search.noResults

search.searching

note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
League. For a hospital experience, look for low-Caesarean rates, a personally compatible doctor and a distinct birthing center. Either way, a doula or midwife can help craft the desired birth plan. Upon selecting a venue, the expectant mother may


imagine the ideal birth environment and write positive statements, such as, “I want to move around freely. I want my husband and sister with me at all times.” “If a home birth is a mother’s fi rst choice, design two


plans; one for home and one for the hospital,” suggests Phillips. “If the mother needs hospital care during labor, the attendants will know her wishes.” Wilson encourages the spouse to be involved from


the beginning. “The partner’s energy plays a role in how the birth progresses during labor. Plus, being part of the planning keeps him engaged and attuned to her wishes.”


Orchestrate a Childbirth Team “The birthing mother needs continuous support from some- one that can focus on her and her needs,” says Phillips. “The partner also needs to have access to experienced support. Both need to surround themselves with people that know how to enfold them in love.”’ A birthing team includes the medically trained attendant


appointed to help deliver the baby; either a midwife or a doctor. Many women choose to have a trained doula collab- orate, as well. She provides continuity of care and advocacy, lessens the need for medical intervention, stays with the mother, honors and includes the partner and supports the parents in making informed decisions. With home births, family members tend to invite themselves


over. The mom needs to have control of her birthing atmo- sphere. “I encourage moms to be fi rm regarding who they want in the room when the baby is born,” Wilson says.


Honor the Postpartum Mother “Giving birth is the fi rst big unknown of parenting,” says Wilson. “You plan for it and then you have to trust and accept the outcome.” She encourages postpartum appoint- ments for discussing the birth. “A breastfeeding mother’s nutrient requirements are


actually higher postpartum,” Wilson says. To prevent defi - ciencies, she suggests moms nourish themselves during this period, delaying any focus on weight loss and regaining muscle tone. The birth team and other friends can deliver meals, do


light housecleaning, run a load of laundry and bring grocer- ies. The new parents will welcome this generous and loving help.


Deborah Shouse is a mother, writer, speaker, editor and health advocate in Kansas City, MO. Her latest book, Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together, focuses on life’s meaningful moments (DementiaJourney.org).


“T


he blessingway ceremony helps a woman pre- pare mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the work of birthing, opening her to instinctive


abilities that will guide her in mothering,” says Donna Miller Watelet, interfaith minister and co-author of Mother Rising: The Blessingway Journey into Motherhood.


Miller Watelet, a facilitator of dozens of blessingway rituals, shares an example of a nourishing gathering: In a comfortable and safe room, a group of friends circles the mother-to-be, signifying their support. They discuss the intention for the blessingway and invite the mom to symbolically let go of any fears blocking a harmonious experience. Once her fears are emptied out, they fill her up with affirmations, appreciations and adorn- ments. Women can gift an object that has meaning to them, such as a bead, flower or scrap of cloth, as a sign of their commitment to her. These gifts will then be fashioned into something lasting, such as a necklace for the mother. The circle may then bind themselves together, each woman wrapping red yarn around her wrist before passing along the skein until everyone is connected. As they discuss this intertwining, they cut the binding yarn and keep the bracelets, a reminder of their caring for the new family.


“Finally, we enjoy a feast together,” Miller Watelet says. “Sharing a meal reminds us to bring the inten- tions of the blessingway back into everyday life.”


natural awakenings May 2017 39


BLESSING THE BIRTH by Deborah Shouse


HTeam/Shutterstock.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56