I was chosen to be part of a birth team by a friend of mine who was due to give birth last November. The idea came that the women on the birth team (minus her midwife) could receive the Grandmothers' Empowerment so we could have an even more cohesive, nurturing group, with the Grandmothers on board!
We held an Empowerment especially for Rie, the mom-to-be, to give her a direct experience of the Grandmothers and solidify that connection with them, so she could feel even more nurtured when the baby came.
Soon after, I received the call to come to Rie's house. Of course I felt the Grandmothers everywhere!
Rie was supposed to give birth in a hot tub in their living room, but the tub wasn't filling fast enough. This baby was coming quickly and she gave birth upstairs in their bedroom. As far as births go, this one was very fast and gentle, and the experience for all of us was very deep and moving.
At 8:38 AM on November 10, 2006, Rie gave birth to a baby GIRL -- who was born with the CAUL. So I guess 'in utero' is an okay time for a girl to receive the Grandmothers' Empowerment?