Carlyncia Grice went into her second birth determined to experience it differently than her first. During her first pregnancy, she had hoped for a natural birth but hadn’t done the research or preparation she truly needed. This time, she was ready—committed to her birth plan, inspired by her ancestors, and determined to trust her body.
When labor began, Carlyncia clung to her vision of using the birthing tub for relief, only to be told it wasn’t available. Refusing to back down, she advocated for herself until she was finally able to slip into the water. The shift was transformative, allowing her to breathe, center herself, and ride the intensity of her contractions.
Her son was born unmedicated, a nine-pound baby boy, without tearing, stitches, or an epidural. The experience left her feeling powerful, grounded, and proud of the persistence and advocacy that carried her through. Her story is a testament to trusting yourself, speaking up, and finding strength even when the path feels overwhelming.
Carlyncia Grice Bio
Carlyncia Grice is a mother of two, a full-spectrum doula, and the founder of Zenith Beauty LLC, where she creates herbal products and resources to support families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. After navigating her own birth experiences, Carlyncia felt called to birth work and now empowers mothers with knowledge, community, and holistic care. She is also developing creative tools like a sibling-prep coloring book to help children welcome new babies with confidence and love. Connect with Carlyncia for doula support and holistic wellness resources: Instagram: @_zenithbeauty and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carlyncia-grice-6a407830a
Resources
- The Birth Hour – podcast archives and blog posts sharing diverse birth stories and resources
- Evidence Based Birth – Pitocin in Labor (educational video on the use of Pitocin and informed choice)
- Makeup During Labor for Pain Management (lighthearted approach to labor prep and self-comfort)
- Doulas International
Motif Medical
This episode was sponsored by Motif Medical. Motif designs insurance-eligible products for busy moms. With a focus on innovation and empowerment, Motif’s line of breast pumps and maternity compression garments are sophisticated, yet discreet, and made to support mothers as they navigate new motherhood. Discover why moms are reporting more milk in less time with the Luna breast pump, and see how you can get it covered through insurance at motifmedical.com/birthhour.
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