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’ll gently point you back to the freedom of surrender and the beauty of God’s design for birth. Because I believe birth isn’t about showcasing your strength—it’s about revealing the Lord's. And when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can choose faith over fear. I’d love for you to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re looking for more support, grab my free Christian Mama Birth Prep Library at faithoverfearbirth.com. It’s packed with birth prep guides, faith-filled tools, and other resources to help you invite God into your birth space. You don’t have to walk this path alone. Let’s journey together—with faith, not fear.
Episodes
In this episode, I'm exploring the Christmas story through the lens of Mary's birth experience—and what it teaches us about finding God's glory when our own births don't go according to plan.
This message came to me unexpectedly during a church service, when I suddenly saw Mary's story not just as a familiar Christmas narrative, but as a birth story. A messy, uncomfortable, nothing-like-she-pla...
In this episode I'm sitting down with Jessica Thomas, a functional pediatric practitioner and mom of two, to uncover the surprising connection between your gut health during pregnancy and your baby's future health. We're diving deep into how the microbiome you cultivate now can impact whether your little one develops eczema, colic, food allergies—and even affect generations to come.
Jessica shares her pe...
In this episode I'm walking you through your third trimester checklist—10 faith-filled steps to help you prepare practically and spiritually for your upcoming birth. Whether you're feeling the weight of that watermelon belly, googling at 2 AM, or wondering if you'll ever feel truly ready, this episode is designed to bring you peace and clarity.
The third trimester can feel overwhelming with its mix of ex...
In this episode, I'm joined by Caroline, a nurse who brings a unique perspective from caring for critically ill postpartum patients to experiencing her own two drastically different births. She openly shares how back labor, a 9-pound baby, and nearly 5 hours of pushing challenged everything she thought she knew about birth—and how God remained faithful through it all.
Caroline's journey took unexpected turns:...
In this episode I'm exploring what happens when our prayers for birth come from a place of control rather than surrender—and how God has been transforming my heart from anxiety to trust as I prepare for my third baby's arrival.
After carrying the weight of perfectionism through my first two births, treating them like report cards of my strength and worth, I'm experiencing something radically different th...
In this episode I'm joined by Maria Lilly, a Christian mom whose first birth experience completely transformed her life—leading her from a corporate accounting job to becoming a doula and Lamaze certified childbirth educator. Maria shares her powerful story of navigating a terrifying prenatal diagnosis, NICU stay, and ultimately discovering God's faithfulness in the most unexpected ways.
When Maria was told a...
In this episode, I'm walking you through everything you need to know about preparing for an induction—from practical tips to spiritual encouragement—so you can approach your birth with peace and confidence, even if this wasn't your original plan.
Maybe your provider has mentioned induction as a possibility, or perhaps you already have a date scheduled. Whatever emotions you're feeling—excitement, disappo...
In this episode I'm diving deep into a topic that's been on my heart—how you can experience professional doula support while keeping your birth intimate and private through virtual birth support. This option could be the perfect solution for mamas who are torn between wanting expert guidance and maintaining the sacred space of birth with just their husband present.
After supporting many families as an in-pers...
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Kate Smith, pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Nurture You Pelvic Health, to discuss a topic that affects countless women but is often dismissed: severe pelvic pain during pregnancy. If you've ever been told your excruciating pain is "just part of being pregnant," this conversation will validate your experience and offer real hope.
After experiencing debi...
In this episode, I'm walking you through a practical, faith-filled checklist to help you prepare well during your second trimester—the sweet spot of pregnancy when energy returns and you can finally focus on nourishing your body, mind, and heart for the journey ahead.
Whether you're just starting to feel like yourself again or you want to make sure you're on the right track, this episode covers seven key...
In this episode, I'm sitting down with my dear friend Gracie Clowe—a mama who prepared her heart, mind, and body for an unmedicated birth, only to find herself on an operating table for an unplanned C-section. But that's just the beginning of her story.
Gracie's journey is one of confusion, surrender, heartbreak, and ultimately, miraculous revelation. After feeling clearly called by God to pursue a natur...
In this episode, I'm breaking down something every pregnant mama needs to know: you always have a choice when it comes to your birth care, no matter where you're planning to deliver. We're diving deep into informed consent and informed refusal—your fundamental rights that don't disappear just because you walk into a hospital or birth center.
Too often, I see birth educators and doulas painting medic...
In this episode I'm sitting down with Laura Lindahl—certified pre and postnatal coach, exercise physiologist, and Christian body image coach—to talk about something so many moms wrestle with: the pressure to "bounce back" after baby and how to approach postpartum health from a place of grace, not guilt.
Laura's story will resonate with so many of us. She went from being trapped in superficial fitnes...
In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know about breastfeeding before your baby arrives—because preparing for this beautiful journey is just as important as preparing for birth itself. Too many mamas focus all their energy on delivery day but don't think about the feeding relationship that follows, and I don't want that to be you.
Whether you're pregnant and considering breastfeeding, ...
In this vulnerable bonus episode, I'm sharing the hardest month of my third pregnancy—battling severe anxiety and depression while navigating morning sickness, parenting struggles, and feeling completely overwhelmed as a mom of two expecting her third baby.
This isn't the polished, faith-filled message I usually share. This is me in the trenches, feeling like I'm failing at everything—from parenting my s...
In this episode, I'm sharing the incredible birth journey of my very first doula client, Nicki—a foster mom of five whose three births taught her (and me!) powerful lessons about overcoming fear, trusting God's timing, and finding peace through trauma.
Nicki's story begins with a terrifying first birth that left her with a fourth-degree tear, massive blood loss, and months of painful recovery. Determined...
While I take a short rest during my first trimester, I’m bringing back one of the most meaningful episodes of the podcast. This conversation has resonated deeply with so many mamas, reminding us that birth and motherhood are not just physical experiences, but also powerful reflections of the gospel.
If you’re longing for encouragement, or you want to see your motherhood journey through the lens of God’s sacrificial lov...
While I’m taking a short season of rest during my first trimester, I’m bringing back one of the most impactful and listened-to conversations we’ve had on the podcast. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear that your birth or postpartum might not go the way you hoped, or if you’ve struggled in the weeks after bringing your baby home, this replay will meet you with truth, honesty, and encouragement.
In this episode I'm j...
While I’m taking a short rest during my first trimester, I wanted to bring back one of the most-loved episodes of the podcast. This conversation has helped so many mamas release fear, embrace God’s design, and feel more confident heading into birth. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it again, I pray it blesses and encourages you today.
In this episode of Faith Over Fear: The Christian Pregnanc...
In this special bonus episode, I'm sharing some big news with you—we're expecting our third baby! This surprise pregnancy has been both a tremendous blessing and a journey that's teaching me so much about rest, surrender, and where my true worth comes from.
This announcement comes during a challenging first trimester filled with nausea, exhaustion, and the physical demands of being a pregnant doula. Afte...
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