Orgasmic Birth

When I started researching and discussing waterbirth with my friends, the topic of 'orgasmic birth' came up. There are a few videos about this kind of birthing experience on youtube. I chose to post one that allows embedding here on the blog. The woman in the video is quite graphic in her description so viewer discretion is advised.

The idea of making the birthing experience pleasurable is completely new to me. I was in pain to the point of feeling traumatised by each of my three labours/births. I'm trying to rewire the hardware in my brain to make it possible to experience pleasure when the contractions set in.

I would love to hear from you if you have experienced an orgasmic or sensual birth.

First Midwife's Appointment and A Talking Baby Girl

I've not been on here for a while. Feeling yuk is demotivating when it comes to any creative pursuits... My other blog is suffering too if that is any consolation.

I had my first midwife's appointment on Thursday. My partner came with me. The midwife seems nice and everything went well. I'm considered 'high risk' due to a couple of medical conditions but other than that everything is looking great and unless I weigh more than 90kg at the time of birth, I still qualify for a waterbirth.

Giving birth in water is something I have wanted to try since my first pregnancy but waterbirths were banned in Sweden many years ago. Luckily I'm in the UK now. Fingers crossed that the birthing pool is free on the day!

Apparently you are given three scans here in the UK. Wow. In Sweden we only get one. Week 17 - that's it. My first one will be week 12 so that's only a month away... Can't wait!

The due date I was given by the midwife is the 30 June 2011. I expect it might be adjusted by a day or two after the scan.

I was offered supplemental anti D shots due to being Rh neg but I think I'll manage without out. I had the shot after my youngest was born so I don't expect any complications.

My partner and I agreed on declining the Down's syndrome tests. I'm glad we share the same outlook.

Last night, I had a dream about a beautiful talking baby girl. She was only a few months old and we were going through the alphabet together. I wonder if this means we'll have a girl... possibly with Mercury in Gemini if she's going to speak that soon!

I also had a dream about collecting gemstones from a seashore. I found lapis lazuli and blue lace agate. I will be using those stones in this week's distant healing session, along with a lovely blue candle.

L'Odyssée de la Vie

I'm 7 weeks pregnant today and when I woke up this morning I found that a friend of mine had posted a version of L'Odyssée de la Vie to my inbox on FB (thank you, Moonseed!)... I managed to find the full length video on YouTube. Watching this brings me into a state of spiritual ecstasy. Enjoy!

Doh!

These are the seeds from my Ostara Apple Offering to the Goddess. I knew it was important for me to look at and document the seeds - I just didn't know WHY... there are three unsprouted seeds and one sprouted seed. I knew the sprouted seed had to do with new life... something new being born or created... I just never expected to fall pregnant this year! Also, look at how the seeds are grouped. The first two at the top are my first two children, born a year apart (1995,1996). The third is Miranda (born in 2002) and the fourth is 'beanie'... due on the 28th of June, 2011. WOW!!!!

Hormonally Yours

Poor bloke didn't know what he signed up for. Week 6 means that the hormonal seasaw is in full swing. A bitten off head, anyone? It's OK, I've got several and I can't eat much at the moment anyway - I feel too sick.

In case you didn't know it, you absolutely cannot win an argument with a pregnant woman. She is right. Get used to it.

I'm a touchy hormonal handful right now and I know it. You will learn to love it and if I'm not feeling supported you will know about it.

Morning Sickness Again

I thought I'd dodge that bullet good and proper like I did with the other three, but it seems that beanie comes with little waves of queasiness. It started a few days ago and I thought I might have to give up coffee as it seemed to push me over the edge. Don't get me wrong, I don't hurl. (Nothing except too much vodka ever had the power to make me throw up.) But I feel terribly fragile and lose my appetite.

It turns out that the antidote is not ginger tea, lemon essential oil or any of the other tried and tested methods for keeping morning sickness at bay - it's simply to keep on moving. If I'm physically active there is no queasiness. That's Mama Nature's way of making sure I'm strong and healthy methinks.

I love to move. I'm happy when I move. I'm blessed with a great gym and beautiful woodland walks. The only thing missing at the moment is a dance studio. If anyone has one to spare, please get in touch!

Thank Goddess!

Because my last pregnancy was nearly a decade ago, I find myself taking stock of how I'm different mentally and emotionally this time around. I can honestly say that I have the Goddess to thank for being much stronger today than I was 8-9 years ago. Connecting with Goddess energies and honouring the Goddess within has made a world of difference.

I was clinically depressed during most of my third pregnancy, and actually got better post partum. I hated being pregnant, I feared giving birth and I hated my body. Luckily, I was able to get help from a good councelor. I was made to see one when I begged for a cesarian. One of my biggest fears was that the midwife wasn't going to be there during the pushing stage. Swedish hospital had already begun to experience staffing problems when my first child was born, and by the time I found out I was pregnant with my third, I had already lived through the hell of going through the transition phase and the first couple of pushes on my own... having to desperately shout to get somebody's attention.

Ironically, I went through the very same scenario with my third as well - at least I was better prepared this time. I swore to myself like a seargeant would to a bunch of useless squaddies. Anger works better than fear. Yep, the third delivery was the best by far.

Physically, I'm different too this time around, of course. But not that much. I'm yearning to get back into belly dancing again, and I'd love to try dancing my way through the entire pregnancy as well as the early stages of labour. Dancing ties all the spaces together for me - it's a way of connecting the dots between the spiritual and the physical.