Birthing Stories: Goddess Pixie

Hola gorgeous Goddesses,

We need to share our birthing stories. The ones that are less about war and pain, and more about magic, miracles and possibility. Of courage, and love, and intuition.

Of what it means to be a woman, and a mother, and a soul on an intense, transformative journey.

These birth story posts are gatherings… celebrating circles of women who have experienced birthing and their sacred stories. I’m so grateful & blessed that mamas from around the globe have agreed to speak their stories to me, and to us… I want to weave a woven wicker basket of mama’s birthing stories for us all to hear in our hearts.

Today’s birthing stories are from one of my favouritest families in the world – Goddess Pixie {an amazing artist & circle sister}, her wonder-hubby Brandon & their two precious spirit-children Miles & Ivy.

* How did you prepare for your births?

With Miles Lighthorse, my firstborn, I read many home birth books, practiced breathing deeply, took a hypnobirthing class, ate healing foods, and rested as much as I could. I created a beautiful meditation where I envisioned my body opening up like a gate to allow him out smoothly and every guide and helper I could imagine was there, assisting me! With my daughter, Ivy Tallulah, I trusted that she would arrive in perfect time and I don’t think I read a thing! Perhaps a magazine. I built my confidence for homebirth both times by seeing my regular doctor and gathering as much information about the baby as I could, while planning my birth with the midwife simultaneously. Somehow, this made me feel like I had all of my bases covered!

* Can you describe your birth story?

What stands out the most to me about the act of giving birth is how it is the only time in my life that I can remember time truly standing still.

The primal body takes over, and in a beautiful dance between mother and new life, my babies came forth. I’ve never before felt so… holy.

Both of my babies were born quickly and without any conventional assistance except for when they were emerging, when the midwife helped them out and onto me. My breath, combined with the support and energy of my husband carried us through the amazing physical and spiritual process. Labor was exciting and fun, positive and upbeat, until the shift of transition took place and the created focus on the birth of our children.

* What was the best technique you used when birthing?

Using my breath and keeping my body and legs relaxed and open through the more intense contractions was very helpful. Fear leads to tension, which leads to pain, so I tried to steer clear of tensing up. I stayed in the warm bath for about three hours before my daughter was born and the warm water was perfect at helping me feel weightless. Oddly, I would turn onto my side in the tub with each surge, I think that it helped shift her off of my back, where I was really feeling the pressure. In both births, my bag of waters broke just before my babies were born. For this reason, the most intense feelings were right at the end. I used low, abdominal sounds instead of high pitched releases. This helped me stay in my power, stay energized and get through the deliveries. I also believed that my babes would prefer to hear these kinds of sounds over something more shrill. I channeled my best mama bear growls

My favourite! Pixie-Mama, Ivy-in-belly & Miles the Magical!

* Do you have any birthing/mama books, blogs, resources that inspired you that you’d like to share?

I really love Birthing From Within, by Pam England. Because visualization really stays with me and builds my confidence when I’m facing something challenging, I found that the exercises and meditations spoke to me.

I love anything written by Peggy O’Mara, of Mothering Magazine. Having a Baby Naturally and Natural Family Living are two books I read over and again.

* What do you want to say to all the birthing-mama-goddesses-to-be out there?

I’d love for women to know that pregancy and birth are organic processes that cannot be controlled or overplanned. Having a vision for the kind of birth you’d love to have is necessary to create that birth as best you can.

Beyond that, surrendering your body to this miracle helps take the pressure off immensely.

It also really helped me to keep perspective on the history of birth-billions of women have done this before us, so we mustn’t feel alone or frightened. I believe that babies about to be born can sense our confidence and our fear, and this is their first insight about whether we will be strong for them later on. I wanted to make a good impression.

I’d also love to add that I very much enjoyed my Blessingway ceremony. Having friends and family honor my transition from maiden to mother set the tone for my birth and my first parenting experiences, while also bonding me to these women.

I was worshiped for an entire day from head to toe, stories were shared, henna tattoos were drawn on my belly, my hair plaited, a tree was hung with wishes for my son, a book of letters to Miles from all of my friends compiled. It was a rite of passage like no other, that made my birth feel even more sacred. I will never forget how treasured I felt, and surrounded by goddess love. And it’s okay to ask for this.

Thank you so much, sweetest goddess sister Pixie for sharing your precious truths & stories with us!

There was so much goodness from this interview there will be a Part Two in the next week… with some scrumptious mama-goddess sharings… so keep your eyes wide open darlinghearts! Wahoo!

big love,