Pregnancy Retreat
I absolutely LOVE facilitating safe, relaxing and poignant spaces for people. Whether it be to rest, to pray, to meet with God or simply just to ‘be’ - it can be so moving and powerful to watch these moments take place. I believe I have seen the Spirit move in many people’s lives when they have paused, listened and invited God in.
To do this in pregnancy is, in my humble opinion, a wonderful, meaningful and powerful time to do it! What a roller coaster journey: the ups and downs, the cravings, the sickness, the bad sleep, the reflux, feeling those kicks, the anxiety, the excitement, the nesting…. and ALL the things!!
But one thing I have noticed… many people of faith havent actually particularly invited God into their pregnancy journey. There could be so many reasons for this. Maybe it took so long to get pregnant, or you experienced a miscarriage, and it just feels too hard to face God after all of that. If he is for this, why did it take so long for it to come about? Does God think I will be a good mother? Will things still go wrong? Will I be let down and disappointed by God if I start to involve him? Can I trust this body I have been given?
I totally get that, and all of those thoughts. We are all on our own unique journeys into motherhood, and some of us have been through a hell of a journey to get here. I hear you and see you. And I believe God hears you and sees you too- more than you will ever realise.
As a Christian doula, I wanted to create a retreat that was a gentle and safe space for pregnant women to be together, yet in the safety and comfort of their own sacred space of home too. There is space to chat a little bit, but really its for you to connect with yourself, your baby and God. The retreat morning is relaxing and gentle and there are absolutely no expectations for you to do anything you aren’t comfortable to do. We have space with cameras off to give you privacy as you pray and worship, and you can also choose to do a little prayerful creative activity with a scan picture if you want to.
When I first started running online retreats in 2020, I never thought they would work, but I have been surprised over and over again that they really do! The combination of being able to stay in your pjs at home, but also engage with others on the retreat seems to work perfectly- I now wouldn’t choose to do this type of retreat in person.
Come along to invite God into your pregnancy, prepare for your birth with Him, listen to some positive stories, rest and be encouraged. I think you’ll be surprised by what you might receive!
Helena Whitwell, Christian Doula in Bristol, UK
