Birth is a biological event. It’s a natural, intentional & deeply meticulous process that your body is built for. Your body is literally a highly advancing form of technology (cause let’s be honest, seeing the things humans are doing to our planet I can’t freely give us that title but there’s room for improvement). But for some reason, we’ve somehow turned it into this big, dramatic, medical emergency. And? That’s a huge problem. I’m not here to say that medical interventions never have a place—they do, in emergencies—but most of the time, birth doesn’t need all the extra bells and whistles. Yet, here we are, with women being treated like their pregnancies are life-or-death emergencies when, honestly, they just need to be treated like women doing one of the most powerful things they’ll ever do.
We’ve been conditioned to think of pregnancy as this fragile, high-risk event. But here’s the truth: Your body knows what it’s doing. It doesn’t need to be micromanaged. Your body has a deep, intuitive wisdom that’s been passed down for generations. So when we start bringing in interventions—like unnecessary inductions, epidurals, or C-sections—it’s like we’re telling your body, “Yeah, we don’t trust you. You need help.” The thing is, this isn’t a race to the finish line. Birth isn’t a medical emergency, it’s a biological event—and the majority of the time, it’s a pretty smooth, straightforward one when left to its own devices.
Interventions: Why We Have to Talk About Them
One of the biggest issues with interventions is that they happen too often before there’s even a reason to use them. Let me break it down: Labor induction. Epidurals. C-sections. We’ve been told that these things are necessary for the safety of the baby, but in reality, they often create more complications than they solve. And here’s where it gets a little frustrating—these interventions don’t come with full transparency. Women are often rushed into decisions, and by the time they’ve been handed a birth plan they didn’t create, it’s too late to reconsider.
Let's talk inductions for a second. You’ve got Pitocin, which speeds up labor and makes those contractions hit hard—harder than they’d naturally come if you were just left to your own rhythm. Now, I know you're thinking, “But what’s wrong with getting things going faster?” The problem is that speeding things up like that puts a lot of stress on both you and your baby. And before you know it, you’re in a cycle of needing more and more interventions—pain relief, epidurals, and maybe even a C-section, because your body’s natural rhythm is thrown off. It's like trying to force a flower to bloom before it’s ready. It doesn’t always work out.
Then, there's epidurals. I get it, no one wants to be in pain. But let me tell you, the way epidurals slow things down, numb you from the waist down, and leave you stuck in bed, disconnected from the process? It’s not a small thing. And while it seems like a quick fix, it can interfere with your body’s natural urge to push. Some women even report still feeling back pain or nerve sensitivity a year later. If you’re hoping for a connected, empowering birth experience, this can feel like a barrier. Not to mention, it’s literally a cocktail of drugs… Think about that.
Let’s not forget C-sections. Life-saving when absolutely necessary, sure. But if we’re being real here, most of the time, they’re being performed unnecessarily, often for convenience or to stick to a hospital schedule. The physical recovery is no joke—longer hospital stays, scar tissue, and complications in future pregnancies. Plus, there’s the emotional toll. I don’t think most people understand that a cesarean section is a form of MAJOR surgery! A surgeon will cut through SIX (I had to write this out so I could capitalize it for emphasis…) LAYERS OF TISSUE to access the baby!!! A lot of women feel disconnected from their birth experience when they end up with a C-section, and it can take months (sometimes years) to process that. Birth is a big deal, and feeling like it was taken from you—especially when it could’ve been avoided—hurts deep.
Know Your Options: Freebirth and Homebirth
Now, I’m not saying all interventions are bad. I’m just saying that women need to be educated on their options and not pressured into choices they aren’t comfortable with. If you want to go full-force natural and avoid these interventions altogether, freebirth or homebirth might be the path for you. And don’t let anyone tell you that it’s unsafe—many women have safe, empowering births at home without medical intervention. Like… MILLIONS of women. BILLIONS even. I mean, how the heck do you think all these humans got here before hospitals were even a thought? When you choose a homebirth, you’re trusting your body’s wisdom and letting it go at its own pace, in an environment where you feel safe, calm, and supported. On a deeper level, you are operating on a level of FAITH in the unseen.
And let me tell you, choosing this path doesn’t mean you’re “fearless” or being reckless. It means you’ve decided that you want a birth experience that aligns with your values, and that respects your body’s ability to do the work. You can hire a skilled midwife, doula, or a trusted birth team to be there for you. And if you feel like freebirth (birthing without a professional) is the right decision, that’s also your choice to make. You are in control, mama.
Why It’s So Important to Be Informed
Choosing the right birth plan isn’t just about your personal preferences—it’s about understanding the system you're navigating. The medical system often treats pregnancies like ticking time bombs, full of risks that need to be “managed.” This isn’t always the case. Women are often subjected to unnecessary interventions because of the way we’ve been socialized to see birth: as dangerous, risky, and something that needs to be controlled. But birth doesn’t need to be a medical event. It’s biological.
We can do this. We’re reclaiming our birth practices and taking back our power, especially marginalized groups who’ve historically been treated like their lives don’t matter when it comes to maternal health. This is bigger than just you and me. It’s about shifting the way we see birth, and dismantling a system that’s failed too many women by making our own choices and supporting ourselves. The maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are still *unshockingly* high, especially for Black women, Indigenous women, and women of color. These groups have been the target of systemic neglect, and the history of disrespect for their experiences runs deep.
But I have hope. We are learning. We are reclaiming our power. The more we talk about this, the more women get the support they need to make choices that align with their goals. Women are coming together, building communities, and finding ways to have empowered, fulfilling births—on their own terms.
Take Your Power Back
It’s your birth, your body, your choice (no matter what those people who think they are in control of others say or believe). If you're ready to reclaim your birth experience, start by learning all you can about your options. Whether you decide to birth at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital, make sure your provider is in alignment with your values and your desires for your pregnancy and birth. Know you can FIRE them! Ask questions, to receive things fully in writing (not those bullet point lazy notes printed off google but the scientific research their practices are based on), advocate for yourself or hire someone who can advocate for you like a birth or full-spectrum doula, and don’t be afraid to say NO to interventions you don’t need.
And if you feel like you’re ready to stop the cycles of trauma and take control of your birth experience, I’m here for you. I’m Indigo, and I guide women through the powerful journey of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. If you’re ready to learn more about your options and break free from unnecessary interventions, let’s talk. Book a free 30 minute discovery call with me, and let’s start this journey together.