#52 | A Pain Free Hospital Birth with First Time Mom Stephanie Okori

What happens when your water breaks at 36 weeks—and your midwife legally can’t attend your birth?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen Welton interviews Lindsey  Cantu, a chiropractor, doula, and founder of BirthFit, who shares her incredible story of navigating an unexpected early labor, trusting her body, and giving birth outside under the stars in a peaceful, unassisted birth.Tune in to hear:How Lindsay got pregnant naturally at 40 after years of waiting What most women misunderstand about training during pregnancy How to support the pelvic floor for birth and postpartum Why strong doesn’t mean tight—and why softening is vital How movement, breath, and nervous system connection prepare you for     laborBirthFit Prenatal Package (Get 20% off with code: PAINFREEBIRTH) BirthFit Basics Free Video TrainingWebsite: https://birthfit.comGet 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE 

In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen welcomes first time mom Brenna Burkins to share her extraordinary 4-hour pain-free home birth story. What makes Brenna’s birth so remarkable? Not only was it her first baby, but she labored with joy, laughter, and zero pain after intentionally preparing—spiritually, mentally, and physically—for a supernatural birth experience.Brenna opens up about the moment she first believed pain-free birth was possible, after hearing a testimony that challenged everything she’d been taught about childbirth. From there, she immersed herself in faith-building resources like Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize and partnered with her husband in prayer and belief.Tune in to hear:How Brenna rejected fear from the start of her pregnancyHer experience using Scripture and worship music as labor toolsWhat happened when pain began to creep in—and how she stopped it through prayerThe moment she felt the fetal ejection reflex and her body took overLaughing during pushing (!!) and the overwhelming joy when her son was bornWhy this birth radically impacted her faith, her confidence, and her identity as a momResources Mentioned:Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie MizeBrenna’s labor worship playlistKaren’s worship playlist for laborWatch Brenna’s birth video on InstagramConnect with Brenna:@brennaburkins on all platforms - instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, +  Pinterest Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE 

In this episode, Karen sits down with Lauren Leonard—ER nurse, mental health advocate, and former NFL cheerleader—who shares her miraculous and deeply personal journey from infertility and generational birth trauma to a pain-free, supernatural birth marked by worship, surrender, and divine intimacy.After four years of trying to conceive and a lifetime of hearing her mother’s traumatic birth story, Lauren never imagined she’d one day experience a birth that felt euphoric, empowering, and completely God-ordained. But that’s exactly what happened.Tune in to hear:Lauren's experience growing up with fear around natural birth—and what changed her mindsetThe miracle timing of getting pregnant during her mother’s heart transplant journeyHow the Pain Free Birth course gave her the tools to walk through labor in peaceHer supernatural, pain-free hospital water birth and the power of surrenderThe emotional intimacy and spiritual transformation she experienced with her husbandHow birth reshaped her relationship with God and her view of femininityThe unexpected ways her partner showed up powerfully because of the Partner Prep courseHow birth became the foundation for deeper trust, parenthood, and postpartum healing🎁 Try Outlast Audio free for 1 month with code: PAINFREEBIRTH https://outlastaudio.comConnect with Lauren:@laurenmleonard_ @outlastaudio Get 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE CONNECT WITH KAREN: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/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

In this special Father's Day episode, I’m joined by her husband, Jonathan Welton. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like for dads to walk through pregnancy, labor, and birth—especially outside the hospital system.From initial hesitations about home birth to fully showing up with unwavering presence, Jonathan shares the fears, surprises, and transformations he experienced through our three unmedicated births. Whether your partner is nervous, unsure of his role, or simply wants to be a great support person, this honest conversation offers practical advice and heartfelt encouragement from a dad who’s been there.Tune in to hear:How to support your partner during a natural or home birthWhy your presence matters more than your knowledgeHow birth transformed Jonathan as a fatherAdvocating in the hospital vs. trusting the birth processBreaking through fear, control, and cultural conditioningHow to be your partner’s hero in the birth roomWhat faith, midwives, and ancient wisdom taught him about fatherhoodGet 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE (& Get Birth Partner Bootcamp FREE for a limited time)Grab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE CONNECT WITH KAREN: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/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if your birth experience could be more than just physical—what if it became a holy encounter with God?In this episode, Karen sits down with Emily Vondy—musician, speaker, content creator, and mama of (now) six—to share the unforgettable story of her fifth birth. From walking through the fear of a pregnancy after loss to experiencing a supernatural encounter with God during active labor in the car, Emily’s story is a beautiful testimony of faith, surrender, and divine joy.Emily vulnerably shares how God transformed her labor from anxiety and dread into laughter, peace, and profound connection. She opens up about how He met her in her weakness, carried her through transition, and gave her visions that forever changed how she sees Him.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Emily’s Background02:00 – Pregnancy After Loss & Surrendering Fear06:00 – Facing Induction and the Mental Battle10:00 – The Foley Balloon & Labor Begins16:30 – Praying Through the Fear25:00 – The Car Ride: Heaven Breaks In33:00 – Running Up Waves with Jesus41:00 – Jesus Carries Her50:00 – Pushing & Arrival of Vivian56:00 – Naming, Meaning, and Legacy01:05:00 – This Baby is the Missing Piece01:12:00 – Joy in Motherhood & Social Media ConfidenceConnect with Emily:Instagram: @emilyvondyTiktok: @thevondyfamGet 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE CONNECT WITH KAREN: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/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

What if you were told your baby was breech—and you still gave birth at home, unmedicated, and without fear? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Tayler Magee shares how she dismantled years of fear around childbirth, trusted God's design for her body, and delivered her breech baby at home as a first-time mom.Timestamps:00:00 – Her mindset shift: “Your body births even in a coma”05:01 – From fear of birth to home breech birth13:18 – How she dismantled fear & found faith in God’s design18:15 – “I chose not to tell anyone—protecting my peace”28:25 – Going into labor early & her peaceful home environment34:00 – Mastering the rhythm of contractions without fear36:59 – Transition & vocalizing fear: “I’m afraid”43:18 – The pushing stage: “It felt like reverse vomiting”47:00 – Breech baby born—calm, powerful, and fast50:00 – The power of shutting off your brain and trusting your body54:45 – Tips on choosing providers, preparing mentally, and creating safetyConnect with Tayler: www.taylershealthhub.comGet 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Licensed therapist and faith-based coach Stephanie Okori joins Pain Free Birth to share her two radically different but equally powerful birth stories—one a pain-free, unmedicated hospital birth that stunned the staff, and the second a spirit-led C-section that defied fear and overflowed with peace. Timestamps:00:00 – Intro05:20 – From Paralyzing Fear to Unshakable Faith11:50 – Labor Begins: “God Spoke to Me in the Bathroom”14:46 – Worship, Breath, and Rhythm: How She Labored Without Pain18:23 – Hospital Arrival at 10cm—And Still No One Believed Her23:18 – The Pushing Stage & Reclaiming Her Power36:18 – A Very Different Second Birth: God in the C-Section43:04 – Postpartum Miracles: Breastfeeding, Healing, and GraceGet 10% off the Pain Free Birth E-course HEREGrab the Healing Birth Trauma Course HERE CONNECT WITH KAREN:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirthInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMSApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

In this episode, Karen sits down with Rachael Austin, RN, IBCLC—an internationally recognized midwife and head educator for the Thompson Method of Breastfeeding—to unravel some of the most misunderstood parts of the birth-to-breastfeeding journey. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or recovering from a rough start, this episode will open your eyes and give you confidence to trust your body—and your baby. Timestamps:03:29 – How Birth Interventions Affect Breastfeeding05:08 – Nipple Pain & Outdated Breastfeeding Techniques06:05 – How Pitocin & Epidurals Disrupt Oral Function09:02 – Alternatives When Breastfeeding Isn’t Working10:19 – Bottle Design & Breastfeeding Confusion13:13 – Colic, Reflux & Overfeeding Explained15:31 – Can You Overfeed a Breastfed Baby?23:30 – Retraining Baby to Breastfeed After NICU/Interventions24:07 – Proper Latch vs. Common Mistakes30:17 – The Truth About Newborn Weight Loss & IV Fluids33:29 – Mastitis, Oversupply & Nipple Trauma46:35 – Tongue Ties, Lip Ties & Misdiagnosis51:09 – The Tongue Tie Surgery Boom (900% Increase?)57:11 – Postpartum Mental Health & Maternal Burnout Get 50% OFF the Thompson Method Birth & Breastfeeding Course:https://thompsonmethod.com/painfree 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/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in 

What would I do differently if I gave birth in 2025? In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 powerful shifts I’d make—beyond the usual advice—to transform your birth experience and postpartum recovery. From protecting your mental health to trusting your body’s wisdom and creating a sacred postpartum bubble, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, do less, and reconnect with what truly matters during pregnancy and birth.Save over $200 this Mother's Day! From May 5-12th you can get $60 OFF the Pain Free Birth e-course AND get Birth Partner Bootcamp for FREE ($149 value) when you use code MOTHERSDAY60 at checkout! Timestamps:00:00 – The Truth About Birth in 202500:36 – Why Today’s Birth Culture Is Overwhelming Moms01:35 – Intro to the Episode: 5 Things I'd Do Differently in 202502:42 – A Personal Update: Meditation Retreat & Mental Health04:48 – Biggest Sale of the Year for Pain Free Birth06:46 – Struggling with Anxiety, Brain Fog & Burnout08:54 – The Transformation from Meditation11:03 – Mental Health Matters More Than Ever for Moms14:57 – Why Slowing Down Isn’t Optional Anymore16:02 – Birth Tip #1: Prioritize Mental & Emotional Health19:39 – Birth Tip #2: Do Less (And Let Go of the Baby Registry Pressure)22:01 – Birth Tip #3: Your Body is Wise—Trust It30:02 – Birth Tip #4: It's Okay to Be Scared—But Don’t Stay There36:12 – A Word on Programming & Rewriting Your Beliefs About Birth 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/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in 

Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast. Today, I’m interviewing Stormie Fraser. Stormie shares her pain free home birth story and compares it to her first time giving birth in a hospital setting. We also discuss faith and grief as Stormie tragically lost three loved ones while she was pregnant.  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/ TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro00:44 - Meet Stormie Fraser01:26 - From Hospital to Home Birth05:55 - Stormie Losing Her Dad While Pregnant14:43 - Prayers and Affirmations 19:29 - What is the Mother-blessing ceremony?21:19 - The Importance of the Village and Community25:16 - Faith Through Grief During Pregnancy 28:17 - Christian Hypno-birthing Education with Tara Menzies29:18 - Stormie’s Birth Story and Why Doulas Write Timestamps of Birth30:54 - Prodromal Labor 34:05 - Prayers and Wishes for Birth List35:44 - Taking Ownership of Fear 39:40 - Castor Oil and Induction42:15 - Pain Free Birth Affirmations and Playlist46:04 - Letting Go 46:46 - Doulas Utility During Birth, Counter-pressure49:44 - Doula Training As a New Mom 55:00 - Co-creating Life with God 59:46 - Taking a Moment for Babies to Come Into their Bodies1:00:46 - Pain Free Delivery1:04:08 - What’s Possible in Birth1:06:35 - Outro 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/id1696179731Website - https://painfreebirth.com/ Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-inCONNECT WITH STORMIEPersonal Instagram: @stormiefraser Humorous, heartfelt nap trap poems on faith, grief, and motherhood: @isthisworthposting.