When it comes to birth, there are a lot of stories, Christina Bergin says.
And just as with urban legends, the ones that travel are the really scary ones, she notes. But times are changing.
People hear negative stories and they fear the negative stories, the registered nurse says. We want to replace them with positive [stories].
Bergin has seen hundreds of babies enter the world, not only as a nurse but also a doula a labour coach. On Saturday, May 11, Bergin and fellow doula Kazuko Hiroe will host the Sea to Sky Corridor's first pregnancy retreat.
It's about pregnant women being celebrated, Bergin says. It is very empowering.
Having spent three years in Holland, Hiroe says the gathering of pregnant women in a day of celebration is more common practice there. These sorts of events aim to connect expectant mothers with one another and help form a web of support, she notes.
Women's lives are increasingly busy juggling careers, family and day-to-day occurrences. The one-day retreat, held at Sunwolf at the entrance to 撸奶社区Valley, provides pregnant women with a time out, Hiroe says.
Sometimes it is difficult for women to really hone in and sit down, she says.
The retreat will start with prenatal yoga with Squamish's Annie Martinello. Squamish-based midwife Beth Ebers will then host a talk about pregnancy and birth, followed by acupuncture, massage, belly henna tattoos, belly dancing and doula support. Vegetarian food will be provided by local chef Jason Nadeau.
It is going to be such a beautiful, well put together day, Hiroe says.
The retreat is for women in all stages of pregnancy, with varying birth strategies, Bergin says.
We are hoping to bring in women from the whole corridor, she says.
The latter months of pregnancy are important, Bergin says. Many times, people focus on the day of birth rather than preparing for motherhood, she notes. The retreat aims to connect soon-to-be mothers, so that once their baby arrives they have other friends facing similar situations, Bergin says.
Afterwards is important, she says.
Space is limited. Tickets can be bought online at www.birthenergy.ticketleap.com. For more information about Birth Energy Day Retreat call (604) 567-7845.
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