Birth is one of the most transformative journeys a woman will ever walk through. For many, that journey does not go as planned—and the pain, trauma, or loss of control can leave a lasting mark. Yet for others, birth becomes the very place where redemption, healing, and God’s presence break through.
On this episode, Karen sat down with Audrey Stinson, a Jesus-loving former RN, homeschooling mother of four, and childbirth educator, who has walked both sides of this story. Audrey experienced two unexpected C-sections that left her doubting her body’s ability to give birth. Yet through prayer, preparation, the support of a doula, and leaning deeply into God’s presence, she went on to have two redemptive home births—one of them completely pain-free.
Her testimony is a powerful reminder that no story is beyond God’s redemption.
Early Birth Experiences: Two Unexpected C-Sections
Audrey entered motherhood the way so many women do—without a plan, believing her doctor knew best. With her first pregnancy, she received little education beyond her brief nursing school experience in labor and delivery. When contractions felt overwhelming, she quickly opted for an epidural and allowed her provider to manage the process.
Her physician suggested breaking her water to “move things along.” Audrey agreed, unaware of the risks. Within minutes, her baby’s heart rate plummeted. Nurses rushed in, repositioning her and attempting interventions, but ultimately Audrey was taken for an emergency C-section. Because of complications with her anesthesia, she was placed under general anesthesia and woke up to a crying newborn placed in her arms.
Her second birth followed a similar path. Despite a small desire for a VBAC, she remained with the same provider—someone she felt bonded to because that doctor had “saved her baby” during the first traumatic experience. Audrey later recognized this as trauma bonding, but at the time it felt natural to return to the same care. When her provider told her the baby was “too big” and recommended another C-section, Audrey reluctantly agreed.
That recovery was even harder. She struggled physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and remembers telling her husband, “If I have to have more C-sections, I think we’re done having kids.” The thought of ending her dream of a large family broke her heart.
A Turning Point: Praying for a VBAC
During her second postpartum recovery, Audrey began to wrestle with God about her future. She knew she longed for more children, but she couldn’t endure another difficult surgical recovery. That’s when she began to pray differently.
She asked God to either change her heart—closing the door on future pregnancies—or to make a way for her to have a VBAC. This prayer became her anchor in the months that followed.
As she researched VBAC safety, studied statistics, and asked questions, Audrey began to realize something critical: her previous C-sections were not because her body was broken. They were largely the result of interventions and lack of informed choice.
With this new perspective and a growing sense of faith, Audrey opened her hands to God’s leading. She prayed, studied, and asked for wisdom every step of the way, trusting Him to guide her toward the right decisions.
Finding Support: Midwives and a Doula
When Audrey became pregnant again, she initially stayed with her same provider out of habit. But as she learned more about VBAC, she began to consider other options. She connected with a Christian midwife group during COVID, but at first she wasn’t ready to commit to home birth.
Then, at 29 weeks, she heard from a doula she had contacted earlier in her pregnancy. The doula told her she had an opening and asked Audrey about her hopes for birth.
That conversation was life-changing.
As Audrey described what she longed for—peace, freedom, natural labor, worship in the birth space—the doula reflected back, “Everything you’re describing sounds like a home birth.”
Audrey initially resisted, but quickly felt the Holy Spirit affirming this path. With her doula’s guidance, she transitioned her care to midwives, prepared for home birth, and began a journey of surrender and faith like never before.
The Redemptive VBAC Home Birth
At 41 weeks and 3 days, Audrey went into labor at home. Her doula arrived and immediately declared, “I can feel the Holy Spirit’s presence in this room.” For Audrey, it was the confirmation she had been praying for.
Labor was intense, but unlike her hospital experiences, she never felt alone or unsupported. Her doula coached her husband to be her primary encourager, whispering affirmations that gave her strength. At one point, overwhelmed by the power surging through her body, Audrey admitted, “I feel really afraid. It’s just so much power.” Her doula replied, “This is good. Your body was made for this.”
Moments later, Audrey was complete and entered the birthing tub. Surrounded by worship music, prayer, and peace, she gave birth to her son in the water. As she lifted him to her chest, tears streamed down her face as she whispered, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.”
For the first time, birth had become redemptive—a testimony of God’s presence and His design for her body.
From Redemption to Pain-Free: A Fourth Birth Story
After her third birth, Audrey discovered Karen’s Pain Free Birth course and began exploring the difference between pain and intensity in labor. With a new understanding of how mindset, preparation, and physiology interact, she entered her fourth pregnancy with faith and confidence.
This time, she experienced something even more extraordinary: a completely pain-free home birth.
Her contractions were powerful, but she never perceived them as pain. Instead, she saw them as her uterus working exactly as God designed, opening and moving her baby down. She allowed her body to lead, resisted the urge to forcefully push, and surrendered fully to the process.
Within 90 minutes of active labor, her baby was born peacefully into her arms—no pain, no fear, and no struggle. Surrounded by her midwives, doula, and husband, the room filled with worship as they sang the doxology together in thanksgiving.
The Role of a Doula in Redemptive Birth
Audrey’s testimony highlights the integral role a doula can play in a birth experience. Far from competing with her husband, her doula empowered him to shine as her primary support. She offered comfort, encouragement, wisdom, and even practical help with older children—ensuring Audrey never felt alone.
Audrey often tells women, “Hire you a doula.” For her, having a trained, faith-filled doula was one of the key reasons her story shifted from trauma to testimony.
Key Takeaways from Audrey’s Story
Audrey’s journey offers hope and wisdom for women preparing for birth:
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Past trauma doesn’t define your future. Even after two C-sections, Audrey went on to experience two powerful, redemptive VBACs.
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Faith changes everything. Inviting God into every step—from provider choice to labor—brought Audrey peace and direction.
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Education empowers. Learning about VBAC safety, birth physiology, and pain-free strategies gave Audrey confidence.
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Doulas are invaluable. A doula can protect the birth space, empower partners, and reflect truth back when fear creeps in.
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Pain-free birth is possible. By reframing contractions as power and intensity rather than pain, Audrey experienced her final birth without suffering.
More about Audrey:
Want to Experience a Faith-Filled Birth Too?
If you’re ready to transform your mindset and birth with peace and purpose, check out the free Unlocking a Pain Free Birth Masterclass. Discover the 3 keys to a Pain-Free birth so you can experience the joyful, supernatural power of birth the way God designed it.
