What if your biggest, most peaceful birth could happen when you stop trying to control the process and learn to trust the way your body was designed to give birth?In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with mom of three Michelle Owsley to share a remarkable journey that began long before she had children of her own. At just 18 years old, Michelle traveled to rural Kenya, where she unexpectedly found herself assisting at more than 50 births. Those experiences planted a seed of trust in physiological birth, but years later, Michelle still had to confront the fear and conditioning surrounding birth when it was her turn to become a mother.Michelle shares the progression from two unmedicated Pitocin inductions to her third birth, where everything changed. After experiencing situational high blood pressure, navigating recommendations for additional growth scans, and working intentionally to guard her mind from fear, Michelle prepared for birth differently. At 41 weeks, she finally released her expectations and surrendered the outcome to God. Hours later, she was in spontaneous labor. Her 10-pound, 1-ounce baby was born in the water, completely pain-free, without coached pushing and without tearing.Tune in to hear: How attending more than 50 births in rural Kenya shaped Michelle’s view of natural, physiological birth How Michelle navigated two unmedicated Pitocin inductions before experiencing pain-free birth What her first birth taught her about the question, “Am I enough?” How fear and stress dramatically affected Michelle’s blood pressure during her second pregnancy Why choosing a birth center or midwife does not eliminate the need for informed consent and self-advocacy How Michelle prepared differently for her third pregnancy by intentionally guarding her mind Why she declined an additional growth ultrasound and navigated fears surrounding a potentially big baby How surrendering control at more than 41 weeks transformed the way Michelle approached labor Why Michelle chose not to forcefully push and allowed the fetal ejection reflex to birth her baby How she birthed a 10-pound, 1-ounce baby pain-free, without tearing, and experienced her easiest postpartum recoveryBeautiful One Midwifery: Website or @beautifulonemidwiferyCONNECT WITH KAREN:Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERESubmit your birth story and apply to come on the podcastInstagramFacebookYouTube

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