Joanna was deep in labor at home, attended by midwives, when she hit a breaking point and asked to transfer to the hospital. Nothing was medically wrong, but her labor was long, and she sensed the midwives were ready for it to be over.

She gave birth shortly after arriving at the hospital and still got to experience the euphoric post-birth high she had hoped to feel at home. While her birth didn't unfold exactly as she had envisioned, Joanna reflects that she was still born into motherhood—as we all are—and that the initiations came in ways beyond the birth itself.

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Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

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Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto