Pain Free 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/   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   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  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 

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, Nicholas and how it was not a traumatic experience.

In this episode we’re meeting one of my personal doula clients Sondra Almeiter - 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.

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.

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: Lizzie’s first birth in the hospital vs. her second at home Why kegels aren't the only answer for pelvic floor health How diaphragmatic breathing can prevent postpartum issues The importance of surrendering to God's timing in birth Tips to help reduce the intensity of diastasis recti The benefits of training during pregnancy for postpartum recovery 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. Instagram Facebook YouTube