Natural Fertility & Pre-Conception Health,Moment of Conception It is a sad fact that people spend much more time and money planning their wedding, and buying a house or car, than they do in planning to make a new human being that will be their child for a lifetime. But really, what is more important ?Healthy babies depend on two healthy parents prior to conception taking place. Most foetal abnormalities occur early on during development, so it is imperative that you are in good health well beforehand.
This can be achieved if both partners take charge of their health and allow a minimum of 4 months to prepare for a “conscious conception”. This is because the sperm takes 116 days to develop, mature, be stored and ejaculated, while the egg is vulnerable to damage for 100 days before ovulation. The closer both partners follow the programme, the higher the chances that you will have a successful outcome.
After over a year off the pill and having irregular periods, Virginia helped me to get a more regular cycle through a combination of nutritional counselling, herbs and vitamins. Shortly after initiating her pre-conception programme, we were able to conceive and the pregnancy has been straightforward. Virginia understands a range of fertility matters and has encouraged me to make more educated choices about my lifestyle. Her continuing support and advice helped me focus on my pregnancy and I feel healthy and fit. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Virginia to other couples who are considering conception.” Mrs F. E.
An initial consultation will explore in detail your medical and fertility history, and you may be required to undergo some tests to see exactly what we are dealing with. e.g. hair mineral analysis to screen for trace element, mineral and heavy metal status; semen analysis; zinc tally; and blood tests to measure nutrients, hormones, thyroids and markers for susceptibility to miscarriage.
Like most women, you probably already know what a baby shower is, and chances are you have either attended one or had one planned for you in the weeks leading up to an impending birth. However, there is a beautiful pre-birth tradition which is becoming more popular as word spreads: a blessingway – which is also known as a Mother Blessing.
A blessingway is an old Navajo (native American) ceremony, which celebrates a woman’s rite of passage into motherhood. A westernised version of this is the ‘Mother Blessing’ which is the term I will use out of respect of the Navajo tradition, especially having read that the Navajo people don’t approve of the name being used this way (I have used it in the title as it is more widely known as a blessingway). Unlike a traditional baby shower, where gifts are purchased for the baby, a Mother Blessing is all about nurturing the mother-to-be and celebrating motherhood.
As with most special events in modern society, baby showers have become very commercialised. If you were to ask someone to describe what happens at a baby shower, the answer would probably be something like, ‘where women get together and give gifts for the baby’. There is also so much focus on the new arrival and excitement of meeting the baby, and very little focusing on and nurturing the mother – ‘filling her cup’ – so it overflows with love. A woman who is given lots of love has more love to give in return – and there is nothing like a circle of loving women to get that oxytocin (hormone of love) flowing!
A Mother Blessing is a beautiful and unique way to honour the mother, spend time with her, share stories, debrief fears and to instill confidence and strength.What Happens at a Mother Blessing,A Mother Blessing involves a gathering of the mother-to-be’s most trusted friends and family, who sit in the power of a circle and share amongst one another. Traditionally it is a woman-only gathering and may include her mother, sisters, aunts, daughters, best of friends, mentors – anyone she respects, looks up to or values. It helps the woman to prepare herself for the birth, emotionally, spiritually and mentally, for the all important role of a new mother.
She feels ‘held’ and supported by those she loves and respects – a great way to help her release any blockages she may be feeling and to allow her to embrace what’s to come. Hearing other women’s birth stories as you share around the circle can be surprising, exciting and heartwarming to hear. A Mother Blessing can be very affirming, empowering and uplifting.
It doesn’t matter what religion (if any) the mother is – a Mother Blessing honours all belief systems.The guests can bring a plate of food to share (to follow in the theme of sharing), although you may like to provide all the food yourself if you are planning one – but don’t forget to include it on the invite if you wish for them to bring a plate to share.
Mother Blessings will vary in proceedings and rituals, there is no set order or agenda, so you can choose what you would like to do.For my own Blessingway, I had each guest bring a vegetarian dish, 2 beads – 1 for myself and 1 for my baby, to contribute to a blessingway necklace to be worn or hung around the neck during labour. I also had each woman bring me a 8? x 8? piece of funky fabric to make a bunting, or flags to be hung above the birth space and/or above the baby’s sleeping space after birth, to remind me of all my friend’s blessings and welll wishes.
During the cermony I was pampered with a herbal foot soak while I had my belly painted with henna and during this time each friend bought me their beads and a blessing to wish me a good birth and to wish the baby a safe arrival.After the cermony my flags were sewn together to make the bunting which 18 months on, still hangs to this day!
If you would like me to conduct a Blessingway ceremony for you, please get in touch and I can help make this journey to parenthood an extra special occasion that is suited to your individual tastes.Giving birth can be physically demanding, emotionally draining and fraught with fear. But did you know that hiring an experienced birth support person (or ‘doula’), can help your birthing experience be one of transformation and empowerment.
Research shows that having a doula can:Halve your chances of caesarean, forceps or vacuum extraction.Shorten labour by reducing stress, pain and anxiety.Significantly reduce the need for pain medication relief.Increase relationship satisfaction with your partner and your baby.
A doula is someone you come to know well by the time of your birth, and who is there during your labour, by your side, focused solely on you and your partner. She can encourage you, remain objective, and help your partner feel more confident about how to support you.
She can also assist you with practical knowledge on measures to relieve discomfort and encourage relaxation during labour, such as positioning, use of water, massage and aromatherapy.A doula can provide information when you have questions, and can help you communicate more effectively with your medical caregivers and supports you in making choices that are right for you.