Sound Birth

The use of sound as a modality for healing has been used by many different cultures all over the world for thousands of years. Be that either through voice, drumming, singing bowls, mantras, chanting, chimes or gongs.

I was first introduced to sound healing years ago when I did my Yoga Teacher Training in Bali. I'll admit I was a bit sceptical at first. We ventured into the forest of Ubud to find the Pyramids of Chi. I was intrigued as to how the vibrations had healing powers and learnt quickly that they work with your meridians and blood to induce a deep relaxation having healing properties. As our bodies mainly consist of liquid, the vibrations of sound can easily penetrate our cells, rejuvenating them back into an optimal healthy state.

 

https://pyramidsofchi.com/

At this point, I had not had my moon cycle for three months prior for no explained reason. Maybe the stress of starting a new job in Saudi Arabia had bought it on.

We entered the pyramids for an ancient sound healing session that lasted an hour and used a variety of pyramid power, sacred geometry, polar alignment, ancient sounds and of course the magical healing energy of Bali, the island of the gods. It was bliss!

 

Of course the very next day, my moon cycle had returned. From this point on I have truly believed in the energies of sound, so I am not surprised to learn that it has helped so many labouring women birth their babies.

"A person does not hear sound only through the ears; they hear sound through every pore of their body. It permeates the entire being, and according to its particular influence, either slows or quickens the rhythm of the blood circulation; it either wakens or soothes the nervous system. It arouses a person to greater passions, or it calms them by bringing peace. According to the sound and its influence, a certain effect is produced. Sound becomes visible in the form of radiance. This shows that the same energy which goes into the form of sound before being visible is absorbed by the physical body. In that way, the physical body recuperates and becomes charged with new magnetism."

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan, Mysticism of Sound ~

Sound birth is when a crystal sound bowl is used during labour for the mother to tune her vocals to, to help ‘sing’, hum or ‘moo’ her baby down the birth canal and earth side. This can provide pain relief during contractions as well as a distraction from the discomfort.

“I couldn’t believe the difference in pain levels and confidence I had in myself during this labour compared to the previous two births” - Nikole, sound4life.com.au

When a birthing mother focuses her voice on a particular sound by ‘toning’ it to the singing bowls, it allows her jaw, throat, mouth, tongue and face to relax. This in turn helps to relax the cervix. The throat and jaw are linked to the cervix and are created structurally quite similarly. Have you heard the saying, “floppy face = floppy fanny” ? because this is exactly what we are trying to achieve. The more our cervix is relaxed and open, the easier it is for a baby to be born physiologically.

To do this, take a nice deep in-breath through the nose, and slowly exhale while making a low deep sound, whilst the singing bowl is being played. Breathing slowly and deeply ensures your body and baby are able to easily receive the needed oxygen, meaning better circulation and heart rate.

This can be done without any singing experience or training by anyone, as it has neither a melody nor lyrics. It comes naturally as you freely express yourself and let go.

Some of the benefits of using a singing bowl whilst in labour include :

-  A natural pain relief

-  Helps and encourages you to use your own vocal cords

-  Provides a background sound so you may not feel embarrassed or vulnerable,

 

slowing the labour process.

-  Creates an air of calm for everyone in the room

-  A release of your important birthing hormones such as oxytocin

-  It creates a safe calm environment, no matter where you are birthing

-  Cultivates a feeling of deep connection to your body and baby

-  From baby's perspective, they are welcomed earthside into a calm peaceful 

environment

-  It gives your birth partner an important role, making them feel useful and also

relaxed

Using sounds during pregnancy also has many benefits, with babies in utero being able to perceive sound as early as 9 weeks. Meaning not only is mum receiving these benefits but so is bub. If you can attend a sound bath or even better if you can find one specifically designed for mamas to be, it can be so beneficial during pregnancy. These benefits can include:

-  Assisting in comfortable sleep and helping with insomnia
-  Helps with lowering of blood pressure
-  A release of your happy hormones, endorphins and serotonin
-  Activation of your parasympathetic (calming) nervous system, helping with relaxation, digestion and metabolism

-  Can assist in early brain development in your unborn baby
-  Helps harbour a connection between mum and bub
-  Contributes to a healthy and happy baby later in life

-  Allows for quality ‘us’ time for you and your baby

 

 

If you are in the South West region and want to attend a sound bath, Margaret River Sound Relaxation hold weekly events, one on one sessions and work shops, in a stunning location in the heart of town. Please note that sound baths with Gongs should be avoided for the first trimester of pregnancy.

https://www.soundrelaxation.com.au/group-sessions-events

Crystal singing bowls come in 7 different sizes, each one correlating to a chakra, the energy fields found throughout our bodies. Starting at the base is the root chakra, moving up to the womb space is your sacral chakra, then your solar plexus, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye between the brow and the crown chakra shining from the top of our heads.

 

I know doulas who prefer to use the root or sacral crystal singing bowl as these are the chakras we are activating during labour, or even the heart chakra to elevate our oxytocin levels and open our heart space. But remember during labout we want to keep the noises at a low and deep frequency, rather than high pitched. There is also a specific birthing crystal sound bowl created by Nikole at Sound 4 life.

Nikole at Sound 4 life has created several different courses specifically designed to learn how to use the crystal singing bowl during labour. These include a private couple's course so that birthing mama and partner know how to use the bowl, a master class for doulas and birth workers to help support clients and one on one or group sound mentoring sessions.

Nikoles bowls and courses can both be found here:

https://www.sound4life.com.au/sound-4-life-shop-1

We also use the power of sound in my prenatal yoga classes, teaching and preparing mum to use her vocals during labour, and to calm bub whilst in the womb, feeling all of

the lovely vibrations. The studio also offers seasonal events that combine the healing properties of sound, acupuncture and yin yoga at our Yin, Pin, Gong night. You can book for the next event and check out the yoga schedule here: https://www.swellyogastudio.com.au/

But, if you're still sceptical about crystal singing bowls and their benefits you can give it a quick go here, in the comfort of your very own home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmJft_Dnt9M

Find a comfortable sitting or lying position, close down your eyes and relax all of the little muscles in your face. If you feel called to, try toning your vocal cords to the bowls. See how you feel. Sit with this feeling for a minute or two once the video has stopped playing. Do you feel calmer, lighter, more relaxed? I know thats how I want to feel during birth!

Thats why, for my upcoming birth I plan to use a crystal singing bowl and I hope I’ve managed to convince you as well!

Jenise Russell, yoga instructor specialising in pre and post natal yoga, birth and postpartum doula, motherblessing facilitator and friend. For more information and offerings please feel free to contact me at jenise.russell@gmail.com. Follow along on socials @jenise.yoga.doula or check out the yoga studio and schedule at swellyogastudio.com.au