Alisha joins me to share the stories of her two very different pregnancies and births, both shaped by high blood pressure and preeclampsia, but with incredibly different experiences along the way.

With her first baby, an unexpected preeclampsia diagnosis at nearly 38 weeks quickly turned into an induction, magnesium, Pitocin, an epidural that didn’t provide the relief she expected, concerns over her baby’s heart rate, and a moment when a Cesarean seemed imminent. Through it all, Alisha was supported by a birth team she trusted, and ultimately welcomed her daughter vaginally in just two pushes.

Her second pregnancy brought even more uncertainty. Gestational hypertension began early, medication doses continued to increase, hospital visits became routine, and Alisha was warned she might not make it to 37 weeks. But this birth unfolded very differently. After making it to nearly 38 weeks, she entered another induction with the hope of experiencing labor more fully this time.

Alisha shares how hypnobirthing, her doula, her husband, her faith, and learning to hold her birth preferences loosely helped her navigate a long induction, transition, an epidural she originally hoped to avoid, and ultimately a joyful, redemptive birth where her husband was even able to help catch their son.

We also talk about postpartum preeclampsia, listening to your body when something feels “off,” building a birth team you trust, releasing the pressure to have a perfectly unmedicated birth, and the surprising ways plans changing can still lead to a birth you feel deeply grateful for.

This episode is an especially meaningful listen for anyone navigating preeclampsia, a high-risk pregnancy, induction, or the emotions of preparing for birth after a difficult first experience.

After experiencing a miscarriage and a difficult fertility journey, Anastasia went on to welcome two babies through two very different—but equally powerful—unmedicated births.

In this episode, Anastasia shares how concerns about elevated blood pressure led to an induction with her first baby, why the Foley balloon became the hardest part of her labor, and the moment she discovered she had progressed from just a few centimeters to nearly complete. With a second wind and her husband by her side, she went on to have the unmedicated birth she had hoped for.

Her second birth unfolded much differently. After a membrane sweep, contractions intensified while she tucked her son into bed for what could be his final night as an only child. She arrived at the hospital already six to seven centimeters dilated and gave birth just two hours later in a calm, dimly lit room created by a midwife she had never met.

Anastasia also opens up about the difference a supportive provider, peaceful environment, involved partner, and postpartum village can make. And one especially incredible detail? Her husband caught both of their babies.

This story is a beautiful reminder that birth can be hard, powerful, peaceful, and positive—and that women are often far more capable than they have been led to believe.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and fertility challenges.

After experiencing a miscarriage at 13 weeks, Rachael entered her next pregnancy carrying both deep gratitude and understandable fear. When a subchorionic hematoma caused bleeding through the first half of her pregnancy, she found herself leaning heavily on her faith while taking each milestone one day at a time.

In this episode, Rachael shares how she prepared for an unmedicated hospital birth, labored peacefully at home, and continued through six intense hours at eight centimeters. She opens up about the moment she believed she could not continue, how her husband and doula helped her take labor one position and one contraction at a time, and the relief she found when it was finally time to push.

Rachael also shares the unexpected turn her birth took when her baby experienced a shoulder dystocia and needed to be transferred to another hospital for NICU care. Through exhaustion, uncertainty, and plans changing in an instant, her birth team and family helped make sure neither Rachael nor her baby was left without support.

This is a story about pregnancy after loss, discovering what your body is capable of, and finding strength even when birth does not unfold exactly as imagined.

After having a scheduled C-section with her first baby due to breech positioning, Sophie entered her second pregnancy determined to prepare differently and hopeful for a VBAC.

In this episode, Sophie shares the last-minute phone call that led her to hire Sarah as her doula, an unexpected case of E. coli on her due date, and the induction that followed at nearly 41 weeks. She walks us through using a Foley balloon and Pitocin, having her water broken, navigating increasingly intense contractions, and eventually choosing an epidural after initially hoping to labor without one.

Sophie’s story is a beautiful reminder that changing your mind does not mean abandoning your birth goals. With support, flexibility, plenty of laughter, and a room filled with joy, she went on to have the vaginal birth she had hoped for and welcomed her daughter, Olivia, into her arms.

This conversation is honest, encouraging, and wonderfully unfiltered, with a few hilarious birth-room moments sprinkled in along the way.

In this episode, Sarah sits down with her dear friend Taylor, a mental health therapist, EMDR-trained trauma therapist, and former psychiatric nurse, for an honest conversation about the emotional side of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Taylor explains how trauma can live in both the mind and body, why logic alone cannot quiet anxiety, and how women can begin reconnecting with themselves after a difficult or traumatic birth. Together, they discuss postpartum depression and anxiety, preparing emotionally for a future birth, building a safe and supportive birth team, and the importance of having people who are willing to sit with you instead of rushing to fix what you are feeling.

They also explore the role faith can play in healing and why seeking help is not a sign of weakness or a lack of trust in God.

This episode is a reminder to listen to your body, give yourself permission to feel without judgment, and surround yourself with people who make you feel safe enough to simply be.

Content note: This episode includes conversations about traumatic birth, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. Please listen with care and pause if you need to.

Jackie entered birth prepared with a three-page birth plan, a hospital room full of comforts, and a clear vision for how she hoped her experience would unfold. But after 54 hours of labor, she discovered that strength did not always look like sticking to the original plan. Sometimes, it looked like releasing expectations, accepting support, and trusting herself enough to choose something different.

In this candid, faith-filled, and completely unfiltered episode, Jackie shares what it was like to labor peacefully at home, navigate a long hospital birth, receive an epidural after nearly two days without pain medication, and experience the emotional moment she realized that changing her plan did not make her any less powerful.

We talk about preparing for birth without becoming attached to perfection, the difference the right support can make, allowing yourself to be cared for, trusting God in the unknown, and why a positive birth experience is not defined by whether everything went according to plan.

There are also plenty of laughs involving muumuus, an impressively detailed birth plan, hospital-room essentials, warm washcloth negotiations, and one unforgettable mating call.

Jackie’s story is a reminder that you can advocate for what you want, remain open when circumstances change, and still walk away feeling proud, supported, and deeply connected to your birth.

In this episode of Tell Me Your Birth Story, Sarah sits down with Gabriella to hear the story of her intentional, intuitive, and deeply empowering birth center water birth.

Gabriella shares how she prepared her body before pregnancy, chose a midwifery model of care, and made thoughtful decisions throughout pregnancy that helped her feel connected to her body and confident in her birth. From early contractions at church and Whole Foods to laboring on hands and knees, using water for comfort, and leaning on her husband for steady support, Gabriella’s story is a beautiful reminder of what can unfold when a woman feels informed, supported, and free to listen to her body.

She also opens up about the golden hour, delayed cord clamping, meeting her baby boy for the first time, and the unexpected challenges of breastfeeding in the early postpartum days.

This episode is full of birth wisdom, practical encouragement, and the kind of story that reminds you just how capable you really are.

https://www.westonaprice.org/#gsc.tab=0

https://www.instagram.com/westonaprice/?hl=en

https://painfreebirth.com/

https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/@glowbodypt

https://www.glowbodypt.com/

https://www.glowbodypt.com/prenatalworkouts

https://www.instagram.com/glowbodypt/

In this episode of Tell Me Your Birth Story, I’m sitting down with Dr. Jordan Dieterle from Pinnacle Chiropractic for a conversation filled with birth stories, body wisdom, and practical insight into prenatal chiropractic care.

Dr. Jordan shares her two positive birth stories: one at a birth center and one at home. She also talks about how her knowledge as a chiropractor, her intentional preparation, and her understanding of the body helped shape the way she moved through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, even while navigating a rare pelvic injury.

We talk about what it means to be Webster certified, how chiropractic care can support women throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and why pairing chiropractic care with supplements, bodywork, movement, and other forms of self-care can make such a difference in how women feel.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that preparing for birth is not just about a birth plan. It’s also about supporting your body, trusting your intuition, gathering the right team, and doing what you can to feel steady, informed, and cared for along the way.

Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: @yourdoulasarah
Website: yourdoulasarah.com

Connect with Dr. Jordan:
Pinnacle Chiropractic
https://www.pinnaclebradenton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/pinnaclechiropracticsarasota/

In this episode of Tell Me Your Birth Story, I’m sitting down with Taylor Hartman as she shares her positive hospital birth story and the surrender that came with plans changing along the way.

Taylor originally hoped to give birth without an epidural, but after experiencing PROM, Pitocin, and a labor that asked her body for more rest, her doula gently encouraged her to consider an epidural. Even though it wasn’t part of her original plan, Taylor shares how that decision allowed her body to rest, progress, and move through birth in a way that ultimately felt empowering.

We talk about the beauty of informed support, the strength it takes to release control, and how positive birth doesn’t always mean sticking to the plan. Sometimes it looks like trusting your body, trusting your support team, and surrendering to the process in front of you.

And because birth is sacred but also very real, we also laugh about how some labor positions can look a little suspicious out of context.

This episode is a reminder that your birth plan can change and your birth can still be powerful, positive, and deeply meaningful.

Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: @yourdoulasarah
Website: yourdoulasarah.com

In this episode of Tell Me Your Birth Story, I’m sitting down with my friend Tasha as she shares two of her positive birth stories.

Tasha walks us through her second birth, a peaceful home birth experience, and then shares how her third birth began as a planned home birth but shifted into a planned hospital birth. Throughout her stories, she shares what it looked like to stay flexible, trust the Lord, and hold her plans with open hands while still feeling grounded, supported, and confident.

She also talks about experiencing a postpartum hemorrhage and how, even with an unexpected moment, her birth story remained positive, meaningful, and covered in peace.

This episode is such a beautiful reminder that positive birth doesn’t always mean everything goes exactly according to plan. Sometimes it looks like preparation, surrender, wise decisions, support, and trusting God in the pivot.

Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: @yourdoulasarah
Website: yourdoulasarah.com