Since learning of this pregnancy many months ago, I have been on a journey of preparation for the new birth in our family. Things were fairly low-key at the start, as mainly I concentrated on finishing off my Vocational Training in Devon and wondered about starting a new job back in Liverpool. All that is done now. However, my primary aim throughout was (and is) to engage in a natural approach to pregnancy and childbirth. A couple of books I read early on helped to channel my thoughts, most notably:
1) Ina May Gaskin "Guide to Childbirth" - an excellent and inspiring book, narrated in a modest style with wonderful stories of natural births and encouraging statistics.
2) Dr Gowri Motha "Gentle Birth Method" - I enjoyed reading this book but found aspects to it a little onerous because I was left with a feeling of having to make a huge commitment to so many activities in order to succeed at my healthy pregnancy and birth. One might argue, at such a unique time in life, there are many things to do to make it the most meaningful experience, however, with one young child and a full-time job (until August), and a husband in another city, this aim was unrealistic for me.
Since William's birth, I always wondered on how best to make a connection with my inner self that allowed me to achieve that deep focus needed to make labour and birth calm and free from fear and distress. I have almost completed a course in hypnobirthing which has given me some tools that will help me to achieve this. It has certainly given me confidence in my body's ability to work harmoniously, rather than antagonistically. I feel more able to promote the release of endorphins as opposed to adrenaline, and can achieve deeper levels of relaxation more easily.
This all makes perfect sense, as my training early on in medicine and physiology would support this. However, despite that knowledge, I often wonder about the general direction taken by the medical establishment in the management of labour and birth. ....But that is a story for another day.
The book that has accompanied me on my hypnobirthing training:
3) Marie Mongan "Hypnobirthing"
A good compliment to the hypnobirthing has been a pregnancy yoga course, almost completed with one more session this weekend. I have engaged a doula to be a companion and assistant to me in labour and birth. She is wonderfully calm, kind and motherly. She will be able to assist with some of the relaxation techniques since she has 'grown up' with me on the hypnobirthing course.
All in all, I am almost ready - just the last few details to arrange (nesting details) and I am more confident we will achieve the peaceful home waterbirth that I hope for.
29 November 2011
14 November 2011
Mother's Blessingway II
I decided to make the necklace to wear on the birth day in view of the lovely green pendant from my cousin. The several additional beads at the top of the necklace used to make it long enough were from old and broken, but much-loved creations of my own.
12 November 2011
Mother's Blessingway 12-11-11
A mother's blessingway is a gathering of women (although men aren't strictly excluded) to wish a mother-to-be well on her way into motherhood. Originally, the ceremonial aspects arose from a Navajo tradition, being, I believe, significant to the first-time mother, a girl becoming a woman.
As I enjoy the communion of female friends (and one or two family members!) and wanted to do something to celebrate this special time, I read about the concept and arranged my gathering of women to fall at a 'powerful' time, in the month and in my pregnancy: as close to the full moon as possible, one day after 11-11-11 (considered significant by some), 33 weeks to the day. Seven of my closest female friends and my cousin, all mothers themselves, and as a last minute surprise, my own mum, all came over for the afternoon.
We shared poems and stories of uplifting experiences. Many of us were in tears at the depths of emotion we shared together, some even revealing very personal and difficult circumstances, interlaced with the joy of celebrating our children. This has resonated with me very deeply.
Everyone brought beads, which I plan to string together to make a bracelet for myself to wear on the day of my baby's arrival, and one for the baby. A few did some 'birth art' which, along with the stories and poems, will form part of a scrapbook, that I will cherish.
Just for fun, I gave everyone a pebble or stone found at the beach that I had had lots of fun painting small pictures on after William's bedtime over the last few days. Everyone selected one at random from a bag. I painted whatever came into my mind, and it seemed that the pebbles found their rightful owners - in a sense, that each choice, though random, seemed somehow appropriate.
Finally, everyone also brought a small piece of fabric, a scrap, but with some significance to each bearer: a piece of a scarf from Nepal, part of a skirt from Thailand, a baby's tiny comfort blanket, amongst others, that will all be pieced together to form a quilt for the baby, something for her (or him) to cherish. This made my mum's presence all the more of a nice surprise, since it is she with her clever needlework skills that will make the quilt. Somehow, this gives the feeling that a circle is completed.
Today has been a very uplifting and spiritually affirming day.
As I enjoy the communion of female friends (and one or two family members!) and wanted to do something to celebrate this special time, I read about the concept and arranged my gathering of women to fall at a 'powerful' time, in the month and in my pregnancy: as close to the full moon as possible, one day after 11-11-11 (considered significant by some), 33 weeks to the day. Seven of my closest female friends and my cousin, all mothers themselves, and as a last minute surprise, my own mum, all came over for the afternoon.
We shared poems and stories of uplifting experiences. Many of us were in tears at the depths of emotion we shared together, some even revealing very personal and difficult circumstances, interlaced with the joy of celebrating our children. This has resonated with me very deeply.
Everyone brought beads, which I plan to string together to make a bracelet for myself to wear on the day of my baby's arrival, and one for the baby. A few did some 'birth art' which, along with the stories and poems, will form part of a scrapbook, that I will cherish.
Just for fun, I gave everyone a pebble or stone found at the beach that I had had lots of fun painting small pictures on after William's bedtime over the last few days. Everyone selected one at random from a bag. I painted whatever came into my mind, and it seemed that the pebbles found their rightful owners - in a sense, that each choice, though random, seemed somehow appropriate.
Finally, everyone also brought a small piece of fabric, a scrap, but with some significance to each bearer: a piece of a scarf from Nepal, part of a skirt from Thailand, a baby's tiny comfort blanket, amongst others, that will all be pieced together to form a quilt for the baby, something for her (or him) to cherish. This made my mum's presence all the more of a nice surprise, since it is she with her clever needlework skills that will make the quilt. Somehow, this gives the feeling that a circle is completed.
Today has been a very uplifting and spiritually affirming day.
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