The Birth Altar: Your Personal Laboring Tool for a Beautiful Birth

When most think of the word altar, the first thing that usually comes to mind is Religion. Altars most likely originated at a sacred place; whether it be in a church, temple or outdoors. A space where a worshiper gave an offering to the gods, prayed, and held the presence of the higher gods in ceremony.

So why would I suggest that you create an altar for your home birth?

In our modern era, people are utilizing altars in so many more ways than how they were traditionally used. They are a welcoming of energy, a tool of meditation or manifestation, a shine of support. Altars are representations of love, strength, and faith. 

More specifically, a Birth Altar could be a physical visualization of your dream birth and a calling to go inward which birth so fiercely asks you to do. They are a power symbol of your transition from maiden to mother. 

Birth Altars are an amazing tool to use in all stages of labor. Through early labor, as you feel the comings and goings of each wave, this is a great time to set up the altar. Remembering why you chose each piece, touching them and placing it where it will stay for the remainder of your birth. While in active labor, to sit at your altar, either on a birth ball or standing and swaying, breathing with each contraction while gazing at what you’re drawn to. Then in transition through the surges of contractions, as your baby is making its way earthside. Your birth altar can help take your mind from the physical intensity of what you are feeling, to the reminders that you placed for yourself to come back to.

Now that we’ve gone over how this tool could benefit your birth, what should you place on it?

When designing your altar, you need to first visualize your birth. What kinds of items do you feel will help support you? What brings you ease? What are your ideas of a beautiful birth? Each piece chosen for your birth altar is so personal and custom to what you desire.

One place you could start collecting ideas from is the 4 elements; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Honoring each element on your altar is a great way to support balance and help align energy. 

Some ideas for each element are:

Earth- Shells, Crystals (Specifically Root Crystals), Flowers, Jar of sand, moss or other outdoor items that could help ground you

Air- Light fabrics, Feathers, Oils, Affirmation flags, facial fan 

Fire- Candle, Incense, Pictures of empowerment, Dried herbs or flowers, twinkle lights

Water- Moon water, facial rose water spray, fertility goddess statue, Blue/Turquoise crystals, massage oils, tinctures

Another way of collecting items is to call on support. I remember while building my altar, I asked each woman in my family and the women closest to me, to borrow an item of theirs to place on my table. This way, I was surrounded by their love and it served as a reminder of the women before me that have given birth. The strength I drew from that was irrevocable and deeply supportive. 

Now, where should your altar go?

Go back to that visualization of your dream birth. Where do you see yourself experiencing the stages of labor? Place your altar right in the middle of that, on a sturdy table or platform (like a mantle or permanent fixture). 

Birth Altars have the power to create an environment of peace, and power during one of the most transitional moments in your life. Allow yourself to tap into your creative side and really dress it up in your most authentic, beautiful, wild mama self. 

Written by: Ashley Jacobs