To The South: Sacred Pregnancy + Conscious Birth

Since the birth of Maya, more and more people are waking up and choosing nature's way of birthing. One of them is my friend, Cat Juan Ledesma who has had a previous natural vaginal birth in Australia but has chosen to hire a doula and to birth in the water 2nd time around. Read her birth story here.

Cat graciously invited us to conduct the Sacred Pregnancy Conscious Birth workshop in her home in Alabang for the southerners wanting the knowledge and techniques, Irina and I share with a passion. See photos from that day :)

Just before Kelly Misa and husband Carlos birthed their son, they were practising labor techniques using the stability ball!

An inversion taught during the Gentle Birth essentials module which is so good for optimal fetal positioning!

Irina explains more about the concept of WHY your baby's positioning is CRUCIAL to a fast and more comfortable birth.

One of our attendees, Andrea, has had a previous homebirth with our midwife, Deborah Gustafson!

A couple from Bacolod flew all the way to Manila to learn about their birthing journey together <3

Our host, Cat, spoke about on having a sacred space for herself during pregnancy and beyond.

We practiced some hypnobirthing techniques on ourselves and partners to get us into an ideal birthing state.

Photo by Cat Juan Ledesma

All smiles after finishing another workshop with these gentle parents-to-be!

Photo by Cat Juan Ledesma

Thank you to Cat and all the sponsors that have given loot to our participants!

Photo by Cat Juan Ledesma

To join the next series of workshops, email consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com or visit www.consciousbirthmanila.com/events

Bumps, Births, Babies

Red Tent Mums hosts a FREE holistic health conference online!

Who are they? They are a team of two women from Australia, (a yoga teacher and a doula!) who are passionately advocating natural pregnancy, mindful births and postpartums. I totally love the combination, it just reminds me of my relationship with my doula and partner in SPCB (Sacred Pregnancy and Conscious Births) retreats and workshops, Irina.

I'm a little bummed that I totally missed out on Day 1 with some really juicy talks by my favorite speakers on gentle birthing like Sarah Buckley and Debra Pascali-Bonaro. Once the talks are out live, they will only be availabe for 24 hours. You also have the option to purchase all the talks and ge to listen to whenever is most convenient for you :)

Sign up here now!

Pregnant Pause by Mommy Mundo

A few days ago, I was invited to speak at Pregnant Pause by Mommy Mundo. I talked to expecting parents (many of them first timers!) about the benefits of yoga for pregnancy, labor and birth.

Here I am starting with alignment and basic pranayama

I also shared my VBAC (vaginal birth after a ceasarian) home water birth and lotus birthing story to the group and many seemed interested in wanting a gentler path for their babies, too.

Thank you, Janice for asking me to share my knowledge and experience on birthing! I hope that I had planted seeds of consciousness for these parents to know that there are far more gentle options than what is considered "normal" these days.

To know more on this sacred pregnancy and conscious birthing journey, we have an upcoming workshop this April for expecting parents and even those who will consider parenting in the near (or far) future! Participants may email consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com 

The 1st Sacred Pregnancy + Conscious Birth Retreat

We've done it! My doula, Irina Otmakhova and I together with our midwife Deborah Gustafson of Shiphrah Birthing Home had the very first Sacred Pregnancy and Conscious retreat in The Little Farm House in Antipolo.

Four expecting couples came to join our first gathering or revolution for the Gentle Birth movement. We had 2 mothers who have had previous c-section deliveries and 2 first-time mothers. All of them are planning a natural birth, doing as much as they can to have the birth of their dreams. Attending this retreat is one of the ways they can gain more knowledge on the birthing business in the most natural sense possible.  

The couples together with the #SacredPregnancyConsciousBirthRetreat teachers and babies

Sharing with you more photos from the event

We set up this Magical Sacred Space! 

We unite and form a mandala in our venue filled with art pieces <3

We've asked the participants to bring a birthing ball for exercises they can practice everyday until the day of birth. Below, you see it being used as support for a mother in labor and her partner can put pressure / massage that will help relieve the waves when the time comes. In my own labor, I found it as one of the most useful tools in natural birth.

Pre-natal yoga is another essential for mother and baby's health all throughout pregnancy and beyond! I taught moms and dads yoga postures that they can use during labor to help baby get in optimum position. Here we are in Goddess Pose also known as the Victory Squat to help strengthen the leg muscles, activates the core muscles and integrates the upper and lower body's energetic pathways.

Irina taught Rebozo techniques to the couples. It is a traditional Mexican practice used to help and serve the woman's body during all phases of pregnancy. It was great to see the husbands and partners support the mothers and babies! If you've ever tried doing rebozo during your pregnancy, it feels divince to be supported of your baby's weight! This is definitely a must-learn that is so very useful especially during the last trimester of pregnancy.

We chose a venue that had greenery and fresh air because we wanted to increase prana of life forces in the body during this one-day retreat. In the hills of Antipolo away from the pollution of Manila, our couples had the luxury of pure, clean oxygen which is so very good for their babies!

Al fresco dining at the Bahay Kubo of HedCen for lunch and snacks

Irina demonstrates the forward leaning inversion to practice everyday for pregnant moms. Why?

"We want room for baby to settle head-down in the uterus and not only head down but crown of the head down (flexed) and on the left. The goal of repeating the forward-leaning inversion every day is to release the utero-sacral ligament and give baby the extra room. " -Spinning Babies

We briefly discussed the benefits of the Bengkung Belly binding, a Malaysian postpartum tradition. Made of pure cotton it offers 360 degree support to the mother prompting a faster postpartum recovery: uterus returning to size, minimises postpartum bleeding and swelling, encourages internal organs to migrate to their original place among other benefits. So honored to be part of the movement resurrecting the ancient traditions of caring for the new mothers.

Bengkung Belly Binded me!

*Since we received many inquiries about this practice. We have decided to create a separate event entirely for postpartum moms- whether you gave birth a few weeks ago or many years ago, we will be sharing many tools, rituals and information to help you physically close the body and on an emotional state bring closure to the birth (whether it was a positive or traumatic experience). 

Please save the date, Post Partum Honouring will be on March 7, Saturday. More details to follow on this blog!

We burned our FEARS that was getting in the way of our DREAMS!

Here are some of the treats and goodies each couple got to enjoy and bring home from our sacred sponsors :)

Healthy vegan cupcakes from Delicielo. I love the malunggay infused one!

Rawlicious green smoothies

Trio soap sample pack from BodyFoodAllNatural

Mosquito Repellent bottles from BodyFoodAllNatural

BodyFoodAllNatural Chamomile + Lavender Manzanilla

INDIGOBaby bath & body product giveaways

 Each couple also gets HALO Baby sleeping wear and Zalor Massage electronic GCs!

 For those wanting to join our next Sacred Pregnancy and Conscious Birth Retreat, we have our next one in Bahay Kalipay, Palawan, a Blissful Mama's Retreat! This is so very special because we are collaborating with our co-goddess, Daniw who is a Raw Food Chef and Healer that will incorporate Nutrition and Detox into our program.

For more details on Gentle Birth, Irina's doula services, prenatal and postnatal yoga, events and retreats, you may also check www.consciousbirthmanila.com.

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 :)

Premiere Screening of MICROBIRTH in Manila

Yesterday was the premiere screening of MICROBIRTH by the Gentle Birth Philippines group at Beyond Yoga, Greenhills.

"MicroBirth is a new feature-length documentary looking at birth in a whole new way; through the lens of a microscope. The film investigates the latest scientific research that is starting to link the way babies are born with health in later life, particularly the increased risk of children developing certain immune-related conditions, including asthma, type 1 diabetes, celiac (coeliac) disease, obesity, cardio-vascular diseases, mental health disorders and even some cancers."  - www.microbirth.com

My darling doula, Irina Otmakhova, purchased the film so that she can help spread the knowledge in our country. We hope to make a difference in the alarmingly high c-section rates in the Philippines. At present it is about 30% (I suspect more because when I hear my friends give birth in the hospital, most of them end up with a CS) when the accepted numbers are only 5-15%. 

Why does it matter? 

Because the seeding of the important microbiome happens during childbirth, specifically during the passage of the baby from the mother's vaginal canal. Read on...

The purpose of the documentary is to raise public awareness of the importance of “seeding the baby’s microbiome” at birth with the mother’s own bacteria – this bacteria helps train the immune system to recognise what is “friend” and what is “foe”. We believe “seeding of the baby’s microbiome” should be on every birth plan – for even if vaginal birth isn’t possible, immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding can still help to provide bacteria crucial to the development of the baby’s immune system. In the scientists’ view, if we can get the seeding of the baby’s microbiome right at birth, this could make a massive difference to the baby’s health for the rest of its life."                - www.oneworldbirth.net

It is interesting to note that c-sections occur much more with families who can afford it. 

Three yogi mommies unite in promoting homebirths in Manila! Monica Luna is to my right with her daughter, Willow. Mon was my batchmate in yoga teacher training back in 2009. Last year, when I was studying everything-I-could-get-my-hands-on--homebirths, she was one of my valuable resource persons because she was successful with hers just a few months before mine! She also recommended her midwife, Deborah Gustafson to me. To my left is Aisa Winternitz, who is currently on maternity leave from Yoga+ because she just gave birth to her son Kainoa at home in the water, just as she envisioned it. Bravo, little yogini! :)

Last group shot before we called it a night. Thank you for supporting this event, gentle birth warriors! May we continue to spread seeds of consciousness to make a real impact in the births of the Filipina. Every woman counts, every child counts, every birth counts! As Ibu Robin Lim says, "Let's save the world, one birth at a time".

Missed this film screening? Join on our Facebook page to get updates on our next gathering. We plan to show the documentary again in a bigger venue to include the medical community because we need to get the doctors and nurses involved if we care about the health of humanity!

We are open to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

Gentle Birth Forum with Ibu Robin Lim

When I was 3 months pregnant with Maya, divine intervention happened. I was in Baguio for a family vacation the same time Ibu Robin Lim spoke about midwifery, homebirth and lotus birth. Back then, I didn't even know who she was. Alas, the universe must have heard my prayers and the angels paved the way for me to meet such a gentle soul. That night sealed my decision to have a homebirth AND a lotus birth, too! These get togethers (talks, seminars, forums) with like-minded souls really give me the strength to stay in the 'road less traveled'!

Today was a special day for all the birth-keepers in Manila because 2011 CNN Hero of the Year awardee Ibu Robin Lim finally got to meet the group behind Gentle Birth in the Philippines as we tackled 'Gentle Birth' in a public forum.

A guest speaker before Ibu, Dr. Faye Cagayan, an OB-GYN at Philippine General Hospital taught a few SAYUNTIS (Sayaw Buntis) exercises and presented this slide. YES, YES, YES! My wish is for all doctors and nurses to respect a laboring mothers mobility to increase her chances for a natural childbirth!

Were you free to move as you wished when you gave birth?

Ibu centering before her talk with healer Olivier, husband of my friend Jhoanna. They did a peaceful waterbirth in Bali, Indonesia with their son, Tala :)

Ibu Robin sure knows how to make a grand entrance! If you've seen her videos on Youtube, you'll know that this is her usual re-enactment of what a natural birth and lotus birth is. Humor breaks the ice :)

Ibu Robin refers to the placenta, cord and baby trio as the Holy Trinity. This is the root, stem & fruit. Lotus Birth is leaving the cord intact until the placenta is born but waiting until the cord to fall off naturally on it's own is considered a full lotus birth. (Read about my full lotus birth here.)

After presenting powerful images of her humanitarian work in Bumi Wadah Foundation (Ibu Robin immediately sought action after typhoon Haiyan struck Leyte), she made us hold hands to unite energies for gentle births by starting with ourselves.

Photo by Velvet Roxas

Here I am with my birth mentor, Ibu Robin and my back up doctor Dr. Menefrida Reyes who was very supportive of my VBAC (she even spoke about it today!). My midwife, Deborah Gustafson should be in this photo but she couldn't make it. 

My awesome doula, Irina Otmakhova!!! If you want love and support before, during and after your birth, you MUST get in touch her! Here is her website for her services - www.consciousbirthmanila.com

I am so glad to be able to refer Irina (& Deborah!) to my little yogini friend, Aisa who is expecting baby W in a few weeks time! Blessings to your family, W's!!!

And here is another mother making a conscious birth-plan by reading up and attending today's event. Thank you for coming, Timi! 

Cheers to the organizing team for the Gentle Birth Forum, Bravo to all of you, ladies! Awesome work! Thank you, Pat for the photo.

Closing with a message from fellow birth-keeper, Cheryl Chan-Wong:

Hello fellow Gentle Birth Protectors,

For those you missed out Gentle Birth Philippine’s Open Forum with Ibu Robin Lim, you have another chance to see her and this time is by tune in to UNTV's Rise N Shine tomorrow morning, around 830am. Ibu Robin Lim will be on air to discuss the Gentle Birth and everything you need to know about “taking back” one’s birthing rights.

Thank you for all your support, and prayers for a successful guesting!

Local : Ch. UNTV 37
Home : Ch.33
Sky: Ch.58
Destiny and Dream : Ch.9
Signal : Ch.92
Cablelink : Ch. 99
*Thank you*

‪#‎gentlebirthforumph2014‬