Embodying the Sacred: A Spiritual Preparation for Birth

Peg Conway's Embodying the Sacred connects the physiological processes of pregnancy and birth to Catholic-inspired practices in an intelligent, empowering way. Prayers and rituals are organized around the three trimesters of pregnancy, inviting women to assemble a "spiritual birth bag" to go along with the physical birth bag found in other forms of birth preparation. Writing and drawing prompts are included to encourage reflection during this miraculous time. Creative and introspective activities such as bread baking, knitting, swimming, and walking a labyrinth allow women to truly inhabit and celebrate their bodies during their own nine-month journeys. All of the reflections, prayers, and activities are easily adaptable for busy or not-so-busy lives, so that each person can do what makes the most sense to her each step of the way. A postpartum ritual for telling birth stories is also included. The book concludes with a brief overview of the ways that attitudes and practices regarding birth have changed over time in America.