Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Portman.
Hi Natalie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I became pregnant with my first child, I was enthralled by all things birth as I prepared for my daughter’s arrival. In just a few months of research, I gained so much knowledge and confidence that I was excited to enter labor. Giving birth was the most difficult and, at the same time, most empowering experience of my life! I thought, “If I can do that, I can do anything!” My labor helped me become much more confident in many aspects of my life, including learning to be a parent and later becoming a small business owner.
When my daughter was about 6 months old, I had a dear friend suggest that I look into becoming a doula (I truthfully didn’t even know what a birth doula was). As I learned about how doulas can support families and how to become one, I knew it was my calling to become a birth doula. Shortly after that, I was trained and certified through DONA International and, in the same year, started my business, Beloved Birth Doula Services LLC. In my first year of business, I supported 11 families! I fell in love with the power of birth and the significance of supporting families to have a beloved birth experience.
After becoming a certified birth doula, I wanted to gain more knowledge to better support mothers, so I became a Certified Body Ready Method® Professional. My Body Ready Method® (BRM®) training gave me a better understanding of the body to uniquely support my clients in having a more comfortable pregnancy, efficient birth, and faster postpartum recovery. In addition to the physical support the BRM® training provided, I wanted to expand my services by becoming a childbirth educator. I received certification through The Biblical Birth School and began teaching private in-home and group childbirth education classes. I incorporate BRM® principles in my childbirth education classes to help mothers understand their bodies during labor and birth and teach families about what the Bible says about birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum time.
During my second year in business, I provided doula support to 21 families and taught 5 private childbirth education classes and 5 group classes. My business has expanded so much faster than I could have ever asked or imagined. Serving every family has been an absolute privilege, and I can’t wait to continue this work for many years.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Becoming a first-time mom, DONA Certified Birth Doula, Certified Body Ready Method® Professional, Certified Childbirth Educator, and Entrepreneur, all in less than 2 years, was a challenge. The birth of my first child inspired my business, and I was navigating becoming a new parent while diving head first into starting and growing my business. The only times I had for working toward my certifications and building my business were my child’s nap times or at night after she was asleep. Another hurdle I’ve faced is the unpredictable nature of being a birth worker. Labor can begin any time of day or night, unexpected twists and turns occur during pregnancy and birth, and labor can last from a few hours to a few days. I try hard to create and maintain structure in my life, but birth is humbling when trying to make and keep plans. Additionally, when I began attending births, I was still breastfeeding, so ensuring I had enough breast milk stored up for my daughter while I was gone was a challenge. However, these hurdles only helped me as they taught me so much about planning and being prepared while learning to handle the unpredictable nature of things not going how I want or expect
As you know, we’re big fans of Beloved Birth Doula Services LLC. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand?
As a birth doula and childbirth educator, I provide emotional, physical, and informational support to families as they navigate the transformative experience of bringing new life into the world. Birth is a beautiful process, but I am also keenly aware of the many challenges that families may face during the birth process. From navigating the medical system to making difficult decisions about interventions, many obstacles may arise before, during, and after birth. I seek to provide families with the information and resources they need to make informed choices about their care. This might involve explaining medical interventions, helping families advocate for their wishes, or listening attentively as they express their fears and concerns.
I’m proud to be one of the only Certified Body Ready Method® Professionals practicing in the Jacksonville area so I can provide my clients with a personalized body assessment utilizing the BRM® principles. I also provide comprehensive childbirth education, which covers preparing the body for birth during pregnancy, expectations for labor and delivery, and best practices for postpartum care. My childbirth education course can even be tailored to include what the Bible says about birth, breastfeeding, and the postpartum period for interested families. Comprehensive childbirth education is typically an additional service for most doulas. However, I know how vital comprehensive education is for expectant families, so I include this service in my doula support package. Every life is precious, and this conviction guides how I approach prenatal care and support during childbirth and the postpartum period. Each family has a unique set of needs, and I work to provide individualized care that honors those needs. This approach means that I take the time to listen to my clients, understand their desires, and provide support that aligns with their goals.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
As much as I consider myself a dedicated and hard worker, I know deeply that I would not be where I am without God blessing my business. I also wouldn’t be able to work as a birth doula without the help of my fantastic husband, Brian, and highly supportive family and friends. God has perfectly orchestrated every aspect of where I am today, and it fills me with joy and humility to see the families I’ve been able to serve through my business as a birth doula and childbirth educator.
Pricing:
- Birth Doula Package – $1950
- Childbirth Education (Private Setting) – $300
- Childbirth Education (Group Setting) – $200
- 1:1 Body Assessment – $150
- Phone/In-Person Consultation – FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.belovedbirthdoulaservices.com/home
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/belovedbirthdoula
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100082480373171/
