Preparing for Peace - Ways to Create A Sacred Birth Space

Humans are naturally intuitive beings, we can walk into a room or situation and automatically feel the vibes and emotional content. Women are particularly sensitive in this aspect, that is why it is crucial to prepare yourself and your environment for the birth of your child.
The last couple of weeks of your pregnancy are the most tasking. The anticipation of meeting your baby coupled with the feelings of being overloaded and obtuse can be unbearable. It is during these final weeks that you should channel your energy into preparing for your labor. This means more than just packing a hospital bag! It is time to start visualizing your labor and the atmosphere that you would like to create in order to have a smooth and peaceful journey.

Start With The Basics
You do not have to be in any particular place to create a sacred space for your birth journey! Make what ever situation you are in suited to your needs regardless of the location.

Make a Playlist!
Music is a great way to stay calm and centered during your contractions. It offers a distraction away from your body and allows your mind to fixate on the pulsing beat. Have your Doula or partner set up the speakers or have earphones ready. Relaxing music such as chants or yoga/spa soundtracks will help you release tension from your hardworking muscles.

Dim The Lights
Florescent lighting is unnatural and can inhibit your ability to relax. Soften the light and maybe light a candle or two. Remember that your labor does not have to be a clinical experience! Low light will help ease you into feeling one with your body, creating peace.



Time is an Illusion
One thing that helped me the most during my labor was removing all of the clocks. When you are in labor for hours you are tempted to look at the clock constantly. This creates anxiety. Remember that your baby and your body have things under control and labor is not on a schedule. If you are not able to remove the clocks from the wall simply hang a poster or paper over them. I printed out a photo of a lotus flower blooming, looking at the blooming flower reminded me of how I am too opening up to give life.

The VIP List
Knowing ahead of time who you want present in the room while you are laboring is very important. Having a mother-in-law who is not supportive or a creepy uncle walking in and out will throw you off balance. Hang a sign on the door asking that all visitors to kindly wait outside.

Aromatherapy
Did you know that certain smells can directly effect how you feel & your emotional well being? Using an oil diffuser in the room where you are laboring can radically alter your state of mind.

"Lavender Essential Oil-Lavender is a very versatile essential oil you can use all throughout your labor to promote relaxation and ease muscle tension. It's great to use in massage during labor or fantastic in the diffuser for birth!
Frankincense Essential Oil-Frankincense is an amazing essential oil for labor. Use it to calm your emotions by inhaling the aroma. You can rub frankincense on your lower back or tummy to ease labor discomfort. Also, if you tear “down there” you can apply frankincense directly to the area to help with discomfort and to aid the skin in recovering more quickly.
Rose Essential Oil-Rose essential oil for labor is relaxing and helps soften ligaments. Your ligaments have to soften up to allow your pelvis to expand for baby to pass through. You can put a few drops in a bath or use it with a massage for the lower back or abdomen.

Jasmine Essential Oil-Jasmine evokes feelings of joy, peace, and self-confidence. It can soothe discomfort and contribute to normal labor. Use with massage on lower back or abdomen."                                                                                

 -Stephanie Mitchell, Aromatherapist

Note- Essential Oils should be used with caution. They can be very potent. Read more about EO here: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/essential-oil-safety

Purchase Locally here:

https://www.edenanaturallivingboutique.com/

Inner Peace is the Ultimate Power

Lastly, the most important thing of all is having inner peace. This peace is created by spending time mentally preparing for your labor. Think about it everyday, meditate and visualize yourself birthing the baby you have spent 9 months growing. Make a birth plan!!! Sit down and write out a birth plan. This is so beneficial to you and to your care providers. When you are in labor and your body is taking over your mind, you can not think clearly. This is the most vulnerable time for a woman. Knowing & sharing your birth plan with those around you will help you have a successful birth because everyone will be familiar with your personal needs. Don't know how to write a birth plan? Follow this template! http://www.thebump.com/a/tool-birth-plan

It Gets REAL, real fast

Just remember that the reality of giving birth is messy & unpredictable. You will undoubtedly be uncomfortable. Prepare ahead of time on how you choose to manage your pain. A great way to do this is by trusting your body. Birth is a rite of passage, the sensations you feel are natural and are spiritual. I suggest printing your Birth Affirmations asap to become familiar with them so they will be second nature when you go into labor. 

May you have a safe & peaceful journey!

-Hope

The Newbie

Hello! I am Hope, the newest member to Sacred Birth Collective. I have joined the team as a photographer who specializes in newborn, maternity and birth photography. I am a natural mamma, devoted partner, and a birth rights activist with an easy going bohemian spirit. I am partnered exclusively with SBC as their photographer hoping to work with clients to capture the most precious and intimate moments of labor, bonding and new love. I also plan on becoming a certified Doula within this year! I am excited to bring my services to the area while working with talented, like minded women.

My journey into motherhood through my pregnancy and natural birth has inspired deep passion for what I do. To me, pregnancy and the process of birthing a child is a rite of passage. I believe the sacredness of growing and bringing life into our world is a divine act that changes a woman to her core. I am so fortunate to be a part of Sacred Birth Collective. I aim to help women experience the ceremony of birth. Documenting this amazing transition with my photography is a great way for me to help the new moms celebrate their experience. I want to express the raw emotion and pure essence of the feminine power during a woman's birth journey. 

I hope to take my passion beyond photography by becoming a certified Doula. I am enrolling in a program during the summer and hope to be practicing soon. The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and that is exactly what I want to do. I want to provide the support and love, the reassurance and advocacy that every mother deserves. I want to protect the mother's memory of her birth experience and help guide her peacefully throughout the transition.   

I can not wait to start working with our community! 

-Hope Landry


Fragmented Light Studio  is my website, give it a click!

First weeks home: Lessons learned

  

Sleeping and nursing seemed to be what my life consisted of after I had my babies.  I was aware of the clock only because every two hours it was time to feed them again.  I was in a dream like state of exhaustion and awe.  Everything was new; new routine, new body, new person in my life. 

I remember looking in the mirror after Jacob was born and realizing that my body was changed forever.  I went from looking like a young lady to looking like a woman with wide hips and cleavage.  My nipples even looked different! 

During the first week I struggled with breast feeding.  I could not figure out how to relieve my engourged breasts, and every time he would latch on it felt like sharp needles were coming out instead of milk.  I remember laying in my bed with my toes curled and my teeth clenched saying over and over in my head , "You can do this, You can do this, You can do this".   I tried warm showers and massage which seemed to help, and eventually it all subsided.  We continued to learn together how the whole thing was suppose to work.

Lesson learned: Relax

I bought a bassinet before he was born and planned to use it full time.  That was until I brought my sweet tiny baby home and realized it was much easier to roll over and nurse half asleep than to wake up, turn on the light, climb out of bed, try and stay awake until he was done and then get him back to sleep...

Lesson learned: Co-sleeping is GREAT

Then came the day when I decided I was ready to have intercourse again...

Surprise!  Oxytocin stimulates the milk let-down reflex and is also the hormone produced during orgasm!  It was hilarious and embarrassing at the same time.  These are the times when I am thankful I have such an understanding husband who didn't mind a little harmless milk getting on him. (Okay it was a lot...)

Lesson learned: Wear a t-shirt

I sit here now reflecting on a time that feels like a yesterday.  My son is now 11 and we are still learning together how this whole thing works.  He may not remember the sleepless nights or nipple torture I went through for him,  but I am sure he appreciates it. 

Lesson learned: You can make it through any challenge with a sense of humor and a willingness to be patient with yourself.

Trauma by perspective

Jordan’s birth story

I was 19 and finding myself.  20 years later, that is still evolving.  Instinctively, I knew I wanted a natural birth and to breastfeed.  It just felt right.  My belief in God’s design coupled with a fear of epidurals and interventions overshadowed by a strong desire to prove myself were the forces driving my plans and goals.  I have always been complicated.

I chose a practice that coupled midwifery care with obstetrics, took the hospital childbirth series and read What to Expect as I balanced bowls of soup on my growing bump.  My little precocious love was also very perceptive.  EDD Nov 8.  The very same day that my mother had been told to expect me 20 years before.  Like clockwork, Nov 6 brought a ripening cervix and the loss of my plug.  24 hours later came the loose bowels the book and class had told me were coming.  My little baby was on its way following the textbook timeline like clockwork.  The early morning hours of Nov 8 held sporadic light cramping. I slept.  At precisely 9:18 (the minute of my birth) came the first real contraction.  7 minutes later, came another.  This continued for 7 hours. Ctx were 5-7 minutes apart. They grew a little in intensity, but not much.  By 4:00, I chose to pause during contractions.  4:00-6:00 was spent sitting on my couch, anxiously waiting for my birth team to be ready to go.  At 6:00, we made the 10 minute drive to the hospital and were checked in by 6:10.  In my room, I was greeted by the friendly face of Traci- the nurse who had taught the childbirth class series.  My other team members were a nervous partner who was existing outside of my labor bubble and my mother who was streaming tears and not able to be the strength and inspiration I needed in those moments. Traci’s presence was a big sigh of relief.  She quickly let me know that the midwife on call had been at the hospital longer than 12 hours and was in a terrible mood.  It was my option to choose midwifery care (my plan) or go with the on call OB (what Traci recommended as the lesser of the evils that night).  I trusted her insight and asked for the OB to take charge of my care.  Traci checked my dilation- 7, congratulated me on being so calm and checked in with the OB.  By 6:25 I was complete.  Pushing at 6:30. In that moment, the OB appeared mumbling about needing to leave to get his son to a dance. After a quick introduction, he proceeded to administer a local (with no forewarning or consent) in preparation for an episiotomy.  Through her tears, my mother said, “He is holding a tool.  I think he is about to cut you.”  I realized that Traci had been trying to tell me as much through her eyes during that last contraction.  In hindsight, her lips were probably tied because of the politics of the position she was in at that moment.  I had only been at the hospital 20 minutes and pushed once when he was ready to destroy my perineum so that his son could dance?!?  Oh no!  I told him to put the scissors down and reminded him that he did not have permission to cut me.  He grumbled something like “Have it your way.  You’re going to tear all the way through”. I was PISSED that I had made it this far- a first time mom in her teens holding my own in my natural birth *like a champ* and he robbed me of feeling these last moments.  Being treated with that level of disrespect kicked my determination into high gear.  He proceeded to insert his hands into my vagina during my contractions (the only really painful part of this experience) while I pushed and delivered my baby at 6:40 pm.  30 minutes after arriving. 20  minutes after reaching complete dilation.  My first daughter was born.

Scorecard

Erica and her perineum- 1

Divine Nurse Traci - *Hero’s award*

OB- 0

Baby Jordan- thriving in spite of the drama surrounding her <<<<-------Won’t be the last time!!!

Ok.  She came out looking more like this.

Eating for Two: Great meal ideas for pregnancy

Photo credit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreySkiesBlue

I can't count the times I have heard a pregnant momma say "It's okay, I'm eating for two".  Then proceed to eat enough to feed a small family.

Pregnancy is not a time to ditch healthy eating habits, in fact it is a very good time to start some new ones.  Obesity during pregnancy carries severe risks to your health including high blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes, miscarriage, still-births, pre-eclampsia, larger babies and an increased risk of having a baby born by Cesarean section.

Your baby's health can also be affected.  Research shows that babies born to obese mothers are at a higher risk of premature death, attention deficit problems, and even lower IQ. 

Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum says that women only need about an extra 200 calories a day in the last trimester.

Early pregnancy is the time to discuss with your health care provider how much weight gain is appropriate for you.  The guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy are issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the amount recommended will depend on your pre-pregnancy weight.

Eating healthy during pregnancy does not have to be boring or scary, it is a wonderful time to focus on your health and try some new foods.

Start your day with a breakfast that will hold you over for several hours.  

• A big pot of rolled oats topped with blueberries, flax or sunflower seeds, and honey that will last you several days and keep boiled eggs in the fridge for a quick addition. 
• Breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs or beans, cheese, some diced tomato and cilantro.

Some great staples to keep on hand for snacking are dried figs and apricots, almonds, fresh fruit, and teas like ginger for upset stomach and chamomile.

Around our house the snack of the day Naan bread that I saute in olive oil, apple slices, a great hard cheese like Irish cheddar, and some green olives.  Mmmmm!.

Lunch can be kept simple with a few ingredients or something that you prepare ahead of time.

• A whole grain wrap or sandwich bread with your choice of veggies and tuna or chicken salad and some baked sweet potato fries
• Tabbouleh! (I can literally eat an entire mixing bowl full of this delicious Middle Eastern salad!) Recipe is as follows:

Middle Eastern Tabbouleh

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more
• 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large English hothouse cucumber
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Bring quinoa, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.                                    

Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.                                    

Spread out quinoa on a large rimmed baking sheet; let cool. Transfer to a large bowl; mix in 1/4 cup dressing.                               

Add cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, and scallions to bowl with quinoa; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle remaining dressing over.

At dinner time you can focus on larger meals with a variety of ingredients.

• Vegetable soup and crusty bread
• Grilled salmon, baked sweet potatoes and a large leafy green salad with feta cheese and crutons.
• Asian vegetable stir-fry with cabbage and rice
• Caprese Pizza with balsamic glaze a mixed green salad

Just remember when you are shopping for ingredients and recipes to keep it fun and fresh.   There will be days when you feel like eating a huge bowl of ice cream and that is perfectly okay, you are not on a diet- you are just EATING FOR TWO!

Let's Talk 2nd Trimester

Me during my 2nd trimester just barely starting to show 7/13

At about 14 weeks, the fourth month of pregnancy, you are hitting your second trimester. I bet you're feeling great,the second trimester is usually comfortable for most.  Although, every woman and every pregnancy is different.  You've probably had some of these pesky first trimester issues:  nausea, sleepiness, going to the bathroom all the time, and breast tenderness although they are going to continue to grow. Hopefully they will have subsided. Now is the time most people announce their pregnancy. If you haven’t, you can try your best to hide it but by the end of the fourth month you should start showing. There are amazing ways to announce your pregnancy now days. Have fun with it. Now is also a good time to check out your local doulas and start interviewing to see which one you mesh with best. Doulas are a very important part of a birth team. In fact, they have been in practice since the beginning of time. Doulas can provide you with many forms of support from informational and emotional to physical.

Your baby is growing. At this stage in the game, babies start growing at different paces. Your baby should be about the size of your clenched fist. Your baby is also starting to grow hair, to shape up and looking like a cute little human. You may start feeling some flutters if your that in tune with your body. Baby also starts sensing light. I remember my husband putting the flashlight up to my belly and talking to the baby. Baby also has ears at this point so go ahead and start reading or putting some headphones up to that belly bump.

Lucky for these photo opportunities during my 2nd Trimester 7/13

During the second trimester there are still some pesky pregnancy related issues you might experience. Ligament pain is normal as your uterus is stretching and growing for the baby but call your healthcare provider if it's ever accompanied by spotting or blood. You may also experience constipation, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, nasal congestion/nose bleeding, bleeding gums when you brush, swelling in the hands, feet, and face, varicose veins, and vaginal discharge.  Let us not forget the mood swings over the dumbest things and the weepiness for no reason at all. Don’t fret Momma, we all go through it.  Be sure to take note and discuss any issues with your healthcare provider, but most of these things are just your normal pregnancy hormones kicking in over drive.

Take care of yourself, make sure you are flossing, brushing, and rinsing, and see your dentist  at least once for a check up on those pearly whites. Nasal stuffiness is normal in pregnancy along with snoring and allergies. Your pregnancy hormones are to blame; they stimulate the body's systems. Ladies don’t mess with you natural pH balance get some panty liners. Discharge is normal as long as it is what's known as leukorrhea, thin and milky. This protects the birth canal from infection.

Me visiting Niagara Falls, ON, Canada 2nd Trimester 7/13

There is always more to cover, but I’ll leave some of those  for another time. Oh, and if you decide to find out what you’re having, congratulations! Be sure to start working on that birth plan and set up a meeting with a doula. Let her tell you how you and your family can benefit from her fountain of knowledge and compassion for birth.