Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast

Mannah
  • 5.0 (7)
  • PARENTING

Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast is for pregnant Christian women who want to prepare for birth with confidence, wisdom, and trust in the Lord - especially if you desire a natural or unmedicated birth but feel unsure how to get there. Hosted by Christian doula Mannah Liu of Rise Birth Services, this podcast offers encouragement, education, and biblical truth for birth without fear. You’ll learn how fear impacts labor, what’s happening in your body during birth, and practical tools to cope with pain, alongside Scripture-grounded perspective, prayer, and honest conversations about real-life birth. Whether you’re a first-time mom, feeling torn between faith and fear, or hoping to approach labor with more peace and clarity, Rise will help you prepare your heart, mind, and body for birth so you can walk into labor informed, supported, and anchored in God’s presence.

Episodes

  1. 10. Why Understanding Hospital Protocols Matters in Any Natural Birth

    2D AGO

    10. Why Understanding Hospital Protocols Matters in Any Natural Birth

    If you're planning a natural birth in the hospital, understanding hospital policies and protocols is one of the most important things you can do to prepare. In this episode, we talk about: Why “going with the flow” without preparation can increase stress and interventionsHow hospital default policies influence birth (IVs, monitoring, movement, food, cervical checks, newborn procedures, and more)Why understanding routine vs. medical necessity changes everythingThe powerful question to ask your provider that reveals their birth philosophyHow to use your birth plan as a communication tool Why your husband or support person must understand your preferences tooHow preparation reduces fear and why that matters physiologicallyThe role of prayer, discernment, and flexibility in birth decisionsHospitals have a default flow. If you don’t intentionally speak into that flow, it will carry you along with it. This episode is not about being combative; it’s about being informed, calm, and confident. Preparation allows you to advocate respectfully, reduce fear, protect your oxytocin flow, and approach your birth with clarity and peace. If you’ve ever felt nervous about asking questions or worried about being “too picky,” this episode is for you. Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    15 min
  2. 9. Perinatal Mental Health, Birth Trauma & Support with Paige Head of Crescent Counseling & Consulting LLC

    FEB 9

    9. Perinatal Mental Health, Birth Trauma & Support with Paige Head of Crescent Counseling & Consulting LLC

    In this episode, I’m joined by Paige Head, licensed therapist and owner of Crescent Counseling & Consulting, to talk honestly about postpartum mental health, birth trauma, expectations, and the kind of support moms actually need. Paige shares her own story of traumatic birth, postpartum depression and anxiety, and how God used those experiences to shape her calling to serve women in every phase of motherhood...from trying to conceive to postpartum and beyond. We discuss: Why unmet expectations can deeply impact mental health in pregnancy and postpartumHow trauma is defined by nervous system response, not just medical eventsThe difference between “baby blues” and postpartum mood disordersWhy support (or lack of it) can change everythingHow to ask better questions when supporting new momsWhy accepting help is not failureHow faith, connection, and community play a role in healingThis conversation is compassionate, grounded, and deeply validating for any mom who has ever wondered, “Am I allowed to feel this way?” Resources Mentioned: Crescent Counseling & ConsultingInstagram: @crescent.ccllcFacebook: Crescent Counseling & ConsultingPostpartum Support International (PSI): https://www.postpartum.netFind a Perinatal Mental Health Provider (PMHC): https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/provider-directory/The Climb – North Georgia (June 7, Fowler Park, Cumming, GA)The Climb North Georgia on FacebookCharlotte Ramberg - Cherokee Rose Counseling and ConsultingVictoria Hefton - Lillidale Designs CoJust getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    48 min
  3. 8. Which Hospital in Atlanta is Best for Natural Birth?

    FEB 2

    8. Which Hospital in Atlanta is Best for Natural Birth?

    Expectant parents often ask, “What’s the best hospital in Atlanta for a natural birth?” hoping for a clear, reassuring answer. But in this episode, we unpack why that question may be oversimplifying something far more complex. I share why I don’t rank or recommend specific hospitals, even though some have better reputations than others, and what actually matters more than the hospital name on your chart. Drawing from real client experiences and my observations as a Christian birthworker, we talk about why two people can give birth in the same hospital and have completely different experiences. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why hospitals aren’t monolithic and why reputation alone can be misleadingHow putting too much stock in finding the "right" hospital can actually work against youHow provider philosophy, nurse support, and unit conditions impact laborWhy preparation (mental, emotional, spiritual, and educational) matters everywhereIf you’re planning a natural birth in the Atlanta area (or anywhere) and feeling pressure to “pick the right hospital,” this episode will help you reframe the decision with clarity, stewardship, and peace. Scripture referenced:  John 16:33 Proverbs 4 Luke 14:28-29 Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    12 min
  4. 7. What Happens Right After Birth: 6 Things No One Tells You

    JAN 26

    7. What Happens Right After Birth: 6 Things No One Tells You

    Most birth preparation focuses on labor and pushing but very few parents are truly prepared for what happens immediately after the baby is born. In this episode, we walk through the first minutes and hours after birth and talk about what is normal, what is routine, and where you may have options. For many moms, this phase feels confusing or overwhelming...not because anything went wrong, but because no one explained what to expect. This is a practical, educational episode covering: Why birth doesn’t end when the baby is bornThe physiology and importance of immediate skin-to-skin contactWhat happens during the delivery of the placenta (the third stage of labor)Common sensations after birth, including shaking, bleeding, and exhaustionFundal checks and why they’re doneNewborn procedures and how to protect the “golden hour”The emotional whiplash that can happen after birth (and why it’s normal)The goal of this episode is not to create fear, but to replace uncertainty with understanding so you can prepare for this phase of birth with the same intentionality you bring to labor. Resources & Research Mentioned: Cochrane Review: Strong evidence supports skin-to-skin contact after birth WHO: Immediate skin-to-skin care for newborn survival UNICEF: Research on skin-to-skin contact Evidence Based Birth: The third stage of labor and Pitocin Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    16 min
  5. 6. How to Break the Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle with Faith and Practical Tools

    JAN 19

    6. How to Break the Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle with Faith and Practical Tools

    Fear of labor pain can create a cycle that makes contractions feel more intense: the fear-tension-pain cycle. In this episode, we break down exactly what that cycle is, why it matters, and how to stop it before it controls your labor. You’ll learn: How fear physically affects your body during laborPractical tools to release tension and breathe through contractionsFaith-based strategies that actually impact your nervous systemHow to prepare now so fear doesn’t dominate your birth experienceIf you’ve ever worried that fear will take over your labor or wondered how to stay calm and confident when the pain hits, this episode is for you. Scripture referenced: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he answered me     and delivered me from all my fears." Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    11 min
  6. 5. 5 Daily Habits Every Pregnant Christian Can Use to Nourish Body and Soul

    JAN 12

    5. 5 Daily Habits Every Pregnant Christian Can Use to Nourish Body and Soul

    Pregnancy is physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental...all at the same time. If you’re preparing for birth, it’s not enough to only focus on nutrition and physical preparation. Your heart and soul need care too. In this episode, I share five simple daily habits every pregnant Christian can use to nourish both body and soul while preparing for labor. These practices are meant to be realistic, gentle, and sustainable even in busy seasons of life. We cover: Why Scripture and prayer matter for birth preparationHow intentional movement supports both your body and your mindsetDaily surrender as an antidote to fear and controlNourishing your body in a way that honors GodEnding the day with reflection and gratitudeThese habits aren’t about perfection or adding pressure. They’re about showing up consistently, building trust in God, and creating a foundation of peace that carries into labor and birth. Scripture referenced:  Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” 1 Corinthians 6 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you? Therefore honor God with your body.” Resources mentioned: Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols Brave Birth Bootcamp - learn pain-coping and mindset strategies for unmedicated birth.  Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    15 min
  7. 4. A Christian Doula’s Tips for Navigating Natural Birth in a System You Don't Fully Trust

    JAN 5

    4. A Christian Doula’s Tips for Navigating Natural Birth in a System You Don't Fully Trust

    Have you ever wondered how to pursue a natural birth when you’re not sure you can trust the system you're giving birth in? In this episode, we will cover: Why acknowledging your unease about hospital birth is actually a key part of Christian birth prep... How faith-centered pregnancy planning helps you prepare for natural childbirth without falling into fear or false optimism... My best tips for navigating hospital birth with confidence, boundaries, and spiritual peace as a pregnant Christian... … and a whole lot more! If you’re ready to prepare for a faith-filled birth even in a setting you don’t fully trust, then this episode is for you! Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    13 min
  8. 3. 4 Things to Remember When You're the Only One in Your Circle Planning a Natural Birth

    12/29/2025

    3. 4 Things to Remember When You're the Only One in Your Circle Planning a Natural Birth

    Planning a natural birth can feel isolating...especially when you’re the only one in your circle choosing to go unmedicated. Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." In this episode, I’m speaking directly to the mom who feels misunderstood, questioned, or quietly discouraged by friends, family, or coworkers who don’t share her birth goals. If you’re tired of justifying your choices or wondering if you’re being unrealistic, this conversation is for you. We cover four key reminders to help you stay grounded and confident: Why you don’t need everyone’s approvalWhere true confidence actually comes fromWhen and how to limit what you share with othersHow to find support even if no one close to you “gets it”This episode will help you protect your peace, strengthen your conviction, and remember that you are not alone...and you are not wrong for wanting a natural birth. Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    13 min
  9. 2. The #1 Way a Biblical Approach to Birth Differs from US Culture

    12/29/2025

    2. The #1 Way a Biblical Approach to Birth Differs from US Culture

    How does a biblical approach to birth differ from the way U.S. culture views it? In this episode, we explore the key difference between fear-driven birth decisions and faith-filled, God-centered stewardship. Too often, U.S. culture treats birth as a high-risk event to control, leading to anxiety, rigid plans, and unnecessary interventions. We discuss: How fear and control shape US birth statisticsWhat Scripture says about trust, stewardship, and surrender in pregnancyPractical ways to prepare for birth without letting fear dominate your decisionsAligning your heart, mind, and birth plan with God’s designLearn to approach birth with peace, intentional preparation, and trust in God’s sovereignty and discover how Scripture can guide you to walk through pregnancy and labor with confidence. Scripture referenced:  2 Timothy 1:7 "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 – “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” Scripture references to loving the Lord your God with all your heart/soul/mind/strength: Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    12 min
  10. 1. How to Interview Midwives and OBGYNs for Birth (And What Their Answers Really Tell You)

    12/29/2025

    1. How to Interview Midwives and OBGYNs for Birth (And What Their Answers Really Tell You)

    Many women choose their OB or midwife for birth the same way they choose a dentist...based on convenience, familiarity, or recommendations from friends. But birth is a completely different specialty, and a provider who is great at routine gynecologic care may not be aligned with the kind of birth you want. In this episode, I break down how to interview midwives and OB-GYNs for birth and, more importantly, how to interpret their answers so you can understand their true birth philosophy before you’re deep into pregnancy. We talk about: Why provider philosophy matters more than credentials aloneThe difference between managing labor and supporting physiologic birthKey questions that reveal how a provider views intervention, autonomy, and unmedicated birthRed-flag answers vs. answers that indicate alignment with natural or low-intervention birthWhy “I support all births as long as mom and baby are healthy” often tells you very littleHow tone, flexibility, and openness to questions matter just as much as statisticsChoosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your birth. This episode will help you approach that decision with clarity, confidence, and wisdom so you’re not surprised late in pregnancy by misaligned expectations. Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    16 min

  11. 12/27/2025

    Trailer | Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast

    Welcome to Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast. This trailer introduces the heart behind the podcast and who it’s for: pregnant Christian women who want to prepare for birth with confidence, wisdom, and trust in the Lord...without being ruled by fear. Hosted by childbirth educator, doula, and mom of three Mannah Liu, Rise blends practical birth education with biblical truth to help you understand how the body and mind work together in labor, how fear impacts birth, and how to prepare for natural or unmedicated birth in a grounded, faith-filled way. This podcast isn’t about chasing a perfect birth or ignoring real risks. It’s about preparing with wisdom, confidence, and trust so fear doesn’t have the loudest voice in the room. If you’re a first-time mom, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or longing for more peace as you approach birth, you’re in the right place. New episodes release weekly. Just getting started? Use my free pregnancy and birth research checklist to jumpstart your learning. Free roadmap to planning a natural birth: 10 Steps to Natural Birth Want to feel more confident making decisions in labor? Join the Autonomous Birth Workshop to learn how to advocate for yourself and navigate birth with clarity. Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards For encouragement and truth as you prepare for birth, download my Free Scripture-Based Affirmation Cards Connect with me on Instagram: @rise.birth

    1 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast is for pregnant Christian women who want to prepare for birth with confidence, wisdom, and trust in the Lord - especially if you desire a natural or unmedicated birth but feel unsure how to get there. Hosted by Christian doula Mannah Liu of Rise Birth Services, this podcast offers encouragement, education, and biblical truth for birth without fear. You’ll learn how fear impacts labor, what’s happening in your body during birth, and practical tools to cope with pain, alongside Scripture-grounded perspective, prayer, and honest conversations about real-life birth. Whether you’re a first-time mom, feeling torn between faith and fear, or hoping to approach labor with more peace and clarity, Rise will help you prepare your heart, mind, and body for birth so you can walk into labor informed, supported, and anchored in God’s presence.

Information

  • Creator
    Mannah
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rise: A Christian Birth Podcast

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