On Saturday, the wonderful birth center nurses held a 'Blessingway' for me as I prepare for motherhood (there are about two weeks left until the due date!).
I had never heard of this type of a gathering when Shoshanna suggested the idea to me, but learned that, in stark contrast to a "baby shower," which tends to be very commercialized and which I really hoped to avoid, this event (traditionally female-only, and based on a Navajo tradition) celebrates and aims to nurture and honor a new mama (so I agreed to participate :)).
We sat in a circle and shared our fears to try to let them go. Everyone brought a bead with special significance which was placed/tied onto a dreamcatcher for me and which can be hung in the baby's room. The mothers in the group shared some birth stories, birth wisdom, and spiritual poems. I had my feet bathed in fragrant water and got my feet massaged which is a powerful fertility ritual. We tied yarn around our wrists in a continuous circle, then cut segments, which may stay on our limbs until my birth is complete. Julie made a lovely henna design on my belly which may last a couple of weeks. The women made birth affirmation flags for me to hang in my labor room. And we ate and socialized.
It was such a great afternoon! Although I felt a bit uncomfortable as the center of attention, I was so honored to have been invited to be a part of this, and to work with such fabulous, strong women. I already feel better and more empowered about my birth which, with hope, will go well (and, I pray, fast and soon!). Pictures are courtesy of Shosh and Trisha (who, unfortunately as a result, got left out of most of the photos.)
I had never heard of this type of a gathering when Shoshanna suggested the idea to me, but learned that, in stark contrast to a "baby shower," which tends to be very commercialized and which I really hoped to avoid, this event (traditionally female-only, and based on a Navajo tradition) celebrates and aims to nurture and honor a new mama (so I agreed to participate :)).
We sat in a circle and shared our fears to try to let them go. Everyone brought a bead with special significance which was placed/tied onto a dreamcatcher for me and which can be hung in the baby's room. The mothers in the group shared some birth stories, birth wisdom, and spiritual poems. I had my feet bathed in fragrant water and got my feet massaged which is a powerful fertility ritual. We tied yarn around our wrists in a continuous circle, then cut segments, which may stay on our limbs until my birth is complete. Julie made a lovely henna design on my belly which may last a couple of weeks. The women made birth affirmation flags for me to hang in my labor room. And we ate and socialized.
It was such a great afternoon! Although I felt a bit uncomfortable as the center of attention, I was so honored to have been invited to be a part of this, and to work with such fabulous, strong women. I already feel better and more empowered about my birth which, with hope, will go well (and, I pray, fast and soon!). Pictures are courtesy of Shosh and Trisha (who, unfortunately as a result, got left out of most of the photos.)
Shoshanna, to my left, organized and led the ceremony
Renee, Marta, Amy, Chelsea
Lori, Lauren, Erin, Annie (and Aveeda)
Erin, Lauren
Joanne wove this dreamcatcher
the lovely finished product!
Marta, singing
Birth Affirmation Flags
The Henna
("mummifying" me to protect the dye)
So grateful for these amazing women!
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