Patti Quintero | UmaMother.com

Once I was pregnant, on the top of my checklist was finding a doula. I knew this could potentially be a difficult task. I wanted someone rooted (not flighty) in their spirituality, who knew their sh*t, and would keep me calm & at ease throughout this process. Though I was told I could wait till 20 or even 30 weeks to find a doula the Virgo perfectionist in me knew I needed it earlier. I had a million questions and I wanted someone aside from my doctor who could help guide me through. I heard about Patti’s Uma Mother classes through a friend and got my husband on board at 8 weeks to do her Journey To Birth class. We both left that day feeling more knowledgeable, far more grounded and less frightened of the weeks ahead. We begged Patti to take us on as clients (she currently takes on very few doula clients and instead does her array of incredible Uma classes) and thankfully she obliged but everyone can get a huge dose of Patti’s knowledge and magic through UmaMother.com. I picked her brain on some of her methods and philosophy to share with you here. You’ll see why we fell in love!

What’s one of the biggest misconceptions you feel people have about birth?

That they are in control. Birth is about surrender and letting go, both physically and mentally. Pregnancy is usually the best preparation for labor and birth, and birth is one of the greatest preparations for Motherhood. We become vessels for another being who has their own agenda, their own schedule, their own process. We learn here how to navigate with trust, presence and compassion for ourselves. This journey to birth is a metamorphosis, a higher calling to shed old skin and grow new wings that are more resilient and expansive than we could have ever imagined.

What are your tips for a healthy and happy pregnancy?
One of the greatest tips I have every pregnant mama is to take time to tune in to her transformation and let herself embrace her own unique journey to birth and into motherhood. Pregnancy is one of the most powerful rites of passage for a woman and it’s also a time when we need a tribe of women who will support and celebrate us on this rebirth from Maiden to Mother. Prenatal yoga and meditation are two of the rituals that help a pregnant mama stay healthy, strong and feeling amazing and empowered.

What is your take on epidurals?
I don’t really have a take on it other than understanding it is a very personal choice. I will never tell a woman how to navigate her journey, but I will provide her with the important information she needs to make an empowered decision for herself which is not out of fear.

How would you like to see women approach pregnancy and birth?
From an inspired and excited space! We are so often bombarded with others stories, expectations and fears. No woman will have the same birth and no woman will have the same child or journey through motherhood. What works from some may not work for you, and with the overload of information we have access to today it can become an unnecessarily overwhelming experience.  After working with pregnant women for over a decade I have learned that one of the greatest things i can offer them is a roadmap back to themselves through mindful practices like yoga and meditation. Our thoughts have so much power over our well being, what better time to go inward than during the time you are carrying two life forces within your body. Its Magnificent!

How do you make sure you have a birth that is in line with what you want?
I believe the key is knowing your options and trusting your intuition, and from that place feeling empowered to ask for what you want. I like to think of having birth wishes vs a birth plan. For example, creating a team that you feel safe with and loved + supported by and finding the right setting to birth in. Then trusting the process and believing that your body has an innate wisdom that will ultimately be your greatest guide.

When a baby is born what transformations have you seen in the mothers (and fathers)? So many! It’s always a magical moment to see each parents face when they first see their baby. A flush of emotions, sometimes tears, laughter, silence… truly the excitement and anticipation of stepping into a whole new realm of living. The post days demand patience, compassion and softness to ease into these new roles. I work with a lot of new parents on those first days with baby. We all wish they came with a personalized instruction manual, but instead it’s a discovery process for the whole family. Its a humbling and beautiful adventure. 🙂

Who can benefit from Uma?
Every Woman! Uma means Goddess of Light and Mother of the Universe. Goddess & Mother energy exists within all women, it is the vibration that nurtures and connects us all. Although most of the offerings focus on Prenatal ( In Bloom Sessions )and Postnatal  ( Mama Tribe Sessions), Uma also offers the Uma Sessions which are classes for all women. I will also be launching the Uma Pre + Postnatal Teacher Training in early 2017.

What is your goal with Uma Mother?
In my eyes Uma Mother is a movement more than a company, and it’s guided by a collective of Women. It is a movement to empower and inspire all women to live their magic and to believe that we can all make a difference and nurture the world by finding a deeper connection to ourself.  At uma we believe that happiness, fulfillment + empowerment come from two sources: an intimate connection to yourself + your passion, and a connection to a community of women who support + celebrate one another. My dream is to see Uma continue to spread the gifts of yoga + meditation to women around the world so that we can build greater unity in diversity, and to birth the philanthropic division of the company which focuses on bringing these mindful rituals to women and children who are less fortunate.