January 12, 2016

My Sacred Mother's Blessing

When I became pregnant with my second baby, I knew I would do the baby shower thing a little differently this time around. I didn't really need any "things" because we already had everything from Genevieve. My baby shower with Genevieve was still really special because it was 40+ women, most of them my mom’s age, who shared advice and blessed me as one mother to another. My mom and mother-in-law were able to bless me as a soon to-be-mother. It was perfect and exactly what I needed for that season as a mother-to-be. I am now a mother and know what that means and I know what going through birth means as well. But with the craziness of my life, I haven’t been able to really spend the time to process my upcoming labor. I knew that a blessingway ceremony would be the perfect occasion to help me prepare for birth and meeting Adelaide.

Also known as a Mother's Blessing, a blessingway is an opportunity to create a moment in time that celebrates and honors a pregnant woman and her journey into birth. This ritual is derived from a Navajo tradition that recognizes and honors the journey of pregnancy and the transition of birth as a momentous occasion in a woman’s life. It is a celebration of pregnancy and birth as a sacred and unique journey where the collective energy of loving women can help guide the mother through birth.

Unlike most cultures, we don’t find many rituals in American culture these days. There’s rarely a coming of age or naming ceremony. Weddings and funerals are the extent to rituals that we experience in our everyday lives. But there is power in ritual. It marks transition, it affirms important values, and it provides an opportunity to connect with women in a sacred place free of distractions (like little children). When women connect we celebrate our femininity and that subtle acknowledgement of a tribe is profound. Rituals are doorways between the spiritual and physical world. We experience a moment in time and then step back into our daily lives enriched by that experience.

Birth requires a spiritual intention. A pregnant woman feels unlike anyone else on earth. And perhaps only a woman--perhaps only a mother--can truly understand this. The knowledge that a new being is growing inside of you creates immense joy and happiness. When consumed in birth world, women face the thin veil between life and death. Their baby is very much alive but not yet born. While physically it is no small feat to birth a child, spiritually a woman is shifting from housing two souls to now creating an individual life who will walk this earth. The depth of that experience, and the need for preparation, deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.

So after hours of writing and researching, I wrote my own blessingway ceremony. I felt like I was creating my wedding program and it carried a similar weight for me. I hope you enjoy reading about this sacred event. 
Merrill & Adelaide's Blessingway

I. Statement of Intention
I had everyone take off their shoes as a way to signify the sacredness of the event. They put their phones away so we could all be fully present in the ritual. I made a flower crown for each woman as a way to show value to every woman in my tribe. Carissa drew a beautiful henna design on my rotund belly as a way to honor and nurture me and Adelaide. And we lit candles as a sign of reverence for this moment. 

I explained that tonight was a way to gather the women in my tribe and to release fears and shift my focus from pregnancy to preparing for birth. I was less than 2 weeks away from being full term and now I am focusing on Adelaide. This was not a religious ceremony but a very spiritual ritual. We had a spectrum of religious beliefs in the circle, so I asked that everyone would allow themselves to be present and participate and acknowledge the spiritual depth of birth that deserves celebrating. Because most women in the circle are birth workers or have given birth, the idea that pregnancy and childbirth is a spiritual event is one that is easily recognized. 

II. Candle Lighting 
After I stated my intentions, I started the ceremony by lighting the center candle. Then Carissa, who hosted the event, read:

Today we gather in gratitude. We are grateful for the new life we are about to welcome into this world. We are grateful for the presence of Merrill in our lives. We also gather in preparation. We intend to prepare Merrill, giving her strength, support, and clarity in Mind, Body, and Soul for herself, for her birthing, and for her baby. 

She then lit her candle and each person in the circle then took turns lighting their own candles. They will take the candles home and light them when Adelaide starts her journey earth-side. 

III. Maternal Lineage
         Vroutje Gerrits (1619-1686)
Margrietje Cozijns (1641-1733)
Brechje Janse Haring (1675-1708)
Antje Tallman (1695-1760)
Margrietje Hennion (1730-1799)
Antje Berdan (1759-1833)
Catrenen Van Houten (1796-1875)
Marie Schoonmaker (1819-1869)
Ida Brinkerhoff (1858-1927)
Mary Isabel Aller (1888-1970)
Jean Aljoe (1920-2009)
Carol Ann Buurman (1957- )
Merrill Elizabeth Goodwin (1989 - )
Adelaide Sparrow Durham (2016 - )


Last year I took the time to create a family tree using ancestory.com. I was able to go back 12 generations on my maternal line. I felt it was important to include that because there is power in recognizing your heritage and the women that gave birth generations before you. When my grandmother, Jean Aljoe was pregnant with my mom, I was an egg inside of my mom. The direct maternal connection is worth acknowledging and I felt it was fitting for my sister to read this poem. 

“Think of yourself as rooted
Think of your place in the earth
Through generations of women named

A maternal lineage
That brought you to this place

Think of their birth stories
Realize that their births carry deep wisdom
Each birth is a powerful experience
Each birth traces down to you.
Just as you pass this knowledge on to your baby
Understand that your birth is your own
It will be different from all others
Your birth will have a unique pattern
Unfolding with each contraction
This birth belongs to you
This birth is an opening
This birth is the end and a beginning
May this blessing of birth come to you without fear
Ma
y this blessing of birth come to you with great understandingBlessings to you and your birth."   (adapted from Natalie Evans)        



IV. Fear Release 

I had another dear friend, Felicia, read:

Next, let us help Merrill release her fears surrounding birth. Giving birth is a releasing process. The process of letting go of fear is one of the most powerful parts of a blessing way. By Merrill releasing her fears, that space can be filled with openness and love. 

It took me a minute to come up with my true anxieties and fears. I talk to pregnant mamas all the time about fears and I know the common responses. But Carissa encouraged me to really think about what might hold me back. I paused and said, "But that would be really vulnerable", to which she laughed and explained that that's the point. So the four fears I released were: 

1. Having to spend my initial postpartum in the hospital
I am not afraid of having to transport in case I need some intervention (although I wouldn't want that, of course). I was more anxious about the idea of not being home right after delivery. That was my favorite part of having a home birth last time.

2. Performance anxiety because I’m a birth professional
It is easy to feel like I should have an easy pregnancy and delivery because I know so much about the process. And my birth team consists of some of my favorite people and coworkers, so releasing this fear in the presence of my birth team was so freeing. My midwife really released me when she said, "Merrill, you are a birth professional but you are not a professional birther, just let this birth happen."

3. Trauma resurfacing
I had a challenging birth with Genevieve and I truly believe that it was a transformative and healing process for me. But sometimes I worry that all of a sudden my body will shut down in labor like it did with Genevieve. I do feel much more prepared for this now and have tools to respond if I have trouble again. 

4. Not connecting with Adelaide
Because of my intense labor with Genevieve, I had some shock after delivery. It took me a few weeks/months/years to build our strong attachment. I loved her from moment one but it has taken time to truly fall in love and connect with her. Thinking about this process with another child really overwhelms me and my prayer is that this process is a little smoother with Adelaide.

After I said each fear, I ripped up that paper with the fear written on it and everyone stated:

Release your fears, expectations, and distractions. May you now be free to focus your mind and heart on the present moment. Trust in the process, your body and baby know what to do. This is Adelaide's birth story. 

Then my friend, Alexia, recited:

"A woman in birth is at once her most powerful and most vulnerable. But any woman who has birthed understands that she is stronger than she knows." Marcie Macari

V. Midwife Blessing
My doula, Sandee, my midwife assistant and party host, Carissa, and my midwife, Jennifer
As my sister pointed out, how amazing is it that the woman who will catch my baby is sitting in this circle? Not everyone can say that of their care provider... I have such an incredible birth team surrounding me and I was blessed beyond measure to have them there affirming me that night. 

My midwife read:

"May you be blessed with an easy transition
from mother of one to mother of two.
May you be changed
in all the ways you hope to be changed.
May your body open easily
and then heal.
May those surrounding you during birth
guide you through what's coming.
May you know joy in bringing another soul
to the world." 


VI. Birth Affirmations
The affirmations I created for birth
Everyone then had a chance to write down birth affirmations that they each read to me. It was powerful and tearful and very uplifting and encouraging. Here are a few:

-You have enough, all that you need. You are enough, all that you need. Surrender to it and trust in it.

-Surrender, breathe, open - keep breathing slowly and evenly. Inhale peace, exhale tension.

-Surrender to the process of love, you and Michael made her in love. 


-Fear is cast out by love. Be confident in the love you have for Adelaide and the love you and Michael share. 


-Each contraction is one step closer to meeting Adelaide. You can birth your daughter.

-Have faith and confidence in your body and your strength. Seek moments of joy and rest and peace in the season of anticipation. 

VII. Community of Support

We then stood and created a visual representation for the tribe of women surrounding me and supporting me in this next season. 

Lauren said:
This web of string symbolizes that we are united as one and represents the circle of women surrounding Merrill. We are committed to supporting her as she transitions into this next season of her life. 

We cut the red string and everyone tied the string to their wrist. Traditionally, the string serves as a reminder to support me once the baby arrives and is removed once they visited me postpartum. 

VIII. Baby Blessing
It was important to me to end the ceremony by blessing my sweet Adelaide Sparrow. I recited:

"I am grateful for this new being
who is small in body but great in Soul,
who has come into our midst as a gift. 
May I be sensitive to the sacred 
as I nurture and learn from this child.
Give me patience. Give me strength.
And grant me wisdom and love
to help Adelaide learn to sing her own song."  -Annie Spring

Then Becca beautifully sang and we all recited:


"May the long time sun shine upon you.
All love surround you.
And the pure light within you,
Guide your way on."

The ceremony ended with everyone blowing out their candles. 
                            
IX. Feasting and Celebrating 


Like with many rituals, a blessingway ends with food and fellowship. Carissa did such a beautiful job on the food! I love the cake and cookies!

Thank you to each and every person who attended my Mother's Blessing (and to those who were there in spirit). You lifted me up and surrounded me in such a special way. I will carry that support with me as I welcome Adelaide to this world.

For your own beautiful henna, contact Carissa: Carissa@tinymountaingoods.com