Customized Birthing

Remain quiet during birth. Dance hula —

perform amis (circular hip movements)

to ease delivery. Family is important —

as support. After birth, wrap ti leaves

around and tie them tight with a towel.

Placenta is saved, offered to ‘aumakua

(family god or deified ancestor) to protect

baby. Once piko (cord) falls off, keep it

safe till baby is one month. Then, a ceremony —

another offering to ‘aumakua or god-parents.

Piko may also be buried — planted back in the earth —

where baby comes from, will return to again.

. . . . .

Poet: Susan Powers Bourne
Source: Hawaii Nursing
Process: Redact, remix, montage