Baby Blessings By Ashleigh
Ceremony Officiant for MD, PA, VA, WV, DC
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Expectant Mother Blessings are blessings for the mothers.  They are to prepare the mother spiritually, emotionally and physically for the birth of her baby. Blessing of the mother can be done at a Blessingway or during a Baby Shower or alone and can be done for a mother awaiting her adopted child to arrive. This is a celebration of the woman, uplifting her and restoring her before she has to give her all in birthing and caring for her baby. This can be a ceremonial blessing for the mother or it can be a light hearted gathering, either way the mother is to be pampered, and friends and family give her thoughtful gifts and make the day all about the woman who is soon to be a mother for the first, second or multiple times.


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The Choice Is Yours

  • Blessingways
  • Baby Shower Blessings
  • Pregnant Mother Blessing

Blessingway Ceremonies can be done separate from a baby shower or during one, which are Baby Shower Blessings, or take the place of one.  Pregnancy Blessings
can be done one on one with me blessing the sacredness of mother and birth.  This can be performed at a baby shower, but vary from a Blessingway as it does not require the participation of friends and family. 

A traditional Blessingway takes around 3 hours or more, and is a celebration of the divine feminine within the pregnant mother.  Most Blessingways are done within a close group of women friends and family, but feel free to choose whomever the mother-to-be would like to attend.  Potlucks are usually organized for the event.  If done during a baby shower (a Baby Shower Blessing) it can be shortened with a blessing and only two or three of the activities to allow time for other baby shower celebrations and games. 

A Pregnancy Blessing generally has fewer activities. Generally the only activities are that I bless the mother and perform the foot and hand cleansing and pampering. 

I have provided below an explanation of activities.  Keep in mind the type of ceremony you are looking for and what you think would fit best for the celebration that you are planning.

The Pregnancy Blessing can be a great baby shower gift to an expecting mother.  I can also provide a pretty gift certificate for those wishing to offer that ceremony as a gift to be done later.



BlessingWay Ceremony Sample
Pregnancy Blessing Sample

Activities

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Mother Blessing

The Mother-to-be is honored by blessings spoken to her for herself, her body, her labor and birth, and her baby.  Any religion or spirituality can be honored.  Sample Script of Mother Blessing...

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Adorning Hair with Flowers

The Mother-to-be gets to go back in time and feel her most feminine with the ancient act of having her crown adorned with flowers.  Guests can choose to make a wreath and place upon the mother while brushing or braiding her hair. -OR- They can simply intertwine flowers throughout the mother's hair and around the crown of her head.  I provide the fresh flowers.

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Foot and Hand Cleansing and Pampering

Mother-to-be gets to be pampered as she relaxes and enjoys a hand and foot cleansing and oil or the traditional cornmeal treatment which is wonderful for the skin and used in the Native American Blessingways.  I provide the materials needed.

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Beaded Necklace

Guests can choose to bring their own special bead, or choose from my simple assortment, to string together a necklace for the mother to wear until the birth of her child.  This is a reminder for the mother of all the love and support she has for herself, her baby and her birth.  Those unable to attend can also send in a bead to show their support.

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Red Yarn Bracelet

All the guests wrap a red yarn around their wrist interconnecting them all with the mother.  The red yarn is then cut into each persons individual wrist piece and tied.   The "bracelet" is to be worn until the birth of the baby.  Then each person "cuts the chord" when she hears of the birth.  Connecting all to the mother and the baby and the birth! I provide the yarn.

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Poetry Sharing and/or Readings

Each guest can share a poem/reading/blessing they wrote or find meaningful to them and would like to share with the mother.  Those unable to attend can mail/email their reading as well.

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Community Candles

Each guest brings a candle and lights it from the mother's candle.  Then everyone blows the candles out at the same time.  The candles are re-lit when the mother goes into labor.  (A phone chain is organized.)  I can provide candles for an additional fee.

Additionally Priced Activities

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Belly Painting

Painting of the mother's pregnant belly by me and/or guests with non toxic paints.  Paints wash off with water and soap, mother should wear or have a change of clothes that can get paint on them.  Mother receives framed picture of painted belly for keepsake.

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Belly Casting

A Plaster Casting of the mother's pregnant belly and usually include the breasts and sometimes arm(s) and hand(s) by me and/or guests.  This takes about an hour or more for the set up, casting and drying.  Mother should wear or have a change of clothes and remove jewelry for the casting as it gets messy.  Mother's skin is protected by saran wrap and oil. Mother takes home Raw Belly Cast that day! More Info...

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Belly Casting with Artwork

Plaster Casting of the mother's pregnant belly by me and/or guests.  I take home and create artwork on the castor with acrylic paints. There are many options and a wide price range.  I can reinforce and smooth out the raw belly cast or do small detail artwork, medium or large. More Info...

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Belly Henna

Henna Application done by me and/or guests on the pregnant belly.

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Gift Basket for Mother

A Gift Basket centered around the Mother.  Organic Bubble Bath, Organic Body Oil, Organic Brown Sugar and Honey Exfoliate, Natural Bath Salts, High Quality Large Bath Towel, Organic Chocolate, Candles and Organic Tea. Add a hand painted wine glass for an additional price. 
***(Each Basket is different and uniquely tailored to meet allergenic and sensitivity needs and brand availabilities, as there are many organic and natural brands available.  Everything listed will be in the basket, but will not always look like what is pictured.)

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Nature's Baby Gift Basket

A gift basket for the mother who likes to use natural and organic products on her baby. Eco friendly and chemical free for a healthy baby and environment.  Package of Natural Disposable Size 1 Diapers (Can be replaced by 1 Cloth Pocket Diaper One Size for 7-35lbs). Organic Baby Bubble Bath, Organic Baby Shampoo, Organic Baby Lotion, Natural Diaper Rash Cream, Natural Wipies, Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer, Organic Towel for Baby.  Add an Eco-friendly baby toy for an additional price. ***(Each Basket is different and uniquely tailored to meet allergenic and sensitivity needs and brand availabilities, as there are many organic and natural brands available.  Everything listed will be in the basket, but will not always look like what is pictured.)

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Photos used under Creative Commons from MabyCakes, MabyCakes, CarbonNYC, Katri Niemi, madaise, Kazz.0, mikeporcenaluk