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Advance for Nurses
Vol. 5 •Issue 14 • Page 14 . In the
Spotlight.
The Art of Birth:
A Boston nurse
midwife reconnects patients with the ancient roots of belly dancing.
By Sandy Keefe, MSN, RN
Cathy Moore, MS, BSN, RN, FNP, CNM, a nurse
midwife for the Brigham and Women's Midwifery Group of Brigham and Women's
Hospital in Boston, is also an accomplished belly dancer. She is intrigued by
the age-old relationship between belly dancing and the birth process.
"The movements used in belly dance actually
mimic many of the physical and emotional manifestations of labor in a woman's
body. The belly dance was, and still is, part of the birth ritual in some
countries of the Middle East," she explained.
"The women attending the
laboring woman dance around her to provide instruction
in how to give birth."
An Epiphany
Moore earned her BSN in 1980 and worked as a
staff nurse for 15 years before going back to school to become a midwife. Twelve
of those years were spent in labor and delivery, where Moore continued to be
fascinated by the birth process.
"Those of us who have the opportunity to
witness birth know it is one of the most amazing displays of female creative
power a person will ever see. ... The forces at work are nothing less than
awesome."
As Moore completed her midwifery training,
she started studying the ancient art of belly dancing with a group called The
Goddess Dancing, whose mission is to explore the deep feminine power and
spiritual connection inherent in belly dancing.
"At this time, I had no idea that there was
an association between this dance form and birth," she recalled. "I guess you
could call it a bit of synchronicity that a midwife would find herself pointed
in the direction of studying an ancient dance form whose origins are rooted in
childbirth preparation and ritual."
As Moore struggled to master some of the
more complex movements involved in belly dancing, She discerned parallels
between the dance and the birth process. "As a labor and delivery nurse and then
a nurse midwife, I've observed many women in labor. When I was learning to belly
dance, I realized the similarities between belly dancing and the birth process.
"I had my first personal understanding of
the connection of belly dance to birth when I was learning to shimmy," she said.
"The shimmy is a quick vibration-type movement that is done with the hips,
chest, belly, and entire body. ... When I finally 'got it,' I could feel the
wonderful looseness and relaxation of the muscles of the pelvic floor. ... I
knew instantly that this move was intended to move a baby down the birth canal."
Preparation for Birth
Moore and a partner will soon begin teaching
a series of belly dance classes to expectant mothers at Destination Maternity in
Natick, MA.
Belly dancing is a form of prenatal exercise
that's different from the tightening exercises common in American culture, she
said. "Women's muscles need both strength and flexibility during the labor and
birthing process; the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles need to lengthen, relax
and open in order for the baby to pass out of the uterus and out through the
vagina. Belly dancing exercises those deep muscles of the pelvic floor, along
with the muscles of the abdomen."
In addition to preparing the muscles for the
labor and delivery process, belly dancing increases the woman's body awareness,
helping her to stay attuned to the changes in her body throughout pregnancy and
to her growing baby. Belly dancing promotes a healthy body image for all women,
pregnant or not, affirming the message, "My body is great!"
Moore views belly dancing as an important
tool women can use to empower themselves while embracing birth as a normal,
natural life experience. It can be used during labor to facilitate the birth
process, either as part of a natural, non-medicated birth or in the early stages
of labor prior to using epidural anesthesia.
Gifts of the Goddess
Moore and her colleagues at The Goddess
Dancing are dedicated to sharing their discoveries with other women.
"We believe that the dance form originates
from matriarchal times, when people believed that God was a woman and that women
had a God-given purpose," she said. "The belly dance in particular was a form of
worship of The Goddess. While today many think in terms of a generic 'Goddess,'
back then The Goddess was known by a different name in each country — Isis in
Egypt, Inanna in Sumeria, Kali in India. One of the most common aspects of The
Goddess from many, many countries and cultures is Her facet as a life-giver, as
a mother.
"Dance celebrates the life-giving powers of
The Goddess," Moore continued. "Because at its ancient roots, belly dance tells
the story of women's life-giving power, it is a natural for pregnant women who
are at the peak of their creative power.
"Through belly dance, a woman celebrates her
fertility, sensuality and abundance, and affirms the fullness of her being."
Sandy Keefe is a nurse, freelance writer
and regular contributor to ADVANCE.
This Article used with permission.
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