I remember asking Jennifer, “Should I just get checked again?” — the words reluctantly coming out of my mouth several times. I will never forget her telling me that I could, or I could continue to do exactly what I was doing. A little later, I asked, “How do I know when to push? Should I start pushing?” Her reply: “Why not?” In that moment, I felt like I was given permission to fully own and embrace my birth.

A special thank you to Jennifer, our Mindful Birth Doula. Congratulations to Starr and Liam. And welcome to the world, baby Ezra!