During the pregnancy of my second baby, nourishing and fortifying my deeper, internal self, and thus, my baby, paralleled in importance to physical self-care (mostly in the form of running, walking and yoga). Creating a connection through songs, prayers and meditations were the platforms for my spiritual pregnancy practice.
They helped me manage the deep, soul-stirring aspects of pregnancy, acted as a stronghold while navigating through the toughest of moments, uplifted, summoned hope, instilled faith and trust and diminished fear as I approached the impeding, difficult, exhilarating, enduring experience of labor.
Because I was having a home birth, I had a wonderful time strategically placing framed prayers or hanging beads throughout the house to remind me of the support I have from above and the love of other mothers and friends. I knew that I could potentially be in multiple rooms and locations (my bedroom, Avie and the new baby's room, the living room where the birthing tub would be set up), so I left no corner out of the labor decor mission!
Here I give you my Songs, Prayers and Meditations for Pregnancy.
1. New Moon Baby Blessing Beads - instead of a "sprinkle" or a traditional baby shower, I gathered a group of my best gal pals on the February New Moon and had a bead blessing! Each woman brought a bead, or many, many beads, and we sat in a circle as they gave me and the baby their blessings and prayers. With the beads, my dear creative friend, Diane, and I crafted the pictured necklaces and chains. I hung them on the mantle during the final month of pregnancy, sat and faced them in meditation and took peace in knowing that the love of the best women in my life were there with me, every step (or contraction!) along the way. Thank you, my ladies!
2. "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25
I framed this proverb on my bedroom wall where I saw it many times during the day - when I dressed, woke up and went to bed, and even as I lie in bed. The part about laughing without fear of the future eased anxieties about birth. Fear can overcome us, paralyze us, even, but with the word of God to shower forth love, fear did not stand a chance!
I framed this proverb on my bedroom wall where I saw it many times during the day - when I dressed, woke up and went to bed, and even as I lie in bed. The part about laughing without fear of the future eased anxieties about birth. Fear can overcome us, paralyze us, even, but with the word of God to shower forth love, fear did not stand a chance!
3. "Fear Release for Birth"
One of my best friends, Andrea, wrote the following fear release exercise in a card for the New Moon Baby Blessing. It's from the Talk Birth blog. Eric, Avie and I read it together as part of our nightly prayers before bed.
"There goes all fear you hold about giving birth. The birth will be perfect.
There goes all fear you hold about healing. You will heal beautifully.
There goes all fear you hold about not being a good mother. You will be enough.
There goes all fear of never being creative again. You have a deep well of creativity within your soul.
There goes the deepest, most private fears you have about giving birth. You will be enough.
You will be enough. You are strong enough."
Thank you, Andrea!
One of my best friends, Andrea, wrote the following fear release exercise in a card for the New Moon Baby Blessing. It's from the Talk Birth blog. Eric, Avie and I read it together as part of our nightly prayers before bed.
"There goes all fear you hold about giving birth. The birth will be perfect.
There goes all fear you hold about healing. You will heal beautifully.
There goes all fear you hold about not being a good mother. You will be enough.
There goes all fear of never being creative again. You have a deep well of creativity within your soul.
There goes the deepest, most private fears you have about giving birth. You will be enough.
You will be enough. You are strong enough."
Thank you, Andrea!
4. "Guru, Guru, Wahe, Guru, Guru, Ram Daas, Guru" - this is a Kundalini Chakra Mantra Chant that I sang aloud while seated in morning mediation, recited to myself as I lie in bed before falling asleep, or conjured if my thoughts became scattered during the day. In essence, I use this chant to focus and come return to my center.
4. "Guru, Guru, Wahe, Guru, Guru, Ram Daas, Guru" - this is a Kundalini Chakra Mantra Chant that I sang aloud while seated in morning mediation, recited to myself as I lie in bed before falling asleep, or conjured if my thoughts became scattered during the day. In essence, I use this chant to focus and come return to my center.
5. "Longtime Sun" - Any regularly practicing yogi has likely heard versions of this song by Girish, The Lonesome Sisters or, my favorite, the Kundalini artist Snatam Kaur. Kaur's version is the one played on Kundalini instructor Gurumukh's Prenatal Yoga DVD. She guides the expecting mothers in singing it to their unborn babies, a practice that I incorporated into the prenatal classes that I taught. I had the song printed on a canvas and mounted it above the changing table. In this picture, it is barely visible, but it's between Sophie the Giraffe and the colorful rosary necklace. Now I sing it to Grey as Avie and I change his diapers!
6. The Catholic Rosary - Pictured are peace prayer beads given to me by my good friend Katie - they were her sister's, also a good friend, from Medjugorje, a holy site in Bosnia-Herzegovina where apparitions of Mary appear to send messages of love and light. They are similar in nature to the traditional Catholic rosary beads, which I held in my robe (for the little bit of time that I wore it!) during labor. Furthermore, I prayed the rosary on my long walks throughout pregnancy. Mary, the Mother of God, is the ultimate mother figure, in my opinion. She is whom I seek to guide me as a mother. Connecting with her via the recitation of the "Hail Mary" brings forth my innate mothering instincts and transpired my intention toward a simple, natural birth. I cannot emphasize enough how much I love Mary - I ordered an acrylic print of her holding rosary beads and surrounded by the words of the "Hail Mary" and hung it on the wall that I face while practicing yoga and where the birthing tub would be nearest. Rosary beads, of which I own too many to count, made their way in all rooms. They served to protect me and keep me humble throughout pregnancy and motherhood. Did I say I love Mary, and the "Hail Mary?" This is my go-to for pregnancy!!! And life! OK... next one...
6. The Catholic Rosary - Pictured are peace prayer beads given to me by my good friend Katie - they were her sister's, also a good friend, from Medjugorje, a holy site in Bosnia-Herzegovina where apparitions of Mary appear to send messages of love and light. They are similar in nature to the traditional Catholic rosary beads, which I held in my robe (for the little bit of time that I wore it!) during labor. Furthermore, I prayed the rosary on my long walks throughout pregnancy. Mary, the Mother of God, is the ultimate mother figure, in my opinion. She is whom I seek to guide me as a mother. Connecting with her via the recitation of the "Hail Mary" brings forth my innate mothering instincts and transpired my intention toward a simple, natural birth. I cannot emphasize enough how much I love Mary - I ordered an acrylic print of her holding rosary beads and surrounded by the words of the "Hail Mary" and hung it on the wall that I face while practicing yoga and where the birthing tub would be nearest. Rosary beads, of which I own too many to count, made their way in all rooms. They served to protect me and keep me humble throughout pregnancy and motherhood. Did I say I love Mary, and the "Hail Mary?" This is my go-to for pregnancy!!! And life! OK... next one...
Photos (except beads on mantle) by www.caitlinslivingphotograpy.com 7. "I Get to Love You" by Ruelle - We heard this song on a water birth video that Eric and I watched with Avie to prepare him for our home birth. Did you read the previous sentence and think, "What!? They had their three-year-old at the birth!?" I understand - I had the same sentiments once, but, truly, it is not as big a deal as we highly modernized, civilized people have come to think. Trust me! It was great! Anyway, this song brought me to tears every time I listened to it, and by the end of my pregnancy, I think it also brought my son to tears because he was so tired of hearing me sing it as loudly as I could in the car! Click on this link, imagine your unborn baby or children, and tell me that you didn't cry. Impossible!
There you have it. Now, tap into your spirit and get singing, praying and meditating! It's the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. Much love,
Brynn :)
There you have it. Now, tap into your spirit and get singing, praying and meditating! It's the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. Much love,
Brynn :)
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