Sacred Post-Partum Sealing Ceremony

If you've been followin this blog, you'd already know by now that my doula-to-Maya, Irina Otmakhova of Conscious Birth Manila and I have been organizing Sacred Pregnancy Conscious Birth and Sacred Postpartum Workshops and Retreats. I always look forward to these because it is a chance to reconnect and regain the feminine power, to practice healing rituals and feel the vibrational energies of positive like-minded women doing some magic to each other!

My most favorite ritual (so far) is the Rebozo Sealing Ceremony which is done during the Sacred Post-Partum workshop. 

First, the mother is given a heated oil massage by her kindred sisters to help release any tension. See this lucky mom getting a once-in-lifetime experience of 10 hands massage. 

And then, Irina supports and lifts and binds different parts using the Rebozo to help seal the energy and physical body. See the rice sacks outside the mother's arms? This is also heated in the rice cooker so that mother can really feel right and secure with the binds and sacks by her side. It's really a wonderful feeling being there tucked with organs being encouraged to come back into place after carrying your baby for 10 moons and birthing your baby!

After minutes of silence or being struck a few inches above the body with the singing bowl for vibrational healing, we slowly open the binds and give the mother words of encouragement on her path to wholeness ❤️

If you would like to experience this for yourself in a group or private setting, please get in touch with Irina at consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com 

Assisting In A Miracle

photo via Pinterest

Tea for Pregnancy

Did you know that there is a particular herbal tea that is specially meant for pregnancy? I recently found out that Raspberry Leaf tea has many health benefits for pregnant mamas like me! I found one organic brand- Traditional Medicinals from Healthy Options in Eastwood, Quezon City.

The website states that this tea is known for its nurturing properties---

"Supports healthy menstruation, tones the uterus and may be used for menstrual cramps...European and Native American women have used raspberry leaf for thousands of years for menstrual support, menstrual cramps and during pregnancy as a healthy tonic to help prepare the womb for childbirth"

There has also been a study made with the conclusion that consuming raspberry tea leaf products shortens labor and has good birth outcomes. Pregnant? I suggest we all stock up on these now :)

Scrutinizing Stretchmark Products

Stretchmarks. Ugh. Here's a major vanity concern women have when it comes to skincare in pregnancy. They say that it all depends on your genetic make up. Some lucky few have none after birth because DNA from their parents prevented them from having any, but most (unlucky ones) like me are succumbed to the unforgiving battle scars of motherhood from s-t-r-e-t-c-h-ing of skin in the tummy and thigh areas especially during the last trimester. A sight only true love can accept :P

Many years ago, I only knew of Palmer's Cocoa Butter which I would occasionally put on (Thank god, I wasn't more religious on lathering this stuff!). Sadly, this widely used product by many preggies contain parabens---dangerous preservatives which skincare manufacturers use to prevent growth of bacteria in products but refrain from siting its effects to the public. Parabens mimic estrogen in the body and when accumulated can have serious health hazards. A British oncologist linked parabens with breast cancer in a study here. Before gifting a new mom this product, please think twice!

A few months ago, a well-meaning friend gave me her Bio-oil to try because it is known to prevent and cure (?) stretchmarks. It is heavily marketed as a new scar treatment and is quite famous because of its advertisements. If you check the official website, it boasts numerous awards won for being the #1 scar and stretchmark product in 17 countries. Curious, I gave it a try but the slippery and thin consistency reminded me of a local baby oil which is made from mineral oil and true enough, when I researched and read the full ingredients list - I was RIGHTLY disappointed to find out the base IS in fact, mineral oil. 

Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product. It has the ability to block the pores on your skin, therefore block your skin's natural respiration process as well. Once inside the body, mineral oil can steal away natural fat solubles and minerals too. Again, another no-no :( Just like parabens, mineral oil is also accumulative and worst, has been linked to skin cancer! Read Dr. Mercola's comments here.

Funny that the website lists its botanical ingredients and deceivingly hides 'mineral oil' which makes the product seem safe and natural. Read more scrutiny here- Chemistry Blog: Beauty & The Risk. So, this is definitely OFF your list, right?

Now, I've been hearing the benefits of Rose Hip Oil on skin. Top model Miranda Kerr swears by it. She claims to have used it throughout her pregnancy and doesn't have a single stretch mark despite birthing to a 10-pound baby! Then again, she might have been one of those blessed with anti-stretchmark DNA :P

photo by Australian Beauty on a Budget

I purchased a bottle of cold-pressed (a.k.a. naturally processed) Rose Hip Vital for a steal at $10 during a recent trip to the US. I sometimes use it as a facial serum but have been lathering mainly on my belly. I still have battlescars/stretchmarks from my previous pregnancy so I'm not quite sure if this experiment will prevent further stretching but, it feels great to be nourishing myself nightly with a 100% natural product that is rich in essential fatty acids, high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Huffington Post says that Rose Hip Oil, a miracle skin care product is the next coconut oil. Let's see about that!

Acupuncture for Pregnancy

Even before finding out I was pregnant, I already had an inkling because of all the clues: my period was already late, I had swelling of breasts, an increase in my sense of smell and NAUSEA. Oh boy, this is something that I definitely do not miss! I was surely positive in my pregnancy test a few days after and had another bout of morning sickness just like I did with my previous pregnancy over 6 years ago.

A co-parent in the Waldorf school mentioned to me that she went to a convent in Panay Ave., Quezon City for acupuncture sessions under Sister Regina Liu to combat morning sickness during her pregnancy. I've heard of this person from other friends because she is known as the fertility acupuncturist, making it possible for couples to have children despite reproductive issues. Read an article here on how acupuncture and moxibustion supports natural fertility.

I am a Yin Yoga teacher, so I also studied the benefits of applying TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine) techniques and the health benefits; removing any blockages in chi and re-balancing the energies in the body. I've tried acupuncture before with Dr. Kit Navarro from St. Luke's (who also happens to be a Yin Yoga teacher now at Beyond Yoga and Yoga for Life) but I was curious and wanted to meet the famous Sister Regina who seems to be a pro in reproductive health.  I booked myself a session and have been going regularly for the health of me and my baby in utero.

Yep, that's me with 8 needles on my head! Painless!

My experience so far has been good that I even convince my friends to come and join me. Sister Regina or one of the trained acupuncturists assesses me each time I come, asks me questions about diet, sleep, looks at my tongue and then starts to insert the needles and adds moxibustion (which the nurse assistant lights up) before leaving the room. The session lasts about 30 minutes at a time. I ALWAYS feel the effects right when the nurse comes back in to remove the needles. It's almost as if I am ready to doze off to sleep and then it ends, hehehe!

Benefits of Acupuncture in the different trimesters of Pregnancy

First trimester - less frequent and shorter periods of nausea, relieves fatigue, migraines and bleeding

Second trimester - alleviate heartburn, hemorrhoids, stress, treat edema, elevated blood sugar, etc.

Third trimester - relief from sciatica, backache, pubic and joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome
"By 32 to 34 weeks, the acupuncturist should begin to encourage a head-down position,".... "In the last four to six weeks, the mother will receive treatments to normalize and optimize labor."

http://doctorberlin.com/pregnancy/prenatal-services/prenatal-acupuncture.html. 

To book an acupuncture session, you may call 02-3735503. If you do, let me know how it goes for you!