Tammy Masut on the ideal birth from the Fearless Future Conference. #BirthJourney #EmpoweredMotherhood #womenshealth #NaturalBirth #prolife #lifeaffirming (fb)

On May 29, Lisa Canning and her family welcomed baby girl Cecilia into the world. Congratulations!Here is her birth story: After 10 babies, you’d think I’d have labour signs somewhat figured out- but this one still caught me by surprise. I’d been feeling things for days, but figured I had another week or two. So when I showed up to a scheduled medical appointment already at 4cm, I knew: things were likely going to get spicy 😆 Because of baby’s size (and my not-so-young maternal age), an early induction had been on the table. So when my care team suggested we go ahead *that night*, I was shocked but not shocked… but honestly the most pressing thing on my mind was the brisket I had been smoking since 7am that morning that I was very excited to eat 😆😆😆 #priorities Thankfully, they told me I could head home, enjoy my brisket, and then come back. I said yes before they finished the sentence. Also yes to a quick stop for a fresh pair of pajamas- because clearly, early labor is no match for cute loungewear. Even as I walked back into the hospital that evening, brisket in my belly and new pajamas in my bag, I was still kind of in shock that this was actually happening. Everything felt like it was moving so fast- and my brain, of course, was busy calculating all the things I’d now have to rearrange, cancel, or delegate because apparently this baby had decided now was the time. But even with the whirlwind, I felt so supported. My midwife- who has walked with me through so much- was ready and waiting, and the nurses were incredibly kind and attentive. It wasn’t the longer runway I thought I had, but I wasn’t alone. And that made all the difference. There’s a lot that goes on in your brain when you’re giving birth. Even after doing this so many times before, I found myself riding a wave of fear, confidence, excitement- sometimes all three at once. Unmedicated birth can do that to you. At one point, I’m pretty sure six minutes stretched into six hours. 🤪 But then she came and that familiar feeling of accomplishment, resilience and overwhelming joy came over me. We are home and so grateful for the gift of new life and the gift of a new sibling. (fb)