The Blessingway - A Birthing Ritual
A blessingway is a nurturing and life-affirming ritual for the mother-to-be. Unlike a baby shower which is centred around material gifts for the baby, a blessingway honours the mother and the journey she is about to undertake in labour.A blessingway brings together the women in our lives whose love and support means the most to us, and whose wisdom will guide us through the uncharted path to motherhood. The blessingway is for our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, best friends and soulmates. Through symbolic ceremonies and rituals in which all take part, the mother-to-be is strengthened, supported, and nurtured in preparation for her birthing time.
Blessingways are a personal expression of the mother and her circle. Here are some ideas you can use to inspire your own.
Belly Painting: Using non toxic natural paints or henna, a design is painted onto the mother-to-be's big baby belly.
Beads: Each person brings with them a bead, over which they say their own personal prayer/blessing/wish. The beads are threaded onto some string to make a bracelet or a necklace. The birthing mother has these beads with her in labour and draws on the strength and love of those in her circle.
Candles: Each person undertakes to light a candle for the mother when labour has begun.
Massage and Pampering: Using scented oils, soft towels and incense the mother-to-be is pampered and massaged. Hair brushing, or a facial/pedicure can also form part of this ritual.
Notes and Blessings: Handwritten notes of love, support and birthing or mothering wisdom can be pasted into a special notebook for the mother to keep.
Labels: conscious birthing
Posted by Tina at 2:54 PM | 0 comments read on
Finding a caregiver who supports your VBAC
One of the biggest influences on whether or not we actually achieve a planned VBAC is our choice of caregiver.It stands to reason that a caregiver who is convinced of the safety of VBAC over repeat caesarean, and who believes in the normalcy of birth is probably better placed to help you achieve your VBAC goal that one who is only "tolerating" your choice to VBAC and would really prefer you to elect another caesarean.
So, how can you find a care provider who is going to back you all the way? And how do you know if the care provider you're already with is one who is completely supportive?
Here's some questions from ICAN (International Caesarean Awareness Network) to use as a starting point for discussion.
• Of the last 10 women that have come to you originally wanting a VBAC, how many were able to have their VBAC? (kind of like asking their VBAC success rate, but this number should represent better, as it will be lower if they tend to talk women out of it during their pregnancy).
• What do you think would prevent me from having a VBAC?
• What do you believe are my chances for having a VBAC?
• I have now read more information regarding my previous c-section, and I’m curious to know what you would do or recommend in the same situation to help me avoid a c-section, either prenatally or during labour?
• At what point would you deem my pregnancy to be too far post dates to continue?
• If I hit 42 weeks (or whatever gestation you would prefer me to birth by), would you consider induction, or just schedule a c-section? If induction, what are my options (rupture of membranes etc.)?
• What circumstances, later in my pregnancy would contraindicate a VBAC and make you recommend a repeat caesarean section?
• If I do go past my due date, what testing requirements do you have (Biophysical Profile, Ultrasound, Non-Stress Test), when will they begin, and how often will I need them?
• Will you recommend an ultrasound to estimate weight late in pregnancy? (providers who are nervous about a "big baby" may recommend ultrasound)
• How do you feel about VBAC’ers birthing "big" babies? What do you think is "big"?
• When in labour, what stipulations do you have for VBACing mums? For example, do you require continuous monitoring? Do you have a time limit for progression in labour (ie, I need to dilate 1cm each hour)?
• Do you prefer your VBAC’ing mums to have an epidural?
• Where is my placenta located? Anterior, Posterior, lower uterine-segment, fundus?
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Labels: Caesarean section, careproviders, VBAC
Posted by Tina at 8:51 PM | 0 comments read on
