Kristalle Garcia-Kekert
“WHAT a wonderfully inspiring day it was with this group of birth workers and birthing families,” shares Samantha Garcia-Gagnon, a mother of two and a practicing doula in Vancouver, BC.
(A doula is also known as a birth companion and post-birth supporter: a nonmedical person who assists a woman before, during, and/or after childbirth, as well as her spouse and/or family, by providing physical assistance and emotional support).
Sharing her knowledge and experience, Samantha also includes, “I really hope that participants were inspired by our words and left knowing that their births can be beautiful, empowering and respectful. I also hope that many seeds were planted and the gentle birth community continues to grow in Cebu. I am personally feeling inspired and excited for what is possible in my home town,” she says.
Held at the Montebello Villa Hotel, this day-long workshop was led by Manila-based organizers doula Irina Otmakhova and yoga teacher Monica Eleazar Manzano, both of whom are pioneers of the Gentle Birth Community in the Philippines. The attendees at this event consisted of mothers, expecting mothers, nurses, doulas, midwives and even a medical doctor.
As Cebu witnessed its first-ever gathering of gentle birth advocates at the Sacred Pregnancy and Concious Birth workshop, it gave women the chance to understand that there is no need to fear the act of birthing. This workshop, which introduced holistic, gentle birthing techniques together with a discussion for a culture shift toward a more supportive and respectful environment that it is possible for women to give birth using evidence-based care, was very helpful to many. This workshop also included a prenatal yoga session and mother blessing ritual followed by topics such as Nutrition for Healthy Conception and Labor, Why Gentle Birth, Techniques of Gentle Birth and Lotus Birthing as well as discussions on childbirth trauma and the rise of medical interventions. This movement is an awareness of birthing options available in the Philippines.
This event was made possible by BodyFood All-Natural, Cutieverse, Hearty Bites, IndigoBaby, Montebello Villa Hotel, Modern Mama, Mooshi Green Bar, Moringana, St. Michael’s Playgarden, Wholefood Cebu and Yogahub. Anyone interested is invited to join the Gentle Birth in Cebu Facebook Community Page: www.facebook.com/groups/gentlebirthcebu and email gentlebirthcebu@groups.facebook.com. For more information, you may contact also contact Irina Otmakhova or Monica Eleazar-Manzano at 0917-838-6261 or email them at consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com.