When most people think about preparing for birth, they think about information. They sign up for childbirth classes. They read books. They listen to podcasts. They create birth plans. They learn the stages of labor and research their options. And while all of these things are important, they only address one part of the birth experience: the mind.

Birth is not just a thinking experience.

Birth is a body experience. A nervous system experience. A relational experience. And if we prepare only through education, we may find ourselves missing one of the most important aspects of labor and birth.

Social media has become one of the most influential sources of information about pregnancy and birth. For many expecting parents, it’s where they first encounter birth stories, learn new language around advocacy, and begin forming expectations about labor and delivery. As a doula, hypnobirthing educator, and facilitator of birth story sharing circles, I see both the power and the risk of this exposure every day.

This past weekend, we had the immense honor of being invited to the Cincinnati Museum Center to showcase our work at Nurture as part of the Advancing Health exhibit. This exhibit celebrates the groundbreaking contributions of Cincinnati leaders and innovators in healthcare, highlighting how our city has shaped medical advancements and improved public health. It was an absolute privilege to represent pregnancy, postpartum care, and the innovations we’re making in women’s health at Nurture—especially as the very first organization to spotlight childbirth in this powerful space.