Birth is a powerful process that has a deep impact on us, physically, psycho-emotionally and spiritually. It is well known that babies are aware of their experience from conception on and that it is registered in the cells, tissues and nervous system as ‘implicit memory’. In life these earliest experiences are expressed in body sensations, emotions and behaviours.

Indigenous tribal cultures have always had an intuitive understanding of the need to prepare body, mind and spirit for the arrival of a baby in the womb. Here in the west we are becoming more aware of the impact of a traumatic conception, gestation or birth on a baby and of the need to create a safe and protected womb space and to birth as gently and lovingly as possible. Babies are intelligent and sensitive and need plenty of positive, loving interactions, physical contact and holding and a peaceful, safe environment in which to develop in healthy ways. They are learning to build trust in themselves, in relationship and in life itself, thus laying down healthy physiological and psycho-emotional patterns in the body/mind.

In this process it is essential that parents are well supported and are able to acknowledge and be with their vulnerable feelings and past wounding which may otherwise get in the way of healthy bonding with their baby or child. Whatever is not consciously owned and healed by parents will be unconsciously passed on to their children, hence family patterns are perpetuated. The preconception time is an ideal time to be exploring any unresolved issues from the past which may surface in body symptoms, strong emotions and relationship dynamics. There is also the opportunity to release old beliefs and behaviours during pregnancy as it is a powerful time of opening up for both mother and father in preparation for labour and after. Developing greater self-awareness and resources will stand parents in good stead as they meet the challenges of parenthood.