DreamBirth: Transforming the Journey of Childbirth Through Imagery

by Catherine Shainberg Ph.D.

Overview

Bringing a new life into the world is the most profound act of creativity in the human experience. "By communicating with your body through the language of dreams and imagery," teaches Dr. Catherine Shainberg, "you can experience the journey of childbirth we were meant to have—exhilarating, natural, and overflowing with love." With DreamBirth®, this leading imagery expert offers practical exercises and guidance becoming an active participant in all four phases of childbirth—conception, pregnancy, labor, and post–partum care. Created as an essential resource for parents, midwives, fertility experts, and any birth care professional, DreamBirth includes:


Instruction in using imagery and conscious dreaming to activate the creative power of your mind and the deep wisdom of your bodyPre–conception and conception—practices for preparing to conceive and calling to the spirit of your childIn–depth guidance for navigating each trimester of pregnancy, the two stages of labor, and essential early bondingEffective imagery for dissolving anxiety around childbirthTechniques for fathers and partners, and much more
"Focusing our intention lets us consciously begin the process of dreaming forth a new life," teaches Dr. Shainberg. With DreamBirth, this innovative teacher shows you how you can use creativity and imagery to carry you through an aware conception, a conscious pregnancy, a natural and joyous birth, and the loving reception of your child into your family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781622031641
Publisher:	Sounds True, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/01/2014
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	360
File size:	631 KB

About the Author

Catherine Shainberg
Catherine Shainberg, PhD, is the founder of the School of Images® and has over 40 years' experience in adapting traditional practices into a modern medical context. She is the author of Kabbalah and the Power of Dreaming, and teaches workshops internationally. Dr. Shainberg has a private practice in New York City. For more information, visit schoolofimages.com.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction: The Power of Dreaming xvii

Part 1 The Journey of Conception

Chapter 1 Pre-conception: Clearing the Way 3

Chapter 2 Conception: Calling Forth a Soul 35

Part 2 Milestones of Pregnancy

Chapter 3 First Trimester: Exciting News 57

Chapter 4 Second Trimester: Basking in the Glow 81

Chapter 5 Pregnancy: The Rush to Prepare 115

Part 3 Welcoming Your Baby

Chapter 6 Labor: The Flower Opens 153

Chapter 7 Postpartum and Bonding: First Smiles 189

Part 4 Embracing the Larger Family

Chapter 8 Fathers and Partners 237

Epilogue: When Your Child Dreams You 271

Excerpts of DreamBirth Stories Claudia Rosenhouse-Raiken 277

Acknowledgments 285

Appendix 1 For Surgical Procedures and Medical Tests 287

Appendix 2 To Stop Premature Contractions and Repair Placenta Previa 293

Appendix 3 List of Exercises 297

Notes 303

Index 305

About the Author 321

Doulas 323

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/18/2013
The creative imagery expertise and medical background of School of Images founder Shainberg (Kabbalah and the Power of Dreaming) joins with the wisdom of seven compassionate birth professionals in this practical, comprehensive guidebook that offers 161 targeted visualizations to address almost every situation likely to arise during pregnancy and childbirth. Gentle exercises, designed to use the body-mind connection to focus intention, dissipate fear, explore possibilities, connect with the growing child, and manage pain, are chronologically arranged to take heavy planners all the way from conception to postpartum healing. Individual exercises stand well enough alone that a doula or partner could begin using them for the first time at the hospital, or to address problems, such as relieving fetal distress, rotating a mispositioned baby, or preparing the body for a Caesarean. Shainberg comes across as a caring and trustworthy guide, offering the reins to the mother to consciously direct her experience during labor and delivery. Exercises focused on communicating with the unborn child, for both parents, will help families feel bonded well before the birth. The affirming metaphysical framework contains a surprising amount of accurate medical information about each stage of pregnancy and its associated diagnostics and procedures, without the anxious tone common to many baby books. Shainberg gives the birthing woman comfort and control as she accesses her own wisdom. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

The creative imagery expertise and medical background of School of Images founder Shainberg (Kabbalah and the Power of Dreaming) joins with the wisdom of seven compassionate birth professionals in this practical, comprehensive guidebook that offers 161 targeted visualizations to address almost every situation likely to arise during pregnancy and childbirth.Shainberg comes across as a caring and trustworthy guide, offering the reins to the mother to consciously direct her experience during labor and delivery. Exercises focused on communicating with the unborn child, for both parents, will help families feel bonded well before the birth...Shainberg gives the birthing woman comfort and control as she accesses her own wisdom.” —Publisher's Weekly

“DreamBirth is a gift to the parents of the future and a much-needed medicine to transform our current birth culture from fear to freedom. A most beautiful and useful book!” —Christiane Northrup, MD, OB/GYN, author of the New York Times bestsellers Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

“An exceptional resource for nourishing the inner life of mother and baby, building the warm loving connection that will enhance labor and birth and make mothering easy and pleasurable.” —Sarah J. Buckley, MD, author of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

“DreamBirth is just what has been missing from the Pregnancy and Birth section of bookstores. In DreamBirth, Shainberg paints glorious pictures, from conception to the first smile, enabling each woman to call upon her inner guidance and yield to the powerful force of nature, letting her baby descend, turn, emerge, and attach in the way that every baby can, without the interference of fear. Shainberg's easy-to-follow meditations are the perfect preparation for parents and an incredible sourcebook for practitioners.” —Barbara Harper, RN of Waterbirth International, author of Gentle Birth Choices

“Full of sound advice and practical exercises, DreamBirth opens many doors for a profound shift in perception, seeing pregnancy as not only a mechanical, physiological process, but as an opportunity to know the joy and magic of creation.” —Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova, Founder of Birth Into Being

“Catherine Shainberg is a profound spiritual teacher ...” —Robert Moss, author of Dreamways of the Iroquois

From the Publisher

02/01/2014
This title is based on Shainberg's seven years of working with health-care professionals in developing imagery exercises that can be used by women during all stages of pregnancy. Comprised of four sections, the book moves from preconception to welcoming the new baby into the family. The imagery exercises within each chapter are usually introduced with explanations of corresponding situations. They are mostly less than a page in length, focusing the reader through imagery and breathing. Some of the exercises are for both parents or just the father. The epilog includes stories about situations in which the imagery exercises worked. Appendixes contain imagery exercises for dealing with certain circumstances such as surgical procedures, medical tests, and premature contractions and a list of all the exercises by chapter. While most of the book provides reassurance to the mother and encourages connection with the baby, the author acknowledges that the exercises' effectiveness is based more on circumstantial evidence than formal clinical trials. VERDICT This title is relevant to women who are interested in applying alternative methods of connecting with their babies. Libraries with consumer health connections should consider this title, especially if there is patron interest in complementary and alternative medicine.]—Rebecca Raszewski, Univ. of Illinois Lib., Chicago

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