For all the moms and moms-to-be, our amazing friend, Lori Bregman’s, new book is a must-read! In her new book, The Mindful Mom-to-Be, she guides you on your journey towards motherhood, empowering you to follow your intuition to find what works best for you and your baby. She includes nutritional advice, holistic remedies, mindfulness exercises, labor techniques and other beneficial information for new moms. We had the opportunity to speak with her about being a doula, her experiences and her new book, which will be released on August 4th!
How did you embark on this path of becoming a doula and pregnancy coach?
Ever since I can remember I was always drawn to working with pregnancy women, new moms and children. I was specializing in prenatal healing bodywork and spiritual coaching when someone told me about doulas. Right away I signed up and took the training. I then wanted to open a pregnancy center but instead I became the pregnancy center and now support women’s mind, body and spirit throughout their own personal and unique journey into motherhood.
Do you use crystals for fertility?
Yes! I LOVE moonstone, because it is the stone of the goddess and the ultimate stone for fertility. I also love anything orange like carnelian or orange calcite to help move the energy in the second chakra area (reproductive area—where we create from). Of course Rose quartz — the stone of love and feminine energy, as well as a stress reliever and heart opener.
Do you ever use crystals for childbirth? If so, which ones are your favorites and how do you use them?
I LOVE having women hold chunks of black tourmaline in their hands during labor, visualizing the stones pulling out any fear, doubt or pain from their body. Also I can’t get enough of selenite—babies are drawn to it. I used to have my mothers hold it by their heart, but the babies would go up to the stone instead of out into the world. Now, I place it on a table in front of the birthing mama to guide the baby out. I also place a rose quartz on their heart, hematite by their feet to ground their energy and a amethyst chunk under the birth bed to hold a space of peace and protection and help connect them with their intuition.
Do you use crystals for babies?
I love amethyst under the crib or in a corner of the baby’s room. It protects, repels negative energy, brings clarity and peace of mind, helps them sleep better and wards off bad dreams. Also, I place black tourmaline in all four corners of the room for protection and have rose quartz in the room for love.
What are a few of your favorite essential oils for pregnancy?
Rose oil, which is a heart opener, fights depression, boosts self esteem and relieves anxiety. I also use peppermint oil, which is a natural energizer and helps ease morning sickness. Lavender is great for pregnancy because it’s a stress reliever, mood booster, sleep enhancer and calms the nerves.
What’s are your top 5 supplements that support healthy fertility and hormones?
1. Maca Root—Nourishes the entire endocrine system, enhances fertility, and brings hormones into balance. Also increases sex drive, vitality and gives you tons of energy.
2. Wheatgrass —Lowers FSH levels, restores hormone balance and helps alkaline your pH levels, which makes it better for sperm to live in. Its also nourishes cells.
3. Royal Jelly—Balances hormones, supports endocrine system, helps raise estrogen levels, increases sperm quality and testosterone levels in men.
4. Bee Pollen—High levels of vitamins and a natural aphrodisiac. It nourishes the ovaries, helps produce healthy eggs, balances menstrual cycle, and increases likelihood of fertility as well as sperm count in men.
5. Vitex chasteberry—Regulates the Pituitary gland, lowers prolactin levels, lengthens a short luteal phase (second half of a woman’s cycle), increases progesterone levels, reduces endometriosis, regulates menstruation, helps with PMS symptoms, reduces uterine cysts and helps polycystic ovary syndrome by restoring hormone balance.
We love all of your holistic remedies. Can you share your top 3 for indigestion?
1. Eat a few spoonfuls of yogurt after each meal. The probiotics will help neutralize the stomach acid.
2. Drink chamomile tea.
3. Put some peppermint oil in a diffuser, sit in a chair, interlace your hands behind your head, inhale the scent thru your nose as you feel the breath move into your stomach visualize it cooling this area of your body as you exhale bring your back and shoulders down and relaxed.
In your book you talk about being present. This is something every working mother and family is trying to balance and achieve. Can you explain how mothers can play around with being more mindful? I love the exercises you give about using your senses to be in the here and now.
Things are moving so fast in today’s world, and many of us our multitasking our way through life. When we do this, everything gets only part of our attention. Parenting your child is the same. I believe it is not the amount of time you spend with your child that has a lasting impact, but the quality of time you spend with them that does. Walking meditation is a great mindful exercise. I try and do this daily, even if it is just around the block. See if you can listen to the sounds like the birds, cars and children playing. Feel the air and sun. Smell the scents and feel your feet on the earth, and how your feet feel with each step you take. Anytime your mind begins to wander, bring it back the your surrounding and to your body.
What are your top tips on having a healthy post-partum period?
I am a big fan of the 40-day rule. Post birth is a magical sacred time that you will NEVER have again with your baby. It is a time where you bond and lock in the imprint of trust and love. It is also a time to get to know one another and figure each other out. You are recovering from both the birth and the pregnancy. The more you can just relax, surrender and simply be, the quicker you will bounce back and come out the other side.
We LOVE all your breathing exercises in the book. We started doing them and feel so much more calm. Can you share one of your favorite ones that you do daily?
You can shift your whole vibe by just breathing. The slower and deeper you breathe the calmer you will become. Not to mention, each time you breathe deep into your belly your baby gets flooded with oxygen, which sends blood flow to help nourish them as well as your body. Try this simple breathing exercise the next time you are feeling stressed. Start by placing your hands on your baby. Slowly, for the count of four to six breaths, breathe in the feeling of and the word peace deep into your belly. As you exhale breathe out through your mouth, slowly for the same count. Let go of any stress, fear or worry you might be feeling. Do this for a few rounds and then notice how you feel—instant game changer.
For more insight from Lori Bregman on being a mindful mom, read her book, The Mindful Mom-To-Be.
Lori Bregman – Photo by Dina Lockridge
As a birth doula, life/ fertility/pregnancy /new mom coach and healer, Lori Bregman has over 14 years of experience. What makes her unique is her innate ability to blend her spiritual coaching, years of healing and intuition that is integrated into her Doula practice. She is the founder of the Rooted for Life Pregnancy Coaching Program, a complete mind, body and spirit support system that helps women throughout fertility, pregnancy and birth as they transition into new motherhood. Throughout her career, Lori has studied with and learned from some of the most renowned healers and spiritual teachers across the world. These teachers have shared with her their wisdom, from spirituality, intuition, body/mind awareness, herbs/vitamins, aromatherapy oils and the healing power of foods to doula work, bodywork, yoga, and numerous other forms of holistic healing. She has always been especially drawn to working with pregnant woman and new mothers, and geared much of her learning toward pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Today she has built a thriving career based on her passion for fostering mindful and empowered mothers, healthy and happy babies and people too. Lori is the author of The Mindful Mom to Be.
