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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I'm sitting down with Emily Whalen (@nurtured_little_nest)—a sweet mama, content creator, and someone I had the honor of serving as her doula. Emily's story is one of transformation: from mental health struggles and medication concerns to discovering the power of mindset in birth, and ultimately experiencing an unmedicated delivery that deepened her understanding of God's love.

This isn't just a birth story—it's a testimony of how God uses motherhood to sanctify us, stretch our faith, and reveal His heart in ways we never expected. Emily shares openly about navigating bipolar disorder and OCD during early marriage, the surprise of getting pregnant while on medication, and how reading one powerful book completely shifted her perspective on birth.

Whether you're considering an unmedicated birth, struggling with pregnancy fears, or simply needing encouragement that God can use even the most challenging circumstances for good—this episode is full of hope for your heart and practical wisdom for your journey.

In this episode, Emily shares:

📖 How one book (Ina May's Guide to Childbirth) transformed her entire birth plan

🧠 The power of mindset and why "what you say out loud matters" became her motto

🎶 How worship music carried her through labor's most intense moments

👶 The dramatic moment her sunny-side-up baby needed help "with directions"

✝️ How becoming a mother gave her a deeper understanding of God's sacrificial love

🏠 Why she's planning a birth center or home birth for baby #2

Emily beautifully connects the immediate, overwhelming love she felt for her newborn to understanding God's heart toward us—giving us a glimpse of divine love through motherhood.

A Prayer for You: If you're walking through mental health challenges during pregnancy, questioning your birth choices, or feeling overwhelmed by the unknowns ahead—may you be reminded that God's design for birth and motherhood is good, and He will equip you for every step of this sacred journey.

Mentioned in this episode:

✨ Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

✨ Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols

💛 Follow Emily: @nurtured_little_nest on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

💛 Work with Me 1:1 – Doula Support & Coaching: Explore birth support and childbirth education for your pregnancy and birth journey

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear Emily's powerful story.

Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned