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As a child I was drawn to gem shops, their shiny stones, and pretty crystal angels, it felt almost impossible not to reach out and touch the crystals and feel their smooth, cool, and reassuring weight in my hands.
Like many children I started a collection mainly from gift shops, as a young teenager as I dabbled with the idea of witchcraft, writing spells on paper and burning them, my collection grew.
Then I grew up and moved out, my collection lost in the boxes of my empty bedroom, I found some in decorative jars in my parent's bathroom, but the majority I imagine were thrown away, I was probably asked if I wanted them, I guess my answer at that time was no.
As I reclaim a little of that identity, feeling kinship with witches and traditional healers / wise women who are likely the elders in the community who were experienced in supporting childbirth, it feels natural to slowly rebuild my collection again.
I am not an expert in Crystals so I thought I should reach out to someone who is!
Serenity With Jess
Through my Instagram community, I met Jess from Serenity, as we chatted online throughout her pregnancy and she later told me her empowering water birth story, I knew she was the right person to help me start my new collection!
As we worked together I told her that I would like a number of crystals, some to take with me to any births I support in the future in person, but mostly to help me feel grounded and support me emotionally, as supporting families through some of the most important times of their lives means I have to support myself too.
She helped me choose my stones, but at the same time, she generously offered to send me some crystals to include in my community birth bag - a bag of resources for birth and postpartum I lend out for free to friends and family nearby.
She choose crystals she felt would be a positive addition to a birth space, and that is what I am going to tell you about today!
What are crystals?
Back to some basic chemistry (not too much I promise!).
Crystals form when molecules or atoms, usually dissolved in a liquid, come together and arrange themselves in a repeating, ordered pattern, sticking to each other through chemical bonds, and gradually growing into a solid structure with a distinct geometric shape.
The type of crystal you end up with depends on lots of things like the types of atoms involved, the chemical composition of the substance, the temperature and pressure conditions during formation, the cooling rate, and the presence of impurities.
Crystals found in the earth are cut and polished to reveal their colour and patterns, they are either tumbled to reveal a natural shape or cut and polished into a geometric shape.
The stones Jess provided for my community bag were all tumbled crystals but one of the personal ones I chose was a tower that ends in a point.
Tumbled crystals are small so the perfect addition to a birth bag, they also feel great in your hand, smooth with no sharp edges but little imperfections to add to the texture.
Why have crystals in your birth space?
Crystals are something that have been held in high regard, there is evidence of crystals being worn as far back as 6000 years ago.
Crystals for physical and emotional healing
The healing properties of crystals borrow principles from Chinese traditional medicine ( the concept of bodies having an energy force (Chi) and the Hindu and Buddhist ideas of chakras.
Some people believe that crystals have the ability to interact with these energies and have a positive impact.
Some healers use crystals to help with their energy work when working with clients to support healing.
Crystals for connection
Others like the connection crystals give us to the earth when most of the time in the modern age we are very removed from the 'natural' crystals are something you can have at your birth to connect you to nature.
I think at the moment I fall into this group!
Crystals for hypnobirthing
One of the concepts of hypnobirthing is creating an anchor, this can be anything, a sound, a smell, a texture, a taste, or a sight.
Incorporating specific crystals as an anchor item in your relaxation practice can mean that when you see or touch those items in your labour they help you feel calm and relaxed.
Another way crystals can support you in labour is by being a tool to help you exit 'fight or flight'. One of the ways we teach to do this is to do a repetitive movement such as counting your fingers with your thumb or the beads on a necklace. Holding small crystals in your palm, feeling the smoothness, counting them, or moving them around could have the same effect.
You could even consider crystal-beaded jewelry like a necklace or bracelets.
Creating a birth alter can be a lovely way to help promote oxytocin in labour using the anchoring technique explained above, placing crystals on your alter can be a lovely way to incorporate them.
You could even create your own crystal grid set up for a specific intention.
Crystals for birth
Unakite
- Supports a Healthy Pregnancy & Fertility
- Deeply Grounding & Balancing
- Encourages Emotional Stability
- Let Go of Fears & Worries
It is also thought to pen your third eye chakra which is a gateway to higher consciousness, it seems fitting as it is often said that women who are in labour are in another world or entering the birth portal
Tigers Eye
Protects Against Fear & Anxiety
Encourages Inner Courage & Resilience
Supports Decision-Making & Focus
Strength and Confidence
This certainly seems like the stone to take with you in a hospital birth, but I'm sure any birthing mama could do with some extra confidence, especially during transition.
Selenite
- Cleanses & Purifies Energy
- Promotes Inner Peace & Emotional Balance
- Aids in Relaxation & Restful Sleep
- Helps Clear Negative Energy in Birthing Space
Rose Quartz
- Encourages Self-Love & Emotional Healing
- Strengthens the Mother-Baby Bond
- Promotes a Calm & Loving Birth Experience
Thought to be connected to your heart chakra and motherhood which isn't a surprise with its beautiful pink colour!
Amethyst
- Reduces Stress, Anxiety & Overwhelm
- Encourages Deep Relaxation & Rest
- Enhances Intuition & Inner Wisdom (associated with your crown chakra)
- Supports Postpartum Healing (a healing crystal)
Pink Moonstone
- Balances Hormones & Emotions
- Enhances Maternal Instinct & Connection
- Promotes Emotional Strength & Resilience
- Supports a Smooth Birth & Recovery
Blue Lace Agate
- Encourages Calm & Clear Communication
- Reduces Anxiety & Fear During Labour
- Promotes Peaceful & Gentle Energy
- Postpartum Emotional Healing
The most important thing about choosing crystals is to pick the one that resonates with you personally, either by handling it in person or working with someone like Jess to find the perfect crystal for you! She has crystal kits on her website and is happy to help you put together a personalized one.
If you are anticipating having to advocate strongly at your birth you might want to consider crystals that neutralise negative energy like black tourmaline or clear quartz, if you are feeling especially anxious you could consider hematite, or if you want to focus on spiritual energy Lapis Lazuli may be the one for you!
If you want to boost your confidence a gemstone associated with the solar plexus chakra could be a good idea.
Jess has her own blog about pregnancy crystals you can find it here:
Who am I?
I am Charlotte, a Virtual Doula, providing bespoke evidence-based pregnancy support to families who want an empowering birth.
With 10 years + of clinical research experience, a biomedical science degree, and two hospital births under my belt, I use my knowledge to provide pregnancy support to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
I provide pregnancy support for all types of births, including hospital births, helping you to navigate NHS guidelines and have an empowering positive birth.
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