnancies and how we can support our body by moving optimally. I'm sure you've heard of kegels... think of that as step one. Kegels should not be your only form of movement to prepare for birth. Find out what Gina recommends you do in today's episode!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT GINA CONLEY:

Gina Conley is the founder of MamasteFit—a perinatal fitness training facility located in North Carolina. MamasteFit offers in-person and online pre/postnatal fitness training programs. Gina has her masters in exercise science and is a seasoned birth doula. She combines her expertise as both a perinatal fitness trainer and birth professional to provide full spectrum support from conception, birth, and recovery in the postpartum. Gina is the author of Training for Two, a book that explains how to use prenatal fitness to support a strong and pain free pregnancy, as you prepare for birth.

Instagram: @mamastefit

The MamasteFit Podcast

Website

PROGRAM: 40-Week Prenatal Fitness Program

PROGRAM: 40-Week Mini Prenatal Fitness Program

💳📕 PREORDER: Training for Two: Safe & Smart Prenatal Exercises for a Smoother Pregnancy, Easier Birth, and Healthier

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

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In this episode, Emma shares her amazingly unexpected, yet so magical precipitous twin birth. Fascinated by birth by baby number two, Emma had done a lot of research and precipitous births had never stood out to her... that was until the twins came along. Her instincts were on fire. From the midwife being minutes away, husband nearly passing out, and babies coming quick enough she almost forgot to undress?! This birth story is one to remember.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT EMMA BRAKE:

Emma is a young wife and mother of five. She grew up a missionary kid, marrying her high school sweetheart, a handsome Marine, at 18, and in the following seven years, five sweet little wildlings joined their family! Their youngest three were born at home, including most recently her twins, a precipitous, accidentally unassisted homebirth. It was all rather exciting and very, very messy! These days she's blessed to spend her days at home wrestling what feels like 764 toddlers, telling her husband not to buy it at the store because she can make it at home, and fumbling her way through homesteading, endless home projects, and raising five free range kiddos to love Jesus.

Instagram: @thisredeemedmama

Facebook

Website

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

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Facebook

YouTube

In this episode, Whitney Baggett shares how about becoming a first-time mom, trusting your intuition, and the challenges of falling out of your mental zone in the hospital. As a new mom, Whitney questioned whether she was really in labor or if she was just having contractions. Tune in to hear the interesting story and timeline Whitney gave from the moment she experienced this "back cramping" to the minute she was wheeled into the hospital with shocking news!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

MORE ABOUT WHITNEY BAGGETT:

Whitney is a singer & songwriter and CEO of VOW Creative, a video production and social media marketing company. Whitney also runs an inspirational blog called, Vehicle of Wisdom, where she writes about deepening faith and offers bits of wisdom she’s learned along the way.

Instagram: @whitneyvowcreative & @vowtobecreative

Facebook

Twitter

Website

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!

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Facebook

YouTube

**Hey mamas, this episode was recorded with different equipment so please don’t mind the audio, we understand it can be frustrating, but we’ll be back to normal quality next week**

This episode is quite different as Karen is actually the one being interviewed by the host of the Holy Confident Birth Podcast, Eve O'Brien. Check out the Holy Confident Birth Instagram here.

We hope you enjoy this perspective shift as Karen shares her journey with her own pain free births, how she got into this industry, and how she changed the course of her first birth from painful to pain free in the span of just one contraction! In this episode, Karen describes how a pain free birth doesn’t mean you don’t experience hurt or intensity rather you get to enjoy your birth and feel full feelings of ecstasy as Karen has with her own three births.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

FREE MASTERCLASS {FOR A LIMITED TIME}: Unlocking A Pain Free Birth Masterclass

In this masterclass, with over 10 years of experience supporting women as a doula and childbirth educator, Karen is sharing her best secrets and techniques to help you experience a pain-free, joyful birth. Learn practical ways you can partner with your body to overcome pain and step into an ecstatic, transformational birth. You do not want to miss this powerful masterclass - currently FREE for a limited time.