A Blessingway

At the very beginning of this pregnancy I knew that I wanted to do things differently. From concealing the pregnancy  for as long as I could, to not revealing the gender, to a requested blessingway and of course, the birth itself.

A blessingway is an alternative celebration to a baby shower. Some websites state that the origin is that of a Navajo ritual. When I read about it, I thought it was a beautiful ceremony that I wanted to experience. Compared to a baby shower where the focus is solely on the baby, a blessingway gives focus on the mother and the coming birth. Since I wanted all the support for my upcoming vbac (vaginal birth after a c-section) home waterbirth, I wanted a group of strong women to hold space for my and my baby.

Sharing with you all some photos of that afternoon in Beyond Yoga BHS...

I came on time but they were still busy setting up the place-

Noelle aka Martha Stewart of Manila

Here's Pam and my doula Irina also helping out with the flowers

such a sweet looking set up :)

Green Smoothie Fest from Rawlicious! 

Noelle made these vegan nutella cupcakes, to die for!

Coconut Balls, homemade by Noelle too!

Here I am with Angela. Our babies are only a month apart! 

"M" made entirely of blooms and leaves from Dangwa

Vegan cupcakes from Pipino were to pretty to eat!

Denise helps put the white string on guests - the white string will remind my friends to think of me especially during the time of birth 

Loved these flowers! So refreshing to look at <3

Denise reading out something they prepared for one of the activities :)

a close up shot of my 'blessing tree' each handwritten by my special friends!

M stands for...? :)

That's me getting massaged while being serenaded by live kirtan (chanting) by loving friends <3

Look at how beautiful my tree of blessings and good intentions turned out! I still have this wreath at home, too!

Thanks again to Denise, Noelle and Pam for organizing this special day. I truly felt the love and effort poured onto this event. And to all that came as well to share this sacred journey with me- Chicho, Irina with her daughter Delphina, Joyce and her daughter Radha, Angela and baby A in utero, Devaki, Marnie, Chessy, and Jeri. I just realized we were ALL WOMEN in that room! How very powerful it is to combine our energies together. Much gratitude to each of you. Love, love, love!

How A Single Kiss Can Make A Difference in Childbirth

Hello, I'm back from blog absence due to moving homes! I've finally settled in my new (but old) home where I am preparing to nest and birth my second child, a vbac waterbirth!

So, recently I have been surfing the net for some inspirational videos and this interview of Ina May Gaskin came up. Interesting how she narrates of her experiences in birth. One highlight is that of a couple who just had to kiss to help relax and OPEN the mother for the natural birth. Watch it.



I also love how she states the body is 70% water and that we need to learn how to "relax our muscles like jello." This is the exact cue words I have in my yin yoga classes ;)

How about you? What was your experience like in your own birth with relaxing 'down there' to open? I'd love to hear your tips!