This idea behind this mantra is simple. Surrender to the surges of each contraction, or be dragged through the birth experience, kicking and screaming. Once contractions are happening, they’re happening—there’s no pause, stop or rewind button to press.

As with anything in life- pain levels during labor, spiciness of a new recipe or strength of a carefully-crafted cocktail- postpartum depression can hit us all with different levels. I think because of this it may often be dismissed as “baby blues” or chalked up to stress as life with a newborn can be overwhelming.