The Golden Hour

Have you heard about the Golden Hour?? It is the hour following the birth of a sweet new baby: It is a powerful time for bonding and connection, for meeting your baby, for beginning the steps of the life you will share together. Mum and baby have just completed a massive transition each in their very own way.

I read and loved a book called Birth Without Violence by Frédérick Leboyer, a book written in 1974. It entered my heart and soul and lead me to place strong importance of this special time with new babies.... By the simple way he writes, he allows space to drop into what it actually might be like for newborn baby who has just arrived. Imagine the intensity of light, of sound, the skin suddenly adjusting to being in air, not water, the feeling of oxygen in lungs, the feel of skin on skin, learning to breathe, being separated from the placenta that had provided nourishment with ease and no work from baby's side.

I think a beautiful way to welcome wee baby into the world is straight into Mama's chest, staying there on her bare skin as they start to get to know each other.

For me it didn't feel important to do a newborn exam right then, it didn't feel important to know how long Mātea was, or how much she weighed. I just wanted to feel her skin on my skin.. and welcome her to the world outside gently and softly.

And in my work as a Doula, I place great importance on safe guarding this precious time.