Enhancing the Spirituality of Childbirth

[Brijrian]

I am preparing for the birth of my second child in July, and I have been contemplating how to incorporate more of my spirituality into the labor. For my first, I sewed a special robe that I wore throughout the labor, wore a sachet of blessed herbs, and burned candles that I had blessed for the occasion (I gave birth at home with a husband, a midwife and a doula).

I'm looking for ideas to make my spirituality even more a part of this birth than it was at the first.

How might/did you incorporate your spirituality into your labor/birth? Were there any short chants or songs you recited/listened to that helped you? Any visual aids? Did you use essential oils or herbs for aromatherapy? Was there something special that you wore or had near you at all times?

Thanks for sharing  I look forward to reading your stories and ideas!

[Lark]

I think this is a lovely idea.  My suggestions though are really limited since I never had children.  But my thoughts on the idea of chants is perhaps something to welcome the baby and encourage him/her to come forth to join your family.

-Lark-

[Brijrian]

But my thoughts on the idea of chants is perhaps something to welcome the baby and encourage him/her to come forth to join your family.

-Lark-

I like that idea...a short chant to repeat during birthing to hopefully help me enter a relaxed trance and help my body open. That will probably help me to distract myself from the contractions (I hand no chants last time, I would just cycle through relaxing eyes, jaw, shoulders, hands and start over again to make sure I wasn't tensing and resisting).

One that might work I found at http://www.sanfords.net/Pagan_Humor_and_Thoughts/chants.htm:

Holy Earth Mother
Holy Earth Mother
Flesh Of The World
Quicken And Kindle
With The Seeds Of Birth

Now that I've got some direction for the idea, lets see what I can come up with! Thank you Lark. I might even make a small bead chain (like a short prayer rosary) of stones that will help with childbirth and relaxation, and help me focus on the chant...focus on relaxing...

[crystalw]

I am a big fan of candles, so how about lighting a candle when the baby is born, to signify his new spirit coming into the world and lighting it up - along with a simple poem or chant to welcome him (or her!) into your family.

Good luck with everything

[Brijrian]

I had candles burning throughout my labor with my first one...it is a nice idea to light a candle when the baby is born, but there will be a lot going on just then! (Like RELIEF-!) I think the candle/poem would be even better for when baby is blessed formally in a wiccaning ceremony...

I could bless baby's forehead upon birth though, similar to how my coven does in circle to each other.  That doesn't take any thought or supplies--both of which will be in short supply! If I happened to have it near, I could also anoint baby with blessed oil...something really, really easy on the skin like olive oil...

Hmm....keep the comments coming They all lead to inspirations!

[Still Kate]

I'm afraid I can't help here.
My last two labours were pretty awful with both children born early so I was high as a kite and just grateful they were both ok. 

I wish you the very best of luck and I'll be thinking of you throughout July.

[guenevere]

What a lovely idea!
I think the anointing with oil is a fantastic idea, as well as chanting to welcome the new baby into your family. Or maybe a piece of music playing on an iPod or CD player...something beautiful that you would really want to be the first piece of music your child heard.

[Lark]

It occurs to me that the birth must be getting very near.  Don't forget to keep us posted on how things are going.  It will be wonderful to welcome a new Witchling to Branwen's even if it might be quite awhile until they are ready to start posting here.

-Lark-

[Brijrian]

WELL. I've been a ghost around here since my little witchling was born. Better late than never!

My son was born July 18, 2010, after a mere 5 hours of intense labor. His name is Devin Roger. A whopping 8 lbs 10 oz. As for bringing spirituality into labor, I ended up simply having my pagan music softly playing in the background. I was too distracted for anything else!

Devin has two meanings "prophetic" from the latin root 'divinus', and from the Hindu pantheon 'Devi'--the Great All Goddess. This stems from a pre-pregnancy experience I had with his spirit, which felt very feminine and wanted to be called "Sybil".
I also named him Roger after my Papa, who is an amazing and talented, kind hearted, hard working man.

Devin is now 6 months old and 20 lbs. He's the size his older brother was at 1 year! So I call him my Olympian nurser. Not a drop goes to waste with that one. He's just a little ('big') darling, and wants to be involved with everything going on-especially his older brother Kylen! (Kylen means "keeper of the keys [of his own destiny]", with the courage ('Len') to do so!)

Blessed Be! Thank you for the support.

[RedRonin]

Congrats to you on the new arrival.  Glad to hear everything went well and the lad is healthy and happy.

Pics to follow, we hope..........

[Lark]

Blessings on the little one.  I'm glad he is strong and healthy and growing like a weed.

By the way, since this thread started as a discussion of ways to enhance the spirituality of the birthing process, could you share what you finally decided to do so that others might get some ideas for themselves?

-Lark-

[Gryphon]

Congratulations on your little one!

[Jennie]

WELL. I've been a ghost around here since my little witchling was born. Better late than never!

My son was born July 18, 2010, after a mere 5 hours of intense labor. His name is Devin Roger. A whopping 8 lbs 10 oz. As for bringing spirituality into labor, I ended up simply having my pagan music softly playing in the background. I was too distracted for anything else!

Lark,

I think this part of the update gave the information you were looking for. I take it as a reminder that births go how they go, not how we plan them to.