Dance as a way to prepare for birth

Ancient birthing wisdom has been passed down to us in the form of fertility and birth dances from thousands of years ago. The moves that make up these dances are secrets from our foremothers to position the baby for easier birthing.

These primal dances come to us from cultures all over the world. Belly dancing from the Middle East, Tahitian and Hula dancing from Polynesia and African dancing all embody the birthing moves of hip circles, figure eights, shimmies, hip lifts and undulations.

We currently regard these dances as seductive and entertaining but the original purpose was for fertility and birthing.

During pregnancy women gathered together and danced with the laboring mother. The dancing was accompanied by rhythmic, repetitive percussion. The combination of the trancelike drumming and the support of other women helped the birthing mother to relax and surrender to her labor.

The intuitive movements of the dances cause the baby’s head to flex and the baby’s back to roll toward the front of the mother’s pelvis.

The baby is able to descend better through the pelvis with a flexed head because she leads with the small occiput instead of the bigger top of the head. The occiput fits evenly into the cervix and the steady, even pressure causes the cervix to dilate.

-Grandmother’s Secrets: The Ancient Rituals And Healing Power of Dancing by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi

Share movement practices that assisted you during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum in the comments box below 👇👇

Dance was one of mine ❤️‍🔥

Did any of you use certain movement for induction?

Warmly,

Eyla