My wonderful girl friend, who is also pregnant, told me about Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful, a book by Gurmukh, a well known yogi who is considered an expert in pre/postnatal yoga. I got the book this week and couldn’t put it down. It was so rewarding to read Gurmukh’s message.
Once I hit the six months mark in this pregnancy, I started wishing my pregnancy away – not Baby Friedman, I can’t wait to meet her – but I have been complaining about how “over” being pregnant I am. Gurmukh reminds her readers to slow down and to enjoy every minute of the pregnancy. She emphasizes that in pregnancy “Your definition of self changes from “I” to “we.” To have a child is to undergo transformation.” Baby Friedman and I are making this transformation together and I have to give us the full amount of designated time to do this, and I need to cherish it because it is such an honor to receive this gift of motherhood. Furthermore, she discusses how “Just as within the yogic tradition, the Jewish Kabbalists teach that our souls choose our parents, because only particular parents can teach a particular soul what it has to learn in this lifetime.” I love the idea that baby Friedman has chosen me and she is not some random happening of science. And this time when are bodies are one is the closest our souls will ever be so I might as well enjoy every minute of this pregnancy and give our souls some mingling time!
At the end of each chapter, Gurmukh suggests a mediation to practice with a particular focus. She teaches through each mediation to use the mantra “Sat Nam” while breathing. “Sat” on the inhale and “Nam” on the exhale. The “Sat Nam” mantra translates to truth is my identity. These meditations and breathing techniques can be used during labor. I respect the importance of keeping true to one’s self during the labor process. I had a cesarian with Liam and am trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian) with baby Friedman. But I am fully aware that depending on what goes on at the end of the pregnancy and during labor can change my plans, and I might being going under the knife again for baby number two. Or I might be able to make it through hours of natural labor and feel too exhausted to continue and need an epidural. I am not going to beat myself up over anything. Or feel like I didn’t get the experience I wanted because a change in plans occurred. I believe that as long as I stay true to myself and listen to my body and the baby then I will bring this soul into the world healthy and happy. Gurmukh reminds her readers that every baby is the author of her birth. I will let baby Friedman write her birth story.
Gurmukh also suggests a sacred space, such as an altar, be set up to practice these meditations. To be honest, I have never seriously meditated and certainly haven’t tried to set up my own sacred space to do so, but, again, I love this idea! Why not have a baby Friedman shrine as I am mentally preparing to go through the trials of labor? So, last night I purchased a small gold painted statue of Buddha and an ornate candle votive for my shrine. I am also going to frame one of my ultrasound photographs to be place on the shrine. I am still in need of some pretty or sentimental fabric to cover the shrine.
I even shared with Joe some of the meditations that are suggested for couples to do – both Joe and I had a good laugh at this. Anyone who knows Joe knows he is far from the meditation type of guy. You never know though…he might see my shrine and want to partake!
