This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m excited to share Natalie Portman and her birth story with you guys! Natalie reached out to me to share the story of her positive, natural birth! When she reached out to me, she explained that she initially wasn’t interested in trying to go unmedicated for labor […]

This week on The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast I’m excited to share Natalie Portman and her birth story with you guys! Natalie reached out to me to share the story of her positive, natural birth!

When she reached out to me, she explained that she initially wasn’t interested in trying to go unmedicated for labor and delivery, but after listening to the MLN podcast, taking the Birth It Up course, and listening to audiobooks, etc, she felt empowered to give it a try.

After giving birth, she 100% agrees that labor and delivery is absolutely a mind game. It’s not what’s happening as much as it is what you tell yourself what’s happening.

Natalie hopes that her story will help women who are on the fence about unmedicated birth or that are just scared about giving birth, in general, to know that although you can’t control everything about the situation, there is still a lot you can do. In her words, Knowledge is power, and trust is power!

And if you’ve been around here for a while then you know that I couldn’t agree more!! Let’s get right into Natalie’s story!

About Natalie Portman

Natalie is a proud wife and mama from Jacksonville, Florida. She attended a performing arts middle and high school where she studied vocal performance. She graduated from UNF with a Bachelors in Psychology and a concentration in Child Psychology. Natalie worked for a multifamily construction company for over 5 years, but after giving birth to her daughter, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. 

Through the encouragement of wonderful friends and family, she has recently decided to enter into birth doula work after her own positive and empowering birth experience. Natalie enjoys serving at church with her high school girls, and of course, enjoys being a new mom! Natalie is excited to share her birth story and hopes it is encouraging to other mamas!

Resources from the episode:

  • “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin
  • “Natural Hospital Birth” by Cynthia Gabriel
  • “The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin
  • “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” by Penny Simkin and Janet Whalley
  • Birth Hour podcast
  • Evidence Based Birth podcast & website
  • Spinning Babies website & resources
  • Taking Cara Babies sleep courses

Connect with Natalie Portman

Liesel Teen, RN-BSN

Liesel Teen

BSN, RN, Practicing Labor and Delivery Nurse

As a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve spent countless hours with women who felt anxious — even fearful — about giving birth. I want you to know it doesn’t have to be that way for you!

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