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 The most amazing and opening experience I have ever had was the birth of my daughter Sayana Shakti. She was born at home, in water, in front of a roaring fire, surrounded by love and support. I felt so empowered afterwards, like Wonder Woman.
MAAYAN AVIRAM’S BIRTH TO SAYANA SHAKTI
DOB: 22/7/96
I enjoyed my pregnancy and spent much time preparing for the birth My partner Ed and I moved to the countryside to be with Mother nature and welcome our baby into this environment. I focused more and more on what was happening inside my body, deep within, really listening to my intuition and to the baby growing inside me. I was lucky to find wonderful teachers like Binnie Dansby, a SOURCE process Breathwork therapist who helped Ed and I to let go of our fears and open up to the joy of giving birth, and Karel Ironside who runs ante-natal yoga classes. Karel’s couples sessions were a great way of helping Ed feel involved in the pregnancy.
We decided to hire an independent midwife, Valerie Taylor, an open minded and trustworthy professional so that I could have continuity of care and know who would attend the birth. I am eternally grateful to my mother for supporting this choice financially.
I invited two of my best friends to be with me at the birth. Hadas flew in especially from Israel and gave solid, sisterly support, and Victoria who was wonderfully reassuring in her presence, having given birth at home, in water herself.
Ed and I prepared a room for the birth creating a very clear and sacred space. By the time the birthing pool arrived, the whole house was tingling with a magical energy of summery celebration and welcome.
The labour began at 9.50pm on the 21st July just as everything became quiet and the sun went down.
Whilst talking to Hadas I suddenly felt a very strong wave of energy. Not being sure whether this was really it, I followed my feelings which led me into the hot tub. The water pumping into the pool massaged my sacrum which was great pain relief. I rang Victoria from the tub and she was on her way over.
From this point onwards, I was completely focused on what was happening in my body. I got out of the pool and headed for the toilet feeling a strong urge to “clear all my energy gates”. While squatting on the toilet the thought of a long and painful labour came into my mind. Thanks to all the preparation I had done, I was able to change the thought immediately. I screamed a big “NO” which was the most positive and liberating “NO” I had ever said! From that moment on I said “YES” to all that was happening and repeated the word “OPEN” over and over again. The rushes were getting stronger and closer together and I was drumming passionately on my drum feeling very animal; like a cross between a gorilla and a lioness! I was roaring away when Ed rang the midwife and asked her to come.
Music was playing and the room was full of candlelight, crystals and flowers. It felt like the birthday party was about to begin!
 Victoria arrived with an amazingly pure and grounded vibration. She and Ed and I hugged through a strong contraction and it felt like we were all merged into one powerful force along with the baby. At that moment I really transcended the pain and “rode the wave”. I knew I could do it! When Val, the midwife arrived around midnight, the waves were coming frequently and I was screaming out. Val reminded me to breathe deeply and take the energy down into my body rather than throwing it out. I started making very deep and primal noises and everyone in the room was breathing with me as I was letting go of conscious controlÉI “followed” my body and the movements of the baby inside me. I visualised my cervix opening like a flower. Val tried to take my blood pressure but I was so primal, I ripped the thing off my arm and threw it across the room! Val stood back and just let me get on with itÉ The rushes were getting even more intense and almost constant now like one huge wave of energy.
Ed was making the fire and Victoria was massaging me through transition. I was now in advanced labour and got back in the water which felt warm and safe. Ed got in too. Victoria was spraying my face with rose water and I asked her for some rescue remedy and that everyone in the room have some as well.
The music finished and I didn’t want anymore of it. The feeling was now too intense for music. These people supporting me were God’s gift, as I felt no inhibitions around them. I was standing in the water supported by Ed who gave himself over completely to me and to the process. We said “YES” together. I shook him like he was a rag doll and gave him two love bites while belly dancing in the water, helping the baby move down. I was trancing out of my body and I felt the spirit of the big dolphin enter me and enable me to open myself as wide as I needed to (and avoid tearing). I felt down between my legs and touched my baby’s crown. What a sensation! Pure bliss and ecstasy and way beyond.
Val, Victoria and Hadas were sitting around the pool quietly and Ed was ready to catch our baby. Sayana was born slowly and gently into her fathers loving arms in warm water.
A Miracle. A beautiful baby girl.
The labour lasted three and a half hours and the placenta came out fifteen minutes later. Sayana swallowed some water on her way up and we gave her some homeopathic remedies to ease her first breaths and transition into this world. We also said positive things to her like: “You are absolutely safe”, “You are surrounded by love and support” and “We love you.”
I put her to my breast and it felt very natural and beautiful to do. Ed and I were left in the water with our new baby girl. The feeling was beyond words.
We did it together, we gave birth to our baby, our family in a gently and loving way.
I deeply acknowledge and thank Sayana, Ed and everyone who was involved with this birth. I love you all.
By sharing my story, I hope to inspire more women to “Go for it” (as a friend said to me) and create their own perfect birth.
(Picture above is by Alex Florschutz) |
