A Mother Blessing involves a gathering of the mother-to-be’s most trusted friends and family, who sit in the power of a circle and share amongst one another.

Traditionally it is a woman-only gathering and may include her mother, sisters, aunts, daughters, best of friends, mentors — anyone she respects, looks up to or values.

A Mother Blessing helps the woman to prepare herself for the birth, emotionally, spiritually and mentally, for the all important role of a new mother.

She feels ‘held’ and supported by those she loves and respects — a great way to help her release any blockages she may be feeling and to allow her to embrace what’s to come.

Hearing other women’s birth stories as you share around the circle can be surprising, exciting and heartwarming to hear.

A Mother Blessing can be very affirming, empowering and uplifting.

It doesn’t matter what religion (if any) the mother is — a Mother Blessing honors all belief systems.

Guests can bring a plate of food to share.

Mother Blessings will vary in proceedings and rituals, there is no set order or agenda, so you can choose what you would like to do.

More ideas for your ceremony:

#1: Bead or Stone Ceremony

This is a nice way to get everyone — not just those who can actually make it to the event — involved in supporting the mother-to-be. In one case I managed to get hold of the email addresses of a friend who had friends and family scattered all over Australia and the world. Most of them sent in a bead and a note, which meant so much to the mother as she read them. It gives a really nice feeling for the mother to be to feel that she’s surrounded by so much love from those around her, with a physical reminder of their presence to have with them at their birth. These beads can then be made into a necklace for the mother-to-be to wear during labor.  Stones can be painted with notes on them and brought to the labor and delivery for inspiration and comfort - see sample above.

#2: Cord Ceremony

Binding everyone’s wrists with a single cord of red wool or some other yarn. Everyone then keeps the string around their wrists until they hear that birth is underway – then they all cut the cord as a symbol of unity. Plus the cord is a nice way to remind others to be thinking of the prospective mother.

#3: Flowers and/or Henna

A crown of flowers made for the mother always makes her feel special, and henna [body art, typically on the belly and/or hands] (if you can get someone who does it) is always good fun for the mother and other guests. There are loads of traditions associated with “mother” henna.

#4: Massage

Always bliss for a pregnant mama. Head, shoulder, hand and foot massage (maybe not hand if she’s getting henna done!) needs no explanation. All these things are done to make the mother feel nurtured, protected, surrounded by love, and supported.

Something else to mention that isn’t so much a mother blessing tradition, but is a popular idea to incorporate… the meal roster!

If you can have everyone commit to a meal or two, it can be such a wonderful gesture. Try to cover at least two weeks, where the new parents won’t have to worry about at least one meal of the day.

“Some beautiful experiences I’ve shared at Mother Blessings are the sharing of birth stories around the circle. Positive stories of the journey of the women in the circle, as well as crafting blanket patchwork pieces for the mother to use with her new baby. Singing sacred circle songs or meditations. Another thing women can do is introduce themselves with their maternal line of ancestors. For example, I am Gabrielle, daughter of Catherine, granddaughter of Patricia, great granddaughter of… It’s a nice way to honor those women who have gone before us.”

More Mother Blessing Ideas

• Some women make an agreement to light a candle in the mother’s honor, as soon as labor has begun.

• Traditionally, a blessing is done in the form of a prayer or poem. The guests could bring a poem or prayer they have found or personally written, to share with the mother-to-be. Someone could be in charge of collecting the blessings, and collating them in a book, journal or scrapbook.
• A plaster belly cast is a fun idea for a Mother Blessing which is also a great keepsake. It can be messy, but guests and the mother-to-be will probably enjoy it even more!
• Mothering the mother. Nurture her by brushing her hair, washing her feet in warm water, or painting her toenails.