From Stoic to Heroic: The Unicorn Who Found Her Magic

There are births that change you. Not because they were textbook perfect or without challenge, but because they crack something open—in you, in them, in the entire space. Yesterday, I witnessed one of those births.

This incredible client came to me by way of Innate Family Chiropractic in Pasadena (a gem of a referral partner). From our very first meeting, she made it clear: she desired an unmedicated, natural birth experience. She had already done so much work to prepare—mind, body, and spirit. When we sat down for her birth strategy appointment, she showed me everything she’d been doing to relax and regulate. She asked thoughtful questions, listened with intention, and was open to refining her plan with purpose and clarity.

She was ready. But birth has a way of asking more of you than you think you have.

She also shared that her OB wasn’t exactly doula-friendly. And I could feel the weight of that. When a provider enters the space with hesitation around your support team, it adds another layer to navigate. But she didn’t let it rattle her. She trusted the work she’d done—and she trusted me.

Fast forward to birth day—16 hours of deep, focused labor with me. I watched this woman transform. She went from “I think I want the epidural” to nearly unmedicated—fighting not against the birth, but against the fear and pain. She stepped into her strength with every breath, every surge. She kept repeating one phrase like a mantra. Over and over. Quiet, steady. Like a drumbeat calling her back to her power.

“I got this.”

And she did.

At one point, during active labor and even into transition, she became so deeply in sync with her body, so focused and surrendered, that she was able to sleep through the height of her contractions. That’s not just physical willpower. That’s embodied, intuitive power. That’s what happens when preparation, presence, and purpose align.

She became the unicorn I’ve been calling her all along—rare, radiant, unforgettable.

Her baby’s middle name is Kobe—a tribute to resilience, legacy, and that quiet fire that drives you when things get hard. And that’s exactly what she embodied: the Mamba mentality. Not with bravado, but with quiet grit and unwavering heart.

I’d be remiss not to mention the fantastic care of the nursing staff—they were attentive, respectful, and created an environment that honored this mother’s wishes. And in a truly full-circle moment, the OB—who had been skeptical of having a doula present—pulled me aside at the end and said, “Thank you. You did incredible work today.”

That moment mattered.

Because as doulas, our job isn’t just to support the birthing person—it’s to bridge the space between the medical team and the human experience. Collaboration is key. When we work together, everyone wins. The birth space becomes safer, stronger, more connected. And that ripple effect? It lasts long after the baby arrives.

To my unicorn mama—you are the blueprint. You reminded me that birth isn’t about sticking to a rigid plan. It’s about being willing to fight for what you want—even if the person you’re fighting is you. You found your magic, and you became it.

You got this. You always did.