Luna Nueva Wellness Collective

By Asatu Musunama Hall, Midwife and Health Educator

I remember being pregnant in 2008 and stressing out about the sex of my child. In my heart I wanted a little girl to carry on my maternal legacy but when asked “so what if it is a boy?” I remember experiencing anxiety which had nothing to do with my fear about giving birth. My anxiety was about having a Black son in a city, state, and a country where young Black boys and young men are murdered and disproportionately arrested and imprisoned. As a midwife and birthworker, I  knew the statistics about health disparities for Black mothers which meant that I as a Black mother along with indigenous mothers was 3-4 times more likely than a white woman to die during pregnancy, labor, or within the first year of birth due to preventable causes.

It took great effort on my part to rid myself of emotional trauma, eliminate anxiety so that I could birth without fear, and bring my son into the world without violence.

I can imagine that many pregnant mothers during this time of Covid-19, police brutality, violence, and revolution are experiencing a number of emotions including apprehension, fear, confusion, grief, and anxiety which is completely understandable given our current situation. However, fear hinders the birth process. During the birthing process, fear causes the body to produce adrenaline and forces much-needed oxygen away from the uterus; increasing the experience of pain whereas feeling nurtured, supported, and safe allows women to produce sufficient oxytocin to help the labor progress naturally and with greater ease.

In his 1975  book, Birth Without Violence French obstetrician Frederick Leboyer helped raise consciousness about the violent and fear-producing environment in the hospital during birth. He promoted a gentler and more sensitive birthing environment for delivery which, like the midwifery model of care, encourages gentle lighting, immediate placement of the baby on the mother’s stomach after birth, delayed cutting of the umbilical cord, infant massage and a warm bath to re-create the womb-like environment.

Even though the outside world is filled with turmoil,  extreme change, and even violence, the most important work (emotionally, physically and spiritually) for expecting mothers to do right now is to focus on taking care of herself and the child she that is carrying, keeping her environment positive, healthy and peaceful and lastly focus on giving birth to a healthy child in the least violent manner possible.

Here are a few suggestions to support A Birth without Fear and A Birth without Violence during the Covid-19 pandemic and our emerging revolution.

1. Consider switching from the “fear-based” medical hospital system to a midwifery model of care with a midwife
2. Hire a Doula
3. Work with a mental health therapist before birth to deal with past trauma, current fears, and anxiety
4. Ground yourself in your spiritual practice if you have one
5. Create positive affirmations and post them everywhere
6. Limit your exposure to social media and the news until after birth
7. Fill your mind with positive images of ecstatic natural births
8. Learn about Hypnobirthing or other forms of childbirth preparation
9. Shelter in during Covid-19

Good health in America is lacking, we live in a nation full of sick people always looking for a quick fix/cure (drug medicine & antibiotics), unwilling to slow down and take the time to let the body heal the cold or other ailments. Sometimes drugs can drive disease deeper into the body.

How do you know if you’re sick? Are you listening to your body? Do you have a rash on your skin, constipation, bloating, gas, indigestion, memory loss or fatigue? If you do, your body is talking to you. Ask your health practitioner or trusted professional.

Toxic, poisonous feelings of anger, hurt, disappointment, and guilt suppress the immune, endocrine, and digestive systems. So pivot towards changing your mood while focusing on healing thoughts.  Never suppress the pain; instead feel through it until it lets you go.

Things are closed, but don’t contract too much, let your heart expand – turn on all of the lights in your home and play joyous music that warms your heart.

We are social people, today social media is so much more relevant than ever, Zoom meetings, online dance classes, virtual video games, and long distance calls from an old friend. Immerse yourself in human connection, even if it’s virtual or over-the-phone it means a lot to the person on the other end and is self-fulfilling as well. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

Buddha—the awakened one— Dharma—expanding the teachings of the Buddha— Sangha—group practice and exchange of the teachings

Please continue yoga, breathing meditation, good nutrition, deep breathing, emotional well being, good sleep, and doing things that make you feel good and fulfilled in a positively benefiting way. Be grateful for what you have in this moment – everything.

Gut health becomes even more important as we get older, this may be why commercials on the television target older populations with over-the-counter antacids and laxatives. I want to share a book that I recently enjoyed, The Body Ecology Book by Donna Gates. It was referred to me by my acupuncturist.  With the right timing and discipline, it can be life-changing. I highly recommend it.

Now is the time to do those things you put off and never have time to do at home or in the backyard. Like reading that book that’s been sitting on the bookshelf (yes I still have one) or watching that movie that a friend recommended a year ago. Take good care of your home, self and family and be well always.

– Sabrina Pinell, Reiki Soul Healer & CMT