Renee Johnstone
By Kelly Tikao
Birth – triumphant and pain-free! How often do you hear anyone make that claim?
After spending time with Ōtautahi māmā of two, Renee Johnstone (Tūāhuriri), I am convinced that pain-free birth could be a reality for more wāhine Māori who choose to incorporate traditional practices into their birthing plans.
When her first tamāhine Alyssa was born five years ago, Renee says she chose to adopt a mindset that welcomed the changing sensations in her body. Rather than name the sensations of birth as “pain”, she engaged with and accepted the energy of birth, inviting the stretching of her birth canal, acknowledging the pressure in her whare tangata and riding the momentum of labour.
How did she accomplish this naturally? Through breathing techniques, the playing of oriori (some from the Hākui website), affirmations, whakatauākī/whakataukī, and deep visualisation of her body opening up. Renee says these techniques block pain signals to the brain, achieving similar outcomes as opioids or pain relief medication.
Alyssa was born, pain-free, in a primary birthing unit in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, away from her tūrangawaewae and with the assistance of a Pākehā midwife. .
Opting for a homebirth with her second pēpi, Ngahuia, Renee had the support of midwife Tumanako Stone-Howard, hoa rangatira, Reinhardt and 5 year-old daughter Alyssa. South African-born Reinhardt, has been a champion for Renee to reclaim her taha Māori and for their tamariki to be raised with te reo Māori. He understands from his own upbringing in South Africa the importance of whānau and culture. Reinhardt is a crucial member of the birthing team, and like Renee, he embraces te ao Māori not only in the birthing journey but also ongoing in their life.
Leading up to Renee’s due date, she was mindful that her mātāmua, Alyssa, had a jazz recital - a very important event for her five-year-old. The day before the recital, at 5.35pm, Renee called Tumanako, telling her to casually make her way over, but not to rush. When she arrived, their home was peaceful, organised and full of aroha.
At one point during contractions, Renee says she felt hot and decided to walk outside to cool down and connect with Papatūānuku. She said she remembered feeling her feet on the cold damp grass and being in her own space, “I knew my body was doing what it was designed to do”. As contractions surged through her, she breathed in the cool air and expressed her energy through sound to Rakinui. She laughs as she remembers being so relaxed and in her intimate space with birth, that she temporarily forgot she had neighbours.
The process of labour was fascinating for Renee’s 5-year-old. Alyssa complained about not being able to see anything until she was given a torch. Soon after she announced excitedly, ‘I can see her head!’
Renee remembers Rānui Ngārimu’s oriori, Ko Patanga Te Tamaiti, playing at the very moment Ngahuia was born. She recalls the translation and loved what Rānui was singing about.
Patanga is the child of Tāwharanui and Tāne, and the value of the forest resources is crafted to aid the lifestyle of Māori. Underlying this oriori is the recognition of how precious Tane’s resources are, so conservation is essential for sustainability.
Renee gave birth on the couch with Ngahuia being delivered straight into the arms of Reinhardt. They used a pounamu maripi to cut Ngahuia’s iho and a whītau muka to tie the pito. Alyssa had lots of questions for midwife Tumanako. She was given gloves to explore the whenua, describing it for her māmā as a big blood playdough! The whānau have a kete harakeke ready once a burial location is decided on for the whenua.
Renee’s birthing experience went so well that her Māori midwives were given an early night. After some time, Renee handed Ngahuia to her husband, heading to the shower, and, in the warm cascading water, breaking out in a celebratory waiata. The following morning, Renee went to Alyssa’s jazz recital with her day-old pēpi!
What a wahine toa!
“Te mātahi o te tau, te kohinga whetū, i te uma o Ranginui, e pīataata mai ana, whakātāta i te rangi...”