​Why a sacred window? A sacred window to what?

In most indigenous traditions, the postpartum period is regarded as a sacred time for mother to heal, bond with her baby and integrate the experience of  pregnancy, labour and birth as a way of moving forward with the newest member of the family.

​The common thread all these traditions have is that they are mother centred. As a mother you hold so much, you are the container, and the postpartum period serves as a resting period to fill your cup, to replenish the mother, fill your tank up.

​As a mother you are now responsible for a baby –
you need to be response-able,
​have the ability to respond to your child's needs.
​In order to do that your needs must be met first.
​

why a postpartum doula?

There is so much noise out there. So many books, articles, opinions. Do this. Don't do this. Swaddle. Don't swaddle. Feed on demand. Feed on a schedule. Pacifiers are bad. Pacifiers are good. Your baby should, would and could do this. And that.
So much noise! It can get so noisy that it becomes hard to hear what you already know. Because deep down, YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW.

As a postpartum doula my wish is to support you through those early days. Help you quieten the noise around so that you can find your own voice as a mother, help you tune into the deep knowing that you, as mother of your baby, already know what is right for you both.

In order to connect with your innate wisdom,to quieten all that noise around,it's important that your needs be met.
That you be fed, kept warm and are witnessed, every step of the way, as you immerse yourself into the realm of motherhood.

Every time a child is born, so is a mother, regardless of whether it's her first or third child.
Becoming a mother is a rite of passage and as such, it must be witnessed by one's community.
​As women, our rites of passage are of physical nature – menarche, pregnancy, labour, motherhood.
Unfortunately, in most cases, they are not experienced as such, and are not honoured as the rites of passage that they are, leaving our women discombobulated.

Pregnancy and labour are gestures of expansion, of growth. Whether your baby is through pregnancy, surrogacy or adoption, the gesture of expansion is still there as you prepare for your child's arrival.
Postpartum period sees women feeling raw and fragile.
This is a wonderful opportunity for contemplation, introspection and integration.

I acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work. I acknowledge and respect their ongoing connection to land, waterways, and community. I recognise that I live and work on stolen land and that sovereignty was never ceded. I express my deep respect and gratitude for all Elders past, present, and emerging.

All pictures by Ana Oström
www.sol-foto.com