What happens at a Mother Shower?

Our Mother Showers are comprised of many different rituals and activities, each of which is tailored specifically for the mother-to-be. Whilst each ceremony is unique, there are common threads that run through them all, such as beginning with a short meditation and a cleansing of the room and the participants with smudge (a sage and lavender herb bundle used like incense) to create and consecrate the ‘sacred space’ in which the activities will take place. Smudging creates a sense of occasion, a sense that something special is about to occur and takes us out of our ordinary world for a few hours. It also honours the Navajo tradition from which this ritual takes its inspiration. If the scent of sage doesn’t appeal, we can create a beautiful aromatherapy oil and water blend that can be used instead.

The smudging is often followed by a pampering herbal footbath and a wonderful cornmeal foot scrub and oil massage which is traditionally carried out by the mother’s midwife, doula or mother (although each guest can have a turn) and symbolises the washing away of fear during birth. Often the massage is accompanied by the offering of birth affirmations like ‘You will be strong in labour’ or ‘You will have a beautiful, healthy child’.

Each of the guests will be asked to bring a special bead for each child they have birthed or, if they have no children, one symbolising their own birth, and these are strung upon a birthing or labour necklace or made into a bracelet which the mother will wear during her labour. Birth stories or birth blessings connected to each bead are shared. The birthing necklace is a physical and spiritual reminder that she is not alone on this (sometimes scary) journey and that the love and strength of her friends and family surround her always.

One of the most beautiful and amazing things that the mother-to-be can make is a belly cast. This is a three-dimensional plaster cast of her gorgeous pregnant belly taken at the height of her pregnancy. It is a wonderful keepsake of this extraordinary time in her life and can be decorated by the mother (or the mother and her friends) during the Mother Shower. Alternatively, she may choose to simply have her beautiful bump painted with lovely (non-toxic) body paints or have a gorgeous henna design applied.
Click here for more information on Bellycasting.

Often guests will each make a bracelet which they will wear until the baby is born. These, together with a gift of votive labour candles, which are lit when the mother goes into labour, enable the guests to send their energy, prayers and blessings for the mother’s birth journey.

When the ceremony is over everyone can share birth wisdom and stories (though please, no horror stories!) to hearten and entertain the mum-to-be.

When do they take place?

Whilst Mother Showers traditionally take place in the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, they can also take place after the birth of the child and can include a ceremony for the baby as well. They are also easily combined with a more traditional baby shower.

How is it different from an ordinary Baby Shower?

The main difference between a Mother Shower and an ordinary baby shower is that a Mother Shower focuses on the mother and celebrates her journey into motherhood, rather than focusing on the baby. Also, a baby shower often places emphasis on the giving of gifts, while a Mother Shower is more focused on providing the mother-to-be with support and a feeling of love and empowerment. However, in both cases the rituals are experienced in a fun atmosphere and include food, decorations and the sharing of stories.

How much does it cost?

Please click here to be taken to our Pricing page.