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 her expectations to the Lord through every contraction, every unexpected turn, and every moment of doubt.
After facing perinatal anxiety for the first time in her third pregnancy and wrestling with family members who questioned her desire for an unmedicated birth, Katie discovered what it truly means to present your body as a living sacrifice to God. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how your birth unfolds, God is present in every detail.
Whether you're preparing for your first birth, healing from a difficult experience, or wrestling with anxiety about what's ahead—Katie's testimony will encourage your heart and remind you that God's plan is perfect, even when it looks nothing like what we expected.
In this episode, Katie shares:
🌸 How her traumatic first birth (a 34-week preemie NICU stay) taught her there was so much more to learn
🩺 Why she chose to decline certain interventions and went to the Lord more for her second pregnancy
🎶 The daily journaling, worship, and scripture that sustained her through pregnancy anxiety
✝️ How Romans 12:1 became her anchor verse: "Present your body as a living sacrifice"
👶 The lightning-fast unmedicated birth that required her to literally trust God completely
🙏 Why her mom went from saying "you don't get a medal" to helping fund doula support
Scripture Shared:
"I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship." – Romans 12:1 (NIV)
A Prayer for You:
I close this episode by praying over you—especially if you're feeling pressure to birth a certain way, struggling with family support, or wondering if your birth preferences have spiritual significance. May you find courage to seek God's heart for your unique journey.
Mentioned in this episode:
✨ Christian Mama Birth Prep Library; Free birth prep tools, worship playlist & more
💕 Work with Me 1:1 – Virtual Doula Support & Christian Childbirth Education
📚 Childbirth Education Course – Learn the stages of labor, comfort measures, and labor positions
🤰 Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
✝️ Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin
If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear Katie's powerful testimony.
Let's keep choosing faith over fear, one birth story at a time. Go here for the full blog post, show notes, and all resources mentioned!"
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Natalie Portman (00:44):
Hi friend, and welcome back to Faith Over Fear,
the Christian Pregnancy andBirth podcast.
Today I have a special guestjoining me, someone I've had the
honor of walking alongsidethrough such a beautiful season
of motherhood.
Katie Prizzia first connectedwith me during her third
pregnancy.
She reached out for a one-on-onebody assessment with me to help
(01:05):
her prepare for birth, and fromthere she and her husband David
went through my childbirtheducation class together.
Eventually I had the greatprivilege of serving as their
doula.
And let me just say, Iabsolutely love when families
invite support and educationinto their journey, even in
later pregnancies.
It's never too late to learn,grow, and experience something
(01:27):
new.
I.
Katie is a faith-filled mama tothree little ones ages five,
four, and 18 months, and todayshe's here to share her birth
stories.
Each one uniquely different, butall covered in the Lord's
provision.
Her Testimony is a beautifulreminder that no matter what
your birth story looks like, Godis present in every detail.
(01:47):
Katie, thank you so much forbeing here.
Katie Prizzia (01:49):
Thank you for having me.
I'm so excited
Natalie Portman (01:52):
Me too.
Let's get right into it.
So let's start with yourpregnancy with Jackson and that
birth experience.
Katie Prizzia (02:00):
Okay.
So Jackson he was our first andwe were so excited when we found
out about him.
'cause the Lord blessed us inthe sense that it only took two
or three tries and I found out,and I didn't even tell David
when I found out.
I found out on a Thursday and Iliterally was like, you know
what?
(02:20):
I need to take.
So many more pregnancy tests.
And so I waited and I took somemore on Friday and I saw it
again and then I was like, okay,I wanna make it super special.
So I went to Walmart and I got acute little like Jaguars jersey
onesie, and I've got a footballand wrote.
I can't wait to play catch withyou dad.
And then I ended up telling himthe next day and he was so
(02:42):
excited and he was like, whendid you find out?
I was like, Thursday.
And he's we've been together 247 since then.
How have you held it in?
And I was like, I really don'tknow.
So we were super excited.
We were living with his parentsat the time, trying to find a
house.
We quickly pushed along ourhouse hunting and we were able
to find a home.
(03:03):
And the pregnancy was, it was abreeze.
I mean, I didn't have anytrouble.
I went to, you know, all theappointments and they checked me
and everything was good.
And 33 or 34 weeks, I told my OBat the time, I was like, you
know what?
I think I may have lost my mucusplug.
(03:24):
And she was like, oh it's early.
It'll grow back.
And I'm like, okay Dr.
Google didn't say that, but youknow, you're the professional,
so I'll believe you.
And I don't even think it was aweek later, I woke up at about
2:00 AM and really just thatcramping where it's even as a
(03:46):
first time mom, you're like.
This feels different.
So I went out to the living roomand laid down and I went and
took a shower and David cameout,'cause he works out early.
He came out and he was like, canI go to the gym?
I'm like, yes, go to the gym.
It's fine.
He went to the gym, came back,and it just progressively got
worse.
He's like, I'm gonna get dressedfor work.
(04:08):
We'll probably go to thehospital, get you checked out
and it'll be fine.
I was like, yes, let's do that.
We'll by 7:00 AM.
I went to the restroom and I sawblood in the toilet and I was
like, okay, we gotta go.
So we hauled butt down the roadto the hospital and we got there
and they were like, how faralong are you?
(04:28):
I'm like, 34 weeks.
And they're like, okay.
So they bypass triaged, they putme up in a room, and at that
point I was like threecentimeters already.
And I should have read up moreon just ways to deal with birth,
I guess.
And so they immediately put meon magnesium and painkillers and
(04:53):
I was just like, sure, let's,you know, let's do all of this.
So they put me on magnesium for24 hours.
I couldn't eat, couldn't drink,and I was like, man, I, this was
in the morning, so I hadn'teaten anything since that night
before, so I was exhausted.
But they came back 24 hourslater, checked me and they were
like, okay, you know, youhaven't dilated, so we may be
(05:14):
able to send you home, but youhave to be on bed rest.
And I was like, yeah, but I canget up and walk around.
Right?
Because I was like super activethroughout the whole pregnancy,
the idea of just laying in bed.
I was just like, that doesn'tregister to me.
And they were like, no if youcan't promise that, then we'll
just keep you here.
Until you give birth.
(05:36):
And I'm like, okay, fine, Ipromise.
And they came back an hour laterto start the discharge process
and they were like, we're gonnacheck you one more time.
And I had progressed to almostfive centimeters.
So they're like, okay, you'renot going anywhere.
And so they did the steroidshot.
So by 10 o'clock I was askingfor an epidural and I was in an
(05:59):
OB practice that had manypractitioners in it, and I had
never met the one that was oncall.
And she said, no.
She said, we need to make surethat you're in labor, even
though I was progressing.
And so they gave me thenarcotics, which essentially
just knocked me out untilmidnight when I woke up in
excruciating pain.
And I was like, can I pleasehave the epidural?
(06:21):
And finally she allowed it.
And so the anesthesiologist camein.
And I got the epidural at two.
And then come four 15, thedoctor comes in, my mom's with
us and David is with us, and shejust like slams on the lights
and is alright, you'recontracting, let's go.
(06:42):
And I'm just like, whoa, can't Ihave a moment?
But I started pushing and anhour and 15 minutes later,
Jackson.
Arrived all five pounds of him.
And it was funny'cause Iremember crying to my mom in the
middle of all of this before Istarted pushing, and I was just
like, I thought I had more time.
Like it was, I was 34 and a halfweeks, I was like, you know,
(07:05):
everything was ready.
'cause that's just the type ofpersonality I had But I was just
like, I.
I'm not ready.
And she's you got this, like youhave a community, it's gonna be
fine.
And she was with us the wholetime while I pushed.
And yeah, they let me see him.
I was able to kiss him and stuffand then they whisked him off to
the NICU and I got to see himabout.
(07:26):
Two or three hours later, Ithink.
But bless his heart, I was soexhausted the only thing that I
was really thinking about wasthe Panera sandwich and Caesar
salad that David had bought andbrought in right before they
gave me the epidural and theysaid, you can't eat anything.
So that's all I was reallythinking about.
Yeah.
But yeah, and so he was in theNICU for a week and we tried to
(07:50):
stay that whole time, but aboutthree or four days into a
hospital stay where David and Iwere both like, we need our
beds.
Like we want our big bed, wewant our comfy bed.
And you know, the NICU said,come whenever, any hours of the
day.
And so we did, and coming home.
Was hard.
I immediately went into hisnursery and I sat in his chair
(08:11):
and I started crying and Davidcame in and, you know, he teared
up with me because it's just, itwas not what was expected at
all, and it was not the idealbirth.
I mean, we went to a doula andwe practiced all the management
and the coping mechanisms andthe different positions and, but
(08:32):
that was about it.
That was the only studying I didof a natural birth and I was
very much I'll try it.
But I didn't really know what toexpect and so it was just not
what we expected, but there wasjust an amazing sense of peace
about it.
I knew Jackson was gonna beokay.
The Lord put that on my heart.
(08:53):
The Lord also put it on ourhearts to go home and get, you
know, another night or two ofgood rest because we're bringing
this infant home with us, thislittle preemie home with us.
So he was gonna be a little morework in the beginning.
And yeah, the Lord just like hereally truly showed up and that
(09:14):
was looking back.
I wouldn't have it any other waybecause the personality that
Jackson has, it's just soreminiscent of that birth.
Nope, y'all wanna keep me in,but I'm coming and I am here.
So that was Jackson's birth.
So that was the first experienceinto childbirth.
(09:35):
It did embarrassingly make merealize that I did not pay
enough attention in healtheducation in high school.
Natalie Portman (09:45):
There is so much to learn about our bodies
when we're going through thisprocess and it really is the
biggest biological change thathappens all at once, giving
birth to a child and it's notthat you need to know everything
about everything, but it isincredibly helpful to have that
foundational baseline knowledgebefore you go into that
(10:10):
experience.
I mean, even terms and anatomythat they're referring to,
you're like, What is a perineum?
What is a cervix?
What are these things thatyou're throwing at me?
So did, Jackson's very wild,unexpected experience did that
just totally change how youprepared for Madeline's birth
and the pregnancy?
Katie Prizzia (10:29):
Absolutely, and it was really funny going back
when I had started pushing.
I was like three or four pushesin and I was like.
Okay, how long is this gonnatake?
And we had the most amazingnurse and she goes, oh honey, it
can go anywhere from a couple ofpushes to up to three hours.
And I'm like, what?
(10:50):
That's not what they say in themovies.
In the movies.
It's a couple of pushes andthey're out.
She's yeah, that is not how itworks.
And so after that hour and 15minutes of pushing, I was like,
okay, I'm gonna definitely prepfor this next time around.
And I feel like Madeline'spregnancy was very different
than Jackson's in that I went infor the ultrasound and she was
(11:13):
measuring small and that was thefirst big thing was like with
Jackson, it was just up untilthe birth, everything was
textbook and with Madeline's itstarted with, okay, she's
measuring small, so there's alittle bit of anxiousness that's
already present.
And then went back two weekslater, they said, okay, she's
(11:33):
measuring great.
Of course we didn't know it wasa she at the time, but they were
like, she's measuring great, butyou do have a hemorrhage.
That we can see it on theultrasound.
We need you to come back in twoweeks.
And I'm like what's supposed tohappen in the next two weeks?
What could happen?
And of course, they listedeverything off and miscarriage
(11:53):
was one of them.
So I'm just like, okay, let'sjust add that to the anxiousness
level.
And so went back two weeks laterand by the grace of God, it had
shrunk to the point where theycouldn't even see it.
So they're like, you may or maynot pass it.
And I never did.
And so at that point, I was 14weeks and we found out we were
(12:16):
having a girl and we were soexcited.
And it was amazing because withJackson's.
Like I said earlier, I didn'treally know anything.
I trusted my doctor 100% and Ididn't know anything different.
This time around I was like,okay, I need to advocate myself
a little bit more.
And I had an, I had a feelingthat they were going to push the
(12:39):
progesterone shot on me becausethey didn't even know why
Jackson came.
They had no idea.
And they were like since wedon't know we're gonna recommend
the progesterone shot.
And the nurse practitioner waslike, oh yeah.
It's so easy.
I don't even know if she hadkids, but she was like, I had
plenty of friends that took theprogesterone shot.
It's gonna be fine.
(13:00):
It's just once a week for untilyou're 36 weeks.
And it was the first time whereI was like.
I don't know.
So I went home and I truly gaveit to God.
I talked to the family and ofcourse they had their concerns
and they had their opinions.
But I talked to David and I waslike, David, I really don't feel
(13:21):
comfortable.
I'm like, this is God's child.
If he wants this child to beborn earth side.
It's gonna happen whether I dothe progesterone shot or not.
I'd been on birth control sinceI was nine, so I knew the
effects of, and putting in horsynthetic hormones into your
body.
And I was like, I don't reallywanna do that.
(13:42):
And so I said No and they youknow, gave the eye at me and
stuff, but they accepted it.
But they did send me to theR.O.C.
our, regional obstetricianclinic, which is the high risk
pregnancy, because they werelike we need to definitely
monitor you.
So it, what happened to Jacksondoesn't happen again.
And I was fine with it every twoweeks I went in and I got
(14:04):
ultrasounds and it was great andafter that she measured great.
I did have some, I think UTIsthroughout it, which I'd never
had a UTI in my life.
And so from then they're like,you're automatically deemed
strep B positive.
But yeah, other than that, I didprep a little bit more, or I
attempted to prep.
(14:24):
David and I did a childbirthclass and I read some books.
I read some really good books,and I went into this pregnancy
with the mindset that I canovercome this pain and I can
have a super pain-free birth.
And I went into this with themindset of that is what's going
(14:47):
to happen.
So when her turn came, it wasreally cool.
I was watching the Chosen and wedecided to name her Madeline
after Mary Magdalene, and it wasthe Mary Magdalene episode.
So when I went into labor, I waswatching that, which I thought
was really cool.
We live about.
30 to 40 minutes away from thehospital with Jackson, we were
(15:09):
only about 15 minutes away, so Icalled the OB and I was like,
Hey, like they're five minutesapart, but they're only lasting
like 30 seconds.
They're like, you need to gethere now.
You live far away.
It was four o'clock on a Tuesdayafternoon in May, and when we
first moved out to where we are,it was just a two lane road and
(15:31):
there's a high school on it, andI was like, okay, it's time to
go.
My dad brought Jackson over, andmy mom was coming to watch him,
and then we left and we pull uponto the main road and it's like
traffic for a mile down from thehigh school, and I'm like.
Oh my gosh, I don't think we'regonna make it.
(15:51):
And David decides to like stillcontinue with the traffic.
I'm like, whatcha doing?
You have to turn at this light.
So we turned at the light, wewere able to get on the
interstate and I was talking toa friend of mine and she goes,
God literally parted the BlackSea.
David made it like the.
25 or 30 miles it takes to getto the hospital in 19 minutes on
(16:14):
a like school, normal afternoonat 4:00 PM like it was amazing.
He said he was going a littlefaster, because he was like, I
wanted to get pulled over so wecould call the cop and be like,
Hey, lead us to the hospital.
But that didn't happen.
But so we got there and Daviddropped me off and I walked in
and I was like, Hey, I'm inlabor.
(16:34):
They're like, okay, great.
We'll get you to triage.
Which I was like, what's that?
I thought they just brought usup to a room, but'cause with
Jackson I didn't have to dothat.
So they put me in triage.
I told her, I was like, I want anatural birth.
So she hooked me up to themonitor, sat me in the reclining
chair and was like, I'll be backshortly.
And that was it.
And within 30 seconds I pressedwhatever button I needed to.
(16:57):
And I was like, yeah, no.
Give me an epidural.
I'm gonna need the epidural.
And so that put her in action.
She's like making all the callswithin five to 10 minutes.
They're whisking me up to theroom, which I'm like why didn't
y'all do that anyway?
Because when she checked me, Iwas seven centimeters.
And then by the time I got up tothe room, I was, I, they hadn't
(17:19):
even checked me when theanesthesiologist came in and he
was like, have y'all checkedher?
And they're like, we think she'sseven, maybe eight.
He's she's pushing nine with theway she's acting.
Y'all have to get her on thatbed.
Before I could get the epidural,they had to put the IV in my
arm.
Backtracking to Jackson's birthwhen they were trying to give me
(17:40):
the Pitocin post-birth.
They blew my vein.
This time around, they're tryingto put the IV in so I can get
the epidural and the nurse blewmy vein and it's just keep, like
I, I don't know if I was movingaround too much or what, but
they had to call the chargenurse and she was like, you need
to sit still for five seconds.
(18:01):
I could tell she meant she wasserious.
And I was like, she's if youdon't, you will not get this
epidural.
And I was like, okay, fine.
So she'd put it in like therewas nothing to it.
The anesthesiologist came in, hedid a great job too.
And within 30 minutes, mydoctor, who I loved, that was
also a God thing.
I actually got the doctor Iwanted,'cause I stayed with the
(18:23):
same practice for Madeline'sbirth and she was like, okay,
are we ready to push?
I'm like, no.
They literally like just put theepidural in, like it hasn't even
started working yet.
She's okay, you just let me knowwhen you're ready.
I'm like, okay.
God showed up in the midst ofthe birth.
Jackson's, I saw him afterwards,but like I was able to really
(18:47):
pinpoint it during, because thisgirl, she comes running in with
a mask on and it's a nurse andshe's can I help you bring your
baby girl in the world?
And I'm looking at her and I'mlike, who, what?
And she pulled down her mask andI was like.
Oh my gosh.
Like Leslie, we did swimtogether and we like did
lifeguarding together and it wasjust so beautiful that God gave
(19:09):
me someone that I can recognizein the midst of all this covid
stuff.
And so I'm like, heck yes youcan please.
And so after that I was like,okay, I am ready to push, i'm
starting to feel that pressuredown there.
And so she brought the doctorback in and she broke my water
and by the grace of God, twopushes, not even a minute.
(19:31):
And Madeline was here and it wasthe Lord's blessing that she was
born on the day she was.
'cause that's the birthday of mygrandfather who Jackson is named
after my papa Jack, may thefourth be with them.
So it was really beautiful thatshe was able to come into this
world on her due date.
On my Papa Jack's birthday andto see God's presence through
(19:56):
that.
It was beautiful.
But, and then they said my bloodpressure was a little high for
one or two readings, and one ofthem was like, when I was
actively pushing.
But they were still concerned.
So they put me on magnesiumagain.
So for another 24 hours I wasnot able to eat or drink.
But luckily my mom and I wereprepared and that she had bone
(20:18):
broth that she had already made.
And so I was like, please bringit with you because there's not
gonna be any eating for meagain.
And that was really hard becauselooking back, again, I didn't
advocate for myself like Ishould have.
But yeah, and then Madeline, shewas able to be with us, you
know, the whole time, which wasnew for David and I with Jackson
(20:40):
being whisked off to the nicuand we were able to, you know,
go home normally.
And Jackson was super excited towelcome his baby sister home.
And yeah, she's been a hoot eversince.
Natalie Portman (20:55):
Oh, that is so precious.
So then, now that you've hadthose two experiences and you
guys, finding out you'repregnant for a third time How
did your perspective shift evenmore as you prepared for That
birth?
Katie Prizzia (21:11):
was so ready to finally have my natural birth.
I was like, this is gonnahappen.
I did really good.
I am.
Undiagnosed, ADHD So I am a, anamazing perpetual learner.
if they're, if I find a topic,I, go all in on it.
And so I feel like I learnedreally well with Madeline.
(21:36):
Oh yeah.
Going back, it was not apain-free birth, hence why I had
to have the epidural.
That mindset definitely had tochange.
but I was like, I feel like Godis calling me to do this.
I wanna do this.
Explaining that to my mother whohad only one, me, and was like,
give me the epidural.
As soon as she got to thehospital, she's like, you don't
(21:57):
get an award for going natural.
And I'm like, that's great.
That's not why I am doing it.
I was like, God truly intendedfor this to be unmedicated and
natural.
and I know clearly there aresituations where medicine is
needed and that God has alsoblessed us with medicine in that
sense.
(22:18):
but I was just like, I feel likehe's truly calling me to this.
I feel like this can bring mecloser to him.
And so I just started listeningto all the podcasts I could.
I found, Another great ChristianChildbirth podcast out there,
which I'm so happy you're doingthis because there's literally
only one or two out there.
So this is beautiful that you'redoing this.
(22:41):
And I mean, I just listened andI listened more and I just
repeated stuff and I read books.
I read ina May's book.
Natalie Portman (22:52):
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Katie Prizzia (22:53):
Yes.
And, redeeming childbirth byAngie Topen was just gorgeous.
And so I, you know, I learned asmuch as I could.
And I, about 14 or 16 weeks Iwent on Google and I was like,
Christian childbirth educatorand who popped up, but Miss
(23:16):
Natalie Portman, and I was like.
Oh, this is so great and somessaged you and then we got to
having our discovery call and Iwas like, oh, you go to Eleven22
so do I.
And then we found out we hadmutual friends and it was just
awesome.
'cause I'm pretty sure we werelike sitting in church next to
(23:37):
each other that followingSunday.
Natalie Portman (23:40):
I know, And it was funny because after we
connected we would run into eachother all the time because we
had all these circles that weran in together and we had no
idea.
Katie Prizzia (23:49):
Nope.
And so that was beautiful in ofitself.
And then you came out and didthe body assessment.
And then I was like we get adiscount on our childbirth
class, so let's just go aheadand do this.
And David told me later, he waslike, yeah, my friends gave me a
hard time for going to anotherchildbirth class.
'cause they're like, isn't thisyour third?
(24:10):
And I was like, yes it is, butyou can never learn too much
with this.
And so did your childbirthclass.
And I just used you as aresource and you were great.
You let me text you with anyquestions.
all of our play dates, I alwayshad something that I wanted to
share or a question I wanted toask.
(24:31):
And then I had been praying thewhole pregnant well, so that
talking about Christian'spregnancy, we were so excited to
find out that we were pregnant.
And then about 24 hours later, Iwas hit with an anxiety I had
never felt before.
the first two, the lord blessedme to not have any, perinatal
(24:52):
depression anxiety or postpartumdepression anxiety.
So I never really was able torelate to friends that would
talk about it and everything.
I would, you know, just try tolisten and be there for them.
But this pregnancy, I was hitwith it and I was hit with it
very early on.
I, it was like four weeksbecause I remember.
(25:14):
We went to church that Sundayafter we found out and we told
the people we were close to atchurch and I couldn't get
through it without crying'causeI was like, yeah, we're pregnant
and I'm so scared.
And I, you know, I was down atthe altar almost every Sunday
just praying for myself andhaving people pray over us.
(25:36):
And because I was just soanxious.
And it lasted 14 days.
And if it were to have gone to15 days, they would've deemed me
as the perinatal depression andwould've probably tried to treat
me for it, but the Lord stoppedit.
so I was able to be excited fromthen, you know, from then on.
And one big thing I prayed aboutwas that my mom would be
(26:00):
accepting of me wanting to gonatural because it took her a
while to be on board becauseagain, she was very much you
don't get a medal.
Like why go through this pain ifyou don't have to?
And I told her, I was like, Iwould love for you to be in the
birthing room with us again.
'cause she wasn't there withMadeline because it, you know,
with COVID and the restrictionsand everything like that.
Plus I actually did wanna do it,just David and I'm happy we did.
(26:24):
But with the third, I was like,this could possibly be our last.
And mom, I would love you therewith us, but I'm letting you
know I'm going unmedicated likethis is happening.
And she was like we'll see.
And I was like, no, like this ishappening.
And so throughout the pregnancyI would talk to her about it and
(26:45):
I would give her like littlethings that she could do.
To one, keep reminding her thiswas happening, and two, be like,
Hey, if David needs a break,here are some tips and tricks
to, that you can use to help getme through it.
And so we attended yourchildbirth class and I passed a
lot of that information onto herand I just kept praying I was
(27:08):
like, God, please help her toaccept this and be supportive.
And if she can't, then I please.
Bless her with the strength tosay, I love you i'm gonna come
up after, or I'm gonna wait outin the waiting room and then
I'll see you guys.
and so that was pretty toughbecause it was almost having
(27:29):
that constant are you sure?
Are you sure?
But the Lord blessed me with, somany.
Verses to go to, and it wasdefinitely the birth that I
truly was in constant contact,praying without ceasing with the
Lord the whole time.
And I mean, I kept a journal andit was almost daily where I
(27:52):
would find something, I'd belistening to a song, and I would
write down the worship lyrics orI would be just reading and
something that never stuck outto me before would stick out to
me.
And one big one that I wrotethat I still have written is
it's Romans 12:1, and it's Maymy body be a sacrifice to the
(28:12):
Lord, because that's what Iwanted.
I was like this body is yours,God.
And you intended it to be usedfor unmedicated birth, and I
know it's gonna hurt but Isurrender it to you and then I
read your post I think it was anEaster post, but it was about
(28:32):
your birth with Ellie and howyou were just brought eye to eye
with God in that unmedicatedbirth.
And I was just like, I took ascreenshot of it and I sent it
to David and I was like, this iswhat I want.
That kept me going.
And so finally, I think it waslike 34 or 35 weeks, maybe even
(28:54):
later, when mom texted me andshe was like, Hey.
I don't think I'm gonna be ableto be in the birthing room with
you with an unmedicated birth.
She's I don't know what a peanutball is.
I don't know what the essentialoils you want.
She's I just, she's I don't knowthe difference between a be a
birthing ball or a peanut ball,or the different positions you
(29:16):
want.
And she's just can you textNatalie and ask her if she'll be
your doula because I will helpcontribute to that fund.
And I like texted you and withinfive minutes you were like, let
me ask Brian.
And then within another minuteyou were like, yes.
And it was just like the mostbeautiful answer to a prayer
(29:38):
that I had seen, a tangibleanswer to, a prayer that I had
seen in a really long time.
And so I still continued, youknow, to read the books and
listen to any time I got tolisten to a podcast on natural
birth.
I was just like listening to itand just soaking in.
And then it was 38 weeks, I wentfor my 38 week check and he was
(30:02):
like, okay, you're threecentimeters, but that mean that
doesn't mean anything.
He's like, you could go in aweek, two weeks, so you could go
tonight.
do you want me to strip yourmembrane?
And I was like, no, thanks.
And he's okay, that works.
I had the most amazing doctor,the fact that he was a man.
So I had switched doctorsbetween Madeline and Christian
(30:23):
because another funny storyabout Madeline's birth was we
had to drive past our closesthospital to get to the other
hospital, and I'm pretty sure.
I had, I know I had tears in myeyes'cause I was in so much
pain.
I looked over, I'm pretty sureDavid had tears in his eyes
because he was like, we couldliterally be going right there,
but we have to drive another 15miles.
so we made sure to make theswitch and I chose a male, and I
(30:46):
was like, you know what?
It's fine.
I'd seen him before and he waslike, are you planning on having
any more kids?
And I was like, I think we are,but I'm not sure when.
This was literally like a monthbefore I found out I was
pregnant.
And he was like we would be sohappy and honored if you guys,
if you chose us to have thatbirth.
And I was like, okay.
For a guy to say that, that'spretty cool.
(31:07):
And I know it's a business, butit was, you know, genuine.
And I asked him at one of thelater, appointments, I was like,
how do you feel about anunmedicated birth?
or natural birth.
He was like, what you mean likewith no medicine?
I'm like, yeah.
He's like That sounds fine tome.
that's less work for me.
And I was like, perfect.
'cause that's what's gonnahappen.
And so saw him that day.
(31:28):
He told me it probably won'thappen, but it could happen
tonight.
It could happen next week.
But I was starting to feel thevery familiar cramping.
And so I told David, I was like,it's definitely gonna happen
within the next week.
And as the afternoon progressed,I was like, it's definitely
gonna happen.
Within the next few days.
Oh, it's definitely gonna happenin the next 48 hours.
(31:49):
Okay.
These are getting a little moreintense.
So that was when I texted youand you were very calm.
You were like, okay, we'll justsee how this goes.
and I texted a friend of minebecause I got that fear came
back again and anxiety and I wastexting her and I was like, did
(32:10):
you feel this right before?
You know, you went into laborand she's like, yes, it's, you
know, the hormones that areraging.
I can't tell you when it's gonnahappen.
but you've gotta, you know, bein the word, get on your knees,
be with the Lord.
And so I like sprinted into ourlittle, my little war closet,
our master closet.
And I closed the door and I justOpened my Bible and I found the
(32:33):
verse and I just prayed theverse over myself and it was the
first time of understanding,praying scripture over yourself.
it was Isaiah and I justconstantly prayed it over myself
and after a little while, I wasable to get up off the floor and
I.
I was calm and I was like, okay,I think this is gonna happen
(32:54):
within the next 24 hours.
And so I texted my dad preppinghim because he lives about 10
minutes away.
And he was prepped to know whenhe needed to get in the car and
come rush over here to be withthe two olders.
And I texted mom and I was like,you know, get your bags ready,
be prepared.
It's gonna be soon.
(33:14):
And then we went to bed.
I was like, David, you need tosleep out on the couch or at
least fall asleep on the couchbecause I'm gonna be tossing and
turning.
And I was tossing and turning.
I was laboring.
I was peeing every five minutesmaybe.
I was like, this is new.
but.
(33:35):
I was doing that for a couple ofhours and then all of a sudden I
felt him drop and I got thebirthing ball and I mooed
through three, four contractionsand David, like Sleepily walked
into the door and I was like, wegotta go.
It's time to go.
So called you called my mom,called my dad, and dad was here
(34:00):
within five minutes.
And, you were like, call, laborand delivery.
Let them know you're coming.
So I did that and.
this is the part of the storythat I love.
So I walked in, and of course,it's two in the morning, right?
We walk in and there's someonechecking in to the emergency
room ahead of me, and bless thisyoung guy's heart who's checking
(34:21):
him in.
I mean, I'm like, there is nomodesty.
There is no care.
I am moo screaming up a storm.
They're trying to get me awheelchair.
My mom's like, yes, get her awheelchair.
I'm like.
Don't get me a wheelchair like,'cause it was back labor, which
is what I had with the otherones too.
And I just stood there and I wasstill cognizant enough to where
(34:44):
I was like, I must not be mooingor making a big enough scene
because they're not rushingenough.
So I like went louder.
I did not care.
And so finally they like had mefill out or sign the few forms,
even though I signed everything.
They still make you sign stuffwhen you're in the midst of
labor.
And so they rushed me to theelevators, put me up.
(35:07):
I told them one fun, fun thingwas I always said, if I have a
boy and then a girl, we are notfinding out the gender of our
third.
And that's exactly whathappened.
So the whole pregnancy, I toldmy doctor and he was like, I'm
not even putting it in yourchart.
So that it was kept secret.
I went to triage and I was like,we're not finding out.
(35:28):
And they got so excited.
They were like, oh my gosh, it'san unknown.
And I was like, and I'm notusing any medication.
And they're like, that's greatbecause you're nine and a half
centimeters.
We need to get you to a room,now you have a bulging bag.
And I was like, great.
So I'm walking and.
(35:48):
One of the nurses leads me intothe very first room and they're
like, no.
Put her in room 8 0 3, which isliterally like all the way down
the hallway.
And I'm like, what's going on?
But I'm like, set, and I'mhaving to stop to contract.
And I had the most amazing setof nurses where the nurse would
be like, all right, dad, get inposition.
(36:09):
And she would squeeze and thenDavid would be holding me.
But it was so funny'cause I'mstarting to go into that.
Twilight zone, but I'm stillhearing She's walking and I was
like yeah, like it would be toopainful to sit down.
And I like remember lookingbehind me and there's two
nurses.
One has a thing of towels andthe other one has a bucket.
And I'm like, what is going on?
(36:32):
And Later when I came to, I wasrealizing like, oh, bulging bag
means like as soon as that bagbreaks, like that baby is
coming.
So they were like, she'sprobably gonna give birth in the
hallway.
And there's just like a slew ofnurses and I'm pretty sure there
had to have been like 15 nursesin that room.
I think it was because it was2:00 AM and it was a very quiet
(36:53):
night.
They informed us, so I thinkthey were all just let's just go
see this birth.
And so we got into the room andI climbed up on the bed on all
fours, and I just stayed there.
They tried and this was alsowhere God was so good.
They really, even if you'regoing unmedicated, they really
wanna put that IV in just incase.
(37:15):
And she tried like once ortwice, and I don't know if she
saw red in my eyes because I wasjust like.
Don't touch me.
And she like threw it across theroom.
She was like, this isn'thappening.
We'll figure it out once thebaby comes.
And so that was when you walkedin and my mom was like, just
right there behind you So we gotto the hospital at two.
(37:37):
This is probably 2 30, 2 35 atthis point.
And David is having to do thedouble hip squeeze and he's not
getting a break because thecontractions are not stopping.
Like Christian was just like,I'm just coming.
I'm not gonna give her any bitof a break.
So it was just a constant.
Contraction.
And so finally you were like,David, get in front of her.
(37:59):
You nurse come over here, youput, you push on this side, I'll
push on this side.
I heard my mom crying and sothat was after the fact.
I realized that she was soagainst me going unmedicated
because she knew the pain andshe didn't wanna see me in it.
It wasn't like a.
She thought negatively about it.
(38:20):
It was, she was thinking, I'mgonna see my baby in pain and I
don't want to.
And so she's crying in thecorner.
So I'm really glad that we wereable to hire you because she
wouldn't have been able to help.
And I.
David and I are nose to nose andbless his heart at one po.
I'm like just gripping at hischest.
And he like tries to pull awayfor something.
And it may even been to havejust repositioned.
(38:41):
And I was like, what are youdoing?
And like the nurses were like,don't move all y'all were like,
don't move.
He's I was just moving.
but I mean the water was able tobreak on its own, which was
really cool.
Never had that experience and hecame Sliding out, not even.
I think I'm, it was one push andI was able to give birth on all
(39:03):
fours, which is the position I,as thought I would feel most
comfortable in.
but was able to give birth onall fours and I was able to semi
catch him.
and then afterwards we were soexcited.
My mom was like, it's a boy.
And I like couldn't roll, Icouldn't turn around to start
the golden hour.
(39:23):
I was like, I think my body wasjust in shock that I was just
like stuck in the all foursposition with my head on the
mattress and my chest on themattress.
And they're like, don't squishthe baby.
And I'm like, I'm not squishingthe baby.
all of my weight is on one side.
I was like, but I can't get outof this.
my body was just like shocked'cause it was so fast.
(39:44):
So after a while we were able toturn me over and I wanted to do
the delayed cord clamping.
They, that was another greatthing that you did.
You came in and you were likewaving my birth plan.
You were like, this is her birthplan.
And they were so great at reallytrying to make it happen.
(40:05):
but they did notice that he wasjust not becoming colorful, and
so they were like, we have tocut the cord.
And at that point I was like, Ineed a minute.
You know, like I was just, Ifelt bad afterwards'cause I
thought I would feel like thisoxytocin moment where, you know,
just this beautiful, heavenlymoment after.
(40:27):
And I just didn't get that andmy body was just in shock after,
so it just needed some time tocalm down.
So I was like, that's totallyfine.
Y'all take him.
He's, you know, his health ismore important than anything.
So they took him.
They were able to get him angryand crying.
they discovered that he hadhypospadias which if they hadn't
taken him, we never would'veknown that he has it which is
(40:51):
where his little pee hole islower than it should be.
And so they were able to addressthat.
They were like, he has to peeright now, otherwise we have to
take him to the nicu.
And so they were able to get himto pee instantly.
So that was a blessing.
They found the hypospadias.
He was able to do what he neededto.
So it wasn't like a immediateneed that needed to be
(41:13):
addressed.
So they brought him back to me,and then finally I was able to
just like breathe and then mydoctor comes walking in.
So my doctor lives on the otherside of the city and he got the
call.
I mean, I'm pretty sure theycalled him as soon as I called
them.
Prepping them that I was on myway, but he still lived pretty
far away.
(41:34):
And so he walks in, he's like,guess you had your baby.
He's like, didn't I see youyesterday morning?
And I was like, yes, you did.
And he blessed me with theinformation that I did not tear
at all, which.
was amazing.
And so he didn't have to doanything.
they did give me a shot ofPitocin in the leg, which I was
(41:56):
fine with.
I thought that was really cool.
I'm like, you know, if God wantsus to have another one, I'm glad
to know that's something I canadvocate for.
Be like, I don't want an iv.
I will take the Pitocin shotpost-birth, but until then I
don't want it.
yeah.
And.
You went and got us coffee at5:00 AM'cause we had to wait
(42:19):
till Starbucks opened and wewere able to go home I think 36
hours later.
So it was just a beautifulstaunch difference between
Jackson's and then a little bitof a difference between
Madeline's, but still all ofthem.
(42:39):
We're just all so beautiful andI would not trade any of their
stories for anything.
Natalie Portman (42:44):
Yeah I loved that thrill of a birth that you
had And there's been a couple ofthose that I've had that.
It's usually second and thirdtime moms where it's that, like
fast and furious, but it is athrill whenever your baby is
just like coming withoutanything that you're doing that
(43:04):
your body truly just knows whatto do.
And because the Lord hasdesigned it that way and it's
just all unfolding.
And it can be a little intense.
So a labor that is three hoursor less, we consider it a
precipitous labor.
And you certainly had aprecipitous labor, and I've
(43:24):
never gone through it myself,but just seeing it as a doula,
it's almost like watchingsomebody hang on to a moving
freight train where it's likethe train is just booking it,
and you're just trying to holdon for dear life as it's
happening to you.
And yeah, it, it is so intense.
But I found that post that youbrought up that I posted at
(43:46):
Easter time and it says, a womanendures labor to gain her
children and Jesus endured thecross to gain us his children.
And It was one of those thingswhere where after I gave birth
for the first time and as I, youknow, spent the time meditating
on the worship, what you weredoing, where you were like
(44:07):
journaling if you like heard alyric or a verse or something
and it kept occurring to me howmuch birth shows the heart of
the Lord for us, his childrenthat you know Jesus in the
garden of Gethsemane, the nightbefore he's crucified, is going
to the Lord and he's saying,Lord, if there's any way for
(44:30):
this cup to pass from me, butnot my will, your will be done.
And I feel like a lot of us,when we contemplate the task and
the challenge of giving birth toa human being, it can feel like
that Lord, let, this cup passfrom me.
like I don't want to do thisthis seems overwhelming.
(44:54):
But, not my will your will bedone.
And I feel like when we havethat posture, we get to enjoy
the unfolding, however thatlooks and for some of it it's
really smooth and it's easy.
For others, it's like hangingonto a moving freight train.
For others it's a complete trainwreck and everything goes
completely wrong but either, nomatter how it's unfolding
(45:15):
unfold, that struggle parallelsthe gospel.
Because Jesus looked at you.
If you are a believer, Jesuslooked at you and said, but
You're worth it.
You're worth this excruciatingagony.
And so it was like I could seethe shadow of how the gospel was
so interwoven into birth and thebirth experience.
(45:39):
So I love that you brought thatup.
And, what was that verse againthat was, pivotal for you?
Katie Prizzia (45:44):
It was Romans 12:1 I urge you to present your
bodies as a living sacrifice tothe Lord, holy and pleasing
because this is true worship.
Natalie Portman (45:55):
Yeah and it is true worship to lay before the
Lord everything about yourbeing, but your body is
certainly no exception.
It is the Lord's temple, and weget, to honor Him when we
nourish our body with goodfoods, when we are moving and
(46:15):
exercising, we get to honor theLord when we, get to feel our
babies kick inside of ourbellies, we get to honor the
Lord by seeking him with what wedecide to do with our bodies.
And that's another piece that Ilove about your story, the Lord
was kind of showing you througheach pregnancy, not that you
need to distrust your providersor anything like that.
(46:38):
'Cause I totally believe thatthe Lord, it's his common grace
to give us the knowledge of ourproviders and all that, we don't
take the back seat, to what weshould be seeking the Lord for,
to choose certain interventionsto choose a certain birth
setting or to choose a certainkind of birth preference.
(47:02):
I think it's really importantfor us to seek the Lord for
those things.
Instead of fully depending onour provider, fully depending on
what other women have done,fully depending on ourselves to
figure it out.
But really seeking the Lord andthe way that he wants us to
honor him and honor our bodiesas a temple for his presence.
(47:25):
And I think that, obviouslyextends well past even birth and
pregnancy and postpartum.
But I, I think especially inthis time when it is such a
physical change and event thatis happening in, your body.
That's a beautiful verse.
Thank you so much for sharingthat.
Katie Prizzia (47:42):
Absolutely.
Natalie Portman (47:43):
Well, Katie, this was an absolute pleasure to
hear your birth stories.
I love that mamas get to hearjust the differences and we
talked about this a little bitahead of time.
But to just hear how even oneperson can have three very
different birth experiences andto see the Lord moving in all of
(48:05):
those some of them where thingswere not going right, at all.
Some where there was some senseof I'm feeling more confident in
my ability to do this thing thatthe Lord's equipped me, called
me to do.
And then a third where it wasjust a manifestation of just the
Lord's provision and it hadnothing to do with you where it
(48:29):
was all on you to figure all ofthis out, but you came to a
place where you're like, I can'tdo this all on my own.
And Lord, I'm just have to runto you constantly.
When I feel this anxietybubbling up, when I feel
inadequate, when I feel like I'mnot equipped.
And to see that because I knowyour heart.
(48:49):
And it's not just in this, thatI see you doing this.
I see you doing this in everyaspect of your life.
And so it's so beautiful to seehow the Lord can take this
season of your life to just drawcloser to you.
And that's what I pray for everymama that's listening to this is
that they would acknowledge thatthis season is beautiful, it's
(49:11):
also really challenging attimes.
But that it is an opportunityfor us to draw closer to him.
Katie Prizzia (49:18):
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for having me.
I love talking about their birthstories, so I could talk about
it all the time.
Natalie Portman (49:25):
Me too.
Hence why I'm doing this podcastdoing the thanks so much girl,
and appreciate you.
Hi friend, and welcome back to Faith Over Fear,
the Christian Pregnancy andBirth podcast.
Today I have a special guestjoining me, someone I've had the
honor of walking alongsidethrough such a beautiful season
of motherhood.
Katie Prizzia first connectedwith me during her third
pregnancy.
She reached out for a one-on-onebody assessment with me to help
(01:05):
her prepare for birth, and fromthere she and her husband David
went through my childbirtheducation class together.
Eventually I had the greatprivilege of serving as their
doula.
And let me just say, Iabsolutely love when families
invite support and educationinto their journey, even in
later pregnancies.
It's never too late to learn,grow, and experience something
(01:27):
new.
I.
Katie is a faith-filled mama tothree little ones ages five,
four, and 18 months, and todayshe's here to share her birth
stories.
Each one uniquely different, butall covered in the Lord's
provision.
Her Testimony is a beautifulreminder that no matter what
your birth story looks like, Godis present in every detail.
(01:47):
Katie, thank you so much forbeing here.
Katie Prizzia (01:49):
Thank you for having me.
I'm so excited
Natalie Portman (01:52):
Me too.
Let's get right into it.
So let's start with yourpregnancy with Jackson and that
birth experience.
Katie Prizzia (02:00):
Okay.
So Jackson he was our first andwe were so excited when we found
out about him.
'cause the Lord blessed us inthe sense that it only took two
or three tries and I found out,and I didn't even tell David
when I found out.
I found out on a Thursday and Iliterally was like, you know
what?
(02:20):
I need to take.
So many more pregnancy tests.
And so I waited and I took somemore on Friday and I saw it
again and then I was like, okay,I wanna make it super special.
So I went to Walmart and I got acute little like Jaguars jersey
onesie, and I've got a footballand wrote.
I can't wait to play catch withyou dad.
And then I ended up telling himthe next day and he was so
(02:42):
excited and he was like, whendid you find out?
I was like, Thursday.
And he's we've been together 247 since then.
How have you held it in?
And I was like, I really don'tknow.
So we were super excited.
We were living with his parentsat the time, trying to find a
house.
We quickly pushed along ourhouse hunting and we were able
to find a home.
(03:03):
And the pregnancy was, it was abreeze.
I mean, I didn't have anytrouble.
I went to, you know, all theappointments and they checked me
and everything was good.
And 33 or 34 weeks, I told my OBat the time, I was like, you
know what?
I think I may have lost my mucusplug.
(03:24):
And she was like, oh it's early.
It'll grow back.
And I'm like, okay Dr.
Google didn't say that, but youknow, you're the professional,
so I'll believe you.
And I don't even think it was aweek later, I woke up at about
2:00 AM and really just thatcramping where it's even as a
(03:46):
first time mom, you're like.
This feels different.
So I went out to the living roomand laid down and I went and
took a shower and David cameout,'cause he works out early.
He came out and he was like, canI go to the gym?
I'm like, yes, go to the gym.
It's fine.
He went to the gym, came back,and it just progressively got
worse.
He's like, I'm gonna get dressedfor work.
(04:08):
We'll probably go to thehospital, get you checked out
and it'll be fine.
I was like, yes, let's do that.
We'll by 7:00 AM.
I went to the restroom and I sawblood in the toilet and I was
like, okay, we gotta go.
So we hauled butt down the roadto the hospital and we got there
and they were like, how faralong are you?
(04:28):
I'm like, 34 weeks.
And they're like, okay.
So they bypass triaged, they putme up in a room, and at that
point I was like threecentimeters already.
And I should have read up moreon just ways to deal with birth,
I guess.
And so they immediately put meon magnesium and painkillers and
(04:53):
I was just like, sure, let's,you know, let's do all of this.
So they put me on magnesium for24 hours.
I couldn't eat, couldn't drink,and I was like, man, I, this was
in the morning, so I hadn'teaten anything since that night
before, so I was exhausted.
But they came back 24 hourslater, checked me and they were
like, okay, you know, youhaven't dilated, so we may be
(05:14):
able to send you home, but youhave to be on bed rest.
And I was like, yeah, but I canget up and walk around.
Right?
Because I was like super activethroughout the whole pregnancy,
the idea of just laying in bed.
I was just like, that doesn'tregister to me.
And they were like, no if youcan't promise that, then we'll
just keep you here.
Until you give birth.
(05:36):
And I'm like, okay, fine, Ipromise.
And they came back an hour laterto start the discharge process
and they were like, we're gonnacheck you one more time.
And I had progressed to almostfive centimeters.
So they're like, okay, you'renot going anywhere.
And so they did the steroidshot.
So by 10 o'clock I was askingfor an epidural and I was in an
(05:59):
OB practice that had manypractitioners in it, and I had
never met the one that was oncall.
And she said, no.
She said, we need to make surethat you're in labor, even
though I was progressing.
And so they gave me thenarcotics, which essentially
just knocked me out untilmidnight when I woke up in
excruciating pain.
And I was like, can I pleasehave the epidural?
(06:21):
And finally she allowed it.
And so the anesthesiologist camein.
And I got the epidural at two.
And then come four 15, thedoctor comes in, my mom's with
us and David is with us, and shejust like slams on the lights
and is alright, you'recontracting, let's go.
(06:42):
And I'm just like, whoa, can't Ihave a moment?
But I started pushing and anhour and 15 minutes later,
Jackson.
Arrived all five pounds of him.
And it was funny'cause Iremember crying to my mom in the
middle of all of this before Istarted pushing, and I was just
like, I thought I had more time.
Like it was, I was 34 and a halfweeks, I was like, you know,
(07:05):
everything was ready.
'cause that's just the type ofpersonality I had But I was just
like, I.
I'm not ready.
And she's you got this, like youhave a community, it's gonna be
fine.
And she was with us the wholetime while I pushed.
And yeah, they let me see him.
I was able to kiss him and stuffand then they whisked him off to
the NICU and I got to see himabout.
(07:26):
Two or three hours later, Ithink.
But bless his heart, I was soexhausted the only thing that I
was really thinking about wasthe Panera sandwich and Caesar
salad that David had bought andbrought in right before they
gave me the epidural and theysaid, you can't eat anything.
So that's all I was reallythinking about.
Yeah.
But yeah, and so he was in theNICU for a week and we tried to
(07:50):
stay that whole time, but aboutthree or four days into a
hospital stay where David and Iwere both like, we need our
beds.
Like we want our big bed, wewant our comfy bed.
And you know, the NICU said,come whenever, any hours of the
day.
And so we did, and coming home.
Was hard.
I immediately went into hisnursery and I sat in his chair
(08:11):
and I started crying and Davidcame in and, you know, he teared
up with me because it's just, itwas not what was expected at
all, and it was not the idealbirth.
I mean, we went to a doula andwe practiced all the management
and the coping mechanisms andthe different positions and, but
(08:32):
that was about it.
That was the only studying I didof a natural birth and I was
very much I'll try it.
But I didn't really know what toexpect and so it was just not
what we expected, but there wasjust an amazing sense of peace
about it.
I knew Jackson was gonna beokay.
The Lord put that on my heart.
(08:53):
The Lord also put it on ourhearts to go home and get, you
know, another night or two ofgood rest because we're bringing
this infant home with us, thislittle preemie home with us.
So he was gonna be a little morework in the beginning.
And yeah, the Lord just like hereally truly showed up and that
(09:14):
was looking back.
I wouldn't have it any other waybecause the personality that
Jackson has, it's just soreminiscent of that birth.
Nope, y'all wanna keep me in,but I'm coming and I am here.
So that was Jackson's birth.
So that was the first experienceinto childbirth.
(09:35):
It did embarrassingly make merealize that I did not pay
enough attention in healtheducation in high school.
Natalie Portman (09:45):
There is so much to learn about our bodies
when we're going through thisprocess and it really is the
biggest biological change thathappens all at once, giving
birth to a child and it's notthat you need to know everything
about everything, but it isincredibly helpful to have that
foundational baseline knowledgebefore you go into that
(10:10):
experience.
I mean, even terms and anatomythat they're referring to,
you're like, What is a perineum?
What is a cervix?
What are these things thatyou're throwing at me?
So did, Jackson's very wild,unexpected experience did that
just totally change how youprepared for Madeline's birth
and the pregnancy?
Katie Prizzia (10:29):
Absolutely, and it was really funny going back
when I had started pushing.
I was like three or four pushesin and I was like.
Okay, how long is this gonnatake?
And we had the most amazingnurse and she goes, oh honey, it
can go anywhere from a couple ofpushes to up to three hours.
And I'm like, what?
(10:50):
That's not what they say in themovies.
In the movies.
It's a couple of pushes andthey're out.
She's yeah, that is not how itworks.
And so after that hour and 15minutes of pushing, I was like,
okay, I'm gonna definitely prepfor this next time around.
And I feel like Madeline'spregnancy was very different
than Jackson's in that I went infor the ultrasound and she was
(11:13):
measuring small and that was thefirst big thing was like with
Jackson, it was just up untilthe birth, everything was
textbook and with Madeline's itstarted with, okay, she's
measuring small, so there's alittle bit of anxiousness that's
already present.
And then went back two weekslater, they said, okay, she's
(11:33):
measuring great.
Of course we didn't know it wasa she at the time, but they were
like, she's measuring great, butyou do have a hemorrhage.
That we can see it on theultrasound.
We need you to come back in twoweeks.
And I'm like what's supposed tohappen in the next two weeks?
What could happen?
And of course, they listedeverything off and miscarriage
(11:53):
was one of them.
So I'm just like, okay, let'sjust add that to the anxiousness
level.
And so went back two weeks laterand by the grace of God, it had
shrunk to the point where theycouldn't even see it.
So they're like, you may or maynot pass it.
And I never did.
And so at that point, I was 14weeks and we found out we were
(12:16):
having a girl and we were soexcited.
And it was amazing because withJackson's.
Like I said earlier, I didn'treally know anything.
I trusted my doctor 100% and Ididn't know anything different.
This time around I was like,okay, I need to advocate myself
a little bit more.
And I had an, I had a feelingthat they were going to push the
(12:39):
progesterone shot on me becausethey didn't even know why
Jackson came.
They had no idea.
And they were like since wedon't know we're gonna recommend
the progesterone shot.
And the nurse practitioner waslike, oh yeah.
It's so easy.
I don't even know if she hadkids, but she was like, I had
plenty of friends that took theprogesterone shot.
It's gonna be fine.
(13:00):
It's just once a week for untilyou're 36 weeks.
And it was the first time whereI was like.
I don't know.
So I went home and I truly gaveit to God.
I talked to the family and ofcourse they had their concerns
and they had their opinions.
But I talked to David and I waslike, David, I really don't feel
(13:21):
comfortable.
I'm like, this is God's child.
If he wants this child to beborn earth side.
It's gonna happen whether I dothe progesterone shot or not.
I'd been on birth control sinceI was nine, so I knew the
effects of, and putting in horsynthetic hormones into your
body.
And I was like, I don't reallywanna do that.
(13:42):
And so I said No and they youknow, gave the eye at me and
stuff, but they accepted it.
But they did send me to theR.O.C.
our, regional obstetricianclinic, which is the high risk
pregnancy, because they werelike we need to definitely
monitor you.
So it, what happened to Jacksondoesn't happen again.
And I was fine with it every twoweeks I went in and I got
(14:04):
ultrasounds and it was great andafter that she measured great.
I did have some, I think UTIsthroughout it, which I'd never
had a UTI in my life.
And so from then they're like,you're automatically deemed
strep B positive.
But yeah, other than that, I didprep a little bit more, or I
attempted to prep.
(14:24):
David and I did a childbirthclass and I read some books.
I read some really good books,and I went into this pregnancy
with the mindset that I canovercome this pain and I can
have a super pain-free birth.
And I went into this with themindset of that is what's going
(14:47):
to happen.
So when her turn came, it wasreally cool.
I was watching the Chosen and wedecided to name her Madeline
after Mary Magdalene, and it wasthe Mary Magdalene episode.
So when I went into labor, I waswatching that, which I thought
was really cool.
We live about.
30 to 40 minutes away from thehospital with Jackson, we were
(15:09):
only about 15 minutes away, so Icalled the OB and I was like,
Hey, like they're five minutesapart, but they're only lasting
like 30 seconds.
They're like, you need to gethere now.
You live far away.
It was four o'clock on a Tuesdayafternoon in May, and when we
first moved out to where we are,it was just a two lane road and
(15:31):
there's a high school on it, andI was like, okay, it's time to
go.
My dad brought Jackson over, andmy mom was coming to watch him,
and then we left and we pull uponto the main road and it's like
traffic for a mile down from thehigh school, and I'm like.
Oh my gosh, I don't think we'regonna make it.
(15:51):
And David decides to like stillcontinue with the traffic.
I'm like, whatcha doing?
You have to turn at this light.
So we turned at the light, wewere able to get on the
interstate and I was talking toa friend of mine and she goes,
God literally parted the BlackSea.
David made it like the.
25 or 30 miles it takes to getto the hospital in 19 minutes on
(16:14):
a like school, normal afternoonat 4:00 PM like it was amazing.
He said he was going a littlefaster, because he was like, I
wanted to get pulled over so wecould call the cop and be like,
Hey, lead us to the hospital.
But that didn't happen.
But so we got there and Daviddropped me off and I walked in
and I was like, Hey, I'm inlabor.
(16:34):
They're like, okay, great.
We'll get you to triage.
Which I was like, what's that?
I thought they just brought usup to a room, but'cause with
Jackson I didn't have to dothat.
So they put me in triage.
I told her, I was like, I want anatural birth.
So she hooked me up to themonitor, sat me in the reclining
chair and was like, I'll be backshortly.
And that was it.
And within 30 seconds I pressedwhatever button I needed to.
(16:57):
And I was like, yeah, no.
Give me an epidural.
I'm gonna need the epidural.
And so that put her in action.
She's like making all the callswithin five to 10 minutes.
They're whisking me up to theroom, which I'm like why didn't
y'all do that anyway?
Because when she checked me, Iwas seven centimeters.
And then by the time I got up tothe room, I was, I, they hadn't
(17:19):
even checked me when theanesthesiologist came in and he
was like, have y'all checkedher?
And they're like, we think she'sseven, maybe eight.
He's she's pushing nine with theway she's acting.
Y'all have to get her on thatbed.
Before I could get the epidural,they had to put the IV in my
arm.
Backtracking to Jackson's birthwhen they were trying to give me
(17:40):
the Pitocin post-birth.
They blew my vein.
This time around, they're tryingto put the IV in so I can get
the epidural and the nurse blewmy vein and it's just keep, like
I, I don't know if I was movingaround too much or what, but
they had to call the chargenurse and she was like, you need
to sit still for five seconds.
(18:01):
I could tell she meant she wasserious.
And I was like, she's if youdon't, you will not get this
epidural.
And I was like, okay, fine.
So she'd put it in like therewas nothing to it.
The anesthesiologist came in, hedid a great job too.
And within 30 minutes, mydoctor, who I loved, that was
also a God thing.
I actually got the doctor Iwanted,'cause I stayed with the
(18:23):
same practice for Madeline'sbirth and she was like, okay,
are we ready to push?
I'm like, no.
They literally like just put theepidural in, like it hasn't even
started working yet.
She's okay, you just let me knowwhen you're ready.
I'm like, okay.
God showed up in the midst ofthe birth.
Jackson's, I saw him afterwards,but like I was able to really
(18:47):
pinpoint it during, because thisgirl, she comes running in with
a mask on and it's a nurse andshe's can I help you bring your
baby girl in the world?
And I'm looking at her and I'mlike, who, what?
And she pulled down her mask andI was like.
Oh my gosh.
Like Leslie, we did swimtogether and we like did
lifeguarding together and it wasjust so beautiful that God gave
(19:09):
me someone that I can recognizein the midst of all this covid
stuff.
And so I'm like, heck yes youcan please.
And so after that I was like,okay, I am ready to push, i'm
starting to feel that pressuredown there.
And so she brought the doctorback in and she broke my water
and by the grace of God, twopushes, not even a minute.
(19:31):
And Madeline was here and it wasthe Lord's blessing that she was
born on the day she was.
'cause that's the birthday of mygrandfather who Jackson is named
after my papa Jack, may thefourth be with them.
So it was really beautiful thatshe was able to come into this
world on her due date.
On my Papa Jack's birthday andto see God's presence through
(19:56):
that.
It was beautiful.
But, and then they said my bloodpressure was a little high for
one or two readings, and one ofthem was like, when I was
actively pushing.
But they were still concerned.
So they put me on magnesiumagain.
So for another 24 hours I wasnot able to eat or drink.
But luckily my mom and I wereprepared and that she had bone
(20:18):
broth that she had already made.
And so I was like, please bringit with you because there's not
gonna be any eating for meagain.
And that was really hard becauselooking back, again, I didn't
advocate for myself like Ishould have.
But yeah, and then Madeline, shewas able to be with us, you
know, the whole time, which wasnew for David and I with Jackson
(20:40):
being whisked off to the nicuand we were able to, you know,
go home normally.
And Jackson was super excited towelcome his baby sister home.
And yeah, she's been a hoot eversince.
Natalie Portman (20:55):
Oh, that is so precious.
So then, now that you've hadthose two experiences and you
guys, finding out you'repregnant for a third time How
did your perspective shift evenmore as you prepared for That
birth?
Katie Prizzia (21:11):
was so ready to finally have my natural birth.
I was like, this is gonnahappen.
I did really good.
I am.
Undiagnosed, ADHD So I am a, anamazing perpetual learner.
if they're, if I find a topic,I, go all in on it.
And so I feel like I learnedreally well with Madeline.
(21:36):
Oh yeah.
Going back, it was not apain-free birth, hence why I had
to have the epidural.
That mindset definitely had tochange.
but I was like, I feel like Godis calling me to do this.
I wanna do this.
Explaining that to my mother whohad only one, me, and was like,
give me the epidural.
As soon as she got to thehospital, she's like, you don't
(21:57):
get an award for going natural.
And I'm like, that's great.
That's not why I am doing it.
I was like, God truly intendedfor this to be unmedicated and
natural.
and I know clearly there aresituations where medicine is
needed and that God has alsoblessed us with medicine in that
sense.
(22:18):
but I was just like, I feel likehe's truly calling me to this.
I feel like this can bring mecloser to him.
And so I just started listeningto all the podcasts I could.
I found, Another great ChristianChildbirth podcast out there,
which I'm so happy you're doingthis because there's literally
only one or two out there.
So this is beautiful that you'redoing this.
(22:41):
And I mean, I just listened andI listened more and I just
repeated stuff and I read books.
I read ina May's book.
Natalie Portman (22:52):
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Katie Prizzia (22:53):
Yes.
And, redeeming childbirth byAngie Topen was just gorgeous.
And so I, you know, I learned asmuch as I could.
And I, about 14 or 16 weeks Iwent on Google and I was like,
Christian childbirth educatorand who popped up, but Miss
(23:16):
Natalie Portman, and I was like.
Oh, this is so great and somessaged you and then we got to
having our discovery call and Iwas like, oh, you go to Eleven22
so do I.
And then we found out we hadmutual friends and it was just
awesome.
'cause I'm pretty sure we werelike sitting in church next to
(23:37):
each other that followingSunday.
Natalie Portman (23:40):
I know, And it was funny because after we
connected we would run into eachother all the time because we
had all these circles that weran in together and we had no
idea.
Katie Prizzia (23:49):
Nope.
And so that was beautiful in ofitself.
And then you came out and didthe body assessment.
And then I was like we get adiscount on our childbirth
class, so let's just go aheadand do this.
And David told me later, he waslike, yeah, my friends gave me a
hard time for going to anotherchildbirth class.
'cause they're like, isn't thisyour third?
(24:10):
And I was like, yes it is, butyou can never learn too much
with this.
And so did your childbirthclass.
And I just used you as aresource and you were great.
You let me text you with anyquestions.
all of our play dates, I alwayshad something that I wanted to
share or a question I wanted toask.
(24:31):
And then I had been praying thewhole pregnant well, so that
talking about Christian'spregnancy, we were so excited to
find out that we were pregnant.
And then about 24 hours later, Iwas hit with an anxiety I had
never felt before.
the first two, the lord blessedme to not have any, perinatal
(24:52):
depression anxiety or postpartumdepression anxiety.
So I never really was able torelate to friends that would
talk about it and everything.
I would, you know, just try tolisten and be there for them.
But this pregnancy, I was hitwith it and I was hit with it
very early on.
I, it was like four weeksbecause I remember.
(25:14):
We went to church that Sundayafter we found out and we told
the people we were close to atchurch and I couldn't get
through it without crying'causeI was like, yeah, we're pregnant
and I'm so scared.
And I, you know, I was down atthe altar almost every Sunday
just praying for myself andhaving people pray over us.
(25:36):
And because I was just soanxious.
And it lasted 14 days.
And if it were to have gone to15 days, they would've deemed me
as the perinatal depression andwould've probably tried to treat
me for it, but the Lord stoppedit.
so I was able to be excited fromthen, you know, from then on.
And one big thing I prayed aboutwas that my mom would be
(26:00):
accepting of me wanting to gonatural because it took her a
while to be on board becauseagain, she was very much you
don't get a medal.
Like why go through this pain ifyou don't have to?
And I told her, I was like, Iwould love for you to be in the
birthing room with us again.
'cause she wasn't there withMadeline because it, you know,
with COVID and the restrictionsand everything like that.
Plus I actually did wanna do it,just David and I'm happy we did.
(26:24):
But with the third, I was like,this could possibly be our last.
And mom, I would love you therewith us, but I'm letting you
know I'm going unmedicated likethis is happening.
And she was like we'll see.
And I was like, no, like this ishappening.
And so throughout the pregnancyI would talk to her about it and
(26:45):
I would give her like littlethings that she could do.
To one, keep reminding her thiswas happening, and two, be like,
Hey, if David needs a break,here are some tips and tricks
to, that you can use to help getme through it.
And so we attended yourchildbirth class and I passed a
lot of that information onto herand I just kept praying I was
(27:08):
like, God, please help her toaccept this and be supportive.
And if she can't, then I please.
Bless her with the strength tosay, I love you i'm gonna come
up after, or I'm gonna wait outin the waiting room and then
I'll see you guys.
and so that was pretty toughbecause it was almost having
(27:29):
that constant are you sure?
Are you sure?
But the Lord blessed me with, somany.
Verses to go to, and it wasdefinitely the birth that I
truly was in constant contact,praying without ceasing with the
Lord the whole time.
And I mean, I kept a journal andit was almost daily where I
(27:52):
would find something, I'd belistening to a song, and I would
write down the worship lyrics orI would be just reading and
something that never stuck outto me before would stick out to
me.
And one big one that I wrotethat I still have written is
it's Romans 12:1, and it's Maymy body be a sacrifice to the
(28:12):
Lord, because that's what Iwanted.
I was like this body is yours,God.
And you intended it to be usedfor unmedicated birth, and I
know it's gonna hurt but Isurrender it to you and then I
read your post I think it was anEaster post, but it was about
(28:32):
your birth with Ellie and howyou were just brought eye to eye
with God in that unmedicatedbirth.
And I was just like, I took ascreenshot of it and I sent it
to David and I was like, this iswhat I want.
That kept me going.
And so finally, I think it waslike 34 or 35 weeks, maybe even
(28:54):
later, when mom texted me andshe was like, Hey.
I don't think I'm gonna be ableto be in the birthing room with
you with an unmedicated birth.
She's I don't know what a peanutball is.
I don't know what the essentialoils you want.
She's I just, she's I don't knowthe difference between a be a
birthing ball or a peanut ball,or the different positions you
(29:16):
want.
And she's just can you textNatalie and ask her if she'll be
your doula because I will helpcontribute to that fund.
And I like texted you and withinfive minutes you were like, let
me ask Brian.
And then within another minuteyou were like, yes.
And it was just like the mostbeautiful answer to a prayer
(29:38):
that I had seen, a tangibleanswer to, a prayer that I had
seen in a really long time.
And so I still continued, youknow, to read the books and
listen to any time I got tolisten to a podcast on natural
birth.
I was just like listening to itand just soaking in.
And then it was 38 weeks, I wentfor my 38 week check and he was
(30:02):
like, okay, you're threecentimeters, but that mean that
doesn't mean anything.
He's like, you could go in aweek, two weeks, so you could go
tonight.
do you want me to strip yourmembrane?
And I was like, no, thanks.
And he's okay, that works.
I had the most amazing doctor,the fact that he was a man.
So I had switched doctorsbetween Madeline and Christian
(30:23):
because another funny storyabout Madeline's birth was we
had to drive past our closesthospital to get to the other
hospital, and I'm pretty sure.
I had, I know I had tears in myeyes'cause I was in so much
pain.
I looked over, I'm pretty sureDavid had tears in his eyes
because he was like, we couldliterally be going right there,
but we have to drive another 15miles.
so we made sure to make theswitch and I chose a male, and I
(30:46):
was like, you know what?
It's fine.
I'd seen him before and he waslike, are you planning on having
any more kids?
And I was like, I think we are,but I'm not sure when.
This was literally like a monthbefore I found out I was
pregnant.
And he was like we would be sohappy and honored if you guys,
if you chose us to have thatbirth.
And I was like, okay.
For a guy to say that, that'spretty cool.
(31:07):
And I know it's a business, butit was, you know, genuine.
And I asked him at one of thelater, appointments, I was like,
how do you feel about anunmedicated birth?
or natural birth.
He was like, what you mean likewith no medicine?
I'm like, yeah.
He's like That sounds fine tome.
that's less work for me.
And I was like, perfect.
'cause that's what's gonnahappen.
And so saw him that day.
(31:28):
He told me it probably won'thappen, but it could happen
tonight.
It could happen next week.
But I was starting to feel thevery familiar cramping.
And so I told David, I was like,it's definitely gonna happen
within the next week.
And as the afternoon progressed,I was like, it's definitely
gonna happen.
Within the next few days.
Oh, it's definitely gonna happenin the next 48 hours.
(31:49):
Okay.
These are getting a little moreintense.
So that was when I texted youand you were very calm.
You were like, okay, we'll justsee how this goes.
and I texted a friend of minebecause I got that fear came
back again and anxiety and I wastexting her and I was like, did
(32:10):
you feel this right before?
You know, you went into laborand she's like, yes, it's, you
know, the hormones that areraging.
I can't tell you when it's gonnahappen.
but you've gotta, you know, bein the word, get on your knees,
be with the Lord.
And so I like sprinted into ourlittle, my little war closet,
our master closet.
And I closed the door and I justOpened my Bible and I found the
(32:33):
verse and I just prayed theverse over myself and it was the
first time of understanding,praying scripture over yourself.
it was Isaiah and I justconstantly prayed it over myself
and after a little while, I wasable to get up off the floor and
I.
I was calm and I was like, okay,I think this is gonna happen
(32:54):
within the next 24 hours.
And so I texted my dad preppinghim because he lives about 10
minutes away.
And he was prepped to know whenhe needed to get in the car and
come rush over here to be withthe two olders.
And I texted mom and I was like,you know, get your bags ready,
be prepared.
It's gonna be soon.
(33:14):
And then we went to bed.
I was like, David, you need tosleep out on the couch or at
least fall asleep on the couchbecause I'm gonna be tossing and
turning.
And I was tossing and turning.
I was laboring.
I was peeing every five minutesmaybe.
I was like, this is new.
but.
(33:35):
I was doing that for a couple ofhours and then all of a sudden I
felt him drop and I got thebirthing ball and I mooed
through three, four contractionsand David, like Sleepily walked
into the door and I was like, wegotta go.
It's time to go.
So called you called my mom,called my dad, and dad was here
(34:00):
within five minutes.
And, you were like, call, laborand delivery.
Let them know you're coming.
So I did that and.
this is the part of the storythat I love.
So I walked in, and of course,it's two in the morning, right?
We walk in and there's someonechecking in to the emergency
room ahead of me, and bless thisyoung guy's heart who's checking
(34:21):
him in.
I mean, I'm like, there is nomodesty.
There is no care.
I am moo screaming up a storm.
They're trying to get me awheelchair.
My mom's like, yes, get her awheelchair.
I'm like.
Don't get me a wheelchair like,'cause it was back labor, which
is what I had with the otherones too.
And I just stood there and I wasstill cognizant enough to where
(34:44):
I was like, I must not be mooingor making a big enough scene
because they're not rushingenough.
So I like went louder.
I did not care.
And so finally they like had mefill out or sign the few forms,
even though I signed everything.
They still make you sign stuffwhen you're in the midst of
labor.
And so they rushed me to theelevators, put me up.
(35:07):
I told them one fun, fun thingwas I always said, if I have a
boy and then a girl, we are notfinding out the gender of our
third.
And that's exactly whathappened.
So the whole pregnancy, I toldmy doctor and he was like, I'm
not even putting it in yourchart.
So that it was kept secret.
I went to triage and I was like,we're not finding out.
(35:28):
And they got so excited.
They were like, oh my gosh, it'san unknown.
And I was like, and I'm notusing any medication.
And they're like, that's greatbecause you're nine and a half
centimeters.
We need to get you to a room,now you have a bulging bag.
And I was like, great.
So I'm walking and.
(35:48):
One of the nurses leads me intothe very first room and they're
like, no.
Put her in room 8 0 3, which isliterally like all the way down
the hallway.
And I'm like, what's going on?
But I'm like, set, and I'mhaving to stop to contract.
And I had the most amazing setof nurses where the nurse would
be like, all right, dad, get inposition.
(36:09):
And she would squeeze and thenDavid would be holding me.
But it was so funny'cause I'mstarting to go into that.
Twilight zone, but I'm stillhearing She's walking and I was
like yeah, like it would be toopainful to sit down.
And I like remember lookingbehind me and there's two
nurses.
One has a thing of towels andthe other one has a bucket.
And I'm like, what is going on?
(36:32):
And Later when I came to, I wasrealizing like, oh, bulging bag
means like as soon as that bagbreaks, like that baby is
coming.
So they were like, she'sprobably gonna give birth in the
hallway.
And there's just like a slew ofnurses and I'm pretty sure there
had to have been like 15 nursesin that room.
I think it was because it was2:00 AM and it was a very quiet
(36:53):
night.
They informed us, so I thinkthey were all just let's just go
see this birth.
And so we got into the room andI climbed up on the bed on all
fours, and I just stayed there.
They tried and this was alsowhere God was so good.
They really, even if you'regoing unmedicated, they really
wanna put that IV in just incase.
(37:15):
And she tried like once ortwice, and I don't know if she
saw red in my eyes because I wasjust like.
Don't touch me.
And she like threw it across theroom.
She was like, this isn'thappening.
We'll figure it out once thebaby comes.
And so that was when you walkedin and my mom was like, just
right there behind you So we gotto the hospital at two.
(37:37):
This is probably 2 30, 2 35 atthis point.
And David is having to do thedouble hip squeeze and he's not
getting a break because thecontractions are not stopping.
Like Christian was just like,I'm just coming.
I'm not gonna give her any bitof a break.
So it was just a constant.
Contraction.
And so finally you were like,David, get in front of her.
(37:59):
You nurse come over here, youput, you push on this side, I'll
push on this side.
I heard my mom crying and sothat was after the fact.
I realized that she was soagainst me going unmedicated
because she knew the pain andshe didn't wanna see me in it.
It wasn't like a.
She thought negatively about it.
(38:20):
It was, she was thinking, I'mgonna see my baby in pain and I
don't want to.
And so she's crying in thecorner.
So I'm really glad that we wereable to hire you because she
wouldn't have been able to help.
And I.
David and I are nose to nose andbless his heart at one po.
I'm like just gripping at hischest.
And he like tries to pull awayfor something.
And it may even been to havejust repositioned.
(38:41):
And I was like, what are youdoing?
And like the nurses were like,don't move all y'all were like,
don't move.
He's I was just moving.
but I mean the water was able tobreak on its own, which was
really cool.
Never had that experience and hecame Sliding out, not even.
I think I'm, it was one push andI was able to give birth on all
(39:03):
fours, which is the position I,as thought I would feel most
comfortable in.
but was able to give birth onall fours and I was able to semi
catch him.
and then afterwards we were soexcited.
My mom was like, it's a boy.
And I like couldn't roll, Icouldn't turn around to start
the golden hour.
(39:23):
I was like, I think my body wasjust in shock that I was just
like stuck in the all foursposition with my head on the
mattress and my chest on themattress.
And they're like, don't squishthe baby.
And I'm like, I'm not squishingthe baby.
all of my weight is on one side.
I was like, but I can't get outof this.
my body was just like shocked'cause it was so fast.
(39:44):
So after a while we were able toturn me over and I wanted to do
the delayed cord clamping.
They, that was another greatthing that you did.
You came in and you were likewaving my birth plan.
You were like, this is her birthplan.
And they were so great at reallytrying to make it happen.
(40:05):
but they did notice that he wasjust not becoming colorful, and
so they were like, we have tocut the cord.
And at that point I was like, Ineed a minute.
You know, like I was just, Ifelt bad afterwards'cause I
thought I would feel like thisoxytocin moment where, you know,
just this beautiful, heavenlymoment after.
(40:27):
And I just didn't get that andmy body was just in shock after,
so it just needed some time tocalm down.
So I was like, that's totallyfine.
Y'all take him.
He's, you know, his health ismore important than anything.
So they took him.
They were able to get him angryand crying.
they discovered that he hadhypospadias which if they hadn't
taken him, we never would'veknown that he has it which is
(40:51):
where his little pee hole islower than it should be.
And so they were able to addressthat.
They were like, he has to peeright now, otherwise we have to
take him to the nicu.
And so they were able to get himto pee instantly.
So that was a blessing.
They found the hypospadias.
He was able to do what he neededto.
So it wasn't like a immediateneed that needed to be
(41:13):
addressed.
So they brought him back to me,and then finally I was able to
just like breathe and then mydoctor comes walking in.
So my doctor lives on the otherside of the city and he got the
call.
I mean, I'm pretty sure theycalled him as soon as I called
them.
Prepping them that I was on myway, but he still lived pretty
far away.
(41:34):
And so he walks in, he's like,guess you had your baby.
He's like, didn't I see youyesterday morning?
And I was like, yes, you did.
And he blessed me with theinformation that I did not tear
at all, which.
was amazing.
And so he didn't have to doanything.
they did give me a shot ofPitocin in the leg, which I was
(41:56):
fine with.
I thought that was really cool.
I'm like, you know, if God wantsus to have another one, I'm glad
to know that's something I canadvocate for.
Be like, I don't want an iv.
I will take the Pitocin shotpost-birth, but until then I
don't want it.
yeah.
And.
You went and got us coffee at5:00 AM'cause we had to wait
(42:19):
till Starbucks opened and wewere able to go home I think 36
hours later.
So it was just a beautifulstaunch difference between
Jackson's and then a little bitof a difference between
Madeline's, but still all ofthem.
(42:39):
We're just all so beautiful andI would not trade any of their
stories for anything.
Natalie Portman (42:44):
Yeah I loved that thrill of a birth that you
had And there's been a couple ofthose that I've had that.
It's usually second and thirdtime moms where it's that, like
fast and furious, but it is athrill whenever your baby is
just like coming withoutanything that you're doing that
(43:04):
your body truly just knows whatto do.
And because the Lord hasdesigned it that way and it's
just all unfolding.
And it can be a little intense.
So a labor that is three hoursor less, we consider it a
precipitous labor.
And you certainly had aprecipitous labor, and I've
(43:24):
never gone through it myself,but just seeing it as a doula,
it's almost like watchingsomebody hang on to a moving
freight train where it's likethe train is just booking it,
and you're just trying to holdon for dear life as it's
happening to you.
And yeah, it, it is so intense.
But I found that post that youbrought up that I posted at
(43:46):
Easter time and it says, a womanendures labor to gain her
children and Jesus endured thecross to gain us his children.
And It was one of those thingswhere where after I gave birth
for the first time and as I, youknow, spent the time meditating
on the worship, what you weredoing, where you were like
(44:07):
journaling if you like heard alyric or a verse or something
and it kept occurring to me howmuch birth shows the heart of
the Lord for us, his childrenthat you know Jesus in the
garden of Gethsemane, the nightbefore he's crucified, is going
to the Lord and he's saying,Lord, if there's any way for
(44:30):
this cup to pass from me, butnot my will, your will be done.
And I feel like a lot of us,when we contemplate the task and
the challenge of giving birth toa human being, it can feel like
that Lord, let, this cup passfrom me.
like I don't want to do thisthis seems overwhelming.
(44:54):
But, not my will your will bedone.
And I feel like when we havethat posture, we get to enjoy
the unfolding, however thatlooks and for some of it it's
really smooth and it's easy.
For others, it's like hangingonto a moving freight train.
For others it's a complete trainwreck and everything goes
completely wrong but either, nomatter how it's unfolding
(45:15):
unfold, that struggle parallelsthe gospel.
Because Jesus looked at you.
If you are a believer, Jesuslooked at you and said, but
You're worth it.
You're worth this excruciatingagony.
And so it was like I could seethe shadow of how the gospel was
so interwoven into birth and thebirth experience.
(45:39):
So I love that you brought thatup.
And, what was that verse againthat was, pivotal for you?
Katie Prizzia (45:44):
It was Romans 12:1 I urge you to present your
bodies as a living sacrifice tothe Lord, holy and pleasing
because this is true worship.
Natalie Portman (45:55):
Yeah and it is true worship to lay before the
Lord everything about yourbeing, but your body is
certainly no exception.
It is the Lord's temple, and weget, to honor Him when we
nourish our body with goodfoods, when we are moving and
(46:15):
exercising, we get to honor theLord when we, get to feel our
babies kick inside of ourbellies, we get to honor the
Lord by seeking him with what wedecide to do with our bodies.
And that's another piece that Ilove about your story, the Lord
was kind of showing you througheach pregnancy, not that you
need to distrust your providersor anything like that.
(46:38):
'Cause I totally believe thatthe Lord, it's his common grace
to give us the knowledge of ourproviders and all that, we don't
take the back seat, to what weshould be seeking the Lord for,
to choose certain interventionsto choose a certain birth
setting or to choose a certainkind of birth preference.
(47:02):
I think it's really importantfor us to seek the Lord for
those things.
Instead of fully depending onour provider, fully depending on
what other women have done,fully depending on ourselves to
figure it out.
But really seeking the Lord andthe way that he wants us to
honor him and honor our bodiesas a temple for his presence.
(47:25):
And I think that, obviouslyextends well past even birth and
pregnancy and postpartum.
But I, I think especially inthis time when it is such a
physical change and event thatis happening in, your body.
That's a beautiful verse.
Thank you so much for sharingthat.
Katie Prizzia (47:42):
Absolutely.
Natalie Portman (47:43):
Well, Katie, this was an absolute pleasure to
hear your birth stories.
I love that mamas get to hearjust the differences and we
talked about this a little bitahead of time.
But to just hear how even oneperson can have three very
different birth experiences andto see the Lord moving in all of
(48:05):
those some of them where thingswere not going right, at all.
Some where there was some senseof I'm feeling more confident in
my ability to do this thing thatthe Lord's equipped me, called
me to do.
And then a third where it wasjust a manifestation of just the
Lord's provision and it hadnothing to do with you where it
(48:29):
was all on you to figure all ofthis out, but you came to a
place where you're like, I can'tdo this all on my own.
And Lord, I'm just have to runto you constantly.
When I feel this anxietybubbling up, when I feel
inadequate, when I feel like I'mnot equipped.
And to see that because I knowyour heart.
(48:49):
And it's not just in this, thatI see you doing this.
I see you doing this in everyaspect of your life.
And so it's so beautiful to seehow the Lord can take this
season of your life to just drawcloser to you.
And that's what I pray for everymama that's listening to this is
that they would acknowledge thatthis season is beautiful, it's
(49:11):
also really challenging attimes.
But that it is an opportunityfor us to draw closer to him.
Katie Prizzia (49:18):
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for having me.
I love talking about their birthstories, so I could talk about
it all the time.
Natalie Portman (49:25):
Me too.
Hence why I'm doing this podcastdoing the thanks so much girl,
and appreciate you.
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