Birthing Artist: Catie Atkinson

There is no doubt that I am a visual creature. One of my tips to a sucessful birth is to visualize it happening. I've read that this is one of the "Law of Attraction" tools used by winning Olympic athletes. 

"The ability to see things before they actually happen is what enables us to pursue our dreams and ultimately achieve them. In fact, the better we visualize the future we want, the better our chances to make it happen."

-How To Develop Your Visualization Skills, read more here

Thanks to Catie Atkinson, a bohemian artist I found on the web who's works I deeply resonate with, I was able to gaze positive and inspiring images throughout my pregnancy in preparation for Maya's birth. I connected with her recently and I'd like to share with you my Q&A with her :) 

Monica: Your images have hugely inspired my pregnancy and birth. Thank you for that! I was successful in my VBAC home waterbirth that was unassisted (by accident) because I would stare at your beautiful works on Instagram! 

Catie: Aw- I'm so flattered! You don't know how much it means to me to hear that my art helped guide you on your birthing journey. 

Monica: How many children do you have? I ask because you seem to have so much experience for all your pregnancy and birthing artworks! 

Catie: I have two boys- both of them were born at home with the assistance of a wonderful midwife. I'm neither a doula nor a midwife, but my dream is to become both, once my children are older. For now, I just satisfy my passion for birth through art. 

Monica: What is the process of your work? How do you come up with such beautiful images? They're just so raw, so real, as if you capture something that actually was happening to you or someone else at that moment.

Catie:  Many times, images just come to me. I'll "see" a mama in my mind and she won't disappear until I get her down on paper. I have stacks of sketches that I haven't found the time to complete! I also find inspiration in photos of pregnancy and birth (there are some wonderful IG feeds full of raw, beautiful images of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and motherhood.)

Monica: As I skim through your IG I see that you call your home "earthship" and use many recycled materials? Where do you live and how do you live "sustainably" I don't presume you are off the grid because you have Internet access? (Curious because I used to live on a farm myself out in the province/paradise)

Catie: We live part of the year in New Mexico (in a traditional adobe house, but with all the modern conveniences) and part of the year in Peru, where we'll be building our house this year. Our house will be completely off grid, with a grey water system, solar panels for electricity, and built from sustainable local resources. We're so excited to finally begin this adventure that we've dreamed about for years!


                                   

Monica: So just tell me more about yourself and why do you do the things you do aside from inspire other moms? I love your work so much!

Catie: For as long as I can remember, I've been captivated by pregnancy and birth. I find the pregnant body amazingly beautiful and have always been in awe of the power of the female body. After my older son was born, I became passionate about birth and reclaiming our power as women and mothers . There's incredible fear surrounding birth in our society-- it's become a medical event rather than a sacred rite of passage. My hope is that by capturing the powerful, beautiful energy of pregnancy and birth, I can inspire other women to embrace the journey and remind them that our bodies are capable of incredible things. My wish for every woman is to feel strong, supported, and safe as she becomes a mother-- and I hope my art can help achieve that dream!


                                     

Catie Atkinson
Etsy Shop SpiritYSol
Instagram @spiritysol 

New Moon Seeds = Full Moon Harvest

A few weeks ago, during the week of the new moon. I met with my doula, Irina and Palawan goddess Daniw in a "soulful gatherings place" a.k.a. the home of Irina. 

In one corner of her home is a photo memory of her homebirth to Delphina more than a year ago. After birthing, she realized the importance of pre-natal and post-natal care aimed for a more wholistic pregnancy. This is one of the reasons why she studied to become a doula herself. Because the birth was so powerful, it served as a catalyst of change. Today, she left her other job and is solely a doula serving the needs of many expectant mothers in Manila.

Just like myself, she enjoys making natural herbal balms and other "witch-like" concoctions. Irina's apothecary is oh-so-dreamy! Many of her ingredients which (aren't available here), she hand carried herself from Europe. These handmade creations of hers are used during pregnancy, rituals and after birthing to promote healing and general well-being.

They say that Russians are very much like the Filipinos because of their hospitality. We were served healthy merienda for the nursing mamas: vegan muffins and cupcakes from Pipino, homemade dark chocolate and freshly squeezed carrot juice. Oohlala!

The common denominator? All three of us had homebirths! Irina initially planned a waterbirth for herself but ended up birthing outside the pool. Daniw birthed two of her children unassisted in her home in Palawan. I was able to have a vbac (vaginal birth after c-section) at home in the water, also unassisted! All of us feel strongly about protecting the rights of women and babies so often neglected during the hours of birthing.

We had an agenda that new moon day. To create a series of events for mothers who are searching for a tribe of women who will fully support the decision for a different, wholistic and gentle birthing experience. There is so much knowledge, so much wisdom we want to share with others!

In this week's full moon, we came out with The Sacred Pregnancy and Conscious Birth Retreats which we announced on the Gentle Birth group in Facebook. 

A one-day retreat in Antipolo on December 20 and January 10 --

Three days retreat in Palawan for the Blissfull Mama on Feb 27 to March 1 --

If you are interested to sign up, please email consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com Limited slots so please register early!

Sacred Pregnancy and Conscious Birth Retreats

I can't contain my excitement for these series of retreats my doula and I have been working on!

Tantantanannnnn....

Are you searching for a wholistic birth experience? I was traumatized by the birth of my son 7 years ago. I knew I wanted a different experience, a more loving one. I was certain that my body was capable of so much more. I researched and did all that I could to have the 'birth of my dreams' and DID IT! And I want this too, for you.

Together with my doula, Irina of Conscious Birth Manila, we urge you to join the SACRED PREGNANCY & CONSCIOUS BIRTH RETREATS! Remember that the birth of your child starts with a seed in your consciousness, an intention. From there we manifest our realities. Let's explore what we can do on a physical, mental and emotional level as preparation for a wonderful blessing yet to come! Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful Mothers <3

Join our one-day retreat in Antipolo:

Or choose a full getaway in Palawan:

About the Teachers:

The Sacred Pregnancy & Conscious Birth Retreats is aimed not just for expectant mothers but also for those who wish to have a child in the future. Pregnancy starts from the seed, the intention to become parents! If you know someone who needs this wholistic retreat, please invite her to these events. It just might be life-changing!

For inquiries, you may email consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com or SMS 0917-8386261

Registration link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KJOcbpZUU6s2Yv-XbR1EWhZSeY5L_VLmWDly0H0w69s/viewform?usp=send_form

How To Feed Your Fertility and Conceive In A Toxic World

Artwork by Spirit & Sol

A FREE broadcast on Google Hang out with Jessica Beck on Tue, Dec 9, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Your role is to house a human. It's that simple, yet the human design is complicated and today is interfacing with increasing insults to your health causing disruptive conception cycles. This is leading many families to resort to invasive and painful medical procedures and unneeded emotional stress.

If it's possible to conceive naturally and effortlessly, would you want to know how?

Within your reach are the resources required to ensure a happy, healthy home for your baby.

As a Midwife apprentice, and Health Coach, I want you to claim your fertility and conception from a spiritual to biological function.

In this webinar, I will share my research, experience and passion on;

* Foods to enhance fertility
* Foods that are disrupting hormones
* Lunar cycles of conception
* Pre-conception rituals of thousands of women before you
* Environmental factors affecting fertility
* A review of 'safe technology' along with resources to reduce exposure
* How to incorporate essential oils for fertility

I believe the women before us hold a wisdom that has been forgotten in the past few hundred years. It is up to us, and the next generation to share in our findings of natural fertility; for it really is a miracle, and at no other time on this planet, we need a miracle.

Join the hang out! See you online

https://plus.google.com/u/0/app/basic/events/c652i563ppeevl1behbc4qaaej0

Pregnancy and Birth Inspiration: Documenting It All

I came across this oh-so-beautiful video through the Gentle Birth Facebook group. If you haven't joined the online community yet, you should because we share a wealth of information on gentle birth and beyond among doulas, midwives, doctors and other mothers (& fathers!).

Please take time to watch this very inspiring video. It brought me to tears. There are many similar scenes with my own birth from birthing with waters intact to the lotus birthing. The look and feel of this creation is just brilliant! Who wouldn't want this birth experience?

I considered hiring a professional photographer for my home/waterbirth but changed my mind last minute because I realized I wanted utmost privacy and needed to limit my birth team. A part of me wished I had it documented but... it is what it is. My birth was dreamy and successful. In the end, that's what truly matters.

Would you document your whole pregnancy and birth in a video? I don't know of any professional videographers for pregnancy and birth but I do know a photographer who is passionate about her craft. Regina Hanh-Siy of My Story Photography was the person I was supposed to get to join my birth team. Perhaps she can join yours? :)

Sacred Pregnancy & Conscious Birth Mini Seminar

My doula, Irina Otmakhova of Conscious Birth Manila will be speaking about Sacred Pregnancy & Conscious Birth on December 11, 6-9pm at Third Eye Wellness BGC. 

If you are expecting a baby or want to get pregnant, please attend this seminar. This is an introduction to our series of retreats which we will reveal very soon :)