Fertility - The Gaya Method

The Gaya method was created during an advanced pregnancy, an encounter between an emotional state of anxiety and a state of mind of creativity.

The tools of the method were formulated through study, practice, and in-depth introspection and are based on approaches and methods that combine meditation, focus, and creativity in healing processes, which I learned in the years preceding the development of the method. Later in Ilana Shemesh's book "Giving Birth at Home", a chapter was devoted to describing the need for emotional preparation and the tools of the method.

More details about Gaia can be found here.

In my work with women in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum, it is possible to reduce disturbing thoughts, criticisms, anxiety, and emotions that obscure the ability to see the good.

The tools and the practice make it possible to cultivate a creative ability in the here and now, which affects the functions of the brain, as can be explained today thanks to brain studies, the fact that the brain is flexible and that its functioning is influenced by the right / because of experiences and phenomena in life experiences or from patterns of behavior and thought.

The process is like a star trip, where you get to know the center point from which we will leave and to which we will return, the exploration and observation at an always customized personal pace. The goal is to allow you to choose a new path for coping with the unknown towards pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after childbirth.

Here is a story that gives both a taste of what you do in the sessions and a process that started from a blockage and ended with a birth.

Noa arrived because she received a recommendation for a first appointment, the night before the start of the IVF process, because of what she already had to lose.

There was only a faint mention of previous birth experiences and their impact on her current attitude towards pregnancy in general and childbirth in particular.

In a gentle and attentive process, we addressed the experiences of loss of control and helplessness, limitless intrusion "because they cut me everything in my stomach is ruined, blocked" there was tremendous anger at the staff and especially anger at her coping.

How to be in the presence of such a situation of vulnerability and helplessness? Practice sometimes lying down and paying attention to the body, sometimes a piece that reflected possibilities that she could not think about when the thought was hazy with tears flooding.

Noa persevered in the practice of attention and attending the sessions, slowly becoming able to react differently to the feeling of distrust and helplessness. Recognition of the ability to forgive and accept the situation as it is.

The sessions were as an anchor to allow all emotions to float, to give attitude to the body. Talk and experiment with other possibilities of being with sensations, thoughts, and feelings, with the fact that there is no control in any situation.

She shared that something is happening, like a new order in relationships in the workplace (which has changed), with the spouse and children.

One morning she almost skipped into the room and when she sat down on the mattress, she put her hands on the floor and said I'm putting it here. "I'm pregnant, spontaneous like that all of a sudden...." And a big smile spread across her face, she added that this is what we have at the moment and it's good.

Along with the pregnancy, the anxieties returned and in each session, attention was given to what is now, for now, the sixth week pregnant. Seventh... Eighth... A challenging practice of being in pleasure with the pregnancy that is currently present.

Pregnancy at risk and continued to arrive, climbing stairs slowly, with constipation and breathing. The weeks passed and the stomach became present, meaningful practice of how to be present in the here and now in the body and not let anxiety manage things.

Weeks and months pass in the "most unphotographed pregnancy" she said when she laughed and approved a one-time photo that does not include a face at week 35. At week 37, she admitted that she felt that there was an agreement to communicate internally with the person within whom she was emerging and already really big and that the direction was clear, she would be next to her.

The reference to childbirth in subsequent sessions included a reference to the possibility of a corrective experience. How significant the words are when it is going to be "cesarean delivery" and not surgery, it is possible to breathe a little better.

Setting clear boundaries and focusing attention on what is good. At the last meeting, which was two days before the birth, we hugged and decided that when the time came after, we would meet again.

On the afternoon of the appointed date, two days after our meeting, I received a picture from the delivery room of a happy smiling Noa holding a stunning baby in her hands.