Some days were full of babies, labour and delivery nurse Christina Bergin says.
At St. Paul’s Hospital, the Squamish resident would deliver up to three babies a shift. It was busy. But no matter how many lives Bergin helps enter this world, one thing is constant — the experience never gets jaded.
“No birth is the same,” Bergin said. “And it is amazing that they’re not.”
Those differences are what conjures up so many questions, she said. It’s those differences that women will explore at the Squamish Pregnancy Retreat.
“We want the women to leave with some tools,” Bergin said. “We are taking on a holistic approach.”
Last year, 16 pregnant women from the Sunshine Coast to Gabriola Island participated in the inaugural retreat at Sunwolf Resort, near the Cheekye River. This summer’s event has a similar format. The retreat starts with Squamish’s Annie Martinello leading a prenatal yoga class. Squamish-based midwife Beth Ebers will then host a talk about pregnancy and birth, followed by acupuncture, massage, and doula support. Locavore chef Jason Nadeau will provide vegetarian food.
Birthing at home is becoming more common in Squamish, birth and postpartum doula Kazuko Hiroe said. Experts in the field will explain the process and help the soon-to-be mothers meet other women taking the same course.
“It’s about connecting to pregnancy, connecting to other women and growing a trust in the birthing process,” Hiroe said.
Something magical happens when women take time out of their busy lives to come together and explore the wonders of the childbearing journey, she noted. Women show such strength when it comes to trusting their bodies and the birthing process, Bergin said, a characteristic the retreat celebrates.
Early bird tickets to the day-long event cost $135 if purchased on or before Tuesday (May 20). After that tickets will cost $160. Space is limited. To learn more about the retreat visit www.pregnancyretreat.wordpress.com or call (604) 567-7845.
