One of the great privileges of my life has been to be in the sacred inner circle of childbirth as a birth doula. The word “doula” is a Greek word meaning “servant,” and a birth doula provides assistance and support to the woman in labor and her partner. My goal as a doula was to create a space where the woman could experience childbirth in the most positive way and where the partner felt he was best able to help. I offered encouragement, tips, massage, and meditation while advocating to hospital staff on behalf of the laboring mom. It was an awesome responsibility and an even more awesome experience.

Something happens in that room where a woman is laboring. It is primal, spiritual, instinctual. For some reason our culture scares us into believing that childbirth is unnatural, frightening, and dangerous. It is sad how much fear there is around the process. We hawk multiple interventions regardless of the risk. I’m the first one to admit that interventions can be important and can save a life—I have seen mothers’ and babies’ lives saved on numerous occasions. But when a woman goes inward and embraces the lioness within, she becomes a superhero with superhuman strength and infinite wisdom.  She most often has all the tools she needs.

For all my life I will never forget an experience I had with a momma of twins. Her labor was progressing very quickly, and hospital protocol is to deliver twins in an operating room in case of emergency. She was using the labor and delivery room for several hours and had begun pacing like a lion. When it was time to transfer to the OR, they attempted to put her in a wheel chair. But this momma was having none of that. She let out a roar, pushed everyone away from her (including her husband) and walked down that hall without letting anyone touch her. She was awesome, powerful, ferocious! All I could think as she was lumbering down that hall with enough energy to lift a car was, “Fierce Warrior Woman.” It was awesome to behold. All I could do was bow in respect of the beautiful creature in front of me. The hospital staff had to scramble after her.

In that OR, she did exactly what she was supposed to do exactly when she needed to. She delivered two baby boys like the Warrior Woman she was.

It’s exciting to see how the video game industry is changing and introducing some kick-ass warrior women in significant roles. She deserves a voice in entertainment. I say, “rock ON, ladies!”

Remember this:

As women, we are infinitely more powerful than we are taught to believe.

As humans, we are infinitely more powerful than we can imagine.

Do not EVER underestimate the power of a Warrior Woman.