We believe that women need to prepare for natural birth in every aspect of their lives, including the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical areas of their being. A woman deserves the right to choose her companions as well as where and how she will give birth to her child. Pregnancy and birth are normal life events for most women.
To this end, interventions should be kept to a minimum wherever possible. A baby who is born gently and welcomed by warm, caring parents receives the best possible start in life. Women who are well prepared in their minds, bodies and spirits can experience birth as a profoundly moving and empowering event - a spiritual birth.
Everything we see and feel and do is about movement and flow. We watch daily the movement of the sun from one horizon to the opposite horizon, we feel the wind tug at our bodies as we walk outside, see the flight of birds from one point in the blue sky to another. Each night the milky way of stars makes its rotation, or is it ours. Continue reading
There is a groundswell of women in South Africa seeking to give birth naturally after they realise their previous caesarian section may have been unnecessary. It is a feeling inside their bodies, their hearts, their minds that impels them to find a way to give vaginal birth safely. Continue reading
Violence in Maternity care is the intersection between institutional violence (of a system) and violence against women during pregnancy, during the actual birth and during the post natal period after the birth. Continue reading
After many years of witnessing first hand and studying the current status quo of Caesarian sections in childbirth in South Africa, I am presenting a Cape Town VBAC Stats and Facts Workshop at Mtwana Birth Centre on 9th July 2016. This workshop is for anyone interested in learning more about Vaginal Birth After Caesarian (VBAC) or preventing a caesarian section. Continue reading
A mother is a maiden whose womb has carried and born fruit. We as women hold within us the ultimate creative space and forces. Honouring our ‘womb’anhood enables us to gather and shape our futures and release the culmination of our creative process. When we allow ourselves to surrender to and release our power, we give birth to ourselves, our partners and our children throughout our lives. Continue reading
“There still remains the mysterious exception of birth pain.”
Eugene Marais was an Afrikaans (South African) genius and scientist, lawyer and poet. He spent years in the African wilderness observing termites or white ants, baboons and other animals and made a significant observation about the pain of childbirth. Continue reading
Little did I realise, 34 years ago, that giving birth to my baby at home was an exceptional event. For me giving birth at home seemed the most natural choice. After all, my ancestors had given birth for centuries with midwives in their homes. It felt right. I found a traditional midwife to assist me: a solid quiet woman who gave me confidence and did not rush me. Continue reading