The Power of Presence: When Mindfulness Meets Birth

In my time supporting births as a perinatal well-being coach and doula, each experience has revealed the transformative power of present-moment awareness. Our bodies possess an ancient wisdom that transcends even the most carefully crafted plans. Reflecting on my final birth support of the year, I’m struck by how perfectly this truth manifested itself in ways I never could have anticipated.

From our first prenatal meeting, something guided me to focus intensively on mindfulness work with this mother. As a practitioner whose signature framework is grounded in yogic philosophies of union with the self, I typically weave together multiple support elements. Yet with her, that singular pillar of mindfulness kept drawing my attention. Now, I understand why.

What unfolded was an unplanned home birth that beautifully illustrated what author Will Guidara calls in his book of the same title, “Unreasonable Hospitality” – going above and beyond what’s expected to meet the true needs of those we serve. Sometimes that simply means holding space for someone to discover their inner strength.

We often think we know exactly what support should look like. Perhaps it’s timing everything perfectly so a partner can be present or ensuring we reach our chosen birth location in time. We create detailed birth plans and scenarios in our minds. Yet in this birth, what this mother truly needed wasn’t any of these external preparations. What she needed most was the confidence to trust her own intuition and the courage to advocate for herself when the moment arrived.

As a doula with a public health and epidemiology background, I sincerely appreciate the value of medical expertise and careful planning. However, this experience reminded me that our role as birth workers often transcends the physical and technical aspects of support. Sometimes, our most important work is helping birthing persons connect with their inherent wisdom and strength.

The mother’s gratitude afterward was immeasurable, but I see it differently. What I witnessed was the natural unfolding of her innate power, guided by the mindfulness practices we had cultivated together. It wasn’t about my presence or support but her remembering her capabilities.

This experience reinforces that there is no single “right” way to birth. Each journey and path is unique. 

Our role is not to prescribe or control but to trust in the process and support each individual’s journey with presence, compassion, and understanding.

As I close this year of birth work, I carry this powerful reminder: sometimes, the most profound support we can offer is helping someone recognize the strength they already possess within themselves. Through mindfulness, trust, and presence, we honor the sacred journey of birth in all its unexpected beauty.

Michelle El Khoury, PhD

Perinatal Well-Being Coach & Founder of Yogamazia