YOUR BODY IS NOT A STOPWATCH, BABE. Reconnecting with your intuition and taking your power back in birth.
Updated: Sep 23
Let’s talk about something I think we massively underestimate when preparing for birth…
Your intuition.
Because somewhere along the way, we’ve become REALLY good at outsourcing our trust.
“What does the timer say?”
“How many centimetres am I?”
“Am I dilated enough?”
“Is this contraction long enough?”
“Am I overdue?”
“Does this mean labour has started?”
And suddenly…
You’re lying there trying to give birth while staring at a fucking app. 😂
Now, I’m not saying monitoring, vaginal examinations, due dates or contraction timing are bad.
They can all provide useful information.
But they are information.
They are not your intuition.
And they certainly don't get to replace YOU.
When did we stop listening to ourselves?
Imagine this…
You’re having contractions.
Your body is telling you:
“I need to be somewhere safe.”
“I need to move.”
“I need water.”
“I need to be left alone.”
“I need my partner.”
“I need to go in.”
But then you look at your contraction timer… and it tells you that your contractions aren't quite matching the magical pattern you've been told they need to.
So you ignore yourself.
Because the app says otherwise.
And THAT is the bit I want you to think about.
What if we started using the information around us WITHOUT handing over our power?
Because you can listen to your midwife.
You can listen to your obstetrician.
You can use a contraction timer.
You can have a vaginal examination.
You can know your estimated due date.
AND STILL listen to yourself.
These things don't have to be either/or.
Your due date is not a deadline.
I really want you to remember this one.
Your due date is an estimate.
Not a birthday booking.
Not an eviction notice.
Not a “YOU HAVE FAILED TO GIVE BIRTH BY THIS DATE” notification. 😂
Your body doesn't suddenly become incapable of birth because you've reached 40+1.
There are, of course, times when your maternity team may recommend additional monitoring or discuss induction depending on your individual circumstances.
That's where knowledge comes in.
You don't need to blindly accept.
And you don't need to blindly reject.
You can ask:
“Why are you recommending this?”
“What are the benefits?”
“What are the risks?”
“What are my alternatives?”
“What happens if we wait?”
“What does my intuition tell me?”
You are allowed to be an active participant in your care.
This is what reclaiming your power actually looks like.
It isn't refusing all medical care.
It isn't pretending everything will go exactly to plan.
It isn't believing your body can never need help.
It's understanding that you are still part of the decision-making process.
It's learning enough about birth that you don't feel completely powerless when someone suggests something.
It's knowing your options.
It's understanding your rights.
It's practising listening to your body.
It's noticing what makes you feel safe.
It's learning how to regulate your nervous system.
It's building that little voice inside you that says:
“Hang on. I want to understand this before I decide.”
THAT is confidence.
And your intuition is something you can practise.
You don't have to wait until you're in labour to suddenly become connected to your body.
Start now.
Put your bloody phone down for five minutes.
Close your eyes.
Breathe.
Notice your body.
Ask yourself:
What do I need right now?
Go for a walk without tracking every bloody step.
Eat when you're hungry.
Rest when you're tired.
Notice when something doesn't feel right.
Notice when something DOES feel right.
Practise trusting those little nudges.
Because birth isn't just about knowing what happens physiologically.
It's about learning to listen to yourself while it is happening.
And here's the biggest thing I want you to take away…
Your birth might not go exactly how you imagined.
You might need interventions.
You might change your mind.
You might have a caesarean.
You might have an epidural.
You might have an induction.
You might have a water birth at home.
You might have a completely wild birth story that looks NOTHING like your birth plan.
That does not mean you failed.
Your power doesn't disappear because your birth changes.
Your power is in being informed.
Your power is in asking questions.
Your power is in making decisions.
Your power is in knowing that your voice matters.
And your power is in remembering that you are not just a body being managed through a medical event.
You are a woman giving birth to her baby.
And you deserve to feel informed, involved, heard and supported.
So yes…
Use the timer.
Listen to your midwife.
Take the information.
Ask the questions.
BUT DON'T FORGET TO LISTEN TO YOU.
Because babe… your body is not a stopwatch.
🎙️ Want to dive deeper into this?
I've just released a podcast episode all about reconnecting with your intuition, trusting yourself and taking your power back in birth.
Go and listen to Birth, Babe. 🎙️
Because we need to talk about this shit.
Love,Megan x
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