Have you ever felt like birth was something to endure rather than embrace? Or maybe fear of the unknown made you outsource every decision to the “experts” without considering what aligns with God’s design?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Aly McClain(host of the Peaceful Homebirth Podcast), a registered nurse whose own journey through birth trauma led her to unlearn mainstream narratives, question the fear-based approach to birth, and rediscover the beauty of God's design. She shares how she moved from total fear and avoidance to confidently choosing home birth, and how this process deepened her faith and understanding of God’s heart for birth and motherhood.

• How birth trauma led Aly to re-evaluate the medical model of birth • Why fear often causes women to surrender decision-making to providers • The importance of asking, "What aligns with God's design for birth?" • How home birth became her default choice (and why she believes all women should consider it first) • The spiritual and emotional healing that can happen through pregnancy and birth

• Have your own birth story to share? Submit it HERE for a chance to be featured in a future episode!
• Listen to Part 1 of my interview on Aly's Podcast HERE
• Listen to Part 2 of my interview on Aly's Podcast HERE
• Scripture-Based Birth Cards
• Connect with Aly McClain: IG- @peacefulhomebirth, Schedule a free 30 minute Birth Strategy Call with Aly HERE,Join her FB community HERE

The best way to let me know is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one & they truly bless my heart!) and by sharing this episode with a fellow mama who needs this encouragement today.

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Blessings, Audrey

But I thought you were "kinda crunchy"? Why are you talking about ePiDurAls?

Well. Here's the thing, epidurals are THE most common childbirth intervention in the western maternity model of care and, just as with EVERYTHING else related to birth, I believe that being informed and educated about ALL your options (including this one) is extremely important.

We need to know what we are saying "no" to AND what we are saying "yes" to when we decline or accept any interventions during labor. And I hope this little mini-series on epidurals equips you to be able to do just that!

Some things you'll hear me cover in today's episode:

• The history of the epidural
• How the epidural works in the body
• How the epidural is administered
• Potential costs of the epidural
• A birth story submitted by one of my listener's! (Brittany Corn)

Mentions:

• Have your own birth story to tell?? I'd love to read it & feature it on a future episode! Share it with me HERE
• Scripture-Based Birth Cards

Enjoy today's episode?

***The best way to let me know you did is by leaving me a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one of them & they are truly such a blessing to my heart) & by sharing it with a fellow mama who could be helped or encouraged through tuning in to today's episode too! ***

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Blessings,

Audrey

Resources:

1. History of Epidurals:

- [National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): History of Epidural Techniques](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

2. Administration of Epidurals:

- [Mayo Clinic: Epidural Procedures During Childbirth](https://www.mayoclinic.org)

- [Evidence-Based Birth: Epidurals](https://evidencebasedbirth.com)

3. Drugs Used in Epidurals:

- [Healthline: Understanding Epidural Medications](https://www.healthline.com)

- [Cochrane Library: Opioid Use in Labor](https://www.cochranelibrary.com)

4. Financial Costs of Epidurals:

- [Parents.com: The Cost of Epidurals in Childbirth](https://www.parents.com)

- [Consumer Reports: Hospital Costs for Epidural Services](https://www.consumerreports.org)

5. Luxury Epidural Options:

- [Evidence-Based Birth: Innovations in Pain Management](https://evidencebasedbirth.com)

Time Stamps

(0:00) Introduction to the Epidural Mini Series (4:08) Understanding the Epidural: Pros and Cons (4:55) The Importance of Birth Stories (7:54) The History of the Epidural (7:54) How Epidurals Work: Administration and Effects (11:22) Cost of Epidurals and Insurance Coverage (17:17)Conclusion

epidural, childbirth, birth stories, anesthesia, labor pain, maternal health, epidural history, birth experience, pain management, healthcare costs

In today's conversation, my dear friend Emily Errington, a birth doula & the owner of Wildflower Doula Co. based in Lubbock,Tx, shares her insights on the various roles of doulas in supporting families during pregnancy, childbirth & postpartum.

Some topics you'll hear us discuss are:

• The importance of birth education for BOTH parents
• The dynamics between doulas & husbands
• How to navigate hospital birth plans
• The differences between nurse vs. doula support
• Navigating the complexities of various birth experiences
• The importance of emotional support during postpartum
• The role of faith in navigating labor's challenges.

Where can you follow along or connect with Emily?

• Wildflower Doula Co. on IG

I pray this conversation blesses you as much as it did me & that you leave it feeling more clear on WHAT a doula actually does & if hiring one for your upcoming birth is the best call for you.

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Enjoy today's episode?

***The best way to let me know you did is by leaving me a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one of them & they are truly such a blessing to my heart) & by sharing it with a fellow mama who could be helped or encouraged through tuning in to today's episode too! ***

Blessings,

Audrey

Time Stamps

(0:00) Introduction (3:08) Understanding the Role of a Doula (6:05) Want an Epidural? Here's What You Need to Know (8:57) The Importance of Education in Birth (11:53) Navigating Hospital Birth Plans (14:58) The Role of Nurses vs. Doulas (17:50) Advocating for Your Birth Preferences (29:40) Navigating Birth Plans and Interventions (31:52) Postpartum Support and Emotional Healing (36:01) The Role of Doulas in Birth Experiences (42:41) Faith and Peace in Birth Experiences (54:19) Final Thoughts on Birth Preparation and Support

What's covered today: doula, birth support, epidural, labor education, hospital birth, birth plan, maternal health, childbirth, doula role, birth experience, birth, postpartum, doula, emotional support, faith, interventions, labor, motherhood, healing, birth experience

In today's episode I have the absolute JOY of interviewing my friend and mentor Brittany McCardle of the Biblical Birth School.

Brittany is a wife, mom to *almost* 7, a childbirth educator, certified doula & founder for the Biblical Birth School -- a certification organization which trains & equips birth workers with a robust education on all matters of birth through a CHRISTIAN perspective.

I have completed Brittany's Childbirth Educator program and am currently enrolled in her Doula appointed program -- and let me just say, her programs are terrific. Thorough, FILLED with resources, book lists, community with like-minded, aspiring birth workers & ongoing, attentive support from Brittany herself.

Cannot recommend her or her programs highly enough.

We cover a WIDE variety of topics today like:

• What does the Bible say about eating your placenta
• Family planning & birth control
• What to do if I feel called to birth work but also feel woefully ill-equipped
• What does it look like to trust God in choosing your birth location
• How to represent Christ well when we speak about ANY topics (but obviously birth-specifically) on social media
• And more

It's a mixed bag. I'm here for it & I hope you are too!

Where can you follow along or connect with Brittany?

• The Biblical Birth School
• @thebiblicalbirthschool
• The Biblical Birth Podcast
• FREE "Is God Calling Me to Birthwork?" E-book!

I pray this conversation blesses you as much as it did me & that you leave listening to it feeling encouraged & excited & full of deeper faith as you prepare to labor with God & for His glory! Enjoy!

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Enjoy today's episode?

***The best way to let me know you did is by leaving me a written review on Apple Podcasts (I read EVERY one of them & they are truly such a blessing to my heart) & by sharing it with a fellow mama who could be helped or encouraged through tuning in to today's episode too!

Blessings,

Audrey

Yes, I know it's odd that I am choosing to share about my SECOND home birth // VBAC delivery before I share about my first, buuuuut

#1 I've actually already shared about my first homebirth on my friend Aly's podcast The Peaceful Home Birth Podcast (go take a listen!)

#2 WHEN I share about my first homebirth on here, I want to do it in an interview format WITH my husband so he can share his unique perspective on how husband's can support and take an active role in supporting their wives during labor!

So keep your eye out for that sometime in the future!

MENTIONS:

• Birth Song
• Birth Playlist
• Share your birth story or apply to be interviewed on the podcast here!
• FREE Scripture-Based Birth Cards that my sweet daughter read over me during labor
• Birth Supplies! -- including my labor outfit

I pray hearing my story encourages, inspires and excites you to partner with the Lord in your OWN upcoming labor!

And remember, God is forever faithful. His loves endures forever. He will never leave you nor forsake you and He will be with you even until the end of the age (so, yes, that includes during your birth). Trust & believe & receive that Truth, friend.

Blessings,

Audrey

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Enjoy today's episode?

The best way to let me know you did is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts or by taking a screen shot of today's episode and tagging me at @faithful.labor

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the top 8 Scriptures I dwelt on and clung to MOST throughout my two unmedicated labors. While there are MANY more I could share about, these eight were the ones I repeatedly reflected on that brought me the most peace, strength, and reminded me of God’s unfailing love even during the most intense moments of birth.

While regular ol' birth affirmations and mantras can be helpful to an extent... there is NOTHING like storing up the Word of God in your mind & heart to keep you rooted in Truth & full of faith in the One who has promised to be with you always -- even to the very end.

Top 8 Scriptures for Labor:

1. Psalm 94:18-19 – “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
2. Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
3. Isaiah 26:3-4 – “You will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.”
4. Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
5. Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
6. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
7. Psalm 121:1-2 – “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
8. 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Mentions:

• Scripture-Based Birth Cards (Freebie)
• "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" by Steffany Gretzinger

Scripture Memory Tools//Resources:

• Dwell Bible app
• Sing the Bible Songs
• Seeds Family Worship
• Scripture Memory Technique
• Scripture Memory Technique 2

I encourage you to take time THIS WEEK to choose at least ONE verse to start memorizing in preparation for your birth. God’s Word is a lifeline for us as believers friends, both in labor and beyond.

I pray this episode blesses you & helps better equip you to labor faithfully with God & for His glory! Enjoy.

Blessings,

Audrey

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Enjoy today's episode?

The best way to let me know you did is by leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts or by taking a screen shot of today's episode and tagging me at @faithful.labor

In today's episode I'm sharing about my ridiculously-named, go-to approach for handling early labor contractions.

You'll come away from this episode having learned:

• WHY relaxing into contractions rather than tensing up & fighting them matters
• The value of training yourself to PRACTICE (seriously, you gotta) relaxing during pregnancy BEFORE labor begins-- attempting to relax for the 1st time when contractions start rolling in AIN'T IT
• How to practice the various relaxation techniques discussed within the episode
• What taking this approach will practically look like once your baby's birth day arrives

I pray this episode blesses you & helps equip you to labor faithfully with God & for His glory! Enjoy.

Blessings,

Audrey

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Mentions:

Scripture-Based Birth Cards

YAY! You're having a baby! Congratulations!

In today's episode, I want to give your brain a break from the potentially scrambling thoughts of, "now what?" & offer up some simple, practical first steps you can begin taking to prepare for the rest of your pregnancy & your precious little one's arrival.

• Step 1: Submit & Surrender Your Birth Plans
• Step 2: Dream, Pray & Journal About Your Ideal Birth
• Step 3: Subscribe To or Follow 2-3 Birth Accounts
• Step 4: Find & Consult With a Doula
• Step 5: Start Researching Providers
• Step 6: Take A Birth Course

I pray this episode blesses you & helps equip you to labor faithfully WITH God & for His glory! Enjoy.

Blessings,

Audrey

Want to connect with me directly? Please do!

Email me at: audrey@faithfullabor.com

Mentions:

Birth Courses

- Biblical Birth Course

- Madeline's Birth Course *free*

- Pain Free Birth Course

*pain free birth NOT guaranteed (obviously), but I took this course & really enjoyed the way Karen broke down physiological childbirth*

Birth Accounts

@mommamadeline

@thebiblicalbirthschool

@peacefulhomebirth

@painfreebirth

@madenewbirth

@divinebirthco

@birthfromabove