Magic and pregnancy/childbirth

[saffrondoula]

I'm beginning a book on pregnancy and childbirth for pagans and I am looking for sources that could show me a variety of gods & goddesses, rites, rituals, talismans, etc. that MODERN pagans are using to enhance their fertility, ensure a healthy pregnancy, help them get through labor and birth, etc.

I'm a labor doula (childbirth assistant) by profession and have a plethora of information on natural birth, pregnancy, informed decisions, and that sort of thing. I've been reading up on Blessingways and other modern rites for pregnancy.

I'm also a pagan with a year-old son, and I do have my own experiences to draw from.

What I really need is directions to printed source material and personal experiences. If I do get permission to use any specific stories from contributing individuals, I would happily give credit (or change names), as desired.

If you do have stories/rites/rituals you're willing to share either in general or for printing, please make this explicit, as I won't be printing any specifics without people's permission.

Thanks!

[Jeremy Westenn]

I know Hera had a lot to do with childbirth and mothers. That's about all I can give you personally though.

/shrug. :/ Don't forget adoptive parents in your book to!

[Alora]

Go to mothering.com and post in Spirituality. Trust me, you'll get lots of great answers there.