Whether your journey included an unmedicated vaginal birth, an epidural, an induction, a planned cesarean, or an emergency C-section — your body did something incredible. Birth is a biological, powerful process, no matter the path. There is no "right" way to meet your baby. Your strength, your love, and your story are enough.

Whether you’re surrounded by a village or walking this path quietly, please remember: you are not alone. Ask for help. Let people care for you. Let your partner, your friends, your doula, love you and support you through this journey. This is the season of surrender and softness. It’s okay to rest more. It’s okay to cry more. It’s okay to do less. You are doing enough just by being present, loving yourself, and letting yourself be loved.

Okay, you’re in your third trimester, and the big day is getting close. First of all, you’re doing amazing. I know there’s a lot of excitement, a lot of nerves, and probably a whole lot of Googling happening. So let me take a minute to get real with you about the birth experience—no sugarcoating, no scary stories, just real talk about what to expect during labor and childbirth.

My birth experience with Bear wasn’t an anomaly, as evidenced by the millions of mothers over many millennia who birthed babies under similar circumstances. Even today, with the prevalence of highly medicalized birth environments, ensuring that the birthing space is a calm, soothing space filled with love and supportive energy can and should be the norm, and not the exception.

Giving birth isn’t a medical event. It’s a powerful, transformative act of love. Yes, your body is doing something incredible; but your heart, your mind, your whole being is in it, too. And you deserve to be surrounded by love and support, not just monitors and checklists.