Connect with Brielle:

• Instagram (personal): @bella_bianco
• Doula services: @bianco_doula_service
• Location: Amarillo, Texas (available for doula support)

Today we sit down with Brielle to hear the powerful contrast between her two birth experiences—and how radically different outcomes can be when a woman is truly supported and respected during the birth process.

Brielle opens up about becoming a young mother at 18 and enduring a long hospital birth where her voice was dismissed and her intuition ignored. What should have been a sacred and transformative experience became one marked by exhaustion and unnecessary intervention. One of the most significant moments she shares is the forceful removal of her placenta by her OB—before it was ready—which ultimately impacted her postpartum experience.

But her story doesn’t end there.

With her second baby, Brielle chose a completely different path—one rooted in preparation and trust in physiological birth. She experienced a calm, hypnotic 6-hour home birth that unfolded beautifully and undisturbed with deep trust in God. Her placenta was born intact, healthy, and whole—a redemptive moment that symbolized just how capable her body truly was.

In our conversation, we explore:

• The profound impact of birth environment on the body’s ability to labor naturally
• How being heard and respected changes everything in birth
• The importance of intentional preparation, including nutrient-dense foods like beef organs and consistent movement throughout pregnancy
• How Brielle approached topics like GBS by becoming informed and making decisions based on real data—not fear
• The emotional and physical healing that can come through a redemptive birth experience

Brielle’s story is a testament to the body’s design and a reminder that with the right support, education, and environment, birth can be calm, powerful, and peaceful.

Chapters

• 00:00 First Birth Experience
• 16:38 Brielle's Redemptive Home Birth
• 43:31 Closing Encouragement

Today we hear from Alex, a mother of two, as she shares her journey from a challenging first birth to a deeply redemptive second experience. Alex opens up about her initial plan for a peaceful birth center birth that ultimately led to a hospital transfer and a cascade of interventions—an experience that left her feeling disconnected from the birth she had envisioned.

Determined to do things differently, Alex approached her second birth with a renewed sense of trust in her body. She went on to have the healing, water birth she had always hoped for at the birth center—an experience that restored her confidence and reshaped her understanding of what birth can be.

Together, Sarah and Alex dive into meaningful conversations around navigating early labor when waters break first, protecting the sacred “golden hour” after birth, and how an undisturbed hormonal blueprint supports successful breastfeeding. They also explore the cultural fear surrounding blood in birth and how reframing it can shift the entire experience.

This episode is a reminder that while birth may not always go as planned, it is never too late for redemption—and that trusting your body can change everything.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your qualified healthcare team regarding your individual circumstances and any questions you may have about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:29 First Birth Story (Hospital Transfer)
• 23:51 Alex's Redemptive Birth Story at the Birth Center
• 38:45 Closing Wisdom
• 31:07 Birth Experience

In this episode, we hear from Kristen Nagle—a former NICU nurse turned birth advocate and founder of the Reclaiming Birth Conference.

Kristen shares her powerful journey from working within the conventional medical system to choosing an autonomous home birth for her third baby after two epidural hospital births. She reflects on how her perspective on birth evolved over time and what ultimately led her to trust the physiological process of birth.

Kristen also opens up about the role of community, faith, and gathering with wise women in preparing for birth and navigating loss. Through her story, she highlights the importance of reclaiming birth as a natural, transformative experience and the profound impact a supportive birth environment can have on a woman’s journey.

Follow Kristen on Instagram:

@kristen_nagle
@reclaimingbirthgathering

You're invited to the Reclaiming Birth Gathering happening in Montreal on April 12, 2026.

Learn more and reserve your seat:
https://www.reclaimingbirthmontreal.com/

Interested in the Reclaiming Birth Gathering happening in London, Ontario in October 2026?

Find more details here:
https://www.reclaimingbirthconference.com/

Kristen and Sarah discuss:

• Kristen’s transformation from NICU nurse to birth advocate
• The births of her two sons in the hospital and what she learned from those experiences
• The autonomous home birth of her daughter
• The importance of community and gathering with wise women before birth
• Navigating loss while holding onto faith
• The challenges and limitations of the medical system in birth
• Learning to surrender to the physiological process of birth

Chapters

• 00:00 Kristen's Journey from Nurse to Birth Advocate
• 13:58 Preparing for Birth and Navigating Loss
• 22:03 The Importance of Community and Faith
• 29:26 Preparing for Her Home Birth
• 36:24 The Birth Experience
• 47:02 Birthing the Placenta

In this episode, we learn from Michaela, a stay-at-home mom of two little girls and wife to a Pastor. Michaela's first birth ended with a preeclampsia diagnosis, labor augmentation, an epidural, and 3 hours of pushing. For her second birth, Michaela prepared her body and mind differently and went on to have a beautiful, unmedicated hospital birth. The conversation covers the speaker's experiences with her two births, reflecting on the challenges, preparations, and decision-making processes involved. It also explores the transition from the first birth to the second, especially highlighting the ways in which Michaela prepped differently for her second birth. The conversation covers how to melt into the sensations of childbirth, the impact of hospital policies on the birth experience, decision-making in birth, preparation in surrendering to contractions, and supporting women's birth choices.

Talking Points

• Realistic ways to prepare for the sensations of labor
• Labor often begins when a woman feels safe and can fully let go
• Choosing birth location and care team
• Preparation for birth involves physical and mental readiness, learning to surrender to contractions, and understanding the physiological process of labor
• Preeclampsia
• Natural / unmedicated hospital birth

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Family Life
• 18:53 Reflections on First Birth and Transition to Second Birth
• 26:05 Preparation and Onset of Second Birth
• 33:00 Challenges and Decision Making in Second Birth
• 40:01 Impact of Hospital Policies on Birth Experience
• 45:40 Decision-Making in Birth
• 54:05 Supporting Women's Birth Choices

Connect with Emily on Instagram at @empoweredbodynbirth.

Emily serves families in Maryland as a doula and also offers personal training for women with a special focus on postpartum recovery and pelvic floor rehabilitation. Reach out to her on Instagram to learn more about working with her!

Emily shares her journey to a home birth with her second after a disappointing COVID hospital birth, highlighting the challenges and differences between the two experiences. She emphasizes the importance of knowing and exploring birth options, as well as the impact of environment and support on the birthing process. The conversation covers Emily's beautiful home birth experience, what worked for her during labor, the roles of a woman's care team, the importance of postpartum care, and the significance of intuition in childbirth. Emily also shares insights on the impact of birth experiences on the mother-baby connection and breastfeeding.

Takeaways

• Birth options and environment impact the birthing experience.
• Understanding the differences between hospital and home births is crucial for informed decision-making. Home birth experiences can vary and may not always go as planned, but trusting one's intuition and surrounding oneself with supportive individuals is crucial.
• Postpartum care is essential, and having a supportive network can greatly impact a mother's recovery and well-being.
• The mother's intuition plays a significant role in childbirth and postpartum experiences, and it's important to listen to this intuition.

Emma's powerful and speedy water birth at home was the redemptive birth she dreamed about after her first birth in the hospital. It highlights the profound impact of birth experiences on mothers and children, as well as the emotional and physical challenges faced during the postpartum period. The conversation covers the transition from exclusive pumping and bottle feeding to breastfeeding, healing from a NICU experience, and the impact of birth experiences on subsequent pregnancies. It delves into the challenges, fears, and preparations involved in these experiences, providing valuable insights for women navigating similar journeys. The conversation delves into the unique nature of birth pain and the impact of visualization on the birthing experience. It also explores the postpartum recovery process, the importance of support, and the significance of trusting oneself and self-respect in the birthing journey.

Takeaways

• Birth experiences can have a profound impact on both the mother and the child, even as a child grows
• The postpartum period can be challenging and emotionally taxing for new mothers.
• Transitioning from bottle feeding to breastfeeding-- it can be done!!
• The challenges and emotional journey of breastfeeding
• The impact of birth experiences on subsequent pregnancies
• Pain in childbirth is different and serves a physiological purpose
• Visualization and mindset can impact the birthing experience

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Motherhood
• 20:04 Transitioning to Breastfeeding
• 25:37 Impact of Birth Experiences on Subsequent Pregnancies
• 45:12 Understanding the Pain of Childbirth
• 50:22 Postpartum Recovery and Support
• 01:03:36 Trusting Intuition and Self-Respect

In this episode, Jenna Fitzgerald shares her powerful birth stories, detailing her experiences as a single mother navigating the complexities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She discusses the trauma of her first hospital birth and how it led her to become a doula, emphasizing the importance of trusting oneself and finding a supportive community. Jenna shares about her second birth experience at home, which was a redemptive journey that allowed her to reclaim her power and heal from past trauma. She highlights the significance of support during bereavement, having experienced a chosen loss herself, and encourages women to connect with their inner strength and find their village. She is co-founder of Stateline Birthkeepers serving Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin as a birth and postpartum doula.

Connect with Jenna on Instagram and Facebook: @statelinebirthkeepers

birth stories, postpartum, doula, trauma healing, home birth, maternal health, women's empowerment, bereavement support, loss, community, motherhood

In this conversation, Mikala shares her profound journey through motherhood, detailing her experiences with each of her four pregnancies and births. From her challenging first birth at a young age to her empowering free births, she emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself and advocating for personal choices in the birthing process. Mikala discusses the impact of her birth experiences on her postpartum mental health and the significance of community support. Her story serves as an inspiration for women seeking to reclaim their power in childbirth and navigate the complexities of motherhood with confidence. She is also a highly experienced birth keeper taking clients in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin under the name Stateline Birth Keepers.

Connect with Mikala on Instagram and Facebook: @statelinebirthkeepers

birth stories, postpartum depression, home birth, birthkeeper, women's health, empowerment, pregnancy, maternal health, birth trauma, natural birth

In this conversation, Hayden shares her journey through two pregnancies, highlighting the stark contrast between her first birth experience, which ended in a C-section, and her second, which was a beautiful VBAC. She discusses the challenges she faced with the medical system, the importance of being an advocate for oneself, and the emotional impact of her experiences. Hayden emphasizes the need for informed consent and the power that comes from understanding one's body and the birth process. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience of women and the transformative power of birth.

Connect with Hayden on Instagram: @haydenelizabethsmith

birth stories, VBAC, C-section, natural birth, motherhood, pregnancy, birth trauma, empowerment, informed consent, doula support