Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast
Hi there, I’m Natalie Portman! I’m a Christian birth doula, virtual birth coach, childbirth educator, wife, and mama—and I created this podcast just for you. If you’re preparing for birth, navigating pregnancy, or adjusting to those early days of motherhood, you’re in the right place. On the podcast I share a mix of powerful Christian birth stories, Scripture-based encouragement, and practical tips to help you walk through this season with peace and purpose. Around here, I do things a little differently. While the world encourages you to control every detail and rely on your own strength, I’...
15. First Trimester Checklist Essentials: From Choosing A Provider to Managing Morning Sickness
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In this episode, I'm walking you through everything you need to know for a confident, faith-filled first trimester—from the moment you see that positive test to building the foundation for your entire pregnancy journey.
Whether you're holding a pregnancy test with shaking hands, feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions ahead, or wanting to honor God through this long awaited season, this episode will equip you with both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for the weeks ahead.
This isn't just another pregnancy to-do list. It's a grace-filled guide that he...
14. Leaking, Pelvic Pain, and "That's Just Mom Life"? Why You Deserve Better (And How to Get It)
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In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dr. Victoria Adeeb, a pelvic floor therapist and founder of Better Body Rehab in Jacksonville Beach, to talk about something every mom needs to hear—that caring for your body isn't selfish, it's sacred kingdom work.
Victoria specializes in women's health and has such a heart for helping mamas feel confident in their bodies before, during, and after pregnancy. As a soon-to-be first time mama herself, she brings both clinical expertise and personal experience to our conversation about pelvic floor health, self-care, and what it...
13. Discerning the Right Birth Setting For You: Hospital, Birth Center, or Home?
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In this episode, I'm walking you through one of the most important decisions you'll make during pregnancy—choosing your birth setting. Whether you're considering a hospital birth, birth center, or home birth, each option comes with different levels of support, intervention, comfort, and control, and there's no "right" answer—just the one that's right for you and your baby.
I'll be honest—when I was pregnant with my first, I didn't even realize I had options beyond my OB-GYN's office. But as I started researching and praying about what kind of birth...
12. When Others Say “You Don't Get a Medal for Natural Birth” But God Says “Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice”
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In this episode I'm joined by Katie Prizzia, a faith-filled mama of three, as she shares her incredible testimony of three completely different birth experiences—and how each one revealed God's faithfulness in unexpected ways.
Katie's journey took her from an overwhelming premature birth with her first baby, to a faster but still medicated delivery with her second, and finally to the unmedicated birth she felt called to pursue with her third. But this wasn't just about achieving a "natural birth"—it was about learning to surrender her body, her fears, and...
11. Pack with Peace: Hospital Bag Packing List Essentials
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I'm walking you through everything you actually need to pack for your hospital stay—not too much, not too little, but just right for your comfort and your baby's first precious days.
If you're staring at your hospital bag wondering if you're doing this whole thing right, you're in exactly the right place. This isn't just another generic packing list—it's about preparing your heart and your bag so you can approach birth with confidence instead of anxiety.
Wh...
10. When God's Plan Doesn't Match Yours: Trusting Through Pregnancy Loss and Sleep Struggles
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I'm joined by Jamie Ortiz, a pediatric sleep coach, military spouse, and mama of two who shares her powerful journey through pregnancy loss, high-risk births, and finding God's faithfulness in the midst of heartbreak.
Jamie's motherhood story began with devastating loss—giving birth prematurely to her baby at 22 weeks while her husband was deployed overseas. But even in that unimaginable grief, God was preparing her heart with Scripture and dreams, showing her His character before the storm hit. Her su...
9. Am I in Labor? Discerning the Signs
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I’m walking you through one of the most common questions expectant mamas ask: “Am I in labor?” Whether you’re experiencing your first round of practice contractions or wondering if this is finally the real deal, this episode will help you discern the signs with confidence and peace.
As you approach your due date, it’s natural to analyze every sensation and wonder if labor is beginning. But those Braxton Hicks contractions can be so convincing! After experiencing this uncer...
8. Why She Changed Her Mind About Epidurals: Emily Whalen's Story
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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...
7. How Birth & Motherhood Reflects the Gospel
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In this episode I'm sharing how the profound experience of birth and motherhood reveals beautiful gospel truths that will transform how you see God's love for you.
From the moment you discover you're pregnant to the intense moments of labor and the sweet surrender of holding your newborn, every stage of this journey offers glimpses into God's heart and His sacrificial love.
If you've ever wondered how your experience as a mother connects to your faith, or if you're looking for deeper meaning in the b...
6. Anxiety & Depression: The Hidden Cost of Trying to Control Birth & Motherhood
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In this episode I'm joined by my friend Crystal Doiron, a licensed clinical social worker and mama, as she courageously shares her story of postpartum depression and anxiety—and the hope she found on the other side.
Crystal's journey began with detailed plans, a "birth binder" (not just a birth plan!), and the determination to do everything "right." But when preeclampsia led to an emergency induction, C-section, and a cascade of unexpected challenges, Crystal found herself struggling with the gap between expectation and reality.
This co...
5. Creating Your Birth Preferences: A Step-by-Step Guide
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I'm sharing a practical but powerful tool for your birth journey—creating effective birth preferences that serve as a communication tool for your entire birth team. Rather than focusing on controlling every aspect of birth, this approach creates clarity and unity while honoring God's ultimate plan. Whether you're preparing for your first birth, hoping to have more input in your birth experience, or simply wanting to feel more prepared, this step-by-step guide will help you approach birth with both wisdom and su...
4. She Waited Two Years for a Positive Pregnancy Test—Then God Moved (with Sarah Salain)
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I’m joined by my very first guest—Sarah Salain, a registered nurse, Christian holistic health coach, and new mama—who shares her powerful story of waiting, surrender, and God’s faithfulness.
After years of hormonal challenges and praying for a baby, Sarah found herself walking through a long and painful season of infertility. As a health coach supporting other women through fertility struggles, her own waiting felt especially heavy—until God moved in a way only He could.
In th...
3. Natural Labor Prep: Simple Ways to Ready Your Body for Birth
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, we’re talking all about natural ways to help your body prepare for labor—without fear, overwhelm, or pressure to do “all the things.”
Whether you’re weeks away from meeting your baby or just starting to plan for birth, understanding cervical ripening can empower you to partner with your body, honor God’s design, and prepare from a place of peace. I’m breaking down what cervical ripening actually is, why it matters, how your provider...
2. From Hospital Birth to Home Birth: Daniel's Birth
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I’m sharing the full story of my second birth—Daniel’s peaceful home birth—and how it stretched my faith, challenged my need for control, and ultimately led me to experience more joy and surrender than I thought possible.
This pregnancy and birth journey was different from my first. After delivering my daughter unmedicated in a hospital, I found myself being called toward a new kind of birth experience. But that shift came with fear, hesitation, and daily moments...
1. How God Used My Birth Story to Call Me Into Birth Work (Ellie’s Unmedicated Hospital Birth)
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In this very first episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the most transformative days of my life—the birth of my daughter, Ellie.
From navigating unexpected complications early in pregnancy to giving birth unmedicated in a hospital setting, this episode is full of the real, raw, faith-filled moments that shaped me as a woman and called me into the sacred work of serving other mamas.
You’ll hear how I coped with a subchorionic hematoma, manage...
My Heart Behind the Podcast
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Welcome to Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnancy & Birth Podcast!
In this short trailer episode, I’m sharing the heart behind the podcast and why I believe Christian mamas need a space like this now more than ever.
You’ll hear what to expect from each episode, the mission driving this podcast, and how we’ll walk through pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood together—with our eyes fixed on Jesus, not fear.
This is more than just a birth podcast. It’s a gospel...
