by Sophie Messager
When I started working as a doula, the majority of births I attended (those of first time mothers in particular) were long and protracted, and often ended in obstetric interventions such as forceps or caesareans. I grew frustrated because the interventions proposed...
by Sophie Messager
Closing the bones is a traditional postpartum massage ritual. It is most known for its Mexican and South American heritage, but versions of it exist on all continents. Depending on the culture, a closing the bones ritual involves different elements. There is a...
by Sophie Messager
When you think about belly binding after birth, what pops into your mind? Do you see a long thin cloth wrapped many times in a complex way around the abdomen? Do you imagine something complex that takes a long time to learn? Do you believe that there is a “right” way...
by Sophie Messager
All around the world, there is a custom of binding the hips and/or the belly for the first few weeks after birth. It makes sense when you think about the changes the body undergoes. During pregnancy, the body adapts to accommodate the growing baby: the pelvis tilts...
by Sophie Messager
Closing the bones is a postpartum ritual that is designed to help nurture and heal a new mother. It usually involves a massage followed by a tightening of scarves around several points on the body. Depending on the culture it can also incorporate bathing and sweating...
by Sophie Messager
I’m back from spending 3 intense days learning about the art of birth, rebozo techniques and Mexican postpartum (including closing the bones) with Mexican midwife Naoli Vinaver. Naoli had been in the back of my mind for many years. I had heard about her via French... 
