This ceremony is sometimes called a Blessing Way. That name inspired the name of my business, Birthing Way. The idea for this kind of blessing is Native American in origin, and the name comes from there. The Navaho people have asked that we not usurp another of their rituals or use the term Blessing Way.

The ceremony I offer was created to my liking after gathering ideas from several sources and making up parts of it myself. I offer something unique so I have opted to give it a unique name. While in the Bahamas, I saw that the yield signs there say ' Give Way'. This struck me as the perfect name. It is essential in labor to yield to the birth energy, to let go of your resistance and be in the flow, in essence to give way. The ceremony itself is a time where others can give to the mother to show their love and support, a way for giving or a Giving Way.

There are two styles of blessings; one honors the divine within us all by evoking the feminine aspect of God/Goddess/All That Is. This one uses lots of symbolism and Spiritual Ritual . The other blessing style is for those with a more Judeo-Christian tradition. This offers traditional prayer and blessings from the group assembled. While many of my beliefs have changed over the years, I was raised as a Christian and can offer this kind of blessing with genuine respect for these beliefs. Both styles require the participation of the group who have come to offer love and blessings to the pregnant woman. In both, the guests must bring hand made gifts and services to the mom. Click on the hyperlink for the style that interests you to find out exactly what we will be doing. (The pregnant mom should not look at this if she wants to be surprised!!)

If you have been asked by the mom to host her Giving Way ceremony, the information links are for you. I will perform the whole ceremony and lead everything. You will be one of the participants. Where I need your help is:

1. in inviting the guests, (invitation help is in the printed material)
2. explaining what is expected of them
3. and planning the food.

Read the material and decide which of the extra/alternative activities you want to do and let me know. There is a sample invitation at the end. You can 'cut and paste' the activities you want into the invitation and then print it out as an enclosure in your purchased invitations or simply print them on some pretty paper as is.

Please call or email me to let me know what you are planning and if you need guidance. 770 573-1257 or beth@birthingway.com