Mother Blessing Ceremonies

A Mother Blessing is a wonderful alternative to a traditional baby shower. A Native American custom, blessingways centre around celebrating the pregnant woman and her upcoming rite of passage into motherhood. Each guest, because of her special relationship with the mother-to-be, is asked to bring a written blessing or thoughts about the upcoming birth, which will later be placed in a journal as a keepsake.

As the blessings are read, each guest places a bead on a necklace to represent the blessing. This necklace is then given to the mother as a visual tool to be worn or kept nearby while she is in labour - reminding her of all the positive wishes for her birth.

The mother blessing is usually facilitated by the doula who gathers the group in a circle. The mothers feet are soaked in a beautiful flower-laden tub of water to symbolize the journey she is about to embark upon. Her mother places flowers in her hair so that she stands out as the most important woman in the room.

Once the blessings have all been read, the doula closes the ceremony by giving each guest a votive candle. They will them be called and invited to light the candle once the mother goes into labour. Knowing that there are many women thinking about her and sending positive thoughts her way can give great strength to her during her labour.

Then everyone gathers for refreshments and the mother opens her gifts. These gifts can be pampering gifts just for the mom to enjoy in the last days of her pregnancy and the first few weeks after the baby has been born, or they can be traditional shower gifts for the baby.

If you are interested in having us facilitate a Mother Blessing for you or your loved one, please contact us.

(C) Doula Connections. All rights reserved. Last update August 09, 2006.