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A pregnant woman and her baby belly is simply one of the most beautiful forms on earth!
In their empowering, often healing birth book, Birthing From Within, Pam England, CNM, MA, and Rob Horowitz, PhD write:
One kind of learning comes from books. But the learning necessary for you to participate completely in your birth must come from you. In making birth art or journaling, just bringing an image to light can be surprisingly revealing (and sometimes healing). Listening to it speak to you can tell you even more. Dreams, reverie and art all carry messages from the unconscious…
An active, gentle exploration process not only brings overlooked resources and strengths to conscious awareness, but identifies obstacles and inhibitions that might prevent you from using them.
Birth art doesn't have to be pretty, colorful or carefully planned. It is as raw, honest and spontaneous as birth itself.
It is important to notice how you approach making art, because it is a metaphor for how you approach doing things in your life, especially things you are unfamiliar with, such as birthing. Do you say, "I don't know how to do this!" and hesitate, or give up altogether (leaving it up to 'the professionals')? Do you find yourself comparing yourself and competing with others? Or can you be curious and say, "Let's see what I can do!"?
Your art, like your labor, doesn't have to be perfect. Just give it your best effort.
One expressive form of pregnancy and birth art is belly painting. What a fun celebration of the life growing within!
If you have a painted (or henna) baby belly photo you'd like to share here, we'd love to see them! Upload to the peaceful parenting Facebook page or drop them to us in an email at PeacefulParents@gmail.com
Happy Baby Growing!
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