The posture of open hands is a beautiful expression of prayer and serves as a powerful tool during labor. Spiritually, it symbolizes releasing control and inviting God's guidance and support. In the context of labor, it not only becomes a prayerful gesture but also acts as a physical cue to relax through contractions and surrender to the natural process of childbirth. During my third pregnancy, I focused more on spiritual preparation than I did with my previous ones. This was partly because...

"mary" quiet beginning like spring, unfolding from the cold some lingering leftover pockets of snow and then came the SUN so bright, a fearsome light frightful at first, breath-taking, faith-shaking at last- icy walls gave way to new life flowing forth with might mother in awe- her transformation, her creation, simultaneously. disbelief relief new leaf new life. - Maire Richards 1/27–2/1: Prodromal labor Poor momma. Clare experienced several days of prodromal labor—stop-and-start labor that...

You may or may not have noticed that I disappeared quite suddenly from social media and whatnot. The fact of the matter is that I simply cannot divide my attention and care between many things effectively. I have my husband, my three boys, my home, my friends/family, and my doula clients to care for! I usually don't have the mental capacity to think up a clever social media post, and then while I'm in the process get my attention drawn to posts about people that I don't know well and that I'm...