What images come to mind when you hear the phrase ‘she fell pregnant’?

 The term ‘falling pregnant’ evokes in me an image of a careless woman tripping to the floor. It implies some mishap for sure and sounds as though pregnancy is something that has happened, by chance almost, to this woman.  

‘Falling pregnant’ conceals the truth. It hides the power of the woman who has chosen consciously to bring forth new life into the world through her body. It does not so much as hint at her ability to engage in deliberate creation.

 And it sounds as though her partner has done something to her…overlooking her joyful, conscious participation in co-creation with the father of her baby.

Words matter. They shape our experience. As one book reminds us ‘In the beginning was the word’. 

So I in invite you to acknowledge your power and consider ‘becoming pregnant’, ‘embracing pregnancy’ or ‘allowing pregnancy’ as you consciously participate in the magical conception of your new baby.

As an empowered woman, embodying the sacred feminine, you may wish to be aware of the following benefits for you and baby of using your wonderful breasts to nourish this precious new addition to your family.

  (1)   Plain and simple, your breast-milk provides the very best food you can give to your baby. Your amazing breasts accommodate to the needs of your baby and, depending on what has happened in the last feed, will provide exactly what your baby needs for optimum nourishment.

Each meal is tailor made for your baby’s requirements. Even the content of breast-milk for premature babies is different to that of full terms babies because their needs are unique.

  (2) Unlike formula that has been produced in a factory somewhere, travelled extensively and sat on a shelf for some time, your breast-milk is alive and oozing life force. Hmmm which would you prefer?  

(3)Love and bonding…as  your baby feeds, your body  releases Oxytocin known as the ‘love hormone’ or the ‘bonding hormone’. Oxytocin provides a sense of well being and calm in both mother and baby.

It also facilitates bonding and creates a desire in both of you for further contact with each other. So this hormone, produced while breastfeeding actually elicits those feelings of love and deep connection that support you in becoming the mother you really want to be….calm, relaxed, connected and happy.

(4) Not only does the breastfeeding and release of oxytocin enhance the bond between mother and baby, it also lays the very foundations for the experience of love for your baby.

In the breastfeeding act, your baby learns to be very comfortable being close to mum. She learns about being fully present with another as she stares into your eyes and you meet her gaze.

She learns that it is safe for her to receive love and that she is worthy of deep connection. Breastfeeding provides her cells with the experience of being cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually in a very intimate way.

These skills and experiences not only help her to recognise and choose relationships that are nourishing for her as she grows up, they also support her in nourishing herself and others in a healthy way.

(5) From a purely practical perspective, breastfeeding is much handier as you don’t need to spend endless time planning, preparing the bottles or cleaning up afterwards because you always have a supply when required.

(6) As women in the western world, many of us have been conditioned to deny, conceal or suppress the full expression of our femininity.  

Your  breasts were designed to feed your baby. You have the right to experience the wonder of breastfeeding. You are worthy of creating and knowing first hand the beauty and magic of breastfeeding and realising the deep wisdom of your body in this process.

(7) Breastfeeding allows you to come into your own power and embrace your sacred feminine energy.

Culturally, many of us have been downloaded with the message to aspire to a more male expression of ourselves. And while manhood and maleness is beautiful and sacred, so too is woman and womanhood.

It is time for us to allow ourselves to rejoice in who we are, in the perfection of being a woman and give ourselves permission to experience that fully. In doing so, we also free men to be themselves fully and pave the way for a generation of babies comfortable in their own skin and honouring both the masculine and feminine within.

So just ask yourself what you truly desire. What would you love for your baby? If you thought that you could do it and felt supported around breastfeeding would you try? 

Why not join on Maire Clements, Tracy Gary and myself on the Blogtalk Radio Show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TheBreastfeedingSalon to find out more about you and breastfeeding.

In joy,

Deirdre Morris

In our preparations for birth our attention often goes to the practicalities such as having baby clothes, buggies, diapers and the never ending list of items that we have come to associate with baby’s arrival. 

  And while these are important, it can be easy to forget that mental, emotional and spiritual preparation during pregnancy can have a powerfully positive impact on setting you up for the safe, gentle empowering birth that you deserve. 

The following tips while simple, will definitely support you in claiming for yourself and your baby the magical beginning that you both deserve.

(1)   Develop the habit of talking to your baby.

We all love to be acknowledged, noticed and included. It makes us feel special and important. It fosters a sense of belonging. And while we are aware that children love positive attention and thrive on it, we often forget that the exact same thing is true of baby in utero.

So practice chatting to your baby, letting her know what is going on and including her in family life from the beginning. Several times a day place your hands conscious on your pregnant belly and tell her you love her and how happy you are that she is here.

When she feels welcome, she will find it easier to leave the safety of the womb and come into this world in a peaceful, relaxed way

(2)   Tell her how well she is doing in her development.

We all love our work to be acknowledged and admired. Point out her achievement. Every so often remind her of what is going on in her development…’you have grown to 15cms, you have lovely arms and legs’ or ‘now you are making your brain and spinal chord’. Point out how easy it was for her. Get her used to the idea that she is a success.

Then as she prepares for birth and goes down the birth canal, she already has the message that she is a success and can do this with ease.

 (3)   Inform yourself what birth looks like from your baby’s perspective. This will help you get an understanding of what it is like for your baby and will also remind you that your amazing body and your baby are designed to work harmoniously together as a powerful team with ease during birth.  

(4)   Explain to your baby what will be happening from her point of view. We all find it easier to be relaxed and confident when we have an idea what is coming up and what is expected of us.

Invite her to come head first with her face down and let her know that this is the easiest position for you both.  Inform her that there will be contractions that will start high in the uterus and move down and that their purpose is to support her down the birth canal. Let her know that you will be there supporting her and ready to hold her when she comes out.(5)   Be kind to yourself.

Choose easy options during pregnancy so that you are modelling to her this habit..because she is watching.  Instead of carrying two bags carry one. Ask for help when you need it. Take a nap when you are tired. Practice self nurturing and being very gentle on yourself. And as you do, bring that to your baby’s attention. So when you decide to take a rest instead of doing some work you had planned, say to baby ‘See mommy is choosing the easy way because that is much nicer and safer of us both…just like you will choose to come head down and face down’.  ‘We can both make decisions that really support us and we deserve to have a lovely birth.’(6)  Inform yourself about how wonderful birth can really be. 

Most of us have received the download that birth is a horrible ordeal, something we have to endure. However this is not the truth. Women are designed to give birth vaginally. Your amazing body has been preparing gently for this event. As you allow yourself to consider and relax into the knowledge that you have the power to experience a safe, gentle birth your body will respond to this message.  Birth can be painless and even orgasmic. Surround yourself with books, websites and other sources of information that remind you of your infinite wisdom and the right you have to joy in birth. Your baby will love to be exposed to the idea that birth can be a beautiful event for you both and the more you focus on this the easier it is for her to cooperate in this vision. (7)  Practice relaxing and visualising a wonderful birth for you both. 

Take the time to relax daily with meditation, yoga or other method that helps you quiet your mind and tune into the wisdom of the body. 

Picture the birth you desire in your mind’s eye. Imagine and feel efficient contractions, gentle and steady dilation of the cervix and perfect stretching of your perineum. See your very confident, relaxed baby working in harmony with your body as she gently makes her way into the world for the very first time.

In joy,

Deirdre Morris

As I am pregnant with twins Maire Clements decided to dedicate a Conscious Breastfeeding Show to that very topic!

 This show was really informative about what a day looks life in the life of a Conscious Breastfeeding mom, what support is necessary and the frame of mind that will help you embrace each moment as it comes.

Worth a listen for those who are preparing for baby (one or more) even if you are not sure whether breastfeeding is the journey for you.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TheBreastfeedingSalon/2008/05/20/The-Breastfeeding-Salon

In joy,

Deirdre Morris

Our relationship with our sacred feminine has a significant impact on our experience of fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and of course our relationships.

Yesterday on blog talk radio, Maire Clements, Tracy Gary and myself discussed how we can really honour the Goddess within.

Part of the discussion also tapped into how we can support our babies and children to embrace their own sacred selves (male and female) so they can feel whole and comfortable in their wonderful bodies. 

To listen click here: http://www.Blogtalkradio.com/TheBreastfeedingSalon/2008/05/13/The-Breastfeeding-Salon

You are very welcome to leave comments or join us live on the next inspiring Conscious Breastfeeding Blog Talk Radio Show.

In joy,

Deirdre Morris

It is up to you to claim the power and gift of Mother’s day for yourself.

If you have experienced miscarriage or are simply trying to have baby Mother’s Day still belongs to you.

Instead of waiting for somebody else to start the ball rolling, celebrate the mother in you by lavishing yourself today with the same love, tenderness and joy as you would if you were your own very welcome, precious, perfect new baby.

In joy,

Deirdre Morris 

In all areas of life we know that our expectations shape our experience.

If we expect pain and suffering then invariably that is what we get. Unless we seek out new information, most of us expect whatever our friends, sisters and mothers have gone through.

So when we are preparing for a birth that we would really love, it is very useful to see first hand what is actually possible and what can be the norm.

Debra Pascali-Bonaro, internationally renowned childbirth expert, has created a film called orgasmic birth.

Watch this truly inspiring trailer http://www.orgasmicbirth.com/ to remember what your amazing body is designed for.

Thank you Debra. 

In joy,

Deirdre Morris

A friend of mine Safrina passed this on to me. She believes it may have been written by Catherine Ponder but is not sure.

You can change the word God to the Universe, Holy Spirit or whatever resonates with you. 

 ”As I prepare myself for the delivery of my baby, I am calm, serene and relaxed. God is in charge and God is with me and my baby. Every person and every situation connected with this birth is in tune with God’s orderly direction, and everything is perfectly timed.

Peace, joy and power now fill my mind and body. I am a channel through which the creative power of God is working, and my whole being responds with ease. My body is flexible, adjustable, and strong.

This new life glorifies God and is being brought into the world safely, with no harm to the baby or to me. Every part of me and every function of my body adjusts to this birth with ease. The pattern of perfect birth, set by the creative law of God-life, includes the cleansing and restoring of my body.

After the delivery, every part of my body will be restored to perfection. Filled with thankfulness and joy, I rest. The power of God has brought forth my perfect baby.”

And so it is….

A lovely way to end the day when pregnant.

Thanks Safrina, Catherine and all those involved in the creation of this.

In joy,

Deirdre Morris