 Image courtesy of my client Sarah Molasky, a seasoned stunt performer and acrobat who I served for both of her births.
In our culture, birth and sexuality are often viewed as entirely separate, almost opposing experiences. Yet, biologically, birth is inherently connected to our sexual nature. Both processes involve the same organs and hormones such as oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline as they unfold most smoothly under similar conditions: privacy, intimacy, dim lighting, and a sense of safety and trust. So, why don't we ever encourage pregnant women to explore orgasm as a means of easing labor? The reality is simple yet profound: orgasm is a natural uterine-opening mechanism. Experiencing orgasm floods the body with oxytocin, the very hormone responsible for initiating and sustaining uterine contractions during labor. When a woman feels safe, relaxed, and connected to her body, oxytocin levels rise, making contractions not only more effective but also less painful and potentially pleasurable. Yet, the cultural taboo around sexuality ESPECIALLY women's sexuality has led to a severe disconnect between birth and sexual pleasure. Women are often conditioned to see childbirth as solely medical, clinical, and something to endure rather than experience with empowerment or pleasure. This cultural conditioning has deep roots, with historical figures like William Reich and Frederick Leboyer emphasizing how childbirth can indeed be pleasurable when the sexual nature of birth is honored rather than repressed. Reich boldly stated, "Birth is a sexual act that would be performed with maximum gratification if the sexuality of the birthing woman was not destroyed." Leboyer reinforced this, noting from his extensive experience that childbirth can genuinely involve pleasure-inducing contractions. Casilda Rodriguez points out, even ancient texts imply childbirth wasn't always synonymous with pain. What changed? Primarily, it's the widespread repression and misunderstanding of women's sexuality, combined with medicalization and the fear-driven narratives around birth. Hospitals, bright lights, interruptions, and excessive interventions trigger adrenaline, shutting down the natural flow of oxytocin, stalling labor, and increasing discomfort. Encouraging self-exploration, including masturbation, during pregnancy can empower women to reconnect with their bodies, fostering familiarity, comfort, and trust. Embracing orgasmic experiences during pregnancy and labor isn't just about pleasure, it's about reclaiming birth as an empowered, holistic, and natural process. Breaking through these taboos and encouraging honest conversations about sexuality and childbirth can profoundly transform how we approach birth. It's time to dismantle the walls between birth and pleasure, embracing the incredible power of women's bodies Exploring the Orgasmic Birth Movement The concept of orgasmic birth has gained attention, these voices contribute to a growing movement that seeks to redefine childbirth by integrating pleasure, autonomy, and a deeper connection to one's body.
Recommended Resources For those interested in exploring this topic further, consider the following books:
By embracing the conversation around orgasmic birth, we can challenge longstanding taboos and empower women to experience childbirth in a way that honors their bodies, desires, and autonomy.  Before the broths, the belly wraps, or the herbal steams...
There must be stillness. A pause. A moment to tune in. In my 14 years of supporting mothers through the sacred window after birth in the greater Los Angeles area, I’ve learned one truth again and again: Healing begins when we listen. Not just to what others say we need, but to our own inner voice, our body, and our birth story. So today, I want to offer you something simple and powerful: A Postpartum Check-In. A quiet invitation to return home to yourself. Whether you’re just days postpartum or months beyond your baby’s birth, this practice is here for you: 🌀 A Sacred Postpartum Self-Check-In Take a breath. Find a soft place to sit or lie down. Place your hands over your womb space or your heart. Then gently ask: How was my birth experience? Were there moments of intensity, beauty, fear, or power still lingering? If it felt overwhelming or traumatic: You may need integration, grounding, and space to tell your story. If it felt beautiful but intense: You may still need emotional holding, even in joy. ✨ Your healing begins with being witnessed, even if it’s by yourself. Did I lose a lot of blood? Am I feeling depleted or light-headed? Feeling faint or dizzy? Focus on rebuilding your blood with iron-rich meals, mineral broths, nettles, and gentle movement. ✨ Blood loss affects more than energy, it’s a loss of life force. Rebuilding takes warmth and nourishment. Was I given an episiotomy or did I experience tearing? What part of me still needs tenderness and care? Tender perineum? Herbal sitz baths, yoni steam (after day 5–7), and resting on your side can support healing. ✨ This is also a moment to reflect on boundaries and surrender, what was opened, what still feels raw. What medications were given to me? What is my body still processing or releasing? Antibiotics, anesthesia, or hormones? Support your liver and gut with lemon water, chlorophyll, and warming teas. Begin to release gently. ✨ Your body remembers. Trust it to clear what no longer belongs. How do my hips and pelvis feel? Am I craving grounding, compression, or stillness? Loose or wobbly? Belly binding and rebozo wrapping will support closure. Tight or sore? Massage, warmth, and pelvic rest will help soften tension. ✨ The hips hold the gateway of birth. They deserve reverence and restoration. How is my hydration and digestion? Have I sipped nourishing liquids today? Not flushing fluids? Sip warm infusions, bone broth, or chlorophyll water. Stagnation = exhaustion. Flow = vitality. ✨ Hydration is your life stream. Let it move gently through you. How is my heart? Am I feeling weepy, strong, confused, joyful, or numb? What emotions are present? Tearful? Joyful? Anxious? Calm? There is no wrong way to feel. You are unfolding. ✨ Let your feelings rise without needing to fix them. They are sacred messengers. 🔍 What Your Answers Might Be Telling You: This check-in is not about judgment. It’s about noticing what your body is quietly asking for. ✨ From these answers, you begin to gather your medicine. You begin to understand what you need next. Mama Mantra- “I listen deeply to my body’s story. I honor what has passed and welcome what I need to heal.” 🌿 The Resolution So now what? Now… you begin with what’s present. You respond to what your body has whispered. Maybe that means sipping chlorophyll water. Maybe it means writing your birth story. Maybe it means simply resting, and letting your belly be warmed. This sacred check-in is Day 1 of a larger journey in your nourishment, and postpartum experience that is offered by A Sacred Passage with healing recipes, rituals, and reflections from cultures from around the world. Your healing is sacred. Your softness is powerful. You deserve to feel held. With love, Tnah Louise Postpartum Doula | Nourishment Keeper | Mother Roaster  We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tnah Louise a Postpartum Doula and Ceremonialist from Los Angeles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tnah below. Tnah, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose. Throughout my life, I have felt more led than anything else, guided by an unseen force, an inner knowing, and the wisdom of my ancestors. My purpose was not something I went searching for, it unfolded before me, revealing itself in moments of deep connection. For the past 13 years, I have devoted myself to supporting families through life’s sacred passages, particularly in the tender postpartum period, but also in the many rites of passage that shape us. Whether it be birth, loss, transition, or healing, I have been called to create ceremonial spaces that honor these profound moments. My work encompasses the art of holding space, weaving rituals, and guiding individuals and families through life’s thresholds with reverence and intention. This work is deeply purposeful because it is rooted in something much larger than myself. It is an honoring of the ancient ways, a continuation of traditions that acknowledge the sacredness of life’s transitions. Through nourishing foods, healing touch, and sacred ceremonies, I help families walk through their most profound moments with grace, support, and a sense of belonging. Being of service is what gives my life meaning. I find fulfillment in witnessing the transformation that happens when people feel seen, supported, and held in sacred space. My journey has been one of answering the call, stepping into this role with surrender. Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself? I touched on a lot of this in your previous response, but I will try to go a bit deeper. I have always been led by a calling to serve, to nurture, and to honor life’s sacred transitions. My work is rooted in the understanding that birth, death, and the many rites of passage in between are not just personal experiences, they are profound, transformational moments that deserve to be witnessed, held, and honored with reverence. This understanding became deeply personal through my own birth experiences. In 1995 at the tender age of 22, I gave birth to my first son on the beach in Costa Rica, an experience that forever shaped my perspective on birth and the power of surrender. Later, I went on to have a free birth and other water births at home, to my three other sons, each one deepening my trust in the body’s innate wisdom. These experiences taught me that when we are allowed to birth in our own way, without unnecessary interference, we tap into a level of strength and intuition that is nothing short of divine. They were initiations that not only transformed me as a mother but also set me on the path to becoming a guardian of these sacred transitions for others. Through my business, A Sacred Passage, I provide postpartum care, ceremonial services, and guidance through life’s major transitions. I help mothers move through the sacred journey of the fourth trimester, offering postpartum nourishment, placenta encapsulation, Bengkung belly binding, healing touch, and ceremonial practices that support a mother’s recovery and emotional well-being. But my work extends beyond postpartum care, offering rites of passage ceremonies for fathers-to-be, coming-of-age rituals for young women, ancestral honoring ceremonies, and, more recently, support for those transitioning through the threshold of death. What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to bridge ancient wisdom with modern needs. The traditions I weave into my offerings are drawn from my Mexica/Yaqui and Irish lineage, as well as the teachings of midwives, healers, and wisdom keepers from around the world. These rituals, whether they involve herbal healing, sacred drumming, or storytelling are not just traditions of the past. They are timeless, vital, and deeply needed in today’s world, and I am so glad to be able to offer these services to future generations. Right now, I have some exciting things coming up and that I am expanding on. I will be leaving to Egypt + Turkey this March and will learn some additional postpartum food traditions to share with my clients located in the greater Los Angeles + Ventura Counties. Last year I had the opportunity to open the Netflix show Fatherhood With My Father in their first episode where I developed a Closing of the Bones-inspired ceremony for fathers-to-be, with the comedian Jack Whitehall from Travels With My Father that I share in a blog on my website, I continue to create personalized rites of passage for individuals and families and will be traveling to Santa Cruz to officiate a Hand Fasting Ceremony ( A Celtic wedding tradition) this summer. Now that my four sons have made it safely to adulthood, I will take this year to continue my studies and deepening my work to include death doula services services as I organically have now helped a few cross the veil. I think it is only natural to add supporting families in honoring their loved ones during their final transition. At the heart of everything I do is the belief that we are all part of a greater cycle, one of birth, transformation, death, and rebirth. My role is to guide, to nurture, and to honor these sacred transitions. If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most? Deep Listening & Intuition One of the greatest skills I have honed over the years is the ability to listen deeply, both to others and to my own intuition. Whether it’s a postpartum mother, a father stepping into his new role, or someone transitioning through life or death, there is a wisdom beyond words that speaks when we are still enough to hear it. In birth work and ceremonial practices, intuition is a guide that tells us when to step in and when to hold space. Advice for those early in their journey: Cultivate stillness in your life whether through mindfulness + meditation, time in nature, or simply being present with others without rushing to respond. Learn to trust your gut feelings. Sometimes the best way to support someone is not by “fixing” but by being a grounding presence. Surround yourself with mentors, elders, or guides who value intuition and can help you refine this skill. The Art of Holding Space Holding space is an essential part of my work. To truly hold space for someone means to create an environment where they feel safe, seen, and supported without judgment or imposition. This skill has allowed me to guide families through profound moments with reverence and care. Practice active listening without the urge to give advice immediately. Develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness, understanding your own triggers and biases allows you to hold space more effectively for others. Study different traditions of healing and holding space. Learn from midwives, death doulas, indigenous healers, and wisdom keepers who have carried these practices for generations. Knowledge of Ancestral & Holistic Healing Practices A deep connection to ancestral knowledge, holistic healing, and traditional wisdom has been at the heart of my journey. From postpartum nourishment to ceremonial rituals, understanding how our ancestors cared for and honored life transitions has allowed me to weave these teachings into modern practice. Seek out traditional wisdom whether from your own lineage or other cultures with respect and reverence. One of my maestra’s Dr. Clarissa Pinkolas Estes always tells us to seek our roots out and understand their ways of doing things. Books, oral traditions, apprenticeships, and immersive experiences are all so valuable. Learn about herbs, food as medicine, energy healing, and the role of ceremony in different life stages. Stay open to learning and evolving. Healing is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and integrating different modalities can help you serve in a way that is both ancient and relevant to today’s needs. The journey of being a birth worker, a ceremonial guide, and a space-holder is not one of certainty, it’s a path of continuous learning, humility, and deep service. If I could offer one piece of advice to those just beginning, it would be to follow the calling, not the title. This work is less about defining yourself by a specific role and more about showing up where you are needed, trusting that your unique gifts will unfold in the right way and time. Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development? Two works that have profoundly influenced my personal and professional journey are Women Who Run with the Wolves and the audiobook Seeing in the Dark, both by Jungian psychologist Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés who was my maestra for over a few years time. These works have illuminated the path of the “wounded healer” archetype, a concept introduced by Carl Jung, which resonates deeply with my experiences. Women Who Run with the Wolves delves into the reclamation of the wild, instinctual nature inherent in women. Through myths and stories, Dr. Estés emphasizes reconnecting with our inner wisdom and embracing our authentic selves. This book has been instrumental in my journey, reminding me of the importance of nurturing my innate instincts and understanding the cycles of life and creativity. In Seeing in the Dark, Dr. Estés explores the depths of the unconscious, encouraging us to embrace our inner darkness as a source of profound insight and creativity. She refers to this inner knowing as “the one who knows,” highlighting the significance of trusting our intuition and inner guidance. This audiobook has taught me that by confronting and understanding our own wounds, I have the ability to emerge stronger and more compassionate, embodying the essence of the wounded healer. The concept of the wounded healer, as introduced by Carl Jung, suggests that those who have faced and healed from their own traumas possess a unique capacity to heal others. Embracing this archetype has allowed me to transform my own wounds into sources of healing for others, deepening my empathy and enhancing my ability to guide others through their healing journeys. Through these works, I’ve learned that acknowledging and embracing my wounds not only fosters personal growth but also enhances my capacity to support and heal others. They have reinforced the belief that my deepest pains have become my most profound sources of wisdom and compassion.  Sometimes, life presents you with opportunities that you don’t fully grasp until you’re standing right in the middle of them. When an English production company reached out, they had one request, could I create a ceremony for a father-to-be? They had found my postpartum Mother Roasting offerings and my work with La Cerrada, the Closing of the Bones Ceremony, a sacred ritual for mothers transitioning out of their fourth trimester here in Los Angeles. But this time, the focus was different. This wasn’t about a mother; it was about a man who wanted~needed~to mark his transition into fatherhood in a meaningful way. That was all I knew going in. No other details. No backstory. No names. But what spoke to my heart was this: Here was a man, fully willing to step into something ceremonial to help cross the bridge of resistance between who he had been and who he was becoming. That alone was enough for me to say yes. I designed a ceremony that would guide him into fatherhood. The crew flew in from London to shoot this episode with me here in Sherman Oaks, California.We began with a labyrinth walk, allowing him to reflect on what he was leaving behind. He then released those parts of himself in a fire ritual, making space for the father he was stepping into. Finally, he and his own father entered our sacred space prepared, where I led them on a shamanic journey, wrapped in rebozos from Antima Textiles from Oaxaca, held in the rhythmic heartbeat of the drum. What I didn’t know until much later was that the father-to-be and his own father were actually well-known comedians with a hugely popular Netflix series, Travel with My Father. I had no idea. None whatsoever! Which, in hindsight, made for the most organic, lighthearted, and joy-filled ceremony I could have ever imagined. It wasn’t until after filming that my eldest son, who records music in London casually dropped, “Wait… you did a ceremony for Jack Whitehall and his dad, oh this outta be good?!” Cue my post-ceremony Oh. My. God. moment. And my first thought? Dear Universe, please don’t let me be edited into some LA woo-woo stereotype! 🤣🤣🤣 Thankfully, while much of the ritual didn’t make the final cut, what was captured was something truly special. You can catch it in the very first episode of Fatherhood with My Father, where Jack steps into this deeply personal, yet hilariously heartfelt, rite of passage. This entire experience made me realize just how much we are missing when it comes to supporting men in their journey to fatherhood. We expect them to just show up, but emotional readiness, identity shifts, and the unspoken fears that come with this transformation are rarely acknowledged. Being a mother to four adult men... I want to change that. This ceremony was just the beginning. I want to expand it into something larger, a dedicated offering for fathers (or groups of fathers) who are standing at this threshold, unsure of what’s next but ready to explore, relate, and prepare. Because whether you’re a first-time dad or navigating fears of repeating past cycles, you deserve a space to process, release, and step in with clarity and purpose. Let’s start the conversation Papa.....
In Los Angeles twelve years ago, I gathered with a circle of wise women to hold space for my dearest of dear sisters preparing to birth her daughter into this world. It was a Blessingway filled with love, intention, and deep reverence for the journey ahead. A Salt bowl infused with prayers, wishes, and blessings for this baby girl, woven with the collective wisdom of those present.
And now, all these years later, I found myself standing in the presence of that very child ~Naleʻa, not just as the baby once cradled in our circles but as a young girl who had grown up within them. From the very beginning, she sat among women, absorbing their stories, their wisdom, their way of moving through life. She became my little apprentice, eagerly assisting me in creating ceremony, carefully setting up the center altar, and listening with a quiet attentiveness that revealed her deep respect for the sacred. Always willing to learn the ways of women, she honored the rituals of those before her. But on this day, it was her turn. Her day to be honored. Her day to step fully onto the sacred path of maidenhood, surrounded by the love and support of those who had witnessed her journey from the very beginning. This weekend, we gathered once again, this time to honor her first blood, her first moon, her Sacred Menarche. We sat in a circle, a sisterhood of generations, weaving her into the lineage of women before her. We held a salt bowl of intentions, infused with the very same infused salts from her mother’s Blessingway, carrying the echoes of those early prayers. Each of us added our own blessings into the salt, whispering words of wisdom and protection for her journey ahead. To guide her into this next chapter, we shared the tale of Vasilisa the Great, a story of courage, trust, and the deep wisdom of intuition. We spoke of the inner seasons of the menstrual cycle, how our bodies ebb and flow with the moon, and how to track the rhythms of her own cycle. The moon, our ancient timekeeper became her compass, a guide to understanding her body’s wisdom. With loving hands, I washed her feet with blue cornmeal, honoring the sacred path she now walks. She was adorned with words of empowerment, affirmations of strength, grace, and beauty. We crafted a flower crown, each participant adding a bloom, symbolizing the collective love and support that surrounds her. And as the final touch, she left behind a piece of her childhood her beloved little bunny, marking her transition from girl to maiden, witnessed by all who came to celebrate her. One of the most moving moments of the ceremony was when Naleʻa and her mother, Kahiliana, stood together and recited a poem, a shared expression of love, gratitude, and the passing of wisdom from mother to daughter. This was followed by a cord-cutting ceremony, a sacred act of shifting their bond from mother-and-child to mother-and-maiden, honoring both the deep connection they share and the new independence blossoming within Naleʻa. This was not just a ceremony; it was a remembering, a reclaiming of what it means to honor our daughters as they step into their power. It was a sacred weaving of past, present, and future, a reminder that our rites of passage are meant to be held in community, in love, and in deep reverence. Naleʻa, may you walk boldly on this red path, always listening to the voice of your own wild, wise heart. You are held. You are seen. You are loved. For those of you interested in creating beautiful menarche ceremony for the maiden's in your life, I invite you to check out my online course Sacred Menarche below.  Womb Healing: The Sacred Return to Feminine Wisdom
There was a time when women knew their bodies. We knew how to listen to the pulse of our womb, how to honor its cycles, how to clear what was stagnant, and how to call in what we desired. We gathered under the moon, whispered secrets of herbal wisdom, and passed down the knowing. Then came the forgetting. The sterilized hospitals, the cold speculums, the hush-hush about our blood, our pleasure, our power. We were told to disconnect from our wombs, from our cycles, from the medicine we always had. And now, here we are. A generation of women with painful cycles, bodies full of trauma we never released, numbness where passion should be, and diagnoses that tell us our bodies are broken. But here’s what they don’t tell you: Your womb is not broken. She is just waiting for you to come back to her. What is Womb Healing? Womb healing is not just about steaming your yoni, drinking teas, or rubbing oils into your belly (though those are delicious and powerful tools). It’s about remembering—coming home to the ancient ways that women have used for centuries to restore their bodies, emotions, and spirits. Whether done in a quiet moment at home or guided by a healer, womb healing is about reconnecting with your root, your creative fire, your intuitive knowing. It’s about peeling back the layers of shame, exhaustion, and disconnect and learning to speak with your womb again. My Story: When My Womb Spoke, I Had to Listen I grew up with fairly easy menstrual cycles. I tracked my moon time religiously, knowing which phase the moon was in when my blood would come. My cycle felt like a rhythm I could trust, a quiet knowing between my body and the cosmos. Then, in my late 40s, everything changed. I was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, my womb was literally hardening. Each month, my body was making less and less progesterone. My cycles were no longer flowing with ease. I was holding something. More than just hormones, my womb was screaming at me. I was at the end of a 21-year marriage that I had not yet let myself fully grieve. I wasn’t admitting that it was over. But my body knew. My womb was saying: NO MORE. I was rejecting my partner on a cellular level. The energy between us had died, and my body was manifesting it. The body always keeps score. So, I knew my healing would not come from a prescription. I turned to my intuition. I began deep womb healing practices, not just for my reproductive health, but for my spiritual and emotional survival.
It was not just my marriage that was ending, it was the death of my cycles as I entered a new phase of womanhood. And I had to honor it, not fight it. My body had spoken. I had finally listened. Why Do We Need This? Look at the Numbers Let’s be real for a second. Our grandmothers didn’t have 1 in 8 women struggling with infertility (CDC, 2025). They weren’t walking around with bacterial vaginosis affecting 1 in 3 women or feeling like painful sex was just something to "live with." We are carrying the weight of generations of suppression, stress, processed foods, overmedication, and deep-seated trauma. And it’s showing up in our bodies.
And yet, instead of being taught how to heal, we are given birth control, surgeries, and synthetic hormones. But what if the answer has been with us all along? The Return of Womb Healing: What Women are Reclaiming More and more women are turning away from quick fixes and returning to what our ancestors always knew. How Do We Begin? We begin with listening. The womb is always speaking. Through cramps, through discomfort, through dreams and sensations. The question is: are you listening? This is your invitation to return. To warm your womb, to reconnect, to honor the sacred portal that brought life to this world. Western medicine may have forgotten. But we did not. And neither did your womb. 🌙 It’s time to remember. If you feel called to reconnect with your womb, release stored trauma, or nourish yourself in the sacred way our ancestors did, I am here to hold space for you. I offer personalized womb healing services in the comfort of your home or in my intimate Womb Tent, where you can experience: 🌿 Yoni Steaming Rituals – Tailored herbal blends to support your healing, whether for postpartum care, cycle balance, or emotional release. 🌀 Womb Massage & Healing Touch – A deeply soothing practice to increase circulation, clear stagnation, and honor your body’s wisdom. 🔥 Ceremonial Energy Clearing – Using obsidian tools, hawk medicine, and guided visualization to remove blockages and restore balance. 💛 Sacred Menopause & Postpartum Support – Honoring life transitions with warmth, wisdom, and ancient practices. I serve the greater Los Angeles area, including South Bay, Ventura, and the San Gabriel Valley. Whether you are in your maiden, mother, or wise woman phase, this womb healing is for you. Ready to Begin? Reach out to book your private womb healing session or to learn more about how these ancient traditions can support your journey. Your womb is waiting. 💛 With love & warmth, Tnah Louise  Nourishing Your Postpartum Journey:
Birth unfolds as a sacred rite, a ceremonial passage where the birthing person embarks on a profound journey of emergence. This journey involves the magical act of unveiling both body and heart, creating a passage for new life to enter. Yet, this ceremonial unfolding doesn't conclude with the baby's arrival, it's a continuum. In the aftermath of birth, the birthing person stands at a crossroads where raw vulnerability converges with primal strength. Through the embrace of warm and nurturing foods, a silent synergy is awakened, one that honors the new mother's journey and invites her to reclaim her internal harmony and balance. In reverence to this sacred cycle, the practice of nourishing the postpartum mother is my calling and within the following posts here in this blog, I will share a tapestry of global wisdom, weaving together diverse cultural traditions in celebration of the postpartum journey. The common thread that binds these cultures is the recognition of the sanctity of the 42-day postpartum (fourth trimester) phase. Through cherished recipes and time-honored rituals, I seek the world traveling through ancient lands to learn from the wise birth workers who teach about their culture which imparts its unique contribution to the mosaic of postpartum care and harmonious exchange of flavors + traditions I offer. With every dish I prepare, I embrace the collective wisdom that unites cultures in the shared pursuit of new mothers' well-being. Postpartum Nourishment from Morocco During my travels in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2018, I was blessed to learn some of the their birth traditions, and like many eastern countries, postpartum healing is deeply rooted in the belief that the body requires warmth, balance, and replenishment to recover from the physical and emotional demands of childbirth. Harira is a beloved Moroccan soup, often enjoyed during Ramadan to break the fast, but it is also commonly served to nourish postpartum mothers. It is a hearty and warming soup made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and a blend of fragrant spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger. Harira is deeply valued in Moroccan postpartum traditions because it is rich in protein, iron, and warming spices, which are believed to aid in restoring the mother’s energy, improving circulation, and supporting digestion after childbirth. This soup is crafted to ground and nurture the mother, enveloping her in warmth and care. It’s not just a dish....it’s a healing ritual in a bowl, embodying love! This gentle yet flavorful dish is more than a meal, it is a balm for the soul and body, embodying the rich wisdom of Moroccan postpartum traditions. I hope it nourishes you and your loved ones on your journey of healing and renewal. Here is the recipe to try for yourself. Mild Harira Recipe Ingredients:
Stay tuned for more postpartum recipes and rituals from around the globe. My Journey to Motherhood: Giving Birth to My Firstborn Roméo at 22, from Los Angeles to Costa Rica1/23/2025 At 22 years old, I embarked on the greatest adventure of my life, giving birth to my first son in the enchanting and untamed beauty of Costa Rica. Moving sight unseen to a small fisherman’s village on the Nicoya Peninsula, I left behind the fast-paced world of fashion as a model agent and traded it for the simplicity of barefoot days, humid nights, and the rhythm of the ocean. I was three months pregnant, newly in love, and utterly unprepared, but my heart sang with the possibility of something extraordinary.
Montezuma, with its dirt roads, a single village phone, and its vibrant yet simple way of life, became my home. We ran a lively open-air restaurant called Muy Nice, where world music filled the air and locals gathered to dance under the stars. I slowly acclimated to my new life, learning to embrace the natural flow of things. From the heat to the bugs, and even to the absence of the comforts I had once known, everything about this life demanded surrender and trust. During my pregnancy, I dreamt of giving birth in a serene brook, or on magical land under the care of a wise community. Those dreams shifted, as life often does, to a beachside property owned by an incredible family living like modern-day Swiss Family Robinson. With my partner, my dearest friend Luciana, and the strength of my own instincts, I prepared to welcome my child into this world. Luciana was my anchor. Though she had no children of her own, she radiated strength and became my unwavering support. Together, we found the perfect name for my child one sunny day as we bumped along in a jeep. Roméo, she declared, rolling the R with her unmistakable British-meets-Latin flair. It was perfect. My son was destined to carry a name full of poetry and love. The night Roméo was born was a dance of chaos and magic. Under the light of a full moon, my water broke just as my partner and friend had ventured to the local disco for the full moon party. With no phones and the urgency of labor building, fate intervened as a car passed by. I flagged the driver down, and word was sent. Soon, my team was by my side, packing me up for the bumpy moonlit journey to the land where I would give birth. Labor was relentless. I walked for hours, pacing up and down stairs to the sea, feeling the ebb and flow of each contraction like the waves I had grown to love. Birth is a pain unlike any other, it stretches you to the brink, then grants you a fleeting reprieve before pulling you back into the depths. I held on, trusting the rhythm of my body and the wisdom deep within me. After ten hours of labor, beneath that luminous moon, I brought my 8.9-pound hunk of love into the world. Roméo was born alongside a colt and a litter of kittens—new life spilling into the night like a blessing from the heavens. We did it. And now, thirty years later, as I look at the man Roméo has become, I am struck by the wonder of that night. Life has a way of weaving together pain, beauty, and love in ways that leave us awestruck. Giving birth to him in such wild, untamed circumstances taught me that motherhood is an ocean, both fierce and nurturing, unpredictable and constant. Roméo’s arrival was the first chapter of a love story that would change me forever. As I reflect on that night, I carry the gratitude for every contraction, every choice, and every soul who walked alongside me on that moonlit path. Roméo, you were my firstborn, my great initiation, and the one who showed me what it means to surrender to the flow of life. Thank you for choosing me. Photos credited to Antama Textiles The rebozo is a traditional Mexican shawl that has been cherished for generations due to its beauty, versatility, and cultural significance. This simple yet powerful tool is a testament to the wisdom of traditional practices that continue to nurture mothers and babies alike. From pregnancy and labor to baby-wearing postpartum, the rebozo is a multi-functional treasure every mother should know about. Uses During Pregnancy During pregnancy, the rebozo becomes a gentle supporter. Mexican midwives and birth practitioners often use it to help ease discomfort, improve alignment, and promote relaxation. The fabric is used to gently to cradle the belly, relieving tension in the lower back and abdomen. This practice can also help encourage optimal fetal positioning, making it a valuable ally as the baby grows and prepares for birth. Easing Discomfort in the Pelvis: The manteada is the basic rebozo movement, rocking the mother back and forth in the hammock of the rebozo. "Manteada" means a rocking or sifting motion. This technique is ideal for women in later pregnancy to alleviate back pain, relax the nervous system, ease the ligaments of the uterus, and allow more room in the pelvis. Rebozo in Labor In labor, the rebozo transforms into a supportive guide. It can be used to:
Its ability to gently stretch, cradle, or support a laboring mother makes the rebozo an indispensable tool for a smoother birthing experience. The Rebozo as an Extension of Ourselves
Birth is not something to be saved from but to be experienced and embraced. Baby-Wearing Postpartum After the baby is born, the rebozo takes on yet another role, a secure and stylish baby carrier. Handwoven for durability and comfort, the rebozo is perfect for:
Its soft yet sturdy weave ensures that both mother and baby feel supported, creating an intimate cocoon of love and security. Why I Work With Antama Textiles For the past eight years, I have had the honor of purchasing all my rebozos from Antama Textiles, a remarkable company that Anna has grown with her family in based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Antama is more than just a textile company; it is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Every cotton rebozo they create is hand-loomed with love and care, dyed with natural pigments like in the images above reflecting a deep respect for tradition and the artisans who bring these pieces to life. The level of consciousness placed into their work is why I chose to align my practice with Antama. Their commitment to ethical practices and environmental stewardship resonates deeply with my values. Each rebozo carries a story, a connection to the land, and a touch of the artisan’s heart. I encourage you to visit their website and learn more about their inspiring approach to preserving this cherished tradition. They invest 10% of their gains back into their community. A Timeless Tradition for Modern Mothers The rebozo is more than a piece of fabric, it is a symbol of care, connection, and culture. Its versatility ensures that it remains a beloved companion through all stages of motherhood, offering physical support and emotional comfort. Whether you are pregnant, in labor, or navigating life with a newborn, the rebozo has something to offer. Explore the beauty and utility of this timeless tradition, and join me in celebrating the artistry of Antama Textiles, whose rebozos honor both the past and the future of motherhood. Discover the magic of the rebozo, a tool as beautiful as it is practical.I offer Antama rebozos at my online store, and offer additional manteada services in the Los Angeles area.
The placenta is often referred to as the "forgotten chakra," a sacred organ that not only nourishes life in the womb but holds profound spiritual, emotional, and physical significance. In her groundbreaking book Placenta: The Forgotten Chakra, Robin Lim illuminates the placenta's ancient role across cultures and traditions. This vital organ is seen as more than just an afterthought in many parts of the world, it is revered as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Placenta Reverence Across CulturesIn Bali, where Robin Lim practices, the placenta is considered the baby’s twin and is ceremonially honored with a burial ritual to symbolize the connection between the child and the earth. In many Indigenous cultures, the placenta is treated as the guardian spirit of the newborn. Across Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia, it is common to bury the placenta under a tree as a way to bless the child with long life and protection. Last fall, I had the chance to meet Robin Lim in person at her birthing center, Bumi Sehat, in Bali. Witnessing firsthand how the Balinese honor the placenta in such a beautiful and sacred way was profoundly inspiring. Their rituals not only celebrate new life but also create a sense of community and deep respect for the baby's journey into the world. However, in the U.S., where the culture around birth can feel more clinical and isolated, many mothers face a vastly different postpartum experience. Postpartum depression affects approximately 80% of new mothers to some degree, with a more severe form, postpartum mood disorders, impacting around 10-15%. This stark reality makes it all the more important to explore natural ways to support healing. Placenta encapsulation offers an empowering choice for mothers to reclaim their postpartum well-being by harnessing the nutrients and hormones their bodies created to nourish them. The Hidden Value of Placentas in Modern Medicine In America, placentas are highly sought after by pharmaceutical companies due to their rich stem cell content. Each placenta contains a valuable concentration of stem cells that can be used for regenerative medicine and medical research. The value of a single placenta can be as high as $50,000. These stem cells are at the forefront of groundbreaking treatments, emphasizing the placenta’s role as a source of healing. While many placentas are discarded after birth, this knowledge underscores the immense power each placenta holds. I have witnessed firsthand how transformative the placenta can be. One mother I worked with, who had experienced debilitating seizures, found her symptoms stopped entirely after using her placenta postpartum. This powerful testament shows that the placenta is more than just an organ, it is a potent source of healing and restoration. Why Placenta Encapsulation? In the modern postpartum world, placenta encapsulation has emerged as a meaningful way to honor and utilize the nutrients and hormones contained within the placenta. Rather than discarding this incredible organ, mothers can choose to reintegrate its powerful properties back into their bodies. Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation Placenta encapsulation offers a natural way to support postpartum recovery and can help with stem cell rejuvenation along with the following:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the placenta is known as zi he che and is considered a powerful remedy for restoring qi (vital energy). TCM practitioners have used dried and ground placenta for centuries to address conditions such as fatigue, insufficient lactation, anemia, and hormonal imbalances. The placenta is believed to replenish the blood and strengthen the body's essence, making it an essential part of postpartum care. TCM preparations may include placenta powder added to broths or herbal teas, providing a deeply nourishing way to rebuild the body after childbirth. These remedies emphasize warming the body and replenishing the energy lost during labor. Keepsake Creations with the Umbilical Cord In addition to placenta encapsulation, I also offer unique keepsake services using the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord represents the life-giving connection between mother and baby, and I honor its significance by creating beautiful, meaningful mementos, including:
My Experience: 14 Years of Placenta Care in Los Angeles Over the past 14 years, I have worked with countless postpartum mothers in Los Angeles, creating custom placenta capsules that support their healing journey. I bring intention and care to every step of the process, ensuring that the placenta is handled with reverence and prepared in a safe and sanitary environment. Every placenta holds a unique energy, reflecting the mother’s experience and strength. I have witnessed firsthand how encapsulation can be a transformative part of postpartum recovery. Mothers often share how their energy levels improve, their emotional resilience increases, and they feel more grounded as they navigate the fourth trimester.
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