5 Confidence Builders!

Being pregnant and birthing in a society that mostly has an ingrained and widespread fear of birth, is not an easy job.

The messages can be relentless. Birth is dangerous. Birth is degrading. Birth is messy. Birth belongs behind closed doors. Birth is a spectator sport. Birth is the domain of medicine, not of women.

This post is an antidote to all of that. Here are some of my favourite articles and videos that remind me that birth is beautiful, powerful and transforming! Enjoy.

1. Pelvises I Have Known and Loved by Gloria LeMay

This article has been around for quite some time now. If you've ever been told your pelvis is too small to birth a baby, or this is something that you've wondered or worried about - read and be amazed.

2. Giorgio Padraic's Freebirth

This video shows an unassisted (no midwife/doctor/birth attendant present) waterbirth. Even if you'd never in a million years consider a homebirth or an unassisted birth, this video is still amazing viewing. A little boy is born gently and easily into his mother's waiting hands. I love this video because through it, we can see what is possible.




3. The Endocrinology of Ecstacy and Pain In Labour - Dr Sarah J Buckley

The first time I read these articles they blew my mind. Sarah's work just appeals to my common sense. So often we hear generalisations about our "hormones and endorphins kicking in" or "just knowing instinctively what to do" in reference to labour. These articles explain exactly how this happens. As well as presenting a bucketload of information on the relationship between birthing hormones, breastfeeding and bonding. I challenge anyone to read these articles for the first time and not have their view of labour and birth changed forever.

4. How to Check Your Own Cervix - It's not Rocket Science - Gloria LeMay

Cervical dilation has become shrouded in mystery since birth moved into hospitals. It's so empowering to have the confidence to do this yourself, and really easy once you do it a few times. If you're worried that this is dangerous, think about this - are you more likely to be injured picking your own nose - or letting someone else do it for you? Many women check their own cervix pre-pregnancy as part of natural fertility management, and this is really no different.

5. Active Birth - Janet Balaskas

If you can't get hold of a copy of the classic book, this article is a fantastic summary and starting point. Janet Balaskas reminded women the world over of what their bodies already knew about the benefits of birthing actively, and putting the mother at the centre of birth.

Labels: conscious birthing, video

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