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What is Birthsong?
Birthsong is a term that I use to describe the use of singing during birth. Specifically, it describes singing from the heart.
Birthsong classes will be held in two formats:
Birthsong Intensive Birth Preparation Course
- 4 x 2 hour classes held over 1 month.
- The course is designed for the pregnant mother and her partner or birth partner.
- Course will cover specific birthsong philosophy and techniques.
Birthsong singing group
- 1 hour classes held fortnightly.
- Multicultural singing group for families with babies (unborn-3 years old).
- We will come together to sing songs that celebrate new life, nurture the spirit and give courage for birth and parenting.
As the brilliant mind, Leonardo DaVinci once said “Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony?”
Benefits of singing during labour
Through the births of my own four kids and in supporting other women during birth, I have discovered that singing during labour has the following benefits:
- Gives you a focus during contractions which helps you stay positive during the birth.
- Helps you relax in between contractions. Easing tension in the body is thought to lessen the pain of labour.
- Naturally regulates your breathing which helps increase the supply of oxygen to you and baby.
- Gives you strength and confidence to own the birth space.
- Helps you, your birth team and your care provider’s tune into your labour’s rhythm and progression. Contractions are often signaled by long notes and as labour progresses, you may even hear yourself start to push before you consciously feel like pushing. This kind of awareness of your labour can help you receive appropriate support and sensitivity.
- Is a great way of your partner and/or birth team engaging in the labour. Singing with someone else is an invaluable support tool.
- Enables you to give from your heart and experience birth as an act of love.
If you have never experienced the full benefits that singing can bring into your life, unearth your hidden inner potential and discover how singing can enhance your experience of birth.
Quotes from women who have used singing in labour and in parenting…
'It amazed me that my sounds in transition were the softest of the entire labour. In my previous birth, I had experienced transition as a turbulent storm followed by hours of pushing. And now, although I felt like screaming, my doula helped me to make soft and sweet sounds. The stillness of my voice calmed my body and I gave birth to my son not long after.'
'Me and my husband settled into a comfy position and began the song. I sang my birth song which had come to me very clearly throughout the pregnancy. It felt good to sing and as my husband played a djembé, we found a rhythm of labour where no words were needed. I would naturally go into an Om during rushes and my husband followed in rhythm and then led me out at the end of the rush into a high tribal energy. We went on like this for what must have been a little over an hour. The singing in between contractions was so uplifting for me and I felt the vibrations keeping my body soft. The sounding during rushes gave me focus and allowed me to hear how close my bébé was. As she came further down the birth canal my sounds became lower until I literally heard myself push!! I knew that I was nearing 2nd stage.'
'I sounded during the birth of my daughter and now as I write my birth story, my daughter is cutting her first tooth and I can hear her sounding too. Long, smooth and soulful sounds that are soothing her soul and mine. I love that I have taught her a skill for life.'
As a mother, I sing to my kids to calm them when they are hurt or can’t sleep. I sing when I need emotional strength because when I hear my heart connecting with my voice it reminds me of who I am.
Price structure
Birthsong Intensive Birth Preparation - $100 per couple
Birthsong Singing Group - $10 per family / per class
More Information
Birthsong in Bellingen is set to start January 2009. Classes will be held in other areas if there is a demand.
How do I book a Birthsong Class?
To book a birthsong class, contact the ‘Love to Birth’ Studio.
Phone: (02) 6655 2992
Email:
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