So many of you have worked so hard to prepare for the labor and birth you want to have — one that aligns with God’s design. You’ve done everything you can to do things the right way. You finally have your beautiful birth, and now you’re holding your baby in your arms. But then, the doctor says something isn’t quite as it should be.

Now what? Is something really wrong? Do you need to do something? And if you do, are you setting yourself up for a long cascade of testing and interventions? If you don’t, are you endangering your baby? How do you know what to do? Let’s talk about it.

Are you a Christian woman yearning for a beautiful, joyful pregnancy and birth that focuses on God, not medical tests? Are you worried the birth you want isn’t possible and tired of being treated like an accident waiting to happen?

Hey mama, I’m Lori, host of Your Birth God’s Way. I’m a certified nurse midwife now, but it wasn’t always that way. After working nearly 20 years in the broken maternity system, I was once in your shoes — wondering how I could have the birth I wanted and that I felt God meant for me to have.

I found a secret that’s actually been known since the beginning of time: God’s way is the best way. He made us and our babies, and He knows us best. He designed us perfectly for pregnancy, birth, and nourishing our babies if we work with His design — not against it.

​So, if you’re ready to reclaim your birth and your baby for His glory, put on a few episodes of Bluey for your little one so you can take a few minutes to focus on yourself and join me.

Mama, you know how much I love your reviews. Every week, I thank you for leaving them, and I mean it. If you haven’t yet, would you take 30 seconds to leave a five-star written review on Apple Podcasts? It’s free, it helps the show grow, and it’s one of the best ways to help other moms find God’s design for birth.

One review that truly encouraged me came from Cat, a fellow nurse and expecting mama. She said:

“Lori is an advocate for God's design for the natural birthing process... Hospitals are good for what they’re meant for — emergencies — not healthy mamas-to-be. I’m so blessed to have found this podcast. I feel more prepared and knowledgeable. There is a better option. God’s way is truly the best way.”

​Thank you, Cat. Your words truly fuel me to keep going and keep helping mamas find confidence in God’s perfect design.

Let’s talk about what can happen after birth — when you’ve worked hard to have the birth you want, and now your baby is being pushed into a series of tests or treatments you’re not sure about.

This episode was inspired by a question from our Christian Pregnancy Facebook Group. One mama asked if there was such a thing as a “cascade of interventions for babies.” And honestly, that question stopped me. Because yes — it really can feel like that.

​In her case, she was being pressured because of her baby’s weight gain. Doctors were encouraging her to supplement or switch to formula. She said she felt so knowledgeable during pregnancy, but once the baby came, she suddenly felt vulnerable and unsure. And she’s not alone — many mothers have shared the same feeling.

As a midwife — and before that, as a Navy nurse — I’ve seen this from all sides. I was even the “sick baby nurse” on my floor, trained to care for babies who needed extra help. I loved it. But I also know that, at times, I was part of the system that pressured moms to conform to protocols instead of trusting their instincts.

​I didn’t know better then, but I do now. So today, I want to help you navigate this post-birth stage with wisdom and peace.

You are your baby’s protector. You are the decision-maker. No one loves or knows your baby more than you. God chose you to be your baby’s mother — and that alone makes you qualified.

​Don’t let hospital pressure make you doubt yourself. You have every right to ask questions, decline procedures, and make informed choices for your baby’s care.

Choosing to breastfeed your baby does not give anyone permission to put extra scrutiny on your baby. It doesn’t justify more testing or pressure to supplement.

Breastfed babies gain weight differently than formula-fed babies — that’s how God designed it. Their feeding system is natural, gentle, and perfectly in tune with their needs. They won’t overfeed or gain too quickly, and that’s okay.

Remember: newborns lose some weight after birth, especially if you’ve had IV fluids. That’s normal. If your baby is peeing, pooping, and satisfied, there’s no reason to supplement. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand — if you interfere with that by giving formula, your body will make less milk.

​Trust God’s design. Your baby was created to thrive on your milk.

Routine blood sugar checks, bilirubin tests, heel pricks, injections, and baths — these are common in hospitals but often unnecessary. These procedures should be based on actual symptoms, not just “protocol.”

Many of these interventions weren’t standard before hospitals began billing for them. They became “routine” because they could be charged for. But at home births and birth centers, these aren’t automatically done — they’re only performed when needed.

​So if you want to avoid unnecessary procedures, choose your birth location carefully. Ask about what’s routine, how your wishes will be respected, and whether you can opt out of certain procedures.