Sacred Postpartum Ritual
Closing the Bones Ceremony
The Closing the Bones ritual, also known as the Sealing ceremony, is a sacred and deeply affectionate practice with profound significance. It beautifully recognizes the intricate dance of childbirth, where a woman's body, heart, and soul expand to bring forth life.
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Childbirth, with all its raw beauty, can leave a mother emotionally exposed and vulnerable. The Closing the Bones ceremony responds to this vulnerability with deep spirituality and love—a path to restoration, rebalancing, and honoring the sacred vessel of the mother's body. It is a radiant journey back to wholeness.
Incorporating Closing the Bones and the sealing ceremony into the postpartum experience marks the transition into motherhood as a sacred passage. It creates a sacred space, a joyous celebration, and a profound act of nurturing for both mother and baby. The ceremony begins by establishing a sacred sanctuary, often using smudging to cleanse and purify the energies.
We gather to honor this transformative moment, sharing herbal teas and, most importantly, listening attentively to the mother's birth story—an essential narrative that deserves to be heard and revered.
If the mother chooses, she can partake in a ceremonial bath infused with fragrant rose petals and essential oils—a symbolic cleansing of the birthing experience and a reembracing of femininity and beauty. This may be followed by a gentle back massage, with warm oils cradling her spirit.
As she lies down, the Rebozo comes into play, its tender techniques applied with love.
The journey begins with a subtle rocking of the hips, a comforting dance performed with a Rebozo or another soft scarf or shawl. This rhythmic motion serves as a lullaby for the body, guiding it into a state of relaxation and comfort.
Next, attention turns to the abdomen and hips, where warm oil is applied. It's a caring massage that communicates with the body's innate wisdom, gently coaxing it into a state of serene surrender.
As this phase concludes, the hips/body are delicately wrapped, and blessings are spoken as she is lovingly bound at specific points on her body.
Warm oils and lavender-infused flaxseed pouches envelop her, providing warmth and tenderness.
After this loving care, the mother is invited to rest, wrapped in warmth and nurtured by love.
The essence of this ceremony surpasses words—it testifies to the sacredness of women's bodies, the resilience of the spirit, and the enduring power of love. Every woman entering motherhood deserves this profound expression of love, respect, and celebration. It serves as a reminder that the birthing journey doesn't conclude with the baby's arrival; it is an ongoing cycle of love and rebirth.
This ceremony can be performed as early as six hours after childbirth for those who have had a normal delivery, standing as a timeless tribute to the incredible strength and resilience of women.
Bengkung Bellybinding
During pregnancy, the intricate interplay of hormones causes ligaments to stretch, gently loosening the pelvic floor structure. This natural process allows the pelvic bones to gracefully open, making way for the birth of your precious baby—a marvel of nature that may leave a mother feeling a bit unsteady on her feet.
After giving birth, the pelvic floor may retain a gentle looseness and instability for up to five months. Here, the beautiful practice of belly binding becomes significant. It acts as a gentle guide, expediting the realignment process and restoring everything to its rightful place. Moreover, it offers relief from the back pain that can accompany the immediate postnatal period—a nurturing embrace for a mother's body that often goes unnoticed.
Consistency is key to this practice. It's advisable to wear the belly bind as often as possible during the initial six weeks after giving birth. Ideally, begin wearing it around day five post-birth for about 10-12 hours a day, extending it for at least 40 days or longer if found beneficial. C-section mothers should wait approximately six weeks until their incision is mostly healed before starting the wrapping process.
It's crucial to note that there are contraindications for this practice, particularly in cases of a fallen uterus. In such situations, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is recommended.
Belly binding isn't merely a physical practice; it's a loving embrace for your postpartum body—a reminder of the incredible journey it has undertaken and a gentle guide back to strength and stability.
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