Sarah's leadership and knowledge was what I needed to let go of some of the challenging aspects of Ruby's labour and delivery in order to prepare fresh for my little one's journey to earthside. Us mamas were invited to create a birth bundle - a collection of physical objects from home to represent me as mama, my partner, my daughter and my coming baby. I dug into my spiritual pracitices box and found a snake skin, gathered up one hot summer day in the Okanagan desert, and tucked it into the bundle to represent the coming baby ... shedding what I need to of my previous birthing experience, being reborn into life as mama-of-two, acknowledging my itchy scratchy bursting skin, constantly moving with this wiggly inhabitant almost ready to emerge.
The baby is due in a month. Ruby is full of anticipation and curiosity, sharing her knowledge of things like squirrel births, placentas, vulvas and crying babies (Our baby will cry, right Mama? I will hug her.). As a gift to Ruby, soon to be reborn into life as big-sister, Nathaniel and I are making her her own birth story picture book - a wonderful suggestion from Sarah. We sat down at the computer and went through hundreds of photos from my pregnancy, labour, birth and early months of Ruby's newness. I can't believe how young we were then, in so many ways, and how much we have grown and learned, and come to understand and trust ... knowing so well that there is still much more to come. And not so much time to get the picture book finished! I'd love to hear what things you did to help your first prepare for the arrival of new baby.
Mama and Ruby, October 2006
2 comments:
This brought tears to my eyes, for many reasons but none easily articulated. You've always been a strong Mama - always, since the first day I re-met you as a Mama - and I KNOW that you will move into this new chapter with the grace + creativity that is deeply a part of you.
This birth WILL be different. Not "better," or "worse," but different + perfect + probably easier!
I experienced a lot of anxiety about facing birth again after my experience with Maeve. And now I know that it happens the way it will happen and I needn't have spent energy worrying. Who would've thought that my body knew how to birth so efficiently (3 hour labour) after 33 hours with M, ending in the O.R.? But it did! And your body also now knows how to birth....it remembers.
Don't want to sound like a "know-it-all," but I do feel so confident about this since A's birth. Our 2nd baby bodies know how to get the job done!
Our hearts are with you guys, on the brink of change + sweetness + increased busyness.
Much love!
*Regan*
My first birth was beautiful and exactly what I wanted. My second was so different and I knew it would be going into it. It was much more medical (despite still being a vaginal, drug free delivery). I needed to prepare for the possibility of a c-section and interventions and all that stuff. I looked back and drew strength from my first birth experience and reminded myself of how strong I was.
You are such a beautiful mama and I know that you will find that strength again. I hope that you have a wonderful birth experience and a seamless introduction into a family of four. xox
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