Advocacy, Ownership, and Healing After Birth Trauma with Eleanor from Birth With Choice

Alexandra's Big Babies Born with Fetal Ejection Reflex After Long Induction With Her First

FROM 7.5 HOURS OF PUSHING TO THE FETAL EJECTION REFLEX: ALEXANDRA'S THREE BIRTH STORIES In this powerful episode, Alexandra shares the dramatic contrast between her first birth and the two births that followed. A lifelong ballerina, Alexandra spent some time rationalizing that her first birth—a days-long induction ending in 7.5 hours of pushing—was the result of a tight pelvic floor. Like many women, she internalized the message that her body was somehow the obstacle. But as she reflected on her experience and prepared for future births, she came to a different conclusion: her body wasn't broken. Her induction had begun before her body and baby were truly ready. For her second and third births, Alexandra chose a different path. She planned home births with a supportive midwife who respected her autonomy and preferences, while also maintaining co-care with a hospital team throughout pregnancy—an option many women don't realize exists. The results were remarkable. Both labors lasted approximately four hours from start to finish. Maybe even more surprising, Alexandra did not push. Instead, she chose complete surrender and experienced the fetal ejection reflex. Her babies were born swiftly and safely. And these weren't tiny babies by modern hospital standards. Her second baby weighed nearly 10 pounds, and her third weighed just over 9 pounds. In this episode, Alexandra shares: • Her experience with a prolonged induction and 7.5 hours of pushing • The pressure many women feel to blame themselves for difficult births • How she approached preparing for home birth during Covid after a challenging first experience • What co-care between a home birth midwife and hospital providers looked like during pregnancy • Her experience of the fetal ejection reflex and birth without directed pushing • Birthing larger babies physiologically • The role of trust, surrender, and support in her subsequent birth experiences Whether you're recovering from a difficult birth, considering your options for future pregnancies, or simply curious about what physiological birth can look like, Alexandra's story offers a compelling perspective on the difference between forcing birth and allowing birth to unfold in its own time. Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every pregnancy, labor, and birth is unique. The experiences shared in this episode reflect Alexandra's personal story and should not be interpreted as recommendations for your individual care. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

A Husband’s Perspective on Birth: Fear, Safety & Supporting Your Woman

In today’s episode of The Redemptive Birth Podcast, my husband joins me for an honest conversation about birth from the father’s perspective. This episode especially dives into the role of the husband during birth: how men can navigate fears surrounding safety, learn to remain grounded under pressure, and become a calming, protective presence instead of another source of anxiety in the room. We reflect on our two very different birth experiences — our first, a more conventional hospital birth involving epidural, Pitocin, and the typical cascade of interventions, and our second, a planned freebirth that unexpectedly became an unmedicated hospital birth. We talk about how our mindset, preparation, and understanding of physiological birth completely changed between those experiences — and how that transformation affected both of us. We also discuss: * Why so many fears around birth feel overwhelming * How a husband’s emotional state can impact labor * What true support during birth actually looks like * The tension between trust and control * How preparation and education helped us approach birth differently the second time * Practical ways husbands can advocate for and support their wives during labor Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, homebirth, or somewhere in between, this conversation is an encouragement to approach birth with deeper trust, intentionality, and unity as a couple. If this episode encouraged you, please leave a review and share it with another family preparing for birth.

My Redemptive Unmedicated Hospital Birth (Planned Freebirth) After Long Labor, OP Baby, & Epidural

Resources Mentioned: * Reclaimed: 30 Days to Natural Hospital Birth — the step-by-step guide I co-authored with my sister, Katie (Labor & Delivery nurse), designed to help you prepare for a natural hospital birth with confidence and clarity Connect on Instagram: @yourredemptivebirth In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing my own birth stories—both of them taking place inside the hospital, but with very different experiences. My first birth was a planned hospital birth with midwives. I went in trusting the system, but without a full understanding of birth physiology or how hospital routines can shape the course of labor. With a posterior (OP) baby and a long early labor, my experience slowly became what so many women recognize: an epidural, Pitocin, and coached pushing. A “standard” American hospital birth. But I walked away knowing I wanted something different. When I became pregnant again, everything shifted. I was hungry to understand birth on a deeper level—to experience it fully, to trust my body, and to partner with the way God designed it. I read, researched, and immersed myself in natural birth stories. I even planned a freebirth. But plot twist: I found myself heading to the hospital in labor, thinking I wanted pain relief… only to realize I was actually heading into transition. I ended up having the unmedicated, physiological birth I had been hoping for… right there in the hospital. This episode is about redemption, preparation, surrender, and the faithfulness of God. It’s also why I’m so passionate about helping women understand that a natural, undisturbed birth is possible in the hospital. Because now—I’ve lived it. And I can’t wait to teach you how. In this episode, we talk about: * My first hospital birth: what I didn’t know (and how it impacted my experience) * Posterior (OP) babies and long early labor * How interventions like epidurals and Pitocin can shape labor * The mindset shift that changed everything in my second pregnancy * Planning a freebirth… and why I ended up at the hospital instead * Transition vs. “I can’t do this” moments in labor * Having a fully unmedicated, physiological birth in a hospital setting * Trusting your body and partnering with God in birth * Why this experience led to creating a roadmap for other women

Grace's Faith-Filled Home Birth After Preeclampsia, Induction, & Unexpected C-Section with Her First

Connect with Grace: Instagram: @grace_is_my_name0 ---------------------------------------- In today’s episode, Grace shares two deeply faith-filled birth stories—one marked by unexpected intervention, and the other a powerful, redemptive home birth that reflects healing, surrender, and God’s undeniable faithfulness. Her first birth began with an induction due to preeclampsia. What followed was a cascade of events that led to a cesarean when the anesthesia rose too high, leaving her completely numb up to her chin and unable to push. In the midst of that, her baby’s heart rate began rapidly decelerating, leading to the necessary and urgent decision to move forward with a c-section. Even in the intensity of that experience, God was present. For her second pregnancy, Grace approached things differently—intentionally nourishing her body, supporting her health, and preparing spiritually and physically for a different outcome. She went on to have a peaceful, natural home birth that she describes as truly redemptive. One of the most beautiful details? Her second baby was born on the exact same gestational day she was induced with her first—38 weeks and 3 days. A quiet, powerful reminder of God’s presence… a true “God wink.” Grace shares how the Lord met her in both births—but especially how He answered the deepest prayers of her heart in her second. ---------------------------------------- Grace’s Supplement & Nourishment Protocol (Used to Support a Healthy Pregnancy & Avoid Preeclampsia) (Always talk to your care team before making any changes to your diet or supplement routine.) * Spirulina * Grape seed extract * TUDCA * B-complex * Choline * Dandelion root tincture * Hawthorne berry tincture * NORA tea (Nettle, Oatstraw, Red Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa) She also focused heavily on a nutrient-dense diet rich in protein and salt, inspired by the Brewer Diet. Learn more about the Brewer Diet here: http://drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html [http://drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html] ---------------------------------------- Music That Carried Her Through Pregnancy & Birth: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7AgYdpiGbObyY3WVJXxhi0?si=A-Q41wY-Tbypba9yZ7vYDw [https://open.spotify.com/artist/7AgYdpiGbObyY3WVJXxhi0?si=A-Q41wY-Tbypba9yZ7vYDw] ---------------------------------------- This episode is a reminder that even when birth doesn’t go the way we hoped, redemption is always possible. God is not absent in the hard stories—and He delights in restoring, renewing, and rewriting what once felt broken. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave a review—it helps more women find these stories of hope.

Breech, Fast, and Faith-Filled: Megan Wells' Three Home Births After an Induction with Her First

CONNECT WITH MEGAN Megan Wells Instagram: @megs__wells Website: https://www.itiswellsfamily.com/ [https://www.itiswellsfamily.com/] Megan’s Birth Guide: Birth+ Beyond Guide https://www.itiswellsfamily.com/product-page/birth-beyond-guide [https://www.itiswellsfamily.com/product-page/birth-beyond-guide] EPISODE SUMMARY Today’s conversation is such a beautiful and faith-filled reminder of the wisdom woven into a woman’s body and the goodness of God’s design for birth. I’m joined by Megan Wells, a Catholic wife, mother, and content creator, as she shares the stories of her four very different births—and the lessons each one carried. Megan opens up about her first birth, an induction she didn’t want after fear surrounding possible IUGR. In the end, those concerns proved unfounded, but the experience became part of her journey toward deeper trust and discernment in future pregnancies. Her second birth was a planned home birth that became an accidental unassisted breech birth at home—an incredibly intimate experience shared between just her and her husband. We talk about the normalcy of breech birth, and why preserving knowledge and access to vaginal breech birth matters so deeply. Her third birth was another planned home birth that unfolded so quickly it became another accidental home birth—this time with baby head down—and nearly mirrored her second experience. Her fourth birth was a 12-hour home birth where her midwife did make it in time. Megan shares how grateful she was for that support, especially while laboring exhausted and sick. Throughout this conversation, we explore: * The importance of protecting vaginal birth * How intuitive movement in labor can be * How quickly birth can unfold * The role of trust over fear * Faith, surrender, and God’s perfect design for birth * Natural Family Planning and family life * Why these conversations matter for all women—not only Catholic moms Whether you are preparing for birth, healing from a past experience, or simply longing to hear stories that honor the body’s innate wisdom, this episode will encourage you deeply. RESOURCES MENTIONED Natural Birth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon https://a.co/d/01SmtxN7 [https://a.co/d/01SmtxN7] ---------------------------------------- LISTEN & SHARE If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and send it to another mama who needs to hear that birth was designed with beauty, wisdom, and purpose.