Mission Statement:
"To facilitate knowledge, love, joy, and pleasure for new parents as they journey through the birth process and beyond."
“The holding presence is one who acts as a support and a guide for a person who is facing a challenge, watches over the other person, creates a safe passage, allows others to do the work that needs to be done, and holds the waters back.The holding presence is usually not a loved one; rather, it is one with a greater perspective. A loved one may want to protect the person too much from the pain. But the holding presence is not afraid of the pain, understanding that it has a purpose. The holding presence understands that growth comes from working through pain. Every birthing woman needs the guidance of a holding presence to help create a time and a place within which the whole experience of birth—including the pain—can be expressed and experienced in physical and emotional safety. That's what each of us must be: a “holding presence.” We believe in the laboring woman. We trust that she can do it. We support her and encourage her and strengthen her so that she can do the work and cross the boundary. We don't cross it for her; instead, we provide her with the resources she needs to cross it herself. Our role is simply as a guide, to help her find her way.”-Kathy McGrath, Finding the Path, J Perinat Educ. 2007 Spring; 16(2): 7–15.
“The holding presence is one who acts as a support and a guide for a person who is facing a challenge, watches over the other person, creates a safe passage, allows others to do the work that needs to be done, and holds the waters back.The holding presence is usually not a loved one; rather, it is one with a greater perspective. A loved one may want to protect the person too much from the pain. But the holding presence is not afraid of the pain, understanding that it has a purpose. The holding presence understands that growth comes from working through pain. Every birthing woman needs the guidance of a holding presence to help create a time and a place within which the whole experience of birth—including the pain—can be expressed and experienced in physical and emotional safety. That's what each of us must be: a “holding presence.” We believe in the laboring woman. We trust that she can do it. We support her and encourage her and strengthen her so that she can do the work and cross the boundary. We don't cross it for her; instead, we provide her with the resources she needs to cross it herself. Our role is simply as a guide, to help her find her way.”-Kathy McGrath, Finding the Path, J Perinat Educ. 2007 Spring; 16(2): 7–15.
Philosophy of Birth and Pleasure:
“Our body is the windmill, and love, the water
Without water the mill cannot turn”-Rumi
To understand birth is to first understand ourselves as divine life givers. We are complex and rich and multifaceted but have been given an amazing ability to bring life into this world in a way that is simple, strong and worthy of our absolute best. Birth is beyond natural or normal or healthy, it is sacred ground that carries the souls of all those who have bravely endured to magically give life. Our bodies are holy and deserve to be respected as revered vessels for the life we carry and bring.
It is my goal as an educator to lead birthers and their partners to an understanding of the wow factor of pregnancy; how manageable labor can be through learning comfort techniques and coping strategies; and to reduce fear or anxiety gaining a thorough grasp of the complicated language and descriptions often used for birth processes. By encouraging all to enhance their knowledge of the physical, emotional and psychological changes and processes that are a normal part of pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum, I hope to impart confidence, empowerment and a sense of self that birthers can learn to trust the inner wisdom and intuition we are all born with to birth.
At this pinnacle of medical birth, I will provide the best practices that are evidence based to assist birthers with making sound choices that they can advocate to use for the best possible outcome that allows safe passage without unnecessary invasive methods that increase undue risk or potential harm.
For some, this will be their only birth; for others, this could be one of several. No matter how many times we are invited to share in this universal, mystic, inspirational and phenomenal event, I believe we should do so ecstatically. I will do all in my abilities and power to provide all the necessary information, techniques, encouragement, knowledge and respect that I can to assist during the birth process to make the sound choices that will allow them to remember this moment with joy, confidence, pride and triumph.
I believe that pleasure is a human right, and that pregnancy is rich, fertile ground for exploring heightened sensation and methods that can carry us through labor and delivery to help minimize the fear and struggle. Pleasure is a way to connect deeply with ourselves and our partners so we can show up in this world with joy and enthusiasm. I am here to assist with this re-connection to our deeper selves, especially during the postpartum period when fatigue, stimulation, and physical adjustment can make sexual desire and connection more challenging. It is my goal to be your holding presence while you seek bliss to find and live your juiciest, most pleasurable life.
-Holly
Without water the mill cannot turn”-Rumi
To understand birth is to first understand ourselves as divine life givers. We are complex and rich and multifaceted but have been given an amazing ability to bring life into this world in a way that is simple, strong and worthy of our absolute best. Birth is beyond natural or normal or healthy, it is sacred ground that carries the souls of all those who have bravely endured to magically give life. Our bodies are holy and deserve to be respected as revered vessels for the life we carry and bring.
It is my goal as an educator to lead birthers and their partners to an understanding of the wow factor of pregnancy; how manageable labor can be through learning comfort techniques and coping strategies; and to reduce fear or anxiety gaining a thorough grasp of the complicated language and descriptions often used for birth processes. By encouraging all to enhance their knowledge of the physical, emotional and psychological changes and processes that are a normal part of pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum, I hope to impart confidence, empowerment and a sense of self that birthers can learn to trust the inner wisdom and intuition we are all born with to birth.
At this pinnacle of medical birth, I will provide the best practices that are evidence based to assist birthers with making sound choices that they can advocate to use for the best possible outcome that allows safe passage without unnecessary invasive methods that increase undue risk or potential harm.
For some, this will be their only birth; for others, this could be one of several. No matter how many times we are invited to share in this universal, mystic, inspirational and phenomenal event, I believe we should do so ecstatically. I will do all in my abilities and power to provide all the necessary information, techniques, encouragement, knowledge and respect that I can to assist during the birth process to make the sound choices that will allow them to remember this moment with joy, confidence, pride and triumph.
I believe that pleasure is a human right, and that pregnancy is rich, fertile ground for exploring heightened sensation and methods that can carry us through labor and delivery to help minimize the fear and struggle. Pleasure is a way to connect deeply with ourselves and our partners so we can show up in this world with joy and enthusiasm. I am here to assist with this re-connection to our deeper selves, especially during the postpartum period when fatigue, stimulation, and physical adjustment can make sexual desire and connection more challenging. It is my goal to be your holding presence while you seek bliss to find and live your juiciest, most pleasurable life.
-Holly