Birth Story - Sisterhood Support

Sisterhood Support.

Here's a story of a sacred circle of sisterhood supporting this mother.

I remember this day so clearly. It was 2014 and while I had attended a couple of births, I'd never attended a homebirth - or been considered a primary partner!

She called in the early morning. I immediately grabbed the bag I had prepared and packed for two weeks in anticipation of this moment.

I didn't even change!

So, in my pajamas and without my bra, I jump in the car. She's close - only a couple of miles away but I can barely breathe. I hyperconsciously drive the speed limit but my energy is racing to be next to this dear mama I also call friend.

Once we're in the car together, I realize just how far we have to travel to get to the birth center. She's breathing hard and is vocalizing in ways that tell me she's probably really close to transition.

Breathe.

I have to breathe.

Breathe with her. Breathe for her. Breathe for myself.

It's hard to channel this birth energy. I'm shaking but I'm breathing.

I calmly tell her that the midwife is behind us on the interstate so if we have to pull over to birth this baby, all will be well.

You're safe, dear mama. We are here for you.

Once we cross the state line, I begin to feel relief. We're so close to the birth center.

Breathe.

The energy changes once we step over the threshold. I'm still channeling the same intense birth energy but her contraction patterns relax to a more manageable pace.

She's at peace in the safety of the birth center - for the moment.

She slips into the water and as she labors, she loses herself in a wave of grief.

The baby's father - the partner she dreamed of and fully deserved - isn't here. He isn't who she thought he was and she's doing this without him. Not because she wants to but because she has to...

She feels....

Alone. All alone.

Her birth story doesn't remember that baby's shoulder was stuck in this moment of grief.

I unintentionally held my breath as the midwife expertly manuvered mother and baby to free the little one.

And, this - this - is the contraction she remembers as her beautiful baby is born.

Five of us surrounded her as she began her new life as a mother of three. Five sisters, lifting her up, holding her in light and love.

She later tells me, "The best parts of this birth: Feeling loved, protected, and cared for".

How do you feel supported during birth? Is it what you think it is? What you think it should be? Do your expectations and needs change?

Have you crafted the support you truly need or have you simply checked boxes on some form?

Birth Story - Primal Intelligence

It was dark and oxytocin flooded my body.

Candles lit the space and, later, my partner would thoughtfully turn on my favorite music - a non-traditional Christmas album by Josh Garrels - about the joyous birth of Jesus even though it was only mid-September.

I swayed on my trusty birth ball as my contractions intensified. First, inviting my sweet baby to be born, then later, bargaining with my body, my baby, and this birth. My heart flooded with insecurities.

Would I have enough love in my heart to embrace a baby? Much less a FOUTH baby? Would I have enough time, energy, money, etc to show up for him?

Would I truly BE enough?

.The midwife was called but I still wasn't sure - for fear of being wrong - and I told her so. There had been prodromal labor for almost a month prior. She assured me that she was on her way but I was still not sure she would make it. Despite being scared I could be wrong, I could also feel that my baby was coming quickly, just as my other babies had in the past.

Following my instinct, I slid into the birth pool. I felt like a caged and wild animal. I knew at this point there was no way out except through... I wanted to push but the midwife hadn't yet arrived so I held back.

Hanging over the edge of the pool, the urge became so strong, I couldn't prevent it any longer. With my first push, the midwife emerged through my bedroom door.

My other babies came easily with just two or three pushes so when my sweet little baby wasn't born after a few, I started to worry. Moving in the tub, I could not find a position that brought baby down. I didn't feel him getting any lower with each push.

I could feel the muscular tension building in my hips, especially the left piriformis seizing up, the energy being wasted on FEAR - an emotional tension pattern I've long recognized and thought I had completely resolved. But, there it was, rearing is ugly head.

From hanging over the edge of the pool, on my knees, I lifted my left leg to make more space for my baby to come through and very intentionally released the spasms. The pushes were becoming more and more intense.

“Once your water breaks, baby will be born quick. Would you like me to break you water?” she asked. NO! Don't touch me. I need to do this alone. I think we were both scared.

Pushing, pushing, pushing. Howling like a wolf. With each contraction, I optimized my energy. It took almost two hours.

Suddenly, a gush of water. I felt my baby's head drop dramatically into the birth canal.

One push, his head emerged. I reached down to guide him because I felt the stretching of my perineum and didn't want to have any tearing. Next push, for his shoulders and he slid out between my legs and into his father's arms.

Later, examining the placenta, it was discovered that my baby's membranes were very thick, strong. It took a lot of strength, courage, and mental energy to break his waters.

And, I did that.

It was a relief to me that even if it wasn't gentle on my end, it only took HIM two pushes to come into the world.

Great story, you might say. But, what's the point?

Good question. My birth story is textured and layered. This is but one layer I'm offering to you.

Yours will be textured and layered, too, naturally.

I offer you this story to illustrate what being deeply aware of your body can offer during labor and birth.

In my practice as a prenatal massage therapist, I have the privilege of helping birthing clients discover the awesome power of their own bodies.

Tapping into the primal intelligence of your body is the meaningful work I facilitate.

Purchasing a package of sessions or massage membership helps you to save money, energy, and pain while giving you the freedom to prepare to bring new life into being.

Massage & Pregnancy: A Brief History

Massage therapy and other forms of healing touch have been used for thousands of years (possibly as far back as 15,000 BC! Yes, really, we can find this depicted in European cave paintings). It's presence has been regarded all around the globe, as a method to address many, various discomforts, ailments, and issues we experience in our bodies.

But, what about pregnancy? Can massage therapy play a role in the journey into motherhood? Before the medicalization of birth, a process which began in the 1700s and peaked in the early 20th century, the journey into motherhood was simply a domestic event guided by midwives (literally meaning 'with woman'). These were women who may have been poor or uneducated but were highly experienced in delivering babies. Within the practice of Midwifery, massage played a role in addressing the position of the baby and speeding up labor, among other applications. Yeah, but that was a long time ago, right? People did lots of ill-conceived things back then... How do we know it's actually safe? Are there any REAL benefits?

Well, lucky for us, we now have a body of evidence-based research as well as an ancient and rich history to demonstrate the safety and many benefits of massage therapy for the pregnant client. Prenatal massage is so much more than a sweet treat for a pregnant mother; it's a process that can improve the pregnancy experience and perinatal outcomes for both the mother and infant! Come back next week to learn what prenatal massage can offer you!

Birth Intentions - How to Write High Quality Birth Affirmations

I don't know about you but sometimes I get aggravated by all the beautiful birth affirmations I see on social media.

The birth affirmation drain.

I tried to love birth affirmations, I really did. But, I just never could get comfortable using someone else's words to talk about myself, especially when it was something with which I was already struggling. It seemed like there was always some loophole; some way that what I was saying was true... Just not true about ME. 

Have you ever felt that?  I don't know. Maybe it's just me.  

But, those feelings gave me the opportunity to really think about birth affirmations and their deeper purpose. 

Of course, I understood that they are supposed to empower birthing people throughout their pregnancy to have a positive, strong birth experience. And, I thought maybe they worked because of the law of attraction. But, that’s it…

Birth affirmations are (or can be) so much more than that though! 

What's an affirmation, anyway?

Well, simply put, they're statements of Truth, giving us the power to take ownership over our intentions for our experience. Now - intention - that's an interesting word and what I came to realize is the key to writing a high-quality, effective affirmation. The affirmations I found in books and on social media weren't aligned with MY intentions for myself and my baby... They were someone else's intentions for my birth. That's why they rubbed me wrong! (I'm kinda defiant sometimes)

So, I started journaling... Ok, well, that's not exactly true but you don't need to hear about my boring trial-and-error process. You're not here for that! You're here to learn how to write your OWN birth affirmations. 

It's all in the intent!

First, you'll get something to write with and on. I use a journal and a pen - nothing special. You might also want some comfort items like your favorite essential oil, pillows, a blanket, a bottle of water, and maybe a cup of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea.

Then, start writing. Write down how you’re feeling, the things you think you want, the things you don't want, where you are now, and where you want to be during and after labor… just write it all down. (Pro Tip: if writing isn't your thing, use your phone's speech-to-text). It's not important to make it perfect at all. I like to say, "Done is better than perfect" because if I don't, I get all caught up in it being perfect and then I just quit. So, think of this as a very rough first draft. 

 Now, what you'll notice is that some of the things you write will be positive and some will be negative. That's okay for now!  Anyone who tells you not to look at your darker thoughts, fears, and emotions because you will manifest them is unfortunately misinformed and unintentionally setting you up for rigidity in your experience… aka trauma. We don’t want that. We’re here for resiliency, growth, and expanding love.

Look over your list, you’ll probably hate it at first but take notice of any patterns that stick out to you. You’ll probably have several about your body, a couple about your birth experience, and a whole bunch about your baby. Group them together in your mind and then on your paper.

It’s important to understand that affirmations absolutely CAN be positive or negative. For example, "My body was made for this", OR "I am strong enough to do this without drugs". On the surface, they are both positive ideas, right? But, one focuses on what you don't want (in this case, using drugs, which by the way is not negative for everyone who is giving birth). And what you affirm, you attract… so focusing on a negatively framed affirmation isn't going to get you there as easily… but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any good! Just take a moment to reframe the phrase thoughtfully. Be specific and believable. And, write it in the present tense. 

That's it! Now you have an affirmation you can love because it's in alignment with your personal thoughts, feelings, ideas, and needs. 

Prenatal Massage: Psychophysical Benefits

Glowing and growing with a miracle, we find ourselves holding space in our hearts and our bodies for a precious baby. Honored with the task of carrying new life, bursting with potential, pregnancy can also be a time of great challenge for pregnant clients (physically, emotionally, and even spiritually). Of course, we're also familiar with struggles a stereotypical pregnant woman may experience: waddling with her hands supporting her low back, swollen and tired. While many pregnant women seek out massage to help reduce these common discomforts, aches, and pains often associated with pregnancy, prenatal massage can do so much more!

Prenatal Massage has many benefits for both mother and baby, backed by a rich, ancient history and a burgeoning body of research.  Have you ever wondered how massage might affect your emotional landscape during pregnancy? Today we explore the psychophysical benefits of prenatal massage therapy. It's common and expected for pregnant clients to go through an extensive breadth of emotional changes during pregnancy. Some are simply a byproduct of the hormonal changes taking place to support the growth of the baby, while others are related to the myriad of physical, emotional, or even spiritual challenges that the journey of becoming a parent has to offer.

Psychophysical Benefits

The term psychophysical is used to describe how physical stimulus affects environmental states and creates sensations. 

Massage Reduces Stress

If you've ever had a massage before, it's not hard to imagine it can reduce stress levels! Many pregnant clients experience increased stress levels during pregnancy. These stressors can be anything from performance anxieties, concerns about what kind of parent you'll be, how you might manage to be a parent, difficulty performing tasks you are accustomed to, financial concerns relating to health care costs or reduced income with taking maternity leave, to more consequential concerns about abusive partners, a lack of support from friends or family members, fears of losing a job due to pregnancy discrimination and any serious health issues that might arise. You're not alone if you find yourself experiencing increased stress during your pregnancy!

Our bodies respond to stress with adrenaline,  producing a hormone called cortisol. You might be familiar with the reactions this causes: fight, flight, or freeze. In reaction to these stressors, your body begins to prioritize blood flow which can compromise your blood flow to the baby. High stress levels have even been shown to be associated with prematurity and low birth weight. Research has shown that massage reduces cortisol, the hormone used as a marker to determine how much stress a person is experiencing.

Massage Promotes Relaxation 

Relaxation goes a step further than simply reducing stress; it actually resets the autonomic nervous system, creating physiological balance. This is evidenced in more steady blood pressure readings, pulse, and respiratory rates. Relaxation improves blood flow to the organs responsible for carrying and growing your baby. We see improved emotional states and responses to stressful experiences. Relaxation skills are extremely valuable during the childbearing experience. It's recommended that pregnant clients practice relaxation throughout pregnancy, most especially in the last few weeks. Massage even creates a change in your brain state - the same alpha wave states present in meditators! This can be a valuable time to practice and improve your relaxation skills!

Massage Provides Essential Nurturing 

It's fairly obvious that massage provides the physical nurturing of therapeutic touch, but often times pregnant clients notice an increased need or desire for regular, consistent, nonjudgmental emotional support. This kind of support is frequently lacking in our traditional support systems, such as family and friends. The Therapeutic Relationship that develops during prenatal massage therapy sessions can be a powerful source of focused, individualized attention to a pregnant client’s concerns and emotional needs. Further, a skilled prenatal massage therapist can identify a potential need for health services and provide referrals for those experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression or other complications in a timely manner.  

 Now that we've looked at the many ways massage can influence our emotional states, have you ever wondered how massage can directly impact your body? Join us next time as we explore the many physical benefits of prenatal massage!

The Swamp.

It's deep, dark, and scary in the swamp.

Before 35+ weeks, you're on the scenic drive on a sunny day... there's a general sense of excitement - even if you're dealing with discomfort.

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At the end, though, there's a big energy shift. Things change and what was an exhilarating drive with the top down starts to pour and the road you're on turns to gravel...  surrounded by the swamp.

You might feel bogged down with thoughts, ideas, fears of all the can go wrong. You might be externalizing your fears - making it about your birth plan or how you'll handle two kids instead of just one. You might keep pushing ahead at full steam, ignoring the coming hazards.

I know how it goes. You say to yourself, "I shouldn't be thinking about this". Pushing it down deep, wondering why these silly birth affirmations aren't pulling you out of this funk. Or, just pretending the mud from the swamp isn't beginning to make your tires slip. You HAVE to stay positive! Quit worrying about this already!

But, you're wrong. You see, you have to make friends with these dark, scary paths down the road of becoming a mother. If you don't learn how to sit with fear, you'll be left in a lurch without any practice on how to get out.

Despite thinking birth is a beautiful, natural event; despite believing your body can do this; despite getting everything you requested on your birth plan; despite having a healthy, beautiful baby: birth is scary. I honor you enough to be completely honest about that.

It's scary. And, that's ok. It's a true Rite of Passage after all.

Breathe. Make friends with the swamp. Acknowledge the special beauty. And, cry - don't be afraid to sit with the swamp. Then, breathe again with compassion for yourself and for the swamp.

Here's what I do...

What I Do… What on Earth Do I ACTUALLY Do!?

People often make assumptions about what I do and the services I have to offer - but they almost never ask. I’m really not sure why except that they just don’t yet KNOW the value of the services I provide. And, what’s worse? They DON’T KNOW that they DON’T KNOW! My practice at Boulder Birth & Bodywork is such a special blend of approaches that it’s not easy to fit neatly into a category.

Are you a Massage Therapist? Yeah, but….

Are you a Doula? Well, yeah, but…

THERE’S SO MUCH MORE!

It’s been a bit of an uphill battle trying to define what I do for others but I think I’m finally getting there. Getting over the hump of the infamous imposter syndrome. Getting over the fear of getting it wrong… or more precisely, not sounding smart enough, making a dumb mistake, or somehow offending someone.

So, today, here it is… my declaration!

I am:

• Committed to empowering women, birthing people, and families;

• Using the power of touch to bring a sense of awareness of body, mind, and spirit into the lives of my clients;

• Educating women, birthing people and families about their bodies, the process of birth, and their relationship with their children;

• Providing a structure of support that families can use to build their sense of community and support they didn’t even realize they were missing;

• Mentoring people how to be resilient in the face of the ever-changing landscape while on a birth and parenthood journey;

• Empower people to trust their deeply accurate innate guidance systems;

• Providing non-judgmental, loving, and nurturing space for supporting you on YOUR individual journey;

• Assisting in the creation of positive and growth-oriented birth stories;

• Assisting in the creation of a postpartum plan that fits your individual wants, needs, and desires;

• Repatterning repetitive motions, postural imbalances, tensions, chronic stress responses, and emotions stored in the body;

• Giving lessons on the importance of bonding and how to use touch to achieve a secure attachment bond;

• Teaching expert massage therapy techniques and comfort measures;

• And, honestly, so much more

This is what I do. It’s how I share my gifts with the world. I no longer wonder if what I do makes an impact. I KNOW it does. And, I hope I can share my gifts with YOU.

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Breathing - The Most Important Thing You Never Think About

You know, here I am, a little stressed because (and, maybe you don't already know this) writing a blog is intimidating. How can I be personable? I can't even imagine why anyone would want to read my thoughts on anything, even though I know I have a lot of valuable knowledge and wisdom to share. Or, even worse, they do and I'll just disappoint them because I'm not presenting an informative topic in an interesting or engaging way. My mind is spinning. 

Yeah, I know... I'm a mess sometimes. Maybe even a lot of the time. I can hardly catch my breath with all these expectations and all these children. I have four (million) kids these days. But, I happen to know a little secret that sometimes I also forget.

Breathing is absolutely the most important thing you never think about.  

When I think about it in this moment, I can feel it in my throat; this shallow breath that leaves me feeling a bit dissatisfied and wanting more. It doesn't have to be this way though. It's just a message my body is sending me to get my attention; a little red flag. So, I put my musings away and decide to do a quick reset. Hold on, I'll be right back. 

Ahhh, that's better. So, why do I need to think about the way I'm breathing?

Your breath can be a touchstone. It is the simultaneously the most basic and powerful tool we have in bridging your body, mind, and spirit. It works though the vagus nerve. Simply put, your breath is the bridge that connects your body and your thoughts. It effects every cell of your body and, as an extension, your baby's cells. How powerful is that?!

We've all heard someone say, "Calm down, just take a deep breath", right? Like it's always that easy... Hmfph. It can be pretty annoying and unhelpful. That's because it's not just THAT you breathe, it's the WAY you breathe. You see, as humans we have two modes. And, the way you breathe works exactly like a remote control only for your nervous system not for your TV. 

Maybe I didn't spell it out in technical terms for you but the way you breathe has the ability to determine whether you're in a "fight or flight" response OR a "rest and digest", "tend and befriend" response. Now, I don't know about you, but as a woman, mom, partner and friend, I much prefer being in a calm and nurturing state. Now, don't get me wrong, the "fight and flight" response is super important. It can be helpful when you're facing true danger (like saving your kid from on-coming traffic, for example). But, I promise, you're already plenty accomplished in that mode. The culture we live in tends to bring out a constant state of "fight or flight". You definitely don't need any more practice with it. I promise. 

So, how do you know if you're doing it right? That's a good question and you'll get plenty of different answers from almost everyone you ask. Yoga instructors, birth educators, and meditation instructors all can have barring opinions about what they think works and what doesn't. If their method work for you, GREAT! If not, that's okay, too. Don't beat yourself up or get stuck in any particular method, please. But, one way to know you're doing it right is if you are even trying. As I like to say, done is better than perfect. With that said, there are some general guidelines to follow to make sure that, as a pregnant person, you are getting the most out of your breath. 

So, let's give it a try!

Very basically, it's in through the nose and out through the mouth. Going a bit deeper, you can bring awareness to your body, and taking note of the pattern of your current breath, any areas of tension or stress in your body, the position your body is in, and the activity in which you're currently involved. 

Once you've noticed that, exhale fully. As you take air in through your nose, simply imagine your next three breaths (or more if you feel so moved) are filling you abdomen, expanding the sides of your ribs, and going so far down as to reach your sweet baby in your belly.

Try breathing in for a count of four if you can but keep in mind that there are many factors may that effect your ability to breathe deeply including your hydration, iron, and progesterone levels - not to mention the placement and/or size of your baby. Then simply releasing, preferably through the mouth, while trying to double the amount of time you spent inhaling.

As you begin on this path, you will be practicing. You might not notice the benefits right away. That's okay! Just don't stop trying. Mindful breathing can bring you into the present moment, and into the fullness of your body. You will encode memories and emotions with your in-breath and release your stress and tension with your out breath. 

Pregnancy Massage - Frequently Asked Questions

How long have you been a licensed Prenatal Massage therapist?

I've been practicing as a State licensed massage therapist since 2011 and have been certified as a Prenatal Massage Therapist since 2012. I’ve been specializing since that time, but I’ve been passionate about pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting for 20 years. This passion for learning and serving is what guided me into this work. It took time and dedication to learn where my gifts fit and how to reach those who most need my skills. Initially, I build my practice in the deep south, Lake Charles, Louisiana. I loved my work there, but life led me to make a big change, and now I’m here serving Boulder, Colorado!

Passion Driven Service.

My passion has led me to this work for over a decade and was forming more than a decade before that!

What are the benefits of Prenatal Massages?

There are so many amazing benefits to Prenatal Massage. You have the obvious relief from the common discomforts of pregnancy, like low back pain, sciatica, swelling, and achy legs and feet, but you also have an increased awareness of your body and improved breathing patterns, which can help to prepare you for labor! It's also really good for your baby! For example, prenatal massage increases your blood flow, sending more blood and oxygen to your baby. It also stimulates the production of hormones that are really important for pregnancy and bonding, like oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine and many, many others. Many other modalities used to address pain during pregnancy can't say the same.

What are the differences between a regular Massage and a Prenatal Massage?

Good question! The biggest difference you will notice is that a pregnant client will lay on their side with special bolsters and pillows placed to make them very comfortable. Not only do these bolsters make the client very comfortable, they also help to make the hips and shoulders more available to a certified prenatal massage therapist, making the work more effective. You will definitely notice the difference between a general massage therapist and a prenatal massage specalist providing a massage during pregnancy, in the way this positioning feels for your body.

Positioning Matters.

Your discomfort levels and baby’s position in your belly are both improved by the position in which you receive your bodywork.

Why can't I lay on my belly? 

Well, you definitely can and sometimes it’s amazing for certain issues but laying on your belly for general prenatal massage often produces pain after the massage. Many pregnant clients hear about tables with cut outs for the belly so that they can lay on their stomach and want that so badly but there are some pretty big downfalls to that kind of positioning for massage. First, laying on the stomach puts a strain on the low back and might actually make your low back pain worse. Secondly, this position can strain your intrauterine ligaments causing pain in the broad or round ligaments. And, third, being positioned on the stomach can increase intrauterine pressure which puts your baby at risk. That said, a prenatal massage specalist knows when and how to position your body in various ways to produce the most effective treatment for your specific condition.

Can you give massages to women who have high risk pregnancy?

Prenatal Massage is safe for the vast majority of pregnancies. It is safe during all trimesters of pregnancy and can be safe with modifications for most high risk pregnancies. If you have had trouble conceiving or have complications resulting in a high risk pregnancy, your certified Prenatal Massage Specialist will review your history and make modifications on a case-by-case basis.

Nurturing the Nurturer.

You provide so much to so many. It makes sense that you may need a little love to help you on this challenging task of bringing new life into this world.

What are some things you have helped pregnant mothers get relief from?

Oh, goodness, so many things! I've helped with pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel, headaches, fatigue, tension in the neck and shoulders, back pain, sciatica, symphisis pubis dysfunction (SPD), and cramping in the legs and feet. I've also helped to prevent many of these issues in arising in clients who see me regularly through their pregnancies. There's also some evidence that massage can help to reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar, though these are inconclusive and need further study.

How often should women book Prenatal Massage appointments?

Well, that all depends on a client’s goals, but my basic rule of thumb is to book your massage appointments at the same frequency you see your midwife or OB. I like this method for a couple of reasons: First, you're likely already taking off of work for your doctors’ appointments, and with our busy lives, it makes sense to pair the two on the same day. And secondly, this frequency pairs well with addressing the growing discomforts during pregnancy.

The right time to get a massage is NOW!

Schedule your massage to bring reflection and restoration to your life.

What is Natural Labor Stimulation Massage?

Natural Labor Stimulation is a multi-faceted service that gently encourages labor to begin. It includes acupressure stimulation, reflexology, aromatherapy, and guided visualization. I have found it to be very effective in my practice and most frequently results in labor within 12-24 hours after the service. That said, this service is NOT labor induction. You can think of it as an invitation to labor for your body and your baby.

Who can benefit from the Labor Stimulation Massage?

Pregnant women who are over 40 weeks benefit the most from this service, especially if they are "on the clock" with their healthcare provider, so to speak. In my practice, I have found that the longer you can wait for an intervention (yes, even natural labor stimulation is an intervention), the more effective it is.

Meeting You.

I meet you wherever you are most comfortable and can help you to become comfortable wherever you need to be.

Can Labor Stimulation be done in the hospital or birth center?

Yes! I love doing in-hospital stimulations! In my experience, the nurses are amazed that it produces valuable changes in the course of labor.

What are some great ways women can prepare for labor while at home?

I deeply believe that preparing for labor is done with your body, mind, and spirit. Practicing breathing exercises really helps to get to know your breath and helps you to cope with the physical and emotional work of labor and delivery. Prenatal Yoga or other forms of gentle exercise throughout pregnancy helps you learn to use your body effectively. And, obviously, high-quality bodywork like prenatal massage helps you tune into the signals your body sends you and know how to respond to them effectively. Finally, use creative or mindful methods to examine your thoughts, feelings, and images about conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and parenting. I suggest journaling, finding affirmations that support the positive qualities you wish to embody, and a process called birth art exploration.

Reflection and Growth.

Pregnancy is fertile ground for healing and growth. Getting in touch with the cycle and rhythm of creation is a priceless gift.