What did you Learn? {San Diego Birth Doula}

In a recent email Rosie asked me what I learned from births I attended. This was my response (while parenting my crazy kids at the same time...)

"I learned that some people act like labor is a bigger deal than it really is....and then later when it really gets tough they say 'I can't believe I thought that was hard back in early labor.' I learned that signs of transition can happen even when they are not in transition. I confirmed that there should be very minimal people around while in labor so that mom doesn't feel the need to perform. I learned that primips can take a very long time to birth, and that's ok. I learned that primips that want a natural birth should choose home birth or a birth center. I learned that *the hospital I was at* is more baby and mother friendly (hands off) than I thought it was going to be. I confirmed that midwives in hospitals often are more like OBs. I learned that GOD is the director of birth and it is what it is - give up and give in and move on.  I learned that I may not "enjoy" every birth I attend because it can be VERY hard work with zero breaks. I learned that sleep deprivation makes me cry. I learned that although I love being a doula, I need to be a midwife. Amen."

What did you learn from your birth?