“The stories, meditations and lived experience in this book are powerful wisdom for expecting parents. It shows us concretely how to relax into, accept and transform the fear and pain of birth by coming back to the present moment to be aware of our body and mind.” —Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Peace is Every Step

The Power and Pleasure of Natural Childbirth, 272 pages paperback, 2-colour, 59 black & white photographs

There is richness and magic in birth. Yet because we are afraid of its pain and power we turn our backs on it, choosing instead to sanitize it and strip it of feeling through medical interventions. Yet birth is a peak experience that has the potential to transform us, and birthing with conscious awareness offers our children an initial experience of life where they are shown that they need not be afraid – that life in all its intensity is something to embrace, laugh with, cry about and cherish.

The Mama Bamba Way contains processes for women to explore during pregnancy and labour, so that no matter how it unfolds, birth is a satisfying experience for them. The core tools in the book are meditative awareness, relaxation and surrender, deep exploration of our unconscious minds, connecting with our babies in the womb and labour support.

Real birth stories enrich the book with beautiful voices and poignant life lessons. The Mama Bamba Way also offers practical advice for the early months of parenting and what to do when we suffer the loss of a baby. Although it is an uncommon event, it is included here because it remains unaddressed and avoided too much in our society.

Robyn Sheldon in her Cape Town practice, Mama Bamba, teaches an avant-garde birthing process with incredible results. She is a midwife, integration therapist, and meditation facilitator, specializing in helping pregnant women release birth fear and create trauma free births for their babies.
For more information, see her Author's Page