The modern maternity system has transformed childbirth into a highly medicalized event. This often strips away its natural, spiritual, and emotional significance. In Episode 128 of The Radiant Mission Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Nathan Riley, a board-certified OB-GYN. He walked away from the conventional medical model to embrace midwifery and holistic birth practices. His journey is both eye-opening and inspiring. It sheds light on why birth should be honored as a sacred process rather than a clinical procedure.
Why Dr. Nathan Riley Left Conventional Medicine
Dr. Nathan Riley spent years in the traditional medical system. He attended over 1,000 births and saw firsthand how hospital-based practices often prioritize intervention over intuition. This led to a disconnect between parents and the natural rhythms of childbirth.
Leaving the security of the hospital setting was not easy. However, stepping away allowed him to align his work with his values. He now prioritizes holistic care, supports midwives, and advocates for home birth. His mission is clear. He wants families to trust the natural birth process, embrace the sacredness of childbirth, and restore birth as a spiritual experience.
The Sacredness of Birth & the Role of Midwifery
Many people view birth only as a medical event. However, Dr. Nathan Riley challenges this idea. He emphasizes that childbirth is a rite of passage and a spiritual transformation that shapes both parents and their child.
He believes birth should be supported in a respectful, non-invasive manner. This helps women feel empowered, connected, and in tune with their bodies. His advocacy for midwifery and home birth centers on bringing back traditions that honor birth as a natural process.
Key takeaways from our conversation:
- Midwifery as an art – Birth should be guided, not controlled.
- The c-section crisis – Dr. Nathan Riley has a <5% c-section rate, compared to the national average of nearly 32%.
- The role of fathers in birth – Men should step into the experience rather than distance themselves.
- Breaking free from fear-based birth narratives – Hospitals often use fear instead of empowerment.
- Spirituality in birth – Parenthood is a transformational, God-ordained experience.
Trusting Birth with Dr. Nathan Riley
Dr. Nathan Riley’s approach is a call to trust birth, trust God’s design, and reject the over-medicalization of maternity care. He reminds parents that intuition, education, and faith should guide birth choices. Fear or pressure from outdated medical protocols should not.
Whether you’re a first-time parent, exploring home birth, or simply curious, this episode will challenge you. It will help you rethink how our society approaches childbirth.
Tune in now to hear Dr. Nathan Riley’s powerful insights on honoring birth as a sacred and life-changing experience.
Watch or Listen to Dr. Nathan Riley on the Podcast
The Radiant Mission Podcast | Episode 128
Host: Rebecca Twomey @theradiantmission
Guest: Dr. Nathan Riley @nathanrileyobgyn
Thank you for listening to The Radiant Mission podcast! We are on a mission to encourage and inspire you on your walk with Christ and as you journey through life.
In Episode 128, Dr. Nathan Riley shares his journey from OB-GYN to midwifery advocate, revealing the sacred, spiritual, and natural power of birth.
Bible Verses Mentioned:
- John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Bible Verses About the Sacredness of Human Life:
- Psalm 139:13-14 – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
- Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Resources & Support:
- Dr. Nathan Riley on Instagram: @nathanrileyobgyn
Dr. Nathan Riley’s Website: BornFreeMethod.com - The Radiant Mission Podcast – More faith-based discussions
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