by Robyn Sheldon
The Power and Pleasure of Natural Childbirth
272 pages paperback, 2-colour, 59 black & white photographs
A natural birth methodology which
takes pregnant women on a journey
back to the power and pleasure of birth.
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.
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.
Real birth stories enrich the book with beautiful
voices and poignant life lessons. . .
Stuart describes his unborn baby, “it seems like
a glowing white ribbon from my heart. . . a kind
of a longing. . . ”
Jeanette - “the unborn child work was breath
taking: to see her, touch her, hold her, smell her
before birth made me so ready.”
Lindy – “Ronnie saw my power going and he
stood across the bed, firmly held my hands and
my eyes and he psyched me into getting my
baby out. The people in the room are so critically
important. Ronnie was perfect for that; he was
so connected.”
The Mama Bamba Way is a natural birth methodology todevelop awareness of yourself and of your baby during
pregnancy, labour and after birth. It will show you how to
create a gentle and loving first impression of life for your baby
when it moves from the womb into the world.
Create a relationship with your baby in the womb
Use dance for surrendering into labour
Use meditation and visualization
Release patterns of fear that have been passed down from
our mothers and grandmothers
Create meaningful birth ceremonies
Communicate with your baby using mental telepathy
Choose the right kind of birth & care-giver
Decide if you and your baby really want a Caesarean
Understand that a colicky baby may be a way to release old
patterns of grief, anger and fear
Live through the loss of a baby
“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
Browse through sample pages of the book:
"Incredibly insightful - All you need to know to connect
with your baby and give birth lovingly are here."
–Jan Tritten, editor of Midwifery Today
"A precious resource for parents to be, a reminder of the
power and gifts that come from bringing mindfulness
and heartfulness to the unfolding of the whole process."
–Jon Kabat Zinn, co-author of Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting
Also available: Guided Relaxation for Birth, the Mama Bamba Way, an audio program by Robyn Sheldon, with music by Indidginus:
