My Mom, on Birthing and business

I invited my mom to guest blog for me. She was a childbirth educator for many years, and as the mother of 5, knows a few things about birthing. 

Myself, I haven't had children, but I have certainly birthed many others loves: a book, a theatrical show, workshops, speeches, projects with clients, my own business...  Whether giving birth literally or metaphorically, it can be a terrifying, exhilarating and numinous process.  If you are launching a new product, building a business, or getting a new team together, I hope you pause to remember that you are manifesting a significant change. Take time to celebrate your journey, and reflect on my mom's sage reflections. 

What does it mean to give birth, 
to create life and to bring life into the world, 
to nurture  and to expose to nature,
to hold on tightly and to release.

Pregnancy is – dreaming of the life growing inside. 
Worrying about every little thing – eating, not eating, what to eat, nausea or not.
Advice from a thousand sources – carrying high, carrying low, which way will your baby grow.
Wide load coming through! 

Gliding through pregnancy - at times in a mental, physical, and emotional fog. Flying high with the realization that a human being is growing inside of you, and with moments of inconsolable wailing all due crazy hormonal swings. 

Observe women, ask questions, hear and really listen to their stories.  

Read books, blogs, webpages – 

but, ultimately know - the most important aspects of giving birth is trusting in your intuition, believing in one’s self, and in knowing the power lies within you.

Surround yourself with wise women of all ages, who believe in the power of the birth process. Remember… or learn how to sway, rock, squat, and move with your body - believe in you physical power.  Remember… or learn and practice sounds of ancient times - moan, groan, and sing - demonstrating the sounds and vocal power of birth. Remember…or learn to take in that which you body craves as nourishment…even if it is sardines and pickles on ice cream.

Partners in the birth process must deliver nourishment, provide massage on demand, use therapeutic touch, verbally guide and direct on centering and grounding, be the spokesperson while the woman is hard at work, and all the while be supportive and fulfilling of the physically, emotionally, and mentally needs  - of the birthing woman.

Birth is:  
... messy, earthy,  noisy, respectful, juicy, awakening, frustrating, challenging, joyous, releasing, an ending, and a new beginning. 

Open up to giving birth –
to bringing new life into the world, 
to welcoming a new idea or creative endeavor,  
to embracing a new way of life.

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