Labor is one of the most profound, intense, and awe-inspiring acts of the human body. So naturally, our team thought of it as we reflected on the iconic Beyoncé Christmas Day Halftime Show — a masterclass in strength, stamina, and emotional highs and lows — qualities that also apply to the birthing process.

Now listen, if you’re not a Beyoncé fan — we listen and we don't judge. We're not trying to change your mind! And maybe you’ll still find something valuable here! And if you are both a Beyoncé fan and birth enthusiast, just, buckle up — we think you’ll really appreciate this. Let’s break it down.

Stage 1: Early Labor – The Warm-Up

In early labor, the body begins preparing for what's to come. Contractions are often mild and irregular, and the focus is on rest, preparation, and waiting for building momentum. This phase, which can last hours or even days (remember the estimations of time for stages of labor are based on averages — it can be very different for different people and from birth to birth), often invites both excitement and patience and trust in the process.

The Beyoncé Bowl Connection:
Consider all the preparation that went into Beyoncé’s performance. Months of rehearsals, coordination, and planning laid the foundation for this moment — putting together music, partnerships, choreography, styling, staging, and so much more. Similarly, early labor is about laying the groundwork, establishing a rhythm, coordinating people and places that have been chosen for a long time, and conserving energy for what’s to come.

Now, picture Beyoncé’s opening moments on horseback, singing “16 Carriages.” Her deliberate movements and controlled energy set the stage, much like the body building into labor. And think of “Blackbiird,” performed with Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer. Their harmonies — to us — embodied the power of a supportive team, reminiscent of a birth team offering encouragement and grounding presence (even from afar) during early labor.

Stage 2: Active Labor – The Main Event

Active labor marks the core activity of the birthing process. Contractions grow stronger, longer, and closer together, demanding focus, support, and hard physical work. This phase often invites louder sounds, more deliberate movements, comfort measures, hydration, and reminders to stay grounded as the work intensifies.

The Beyoncé Bowl Connection:
As Beyoncé transitions into the high-energy “Ya Ya,” accompanied by the Texas Southern University marching band, the intensity of the performance escalates. The pace quickens, and her commanding presence along with all those moving alongside her mirrors the heightened focus and physical effort of active labor.

During “My House,” the audience’s interactive participation — holding up signs in the stands that spell out those words — reminded us of the way care teams engage with and champion birthing parents during this stage, offering encouragement and support every step of the way.

Stage 3: Transition – The Peak of Power (and Support)

Transition is often named the most challenging phase of labor. Contractions peak in intensity, and the physical and emotional toll can bring moments of doubt — that's why this is often infamously known as the "I can't do this!" stage (when in reality, you totally are doing it!). It’s a pivotal stage, just before pushing begins, and may also include symptoms like shivering, nausea, or even vomiting as hormones surge.

The Beyoncé Bowl Connection:
One small but profound viral moment was captured off the big cameras — it was when Beyoncé took a break to hydrate and regroup after handing the spotlight to Shaboozey — and that’s the moment we’re pointing to as transition. As we see it, that’s a moment when the intensity has reached a height, and a quick break, a sip of water, or a word of encouragement was what Beyoncé needed to reignite her energy and get her ready to return to the center of the camera and spotlight — just like similar things may be needed to spark the resilience of in someone giving birth so they can find their inner power to take them through transition to the next stage.

Stage 4: Pushing and Birth – The Grand Finale

Pushing is the crescendo of labor, requiring focused energy and coordination between body and mind to bring the baby into the world. This is when less frequent contractions align with physical pushing (although not always — re: the fetal ejection reflex). While it’s often tiring, it can also feel deeply empowering — a climactic moment that embodies the power of birth.

The Beyoncé Bowl Connection:
We’re naming the grand finale performance of “Texas Hold ’Em” to represent this stage. Beyoncé’s electrifying energy, precision choreography, leading up to a dramatic lift above the midfield, with a banner unfurling that read “BANG” parallels the build and burst of a baby's birth. Just as her performance inspired awe, the birth of your baby is a moment of total pride and joy that often creates exclamations of celebration in our birth spaces!

Cesarean Birth: Another Grand Finale

Now, to those who've had an abdominal or c-section birth — we could never leave you out of this! — cesarean birth is also a grand finale of Beyoncé-level energy and effort. Here, we may think of the “BANG” as the moment that baby is lifted above the OR room curtain, or the sound of their first sweet cry. A surgical birth is no small thing — whether it's scheduled and planned well in advance, or an unexpected twist, or an emergency need. It is incredibly powerful.

Stage 5: Recovery – The Cool-Down + Celebration

The final stage of labor involves recovery, bonding, and reflection. The placenta is delivered, the body and baby are attended to based on their needs, and the focus shifts to rest, healing, and connection as the door to postpartum opens.

The Beyoncé Bowl Connection:
As Beyoncé descended from the lift, she threw her hands up in celebration — a moment of triumph and acknowledgment (we imagine) of her incredible effort and the success of achieving what she set out to do. Birth, too, calls for self-celebration. Whatever your birth story, we hope you take time to honor your strength and beauty in the midst of it — and embrace the joy of your new chapter (even if that's not something you feel right away).

Other Things We Noticed

• The Ensemble: Beyoncé did not do half-time alone. She surrounded herself with a multitude of dancers, musicians, and collaborators, much like during pregnancy and birth you may rely on a variety of people from friends, to family, to your care team for support and participation.
• Blue Ivy’s Role: Beyoncé’s daughter joined her at several points in the performance, which reminded us of how older children can play meaningful emotionally, mentally, and physically supportive roles during birth and postpartum.
• Post Malone’s Energy: His visible and viral joy during their duet reflects what we believe every birthing parent deserves from the people taking care of them — you deserve truly compassionate and positive care!

Why This Metaphor Works + Where It Doesn’t

Using a cultural touchstone like Beyoncé’s halftime show reframes labor as an act of artistry, empowerment, and teamwork. It’s a fun way of communicating how preparation, resilience, and support can lead to impactful, positive, transformative experiences. It's a fun, creative way of breaking down the stages of labor without sounding like a textbook. And it's just FUN period!

At the end of the day, labor isn’t a performance — it’s a deeply personal and unique physical experience that's not always as straightforward as something you can plan, practice, and execute — but that said, no matter how labor and birth unfold for you — it is a monumental achievement worth celebrating.

If you're looking ahead at giving birth, we hope you feel as supported, as powerful, and as beloved as the notorious Queen Bey. In the wise words of Michael Scott, “I am Beyoncé always.”