Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast

Send us Fan Mail "They wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks." "They made me get an injection." "I had to have a C-section." This is the language of permission and it's so normal in birth culture that most of us don't even notice it. In this episode, we're talking about how the words we use around birth quietly shape what we believe about our role in it...

Send us Fan Mail You've read the books. You've taken the class. You've prayed about it more times than you can count. And you're still afraid. If that's you, this episode is for you. This isn't an episode about the physiology of fear or coping techniques for labor. It's a heart-level conversation for the mom who feels like she should have more faith by now and do...

Send us Fan Mail We've made it to Part 4: the final chapter of my personal birth story series. This episode picks up after my second birth and covers my third pregnancy, my third birth, and the pivotal experience that led me to officially become a doula. This one is about learning that preparation and control are not the same thing. In this episode, I share: • My friend's VBAC story aka...

Send us Fan Mail We made it to Part 3, and this is the one where things started to change. In this episode, I'm sharing my second birth: a home birth after a traumatic hospital experience, and the story of how God used all of it to lead me exactly where I'm supposed to be. In this episode, I share: • Why I trained for a half marathon nine months postpartum (and what it was really about)...

Send us Fan Mail This episode picks up right where Part 1 left off: walking out of the hospital with my firstborn and a plan to just... never think about the birth again. That plan did not work. In Part 2 of this series, I'm sharing what the first year after my traumatic birth experience actually looked like: the physical recovery I wasn't prepared for, the PPD I got diagnosed with in a...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is personal, a little less polished, and by popular request. In Part 1 of this series, I'm sharing my own birth story...my first baby, born in a hospital during the height of COVID, and the experience that ultimately changed the entire direction of my life and (eventually) led me to becoming a birth doula. I'm holding nothing back. I want you to understand n...

Send us Fan Mail Can Christian moms “manifest” a positive birth experience… or is that idea at odds with biblical truth? In this episode, we’re unpacking a topic that’s becoming more common in pregnancy and birth spaces, even among Christians: manifestation. You’ve maybe heard phrases like:  “Speak your birth into existence”   “Visualize your dream birth”   “Your thoughts create your reality”  But...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what exactly an OB, a midwife, and a doula each do, and how they're different from one another? You're not alone! This is one of the most common questions I get from first-time mamas who are just starting to research their birth options. In this episode, I'm breaking it all down so you can walk into your prenatal care feeling informed, confide...

Send us Fan Mail Is it actually realistic to have a natural (unmedicated) birth in a hospital? If you’ve been researching birth options, you’ve probably seen completely opposite opinions: some saying it happens all the time, and others saying it’s nearly impossible. So which is true? In this episode, we’re breaking it down honestly and practically. We talk about what people really mean when they s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Lainey Stancil, founder of the Peach State Birth Coalition , a Georgia-based nonprofit focused on maternal health education, community support, and birth freedom. Lainey shares the story of how her own birth experience completely changed the direction of her life. After feeling dismissed by a provider during pregnancy, she switched to midwifery care...

Send us Fan Mail There are many misconceptions about natural birth in modern culture. Some of these myths come from media portrayals of labor, some come from medicalized birth culture, and some even appear wrapped in spiritual language. In this episode, we walk through six of the most common myths about natural birth and gently replace them with truth grounded in physiology, history, and biblical...

Send us Fan Mail You may have heard the phrase necessary vs. unnecessary interventions in birth. But what does “necessary” really mean? In this episode, we break down: What the word intervention actually means The difference between a true medical emergency and a normal physiological process Why speeding up labor isn’t always medically indicated How common interventions (like Pitocin or artificial...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gabrielle Wesemeyer, Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, to talk about women’s hormones, thyroid health, stress, cortisol, and simple lifestyle shifts that can make a major impact. Gabrielle shares her personal health journey, including medically induced menopause during chemotherapy, and how that experience led...

Send us Fan Mail If you're planning a natural birth in the hospital, understanding hospital policies and protocols is one of the most important things you can do to prepare. In this episode, we talk about: Why “going with the flow” without preparation can increase stress and interventions How hospital default policies influence birth (IVs, monitoring, movement, food, cervical checks, newborn...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Paige Head , licensed therapist and owner of Crescent Counseling & Consulting , to talk honestly about postpartum mental health, birth trauma, expectations, and the kind of support moms actually need. Paige shares her own story of traumatic birth, postpartum depression and anxiety, and how God used those experiences to shape her calling to serve...

Send us Fan Mail Expectant parents often ask, “What’s the best hospital in Atlanta for a natural birth?” hoping for a clear, reassuring answer. But in this episode, we unpack why that question may be oversimplifying something far more complex. I share why I don’t rank or recommend specific hospitals, even though some have better reputations than others, and what actually matters more than the hosp...

Send us Fan Mail Most birth preparation focuses on labor and pushing but very few parents are truly prepared for what happens immediately after the baby is born . In this episode, we walk through the first minutes and hours after birth and talk about what is normal, what is routine, and where you may have options. For many moms, this phase feels confusing or overwhelming...not because anything wen...

Send us Fan Mail Fear of labor pain can create a cycle that makes contractions feel more intense: the fear-tension-pain cycle. In this episode, we break down exactly what that cycle is, why it matters, and how to stop it before it controls your labor. You’ll learn: How fear physically affects your body during labor Practical tools to release tension and breathe through contractions Faith-based str...

Send us Fan Mail Pregnancy is physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental...all at the same time. If you’re preparing for birth, it’s not enough to only focus on nutrition and physical preparation. Your heart and soul need care too. In this episode, I share five simple daily habits every pregnant Christian can use to nourish both body and soul while preparing for labor. These practices are meant to...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how to pursue a natural birth when you’re not sure you can trust the system you're giving birth in? In this episode, we will cover: Why acknowledging your unease about hospital birth is actually a key part of Christian birth prep... How faith-centered pregnancy planning helps you prepare for natural childbirth without falling into fear or false optimism...

Send us Fan Mail Many women choose their OB or midwife for birth the same way they choose a dentist...based on convenience, familiarity, or recommendations from friends. But birth is a completely different specialty, and a provider who is great at routine gynecologic care may not be aligned with the kind of birth you want. In this episode, I break down how to interview midwives and OB-GYNs for bir...

Send us Fan Mail How does a biblical approach to birth differ from the way U.S. culture views it? In this episode, we explore the key difference between fear-driven birth decisions and faith-filled, God-centered stewardship . Too often, U.S. culture treats birth as a high-risk event to control, leading to anxiety, rigid plans, and unnecessary interventions. We discuss: How fear and control shape U...

Send us Fan Mail Planning a natural birth can feel isolating...especially when you’re the only one in your circle choosing to go unmedicated. Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." In this episode, I’m speaking directly to the mom who fee...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast . This trailer introduces the heart behind the podcast and who it’s for: pregnant Christian women who want to prepare for birth with confidence, wisdom, and trust in the Lord...without being ruled by fear. Hosted by childbirth educator, doula, and mom of three Mannah Liu, Rise blends practical birth education with biblical truth to help y...