Sacred Severance: “Birthday Candle” Cord Burning Ceremony

I made a few different choices for my second birth, one of which was eschewing the cord-cutting tradition. Instead of clamping and cutting J’s umbilical cord we held a sacred severance ceremony, an ancient ritual that involves using flame to slowly burn the cord. It was a beautiful and peaceful few minutes dedicated to J’sContinue reading “Sacred Severance: “Birthday Candle” Cord Burning Ceremony”

All About Postpartum Doulas

A PLANNED versus RANDOM recovery can make a world of difference. Just as we would follow a care plan after a dental procedure or sprained ankle, we should follow a recovery protocol after birth to re-balance nine months’ worth of physical, emotional, and hormonal transformations. Postpartum assistance is most often needed in the duration ofContinue reading “All About Postpartum Doulas”

Belly Binding F.A.Q.

What is Bengkung Belly Binding? This is a traditional Malaysian method of promoting healing after an event of disconnection within the mid-torso, part of a sealing ceremony known as ‘closing the bones.’ A long piece of fabric (cotton, muslin, etc) is wrapped tightly around the torso from the pubic bone to just under the breasts.Continue reading “Belly Binding F.A.Q.”

Yoni Steaming F.A.Q.

You may have already heard of Yoni Steaming. Bertangas by Malaysian tradition, it’s also referred to as v-steaming, vaginal steaming, feminine steaming, v-sauna, yoni sauna, and peri-steam in modern Western culture. This treatment is incorporated into ancient ritual for those who have long turned to herbal medicine for restoration of yoni health. Benefits of theContinue reading “Yoni Steaming F.A.Q.”

Pitocin & Postpartum Depression/Anxiety

First things first: Pitocin is not oxytocin. Oxytocin is the “love hormone” generated in labor that primarily contracts the uterus, but as a brain-based hormone its influence spans the body. It’s very active in the birth giver’s brain, and plays a role in protecting certain receptors in the baby’s brain, too.Pitocin is a synthetic formContinue reading “Pitocin & Postpartum Depression/Anxiety”