Labour isn’t just a physical process—it’s profoundly hormonal and neurological. The space in which a birthing person labours can either support or interrupt the body’s natural flow. Hormonal Needs: Calm and Dark The main hormones of labour—oxytocin, endorphins, and melatonin—thrive in conditions that promote calm. Oxytocin, the “love hormone,” drives contractions and progresses labour. It flows best when a person feels undisturbed, calm, and private. Bright lights, loud noise

Birth is unpredictable—beautifully wild, deeply transformative, and sometimes frustratingly misunderstood. As a doula, I’ve seen how a few common situations can quickly shift a birth plan, not because of emergencies, but because of policies, protocols, or plain old miscommunication.