ICAN…belly dance?

I haven’t talked about it too much here, but I have been going to monthly meetings of our local ICAN chapter to help educate myself in anticipation of Thumper’s arrival. Most meetings are a bit serious, in that it can be difficult to talk about the mysteries surrounding the birth process, and everyone has very interesting and compelling stories about their respective journeys to motherhood (you are probably starting to see why I don’t talk about it too much here!).

This month’s meeting was particularly fun and interesting — we lightened things up and had a holiday party last night. There was even entertainment — a belly dancing instructor! I wasn’t so sure about the relevance of belly dancing while 9 months pregnant, but the teacher (who was very good) explained that for centuries, Eastern women have used belly dancing in part for child birth preparation and as coping mechanisms during labor. And it makes sense, once you think it through — focussing outward on the music to bring some rhythm to dealing with contractions, and many of the hip rolls and rocks are the very same kinds of moves that are recommended for helping the baby’s head engage in the right position and helping Mom deal with the intensity of the contractions.

So there I was, rockin’ and rollin’ with the rest of them. And it actually felt really good! I will keep the moves in mind when I am in labor, for sure. The funny thing is, the last time I took a belly dancing lesson, I was just barely pregnant with Alex, and joined my sister’s class out in Santa Fe. I now wish I had found the time to follow up and take more classes! Someday. Right now, I am not going for visual perfection of form, just moves that will help me cope and help me ensure this little one is nicely positioned.

The other great thing about this particular meeting was a great little candle ceremony the gals did for me and one other woman who are imminently expecting. There was a candle for each month of the pregnancy, and in the end each woman present brought to light a fear about birth and, by blowing away the candle, blew away the fear as well. It was very emotional for me (of course, pretty much everything is very emotional for me right now!) and really helped me focus on how far I have come throughout this pregnancy. It was important to voice my fears and let them go.

Yes, I am going for a very natural birth with this little one. With the grace of God, there will be no drugs, there will be no unnecessary interventions, and (this is the biggie!) there will be no scalpels. Been there, done that, don’t want to go down that road again if I can possibly help it.

The chapter leader’s daughter was sweet enough to have woven me a little bracelet embroidered ICAN. I will wear it until after the baby arrives. A little reminder that all of those women who have been supportive to me during my pregnancy are out there, sending me their good thoughts. And that I can give birth to this baby the way God intended.