Blessings

Pregnancy and prenatal care (Haputanga) is a very special time for all. Maori believe that mothers and babies should be comfortable and relaxed

throughout the pregnancy and birth. They feel that a baby is fully aware of what is going on in his or her environment and having a mum as calm and relaxed as possible for the entire pregnancy is of great benefit to the baby.

 

Haputanga is a traditional Maori approach that utilizes a combination of gentle belly massage, body alignment and pressure points.

Some benefits of Haputanga for the whaea (mother)

 

It eases discomfort during the pregnancy such as; back pains, strains, muscle aches, bladder and organ discomfort, tiredness and depression and stress relief. It also tends to shorten the length of labor and facilitates an easier birth.

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Some benefits of Haputanga for the peepi (baby)

It helps keep the baby relaxed and calm, provides more room for the womb to expand so that the baby can move and grow comfortably and aids with keeping the amniotic fluid well balanced.

 

Nga matua (fathers).

In the Maori culture fathers to be are taught how to do the Maori pregnancy massage and are advised to do it as often as possible, which helps create a more comfortable pregnancy for both whaea (mother) and peepi (baby). Sharing this form of intimacy helps form a close bond between the matua, whaea me te peepi, (father, mother and baby).

 

Postpartum care for whaea (mums).

Repositioning of internal organs and realignment of the body after birth by Haputanga is thought to help with postpartum depression.

 

Care for peepi and tamariki (babies and children)

Infant/child chiropractic and cranial-sacral therapy. 

Energetic removal of birth trauma by these methods it is believed help with sleep disturbances; (reoccurring nightmares); colic; allergies; anger and depression.

Te whare tangata whenua (placenta), pito (umbilical cord)

Each of the terms below relates to different stages of the procreation – creation process and each state is seen as tapu.

 

The female genital is regarded as tapu “Te Whare Tangata” or the “house of people and is where the procreation begins.

 

Whenua relates to the placenta and to the land.

The whenua (afterbirth) is returned to the whenua (land) and with the pito (umbilical cord) bond the link between the newborn and papatuanuku (mother earth). With this affinity established, everyone fulfils the role of curator, for papatuanuku (mother earth), which remains lifelong.

Whanau relates to giving birth and to the family.

 

Hapu relates to being pregnant and is also a sub-tribe of the Iwi (people) Koiwi (bones).

·         Hapu – pregnant.

·         Hapu – to conceive or being pregnant.

 

A wahine (woman) is in a state of tapu when she is with peepi (baby/child). She is the bearer of the iwi (generations to come) and should be protected and guarded with respect.

A Maori Health Worker and/or Maori minister are offered should they want karakia (blessing) on the return of the afterbirth.

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