# Presentation: 515485

## KEEPING THE SACRED IN CHILDBIRTH PRACTICES

- Integrating Navajo Cultural Aspects into Obstetric Care
- by
- Ursula M. Knoki-Wilson, CNM, MSN
- ursula.knoki-wilson@chinle.ihs.gov
- © All Rights Reserved

## Map of Navajo Nation

## Objectives

- Using a model, identify dimensions of bringing forth a child from the Navajo perspective.
- Discuss the importance of keeping the sacred in Navajo birth practices.
- Identify ways to provide culturally appropriate care to Navajo women who give birth in a hospital.

## Dimensions of Bringing Forth a Child:Navajo Perspective

- Dimensions of Bringing Forth a Child:Navajo Perspective

**WOMAN**

- MIND    BODY    SPIRIT    SOUL

- Baby Comes Forth

- Baby Forms & Grows

- Baby Finds a Home

- Woman with Child

- Male and Female Waters Come Together

- Women Bears A Child

## Keeping the Sacred in Childbirth

- When Female and Male Waters Come Together
- When being with child
- When the baby nudges you
- When the waters of birth come

- When the baby emerges
- When the voice of the child is heard
- When the beautiful one comes into your hands

## When Female and Male Waters Come Together

- Re-live creation
- Respect for K’e (relationships & order)
- Male light united with female light
- Father Sky, Mother Earth united in love
- One heart to one heart

## When Being With Child

_*Do’s*_
- Talk with ‘corn pollen’ sprinkled words
- Have ceremonies
- Keep thoughts good
- Say dawn prayers daily
- Keep the peace

_*Don’ts*_
- Argue with partner or others
- Allow bad thoughts to occupy mind for long periods of time
- Scold children
- Talk negatively or with criticism

## Navajo Ceremonies for Births

- Blessing way
- Protection way
- Shielding prayers
- Daily rituals
- Native American Church

## Navajo Traditional Healing

## My feet are made of mirage,My bridle of strings of the sun.My mane is like the white lightning.My tail is like long black rain.My eyes are big, spreading stars.My teeth are of the white shell.My belly is white as dawnlight.My heart is of everlasting garnet.	--From Blessing Way Chant

- SONG OF THE HORSE

## When the Baby Nudges you

- Do’s
- Eat foods good for baby
- Get up early and walk around
- Have a Blessing way ceremony for a safe delivery

## When the Baby Nudges You (cont.)

- Drink milk, take too much salt or eat foods ‘taken away’ by Navajo ceremonies
- Attend funerals or look at deceased person
- Be with sick people or go to crowded places
- Attend chant way rites for sick people

- Look at dead animals (taxidermy trophies)
- Lay around too much
- Tie knots, lift heavy things, weave rugs, make pottery, or kill living things (butcher)
- Prepare layette sets or plans for baby

*Don’ts*

## When the Waters of Birth Come

*Do’s*
- Think about a good delivery
- Have a medicine person do ‘Singing out Baby’ Chant or ‘Unraveling’ song if necessary

*Don’ts*
- Let too many people observe labor (only the helpers)

## Earth’s Prayer

- From the heart of earth, by means of yellow pollen blessing is extended.
- From the heart of Sky, by means of blue pollen blessing is extended.
- On top of pollen floor may I there in blessing give birth!
- On top of a floor of fabrics may I there in blessing give birth!
- As collected water flows ahead of it [the child], whereby blessing moves along ahead of it, may I there in blessing give birth!
- Thereby without hesitating, thereby with its mind straightened, hereby with its travel means straightened , thereby without its sting, may I there in blessing give birth!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- S.D. Gill – Sacred Words

## When the Baby Emerges

- Drink corn meal gruel
- Wear juniper seed beads
- Burn cedar or sweetgrass
- Loosen your hair
- Drink herbal tea to relax

- Get in squatting position
- Apply gentle fundal pressure during pushing
- Hold onto sash belt when ready to push
- Drink herbal tea to make womb strong

**Do’s**

## Sashbelt in Labor Room

## Baby Comes Forth

## When the Voice of Child is Heard

- Bury the placenta
- Drink juniper/ash tea to cleanse your insides
- Drink blue cornmeal gruel

- Breastfeed your baby
- Smear baby’s first stool on your face
- Wrap sash belt around waist for four days after delivery

- Do’s

## When the Voice of the Child is Heard

- Drink cold liquids or be in cold draft
- Smell afterbirth blood for too long
- Show signs of displeasure if baby soils on you

- Burn placenta or afterbirth blood fluids
- Have sexual intercourse with your mate for three months after delivery

- Don’ts

## When the Beautiful One Comes Into Your Hands

- Bury umbilical cord in sheep corral, near rug loom or special place
- Massage baby soon after birth
- Give corn pollen and juniper/ash tea to baby for cleansing

- Shake hand with baby soon after birth and call baby by Navajo name
- Make cradle board; mark the direction of growth of tree
- Sponsor ‘First Laugh’ ceremony
- Sponsor shielding way (blackening rite) for baby

- Do’s

## When the Beautiful One Comes Into Your Hands (cont.)

**Don’ts**
- Cut hair until baby talks
- Cover soft spot with fingers
- Cover head with bowl or basket

## Care of Expectant Navajo Women

- Mission and values
- Leadership support
- Cultural competence
- Beliefs of expectant couples & family
- Birth environment

## Vision for the IHS

- “The values of human dignity, honesty, compassion, coupled with shared values of many different tribes and cultures, that have come to be spoken of as “Indian values ‘, of listening, mutual respect, dignity, and harmony must always be at the forefront of what we do and how we do it. We must be professional in all our actions”
- Dr. Michael Trujillo

## Navajo World Views:  Childbirth

- Child of the Universe
- Couples are expectant
- Keeping the peace
- Keeping strong
- Roles of the family
- Spirituality

## Summary

- Model for cultural sensitivity
- Good business
- Standards of care
- Happy patients

## A Child of the Universe

- Devin Ryan Wilson

## Conclusion

- “I’ve learned that when your newly born child holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.”
- --Unknown