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Birth Guardians: Melanie Elizabeth Moore

Birth Guardians: Melanie Elizabeth Moore

Last updated on: December 12, 2012 at 3:37 pm by Sarah Whedon

Birth Guardians: Melanie Elizabeth Moore 2012-12-12T15:37:22-05:00 Sarah Whedon

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today we continue the series profiling people who work with pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period (prenatal massage therapists, childbirth educators, OB/GYNs, doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, labor & delivery nurses, pediatricians, etc.) and are Pagan or work with a Pagan community. Birth guardians we’ve previously profiled are Jane Hardwicke Collings and Ben Hoshour. If you would like to be a part of the series please send an email to [email protected].

What is your name?

Melanie Elizabeth Moore

What kind of work do you do with pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period?

I am an apprentice trained Certified Professional Midwife, and also a doula, childbirth educator, and Dancing for Birth instructor.

In what ways does Paganism affect your work?

The first book that I ever read on pregnancy and birth was Hygeiea by Jeannine Parvati Baker. I was already a witch, and this book helped me to connect my religion and sexuality. My cycles are sacred. My sexuality is sacred. My birth is sacred. I have given birth to 7 children, the first born by cesarean, the rest born at home (VBAC). Three were born in water, and my youngest two were unassisted outdoor waterbirths. My powerful birth experiences led me to believe that all women deserve to give birth with knowledge, power, dignity and joy. I want women to really own and enjoy their pregnancy and birth. They should have song, dance, and ritual. They are Godesses!

How can we honor what is sacred in childbearing?

Recognize that it is a natural part of women’s sexual cycle; to be celebrated, and not feared.

If you could tell Pagans one thing about pregnancy or birth, what would it be?

If this is your first child, I say now it is time to stand up and be Pagan. That means telling your parents. Having the birth the you want is only the first part of being a parent. The decisions keep coming from here. Circumcision (please do not mutilate your sons). Immunizations. Schooling. Baptisms. Stand by your beliefs. Your children are watching.

Find Melanie on the web at:

[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/midwifemelanie
www.MidwifeMelanie.com

Birth Guardians

Certified Professional Midwife

Jeannine Parvati Baker

Melanie Elizabeth Moore

VBAC

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