We spend so much time planning for labor—creating birth plans, hiring doulas, envisioning how it will all unfold. But what happens when birth throws in a few surprises? When early warning signs shift our plans and unexpected challenges arise mid-labor? For Sydney, concerns around possible preeclampsia led her to ease into a gentle hospital induction around her due date. And while her labor brought its own intensity—including a moment of shoulder dystocia—she still walked away feeling empowered, supported, and deeply grateful for her unmedicated birth experience. In this episode, Sydney shares her journey through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, reminding us that even when birth isn’t perfect, it can still be powerful.

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