Preparation for the Portal
“When any woman is giving birth in an environment and an atmosphere suffused with love, intimacy, and peace, her very highest self is brought forth, and the bravest, most magnificent, most honest parts of who she is will rise to the surface.”
YOLANDE NORRIS CLARKE
Birth is both the most normal, everyday occurrence, and a supernatural unfolding. The portal — a hazy time where your spirit is suspended between worlds — is the time of preparation, the birth of your baby and your healing season to follow. It’s a place of many mirrors, reflecting back to you the depths of your psyche, the beliefs you hold and the richness of beauty surrounding you. All in the same moment. Resourcing your body, soul and spirit for this unfolding is necessary to experience the vastness of all it has to offer. You, as Mother, serve as the epicenter of your family’s wholeness. The tone you set for this season is one that will echo into motherlines for generations to follow.
It is a space of becoming. Rebirthing as the Mother your child needs. Letting go of maidenhood that clings.
As you prepare, it’s vital to lean into your inner spirit. What does SHE need? What does my baby need? This will be the truth of how to steward your days. Leaning into the needs of your body / mind / spirit, you will find that the path is clear.
BODY
village meal preparation
Start stocking your freezer early and call upon the support of your village — this is a time to lean into the wisdom of community and ancestral nourishment. Focus on foods that are rich in deep, healing energy—those that have been passed down through generations to restore, fortify, and honor the sacred process of birth and renewal. Nourish your body with bone broth-based soups and stews with warming spices + herbs. These carry the essence of warmth and vitality. Soft, easily digested congee, soaked oatmeal, and stewed fruits carry gentle sustenance, while roasted squash and root vegetables ground your body and support digestion. These foods are not just meals, but medicine for your body, soul, and spirit as you heal and recover.
Begin preparing by making an extra batch of dinner a few times a week, starting around 20 weeks into your pregnancy. This foresight will create a wealth of nourishing meals ready for the days ahead. Store them in glass, silicone, or compostable containers to honor the purity of your healing journey, free from toxins.
Fill your fridge with labor-supportive snacks—grass-fed gelatin gummies to keep your energy steady and bone broth popsicles to soothe and hydrate. These little acts of care, both practical and sacred, offer nourishment when you need it most. Trust in the power of your intuition and the strength of your village to guide you through this sacred time. Let your community’s love and these ancestral foods wrap you in their warmth, supporting your body and spirit as you step into this new chapter of life.
open movement + breath
Breathing deeply is a sacred practice that helps you reconnect with the ancient rhythm of your body, releasing the weight that life sometimes places on your shoulders. Draw deep breaths into your womb space. Let your hips move back and open. Feel your ribs expanding, a softening, a surrender to the present moment. With every exhale, release anything that no longer serves you—unnecessary weight, old fears, birth related trauma or fear — anything that distracts from fully inhabiting this space. Your breath is a prayer.
herbal energetics
Herbs carry subtle, vibrational qualities, which can be used to balance and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. Classified into different energetic categories, such as heating, cooling, drying, or moistening, intuitive selection involves tuning into these subtle energies and being guided by instinct and intuition. This approach recognizes that each person has a unique energetic signature, and that the herbs that resonate with them will be the most effective in promoting balance and well-being. By considering factors such as sensory experience, emotional resonance, energetic signature, and intuitive knowing, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of the subtle properties of plants and how they can be used to support physical, emotional, and spiritual health. For example, herbs like nettle and oatsraw are considered to have a strong, grounding energy, while rose and chamomile are often associated with a soft, soothing energy, and by trusting their intuition, individuals can create a personalized and holistic approach to herbalism that honors the unique relationship between themselves and the plants. Here are a few well loved herbal allies for pregnancy + postpartum.
Red Raspberry Leaf / Nettle / Chamomile / Calendula / Rose / Oatstraw / Alfalfa / Hibiscus / Marshmallow
HIBISCUS LEMONADE ADRENAL MOCKTAIL- 2 tbsp dried hibiscus petals- 4 cups water or 1/2 coconut water, 1/2 regular- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)- 1 tbsp raw honey- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar for potassium- A pinch of mineral salt (I use Baja Gold)Instructions:Prepare the hibiscus tea, steeping for about 5–7 minutes before straining and setting aside to cool.In a pitcher or large jar, combine the cooled hibiscus tea, fresh lemon juice, and honey (or your preferred sweetener). Stir until honey dissolves.Add a pinch of salt and the cream of tartar, stirring until everything is fully incorporated. Make into popsicles for labor or have your partner give you some with a straw. It will hydrate and restore your adrenals!
MINDempty your plate
This is a conscious act of releasing the demands and distractions that pull your energy away from the sacred process of preparing for and welcoming new life. It is an invitation to let go of commitments, slow down on work, and offload tasks to the loving support of your village. In this quieting, you create the spaciousness needed to tune into the deep wisdom of your body and the subtle whispers of your baby, allowing yourself to fully step into the portal space between worlds. This is a time to honor the sacred transition you are undergoing, where every task and responsibility that no longer serves your highest good can be set down, making room for stillness and presence. Trust in your community to hold you, and in doing so, trust that you will be free to listen to the rhythm of your own body as it leads you toward this new chapter. By clearing the external noise, you open up to the powerful internal shift that is happening—an unfolding of both you and your baby into a new world, one where you are held, nurtured, and guided by the love of those around you and the wisdom within you.
journaling
To release weight off of the mind through journaling, begin by finding a quiet space where you can focus. Start with a stream-of-consciousness approach, writing whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar or structure. Let your thoughts flow freely, whether they are worries, to-do lists, or random musings. Continue for at least 10–15 minutes, writing until you begin to feel lighter. Once the mental clutter starts to clear, shift your focus toward gratitude or clarity—write about things that inspire you or that you're thankful for. Conclude by reflecting on how you feel, noting any insights or shifts in your mindset. If anything actionable arises, write it down as a reminder to carry forward the clarity you’ve gained. This process helps clear mental blockages, creating space for peace, creativity, and insight.
SPIRIT
true, good, beautiful
As you approach the birth portal, focus on what is true, good, and beautiful to nourish your spirit. Reflect on the miracle of life, strength of your body, the love surrounding you, the beauty of Creation. Your thoughts are powerful — dwelling on peace will impact the peace of the transformative experience of birth.
look towards light
Sun exposure on the belly can be a beautiful way to connect with your body and your growing baby, allowing you to soak in the natural warmth and promote the production of birth supportive hormones. The sunlight also helps boost your mood, calming your spirit and reducing stress. Let your belly bask in the sun. Center into the present moment. Rest.
This content is purely inspirational and not medical advice. Each woman is encouraged to lean into her own intuition, trust her body, and make informed choices with the guidance of her trusted caregiver.
