Now, it’s necessary, here, to point out that being a Trendsetter™ is not the same as being trendy. I don’t regularly post on Instagram. I don’t use Snapchat. Heck, I don’t even own a Fedora. But today, I’m happy to use any trendy excuse I can to share about a woman I admire, my mom… my #wcw.

And I wore that unicorn. I wore it every day except wash days for six months. Maggie came back to the breast then, so I reintroduced kinda-sorta-underwire. I alternated those two bras for the next two years.

Two. Years. People.

At Doulas of Cincinnati, we’re not interested in hitching our baggage (birth bags or otherwise) to your birthing day. In fact, we work tirelessly to unpack (and let go of) any biases or preconceived notions we may have picked up before we walk into your space on the big day.

My arms, for one, are thankful!

I remember my first birth. I had read all the books, had my bag of tricks and accompanying savior complex. I knew what birth should look like and I was determined to help my clients have it. It didn’t take long for me to realize just how misguided I was. Below are the five things I wish I’d known when starting out.

We brought zam zam water, a holy water of sorts, and Khayyam gave me sips of it when I was able. We also brought dates, an homage to the laboring Mariam (Mary), may god be pleased with her--as her labor story in our holy book mentions her at a palm date tree and that they gave her energy for the great work. I tried to mutter prayers, as it is said in our faith that the prayer of a laboring woman is guaranteed God’s ear so to speak.

At last, the day has arrived

Tiny, soft cheeks and the sweetest cries

TIME TO CALL THE DOULA