Harmonious Birth

I'm so grateful for the very special new addition to our family - our baby son - and for a year of healing and progress.

These words from a hymn on "Gracenotes" were among the first I heard immediately after his birth - "The man of God's creating neither birth nor death shall know" - and this felt like a special angel message just for us. When I spoke to the practitioner who prayed with me throughout the pregnancy and birth, she told me that it was this was the very idea that had come to her to work with a few hours earlier when I'd called to say he was on his way. What precious evidence of one Mind caring for us all.

In the final weeks of pregnancy I struggled.  Normal things like standing, walking and sleeping were difficult. But even this was a blessing as it meant I had a much needed gear change. Busy work and home life up to this point had left no room for prayer and I knew I hadn't confronted and dealt with my fear of childbirth.

So I took time off work, picked up my daily study of the lesson, the obstetric notes from class, and frequent contact with the practitioner.  With this change in focus, I felt lovingly guided as one by one fears popped up and were dealt with.  Every day I also rejoiced in the progress I had made in the three years since our daughter was born.

Two Journal articles - both interviews with teachers - were very helpful.  In one, Ann Stewart talks about defending rather than fearing our bodies, seeing them as simply our highest sense of identity here on this earth, quite innocent. I love this... and the more I work with this idea, the more I can obey the first commandment and recognise that the body is not the scariest god of all. I saw evidence of progress the day before the birth when my midwife came for our appointment. She was talking to me about birth, and how the body is beautifully designed for childbirth. For the first time, I could listen without feeling squeamish.· I felt prepared, and fearless. How wonderful that the birth happened the very next day!

In the other article, Don Griffith talks about a healing that required real patience & persistence over the course of a few years. The journey was one of spiritual progress. This helped me during the final stages of pregnancy when I felt discouraged that physical healing wasn't coming quickly. It helped me focus on the spiritual journey rather than the physical symptoms. And it resulted in physical healing. I was able to move around much more freely in the last few weeks of pregnancy. The birth itself was quick and harmonious, and I was able to be at home throughout. This was a real blessing, as to everyone’s surprise (including the midwives), when the baby emerged he was in a position that often results in a C-Section, and rarely a normal home birth. And following the birth, I've had a speedy normal recovery.

All in all a very special and blessed experience for which I am very grateful.