The Rebozo is a traditional woven shawl, created and used by Mexican women as a versatile piece of clothing and as a baby carrier. They have been a part of Mexican culture ‘forever’ and are worn by girls and women to signify they are married and to be honoured and respected. (1) Traditional Mexican midwives use the Rebozo to do the “manteada”, a rocking massage technique which works by relaxing the pregnant women and encouraging the baby into the best position for health and labour. (2)

In the Western world, the Rebozo is gaining recognition as a valuable tool for midwives, birth attendants and parents as they seek to utilise the valuable knowledge of traditional birthworkers, returning to a more natural and self-managed view of pregnancy and birth.

Benefits

The Rebozo technique is relaxing; it balances and relaxes the pelvis, lower back, uterus and ligaments, releasing any restrictions or tight areas in the deep soft tissues allowing more room for the baby to tuck the chin and rotate into the best position for labour. The treatment is performed in a nurturing environment and the rhythmical nature of the technique can aid in the release of long held physical and emotional issues.

There are many variations of the Rebozo technique. It can be used for abdominal support, pelvic support, massage and rocking. Traditionally, the rebozo method has been used to turn posterior babies, and reported to have been used successfully on breech babies. The Rebozo can be used by the doula, midwife, or partner to support the labouring woman in different positions. It can be used to hold a heat pack to an aching back or abdomen, as a shawl for warmth or to give privacy during labour, birth or post partum.

The Rebozo can be used in the mid to latter stages of pregnancy to ease the physical tensions in the body due to the weight of the baby and the pressure that can cause the uterine ligaments to ache and the lumbar and sacral regions to become painful. It is perfect tool to use to ease the baby into the optimal foetal position. We have had success in reducing the pain of pubis symphysis by working with the mother to relax the deeper soft tissues in the body, releasing any compensatory holding and allowing the baby to move into a different position.

We like to have one session with a couple to teach the partner how to perform the movement; how to have the correct stance in order to protect the lower back of the partner; contraindications to be aware of and other helpful tricks of the trade. We do the movement on the partner initially to give them an appreciation of the benefits and how deeply relaxing and nurturing it is and then work together on the mother. Babies in-utero love the movements of Rebozo and they will often become very still and relaxed.

Closing the Bones Ceremony

This beautiful and simple ceremony offers the postnatal mother an opportunity to deeply relax and reconnect after the birth of her baby.

We like to perform the Rebozo ceremony with our doula clients as an acknowledgement of the journey the mother has been on and the changes that have occurred for her physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is a way for us to say thank you for the strength and courage she has shown and the important time we have shared.

According to Mexican beliefs, during birth, a woman’s energy opens out to allow the expansion of her body physically and energetically. This can leave the new mother feeling unsettled and open. Her physical body has been moved into positions not known before, and sometimes feelings of vulnerability can remain. The ceremony is a way of bringing these edges together.

The woman chooses a close female companion or relative to join in the ceremony and together, we become the women that “hold the space”.

The mother lies on the floor, the two women sit or stand either side and wrap the Rebozo around the body, gently tightening and holding, working their way from the feet to the head until the whole body has been closed.

Women who have experienced the ceremony have reported a feeling of closure, of peace, of deep sacredness and love. Emotions are freed and we all reflect on the beauty of birth and relationship.

This ritual is usually performed in weeks 2 – 6, however the ceremony can be performed at any stage after birthing even if your last birth was 18 years ago!

Not Just for Pregnancy and Post-partum!

Rebozo techniques can be used on just about anyone. It is a wonderfully relaxing experience and can assist with release of long held tensions in the lower back and hips, balancing of the pelvis, aiding in neck and shoulder tension. We have used the Rebozo on family members to soothe and balance after traumatic events and children especially respond to the Rebozo.

(1)The Rebozo: A transcription of the rebozo workshop given by Doña Irene Sotelo and Naolí Vinaver, 2001, Midwifery Today magazine,

(2) As above