The many emotions of birth.

So many emotions are experienced during labor especially with all the rush of hormones flooding our bodies. Some common emotions are excitement, empowerment, nervousness, fear, regret, love, shock, denial and anxiousness whatever you feel just know that your feelings are valid. Some of the emotions listed above may have you wondering why on earth I listed them, why thank you for pointing that out. Your right denial, shock and regret seem like odd emotions to have during labor but those were the emotions I had for the largest portion of labor.

The night of 20 June 2023 I went to bed with Braxton hicks for the 2nd night in a row by 5am the next morning I decided to phone my midwife as I was having a homebirth, I wanted to know how to stop the Braxton hicks to which she replied: " I think you're in labor you should phone your doula and wake your husband". I was in denial it's just Braxton hicks right.

From there things progressed pretty rapidly. My thoughts shifted to who on earth decided I was having a homebirth and where's my epidural. Que regret sinking in, I look back today and laugh at that moment because my daughter was born less than an hour later. I remember thinking and saying SHES COMING NOW long story short my Midwife had not yet arrived and was on the phone walking us through what to do. My doula and midwife were convinced that she indeed was not yet coming however a few seconds later there she was. I felt so empowered having just delivered my baby at home without medical assistance meaning I had a freebirth crazy right, well get into that another day.

My Daughter Arrived at 8:05am while our backup midwife arrived at our house around 8:45am, some of my first words to her were: " How do people have multiple kids" I was in utter shock and at the same time so proud and in awe of the strength i hadnt realized I had until then.

Birth can be scary and beautiful at the same time. Today I look back at that day with excitement for what my next birth may hold.