planning a re-birth

[jrabbit]

After an awful emergency c/s on Jan 9, I'm planning a re-birth ceremony tomorrow with our midwife, kids, and doula (we had originally planned for her to be part of our birth, and care for our kids). I don't honestly know what we'll do - I'm not much for role playing or reenactment, but this just seems important. I want to have some positive memories of these early days.

Any thoughts?

We'll have candles, peaceful music, and an herbal bath. MW suggested that I pretend to be in labor, and go through the motions of pushing her out. The kids will be "involved" as if it were really happening the way we originally planned. Then, we'll take a bath - I've been anticipating the herbal bath for several months. I got the ok to take a bath last Friday, and I decided to wait for 'this' to be the first one.

I also want some pictures of me holding her in this bath - so that I can have some "first photos" that don't make me cry as much as the others.

--janis
(cross posted in the birth trauma section)

[Juvysen]

That sounds lovely. What a wonderful idea! I hope it is healing for you.

[nummies]

I think it sounds great. Best wishes to you.

[RachaelsMommy]

That sounds amazing!

[wbg]

This is a wonderful idea...wishing you and your family and beautiful baby a truly remarkable, healing and empowering rebirth.

[DahliaRW]

I think that sounds amazing. If it's not too private, I'd love to read about how it all turns out.

[barefootpoetry]

That sounds really nice. I'd never heard of rebirthing before now, so I went and looked it up. I think it would be a great way to heal. I hope it goes well for you.

And I know how you feel about those photos making you cry...precisely why I am glad I have no photos from my first labor and birth. Even just the ones in my postpartum room make me sad a little.

[Flower of Bliss]

What an awesome idea Janis. I hope you have a wonderful day with your family.

[jrabbit]

I've finally written the story. I don't know when we'll get pictures on the page, but the story is there. It was more than I expected, and I'm really glad we did it.

http://lostmother.blogspot.com

[Juvysen]

That was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Jilian]

I'm so happy for you, what a beautiful rebirth you have. You have an amazing support system and birthing team. I hope you got lots of beautiful pictures and can remember it for years to come. I'm sure your little one will love hearing the story of her rebirth.

[acemama]

Wow, that was really amazing. Thank you for sharing this.

[groovynaturemama]

your rebirth moved me to tears, mama. thank you so much for sharing. you have some amazing people and so much love surrounding you.

[RachaelsMommy]

That was amazing!

[DahliaRW]

Absolutely beautiful!

[canadiannancy]

Sitting here with tears running down my cheeks, your rebirth story was amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[wbg]

You are an amazing woman..with an awesome family.

[ghuaghua]

Wow-
This sounds really interesting.

[jenmidwife2b]

That was beautiful, thanks for sharing that with all of us.

[Hallielynn01]

I'm crying for you right now. And not much makes me cry! So glad you got to have a great rebirth. We just went through an amazing homebirth and I am trying to put myself in your shoes, how I would feel if we had lost it. I'm glad you were able to reclaim some of your birthing power and send the negative away and fill the space with good and love.