Send us a text

In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know about breastfeeding before your baby arrives—because preparing for this beautiful journey is just as important as preparing for birth itself. Too many mamas focus all their energy on delivery day but don't think about the feeding relationship that follows, and I don't want that to be you.

Whether you're pregnant and considering breastfeeding, already planning to nurse your baby, or have had challenges in the past and want to set yourself up for success this time—this episode is packed with encouragement, practical wisdom, and the preparation tools you need.

I'll be honest: breastfeeding is natural, but it's also a learned skill. And just like you wouldn't run a marathon without training, breastfeeding success really starts with education before baby arrives. But here's what I want you to know—however you choose to feed your baby, there is so much grace in that decision.

In this episode, I share:

🤱 The incredible benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mama (including some that might surprise you)

📚 Why preparation during pregnancy is the key to breastfeeding confidence

🆘 How to recognize normal challenges vs. when to seek help immediately

👥 The support system that makes all the difference in your breastfeeding journey

💰 Practical benefits you might not have considered (financial, environmental, and convenience)

✨ Resources that have helped countless families succeed in their breastfeeding goals

Scripture Shared: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you." – Isaiah 49:15

Mentioned in this episode:

📖 Breastfeeding Made Simple - One of my favorite breastfeeding book recommendations

🤝 La Leche League - Breastfeeding support groups online and in-person

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education (includes breastfeeding basics).

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear this. Remember—you're loved, you're equipped, and you're doing an amazing job.

Let's prepare well together, one feeding journey at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

Support the show

Send us a text

In this vulnerable bonus episode, I'm sharing the hardest month of my third pregnancy—battling severe anxiety and depression while navigating morning sickness, parenting struggles, and feeling completely overwhelmed as a mom of two expecting her third baby.

This isn't the polished, faith-filled message I usually share. This is me in the trenches, feeling like I'm failing at everything—from parenting my strong-willed four-year-old to managing daily tasks while battling mental health struggles. After going off my anxiety medication when I discovered this surprise pregnancy, I found myself in the darkest place I've been in years, wondering if I was capable of raising the children God had given me.

Whether you're struggling with pregnancy anxiety, wrestling with medication decisions, or feeling like you're failing as a mom—this episode is a raw reminder that God's grace truly is sufficient in our weakest moments.

In this episode, I share:

🤱 My honest struggle with anxiety, depression, and feeling like a failing mom

💊 The difficult decision to go back on medication (Zoloft) during pregnancy 🙏 How my community rallied around me in my darkest moment

✨ Finding a Christian counselor and the importance of professional support

💕 Why "people, prayers, and pills" became my lifeline through this season

Scripture Shared: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode:

📖 "Jesus and Your Mental Health" - book mentioned by Rebecca Maxwell, LMFT

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, cervical ripening methods, worship playlists & more

📱 "Not By My Strength" 30-day devotional - A faith-focused devotional designed specifically for pregnancy.

📚 Childbirth Education Course - Learn the stages of labor, comfort measures, and labor positions all with a faith-focus!

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education.

📸 Follow me on Instagram @faitoverfearbirthdoula

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need to hear she's not alone in her struggles.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, even in our darkest seasons.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, I'm sharing the incredible birth journey of my very first doula client, Nicki—a foster mom of five whose three births taught her (and me!) powerful lessons about overcoming fear, trusting God's timing, and finding peace through trauma.

Nicki's story begins with a terrifying first birth that left her with a fourth-degree tear, massive blood loss, and months of painful recovery. Determined never to experience that again, she felt God calling her toward natural birth—but with no roadmap and plenty of fear. That's where our paths crossed, and together we navigated two more births that were completely different from her first.

From an irritable uterus that had her contracting for months, to lightning-fast labors that barely got us to the hospital in time, Nicki's journey is full of unexpected turns, divine timing, and the faithfulness of God through every contraction. Her story will encourage any mama who's walking through birth trauma, pregnancy anxiety, or simply wondering how to trust God with the unknown.

Whether you're planning your first birth or your fifth, struggling with fear from a previous experience, or curious about the difference doula support can make—this episode is packed with hope, practical wisdom, and reminders that God is present in every part of your birth story.

In this episode, Nicki shares:

🌸 How she moved from crippling birth fear to confident natural delivery

🩺 Navigating an irritable uterus and months of "practice" contractions

🏥 The dramatic difference doula support made in her preparation and birth experience

✝️ How her faith carried her through postpartum anxiety and into joy

👶 Why her lightning-fast labors taught us both to trust God's perfect timing

💕 Encouragement for mamas in every season—from pregnancy fears to juggling multiple littles

Scripture Shared: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education.

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

Support the show

Send us a text

While I take a short rest during my first trimester, I’m bringing back one of the most meaningful episodes of the podcast. This conversation has resonated deeply with so many mamas, reminding us that birth and motherhood are not just physical experiences, but also powerful reflections of the gospel.

If you’re longing for encouragement, or you want to see your motherhood journey through the lens of God’s sacrificial love, this replay will speak to your heart in fresh ways.

In this episode I'm sharing how the profound experience of birth and motherhood reveals beautiful gospel truths that will transform how you see God's love for you.

From the moment you discover you're pregnant to the intense moments of labor and the sweet surrender of holding your newborn, every stage of this journey offers glimpses into God's heart and His sacrificial love.

If you've ever wondered how your experience as a mother connects to your faith, or if you're looking for deeper meaning in the beautiful chaos of pregnancy and parenting—this episode will encourage your heart in ways you weren't expecting.

In this episode, I share:

🤱 How the unconditional love you feel for your unborn baby reflects God's unmerited love for you

⛪ Why Jesus chose birth language to describe salvation and what that means for mothers

💔 How the pain and sacrifice of labor mirrors Christ's sacrifice on the cross

👶 What your newborn's transformed heart teaches us about being born again spiritually

✝️ How raising children reveals both our sin nature and God's unchanging love for us

💕 Why your imperfect motherly love points to His perfect, eternal love

Scripture Shared:

• John 3 - You must be born again
• 1 John 4:19 - We love because He first loved us
• Luke 22:42 - Garden of Gethsemane prayer
• Hebrews 12:2 - Joy set before Him
• John 16:21 - Woman in labor analogy
• Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by grace through faith
• Ezekiel 36:26 - New heart
• Romans 5:8 - Christ died for us while we were sinners

I close this episode by praying over you—that you would see yourself as God's beloved daughter and find fresh encouragement in how deeply, perfectly, and unconditionally He loves you through every season of motherhood.

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library; Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more

💛 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear this gospel truth.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

Support the show

Send us a text

While I’m taking a short season of rest during my first trimester, I’m bringing back one of the most impactful and listened-to conversations we’ve had on the podcast. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear that your birth or postpartum might not go the way you hoped, or if you’ve struggled in the weeks after bringing your baby home, this replay will meet you with truth, honesty, and encouragement.

In this episode I'm joined by my friend Crystal Doiron, a licensed clinical social worker and mama, as she courageously shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety—and the hope she found on the other side.

Crystal's journey began with detailed plans, a "birth binder" (not just a birth plan!), and the determination to do everything "right." But when preeclampsia led to an emergency induction, C-section, and a cascade of unexpected challenges, Crystal found herself struggling with the gap between expectation and reality.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply encouraging. Crystal opens up about the darkest moments of her postpartum experience—including the day she realized she was having thoughts of ending her life—and how that became her wake-up call to seek help and find healing.

Whether you're currently struggling with perinatal mood challenges, supporting someone who is, or want to prepare your heart for what might come—this episode offers both practical wisdom and spiritual hope.

In this episode, Crystal shares:

🧠 How her perfectionist, control-focused personality made her more vulnerable to postpartum depression

💔 The moment her carefully planned birth completely fell apart and how that affected her emotionally

🚨 Five medical red flags that can contribute to or worsen perinatal anxiety and depression

💪 Practical steps she took toward healing: therapy, reclaiming body autonomy, and prioritizing self-care

✝️ How reconnecting with God felt like "winter fading into spring—things slowly coming back to life"

📝 The "sticky note strategy" for getting postpartum help without the awkwardness

👥 Why community and vulnerability are essential for maternal mental health

Scripture Shared:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness." – Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Seven Oaks Therapy: Connect with Crystal at crystal@sevenoakstherapy.com

📚 Postpartum Support International: Virtual support groups and resources

💛 Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free Birth Preferences Checklist, worship playlists & more

Remember: struggling doesn't make you a bad mom—it makes you human, and help is available.

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear Crystal's story of hope. Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time.

Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

Support the show

Send us a text

While I’m taking a short rest during my first trimester, I wanted to bring back one of the most-loved episodes of the podcast. This conversation has helped so many mamas release fear, embrace God’s design, and feel more confident heading into birth. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it again, I pray it blesses and encourages you today.

In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, we’re talking all about natural ways to help your body prepare for labor—without fear, overwhelm, or pressure to do “all the things.”

Whether you’re weeks away from meeting your baby or just starting to plan for birth, understanding cervical ripening can empower you to partner with your body, honor God’s design, and prepare from a place of peace. I’m breaking down what cervical ripening actually is, why it matters, how your provider might assess your body’s readiness for labor using something called the Bishop Score, and simple, gentle things you can do to support the process naturally.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about what you should be doing to get ready for birth—or wrestled with the fear of “what if my body doesn’t know what to do?”—this episode will meet you with encouragement, education, and faith.

In this episode, I share:

🌿 What the cervix does as you approach labor—and why ripening matters
🧠 A simple breakdown of the Bishop Score (so it actually makes sense!)
🫖 Gentle natural methods to support ripening (like red raspberry leaf tea, dates, and more)
📖 The mindset shift that frees you from control and anchors you in trust
🙏 How to pray through the waiting and release pressure to perform

Scripture Shared:

A Prayer for You:
I close this episode with a prayer over your heart and your pregnancy—that you would feel God’s nearness in the waiting, be free from fear, and walk in confident peace knowing He is preparing your body and writing your baby’s birth story with care and love.

Mentioned in this episode:

• ✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library: Free birth prep tools, worship playlists & more
• 💛 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let’s keep choosing faith over fear!

Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!

Support the show

Send us a text

In this special bonus episode, I'm sharing some big news with you—we're expecting our third baby! This surprise pregnancy has been both a tremendous blessing and a journey that's teaching me so much about rest, surrender, and where my true worth comes from.

This announcement comes during a challenging first trimester filled with nausea, exhaustion, and the physical demands of being a pregnant doula. After walking through unimaginable losses with friends and battling fear about this pregnancy, hearing our baby's strong heartbeat was such a gift of peace from the Lord.

But this episode isn't just about baby news—it's about the deeper lesson God is teaching me about stepping away from performance-based worth and trusting His provision. As someone who's prone to proving my value through what I do, the Lord keeps whispering "I will provide" when I start spiraling about how we'll manage three little ones.

Whether you're in a season where you need to slow down, wrestling with perfectionism, or simply needing a reminder that your worth isn't tied to your productivity—this episode is full of encouragement for your heart.

In this episode, I share:

🤱 Our surprise pregnancy announcement and my honest struggles with first trimester symptoms

🏥 Starting pelvic floor physical therapy early to get ahead of debilitating pelvic pain

💭 How the enemy planted fears after witnessing friends' losses, and finding peace in the Lord

✝️ Learning to rest instead of perform, and trusting God's provision over my own efforts

🏠 Our plans for another home birth with a completely different heart posture this time

📻 Why I'm taking a 4-week podcast break to practice the rest and boundaries I preach

Scripture Shared:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." – Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Free birth prep tools, cervical ripening methods, worship playlists & more

📱 "Not By My Strength" 30-day devotional - A faith-focused devotional designed specifically for pregnancy.

📚 Childbirth Education Course – Learn the stages of labor, comfort measures, and labor positions all with a faith-focus!

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education.

📸 Follow me on Instagram @faitoverfearbirthdoula

📅 New episodes return September 9th, 2025 with a wild birth story from my very first doula client!

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear that her worth isn't tied to her productivity.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one surrender at a time.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, I'm walking you through everything you need to know for a confident, faith-filled first trimester—from the moment you see that positive test to building the foundation for your entire pregnancy journey.

Whether you're holding a pregnancy test with shaking hands, feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions ahead, or wanting to honor God through this long awaited season, this episode will equip you with both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for the weeks ahead.

This isn't just another pregnancy to-do list. It's a grace-filled guide that helps you navigate early pregnancy without fear, make provider decisions with confidence, and find rest in God's perfect plan for you and your baby—even when morning sickness has you feeling anything but peaceful.

In this episode, I share:

🙏 How to celebrate and pray over your pregnancy as an act of worship (whether this pregnancy was planned or not)

👥 Wise guidelines for deciding who to tell and when—protecting your heart in the process

🏥 How to choose the right provider and birth setting that aligns with your values

🍎 Nutrition foundations and prenatal vitamin recommendations that actually make a difference

😴 Gentle, grace-filled strategies for managing morning sickness and soul-crushing fatigue

💪 How to build a support system and ask for help without feeling like you're failing

✝️ Biblical encouragement for surrendering control and trusting God's sovereignty over your pregnancy

Scripture Shared:

"Behold, I am doing a new thing. I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." – Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library - Your go-to collection of faith-based birth prep tools, including "Top 10 Questions to Ask a Prospective Provider" handout.

📚 Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols - The ultimate evidence-based nutrition guide.

📖 The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin - A comprehensive guide for your support person (partner, mom, or friend) with practical tips for emotional and physical support.

🎧 Listen to Episode 13 - I have a deep dive on the pros and cons of each birth setting.

📊 Birth Setting Quiz - Not sure if hospital, birth center, or home birth is right for you? Take this simple quiz.

💊 FullWell Fertility Prenatal Multivitamin - The prenatal that actually meets your nutritional needs during pregnancy.

📱 "Not By My Strength" 30-day devotional - A faith-focused devotional designed specifically for pregnancy.

🫖 B6 and magnesium supplements for morning sickness - Take 50mg or less of B6 1-2 times a day, and suggests this magnesium supplement.

💛 Work with Me 1:1 - Personalized pregnancy and birth support that integrates faith and evidence-based care, including virtual coaching, doula support, and comprehensive childbirth education.

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a mama who needs to hear this message.

Let's choose faith over fear in every season of motherhood. Go here for the full blog post, show n

Support the show