I chanted Om Mani Padme Hum all through my pregnancy with Solstice...I could feel his energy respond and vibrate with mine as he felt the strength of this mantra swimming through my being, dancing with my stillness and entwining with his magic. Om Mani Padme Hum, resonated all night as I rode the contractions in our candle and crystal lit bedroom as we prepared for Sol's arrival...this would make Sol feel comfortable....a familiar sound to arrive to, as he would no longer be so close to sound of the bubbles and gurgles of mummy's very, very noisy insides - his homely sounds. Sol is soon 4 months and today  we chanted Shiva Shambo ... well I chanted, and he lay, peaceful, mesmorised in harmony, feeling the spirit in this beautiful mantra. It took me a long time to understand the power of chanting, but Sol was born knowing these mantra's. Babies are born with this wisdom, this Soul knowing. We were all born knowing the secrets of the ancient ways...then we forget and spend the rest of our lives trying to remember. It's within all of us and babies are the closest ones to it. Divine!

Yesterday, we were at the Tibetan Festival, a celebration for the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday. It was lovely to be surrounded by such harmony and a deep treasured culture. We had previously spent time in the Himalayas with the Tibetans and wanted to show our respect by going to the festival. Mummy, Daddy and baby boy Solstice wrote a birthday message to the Dalai Lama...Sol drew a little picture...well, he held the pen, daddy held his hand and mummy etched the paper under the nib of the pen...viola! A picture for the Tibetan Leader! We hung this message on the windhorse...soon to be delivered!
I sat with Sol on my lap, Jon off getting us both vegetarian momo's and salad. A Tibetan Monk walked towards us...he stopped in his tracks and looked at Sol on my lap. The monk just stood and smiled at Sol, waveing and smiling at Sol as though nothing else in the world mattered. So in the moment.
I can only think he saw the Buddha in my son.

 

My Birth Plan
Baby due: 23rd March 2010 - My baby arrived 27th March
Home Water Birth

Hi Midwife, Welcome!
This is our first child and a very sacred experience for us. I want to direct as much as I can and know that I cannot control my childbirth experience. I believe this to be an initiation and understand that this is good pain. A woman becomes an elemental force when labouring and this force is communication between mother and baby, to help guide one another. I embrace going with the flow, and trust this will take the course it needs to, whichever way that may be. I will be flexible and open to what needs to happen and know only too well tha nature is out of our control. Once this birth plan is respected, I will feel much better if need to deviate fom general guidelines. Let me know right away if you thin we need to change plans and please explain thoroughly to Jon and I why the change is necessary. Where safe and possible for my baby and me, I would like to exhause all natural options first. I realise that emergencies can happen, and that in the case of an emergency, the health care team will take the best steps for our new baby and me. I trust my body and the support I have and want to enjoy this is much as possible. I hope you enjoy it too! And of course, make yourself at home and help yourself to food and drinks.

Labour and Delivery
Support: My Fiance Jon, (dad) will be my birthing parther and with me through labour and delievery. My Mum, Sharon will also be present through labour and delivery and is another big support to me. My dad, Mick and 2 sisters, Lauren and Sinead may be in the living room waiting - these are the only feel people I fee comfortable having here during this time.

Pain relief: Ideally, I would like a natural birth without any medication or interference. Having a home birth encourages this, which is good. I will be using music, movement, chanting, breathing, visualisation, massage, flower remedies and varoious other positive mind and body techniques to cope with pain and discomfort. And of course the Birthing Pool. I want to try and reserve as much energy for the labour. Please do not offer my Gas and Air or any other pain relief.

Ambiance: Soft lighting with a crystal in the birthing pools..Heated aromatherapy oils and incense will be used for aroma.

Positions: I am very open to suggestsions for positions the midwives may have for labour. Instinctively, I feel that crouching or being on my knees would suit me but really have no idea and willing to try anything.

I won't be embarrassed so I hope you won't if I am in the water naked. I will labour naked. I know you've seen it all before.

Food and drink: I'm thinking I will need my strength so hope to eat lightly and drink when needed. Chamomile and Raspberry leaf is what I may want and if cold, grape juice is wonderful with loads of ice. Lots of ice in the freezer.

Photography: Yes - please take photos. Mum will make sure I look semi-decent.

Delivery / New Baby

Delivery:  I would like to birth in watere. I would like Jon to catch our baby as he ( I am sure it's a He) comes into the world - for his hands to be the first to support our baby. I would like skin to skin contact with our baby straight away. I would like if any checks on baby were dne while baby was lieing on me and for the cord to be left on for at least 10 minutes. Jon will cut our baby's cord.

Birthing Placenta: I would like to wait to brith this naturally.

Breastfeeding:  I will be breastfeeding exclusively and happy to welcome guidance and advice. I am aiming to have my baby lie on me skin to skin and watch to see if he makes his way to my breast. I know this is instinctive to babies.

Thank you!
Natasha