Many women wonder whether they should have a birth plan or simply go with the flow. The truth is, if you don't have a clear plan in place, the decisions surrounding your birth will be entirely in the hands of your care providers. If you're not planning your birth, they are.

Now, we all know that birth is unpredictable, and things don't always go according to plan. That's exactly why it's essential to create not just one birth plan, but multiple contingency plans for the "what ifs" that may arise. If you and your birth partner have these conversations before labour begins, you'll be better equipped to navigate unexpected situations with confidence and knowledge.

I learned this firsthand with my first baby. I had planned a home birth, but when I went into spontaneous labour at 34 weeks, I suddenly found myself in a hospital setting I wasn't prepared for. I hadn't thought through the possibilities outside of my birth plan. Fundal massage? What's that?! I had no idea. Decisions were made in that room that I wasn't informed about, and I didn't feel empowered to take control of my birth experience.

That experience led me to create My Body, My Birth™ – Your Guide to an Empowered Birth. I wanted to offer a fun, engaging, and educational way for women and their partners to prepare for the transformative experience of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My Body, My Birth™ cards cover 135 essential topics, from choosing a birth setting to planning your postpartum recovery - one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of birth preparation.

Think about this: If you've ever planned a wedding (or attended one), you know how much time and effort goes into even the smallest details - right down to the napkins! Now imagine if a wedding had zero planning. It would be completely left to chance, with the coordinator making last-minute decisions on the couple's behalf. Would you take that risk on your wedding day? Probably not. The same level of care and preparation should go into your birth and postpartum journey.

My Body, My Birth™ cards will be your guide, helping you feel prepared, informed, and empowered every step of the way.