#113 | She Caught Her Own Baby: A First-Time Mom’s Pain-Free Home Birth Story

What if birth could feel peaceful, natural, and so deeply joyful that you were actually sad when labor ended? In this episode of the Pain Free Birth Podcast, Karen sits down with Abby Nees, an Iowa mom who experienced two pain-free home births. During her first birth, Abby followed her intuition, remained calm when her midwives did not arrive in time, and caught her own baby in the birth tub. Rather than feeling afraid, she trusted the physiological process unfolding within her body. Abby also shares how these births inspired her to become a doula, catch her friend’s baby, and begin pursuing a future calling toward midwifery. Tune in to hear: - How Abby’s intuition accurately prepared her for a fast first birth - Why hospital water birth policies led her to consider home birth - The simple explanation of uterine contractions that removed her fear - How positive birth stories and physiological birth education shaped her mindset - What Abby did during early and active labor with her first baby - How she remained calm when her midwives did not arrive in time - What it felt like to catch her own baby in the birth tub - Why she describes her first birth as peaceful, natural, and pain-free - How relaxed, physiological pushing affected her postpartum recovery - Why her second birth felt emotionally intense without being physically painful - How breathwork and prenatal yoga helped her release tension - What the fetal ejection reflex felt like during her second birth - Why Abby believes women should protect their minds from fear-based birth stories - How her birth experiences inspired her to become a doula - The incredible story of catching her first baby while serving as a doula - How Abby’s experiences confirmed her future calling toward midwifery CONNECT WITH ABBY: Instagram: harvesthopedoula Website: Harvest Hope Doula CONNECT WITH KAREN: Use code PODCAST to get $50 off the Pain Free Birth E-course HERE Submit your birth story and apply to come on the podcast Instagram Facebook YouTube