The Birthing Space - (Birth Pod)

The Birth Pod provides a safe, secure and sacred space for a woman to give birth.  It represents a gift of life to life for life.  This timeless design of the Birth Pod is based on the natural principles of Bio Architecture - the art and science of designing and building spaces which create, support and enhance life and living systems.       

“First we shape our buildings and then they shape us” – Winston Churchill Imagine a world where babies have an opportunity to be born naturally in a safe, secure and sacred environment.  Research has shown that the birth process and the first minutes, hours and days profoundly affect the babies physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.   It is increasingly understood that every persons future potential is hugely influenced by the design and conditions of their birth space.  On many levels it would be appropriate to say that our birth space is one of the most important places we will ever inhabit, and as such is worthy of some conscious design. The importance of optimising the emergence of a new life into this world is paramount, and will improve our individual and collective abilities to form coherent families and societies.

The Birth Pod design optimises our birthright potential and offers a unique way to help change the world one baby at a time.  

Project Description

The Birth Pod is a design concept that presents and offers a birth environment that supports the mother and child on every level.

Having been present and assisted in the birth of my five children, three of them being born at home, I have developed a deep respect and sense of awe at the power of this experience.  I have been stunned at the power and focus of the woman as she gives birth, and moved to tears as a new life emerges and smiles.

As a Bio Architect, specialising in the creation of sacred space, I can see the profound possibilities presenting to upgrade our understanding of the elements of the birth environment which can greatly enhance the experience for mother and child. 

The Birth Pod is a prototype space design which brings together these elements with some awareness, experience and clarity, seeking to explore ways to integrate our expanding knowledge of the birth process and how it can be supported and enhanced.

In the modern model there is some truth to the perception that birth is seen as a potentially dangerous medical condition that requires constant monitoring and intervention.  The hospital based birth environments created to handle this ‘condition’ have saved many lives, and provided vital response facilities in an emergency. 

However, there is a growing tendency to perceive the birth process through the assumptions and resulting procedures underpinning this standard model, which may not optimally cater for the deeper needs and total wellbeing of the mother and the child.  For instance, the bright lights, the central birth table, the surrounding noise and polluting electro smog can instill a deep feeling of unsettledness and stress, which can stunt the mother’s ability to relax and flow with the intense waves of the birth process.  Coupled with this is the constant movement of other people, voices, suggestions and commands, which can oftentimes conflict with the mother’s natural instincts and movements. 

The Birth Pod is not intended to replace or judge the standard model environments – rather is seeks to offer a complementary model, based on a more holistic understanding and approach to a very natural process. 

The Requirements of a Good Birth

In order to fully integrate the biological and environmental requirements of a good birth it is vital to understand what these requirements actually are.  For instance, a mother in labour has some very basic needs.  These needs can be generalised but include space to move around and explore different postures and positions that relieve pain, enhance blood flow and facilitate the ease of the contractions. 

They include a supportive environment that is calm, dark, clean and uncluttered, access to a bed rest space, a toilet and shower, a warm birth pool, an adjacent rest space for a present but non interfering midwife, doula, friend or family member.  A healthy space is also very important, in terms of no ‘electro smog’ from mains electricity, good air ventilation, appropriate light levels, balanced humidity, no toxic material off gassing etc.  The actual birth space itself should be dark and small, without visual line of sight to the door way etc.  The key is to reduce and perhaps eliminate stress and to create an environment which supports the birthing couple fully.

Once the child is born, and unless there is some unexpected difficulty, all it needs is calm, quiet and skin to skin contact with the mother.  ‘Touch’ initiates a truly miraculous energetic and bio chemically partnership between the mother and child which sets in motion all that is required for both to thrive.  Ultimately, each mother, child and birth experience is unique, but it is possible to drawn forth some basics that enhance the experience.

In describing how the Birth Pod can offer a possible upgrade to the standard model and incorporate the abovementioned needs, it is necessary to outline the basic principles of Bio Architecture, which serve as the guiding design protocol.

Bioarchitecture

Bioarchitecture is the Art and Science of designing and building spaces which create, support and enhance life and living systems.  It is the pure principle set of rules for design, construction and land use - which utilises the necessary 'fractal' or rose like symmetry / shape of electric fields which allow all living systems to thrive. 

The premise behind biologic architecture is that all life responds well to design that is in accordance with nature and avoids harmful materials and sharp corners, which literally bleed (haemorrhage) capacitive charge. The ultimate goal of bioarchitecture is to create fractal charge fields that are implosive in nature and encourage life. An ideal example of this concept is found in a rose’s petals, which unfold along the golden mean ratio and are fractal, meaning that they are capable of infinite non-destructive interference and attract charge inward towards the centre causing implosion (the electrical principle of life itself).

So by studying and understanding the symmetry of electric fields causing health versus disease we rediscover that an overwhelming simple and yet compelling rule or pattern emerges.  Applying this beautiful algorithm to architecture and space design - we can see exactly why the design of ‘living’ space - must be exactly that - an electrically living space. An electrically alive space (sometimes called 'sacred') - is simply the space where charge can breathe efficiently and thus achieve the (multiply connected / holographic and fractal) distributed resonance called awareness - the thrust of all living systems.

Whenever we observe and study any living system, from DNA, to a flower, a person, a planet or galaxy, we see the same shapes, forms, geometries, ratios and proportions expressing themselves in a veritable dance of musical harmonies.  We see that time and space utilise fractal geometry to create a unified field symmetry that allows the electrical principle and potential of life to emerge and evolve. 

The birth of a truly sustainable living pattern is optimised when consciousness finds a home in the energetics of a space.  The optimal birth process, which involves all of these harmonics of creation, requires an environment which creates and functions as a natural implosive charge field attractor. 

It can be useful to visualise and imagine a series of Russian Dolls. These are beautifully painted carved and hollowed out wooden figures, which open up to hold each other in a fractal cascade of perfect embedding.  The large doll opens and holds the rest, and the second one opens and presents the rest and so on.  The principle here is one of perfected harmonic embedding, and points towards the principle of life as observed in nature. 

Design Elements

When we look at the design of the birth pod, we see that the basic birth space is ovoid, and is a projection of the mother’s womb in terms of its shape and overall geometry.  This space in turn is nested within a large ovoid harmonic which is the individual building or ‘pod’ where birth is supported. 

As we extend outwards, harvesting and experiencing continually expanding field symmetries, we see that the landscaping and positioning of the paramagnetic stone array, trees and pathways add further context richness to the energetic matrix.  When we expand further again we see that the positioning of the other Birth Pod structures, along with the support space are fractally arrayed in the same emerging symmetry.  This pattern is not limited in any way, and can continue to expand and inform the layout of the supporting village, town or city.  (The roots of the word ‘mother’ and ‘matrix’ are the same)

So what is happening here is the creation of a full spectrum energetic support environment that resonates and aligns with the womb of the labouring mother – the current home of the child who is about to emerge and explore its full potential.  The mother and child are literally nested in the arms of the Mother Earth and the circle is complete.  This total emersion in the living field of the planet greatly enhances the charge radiance of the birthing couple, the space itself and the immediate environs. 

There are many examples of such birth environments such as the mother goddess birthing centres of ancient Malta in the Mediterranean and some of the so called ritual burial mounds here in Ireland.  There is also a large body of scientific evidence emerging which supports these core concepts, such as the pioneering work of Dr Michel Odent and the Russian Physicist Korotkov et al.

Facilities

In practical terms the actual design of the Birth Pod contains the following

A covered walkway wraps around the building to provide a space for the mother to move and circle, freeing up her body to facilitate the birthing process.  There are trees and plants arranged fractally around this space which serves as a sensory reminder of the overall supporting matrix.

A visual wall presentation that has round stone cladding rising up to lime or clay based render, complete with timeless spirallic motifs of birth from every culture.  The wooden windows and doors are ovoid, resonating with the geometry of the womb.

A subtle natural interior finish which is grounding and very feminine.

A central well shaped birthing pool, (geo thermally heated) with clear access and movement space on all sides, with steps and handrails for ease of movement in and out.

A contained toilet, wash hand basin and shower space.

A contained sleeping space for the mother or support folk.

A contained lounge area for the midwife or other support person.

A grounding pod with earthen floor, and options of towels and wall bars to provide support and hanging postures for the mother as she explores ways to ease any pain and release stress.

A birth space, which is warm, safe, secure, small and dark.

Some storage and basic preparation space for towels, water, tea, food and emergency equipment.

Feature alcoves that provide opportunities for placement of candles, crystals or other objects of intent and energy.

The possibility for and provision of music, aromas, flowing water and other sensory support elements.

An overall geometric form which resonates with the symmetry of the womb and is visually appealing and restful.

A space that has very good air quality, good levels or relative humidity and ample negative ions.

A playful yet resonant warm stone tile pattern underfoot.

A roof finish externally that could be earth and planting, timber shingles, straw or slate (depending on locally available material and traditions)

Five vertical wooden roof support poles which can be lovingly carved with the names or symbols of each previous birth, building up a memory wave which in turn supports the intention of the space.

Materials

In addition to the overall geometry of the space as designed, is an awareness of the use of materials.  Like our food, the less processed and interfered with our materials are the more life force they can create, hold and project.  This is a measurable science and points to a hierarchy of building materials and techniques that support the overall life signature of a space.  For instance it is best to use materials that were once alive and charge laden, such as wood, straw, cob, stone and clay.  Within each of these categories there are further subsets of possibilities which offer choicer and greater levels of charge potential.   In terms of finishing materials, there are non toxic paints and varnishes, healthy cleaning mixtures and a plethora of colours and textures which can calm the body, still the mind and delight the senses.

The potential exclusion of the mains electricity may be seen by some as being a step too far.  However, there is irrefutable evidence which demonstrates the adverse effects on biology caused by high levels of artificial electromagnetic fields. 

It is worth noting here that energy cannot be good or bad as such, but may cause a disturbance (destructive wave interference) which does not support biology, especially at such a subtle and profoundly important time as birth.  Picture the previously described array of colourful Russian dolls, all lined up in a sweeping cascade of shape similarity.  There is a natural desire to put them all together and bring the field of information into a nested coherent harmonic.  Now imagine that somewhere along this line of dolls is placed a brick or an object that just cannot fit the pattern.  The brick or object are not ‘bad’ just because they cannot fit the overall symmetry, but they do have the effect of splitting the potential, and separating the fields left and right of, or above and below them. 

The frequency modulation of mains electricity is the brick in this case – not being based on the natural fractal harmonic of biology.  This analogy may assist in the understanding of the principle of reducing or eliminating electro smog in the birth space. 

In the overall birth centre design layout there is a support centre, which would contain emergency facilities (should they be required), support accommodation and gathering / celebration / ritual space.  The design of each of the Pods would allow for mains power at the flick of a switch back at the centre.  This demonstrates one aspect of how we can consciously design a space to maximum benefit of both birthing models.

Construction

In terms of construction, the Birth Pod is a very easy space to build, and the choice of materials, expertise and technology are very available all over the world.  Curves involve less materials, are structurally stronger and much more fun to build.  They are pleasing to the eye and provide ample opportunity for individual expression.  Building one off unique spaces that resonate with the culture and environment are such a joy to manifest and add so much to the richness of the community.

Even within the modern medical model, there is scope to provide such a facility on the grounds of a hospital, and avail of the full service of possibilities that result from such a partnership.  There is also the possibility to install one of the Birth Pod egg spaces within an existing maternity ward, and offer this space to mothers who are drawn to give birth in the safety and security of such an enclosed space.

The commercial viability of such a project is assured, as more and more people are considering their options and with some reflection are naturally drawn to a process and resulting facility which can provide a less stressed environment.

Social, Ecological and Economic Potential

The Birth Pod is a vital facility and provides the launch pad for a baby to develop into their full potential, which is the kernel of a healthy and vibrant society.  A baby who experiences a relatively gentle birth and is given the opportunity to naturally and directly connect with the mother is bound into a profoundly intimate relationship which achieves optimal physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development. 

The social implications are astounding and could change the very way we live, approach life and indeed die.  It is worth noting that many of the principles and elements demonstrated and incorporated into this design proposal are equally relevant and applicable to a sacred and ‘successful’ death also. 

Ecologically, the Birth Pod is very sustainable, using local materials and labour to support the community directly.

Economically, the Birth Pod derives its ultimate benefits from its shape and its design, not necessarily from what it contains.  It can be built very cheaply and sustainably.

Benefits

The effects of such a Birth Pod design are potentially measurable, both in terms of the charge radiance of the finished space, the statistics of the births within the space and the eventual evaluation of the children who emerge.  The Birth Pod has quite clear goals and rich intent, and the results are easily quantifiable.  The most notable comparison would be the true unaltered facts and figures about home births.  The design enhances life and living systems on so many levels, has no toxic by-products, and is potentially and easily energy efficient.

The Birth Pod can be scaled up in terms of numbers of pods orbiting a central support space, all aligning with the overall geometric pattern.  There may be some limiting factor or point at which the design no long retains integrity if the scale gets past the point of integral balance.

The Birth Pod design will be used by new and existing communities who are aware of the socio economic trends and availability of energy, materials, products and services (peak oil etc.) and who wish to provide a safe, secure and sacred environment to honour and welcome in the next generation.

Current stage of development

We have been directly involved in the design and creation of hundreds of spaces around the world based on these principles.  We have been approached by a number of people who wish to specifically create such Birth Pod spaces, and are currently seeking funding.  Personally I have built our own birthing spaces and continue to enjoy the fruits of these spaces, in terms of their multi use potential as well as the wonderful children they ‘produced’!

This Birth Pod (and associated design potentials) model is available for anyone interesting in setting up a holistic living / birth centre anywhere in the world, and we would be delighted to advise and assist in any way.  The Birth Pod exists as an idea whose time has come.  It represents a Gift of Life to Life for Life.