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.

Book: Cut, Stapled & Mended

I thank my Doula, Irina for lending me this book which I finished reading in just 2 days! As I have experienced a cesarean with the birth of my son 6 years ago, I feel exactly as author Roanna Rosewood put it - I am reclaiming my body and choosing to birth at my own terms this time around.

With every page that I devoured, I resonated with Roanna's journey into motherhood, pregnancy and birth. I laughed and cried (lots!) because of the truthfulness of her emotions and vulnerabilities.

I highly recommend this book to anyone embarking on a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean) because it narrates the struggles Roanna went through with both of her sons being born via c-sections- despite all her preparations for a natural birth. Finally, on her third child, (she found out she was pregnant again only a year after her second birth) she was successful with the birth that she has always wanted for her and her family.

This book is available at Amazon.

The Business of Being Born

Here is the documentary that shifted my perspective on the modern birthing process. We live in an age where birthing in hospitals is considered the norm and any alternative plan would be deemed unsafe by most of society. I am speaking from a Filipina's experience living in Manila. When I voice out that I am considering a homebirth, majority of my family and friends think that I have lost my mind. While I value the expertise of doctors for emergency situations, treating the very sick- It is not necessary for normal, healthy women to birth in hospitals.

Watch and let me know what you think!