Explore every episode of the podcast Pain Free Birth
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #125 | A Supernatural, Pain-Free Home Birth After Cesarean | 27 oct. 2026 | 01:06:36 | |
What if your first birth left you believing your body had failed, but your next birth became a beautiful testimony of healing, surrender, and freedom from fear? After nearly 48 hours of labor at home, Katie Caceres's first birth ended in a hospital transfer and an unexpected cesarean. She carried feelings of failure, disappointment, and unresolved birth trauma into her next pregnancy. But instead of allowing her first experience to define her second, Katie began a journey of healing, faith, and intentional birth preparation that completely transformed how she understood her body and the birth process. In this powerful episode of the Pain Free Birth podcast, Katie shares how the Pain-Free Birth course, understanding physiological birth, prayer, and a deeply supportive midwife helped her experience a peaceful, five-hour, pain-free home birth after cesarean (HBAC). From worshiping through contractions to trusting her body's instinctive movements, Katie's story is a beautiful reminder that a difficult first birth does not have to define your future. Even when an unexpected fourth-degree tear required hospital care, she discovered that receiving medical help did not take away from the beauty of her daughter's birth. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Katie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiecaceres_/ 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #124 | She Breathed Out a 9 lb 12 oz Baby Without Pushing - A Supernatural Home Birth Story | 20 oct. 2026 | 00:43:01 | |
What if you were told you weren't dilating, your midwife went home, and less than two hours later you were holding your nearly 10-pound baby in your arms? After a difficult first hospital birth that left her baby with a broken collarbone, former professional basketball player and mom of three Vanessa Sugg knew she wanted a different experience. Through the Pain Free Birth course, prayer, and a deeper understanding of physiological birth, Vanessa went on to experience two incredible home births. But nothing could have prepared her for the beautiful, faith-filled arrival of her third baby. In this powerful Christian home birth testimony, Vanessa shares how she went from zero centimeters dilated to birthing her 9 lb 12 oz baby in under two hours, without coached pushing or tearing. From the discouragement of being told her baby wasn't coming that night to surrendering her fears, laboring peacefully in warm water, and breathing her baby into her own hands, her story is a beautiful reminder of the power of birth preparation, trusting your body, and leaning into God's peace. Tune in to hear:
Resources mentioned: Connect with Vanessa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veesuggs/ 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #123 | God Showed Her the Birth Before It Happened: A Pain-Free Christmas Eve Water Birth | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:42:37 | |
What if the birth you are praying for could become an invitation to trust, surrender, and experience God in a completely new way? After an intervention-filled first birth and a heartbreaking miscarriage, Lacey Coffey longed for redemption. In the middle of her grief, she began praying for God to show her what was ahead. Lacey says dreams, visions, and signs began pointing her toward something incredibly specific: a rainbow baby, a Christmas birth, and a peaceful water birth. But getting there was not simple. Lacey navigated gestational diabetes, kidney stones, bleeding, and weeks of prodromal labor while continually returning to what she believed God had shown her. Then, in the early hours of Christmas Eve, everything changed. Her water broke, labor intensified quickly, and what followed was a breathtaking 2.5-hour birth filled with worship, surrender, laughter, and a race to the birth center that ended just five minutes before her daughter was born. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH LACEY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softbabynames/ 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #122 | The Spiritual Side of Childbirth: Surrender, Transformation, and Crossing the Veil | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:36:02 | |
What if the most powerful part of childbirth isn’t something you can prepare for with your mind, but something you have to surrender to with your whole being? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Show, I’m exploring what I call “crossing the veil,” that profound shift that can happen during labor when birth moves beyond something you are thinking through and becomes something you are fully experiencing. It can be the moment when contractions intensify, time seems to change, your thinking brain quiets, and you are invited to surrender more deeply than you thought possible. We’re talking about the spiritual side of childbirth that so often gets overlooked in birth preparation. Birth is not simply a mechanical process of getting a baby out of your body. It can be a deeply transformative experience that brings your fears, doubts, trust, strength, and faith to the surface. This episode is an invitation to prepare not only your body and mind for birth, but also your heart and spirit, so that when you reach the place where control is no longer serving you, you can let go and allow birth to transform you. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #121 | Two Pain-Free Births: How Surrendering to God Changed Everything | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:48:38 | |
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:
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: lauren@liferichcoaching.com 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #120 | A 3-Hour Pain-Free VBAC After an Emergency C-Section | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:43:12 | |
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:
Connect with Stephanie: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #119 | How to Advocate for a Physiological Birth in the Hospital, Even With Twins | 15 sept. 2026 | 00:56:47 | |
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:
Pain Free Birth Episode #66 on Advocacy with Intentional Birth Connect with Siera: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #118 | Is Becoming a Doula Right for You? Answering Your Biggest Questions | 08 sept. 2026 | 01:00:47 | |
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:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #117 | How a Redemptive Home Birth Led Her to Become a Doula | 01 sept. 2026 | 00:58:15 | |
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:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #116 | The Big Baby Myth: Fear, False Estimates & Preventable C-Sections | 25 août 2026 | 00:49:26 | |
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:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #115 | How Faith Transformed Her Birth: From Pitocin to a Pain-Free 10-Pound Baby | 18 août 2026 | 01:20:03 | |
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:
Beautiful One Midwifery: Website or @beautifulonemidwifery CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #114 | She Slept Through Transition and Gave Birth in the Shower | 11 août 2026 | 00:32:25 | |
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:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #113 | She Caught Her Own Baby: A First-Time Mom’s Pain-Free Home Birth Story | 04 août 2026 | 00:47:11 | |
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:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #112 | From Birth Trauma to Redemption: Preparing Your Heart and Body for Birth | 28 juil. 2026 | 00:58:12 | |
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:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #111 | An Unexpected Pain-Free Resort Birth at 42 Weeks | 21 juil. 2026 | 00:42:49 | |
What happens when your carefully planned home birth turns into an unassisted birth at a family resort? After five years of hoping for a baby, fertility treatments, surgery, and the removal of one fallopian tube, Jessica Richards and her husband were overjoyed to conceive naturally. They prepared for a peaceful home birth with a trusted midwife, but when Jessica reached 42 weeks pregnant, their baby still had not arrived. With her midwife’s approval, the couple decided to join their family for a Christmas trip at a resort two hours from home. A day filled with laughter, water slides, connection, and relaxation soon became the beginning of labor. When Jessica’s contractions intensified and her water broke as they attempted to leave, she and her husband realized they would not make it home. Instead of panicking, they returned to their room, leaned into the physiological process, and welcomed their son in the bathtub with no birth team present. Jessica shares how preparation, prayer, movement, surrender, and trust helped her remain peaceful during an experience she never could have planned. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH JESSICA: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #110 | God Redeemed Her Unexpected Pregnancy and Gave Her a Pain-Free Home Birth | 14 juil. 2026 | 00:55:23 | |
What happens when an unexpected pregnancy disrupts the life you thought you had finally learned to accept? When Amanda discovered she was pregnant with her fifth baby, she did not feel the immediate excitement she had experienced with her previous pregnancies. Instead, she felt shocked, angry, disconnected, and ashamed of her own emotions. For months, she struggled privately while pretending everything was fine. Through prayer, counseling, humility, and surrender, Amanda experienced a powerful change of heart that transformed the pregnancy she had resisted into one of the most redemptive stories of her life. That redemption continued into birth. Although Amanda secretly longed for a home birth, she and her husband planned to deliver at the hospital. But when labor progressed faster than expected, her water broke at ten centimeters while her midwife was already in the house. Amanda remained home, experienced a peaceful rest and be thankful phase, and delivered her baby in the bathtub after only three minutes of pushing. After four hospital births, she describes this unmedicated home water birth as her calmest and least painful birth. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_joy_photography/ 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #109 | Two Sets of Twins, Two Unmedicated Hospital Births, One Incredible Testimony | 07 juil. 2026 | 01:04:57 | |
Have you ever wondered if a twin birth can truly be peaceful, unmedicated, and even pain free? In this powerful episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Destiny Randolph, a mom of six who has birthed two sets of twins naturally, unmedicated, and in the hospital. Destiny shares the incredible story of conceiving both sets of twins naturally, navigating the mental weight of a “high risk” label, and learning to trust her body, her intuition, her husband, her care team, and the Lord through it all. This conversation is full of practical wisdom for any mama preparing for birth, especially those navigating hospital birth, induction, twin pregnancy, provider pressure, or fear of the unknown. Destiny’s story is a beautiful reminder that your internal environment matters deeply, that advocacy can be peaceful and collaborative, and that birth can be powerful, holy, joyful, and far less painful than you have been led to believe. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH DESTINY: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #108 | The Hidden Harm Behind "Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby" | 30 juin 2026 | 00:45:08 | |
Did you have a healthy baby, but still feel broken after birth? For decades, women have been told that if their baby is healthy, they should simply be grateful. But what happens when your body, your heart, and your spirit are still carrying the weight of a birth that left you feeling unheard, violated, disappointed, or ashamed? In this deeply personal episode, I unpack the hidden damage behind the phrase "healthy mom, healthy baby," why birth trauma is so often minimized, and how true healing begins. Whether your birth included unexpected interventions, a cesarean, feelings of failure, or simply didn't unfold the way you dreamed, this conversation will remind you that your story matters and that healing is possible. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #107 | She Faced a 40-Hour Induction and Still Loved Her Birth with Eliana Ghen | 23 juin 2026 | 01:32:04 | |
What if your birth doesn't go according to plan, but becomes even more transformative because of it? In today's powerful birth story, actress, filmmaker, and creator Eliana Ghen shares her incredible 42-week induction journey. After being pressured toward an early induction for a suspected IUGR diagnosis, Eliana learned to advocate for herself, trust her body, and ask better questions. That decision ultimately allowed her baby more time to grow and led her into one of the most transformative experiences of her life. What followed was a 42-hour labor that tested every mental, physical, and emotional reserve she had. Through Pitocin, Cytotec, Foley balloon induction, relentless back labor, extreme exhaustion, and moments where she believed she couldn't continue, Eliana discovered a level of strength she never knew existed. Her story is a powerful reminder that birth does not have to be perfect to be empowering. Tune in to hear: • How a suspected IUGR diagnosis almost led to a 37-week induction Connect with Eliana:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #106 | How Faith, Physiology, and Preparation Led to a Redemptive Birth | 16 juin 2026 | 01:09:14 | |
Can a traumatic birth experience be redeemed, even after years of fear, postpartum struggles, and disappointment? In this powerful episode, Karen sits down with Anna Kroese, a homeschooling mom who shares her journey through three radically different birth experiences. After an induction for suspected IUGR, a difficult breastfeeding journey, and a fast but overwhelming home birth that left her feeling disconnected, Anna wondered if birth would ever feel empowering. Seven years later, everything changed. Through intentional preparation, understanding birth physiology, renewing her mindset, and partnering with God throughout pregnancy and labor, Anna experienced a peaceful, redemptive home birth that transformed not only her labor, but her entire postpartum experience. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #105 | Pain-Free VBAC After 5 C-Sections: A Testimony of Faith and Trust | 09 juin 2026 | 01:25:32 | |
What if the birth you've been praying for feels impossible according to everyone around you? After five cesarean births, Derika Brown was told over and over that a vaginal birth was out of the question. Doctors dismissed her questions, providers refused to support her, and fear surrounded every conversation about birth. But deep in her heart, she believed God was showing her a different path. In this powerful episode, Derika shares the remarkable story of her journey from five cesareans to a pain-free home birth. From hospital coercion and birth trauma to finding a supportive midwife just four days before labor, this testimony is a powerful reminder that faith, preparation, advocacy, and trust in the body's design can transform the birth experience. Tune in to hear:
Derika's Birth Video on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXkpAMrDY-e/ 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #104 | Free Birth, Medical Emergencies, and the Truth No One Wants to Talk About | 02 juin 2026 | 00:53:47 | |
Can you trust your body completely and still acknowledge that medical emergencies sometimes happen in birth? In this episode, Karen shares a perspective she's never publicly discussed before and diving into the recent conversations surrounding free birth, birth emergencies, and the growing divide between the natural birth community and the medical model of care. This conversation is not about fear. It's about wisdom. It's about holding confidence in the body's design while also recognizing that true emergencies can happen. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, birth center birth, or free birth, this episode will help you navigate conflicting messages and make informed decisions rooted in both faith and discernment. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #103 | 29 Days Overdue & Fully Trusting God: The 3-Push Joy Filled Birth She Prayed For | 26 mai 2026 | 00:53:21 | |
What would you do if you were 29 days overdue… and everyone around you was afraid? In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Christine Janicke, a mom of five, who shares her incredible story of carrying her fifth baby to 44 weeks + 1 day before experiencing a beautiful, natural home birth. Christine opens up about the intense mental, emotional, and spiritual journey of waiting far beyond what most providers (and most people) would consider “normal.” From navigating fear-filled comments and pressure from others to learning how to radically surrender and trust the Lord, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and perspective-shifting conversations around birth, intuition, and motherhood. You’ll hear how Christine protected her peace during those final weeks, the profound spiritual lessons God taught her through the waiting, and the miraculous moment she specifically prayed for a 3-push delivery… and got exactly that. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #102 | After Birth Trauma & C-Section, She Had a Supernatural Hospital VBAC at 40 | 19 mai 2026 | 00:59:57 | |
Could you trust your body after a traumatic birth experience? In today’s episode, Karen sits down with Connie Johnson, a mom of four from Phoenix, Arizona, who shares her incredible journey from a traumatic military hospital birth and C-section to experiencing three redemptive VBACs—including a completely peaceful, supernatural hospital birth that ended with her baby being born before the doctor even made it into the room. This episode is a powerful reminder that hospital birth does not have to equal fear, trauma, or loss of control. Her story is deeply encouraging for moms preparing for VBACs, hospital births, or healing after previous traumatic birth experiences. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH CONNIE: @conniemichelle85 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #101 | Planned Hospital Birth Turned Peaceful Free Birth in a Truck | 12 mai 2026 | 00:46:01 | |
What started as a planned unmedicated hospital birth quickly turned into an unexpected free birth on the side of the highway. In this episode, Selina shares the incredible story of giving birth to her posterior baby in the front seat of a truck before ever making it to the hospital. From laboring alone in her bathroom to feeling her baby’s head in her own hand, this story is filled with faith, surrender, instinct, and the undeniable power of the female body. This episode is an emotional, empowering reminder that birth is not something to fear and that our bodies were beautifully designed for this work. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH SELINA: @selsal44 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #100 | From Maiden to Mother: A Special Mother’s Day Message from Karen | 05 mai 2026 | 00:37:41 | |
What if motherhood isn’t something you’re losing yourself in… but something you’re being reborn through? We are celebrating 100 episodes of Pain Free Birth! In this episode, we are re-airing a powerful message from Karen on the transformation from maiden to mother and the sacred, often overlooked rite of passage that motherhood truly is. With Mother’s Day as the backdrop, this conversation honors both the beauty and the weight of motherhood. Karen speaks directly to the emotional, physical, and spiritual shifts women experience as they step into this role highlighting the surrender, identity shifts, and deep inner work that come with it. In this episode, you’ll learn:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #99 | When God Rewrites Your Birth Plan: A Miraculous Breech Hospital Birth | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:46:33 | |
What would you do if your dream birth plan completely fell apart… and still turned out better than you ever imagined? In this powerful episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Brie Kuikahi, who shares her incredible first birth story-a breech hospital birth during COVID that she describes as “better than I imagined” and “absolutely perfect.” After planning for a natural birth center experience, Brie’s baby remained breech, and due to state laws, no midwives were able to support her. What followed was a journey filled with fear, surrender, and ultimately, divine alignment. Despite every obstacle, Brie had the birth she prayed for: minimal intervention, deep connection with her husband, and a delivery that “went perfectly.” This episode will encourage any mama navigating uncertainty, unexpected changes, or fear around birth. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Brie: @Briekuikahi 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #98 | How to Get Your Husband On Board with Home Birth & Prepare for Birth like a CEO | 21 avr. 2026 | 01:12:22 | |
What if the most important factor in your birth experience isn’t where you give birth… but how safe you feel? In today’s episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with trauma healer and embodiment coach Monica Yates to unpack her powerful first-time home birth story and the mindset, preparation, and support that made it possible. From having a husband who was initially 100% against home birth… to witnessing a complete transformation after experiencing it firsthand, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to advocate for your birth, trust your intuition, and create an environment where your body can fully open and surrender. This episode also explores the often-overlooked connection between postpartum struggles and lack of support, and why so many women are left trying to “do it all” instead of being deeply cared for. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Monica: Feminine as F*ck Podcast: https://monicayateshealth.com/pages/feminine-as-fuck-the-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicayateshealth/ Website: https://monicayateshealth.com/ Birth story on Youtube: YouTubeMy Birth Story: A Positive Unmedicated Home Birth The Immersion: Somatic immersion that will guide you home to yourself through deep trauma healing and embodiment work with women IN PERSON over the course of 3 days https://monicayates.samcart.com/referral/BeBgbeVO/kiAUM0YexLSEstlR Use Code: WELCOME500 for $500 off Book: https://www.becomingherbook.com/ 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #97 | Home Birth vs Hospital Birth: What’s ACTUALLY Safer? | 14 avr. 2026 | 00:57:48 | |
Is home birth actually safe… or have we been asking the wrong question all along? In this nuanced episode, Karen dives into one of the most debated topics in the birth world: home birth vs hospital birth and what’s truly the safest option. Instead of taking sides, this episode breaks down the evidence, the misconceptions, and the emotional layers behind birth choices so you can make a decision that feels aligned, informed, and confident. You’ll learn why “safety” isn’t as black and white as we’ve been taught, how your environment impacts your body in labor, and what the research actually says about outcomes for low-risk women. Whether you're considering a home birth, planning a hospital birth, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you cut through the noise, release fear, and trust your body. Tune in to hear:
Grab the Questions to Ask Your Birth Provider Resource: https://resources.painfreebirth.com/birth-provider-questions 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #96 | From Pushing Through to Feeling It All: A Marine Mom’s Pain-Free Birth Journey | 07 avr. 2026 | 01:07:08 | |
What if birth didn’t have to be something you “push through”… but something you fully surrender to? In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Zatha Aiken, a former U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence Officer turned stay-at-home mom of three, who shares her incredible journey from control, compliance, and “pushing through” to complete surrender, trust, and experiencing a pain-free birth. After her first birth within the medical system and a second free birth, Zatha entered her third birth with a radically different mindset: instead of bracing against the sensations, she chose to fully feel them. What followed was a deeply spiritual, fully present, and pain-free birth experience that transformed not just how she views birth, but how she experiences life, emotion, and her relationship with God. This episode is an exploration of the fear-tension-pain cycle, the shift from masculine to feminine energy in birth, and what becomes possible when women release fear and trust their bodies as they were designed. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH ZATHA: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #95 | Fear Free, Pain Free, and Joyful Twin Home Birth | 31 mars 2026 | 00:42:56 | |
What would you do if doctors told you to abort one of your twins… with no medical reason? In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Victoria McGuckin, a mom of three who shares her incredible twin home birth story. After being labeled “high risk” and pressured into a highly medicalized birth plan, Victoria chose a different path rooted in faith, trust, and physiological birth. Her story is a powerful reminder that birth is not something happening to you. It’s something your body was designed to do, even in situations the world calls “high risk.” Tune in to hear:
Resources Mentioned: Connect with Victoria:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #94 | 45-Minute, Pain Free, Unplanned Freebirth (after a 36 hour labor with her first) | 24 mars 2026 | 00:40:50 | |
What if your second birth could be completely different from your first...even after a long, difficult hospital birth? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Sarah Tollison, a nurse and mom of two from South Carolina, who shares the incredible story of her 45-minute, pain-free birth. After experiencing a 36-hour hospital birth with her first baby, Sarah hoped her second birth would be different , but she never expected labor to progress so quickly. Sarah shares what it was like to experience the fetal ejection reflex, how learning about birth physiology transformed her confidence, and why her mindset going into her second birth made such a difference. Her story is a powerful reminder that one difficult birth does not define future births and that the body is capable of far more than many women realize. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Sarah: @Sarah.tollison.rn 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #93 | You're Not Underprepared- You're Overstimulated: Why Your Nervous System is The Key to a Pain Free Birth | 17 mars 2026 | 00:41:34 | |
Are you preparing for birth by gathering more information… but still feeling anxious and overwhelmed? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen dives into one of the most common mistakes first-time moms make when preparing for childbirth: focusing almost entirely on gathering information instead of regulating the nervous system. While education is valuable, Karen explains how consuming too much information (especially when it’s filtered through fear or anxiety) can actually dysregulate the nervous system and create more stress around birth. This episode invites pregnant mothers to shift their focus from over-preparing mentally to learning how to regulate their nervous system and reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies. Karen also walks listeners through simple ways to check in with their bodies, identify hidden fears or tension, and begin cultivating the calm, parasympathetic state that supports physiological birth. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #92 | A First Time Mom's Pain Free Home Birth in Sweden | 10 mars 2026 | 00:58:11 | |
What happens when you learn to meet the power of contractions instead of fearing them? In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Karen welcomes Petronella, a first-time mom from Sweden who shares her incredible pain-free home birth story. Despite home birth being rare in Sweden, Petronella followed her intuition and chose to give birth in the place where she felt safest (her own home). Petronella describes how years of hearing positive birth stories from her mother and witnessing friends give birth shaped her belief that birth could be empowering, natural, and even enjoyable. During her pregnancy, she intentionally prepared by listening to countless birth stories, studying the physiology of birth, and connecting deeply with her body and intuition. This episode beautifully illustrates how preparation, mindset, and trust in the body’s design can transform the birth experience. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #91 | Oxytocin, Epidurals, and the Truth About Physiological Birth with Dr. Sarah Buckley | 03 mars 2026 | 01:10:55 | |
What if labor wasn’t random? What if bonding isn’t luck? What if your brain is biologically designed to change in birth? In this profound and science-rich conversation, Karen sits down with Dr. Sarah Buckley, family physician, researcher, and pioneer in physiological birth, to unpack the true hormonal science of labor and postpartum. Dr. Buckley has spent decades studying oxytocin, the primary hormone of labor, bonding, and breastfeeding. In this episode, she explains how birth activates the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, how oxytocin creates maternal bonding, and why feeling safe during labor is not emotional fluff. It’s biological necessity. This episode bridges the gap between science and spirituality, physiology and experience proving that ecstatic birth is not fantasy. It is mammalian biology. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Dr. Buckley: Website: www.sarahbuckley.com FB: @DrSarahBuckley IG: @DrSarahJBuckley Twitter: @Sarahjbuckley 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #90 | From an Excruciating First Labor to a Pain-Free and Fear-free Birth | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:38:39 | |
Can birth really be different the second time? What if releasing fear was the missing piece? In this episode of the Pain-Free Birth Podcast, Callie shares her redemptive Christian home birth story after experiencing an excruciatingly painful first labor. At just 22 years old and pregnant with her second baby, she knew she could not walk into birth carrying the same fear and tension that defined her first experience. In this conversation, Callie shares how understanding the fear–tension–pain cycle transformed her perspective on contractions, how inviting God into her labor brought peace and confidence, and why birth can feel intense without feeling traumatic. She also speaks honestly about postpartum complications and anxiety, reminding listeners that redemption does not always mean perfection. Birth can be both powerful and messy. Faith does not eliminate challenges, but it reframes them. Her testimony is a reminder that birth can be both powerful and messy, and that God can be present in both. This episode is filled with encouragement for any mama who has experienced birth trauma, fears labor, or feels stuck believing her story is already written. Tune in to hear:
RESOURCES MENTIONED: 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #89 | The 5 Steps That Actually Matter to Prepare for a Natural Birth | 17 févr. 2026 | 01:04:09 | |
Are you planning an unmedicated birth… but wondering if you’re actually doing enough to prepare? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen breaks down the five essential steps to preparing for a natural, physiological birth with intention. Not just hoping for one. Not just writing a birth plan. But truly preparing your mind, body, and spirit for the birth experience you desire. If you’ve been binging birth stories and thinking, “I want that too” but still feel unsure where to start, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap. Because birth is not random. And while it is unpredictable, there are patterns. There are principles. There are ways to stack the odds in your favor. Tune in to hear:
Resources mentioned: Questions to Ask Your Provider: https://resources.painfreebirth.com/birth-provider-questions 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #88 | 42 Weeks Pregnant and Her Body Birthed Without Pushing | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:45:28 | |
What if going past your due date wasn’t a problem to solve? In this Karen sits down with Pinsi Lei, a mom of three and business coach from New York City, to share one of the most jaw-dropping birth stories ever told on the show. After two long, medicated hospital births, Pinsi experienced an unintentional unassisted home birth at 42 weeks. With no pushing, no tearing, and a nine-pound, ten-ounce baby born standing up through the fetal ejection reflex, this story is a profound testimony to what happens when fear is released and physiology is allowed to lead. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Pinsi: @pinsilei Pinsi's Birth Story on IG: BIRTH STORY: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM6SUHlO7oU/?igsh=MWY0NWVpbGIxaXZ0Mg== 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #87 | Breaking the Fear and Trusting God Through a First-Time Home Birth | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:39:59 | |
What if fear doesn’t have to be part of your first home birth experience? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen Welton sits down with Katie Brambila, a first-time mom and midwife-in-training, to share her incredible, God-filled home birth story. Katie brings a unique perspective to birth. Before becoming pregnant, she had already spent nearly three years in midwifery school and attended close to 100 births, most of them at home. Despite her extensive experience, Katie still had to confront common fears and stigmas surrounding first-time home birth, including the belief that first labors are always long, difficult, or destined for transfer. Throughout the conversation, Karen offers expert insight on dismantling birth fear, the importance of mental preparation, and why even highly knowledgeable women still need intentional support and mindset work in birth. Together, they normalize fear, highlight the vulnerability of labor, and encourage women to trust their bodies and God’s design for birth. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Katie: IG: @katiebrambila Send her a DM & mention this episode to receive free shipping on NORA Moon Time tea blend to support your luteal and menstrual phases. 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #86 | From Fear to Power: How Trusting Her Body Changed Everything in Birth with Polina Westcott | 27 janv. 2026 | 01:04:23 | |
What happens when a woman stops outsourcing her intuition and starts trusting her body? In this episode, Karen sits down with Polina Westcott, creator of Sensible Mama, to share two transformative home birth stories that radically changed the way Polina views birth, fear, pain, and personal authority. Polina opens up about her first pregnancy, where everything seemed medically “normal” until routine testing suddenly turned her pregnancy into a problem to be managed. When questioning protocols led to pushback from her providers, Polina made the bold decision to fire her OB team at eight months pregnant and pivot to a home birth. What followed was a long, challenging, and deeply empowering first labor that revealed strength she never knew she had. Her second birth could not have been more different. She shares how mindset, education, and surrender completely transformed how her body responded to contractions and labor progression. This episode dives deep into birth autonomy, informed consent, intuition, and the mind-body connection in labor. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Polina: https://www.youtube.com/@sensible_mama IG: @sensible_mama 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #85 | How Nervous System Regulation Shapes Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing with Dr. Scherina Alli | 20 janv. 2026 | 00:57:02 | |
What if pain, stress, and even birth trauma weren’t things your body needed to “push through”, but signals your nervous system was asking for safety? In this powerful and deeply grounding episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Scherina Alli, a network spinal chiropractor specializing in nervous system regulation, somatic respiratory integration, and care for pregnant women, babies, and children. Together, they explore how the body holds emotional stress, why babies are communicating far more than we realize, and how nervous system regulation can transform pregnancy, birth, postpartum healing, and even fertility. Dr. Scherina also shares her own beautiful home birth story. One rooted in trust, presence, and deep connection with her body offering a refreshing and empowering perspective on what birth can be when women feel safe, supported, and embodied. Tune in to hear:
CONNECT WITH DR SCHERINA:
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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #84 | She Fired Her OB and Delivered Mono-Di Twins Pain-Free at Home | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:37:52 | |
In this of the Pain Free Birth podcast, Karen Welton sits down with Anastasia Malyk, a mother of four, to share one of the most jaw-dropping birth stories you will ever hear. After experiencing two prior free births, Anastasia found herself unexpectedly pregnant with mono-di identical twins just seven months postpartum. What followed was a journey marked by medical pressure, fear-based recommendations, spiritual surrender, and unwavering trust in God’s design for her body. This episode is a bold testimony of faith, bodily wisdom, and the importance of advocacy in pregnancy and birth. It is especially encouraging for twin moms, women navigating medical pressure, and anyone seeking reassurance that physiological birth is possible, even when circumstances seem stacked against you. In this episode, you’ll hear:
Connect with Anastasia: IG: Anastasiamalyk_ TikTok: @anachenko 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #83 | Labor Doesn't Happen to Us, it Happens for Us: Shifting Your Mindset for a Joy-Filled Birth | 06 janv. 2026 | 00:39:17 | |
What happens when you stop fighting labor and start working with your body? In today’s episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Mallory Ryan, a mom of two who shares her deeply transformative birth experiences. Mallory walks listeners through her first unmedicated birth at a birth center and her second, rapid home birth that she describes as joyful, empowering, and profoundly connected to God’s design for birth. Whether you are pregnant, preparing for birth, or simply curious about physiological birth and faith-filled preparation, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, informed, and inspired to trust your body and God’s design. Tune in to hear:
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. 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| Best of: The Power Of Christian Hypnobirthing with Tara Menzies | 30 déc. 2025 | 00:54:40 | |
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 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| Best of: Praying for the Impossible: Alla’s Fast Twin Home Birth | 23 déc. 2025 | 00:57:48 | |
In this episode, Alla shares her miraculous twin home birth story - giving birth precipitously to healthy babies at 38 weeks pregnant in her bathtub and overcoming fear so she could have a supernatural birth experience through prayer and trust in God. 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #82 | When Birth Gets Better and Better: A VBAC Home Birth Testimony | 16 déc. 2025 | 01:03:28 | |
What if your next birth didn’t have to look anything like your last one and could actually be better? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Blake, a mom of four who shares her incredible journey from a discouraging first C-section to three transformative home births after cesarean. Blake walks listeners through each birth from a 77-hour marathon VBAC to a three-hour birth and finally a two-hour labor where she felt completely in control. Along the way, she opens up about healing hidden birth trauma, learning to trust her body, choosing supportive providers, and experiencing the redemptive power of faith-centered birth preparation. Tune in to hear:
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. 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #81 | What Babies Feel at Birth: Prenatal Psychology, Imprinting, and Repair with Karen Strange | 09 déc. 2025 | 01:05:31 | |
What if everything we thought we knew about birth was missing the most important perspective - the baby’s? In today’s episode, Karen sits down with renowned neonatal resuscitation instructor and midwife Karen Strange, whose groundbreaking work has reshaped how more than 17,000 birth professionals understand newborns, birth physiology, and the imprinting that happens in the earliest moments of life. With over three decades of experience, Karen Strange brings a trauma-informed, baby-centered lens to birth - one that reveals the innate blueprint inside every baby, the sequence nature designed, and what happens when it’s interrupted. Tune in to hear:
Additional resources from Karen: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UAA9yc7-JbMdO-qbYiQZl9XLn8yTmY8P?usp=sharing Website: karenstrange.com Instagram: @neonatalresuscitation 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #80 | She Saw Jesus During Labor: A Supernatural Birth Story | 02 déc. 2025 | 00:56:01 | |
What if birth wasn’t something to fear… but a place where heaven meets earth? In today’s episode, Caitlin Svoboda shares a supernatural, pain-free home birth story that will leave you breathless. In this interview, Caitlin opens up about her sixth pregnancy, her deep trust in God’s design for birth, and the unexpected spiritual encounter that forever changed how she views motherhood. From spiritual visions and the “veil of heaven” thinning, to a fast, instinct-led labor and a peaceful 10-pound baby born into her husband’s hands, Caitlin’s story is a breathtaking look at what can happen when women reclaim physiological birth and trust the God-designed hormonal blueprint of labor. If you've ever wondered how spiritual encounters, altered states of consciousness, and the quietude phase of labor fit into the birth experience, this episode breaks it down with both awe and practicality. You’ll walk away with encouragement, revelation, and a renewed sense of what God intended birth to be. Tune in to hear:
Connect with Caitlin: IG: sehlah.motherhood.service 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. 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #79 | My Pelvic Floor Parted Like the Red Sea: Sara’s Radical Pain Free Birth Story | 25 nov. 2025 | 01:00:45 | |
What happens when a traumatic first birth becomes the catalyst for two radically pain-free, God-filled home births? Today’s episode is a powerful testimony of redemption, physiology, faith, and a mother reclaiming her God-given authority in birth. In this conversation, Karen sits down with Sara Gilboy, a mom of three from Toronto, Canada, who experienced a deeply traumatic first home birth during COVID-complete with medical coercion, fear, hemorrhage, separation from her baby, and months of postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts. But Sara refused to let that be the end of her story. She returned to birth armed with knowledge, prayer, physiological understanding, and a fierce sense of ownership that transformed her next two births into supernatural, pain-free, joy-filled experiences. Tune in to hear:
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. 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 Instagram 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... | |||
| #78 | The Secret to a Pain-Free Home Birth And How Surrender Changes Everything | 18 nov. 2025 | 00:53:51 | |
What if the secret to a pain-free birth isn’t found in a technique or a position… but in your ability to surrender? In this episode, Karen sits down with Taylor Cleveland, a mom who experienced a radically pain-free second home birth after taking the Pain-Free Birth Course. Taylor opens up about her first difficult labor, the mental battle she faced, and how a simple mindset shift changed everything. She shares how learning to fully surrender physically, mentally, and spiritually led to a birth that was not only free of pain but filled with peace, presence, and divine trust. From letting go of her first birth story to feeling her pelvic floor move out of the way as her baby descended, Taylor’s testimony is a look at what’s possible when we get out of the way and allow our bodies to do what they were designed to do. Tune in to hear:
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 Instagram 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... | |||