During my last Wyld Womyns Retreat, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who had traveled to Haiti after the earthquake to help with the women giving birth. It was amazing to hear of her travels and to find that she is returning to Haiti and taking students with her. We found there to be a need for cloth menstrual pads- especially post-partum. She said that often the women are given the worst rags of the household for bleeding. The Crafty Mamas decided this would be a great project for us to help with. Last Thursday was our first gathering to develop a pattern and cut up fabric. We decided to make the pads a bit bigger with 2 inside layers.
For ease of making and use we went with a basic all in one pattern, flannel exterior and recycled towels on the inside. Our goal is to meet once a week between now and September when the group is headed there- we are hoping for a couple hundred if possible.
If you are interested in helping with the project here is a couple ways to help. Locally- any mama wanting to join contact me and I will give you directions and times to my house. You may also want to follow The Womb Room facebook page for the weekly reminders.
We have several layers of old towels that we cut up but are in need of flannel. If you would like to donate flannel for help pay for some flannel e-mail me and I can guide you on how to donate.
Lastly if you would like to actually make some pads and send my way to include in the box here is the basic pattern and instructions for making them. There are pretty quick, start to finish. If would be a great way to involve your children too. Jasper helped me with the logo and is wanting to do some sewing also- I did have to laugh though because he thought we were sewing pads that were actual moon shaped- good opener for the discussion of how mama's bleeding cycles mirror the moon cycle- may by boys be ever so knowledgeable in the ways of women's cycles and birth- they will have some lucky partners some day! Thank you so much if you are able to help in any way- 2 down, many more to make!
If you want to contact me for more information on how to help you can e-mail me at willow@mamaroots.com
