Pain Free Birth (Karen Welton)
Explore every episode of Pain Free Birth
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jan 2024 | Welcome to The Pain Free Birth Podcast | 00:06:22 | |
Welcome to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! I'm Karen, a certified doula, childbirth educator, and coach who teaches women all around the world how to give birth without pain and fear through my online courses and content. This show endeavors to challenge everything you thought you knew about birth and empower you to discover MORE with every episode! Connect with me: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Learn more about the Pain Free Birth E-Courses HERE! Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | #2 | My Birth Story: How I Discovered Pain Free Birth | 00:33:23 | |
In this episode... Karen shares her revelatory first birth story, where she learned to embrace the intensity of contractions, relax into them, and experience her labor as pain-free after getting a word from God to relax rather than brace against the surges. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | #3 | Praying for the Impossible: Alla’s Fast Twin Home Birth | 00:55:15 | |
In this episode... A mother 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. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Alla on Instagram @allachkins | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | #1 | Reclaiming Your Power In Birth | 00:17:55 | |
In the debut episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, host and certified doula, Karen Welton, shares her passion for understanding the spiritual dimensions of childbirth. She recounts her own unmedicated birth story and how it made her feel empowered and fearless. Karen explains how birth is a physiological process that a woman's body intuitively knows how to do - if the mother can get out of her thinking mind. Karen is here to spread the message that women can reclaim their power in birth! The podcast will feature diverse birth stories as well as experts offering wisdom about the intersections of spirituality and physiology in birth. Connect with Karen on Instagram @painfreebirth Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! | |||
| 06 Feb 2024 | #4 | A Holistic Approach to Preparing for Pregnancy with The PCOS Doc, Dr. Natalie Underberg | 00:37:50 | |
In this episode… Functional Medicine Practitioner and creator of Pregnancy Prep Academy, Dr. Natalie Underberg (a.k.a. The PCOS Doc on Instagram) joins Karen to discuss how to prepare for pregnancy on a holistic level - physically, emotionally, AND spiritually. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Use code PAINFREEBIRTH100 to get $100 off Pregnancy Prep Academy HERE! Connect with Dr. Natalie: @the.pcos.doc pcosdoc.com | |||
| 13 Feb 2024 | #5 | Blind Trust: Challenging Today’s Birth Culture with Birthkeeper Kemi Johnson | 01:13:01 | |
In this episode… Birthkeeper and former Independent Midwife in the UK, Kemi Johnson, joins Karen to shed light on current midwifery care, hospital, labor, and birth stats and practices in the US vs. UK. Some of the alarming and disturbing things still taking place among birthing women on a daily basis is exactly why a culture shift is so desperately needed. Kemi shares her wisdom on how you can best prepare for a natural physiological birth no matter where you’re planning to have it. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Kemi: @kemibirthjoyjohnson kemibirthjoyjohnson.com | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | #13 | Beyond the Birth Story: How Birth Redefines Our POWER as Women with The Millionaire Mother, Cait Scudder | 00:37:28 | |
In this episode… Boss Mama, Business Coach, and Founder of The Millionaire Mother, Cait Scudder, is back with Karen once again to share how her redemptive, life-changing second birth empowered her to be reborn as the mother she was always meant to be. We were created to shine and be seen. Once you allow yourself to step into your power as a woman and a mother, you can use your unique gifts to create your own success. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Cait: @themillionairemother The Millionaire Mother Podcast | |||
| 27 Feb 2024 | #7 | Sacred Boundaries: Ali’s Healing Journey to Home Birth | 00:59:00 | |
In this episode… Mama, Breathwork Facilitator, and Spiritual Coach, Alison Levine, joins Karen to share how radically different each of her 3 birth experiences were. Her journey from traumatic c-section in the hospital to a beautiful and peaceful home birth will inspire and empower you. It is truly amazing how confronting and releasing your worst fears about birth can absolutely set you FREE to enjoy the birth of your dreams! Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Alison: @alilevinedesign alilevine.com | |||
| 20 Feb 2024 | #6 | Consider That It’s POSSIBLE… with Leslie Burris | 00:57:25 | |
In this episode… Christian Homemaker, Mama of 7, and Cognitive Behavioral Coach, Leslie Burris shares how the Pain Free Birth E-Course transformed her last 2 birth experiences from “beautiful, yet terrible” to being full of peace, love, and yes, even FUN! As she learned to embrace and trust her body in birth, rather than brace against it with every surge in fear, she unlocked her ability to experience truly pain-free birth. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Leslie: @leslie__burris leslieburris.com | |||
| 05 Mar 2024 | #8 | Embracing the Transformation of Birth with The Millionaire Mother, Cait Scudder | 00:56:03 | |
In this episode… Boss Mama, Business Coach, and Founder of The Millionaire Mother, Cait Scudder, joins Karen to share her healing, redemptive birth story of her second child. Processing the trauma of her first birth as she worked her way through the Pain Free Birth course she discovered that she truly could have a different experience. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Cait: @themillionairemother themillionairemother.com Get Cait’s Birth and Postpartum Resource Guide (including her labor playlist) HERE! | |||
| 12 Mar 2024 | #9 | The Medical Model vs. The Midwifery Model: Expert Interview with Dr. Stuart Fischbein | 01:24:00 | |
In this episode… Karen sits down with renowned Home Birth Obstetrician, Dr. Stuart Fischbein, to discuss the serious flaws in the medical model of care today. With over 40 years of professional experience, mainly specializing in vaginal breech and twin birth, he now travels the world educating birth workers and advocating for the midwifery model of care - a true pioneer in the birthing world. Dr. Stu gets straight to the point addressing some of the most hot button questions you want answers to, such as: What does “high risk” actually mean? Is home birth safe? When is induction really necessary? What about preeclampsia?
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Get the latest PFB Freebie: Questions To Ask Your Birth Provider HERE! Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Dr. Stu: @birthinginstincts birthinginstincts.com | |||
| 19 Mar 2024 | #10 | Treasure Hunting, FER, Home Birth, & Lightbulb Moments with Nicole Neesby | 00:51:22 | |
In this episode… Holistic-minded, homesteading mama, Nicole Neesby, dares to normalize home birth with Karen as she shares about each of her beautifully unique birth experiences. Despite the trauma she went through in her first birth, she still never questioned her desire to birth at home, where she always felt safest. Her following redemptive births are so encouraging, and reveal the profound depth of God’s grace.
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!
Connect with Nicole: | |||
| 26 Mar 2024 | #11 | SURPRISE…2 Babies! Elizabeth’s Peaceful Breech Twin Home Birth | 00:42:26 | |
In this episode… Hospital pediatric RN turned full-time homeschooling SAHM, Elizabeth Parsons, shares with Karen how she ended up giving birth to twins (both breech!) at home after having had 3 previous unmedicated hospital births. She recalls how the Lord intervened throughout her pregnancy to keep the second baby “hidden” in order to protect her and her family from fear and worry (especially during the unprecedented times brought by the pandemic). In turn, her birth experience was a true testimony marked by peace and the revelation that when left alone with our God-given intuition and miraculous intentional design, women are more than capable of not only unmedicated physiological singular birth but double breech twin birth!
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!
Connect with Elizabeth: @purelyparsons www.purelyparsons.com Get Purely Parsons 100% Organic Elderberry Kit HERE! | |||
| 02 Apr 2024 | #12 | Beautiful One Midwifery Answers: What Makes Homebirth Safe? | 01:10:58 | |
In this episode… Karen meets with licensed midwives Kelly and Tiffany of Beautiful One Midwifery to discuss all things homebirth and what midwifery care should truly look like. As holistic health advocates and fierce lovers of the family and all things home, this passionate duo focuses their practice on alternative care that puts control back into the hands of the women they serve, providing integrative knowledge, natural resources, and sisterly inspiration for women to own their birth journeys. They love coming alongside busy moms who are looking for a more personalized approach to holistic pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We dive into some FAQs we've been aching to answer for you, such as:
…and LOTS more!
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Not sure where to start on how to find a provider that's right for you? Check out PFB’s latest FREEBIE: Questions To Ask Your Birth Provider! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Beautiful One Midwifery: beautifulonemidwiferysandiego.com Check out their podcast “At Home with Kelly + Tiffany” HERE! Check out their Community Membership, designed to bring the midwifery model of care to every stage of womanhood! | |||
| 16 Apr 2024 | #14 | Rebirth from Freebirth: Dr. Sarah’s Empowering Journey to Birthing HER Way | 00:53:56 | |
In this episode… Birth Educator, Mother, and Chiropractor, Dr. Sarah Leahy shares with Karen how her confidence in her body’s ability to birth was shaken after her first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, which led to her first birth resigning to the pressures of medical intervention and ending in an unwanted traumatic c-section. She went on to have a life-changing freebirth (unassisted) completely on her own terms with her second, and then an empowered home birth with midwives for her third. Dr. Sarah’s radically unique birthing experiences set her on a passionate path to advocate for informed choice and educate women everywhere that it’s the medical system that’s broken, not them!
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Dr. Sarah: @birthuprising birthuprising.com Birth Uprising Podcast Grab her free birth plan checklist HERE! The workbook she mentions at the end of the podcast is the Midwife or OBGYN eBook and is available NOW! | |||
| 23 Apr 2024 | #15 | Breech isn’t a Problem! Jessica’s FIVE Natural Breech Births | 00:52:52 | |
In this episode… Mom of 6, author, and NREMT, Jessica Gray, chats with Karen about her FIVE vaginal breech births. This unique experience ultimately led to her founding the #breechnation movement - a community of encouragement and education dedicated to informing the world that breech birth isn’t a problem! She is co-author of the upcoming 2024 book, The Breech Book, which will be a complete guide to having a safe and successful breech birth and will include an incredible compilation of breech birth stories! Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Did you know Karen has a module inside the Pain Free Birth E-Course dedicated to Breech & Twins?! She discusses all things breech birth with Dr. Stuart Fischbein in this amazing bonus content. Get 10% off the PFB E-Course with this exclusive link for podcast listeners only >>HERE< Connect with Jessica: @breechbirth Sign up to be first to know about the highly anticipated 2024 release of The Breech Book HERE (and/or share your own breech birth story!). | |||
| 30 Apr 2024 | #16 | Calm in the Midst of the Storm: Rachel’s Miraculous Preterm Birth at 26 Weeks | 01:02:47 | |
In this episode… Karen interviews Rachel Jones about her miraculous birth story that defied expectations. Rachel recounts the premature birth of her daughter, Abby, at 26 weeks and how prayer and community support played pivotal roles throughout her journey. She shares the personal growth and deep reliance on the Lord she and her family experienced, detailing how, against all odds and doctors' predictions, her baby thrived from the moment she was born. Rachel’s story encapsulates trials and triumphs of faith, prayer, and the power of maternal intuition, offering hope and inspiration to other families facing similar situations and emphasizing the power of advocacy by parents in the NICU and the profound impact it had on her understanding of motherhood.
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Rachel on Instagram @jones_tribe | |||
| 14 May 2024 | #18 | The Mind-Body Connection with Ashleigh Di Lello: Pain Isn’t Just Physical! | 01:11:35 | |
In this episode… Karen delves into an enlightening discussion with Ashleigh Di Lello, founder and creator of Bio Emotional Healing®, to explore the transformative power of the mind-body connection especially as it relates to pregnancy and birth. Ashleigh shares her own remarkable story of overcoming life-threatening health challenges. Despite being told by doctors she wouldn't live past her teenage years, she refused to give up and her discoveries revealed a revolutionary healing approach that has the ability to reshape our responses to emotional trauma and chronic pain, limiting beliefs, and provide profound insights into pain, trauma, and anxiety during childbirth. She went on to become an elite athlete, TV and Broadway star, entrepreneur, Brain Coach, and Keynote Speaker. This conversation aims to empower women with the knowledge and tools to navigate their life and birthing experiences with strength and confidence. Special Note from Karen: Hey Mama, Is your body carrying birth trauma that you don’t want to bring into your next birth? You’re not alone – 1 in 4 women now report experiencing birth trauma. You can even experience trauma from a seemingly “positive” birth experience. Unpacking all of that can feel overwhelming and helpless. I’ve worked with hundreds of women to identify, feel, forgive, and release their birth trauma, and I’m here for YOU. Don’t waste another day struggling to keep your head above water. I don’t want you to miss out on the joy, bliss, and love that your next birth and postpartum experience can offer YOU! You can THRIVE, mama! Let’s do this. If listening to this episode struck a cord with you, I want to extend a special podcast listener discount [30% off] for my Healing Birth Trauma Masterclass HERE (now offered with lifetime access). Just use the code ‘TRAUMA’ at checkout. With love, Karen Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Connect with Ashleigh: @ashleighdilello facebook.com/ashleighdilello youtube.com/ashleighdilello Bio Emotional Healing Podcast with Ashleigh Di Lello Get Ashleigh’s FREE Brain-Body Blueprint HERE! Watch Ashleigh’s FREE Brain Training - The 4 Shifts My Clients Use to Break the Negative Though Loop & Master Anxiety & Self Doubt Schedule a FREE consultation for Ashleigh’s Bio Emotional Healing® Coaching on her website here. | |||
| 07 May 2024 | #17 | From Maiden to Mother: A Special Mother’s Day Message from Karen | 00:33:19 | |
In this special solo episode… Karen explores the transformational process of becoming a mother and the sacred journey from maiden to mother. She discusses the spiritual aspects of childbirth, the challenges and rewards of motherhood, and the importance of surrendering to this rite of passage, aiming to validate and celebrate all mothers while acknowledging both the joyous and trying aspects of motherhood. She delves into the societal pressures and self-doubt many mothers face, advocating for a culture that honors the feminine energy of childbirth and motherhood. This Mother’s Day, Karen encourages mothers to surrender to the changes, embrace their new identity, and find beauty in the journey of motherhood. Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!
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| 21 May 2024 | #19 | The Evolution of Birth and Motherhood with Erin Wilkins | 00:45:08 | |
In this episode… Erin Wilkins, mother of five, registered nurse, and online educator who embraces a holistic lifestyle, opens up with Karen about how childbirth has dramatically shaped her views on motherhood and the incomparable power of birth. She talks about the significant lessons learned through each of her birth experiences, emphasizing the importance of mindset, the role of discomfort in personal growth, and the transformative power of surrendering to the process while focusing on the benefits of homebirth and the support of her incredible midwives. Erin’s invaluable insight into how her hardest birth experience was actually her best is truly profound, and her heartfelt advice for new mothers encourages women to actively shape their birth experiences to reflect their innermost values and desires because it directly impacts the journey into motherhood.
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become a PFB Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! Connect with Erin: @essentiallyerin__ The Essentially Erin Podcast www.essentiallyerin.com | |||
| 28 May 2024 | #20 | Busting the ‘Big Baby’ Myth: Rylee’s Redemptive Unmedicated VBAC | 00:40:57 | |
In this episode… Rylee Portela, a resilient mom of three boys, shares with Karen how mental fortitude, lots of prayer, trusting in the Lord, and a supportive birth team – including hiring a doula – can make or break your birth experience. From having a cesarean with her first (simply due to a “big baby”), to a medicated VBAC during the challenging times of COVID shutdowns with her second (an even bigger baby!), and finally experiencing a nearly pain-free, physiological birth in the hospital with her third, Rylee’s journey is filled with hope and encouragement for any mom who is worried about vaginally birthing “big babies” or is simply dreaming of a redemptive birth experience like hers. Tune in and let Rylee’s inspiring story uplift your spirit and instill new confidence in your innate ability to birth! Check out Karen’s famous “Big Baby” IG story highlight here! Check out Rylee’s Third Birth Story featured on PFB’s IG here.
Connect with Karen: @painfreebirth facebook.com/painfreebirth youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Sign up for the new highly anticipated Unlocking a Pain Free Birth Masterclass HERE (releasing SOON)! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE!
Connect with Rylee on IG and Facebook: @mrs.newtela Rylee Portela | |||
| 04 Jun 2024 | #21 | A Functional Approach To Preventing Miscarriage, GBS, Mastitis, Tongue Ties, & Thriving In Your Pregnancy with Dr. CeCe Brooks | 00:56:47 | |
In this episode, Karen is joined by Dr. CeCe Brooks, a highly respected Functional Medicine Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. With preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum, there are so many myths spread or things missed by traditional medicine that will be busted today. Get ready to dive into the world of progesterone well into pregnancy, not relying on antibiotics during birth, and even vaginal steaming as part of postpartum care. Dr. CeCe explains how functional medicine can offer natural and effective health solutions whether you're planning to conceive, currently pregnant, or navigating the postpartum period. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Dr. CeCe's eBooks & guides including the 30-page comprehensive guide on must-have pregnancy and postpartum supplements, safe and effective pregnancy and postpartum healing modalities, & labor and postpartum nourishment! See all of Dr. CeCe's resources here: https://thediscoverydoc.com/resources Postpartum Bliss ⏤ Karen's guide to fall in love with the postpartum period: https://painfreebirth.com/postpartum-bliss/ CONNECT WITH DR. CECE: The Discovery Doc® was born after struggling with her own medical issues and a misdiagnosis that took years to correct. Now, by using holistic, integrative, and preventative medicine as a foundation, Dr. CeCe teaches parents how to make educated, informed decisions on behalf of their child’s health and wellbeing. By implementing fun + simple life changes, you can greatly reduce everyday toxic loads that parents may not even be aware of. Website: https://thediscoverydoc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thediscoverydoc/ | |||
| 11 Jun 2024 | #22 | Finding Twins At 32 Weeks & A Successful Home Birth Story Despite Baby Being Breech with Amanda Johnson | 00:50:39 | |
In this episode, Karen is joined by Amanda Johnson, a mama of 4 beautiful babies. Despite all odds and one baby even being breeched up until delivery, Amanda had a successful home birth with her twins for her most recent pregnancy. Today we’ll get into all the nitty gritty of Amanda’s experience with hospital versus home births, how her pregnancies varied, and how her most recent pregnancy was a massive surprise up until the very last minute of delivery! After Amanda’s first labor and delivery experience that was less than ideal in the hospital, she knew she didn’t want to experience that again. With her second child, she successfully gave birth at home and knew she would repeat the experience when she fell pregnant the third time… little did she know, this home birth experience would be quite rare and one to remember!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT AMANDA JOHNSON: I’m a SAHM to 4 babes ages five and under. We are a military fam currently stationed in Monterey CA! My first birth was an induction and after that whole experience, I knew it could be better. My induction was not traumatic as I truly believe I was on the brink of labor (11 days past my guess date) but the whole process from start to end felt very unnatural. When I got pregnant with my 2nd I knew I was going to have a homebirth, this was October of 2019. Luckily my midwife (Lindsey Meehleis) and I were totally aligned and she shut her office down for maybe a month during Covid. It was crazy, my husband was overseas and I thought I was going to have to deliver without him. I had my 2nd at home at the height of Covid in June 2020 and had a totally different experience than my hospital birth in the best way. When I got pregnant in 2021, I of course opted for home birth again. I didn’t find out until 32 weeks that I was having twins and I truly wasn’t surprised - the pregnancy felt totally different! I carried them to 40w3d and had a beautiful labor and delivery under 2 hours!!! Follow her on Instagram: @therealamandajohnson Check out her website: https://www.therealamandajohnson.com/
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Karen's Pain Free Birth Course: https://painfreebirth.com/pain-free-birth/ | |||
| 18 Jun 2024 | #23 | A Father’s Perspective On Hospital & Home Births And Their Redemptive Pain Free Birth Experience with Harif & Jennifer Hazera | 01:15:40 | |
This episode is a real treat! Today, Karen is joined by both husband and wife, Harif & Jennifer Hazera. This beautiful couple ran into Karen at a Tony Robbins event where they were able to share their beautiful home birth story and thank Karen for all her help. Jennifer was a graduate of the Pain Free Birth Course and it didn't come very naturally ⏤ no pun intended. After experiencing a horribly traumatic birth with their first son in the hospital, Harif and Jennifer eventually came to the decision to have their second son in the comfort of their own home. Once a thought that Jennifer scoffed at turned into the most redemptive, God-ordained moment ever. Tune in to this episode to hear the stark difference between their two birth experiences and how fathers are dismissed throughout and left with trauma after the birth experience.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT THE HAZERA'S: Harif and Jennifer are happily married and work together as entrepreneurs in the real estate space. Once they got pregnant with their first baby, they didn't question giving birth in a hospital, that is until there were too many disturbances and interventions that ruined the sacred experience they thought they were going to have by bringing their first son Leo into the world. Fast forward to getting pregnant with their second son, Max, they knew that it could be better. After getting three obvious signs from God to explore a home birth, Jennifer finally gave in. Little did they know, God would end up offering the most redemptive experience to them by giving birth inside their home in the way they dreamed of. Harif and Jennifer are just like you, they weren't professionals in home birth knowledge but after graduating from the Pain Free Birth Course, they gained the knowledge and empowerment needed to have the most beautiful, sacred, and pain free birth at home. Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @j_hazera
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Pain Free Birth Course: https://painfreebirth.com/pain-free-birth/ Healing Birth Trauma Course: https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/ Birth Partner Bootcamp: https://painfreebirth.com/birth-partner-bootcamp/ | |||
| 25 Jun 2024 | #24 | ”You Don’t Have Low Milk Supply, You Have A Bad Latch” Essential Steps To Breastfeeding Success & Dyad Hot Takes with Trisha Ludwig, CNM IBCLC | 01:05:58 | |
Trisha, an amazing woman who has extensive knowledge, experience, and expertise with being a nurse midwife and IBCLC joins Karen on the podcast today! After virtually meeting on the Down To Birth podcast that Trisha co-hosts, Karen was eager to dive deeper into the conversation around breastfeeding and problems that can arise with each dyad. Trisha shares her unintentional, unattended birth as well as dives into the specifics of the difference between IBCLC's and LC's, her education & experience, as well as a lot of the problems and easy fixes that can be made to solve current problems like painful latches, low-milk supply, and even postpartum anxiety and depression! Join us as we uncover all these dyad hot takes!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT TRISHA: Trisha Ludwig is a Yale educated Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has experience as a homebirth midwife, is a holistic women’s gynecologic health practitioner, and has fifteen plus years working as an IBCLC (and works privately providing both in-person and virtual appointments anywhere in the world). She is also a podcaster and the co-host of the globally known birth podcast Down to Birth Show. She is a mother of three children all birthed at home. Follow Trisha on Instagram: @trishaoludwig Follow Down To Birth on Instagram: @downtobirthshow
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Pain Free Birth Course: https://painfreebirth.com/pain-free-birth/ Down To Birth Podcast Episode 208: Achieving A Pain Free Birth with Karen Welton: https://www.downtobirthshow.com/208-achieving-a-pain-free-birth-with-karen-welton-painfreebirth/ | |||
| 02 Jul 2024 | #25 | A Sacred & Speedy 6-Minute Unmedicated Hospital Birth Of An 11-Pound Baby with Jilda Connell | 00:39:58 | |
If you have been on the fence about having an unmedicated birth, especially if you've had medicated births in the past, this story is going to be so inspiring to you. Whether you're currently planning a hospital birth or you simply want to hear an encouraging birth story Jilda is here to share her transformational story with us. After having two medicated hospital births that left her traumatized with epidurals gone wrong, she decided that her third birth was going to be unmedicated in the hospital. In most parts of the United States, that is unheard of! Tune in as Jilda shares her she determined her birth plan, if the hospital staff honored her plan, and the peaceful environment she was blessed to give birth in. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT JILDA: Jilda is a proud mother of three hailing from New Jersey. Her journey is all about empowering women, especially postpartum moms, through fitness. With years of dedication as a fitness instructor, Jilda's had the honor of transforming lives through group exercise, advocating for self-care and holistic health. Currently pursuing her doula license, her passion for nutrition during and after pregnancy drives her forward. Amidst the ebb and flow of motherhood, Jilda's resilience has soared while exercising her body and spirit through every one of her pregnancies. With her heart ablaze, she seeks to be a guiding light of support and positive change in every life she encounters. Follow Jilda on Instagram: @jacked.withjil RESOURCES MENTIONED: | |||
| 09 Jul 2024 | #26 | Laboring A Posterior Baby With A Compound Arm Presentation Completely Unmedicated & Pain Free with Dr. Emily Gardner | 00:36:51 | |
Today we are joined by Emily Gardner, a first-time mom, who actually didn't want children prior to getting married due to the painful and traumatic experiences she'd heard of. Now, she is a happy mama of an 8-week old baby boy named Finnigan. She tells us all about how she found Karen on Instagram, how she adopted her determined pain-free-birth mindset, and what her labor experience was like inside a traditional hospital. No spoilers, but her labor & delivery came with a few surprises that resulted in a longer labor, yet still absolutely pain free. Emily said, "the IV line was probably the most painful part of the whole experience." EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT EMILY: Emily is a first-time mom (besides her two adorable fur babies) who lives in a small town in New York with her husband, Samuel, who doubles as her business partner. She attended University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and graduated with a degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine. Dr. Emily then made the long trip to Iowa and received her chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She was able to study under amazing sports doctors and learn a lot of therapies that she implements at her clinic back home in New York! Emily is full of gratitude to be finding her way in her new role as mom. Emily's Chiropractic Clinic Website RESOURCES MENTIONED: | |||
| 16 Jul 2024 | #27 | Mom Of 8 Has First Home-Birth Experience: 6 Hospital Births Later She Had A Magical Twin Home-Birth Despite Having A Breech Baby with Jill Reitz | 00:47:56 | |
Jill is a joyful warrior as a mom of 8 beautiful babies including newborn twins who just successfully had her first home birth. Yes, Jill had six traditional births with a regular OB team in the hospital before her OB unfortunately passed away and she had to look elsewhere for the upcoming birth of her twins, Ruth and Samuel. She felt God calling her to have a home birth, but her husband Joe wasn't initially supportive. After a lot of prayer and giving it to the Lord, Jill & Joe had a beautiful home birth with the support of her birthing team! She had Ruth at 7 pounds 2 ounces and Samuel at 7 pounds 15 ounces! Despite Samuel being breech, Jill's team had the expertise to handle things with ease and keep a peaceful environment for the birthing mama. Join us today as Jill shares more about her magical experience giving birth at home to twins. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT JILL: Wife to Joe Reitz (former NFL player) Momma of 8 including newborn twins, oldest almost 13, 11, 9, 7, 5 and 3. Former collegiate Division 1 runner. Faithful Catholic. Resides in North suburb of Indianapolis. Huge lover and encourager of natural, physiological birth and all things motherhood, wifehood and family life! RESOURCES MENTIONED: | |||
| 23 Jul 2024 | #28 | How Pregnancy Contributes To Oral Health: Cavities, Gingivitis, and Root Canals From A Holistic Health Standpoint with Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, D... | 00:58:45 | |
We are so excited to welcome holistic health advocate and dentist, Dr. Michelle Jorgensen on the podcast today! Through her years of general and cosmetic dentistry, she never questioned anything ⎯ until Dr. Michelle was so sick she could hardly hold a dental instrument. Dr. Michelle experienced severe mercury poisoning that opened up an entirely different can of worms within the dental industry. Tune in to hear how Dr. Michelle found out about her toxicity, how it affected her fertility, what she incorporates in her dental practice today, and what you can do to save your oral health. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT DR. MICHELLE: Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS, , TNC, CNAS, is a renowned holistic dentist, author of five books, and a holistic health advocate. Her transformative journey began when mercury exposure from traditional dentistry made her seriously ill. She evolved into a Board-Certified Naturopath and Therapeutic Nutritional Counselor, seamlessly integrating medicine and dentistry. For a decade, Dr. Jorgensen has been a pioneer in Functional Integrative dentistry through her Total Care Dental and Wellness Way, attracting patients from all corners of the globe. Beyond her dental practice, she's the founder of Living Well with Dr. Michelle, teaching essential life skills, with a charitable arm, the Living Well Today Foundation, supporting those in need. A busy mother of four, she is passionate about teaching and helping others and is a sought- after podcast guest, known for her knack in simplifying crucial topics and providing practical, real-world solutions for listeners. Living Well Shop 💵 Save 10% on all Living Well products with code: PAINFREEBIRTH RESOURCES MENTIONED: Dr. Michelle's Dentist Directory | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | #29 | Special Episode: Karen’s 3 Birth Stories & Shifting From Pain To Pain Free In One Contraction | 00:55:59 | |
**Hey mamas, this episode was recorded with different equipment so please don’t mind the audio, we understand it can be frustrating, but we’ll be back to normal quality next week** This episode is quite different as Karen is actually the one being interviewed by the host of the Holy Confident Birth Podcast, Eve O'Brien. Check out the Holy Confident Birth Instagram here. We hope you enjoy this perspective shift as Karen shares her journey with her own pain free births, how she got into this industry, and how she changed the course of her first birth from painful to pain free in the span of just one contraction! In this episode, Karen describes how a pain free birth doesn’t mean you don’t experience hurt or intensity rather you get to enjoy your birth and feel full feelings of ecstasy as Karen has with her own three births. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
RESOURCES MENTIONED: FREE MASTERCLASS {FOR A LIMITED TIME}: Unlocking A Pain Free Birth Masterclass In this masterclass, with over 10 years of experience supporting women as a doula and childbirth educator, Karen is sharing her best secrets and techniques to help you experience a pain-free, joyful birth. Learn practical ways you can partner with your body to overcome pain and step into an ecstatic, transformational birth. You do not want to miss this powerful masterclass - currently FREE for a limited time. | |||
| 06 Aug 2024 | #30 | Whitney’s Deeply Spiritual & Pain Free Hospital Birth: Trusting Her Body & Ignoring Nurse’s Urge to ”PUSH!” | 00:49:19 | |
In this episode, Whitney Baggett shares how about becoming a first-time mom, trusting your intuition, and the challenges of falling out of your mental zone in the hospital. As a new mom, Whitney questioned whether she was really in labor or if she was just having contractions. Tune in to hear the interesting story and timeline Whitney gave from the moment she experienced this "back cramping" to the minute she was wheeled into the hospital with shocking news! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT WHITNEY BAGGETT: Whitney is a singer & songwriter and CEO of VOW Creative, a video production and social media marketing company. Whitney also runs an inspirational blog called, Vehicle of Wisdom, where she writes about deepening faith and offers bits of wisdom she’s learned along the way. Instagram: @whitneyvowcreative & @vowtobecreative CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! | |||
| 13 Aug 2024 | #31 | An Accidentally Unassisted & Pain Free Precipitous Twin Birth with Emma Brake | 00:41:26 | |
In this episode, Emma shares her amazingly unexpected, yet so magical precipitous twin birth. Fascinated by birth by baby number two, Emma had done a lot of research and precipitous births had never stood out to her... that was until the twins came along. Her instincts were on fire. From the midwife being minutes away, husband nearly passing out, and babies coming quick enough she almost forgot to undress?! This birth story is one to remember. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT EMMA BRAKE: Emma is a young wife and mother of five. She grew up a missionary kid, marrying her high school sweetheart, a handsome Marine, at 18, and in the following seven years, five sweet little wildlings joined their family! Their youngest three were born at home, including most recently her twins, a precipitous, accidentally unassisted homebirth. It was all rather exciting and very, very messy! These days she's blessed to spend her days at home wrestling what feels like 764 toddlers, telling her husband not to buy it at the store because she can make it at home, and fumbling her way through homesteading, endless home projects, and raising five free range kiddos to love Jesus. Instagram: @thisredeemedmama CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! | |||
| 20 Aug 2024 | #32 | Impactful Movement & Mobility: The Key To A Pain Free Pregnancy with Gina Conley | 00:50:16 | |
In this episode, Gina Conley shares how impactful movement could be supportive for a strong and pain free pregnancy as an industry-leading perinatal fitness provider. What if the answer to a pain free pregnancy and birth was simply understanding the difference in mobility throughout our pregnancies and how we can support our body by moving optimally. I'm sure you've heard of kegels... think of that as step one. Kegels should not be your only form of movement to prepare for birth. Find out what Gina recommends you do in today's episode! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT GINA CONLEY: Gina Conley is the founder of MamasteFit—a perinatal fitness training facility located in North Carolina. MamasteFit offers in-person and online pre/postnatal fitness training programs. Gina has her masters in exercise science and is a seasoned birth doula. She combines her expertise as both a perinatal fitness trainer and birth professional to provide full spectrum support from conception, birth, and recovery in the postpartum. Gina is the author of Training for Two, a book that explains how to use prenatal fitness to support a strong and pain free pregnancy, as you prepare for birth. Instagram: @mamastefit PROGRAM: 40-Week Prenatal Fitness Program PROGRAM: 40-Week Mini Prenatal Fitness Program CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! | |||
| 27 Aug 2024 | #33 | Birth Can Be Amazing & You Are Elastigirl with Brandyn Gipe | 00:42:57 | |
Right after high school, Brandyn witnessed a dear friend having excruciating menstrual cycles. After being prayed over by a team member in ministry school, her friend no longer experienced pain during her cycles! This was when Brandyn's eyes were open to the possibility that we don't have to experience pain and birth can be amazing. This was a very special episode to chat about as Karen and Brandyn shared so many similarities between their births. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT BRANDYN GIPE: Wife to Steven, mom to Quinn, dog mom of 3, and currently serving as the communications director at New Day for Children (a faith-based non-profit that supports kids recovered from trafficking in America) in the Shasta County, CA and the surrounding area. Brandyn loves Jesus, fun, adventure and exploring the world. Steven and Brandyn dream of one day starting a home for minor boys recovered from trafficking here in the USA. Instagram: @brandynpruettgipe CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! | |||
| 03 Sep 2024 | #34 | Jessie’s Redemptive, Spiritually Led, and Unplanned Precipitous Home Birth with Jessie Ritter | 00:55:43 | |
Jessie thought she was prepared to have a smooth, natural, and pain free birth until... The hospital kept interrupting the labor room, asking for continuous monitoring, and made the birth experience something Jessie never wanted to relive again. When she got pregnant with her second child, Ava, she knew things would be different. She and her husband weren't 100% sold on having a home birth, but that's why we have peace that God's plan is greater. Tune in to hear all about Jessie's redemptive and unplanned home birth. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT JESSIE RITTER: Mom of two, wife, and musician living in the Florida Panhandle. Jessie had a difficult first birth in the hospital, and an absolutely blissful second time unplanned home birth. Instagram: @jessie.l.ritter TikTok: @jessieritter CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! 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. | |||
| 10 Sep 2024 | #35 | The Power Of Christian Hypnobirthing with Tara Menzies | 00:52:07 | |
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
CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! 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. | |||
| 22 Oct 2024 | #36 | Pelvic Floor Strength For Birth & Postpartum with Dr. Lizzie Kieffer | 00:47:23 | |
In this episode, Karen sits down with Dr. Lizzie Kieffer as she shares her personal birth experiences and professional insights. From her hospital birth to her empowering home birth, Lizzie opens up about the lessons learned along the way. Tune in as we dive into why relying solely on kegels might not be the best approach for birth and postpartum recovery, how diaphragmatic breathing helps relax the pelvic floor, and explore practical tips for avoiding severe diastasis recti. Plus, learn how to surrender to the natural timing of labor rather than trying to control it. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
MORE ABOUT DR. LIZZIE KIEFFER: Lizzie is a doctor of physical therapy, a mom of two, and a strong advocate for movement as medicine. After earning her doctorate in 2018, she began her career in a traditional clinic but soon realized her passion lay in helping women navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic floor health. Motivated by the lack of specialized information in these areas, she opened her own practice and developed the Mind Body Core programs to empower and educate women worldwide. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys pickleball, hiking, and spending time with her daughters, Mia and Lily, her husband Matt, and their dog Snickers. A lifelong learner, she is dedicated to helping women feel confident, understood, and supported as they embrace the changes of womanhood and motherhood. Instagram: @doclizziedpt PRENATAL: Mind Body Core Prenatal Program — Use code: PAINFREEBIRTH for $15 off POSTPARTUM: Mind Body Core Postpartum Program — Use code: PAINFREEBIRTH for $15 off Christian Hypnobirthing App — Get one month FREE with the purchase of the Faith-Filled Childbirth E-Course CONNECT WITH KAREN: Stay in the loop with Pain Free Birth and become an Insider HERE! Thanks for listening! Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-Course HERE! 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. | |||
| 08 Apr 2025 | #47 | Introduction to Ecstatic Birth - Yaya DaCosta | 01:07:20 | |
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Yaya DaCosta, an actor, birth worker, and way shower. We discuss ecstatic birth, Yaya stories giving birth in public in New York City, and how the emotions of Moms during pregnancy can imprint on the psychology and physiology of their babies.
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Ecstatic Birth 01:15 The Importance of Positive Birth Stories 02:09 Yaya's Personal Journey and Sensitivity 06:30 Navigating Pregnancy in New York City 10:14 The Impact of Maternal Emotions on Babies 12:11 Preparing for a Home Birth 14:49 The Unique Experience of Yaya's Birth 20:16 Laboring in Public: A Walk Through Contractions 25:23 The Moment of Birth: A Transformative Experience 26:58 The Ecstasy of Birth 29:12 Empowering Birth Stories 30:01 The Birth Experience Unfolds 34:11 The Immediate Connection 36:10 The Physiological Instinct of Babies 40:20 Reclaiming Sacred Births 42:37 The Aftermath of Birth 45:03 The Importance of Following Intuition 48:00 Pain Management Techniques 50:47 Addressing Maternal Mortality Rates 51:10 The Importance of Maternal Health Awareness 53:58 Addressing Systemic Issues in Maternal Care 58:02 The Role of Traditional Midwifery 01:01:03 The Black Maternal Health Festival 01:12:01 Cultural Shifts in Birth Practices
Yaya DaCosta’s dynamic talent as an actress has been showcased in powerful performances across film, television and stage productions, including “The Lincoln Lawyer”, “Our Kind of People”, “Chicago Med”, “Whitney” and, most recently, “Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story”. The Brown University graduate is also a producer, birthworker, and wayshower, who is deeply dedicated to contributing to society’s elevation through, art, beauty and magic. Her current Earth mission is to integrate her different callings through the creation and embodiment of empowering narratives that birth a kinder future for women in the entertainment industry, in birth spaces, and on the planet.
the Black Maternal Health Festival, which is from April 11th-17th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.sumistouch.com/bmhf?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ-r6Zw-WnMgK4Z_QuZLoJcxYoE3bkTqRWCIVdLdxuNJmlMMqGnYgmhu2Y_aem_3N2VzPaA14_ML097ciLr
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CONNECT WITH YAYA instagram.com/yayadacosta instagram.com/wrapsnraps wrapsnraps.com | |||
| 11 Mar 2025 | #43 | A Pain Free Home Birth and a Transformational Posterior Freebirth | 01:10:15 | |
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode I have a couple, Jessica and Shane Winnings, who are Pain Free Birth students joining us with their experience of two very different births - both natural home births, but one being pain free and another being a posterior birth. We compare and contrast the birth experiences and talk about the Pain Free Birth teachings as well as a strong sense of faith helped Jessica during both of her experiences.
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Pain-Free Birth 02:53 Discovering the Concept of Pain-Free Birth 05:51 The Journey to Home Birth 09:06 Support and Preparation for Birth 11:59 The First Birth Experience 15:14 The Intensity of Labor and Pushing 17:59 The Emotional Experience of Birth 20:52 Postpartum Reflections 24:00 Transitioning to the Second Birth 27:00 Contrasting Birth Experiences 32:10 Navigating Posterior Presentation 34:07 The Birth Experience: Water Breaking and Contractions 36:55 Short and Intense Labor 40:11 The Pain of Labor: A Personal Journey 44:34 Pushing and the Fetal Ejection Reflex 49:24 Choosing Free Birth: A Personal Decision 51:30 Lessons Learned from Intense Births 56:20 Releasing Control and Embracing Gratitude 01:03:08 Encouragement for Expecting Mothers
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
CONNECT WITH SHANE AND JESSICA INSTAGRAM: @shane.winnings @jessicawinnings
Shane’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WAkDKSAoHbvSl7Z0ZTIhP?si=LsCcUTpsSmOId_B4GsLTMA
Shane’s website: | |||
| 15 Apr 2025 | #48 Pregnancy is Meant to Trigger You | 00:40:27 | |
Letting Go of Control: The Spiritual Shift of Pregnancy & Birth Are you an over-preparer who feels like pregnancy is spinning your world out of control? In this powerful solo episode, Karen gets deeply honest about the root of our need to control—and how fear, unresolved trauma, and striving for strength can actually sabotage our birth and motherhood journey. Learn why pregnancy riggers you on purpose, how hormonal and spiritual changes are designed to surface unhealed pain, and how surrendering control can unlock peace, power, and deeper connection with your body, baby, and God. This isn't just about managing anxiety—it’s about shifting into your feminine energy, letting go of the masculine mask, and learning to trust again. If you've been battling fear, shame, postpartum depression, or spiritual disconnection, this message will speak directly to your heart.
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
✅ IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 – Over-preparation as a Symptom of Control 1:22 – The Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle in Labor 4:42 – When Strength Becomes a Wall: The Masculine Mask 10:00 – How Pregnancy Triggers Past Trauma for Healing 16:11 – It’s Okay to Be Needy: Reclaiming the Feminine 20:26 – Why Vulnerability is Attractive & Needed in Pregnancy 26:53 – Hormones as Holy Messengers: The Design of Pregnancy 31:06 – Stop Resisting: Embrace the Blessing of Pregnancy 36:30 – Pain-Free Pregnancy & Coaching Opportunities --- CONNECT WITH KAREN: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731 Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Join the Email List - https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in CONNECT WITH KAREN:
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| 04 Feb 2025 | #39 | Healing Through Faith from Loss of Her Baby - Madeline Van Gorp | 01:23:39 | |
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting Madeleine Van Gorp. This is one of the most redeeming and beautiful pain free birth stories I have ever had the privilege of hearing, but it’s also filled with some very sensitive and painful experiences. If you’re sensitive about listening to content involving infant loss please consider listening with grace to this episode. We explored Madeline’s story of her baby’s bilateral renal agenesis, her decisions on how to handle her pregnancy despite that, including special moments, connecting to her baby through exercise, and her spiritual preparation. We also cover her labor experience including the ultimate passing of her son, Nicky and how it was not a traumatic experience.
CHAPTERS 00:50 – Introduction to Madeleine Van Gorp’s story and her baby’s diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis. 00:21 – Madeleine discusses the redemptive and inspirational aspects of her birth story despite the challenges. 02:47 – Receiving the diagnosis during the 21-week anatomy scan and deciding not to do early ultrasounds. 06:36 – The emotional response to the diagnosis and Madeleine's decision to continue her pregnancy. 12:05 – Transitioning from devastation to leaning into faith for strength during the pregnancy. 18:49 – Special moments during pregnancy, including a trip and her connection to her baby through exercise. 31:36 – The emotional and spiritual preparation for labor and delivery. 40:11 – The unique labor experience: focusing on breathing, peace, and connection with her baby. 01:02:11 – Madeleine’s perspective on choosing life and her labor process with a breech birth. 01:05:36 – The birth of her son, Nicky, and the first moments holding him. 01:08:09 – Sharing the peaceful passing of her son and how it was not a traumatic experience. 01:10:24 – The deeply emotional decision to personally transport Nicky to the funeral home and its significance.
CONNECT WITH KAREN: Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731 Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in
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| 25 Feb 2025 | #41 | UNBELIEVABLE 3 Hour Pain Free Birth in a Car - Kira Aho | 00:31:56 | |
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/ —————— Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast!
In this episode we’re sharing an incredible 3-hour car birth story with you from Kira Aho
We dove into what it was like to give birth in a car, dealing with insurance claims in unique birthing scenarios like that, and spiritual empowerment lessons useful for Mamas in any birthing scenario. Enjoy!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction to Kira's Birth Story 01:14 Preparing for a Natural Birth 03:29 Labor Begins: The Journey to the Car 05:52 The Intensity of Labor in the Shower 09:31 Transitioning to the Car: A Rapid Progression 12:30 The Car Ride: A Unique Birth Experience 15:30 The Birth: Catching the Baby 18:06 Post-Birth Reflections and Insurance Claims 20:35 Lessons Learned from a Car Birth 23:28 The Spiritual Aspect of Birth 26:11 Empowerment Through Natural Birth 29:39 Mindset and Preparation for Birth 31:04 Closing Thoughts and Prayer
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CONNECT WITH KIRA
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| 01 Apr 2025 | #46 | Birth is Spiritual, Not Painful - Laurynn Howard | 00:46:18 | |
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Laurynn Howard, a Mom of 2, Doula and Midwife. We’re speaking about her pain free second birth story, her tips for Mom’s experiencing their first natural birth, and why Western Civilization’s mindset on pain and spirituality is non-resourceful for Moms.
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - How Laurynn’s First Birth Lit a Fire in Her to do Birth Work 03:53 - Story of Her Pain-Free Second Birth 05:02 - Why Her Second Birth Was Pain Free 07:44 - The Mindset of a Pain Free Birth 09:29 - Emotional Release During Labor 13:36 - Birth is Spiritual, Not Painful 16:25 - Should Women Use Epidurals? 18:38 - The Western Mindset on Pain is Wrong 21:50 - Lessons From Birth 25:29 - Gratitude During a Pain Free Birth 30:25 - Birth Workers Should be Honest 32:16 - Tips for Navigating Hospital Birth 37:58 - On Gender Reveals 39:44 - Laurynn’s Postpartum Experience After a Pain-Free Birth 44:09 - Advice for Moms Doing Their First Natural Birth 45:18 - Outro
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CONNECT WITH LAURYNN
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| 11 Feb 2025 | #40 | Postpartum Diet & Nutrition Tips to Regain Energy - Holly Stein | 00:59:03 | |
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast!
In this episode we’re meeting the creator of Mama Meals, Holly Stein! You can follow Holly on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/eat.mamameals
We dove into holistic postpartum care with Holly, discussing Mama Meals, the power of nutrition, Holly's own amazing birthing stories and breaking free from diet culture. From Ayurvedic practices to meal services for new moms, we explored how rest, recovery, and support shape a joyful postpartum journey.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction to Mama Meals and Holistic Nutrition 05:30 Empowering Women Through Nutrition and Business 07:00 Preparing for Postpartum: The Importance of Nutrition 09:59 Breaking Free from Diet Culture 13:57 Nourishing the Body: The Role of Fats and Proteins 15:55 Budget-Friendly Nutrition: Simple Swaps for New Moms 18:57 Ayurvedic and Eastern Medicine Principles in Postpartum Care 21:51 Cultural Shifts: Embracing Rest and Recovery 24:47 Personal Birth Experiences: Lessons Learned 35:10 Mindset Matters in Birth 36:31 The Role of Supportive Partners 38:19 Creating a Normal Birth Experience 39:10 Confidence Through Experience 41:21 Embracing the Hard and Enjoying Birth 42:27 The Impact of Birth on Postpartum 43:28 Pushing Phase and Its Effects 45:31 The Importance of Preparation 47:14 Postpartum Bliss and Support 49:39 Nourishing the Body After Birth 50:08 Meal Services for New Mothers 57:29 Asking for Help and Support
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CONNECT WITH HOLLY - IG Handle: @eat.mamameals - Website: www.mama-meals.com - Code PAINFREEBIRTH for $20 off first purchase of Mama Meals - Free postpartum recipe guide: https://mama-meals.com/pages/resources | |||
| 18 Mar 2025 | #44 | Cindy's Remarkable Pain Free Birth in South Korea! | 01:05:22 | |
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Cindy Park-Jun about her birth story of delivering two babies in South Korea. Cindy is a Korean American mom who lives in South Korea with her husband.
And after navigating IVF pregnancy, she decided to birth in South Korea where they were living at the time in a completely different culture with a language she didn't fully know. She shares how God guided her to a natural birth in a country with one of the highest cesarean and intervention rates in the world.
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Cindy's Journey to Motherhood in South Korea 06:05 Cultural Differences in Birth Practices 12:06 The State of Women's Health in South Korea 18:50 Cindy's Birth Experience: A Personal Account 22:11 Natural Birth Experience in South Korea 24:20 Labor and Supportive Partners 27:11 Tools and Techniques for Labor 30:44 The Fast-Paced Nature of Labor 33:05 Decisions During Pushing 36:30 Postpartum Care Practices 39:05 Breastfeeding Challenges and Advocacy 42:11 Advocating for Better Maternity Care 44:46 The Journey of Natural Birth 48:09 Cultural Perspectives on Birth Choices 50:00 Embracing the Birth Experience 56:53 The Power of Support in Birth 01:00:06 Encouragement for Expecting Mothers CONNECT WITH KAREN:
CONNECT WITH CINDY
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| 25 Mar 2025 | #45 | This Mom Coached Herself Through a Pain Free Natural Car Birth - Rae Doescher | 00:48:27 | |
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting one of my personal doula clients Rae Doescher to discuss her recent natural car birth
We explored Rae’s transformative journey to natural birth, the experience of her labor in the car, and the power of self coaching and spiritual practice leading up to and throughout birth.
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
CHAPTERS 02:01 The Journey to Natural Birth 04:59 Trusting God in the Birth Process 08:00 The Experience of Labor 11:00 The Decision to Go to the Hospital 14:08 The Car Birth Experience 16:52 The Role of Support During Labor 19:59 Reflections on the Birth Experience 25:01 The Divine Setup: A Birth Story 29:12 The Power of Self-Coaching During Labor 33:10 Trusting the Process: Overcoming Fears in Birth 38:00 The Spiritual Connection in Natural Birth 45:49 Empowering Women: Preparing for Natural Birth
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
CONNECT WITH RAE: IG Handle: @Raeannadoescher Watch the car birth video in full https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFRWxrZtFyA/?igsh=MTN3bnI4ZXJiNXVmOA%3D%3D | |||
| 19 Jan 2025 | #38 | Breech Birth with Double Uterus - Sondra Almeter | 01:10:21 | |
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting one of my personal doula clients Sondra Almeter - I’ve been hounding her to come on the show for a YEAR and she finally did. I’m so excited to share her amazing birthing stories, including a breech vbac birth. We explored Sondra’s transformative journey into motherhood, starting with her first birth's challenges and the vital role of a doula. From informed consent to the "birth high," and even an unexpected home birth, we celebrated every birth's uniqueness and the miracle of unmedicated experiences.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Sondra's Unique Journey 06:02 First Birth Experience: Challenges and Triumphs 12:02 Finding Support: The Role of a Doula 18:00 The Importance of Informed Consent 23:57 Labor and Delivery: Overcoming Obstacles 29:43 The Importance of Support in Labor 35:51 The Role of the Doula 45:41 The Birth High and Aftermath 52:30 Witnessing Miracles: The Impact of Unmedicated Births 01:01:18 The Unexpected Home Birth Experience 01:06:36 Celebrating the Journey: Every Birth is Unique
CONNECT WITH KAREN:
To connect with Sondra on ig: @s_almeter | |||
| 04 Mar 2025 | #42 | The Truth About the Natural Birth Debate | 00:29:14 | |
Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode I have a solo episode for you where I address critics of the pain free birth and natural birth movements and share my mindset around birthing and doula work. I ultimately try to empower you to decide for yourself: Is a Pain Free Birth Possible?
Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE https://painfreebirth.thrivecart.com/pain-free-birth/ Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE https://painfreebirth.com/healing-birth-trauma/
TIMESTAMPS 00:31 - What is Pain Free Birth? 04:23 - History of Pain Free Birth, Division in Birth Community 09:47 - Removing a Culture of Birth Hierarchy 13:38 - My Faith has Grown from My Clients’ Births 16:05 - The Birthing Mindset I Teach My Students 17:56 - Understanding Physiology Increases Faith 20:19 - Is Pain Free Birth Possible? 22:09 - Challenging Your Belief Systems 24:10 - Defining Our Own Beliefs About Birth 25:14 - Your Birthing Journey 26:09 - Learn How to Have a Pain Free Birth CONNECT WITH KAREN:
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| 15 Jan 2025 | #37 | Birth Belongs to Women and the Future of Doula Work | 01:13:43 | |
Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast! In this episode we’re meeting two doulas, Jessica Grant and Kallie Caton, the founders of the “Birth Belongs to Women” movement. We discuss why birth does, indeed, belong to women, and how the medical system and current social/political movements are unfairly marginalizing women and doulas who believe birth belongs to women. We discuss many of the contemporary debates around being a doula and how Mamas like you can best prepare to work with doulas in today’s climate. CHAPTERS 00:38 - The origin story of the Birth Belongs to Women movement, and the state of the Doula and medical birthing industries 07:26 - How birth should be (and why the birthing industry system is rigged) 13:13 - Why the phrase “birth belongs to women” is so resonant for some and polarizing to others in today’s social climate 15:37 - “Inclusivity” in birthing 17:33 - Birth Belongs to Women is not anti-trans at all, it is pro-women. Karen’s thoughts on forced gender-inclusive language. 22:53 - Doulas should stay true to themselves regardless of social or political pressure 25:50 - Many women have felt silenced or unable to speak their mind 27:36 - Restoring the sacredness to the experience and tradition of birthing 32:48 - Doula v Birth Worker and how centralized certification regimes effect the Doula tradition 36:53 - Is it possible for doulas to do good work within the hospital system? 38:51 - The doula is not the “rescuer” - and avoiding unfair dynamics between mothers and doulas 40:29 - What women getting pregnant now most need to understand 42:07 - Advice for women who want a doula but still need to give birth in a hospital 46:25 - Doula burnout and creating sustainable work for birthing professionals without “turning it into a business” 53:00 - The true calling and passion of Doulas to serve mothers 55:05 - The “scope” of a doula’s work, and allowing the mother to have room for her own spiritual journey 56:25 - Healthy boundaries in doula work and why clients sometimes need to be turned down 1:00:10 - The future of the doula space 1:05:45 - Why there’s so much fear and dogma in the medical birthing system CONNECT WITH BIRTH BELONGS TO WOMEN: Connect with Kallie here: instagram.com/kalliecaton Connect with Jessica here: instagram.com/jessiesvibe CONNECT WITH KAREN: Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/ Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731 Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in Learn more about Birth Belongs to Women → https://www.birthbelongstowomen.com/
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