Hope-Filled Birth

What would you do if your water broke but you knew it wasn't time for labor yet? The phrase "waiting on the Lord" becomes unbelievably weighty and tangible during childbirth. To wait on the body while it—sometimes slowly—transitions from pregnancy to delivery can be an overwhelming challenge. Ann's story is one that balances intuition and listening to your body with waiting patie...

Feeding our kids involves becoming educated, making many challenging decisions, and learning to adapt when things don't go the way we planned. The last thing moms need is to be fed misinformation about those decisions that makes the stakes even higher and the choices even harder . On today's episode, Becca shares the struggles she's experienced with feeding each of her children. Some o...

What would be racing through your mind if, at 37 weeks pregnant, your midwife told you that your baby was breech and a c-section was your ONLY option? When Savanna received this news, she wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew that the Lord would guide her steps toward the birth that was meant for her and her first baby. From hospital plans to a vaginal breech birth at home, God's providence and...

Ann Morris, Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, joins us again in this episode to discuss all-things-breastfeeding! Her experience and expertise provide incredible insight that will both encourage and educate any women who is currently breastfeeding or hopes to in the future! Ann reminds us that it's so important to push past the challenges, awkwardness, and overwhelm of learning to nurse our ba...

What happens when your dreams of a peaceful homebirth are suddenly dashed by the news that your placenta is covering your cervix? That's the reality Casey was faced with during her second pregnancy. She trusted the Lord throughout her prenatal journey, and He brought both her and her baby safely through the delivery—amidst layers of trauma. Casey's dependence on the Lord and steadfast faith remind...

It's not Becca's first rodeo—it's her second!! Things were different this time, which Becca talks about in today's episode, but one thing stayed the same: God's faithfulness to show up in every situation and carry us through the most challenging circumstances. Entering birth with knowledge and experience gave Becca confidence to approach this birth with open hands. She shares with the similarities...

Sometimes, the only stories we hear about OB experiences are negative ones! Makayla shares with us her journey from a Midwifery to traditional OB care. Her story is a good reminder that we must choose our providers based on who they are , not just by the title they hold. Makayla's story also serves as a great reminder that your provider works for YOU, not the other way around! Through prenatal mom...

What if we shifted our focus from making birth pain-free to making it fear-free? After experiencing a traumatic delivery amidst the pandemic, Katie's second delivery is a story about releasing fear and surrendering to the beauty of birth the way God designed it. Her story reminds us that He is able to give us supernatural peace through all circumstances! Show Notes: Alex Clark's Interview w/ Doula...

What rights do women have when they birth in hospital settings? What does informed consent look like practically? How can women be prepared to have an empowering cesarean if their birth goes that route? Ann Morris, Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, answers all of these questions and more on today's episode. Her experience and knowledge in these areas will help you approach birth with confidenc...

We've talked a lot about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences in our episodes so far—but what happens when you're struggling to even get pregnant in the first place? How can we reconcile God giving us a desire for parenthood with the often painful reality of infertility? Sarah's story is truly a testimony of the Lord showing His strengths in our weaknesses. Through infertility,...

It's possible to advocate for yourself during a hospital birth as long as you've done your research...right? Emily, a Registered Nurse, definitely thought so. With experience as a medical professional and years of education under her belt, she knew what to expect. However, all the knowledge in her head didn't do the trick when her providers started fear-mongering and pressuring her int...

There are so many voices in today's culture—namely on social media—telling us what we should or definitely should not be doing when it comes to our health. While the pursuit of the non-toxic lifestyle is certainly an admirable one, at one point does it become just as toxic of an idol as any other? On the flip side, at what point are we responsible for turning our knowledge of dangerous chemica...

Erica's story is particularly unique because she had 7 years of birth work experience prior to birthing her own baby! Her birth story certainly has some unexpected turns, but the beautiful ways the Lord showed up for her and provided in every single moment will surely encourage you! Be Her Village (Postpartum Support)

Let's be honest—there's no shortage of awareness when it comes to the medications and methods that are used to avoid the potential pain and discomfort experienced in childbirth. With so many of these modern medical tools at our fingertips, why are multitudes of women today pursuing the natural, unmedicated route by choice? Today's episode discusses physiological birth, and we hope it&#...

In today's episode—with wisdom far beyond her years—Julia shares the intimate details of her second birth story. You'll be overwhelmed by the Lord's incredible timing and redemptive power at work in her testimony!

In this episode, Megan shares with us the story of her firstborn's birth. He spent a challenging two weeks in the NICU immediately following a low-risk pregnancy with no predicted complications. Her testimony speaks to God's faithfulness in all circumstances—even those that feel traumatic, fear-filled, and hopeless.

While there are many aspects of birth that prove unexpected, experiencing postpartum life in the NICU is among the most shocking and potentially traumatizing. In today's episode, Natalie graciously shares the story of her birth at 36 weeks that led to a NICU stay for her new baby boy. She beautifully expresses the unimaginable balance between frustration and faith amidst unthinkable circumstan...

In this episode, Becca courageously shares with us the story of her miscarriage. Her encouraging testimony highlights God's faithfulness to carry us through even the darkest of circumstances and valleys of uncertainty. At the end of the episode, Becca recites the scriptures that carried her through this experience! The verse references can be found below: 2 Timothy 1:7 Luke 10:18-19 Ephesians...

In this episode, Emma dives a bit deeper into national statistics; she outlines why C-Section rates are so high, what's being done to combat their rise, and why women must understand how to identify the NTSV rate of their provider to avoid an unnecessary C-Section! Sources NIH: Quality Improvement Initiatives Lead to Reduction in Nulliparous Term Singleton Vertex Cesarean Delivery Rate CDC: Ce...

In today's episode, Emma and Becca have a conversation about trusting your gut instead of idolizing popular opinions when it comes to your baby's schedule and development. They focus on the wisdom and provision the Lord gives us in parenting our children through scripture, our mothers, and other mentors in our lives! Books References in this Episode: The V@cc1n3 Book: Making the Right Deci...

Get ready for the best information overload you didn't know you needed. Becca brings six years of experience and a wealth of educational knowledge to our conversation about pelvic floor therapy. Her work in this field—which is truly a ministry—will both teach and inspire you! Whether you have experience with this kind of PT, are totally ignorant, gave birth a month ago, or gave birth twenty ye...

After undergoing a c-section for her first birth, Allie knew that for baby number two, she wanted to go the vaginal route! In addition to diving into Allie's personal experience, we also discuss the statistics and common myths surrounding VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) deliveries. Spinning Babies ® (a method utilized in pregnancy and delivery by both Emma and Allie) is "a physiologic...

After giving birth twice in a hospital setting, our friend Emily decided to pursue a home birth during her third pregnancy! Her beautiful story of bringing her own sweet baby into the world (literally...she caught the baby!) is such a testament to God's redemption and sovereignty in childbearing.

In today's episode, Emma shares the questions she asked both an OB and midwife before deciding where she'd give birth. Her questions serve as a helpful guide if you are trying to pick a provider who best suits your needs and goals!

To close out the year, Emma and Becca talk about how they celebrated Christmas growing up, what their favorite holiday memories are, and how they're incorporating both old and new traditions as they celebrate their first holiday season as moms! They also chat about what's to come in 2024 for the Hope-Filled Birth Podcast!