Each year, we like to end our year with a rebroadcast of our most popular episode so that everyone gets to hear just one more time. It also gives us a chance to feel like we're not missing out on anything in case you were spending time with friends and family as you should. So from all of us at My Essential Birth, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I don't know if this needs a trigger warning right here or not, but heads up, just in case.

This is kind of my joke.

I'm like, if you had a point that you feel like having a needle put into your back sounds better than your contractions,

then you're probably ready to do whatever it takes

to receive that medication.

Getting pregnant and giving birth are two of the most exciting things you can ever hope

to experience in this life.

The moment you think you could be pregnant, you're frantically searching

for all the best information, which is why you're here today. I'm Stephanie King and with my many

years of experience as a professional childbirth educator, doula, and lover of all things, pregnancy,

birth and postpartum, I'm here to make preparing for your birth enjoyable, empowering, and totally easy. Each week,

I'll cover different topics, interview professionals, and get into the nitty gritty birth stories

from mamas just like you. And when you're ready for more, you can join me in the My Essential

Birth course at Myessentialbirth.com, where I take you step by step through

exactly how to prepare your mind, body, spirit, and partner for a birth you love. So let's get

started. All right, let's hear from that reviewer of the week, which is Compatrate.

She says, so grateful for this podcast for making my unmedicated birth possible.

Found this podcast at four weeks pregnant with an unexpected baby.

I'm only 21 and had zero knowledge of anything birth or baby related and was so in the dark.

This podcast has provided me with so much confidence and knowledge.

I'm now 32 weeks and planning for an unmedicated hospital birth.

...