Singing or toning during labor contractions is a wonderful coping technique for labor pain. Vocalization through singing or toning creates a vibration throughout the body that can assist the muscles and ligaments to relax. Singing and toning also facilitates full deep breathing which brings fresh oxygen to the mother and baby. Vocalizing can also relax the jaw which  correspondingly relaxes the pelvis. Singing or toning also has emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits promoting mind-body integration, centering, and focus.

Following is a video of one very talented birthing mama, who sings with her family to gracefully flow through her contractions.

GIVE BIRTH SLOWLY 

 
A New Moon teaches gradualness 
and deliberation and how one gives birth 
to oneself slowly. Patience with small details 
makes perfect a large work, like the universe. 

What nine months of attention does for an embryo 
forty early mornings will do 
for your gradually growing wholeness. 

by Rosetta Thuresson, Dip. H, www.mamarosesnaturals.com 

The moment that new life is awakened within a women’s being, an internal dance begins between mother, baby, and the earth. This natural bond between mother and child continues to grow throughout pregnancy, birth, and as each continue their journey together. It is intended that the formation of this miraculous and unique relationship remain instinctive, close to nature, without unnecessary interruption from technology and other exterior forces. Through the use of herbs, nature provides many sources of nutrients, which are essential in facilitating a harmonious experience for mother and baby as they approach the moment that they will meet eye to eye in our world.

When learning of having conceived a baby, it is very common for women to want to pay special attention to their well being. While trying to maintain good health, many women also experience physical challenges during pregnancy, such as symptoms of morning sickness, including nausea, vomiting, or indigestion, as well as feelings of fatigue and fluctuation in hormonal balance. Many medications to treat such issues are not safe to use during pregnancy for healthy fetal development. Herbs have been used for generations during pregnancy to assist the process of a natural birth and a healthy mother and child.

Nature offers an abundance of plants, often referred to as herbs, for all stages of the birthing process. Research confirms that herbs are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other trace elements required for health and vitality. Each plays an essential role in keeping both Mama and baby happy and healthy throughout pregnancy. Low levels of vital nutrients such as iron, calcium, folic acid, zinc, and vitamins C and E may possibly lead to muscle cramps, backache, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, toxemia, postpartum hemorrhaging, or even miscarriage.

In the quest for obtaining ultimate nutritional health and internal balance during pregnancy and birth, many women have turned to the timeless and traditional use of herbs and natural remedies. Herbs are the most ancient form of medicine known, integrating all levels of personal well being at the internal source, acting synergistically to improve overall health and harmony of the whole person – in mind, body, and spirit. For millions of years, herbal remedies have been passed down from mothers to their daughters and granddaughters to help support the miraculous childbearing process, throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and beyond.

After my time spent on the island of Maui recently, studying Sacred Birthing, I have been interested in learning more about the dolphins and their connection to birth. After watching many videos of dolphins giving birth online, I am struck with how quickly and strongly the dolphin mothers swim through the water as they birth their dolphin babies. The laboring dolphin fully undulates their spine while swimming in circles and spirals through the water.

This reminds me of human mothers who move restlessly during unmedicated labors, spiraling there hips and rocking their pelvises back and forth. Mothers are very rarely passive to lie down during birth unless strapped to machines and tubes, or numbed with pain medications. It is instinctual natural wisdom for the mother to move actively during labor, for in able to move the baby, the mother moves her body.

While the dolphin baby is born tail first, and human children are usually head first (vertex), both dolphin and human babies spiral out of the birth canal. This primal motion of birth, the spiral, connects both the human and dolphin mammals.  Dolphins are also one of the few other mammals in which a female companion is present as a midwife.

The dolphin midwife assists the infant dolphin in coming to the surface for its first breath soon after birth. The dolphin midwife also assists in creating the birth circle around the mother and infant with other dolphins who create a pod. This birth pod protects the mother and baby dolphin, as mother-baby bonding is pivitol to the survival of dolphin babies. The birth circle also greets the infant dolphin with sonar to stimulate it's full ignition of consciousness and neurological stimulation.  

Many people have done research into human's having dolphin-assisted waterbirths in the ocean, and one of the benefits that is known about is the dolphins use of sonar on the laboring woman and infant to create healthy, peaceful birth, with extremely aware and conscious babies. This connection between dolphins and humans is just beginning to be understood.

Unfortunately, dolphin infants have only a 50% survival rate. Dolphins are very succeptible to environmental pollution, human disruption in their environment, and domesticated dolphins have a harder time successfully breeding. I have mixed feelings about dolphins in captivity, however it is very rare to find live footage of the births of wild dolphins. The videos of dolphins in captivity do not show the extent of the birthing pods of midwives. However they show that domesticated dolphins will also seek out the nurturing and care of their trainers while in labor.

Here are a few videos of dolphins giving birth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X8-aWCU0do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USe7kG1UaoE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBIhu84bLdA

I believe we have much to learn from our dolphin relations about birth, bonding, and healing.  

Birth Arts International is a holistic doula training organization currently offering workshops in the US and Europe, as well as distance learning doula education globally. Birth Arts Doulas are holistically trained, in the art and science of assisting women in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The birth doula program integrates evidence-based maternity care with the wisdom of traditional midwifery and women's healing arts.

Learn about optimal health for pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum, as well as the practical skills, techniques, and hands-on-care of being a labor support doula. Learn about updated research and practices in modern maternity care and midwifery. Practice bodywork, rebozo, and massage for labor support.

The workshops combine intensive experiential practice with a distance learning component and birth attendance for certification. Birth Arts Doula Trainings are comprehensive, extensive, inclusive, and empowering. Contact Kara Spencer for more information on upcoming trainings in the USA: kara@birtharts.com. Contact Demetria Clark for international trainings and distance learning: demetria@birtharts.com. www.birtharts.com

UPCOMING BIRTH ARTS WORKSHOPS:

2007 

October 19, 20, 21 - Birth Arts International Doula Training
Harbin Hot Springs & Retreat Center, Middletown, CA
Registration: kara@birtharts.com - 541-520-0681
http://www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin-hot-springs-ca-oct-07/

November 3, 4 - Birth Arts International Doula Training
New Paltz, NY
Registration: helena@birtharts.com - 802-235-1512

November 30, December 1, 2 - Birth Arts International Doula Training
Sacred Waters Birth Center, Eugene, OR
Registration: kara@birtharts.com - 541-520-0681
http://www.maiahealingarts.com/birth-arts-eugene-oregon/ 

2008 

January 25, 26, 27 - Birth Arts International Doula Training
Basel, Switzerland
Registration: demetria@birtharts.com
Phone: 41 (0)65081884 from Europe
Phone: 866-303-4372 from US and Canada

January 25, 26, 27 - Birth Arts International Doula Training
The Educated Mama, Sanford, FL
Registration: patricia@birtharts.com - 541-556-8415

February 8, 9, 10 - Birth Arts International Doula Training
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
Registration: kara@birtharts.com - 541-520-0681

Upcoming Birth Arts Workshop in Northern California, near San Francisco, Bay Area, and Sacramento at Harbin Hot Springs. Now registering for workshops in California, Oregon, Hawaii, New York, Florida, and Switzerland. New trainings are being scheduled all the time. Distance learning students are now training as Birth Arts Doulas in South Africa, Europe, and North America.

Birth Arts Doula Education programs are open to all whom are interested in learning to be a labor assistant or birth doula. Birth Arts is open to women, men, health care professionals, students, and all whom show the motivation and passion to support and nurture women, babies, and families throughout the childbearing year.