08/25/2026
I want you to remember this. Keep this in your mental tool box and remind yourself of this often.
Birth is not something you can fail no matter what the outcome is. You have not failed yourself, your child or your partner.
If you:
-planned to go unmedicated but then changed your mind...
-wanted a water birth but never got in the tub...
-prepared to birth at home but became a hospital transfer...
-never wanted a c-section but ended up with one...
-had any other plan or situation change...
You did not fail! Birth can change in an instant but it does not mean that you failed.
I also want to note that despite not failing, changes to your expectations and how you feel about them does matter. While "healthy baby, healthy mother" is important...your feelings and mental health are also extremely important as well. If processing your birth feels difficult, please reach out. I have many resources I can share to help with each situation.