Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast
🎙️Ranked in the Top 5% of podcasts globally (via Listen Notes)Hi there, I’m Natalie Portman! I’m a Christian birth doula, virtual birth coach, childbirth educator, wife, and mama—and I created this podcast just for you. If you’re preparing for birth, navigating pregnancy, or adjusting to those early days of motherhood, you’re in the right place. On the podcast I share a mix of powerful Christian birth stories, Scripture-based encouragement, and practical tips to help you walk through this season with faith over fear.Around here, I do things a little differently. While the world encourages you to control e...
55. “Why Do I Still Look Pregnant” A Mom of Four’s Story of Core Healing, Identity, and Grace
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In this episode, I'm joined by Camille Beckstrand, certified mental health coach, mom of four, and co-creator of the Mommy Tummy Fix, for an honest conversation about postpartum recovery, identity, and inviting God into the healing of both body and heart.
After her fourth baby, Camille still looked pregnant months later, despite working out and "doing all the things." Her low back pain, weak core, and quiet comparison left her frustrated with her body, until her husband, a doctor of physical therapy, discovered she had a three-finger ab separation called diastasis...
54. Before Your Glucose Test (or After a High Number) Practical & Faith-Filled Tips for Pregnancy Blood Sugar
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In this episode, I'm sharing the story of how I almost failed my gestational diabetes screening during my third pregnancy, and what that close call taught me about blood sugar, stewardship, and the difference between wisdom and control.
That near miss shook me a little, not because I was afraid of a diagnosis, but because I realized I didn't really understand what was happening with blood sugar in pregnancy or why it really mattered. With my midwife's encouragement, I started checking my own numbers, and what I learned about my "healthy"...
53. "He Delivered Our Own Baby": A Husband's Spirit-Led Miracle Birth
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In this episode, I'm joined by Jasmine and Dominic, who share the incredible story of their daughter's birth—a story that stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it, and I know it will do the same for you.
Jasmine and Dominic weren't expecting to be pregnant, but they welcomed the surprise with open arms and leaned hard into spiritual preparation from the very start. What began as a fairly typical labor at 36 weeks took a dramatic turn when hospital staff didn't respond in time—and Dominic ende...
52. Stop Trying to Control Your Birth. Start Trusting the One Who Already Does: Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices, Ep. 5
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In this episode, I'm closing out our Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices series by bringing it all home—not with a longer list of things to avoid, but with an invitation to trust the God who is so much bigger, and so much more intimately involved, than we often remember.
We've spent this series testing birth practices like yoga, hypnobirthing, acupuncture, and different ceremonies against Scripture, asking hard questions about where they come from and what they're really asking us to trust. In this finale, I want to bring it full ci...
51. Sacred or Counterfeit? Placenta Rituals, the Enneagram & More: Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices, Ep. 4
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In this episode, we're continuing our series on Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices with a look at some of the more subtle counterfeits showing up in birth culture today—the ceremonies, rituals, and beliefs that promise protection, healing, and identity apart from God.
This series has been walking through three simple questions for every practice we encounter: Where did it come from? What worldview am I holding while engaging with it? And what fruit does it produce? In this episode, we apply those questions to some practices that may be...
50. Discerning Vital Force from Acupuncture to Homeopathy: Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices, Ep. 3
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In this episode, I'm continuing our series on biblical discernment of birth practices by looking at acupuncture, moxibustion, reiki, homeopathy, crystals, and sound healing. These are six practices that look completely different on the surface but share one common thread underneath.
I'll be honest, I've recommended acupuncture and moxibustion to clients more times than I can count, and I've engaged with acupuncture myself during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. This episode isn't me pointing fingers from the outside. It's me sharing what I've learned about the spiritual claims woven into practices that...
49. Testing Yoga & Hypnobirthing Against Scripture: Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices, Ep. 2
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In this episode, we're continuing the Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices series with two of the most mainstream practices in the birth world: yoga and hypnobirthing. You've probably heard that they're "just stretching" and "just relaxation," but is that actually true? Today we're holding both practices up to Scripture and asking the three questions from Episode 1: What is the source? What is the framework? What is the fruit?
These two practices share a similar defense, and that's the claim of spiritual neutrality. But Colossians 2:8 warns us that deceptive philosophies...
48. 3 Questions to Test Any Birth Practice: Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices, Ep. 1
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In this episode I'm kicking off a brand new series called Biblical Discernment of Birth Practices, a conversation the Lord has been stirring in my heart for a long time. Over the next several months, we'll be walking through some of the most common practices in the birth world (things like yoga, hypnobirth, acupuncture, homeopathy, placenta encapsulation, the Enneagram, and more) and holding each one up to the light of Scripture.
Whether you're pregnant and wondering which practices honor the Lord, feeling regret over things you've engaged with in...
47. When “Christian” Birth Advice Isn’t Biblical: Spotting False Teaching in Pregnancy and Birth with Dannette McGrew
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In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dannette McGrew — certified doula, childbirth educator, and passionate apologist — for a conversation that is so needed in the Christian birth world right now. Dannette has been doing the deep work of examining the worldviews that have quietly crept into birth spaces, even among people calling themselves Christian birth professionals. And what she’s found might surprise you.
This is not a conversation about outright occultism. It’s about the more subtle, more dangerous teachings — the ones that use biblical language but twist it just enough...
46. (Part Two) What 25 Days in the NICU Taught Us About Faith, Control & God's Provision
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In this episode I'm continuing Isaac's birth story — and this time, my husband Brian is joining me to share what those 25 days in the NICU were really like from both of our perspectives. From the moment Isaac was taken away minutes after birth, to the feeding battles, the emotional exhaustion of leaving him each day, and finally bringing him home — this is the full story of what God did in and through one of the hardest seasons of our lives.
Having a premature baby at 33 weeks was never part of our plan...
45. (Part One) My Preterm Birth Story, a Hidden Abruption, and The Lord's Perfect Provision
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In this episode I'm sharing the full story of my third birth — Isaac's unexpected preterm birth at 33 weeks — and how a weekend away with my mom and sisters turned into one of the most sacred, surprising, and faith-stretching days of my life.
This birth was nothing like my first two. After two straightforward, uncomplicated labors, I found myself being admitted to the hospital in preterm labor with no risk factors, no warning, and a birth plan that went completely out the window. What followed was an unmedicated labor on magnesium, a birt...
44. Is Childbirth Pain a Punishment from God? A Biblical Deep Dive into Genesis
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In this episode, I'm diving deep into one of the most misunderstood passages in all of Scripture — Genesis 3 — and tackling a question that so many Christian mamas have carried in secret: is childbirth pain actually God's punishment for Eve's sin?
This is a topic I've been wanting to bring to this podcast for a long time, because the way we answer it shapes everything — how we feel about our bodies, how we prepare for birth, and how we understand God's heart toward us as mothers. If you've ever felt like your pain i...
43. 10 Pounds, No Tearing & Unmedicated: A Pelvic Floor Therapist's Surprising Birth Story
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In this episode, I'm sitting down with returning guest Dr. Victoria Adeeb—a pelvic floor therapist who just delivered a 10-pound baby unmedicated with no tearing—to hear the full story of how she prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually for what she calls her "dream birth."
But here's what makes Victoria's story so powerful: even with all her professional knowledge and preparation, her journey required deep surrender, spiritual wrestling with waiting on God's timing, and learning that His sovereignty is both tender and trustworthy—especially when birth doesn't unfold on your timeli...
42. Why Do Some Women Feel Little Pain in Labor—and Others Feel a Lot?
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In this episode, I'm exploring one of the most misunderstood aspects of birth: why some women experience very little pain in labor while others experience a lot—and why neither experience says anything about your strength, your preparation, or your faith.
As a doula, I've witnessed labor pain exist on an incredibly wide spectrum. I've supported mamas who describe contractions as intense but manageable, women who feel completely overwhelmed by early labor, and others who are genuinely shocked by how little pain they experience. And here's what I've learned: two women ca...
41. Breaking Through Fear After Cesarean: How Preparation & Surrender Led to Veronica's Healing Home Birth
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In this episode, Veronica shares the powerful story of her redemptive home birth after cesarean—and how prayer warriors, faithful preparation, and ultimate surrender to God's plan transformed her birth experience from trauma to triumph.
After a 33-hour labor ending in an emergency c-section with her first, Veronica found herself pregnant again while still healing—physically and emotionally. Despite dealing with severe allergies, exhaustion from caring for a toddler, and the weight of past birth trauma, she felt God calling her toward a different path. Late into her third trimester, she made...
BONUS: One Year Podcast Anniversary Thank You & Giveaway
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In this bonus episode, I'm stepping away from our regular programming to celebrate something that has me completely in awe — one full year of the Faith Over Fear podcast. I didn't want to let this milestone pass without pausing to acknowledge what God has done, say a genuine thank you to this community, and share something special to mark the occasion.
I started this podcast with nothing but obedience and a whole lot of trust that the Lord would fill in the gaps. What He has done since that fi...
40. The 4 Emotional Stages of Labor & Why Your Support Team Needs to Know Them
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In this episode, I'm walking you through the emotional stages of labor—not just what happens physically, but the powerful emotional signposts that help you and your birth team know exactly where you are in the process and how to respond with confidence instead of fear.
This framework, inspired by Penny Simkin's incredible work, has transformed how I support families as a doula and childbirth educator. Understanding these emotional patterns can bring so much peace and clarity to what might otherwise feel scary or confusing—whether you're the one giving birth or s...
39. Your Baby's Position Matters: When to Check, Ways to Help Baby Turn, & Surrendering the Outcome to God
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In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Marrow, a board-certified OBGYN and VBAC mom from Full Circle Women's Care, to discuss a topic that can feel overwhelming for many moms: what to do when your baby is breech, transverse, or in another challenging position for birth.
Together we explore the timeline of when baby's position truly matters (hint: not at your 20-week scan!), natural techniques to encourage optimal positioning, and what actually happens during an ECV—the medical procedure to turn a breech baby. Dr. Marrow shares from both her professional ex...
38. Stop Consuming Endless Content, Start Building Confidence: The Truth About Birth Preparation
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In this episode I'm addressing something I see over and over again with expecting parents—the difference between consuming birth content and actually being prepared for birth. While we have more birth information available than ever before through podcasts, social media, and online resources, so many parents still approach birth feeling anxious and unprepared.
This conversation has been on my heart because I see thoughtful, intentional parents doing their best to prepare by listening to podcasts and following birth accounts on social media, yet still missing something foundational. They know a li...
37. God is in Control: A First-Time Mom's Journey from Anxious Planning to Peaceful Surrender
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In this episode, I welcome Lindsay Carter who shares her powerful first birth story—one that took unexpected turns and ultimately deepened her faith in ways she never imagined. From meticulous planning for an unmedicated birth to facing an infection, needing an epidural, and those heart-stopping moments when baby Kate wasn't breathing, Lindsay's journey beautifully illustrates what it means to surrender control to God.
Lindsay came to this pregnancy armed with research, determination, and a deep desire to honor God through an unmedicated birth. But after 41.5 weeks, a slow water leak, ch...
36. The Work of Rest: Preparing for Biblical Sabbath in Pregnancy & Postpartum
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In this episode, I'm sharing something that might sound contradictory at first—but it's become one of the most freeing truths I've learned: it takes work to rest. Using John Mark Comer's simple Sabbath framework from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I'm walking you through how to prepare for biblical rest in the midst of pregnancy, motherhood, and postpartum—even when it feels impossible.
This conversation has been stirring in my heart for months as I've navigated my own pregnancy with two littles at home. Sabbath used to feel out of reac...
35. Why Her "Failed" VBACs Were Actually God's Perfect Plan: A Story of Unexpected Grace
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In this episode, I'm chatting with Kayla, a mama of two under two, who shares how God used her two unplanned cesareans to deepen her trust in Him as a good Father—transforming what could have been crushing disappointment into a powerful testimony of His faithfulness.
Kayla's story is proof that when we trust ourselves less and trust the Lord more, He can work through any circumstance for His glory. After planning for a home birth with her first baby and ending up with 36+ hours of unmedicated labor followed by...
34. Safe Natural Cold Remedies for Pregnant & Nursing Mamas (That Actually Work!)
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In this episode I'm sharing my go-to natural remedies for healing from colds and flu during pregnancy and breastfeeding—practical solutions that have helped me and countless clients navigate sickness without relying on medication.
This cold and flu season has been particularly challenging for so many mamas in my community. When you're already pouring everything into growing or nursing a baby, getting sick can feel overwhelming—especially when you're unsure what's safe to take. After my own battle with a severe respiratory infection during my pregnancy with Daniel, I learned firsthand how...
BONUS: Count It All Joy - Finding God's Goodness Through Trials & Joy In 2025
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In this BONUS episode, I'm sharing a heartfelt year-end reflection as we close out 2025—a year that tested my faith through trials I never saw coming, yet revealed God's faithfulness in ways I couldn't have imagined.
This has been a year of unexpected challenges and profound growth. Just days after launching this podcast in April, I faced a serious mental health crisis with someone close to me, then a few months later found out I was pregnant with my third baby and experienced the darkest season of anxiety and depression I've ev...
33. God's Glory in the Unexpected: What Mary's Messy Birth Teaches Us
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In this episode, I'm exploring the Christmas story through the lens of Mary's birth experience—and what it teaches us about finding God's glory when our own births don't go according to plan.
This message came to me unexpectedly during a church service, when I suddenly saw Mary's story not just as a familiar Christmas narrative, but as a birth story. A messy, uncomfortable, nothing-like-she-planned birth story where God was glorified in every single moment.
Whether you're creating your birth plan, wrestling with fears about things going "wrong," or re...
32. Eczema, Colic & Food Allergies: How Your Pregnancy Gut Health Shapes Baby's Future
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In this episode I'm sitting down with Jessica Ramdhany Thomas, a functional pediatric practitioner and mom of two, to uncover the surprising connection between your gut health during pregnancy and your baby's future health. We're diving deep into how the microbiome you cultivate now can impact whether your little one develops eczema, colic, food allergies—and even affect generations to come.
Jessica shares her personal journey from teacher burnout to fertility breakthrough, two unexpected C-sections, and the challenges of formula feeding when breastfeeding didn't go as planned. Her story is raw, re...
31. Third Trimester Checklist: 10 Faith-Filled Steps for a Peaceful Birth
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In this episode I'm walking you through your third trimester checklist—10 faith-filled steps to help you prepare practically and spiritually for your upcoming birth. Whether you're feeling the weight of that watermelon belly, googling at 2 AM, or wondering if you'll ever feel truly ready, this episode is designed to bring you peace and clarity.
The third trimester can feel overwhelming with its mix of excitement, anticipation, and a never-ending to-do list. But here's what I want you to know: this isn't about doing everything in your own strength. Instead, I'm sharing ho...
30. Back Labor, Big Baby, and Believing A Good God: Caroline's Birth Stories
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In this episode, I'm joined by Caroline, a nurse who brings a unique perspective from caring for critically ill postpartum patients to experiencing her own two drastically different births. She openly shares how back labor, a 9-pound baby, and nearly 5 hours of pushing challenged everything she thought she knew about birth—and how God remained faithful through it all.
Caroline's journey took unexpected turns: from foster parenting to biological motherhood, from an epidural birth with every complication to a fast unmedicated birth, from postpartum joy to postpartum anxiety and grief. Through lo...
29. 5 Signs You're Praying for the Wrong Things for Your Birth
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In this episode I'm exploring what happens when our prayers for birth come from a place of control rather than surrender—and how God has been transforming my heart from anxiety to trust as I prepare for my third baby's arrival.
After carrying the weight of perfectionism through my first two births, treating them like report cards of my strength and worth, I'm experiencing something radically different this pregnancy. God has been gently revealing how my determined, control-seeking nature had turned birth preparation into a crushing source of pressure rather than an...
28. Why Your Birth Preparation Matters More Than You Think: Maria's Life-Changing Story
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In this episode I'm joined by Maria Lilly, a Christian mom whose first birth experience completely transformed her life—leading her from a corporate accounting job to becoming a doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator. Maria shares her powerful story of navigating a terrifying prenatal diagnosis, NICU stay, and ultimately discovering God's faithfulness in the most unexpected ways.
When Maria was told at 35 weeks that her baby was severely growth restricted with only a 25% chance of survival, all her carefully laid birth plans seemed to crumble. But through faith, preparation, and Go...
27. Preparing for Induction: What to Expect, Pack & Pray as a Christian Mama
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In this episode, I'm walking you through everything you need to know about preparing for an induction—from practical tips to spiritual encouragement—so you can approach your birth with peace and confidence, even if this wasn't your original plan.
Maybe your provider has mentioned induction as a possibility, or perhaps you already have a date scheduled. Whatever emotions you're feeling—excitement, disappointment, nervousness, or fear—I want you to know that an induced birth is still a beautiful birth story where God can be glorified.
In this episode...
26. You Weren't Made to Do This Alone: God's Design for Support in Labor
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In this episode I'm diving deep into a topic that's been on my heart—how you can experience professional doula support while keeping your birth intimate and private through virtual birth support. This option could be the perfect solution for mamas who are torn between wanting expert guidance and maintaining the sacred space of birth with just their husband present.
After supporting many families as an in-person doula and experiencing my own intimate birth with my husband as my primary support, I've seen firsthand how powerful it can be when couples wo...
25. Excruciating Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy? Why It's NOT Normal & How to Find Real Help
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In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Kate Smith, pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Nurture You Pelvic Health, to discuss a topic that affects countless women but is often dismissed: severe pelvic pain during pregnancy. If you've ever been told your excruciating pain is "just part of being pregnant," this conversation will validate your experience and offer real hope.
After experiencing debilitating pelvic pain during my pregnancies—pain so intense that my active labor contractions felt like nothing in comparison—I discovered the connection between hypermobility and pregnancy pain. Dr...
24. The Essential Second Trimester Checklist: 7 Faith-Filled Steps for a Strong, Peaceful Pregnancy
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In this episode, I'm walking you through a practical, faith-filled checklist to help you prepare well during your second trimester—the sweet spot of pregnancy when energy returns and you can finally focus on nourishing your body, mind, and heart for the journey ahead.
Whether you're just starting to feel like yourself again or you want to make sure you're on the right track, this episode covers seven key areas to help you steward this season with intention and grace—without perfectionistic pressure or anxiety about outcomes.
From rebuilding your...
23. She Prepared for an Unmedicated Birth But Got a C-Section—What God Revealed Through Loss & A Medical Miracle
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In this episode, I'm sitting down with my dear friend Gracie Clowe—a mama who prepared her heart, mind, and body for an unmedicated birth, only to find herself on an operating table for an unplanned C-section. But that's just the beginning of her story.
Gracie's journey is one of confusion, surrender, heartbreak, and ultimately, miraculous revelation. After feeling clearly called by God to pursue a natural birth, she did everything—acupuncture, an ECV, even playing music on her belly—to get her breech baby to flip. But her daughter wouldn't budge...
22. Understanding Your Rights - Informed Consent & Informed Refusal in Any Birth Setting
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In this episode, I'm breaking down something every pregnant mama needs to know: you always have a choice when it comes to your birth care, no matter where you're planning to deliver. We're diving deep into informed consent and informed refusal—your fundamental rights that don't disappear just because you walk into a hospital or birth center.
Too often, I see birth educators and doulas painting medical staff as the enemy, creating an "us versus them" mentality that honestly breaks my heart. The truth is, your birth team wants what's best fo...
21. Why "Bouncing Back" After Baby Hurts Christian Moms + What to Do Instead (with Laura Lindahl)
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In this episode I'm sitting down with Laura Lindahl—certified pre and postnatal coach, exercise physiologist, and Christian body image coach—to talk about something so many moms wrestle with: the pressure to "bounce back" after baby and how to approach postpartum health from a place of grace, not guilt.
Laura's story will resonate with so many of us. She went from being trapped in superficial fitness obsessed with how she looked and what others thought, to experiencing a complete transformation when God called her back to her first love. Now she...
20. If You're Planning on Breastfeeding, Listen To This First...
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In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know about breastfeeding before your baby arrives—because preparing for this beautiful journey is just as important as preparing for birth itself. Too many mamas focus all their energy on delivery day but don't think about the feeding relationship that follows, and I don't want that to be you.
Whether you're pregnant and considering breastfeeding, already planning to nurse your baby, or have had challenges in the past and want to set yourself up for success this time—this episode is packed with...
BONUS: When You Feel Like a Failing Mom: God's Sufficient Grace in Pregnancy Struggles
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In this vulnerable bonus episode, I'm sharing the hardest month of my third pregnancy—battling severe anxiety and depression while navigating morning sickness, parenting struggles, and feeling completely overwhelmed as a mom of two expecting her third baby.
This isn't the polished, faith-filled message I usually share. This is me in the trenches, feeling like I'm failing at everything—from parenting my strong-willed four-year-old to managing daily tasks while battling mental health struggles. After going off my anxiety medication when I discovered this surprise pregnancy, I found myself in the darkest plac...
19. Overcoming Birth Trauma and Fear: A Foster Mom's Journey to Three Different Deliveries
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In this episode, I'm sharing the incredible birth journey of my very first doula client, Nicki—a foster mom of five whose three births taught her (and me!) powerful lessons about overcoming fear, trusting God's timing, and finding peace through trauma.
Nicki's story begins with a terrifying first birth that left her with a fourth-degree tear, massive blood loss, and months of painful recovery. Determined never to experience that again, she felt God calling her toward natural birth—but with no roadmap and plenty of fear. That's where our paths crossed, and...
