Aum Amritesvaryai namah

My son’s birth was one of the most transcendental experiences of my life! That’s what an american lady told me about her waterbirth. And she added: But the pain is great – don’t believe anyone who says it is not painful – it is so painful – but divine. I was maybe seven months pregnant then and knew this should become true for our baby’s birth, too.
Having lived most of the previous three and a half years in Amritapuri Ashram, Kerala, I was sure that our baby’s birth should happen in India, which may not be my home country, but maybe my soul’s home or my heart’s.

In the ashram I felt was not the place or a birth, as it is a mostly very crowded place and the ashram hospital offers only basic medical assistance, with specialist doctors coming once a week or once a month.
The Keralites did not understand why I did not choose to give birth in AIMS, the ashram’s super specialised charity hospital in nearby Kochi. Neon lights and modern machines and allopathic medicines and doctors speaking Malayalam with each other – well, the hospital is great and much needed, but not for this birth that was not an illness but was supposed to be MAGICAL!
In Germany I had a friend midwife. But here? Suddenly the thought came to my mind: „There might be a natural birthing centre – maybe in Goa.“ That was no rational thought but absolutely spontaneous. Surprisingly that was exactly what I found in the web!

And Amma, our „Hugging Guru“, fully supported our choice.
After visiting the place three months before due date we were assured the decision was right, the place being beautiful and Corinna seeming to know exactly what she was doing, fully dedicated to her profession.
Instead of burdening your mind with tons of information, Corinna strengthens your inner, innate potential: Birth is no mind thing, not easy either, but you can do it! And it’s true, we could...

Two weeks before the birth I felt ready, and maybe two days before Govinda came I sat down on the beach in the night singing welcome songs to him, so that he would want to come out, into our arms.
On the 3rd of April, we went swimming a lot in the ocean (just next to our rented house on a quiet beach). That must have been when the birth water came – we never saw it, it must have mingled with the sea’s.
By the way, Mother Ocean really is he best birthing teacher: just be with the waves – relax – and feel the power...

In the evening the contractions started, and by midnight we called a taxi. Soon after we arrived in Assagao at 1 a.m., the opening started. Ramanand and Corinna both helped me so much, breathing with me, singing Aaaah and Ooooh and Aum when exhaling. Surprising how beautiful that was, like in a temple, and it really transformed the pain into sound, a birth song.

At about 3 a.m. I was in the water basin, and now that the pain was growing, the warm water took a lot away and helped me to relax. Having two people on my sides (Ramanand and Julia) to hold my hands and Corinna somehow directing the play, I felt so much supported. Corinna always knew what was going on with me, and did the right thing, without even examining my body or asking too many questions. Pure power of Nature – that’s what I felt, heaven and hell, somewhere between. Sometimes I felt it is my choice if it will be heaven or hell.

Ashram life was a good preparation because I had learnt already to try to give everything, without thinking about past or future, simply doing what you have to do – but at the same time „I am not the doer“, but a strong force is acing through me. Rarely can you feel that clearer than during birth!

Luckily little Govinda really wanted to be born, he came quickly, with the rising of the sun he was born. Crying, I could hold him in my arms not knowing still if he was a boy or a girl, but feeling he was a little angel, so beautiful but not human, not like anything I had ever seen.
Life is a miracle.

Now I understand why giving birth is considered a sacred initiation in many tribal cultures. You really feel the divine shakti inside of you, streaming through you and out of you. You are in the waves of giving all and letting it flow through. It is quite sad that there are so few places in India where birth can be experienced like this.

We wish Corinna and Peter all the best, both of who helped us before and after the magical transformation, in so many ways. Anyone can be sure to be in good hands in Assagao! Thank you so much. Govinda is he sweetest, most relaxed and most loving baby in the world – and he LOVES water!