Introduction

I am incredibly passionate about birth. I actually enjoy giving birth. I have been called strange on more than one occasion for stating this, but why should that be such an odd notion? Some people enjoy running marathons. Actually I am very excited about the whole childbearing year – from conception through pregnancy and birth to the beautiful experience of parenting a newly arrived soul. You see, for me this whole process is also a very spiritual process. It is a remarkable opportunity for growth on all levels. It teaches us responsibility, self-sacrifice and compassionate service of others. It teaches us love, trust, faith and patience and it gives us incredible joy and peace when we surrender to its lessons.

I am a Torah-observant Messianic believer, so my spiritual journey is based on this perspective. Throughout this book you will find interwoven simple, factual practicalities, scientific facts, and aspects of my personal spiritual journey and accounts of my own personal relationship with my Creator throughout this time. I do however, appreciate that my beliefs may not be yours so my hope and prayer is that you use this book to either explore your own spirituality in regards to conscious family creation or at the very least be encouraged by the practical tips contained within.

I believe that we were created in the image of YHVH and the unimaginable potential that image holds, and I believe that YHVH has a grand plan for humanity. This grand plan is outlined in His annual Holy Feast days as well as His Sabbath rest which He gave to serve as a reminder. I also believe that as Women and Mothers we have the most intimate opportunity to fully understand and appreciate this plan. Let me explain. It has been observed on numerous occasions in various ways over the millennia that the macrocosm is reflected in the microcosm.

‘As above, so below’.

This is a truism. Have you ever thought perhaps that the Creation hasn’t been fully completed? We have been told that humans were created in the image of the Creator. I believe this is mainly to mean the co-creative and Heart potential. We have been told that the creation was good in the eyes of the Creator, so there is no doubt in my mind that the first humans were physically perfect. Physiologically & anatomically they were finally tuned precision instruments, and actually we still are now. Our bodies haven’t changed but our attitudes and what we feed ourselves (mentally and physically) has. However given the theme of the Scriptures and what many enlightened souls have attuned into, particularly in the age we find ourselvesin now, our spiritual bodies are still in the process of being developed. Consider applying this to the childbearing year. We are created at conception. The blueprint for who we are is written at this point in the particular arrangement of our DNA. We then spend the rest of our time in the womb EXPANDING on our creation, DEVELOPING our essential organs, GROWING until we reach the point where it is time to move on. The Scriptures indicate that humanity will reach a point in its’ evolution/co-creation on Earth where it can no longer sustain itself and an incredible time of trial will occur. This time period is actually talked of using the analogy of the labouring woman. At the end of this trial period, which is actually an intense period of testing in FAITH, TRUST, and SURRENDER, we give birth. We forget the labour (hard work – which is unique in that just like labour and birth the period of testing is highly individual & personal) that we had just been through, to emerge fully aware to a profound JOY. In YHWH’s plan this is the return of the Messiah. The design of the period that follows with maternal nurturing (emotionally and physically) and the bonding of both Mother and Child is a beautiful reflection of the establishment of a new reign of Peace on the Earth which is available to the WHOLE of creation and paves the way for us to sit on the throne of Grace. Again the language used to describe this time is analogous to a mother nursing her child. The design of the childbearing year as such is so innate to our physical and emotional being that all women and families can partake in it, regardless of race, creed, or religion, financial or intellectual status. It is a basic yet Sacred birthright.

There are 2 simple facts about the childbearing year and birth in particular in the ‘developed’ world today:

• The policies and practices that embody Maternity Care in the present system are based on Fear and Profiteering. This system dis-empowers women as mothers and drives a wedge into the very core of the family unit from the very beginning.
• However, the present system of Maternity ‘Care’ will not see reform until the mind-set of the individual woman changes, and her culturally-inherited perception of pregnancy, birth, and her role as a Mother is challenged.

Birth matters. There is a growing body of evidence in the field of pre- and peri-natal psychology that shows that how we are nourished in the womb, how we are welcomed into the world, and how we are treated in the first 3 years of life plays an integral part in who we become as adults. Our behaviour, our habits and how we form and sustain meaningful relationships have all been directly linked to the reception we had at the very beginning of our lives. This knowledge is already there inside you. And this knowledge will help you co-create a conscious family and a sustainable future for the human species.

“Moreover, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was called Shifrah and the other Pu'ah. "When you attend the Hebrew women and see them giving birth," he said, "if it's a boy, kill him; but if it's a girl, let her live." However, the midwives were God-fearing women, so they didn't do as the king of Egypt ordered but let the boys live. The king of Egypt summoned the midwives and demanded of them, "Why have you done this and let the boys live?" The midwives answered Pharaoh, "It's because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian women -they go into labor and give birth before the midwife arrives." Therefore God prospered the midwives, and the people continued to multiply and grow very powerful.” Exodus 1:15-2

I draw much inspiration from this example. A number of things stand out in this account – the respect that the midwives had of El Shaddai (YHVH) and that they obeyed Him and His word, that the Hebrew women often gave birth before the midwives arrived and that YHVH blessed the midwives for trusting in Him. The commentaries on this story bring out a few more factors to consider. The Hebrew women were used to hard work (which they continued to do throughout their pregnancies such as is commonplace in many agricultural and ‘primitive’ societies) and gave birth quickly due to an increased level of fitness. They were themselves likely to be knowledgeable in the birth process and the art of midwifery (lit. being ‘with women’) due to communal living and the fact that birth was just another part of everyday existence. In re- introducing ourselves to birth and conscious family creation I would like to focus on one essential aspect which you will note is a key theme throughout this book. That key aspect is Trust.

My aim is not to convert you to my particular set of beliefs. I am not a ‘Bible basher’ but I am not ashamed of my beliefs either as my personal trust in YHVH and His design has brought me immense joy during this period in my life. My aim in writing this book is to not only share my passion with you but also act as a Spiritual Midwife if you will - just as the midwives in Egypt. I would like to incite in you a trust in the Creator if you already believe or at least a trust in this most exquisite process. A process that works and has been working since humans first begot other humans, and continues to work still, when we allow it.

I am the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

There are hundreds of books available now about birth and parenting. Many of these are interesting books and can be helpful but the majority also all fall short in one area. They assume that you need an expert opinion. They assume that you aren’t qualified enough. Occasionally a book will come a long that explores a different side to the childbearing year, one that affirms that our innate knowledge, inbuilt body mechanisms and instinct is capable and more than adequate. This is one of those books. This book is about giving you back the responsibility for the continuation and conscious development of our species, regardless of where or with whom you choose to give birth. It is written from a Natural Hygiene perspective. In a nutshell, Natural Hygiene is the science of life and the requirements needed to live a vibrant life. Autonomous (or conscious) child-rearing is a continuum of how we take responsibility for our own bodies, our own living temples. Although filled with lots of practical suggestions this isn’t so much of a ‘how to’ book, instead it is just as much a ‘you can do it’ book. You can do it. I believe in YHVH’s perfect design. I believe in you.

Many Blessings,

Michelle

Gold Coast. July 2011