Ideally you've been preparing for your big day. Classes, birth plans, meditating, releasing fears, trusting the body, maybe even a Blessingway from a dear friend or family member have been checked off the list. Some form or another you've done what you feel was needed to help prep you for labor day. In the end, things go as baby wishes but preparation is key to success (queue in Midwife101 series here :) )

The day came and went, it was powerful and intense and somehow very different then what you thought. You're not alone. This is because we've never done it before. I mean even if you've had other children you've never given birth to THIS baby before. 

3 things I remember with my 5th baby (4th delivery) that are etched fondly in my memory 

1. The fact that I actually went into labor by myself. This was the FIRST time I wasn't induced (also the first time I had a Midwife). I was in SUCH disbelief that I think it took almost 2 days for me to accept it. This is likely why...

The more you know, the better. Most of us know or have heard this. When it comes to one of the most important events in your life, I can't stress it enough. Why? Many reasons. Let's start with a few:

#1- Be empowered by your birth. The best way to have an empowered birth is by taking ownership of it. Knowing all the many options on how to labor, techniques to use, delayed cord clamping, placenta pills, breastfeeding and so much more is essential to walking the path that is empowering and right for YOU.

#2- Birth has many forks in the labor road. You can plan for one thing and then your little one decides on a different path. If you haven't educated yourself on the many paths of labor than how can you know which is right for YOU?

#3- When your knowledgeable about birth, YOU have the power. When you've prepared for all the different things that can happen on birth day then YOU have the power of an educated decision. When people discuss your health or your baby's health and you're not...