You can’t take one experience like childbirth, and separate that from the rest of life."
Anna Lundqvist
Episode 156, orgasmic birth® the podcast
What if the very thing you’ve been taught to fear about birth could actually be powerful—even pleasurable? If you’ve ever wondered why your desires for a calm, connected, or sacred birth feel “too much” or “too radical,” you’re not alone. In a world where women are told to numb, silence, and surrender their bodies to systems, reclaiming joy in birth isn’t just brave—it’s revolutionary and rebellious.
Anna Lundqvist is a former midwife and the founder of Sacred Birth International, where she mentors birth workers and empowers women through education on physiological, sacred birth. With decades of experience witnessing both clinical and intuitive birth practices, Anna offers grounded, spiritual insight into how women can birth with sovereignty and sensuality. Her global perspective and deep reverence for the feminine make this episode a transformative deep dive into what’s possible when we invite pleasure into the birth space.
Ready to challenge the narrative and rewrite your own birth story? Hit play to hear how reclaiming pleasure, presence, and power can change everything—from the way you p un repare for birth to the way you meet your baby. Expect real talk on orgasmic birth, embodied wisdom, the mind-body connection, and why choosing pleasure is the most rebellious act of all.
Episode Highlights:
02:12 Why Choosing Pleasure is a Rebellious Act
04:46 Who Can Experience Orgasmic Birth
08:30 Intimacy in the Birthing Room
13:00 Practitioners’ Perspective
19:19 Tools for Meeting the Intensity of Labor
21:50 Your Body is Made to Do This!
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“You have to take radical self-responsibility. I can’t do anything for you, because it’s up to you.” —Anna Lundqvist
“I believe that women who are open to that possibility—truly, most of the time—are the ones who have a higher chance of experiencing that kind of pleasurable, orgasmic birth.” —Anna Lundqvist
Connect with Anna
Anna Lundqvist is a former midwife and the founder of Sacred Birth International. She is dedicated to mentoring birth workers and empowering women through education on the transformative nature of birth as a sacred rite of passage. Anna hosts the Natural Birth Podcast, where she shares inspiring birth stories and insights from women around the world. Through her childbirth education courses, nourishing postpartum programs, and the Sacred Birth Worker Mentorship, Anna supports both expectant mothers and aspiring birth professionals. She is passionate about fostering a holistic, empowering approach to birth.
Website: https://www.sacredbirthinternational.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredbirthinternational/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenaturalbirthpodcastcommunity
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sacredbirthinternational
Eat Pray Doula retreats are immersive, transformational experiences held annually in Bali, Indonesia, designed for aspiring and experienced doulas, birth workers, and health professionals. These retreats offer in-depth DONA-approved training that fulfills key classroom requirements for birth doula certification, while also providing a unique opportunity to connect deeply with a global community in a nurturing, supportive environment.
Participants enjoy daily yoga, delicious food, and the serene beauty of Bali, fostering personal growth, sisterhood, and a heart-expanding approach to birth work. The retreats are led by renowned trainers Debra Pascali-Bonaro, Ibu Robin Lim (and special guests), and are praised for their blend of practical skills, cultural immersion, and soulful connection, making them a truly unique pathway for those passionate about supporting birthing families.
Attending Eat Pray Doula was an incredible and life-changing experience. The knowledge, hands-on practice, and emotional connections formed during this workshop have greatly enriched my perspective as a midwife. I have come to understand even more that the presence of a doula plays a crucial role in helping mothers give birth smoothly, comfortably, and with a positive experience. I feel more confident, inspired, and connected to a global community of birth supporters. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone passionate about holistic birth support. Thank you for this unforgettable experience!
-Biden Nova