Giving birth is the most empowering feeling I’ve ever experienced. It has its ups and downs just like many things in life, but at the end, knowing that my body helped make and deliver something so beautiful is a feeling like nothing I’ve ever felt.

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I chose to deliver both of my children at a birth center after watching a documentary ''The Business of Being Born'' that went over all the amazing benefits of using a birth center and having a doula. Before having my son, which was my second birth, my family had gone through some hardship and I was in a car accident (two months before his due date). I wouldn’t call what I was feeling depressed, but I wasn’t in the best mental place. After meeting with my doula and midwife several times after these incidents, I started to tune out everything around me and focus on my son.

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"My midwife advised me to see my prenatal chiropractor and have her work her “magic.”''

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A few days before his due date, I was ready for him to be here and also tired of being pregnant! Those last few weeks can be very tiring to say the least. My midwife advised me to see my prenatal chiropractor and have her work her “magic.” Within an hour I started feeling contractions and was ready to head to the birth center.

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When I arrived at the birth center my husband and doula had everything I needed and more. They really helped set the tone for my birth. The playlist of music that I wanted was already made, all the food and snacks I chose were there along with candles, sage spray, birth balls, wraps, a tub and even a birth swing.

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My doula had my friends make a birth banner that had bible verses and words of encouragement to hang in the room while I was in labor.

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It was truly an amazing experience. I spent my time of labor outside walking, stretching on a yoga mat, in the shower, and in the tub. Even with all the supplies I spent most of my labor on my hands and knees, deep breathing, tuning everything out.

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The most amazing part of my birth was being on my hands and knees and not telling anyone I was pushing. My husband, midwife, doula, and mother were all in the room. They were surprised, asking if I felt his head coming out. It was a beautiful experience to be able to go at my own pace. I was in labor for 24 hours. It wasn’t until I relinquished control, called out to God, prayed and said I can not do this on my own that I had my son. I kid you not, my son was born within minutes of that release.

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Every birth experience is different, some people have their babies within minutes, some hours, and some days. Do not compare your birth experience to anyone else’s. Have a plan, share your plan with people that will be with you, and also know that things may not go according to your plan.

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The most important thing is that you have your baby and have someone with you that can speak up for you when the contractions are so strong that they take your breath away.