IN THE BEGINNING

Through out the many changes the earth has experienced geographically for the past 3.5 billion years there is one thing that has remained constantly present on it and that is... water. It is essential for all life. Although there is some evidence that it has been found on some other planets in our solar system, mainly in the form of ice frost or water vapor, the earth is the only one containing large bodies of it. In fact, it 

is covered almost entirely (70 percent) by this is precious element.

             

                                                                       Photo: La Sirena by Mara Catalan

As humans we have a very strong connection to water. In fact, very much like the earth our body's largest component is...water. We spend the first 9 months of our lives immersed in it in our first home - the womb.  

                                                                                                                                             

 According to New York Doula, Margret Crawford CD (DONA) LCCE, not long afterfertilization, a woman's womb creates amniotic fluid to nourish her child. After a couple of months gestation the baby is surrounded with water also containing proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, phospholipids, electrolytes and urea. The baby actually inhales and swallows the amniotic fluid and in late gestation also urinates it back out into the mix! The vital liquid replenishes itself many times per day. If a mother's fluid is found to be on the low side, she can often chug a good bit of water with good results.                   

The amniotic sac or "bag of waters" provides a safe space for the baby to develop in and is a wonderful shock absorber in case mom takes a tumble. I often think of how it must feel to have ones whole existence in water and then be suddenly out into full gravity at birth. I know when I have been swimming for even a half hour and get out of the pool how heavy I feel! 

Some children have the privilege of being born into cozy, warm water joined by parents and other loved ones. To go from such a tight space of the womb to the familiar but more open space of water, being caressed by loving hands on the way into the world must be a wonderful transition! The newborn has a natural reflex tat keeps the airway closed while immersed in water and the umbilical cord is still providing oxygen for a short bit at birth. The baby can be brought to the surface peacefully to peek out of the water and take in the world and have it's first  breaths of air.

I treasured the scent of my babies as they all had been soaking in the life sustaining womb fluid. Newborns are soothed by the smell of amniotic fluid and the mothers breast secretes a substance with a very similar scent aiding in establishing breast feeding.

The "bag of waters" is an incredibly miraculous place to be formed in. Every need is provided for and then when the right time comes, life must move onward to the outside of the womb where the nourishing continues on in a new way.

Written by Margret Crawford

*The biggest trigger for daytime fatigue is lack of water. - Bob McCauley