For as long as I can remember, writing has been my calling. My path. My purpose. And yet, I’ve ignored life’s subtle and not-so-subtle hints (aka being deemed “most likely to write a book” in high school).

My inner critic always crept in.

Are you sure even good at this? Why should people care about what you have to say?

Fear of failure and a fear of being unworthy of my dream has sent me on a lifelong detour.

That is, until Olivia.

Being initiated into motherhood has been BEAUTIFUL and HARD. There’s so much I didn’t know…

…about how common miscarriage was…

…about my body and how it would respond to labor…

…about what my rights were with regard to my healthcare and birth experience…

…about how hard breastfeeding was and the physical, mental, and emotional toll it would have…

…and SO MUCH MORE.

There were countless times I felt so unsure, lost, confused, unprepared, or alone.

Here’s the thing. I firmly believe women are entitled to the truth about their bodies and about their rights. After my delivery of my precious Olivia, I felt like a goddamn unstoppable, badass warrior. I questioned how the heck we didn’t live in a matriarchy after I witnessed my own power.

My gift to future women embarking on the journey to motherhood is this: the truth. Not the version of pregnancy and labor you see on TV. The raw, honest, and at times, ugly truth. You deserved to be empowered with all the information—it’s your right and it sure as hell shouldn’t be taboo.

So, this mama is going to use her calling to share her truth—and I invite you to share yours too.

No daughter, sister, niece, or friend, should be left in the dark. Let’s shine a light on pregnancy, motherhood, and everything in between. We’ve got this, together.

Much love.

—Elizabeth Neal