The Importance of Postpartum Care
42 days~42 Years
There is a common thread that links various traditions that speak of the 6 week period postpartum. In many traditions a woman is taken care of by her family and community. This is a time when a mother needs to be mothered, nourished and taken well care of. Even medical professions speak about the 6 week period and its importance, yet don’t seem to know why. They say that it takes at least 6 weeks for the uterus to contract into place after giving birth and that could be the reason why, but there is SO much more!
Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine believe that a women’s biological system is completely open and vulnerable after giving birth. During pregnancy, qi and blodd are abundant to nourish her growing child. Postpartum, her blood and qi is depleted from child birth and a mother is in need of deep nourishment and healing. Proper care during this time is crucial. A few elements to consider are:
- Slowing Down
- Resting as much as possible. Naps, yes please!
- Favoring warm, cooked, moist, unctuous, easy to digest nourishing meals.
- Oil massage ( self or by a practitioner) to down regulate the nervous system to release stress from birth, enhance digestion, improves sleep, and balances hormonal patterns.
- Herbs to nourish the blood and qi.
Digestion is the root of health. In Chinese medicine, it is said that our stomach is responsible for “rotting and ripening” and our spleen is in charge of “transporting and assimilating” our food into an essence our body can receive and use for energy. Due to high cortisol levels postpartum, digestion tends to take the back burner. It is important to integrate warm, cooked, easy to digest meals to support healthy digestion and elimination. When digestion is functioning optimally, qi and blood are replenished and renewed.
Consider the postpartum period a 4th trimester, and plan for success. If you are needing more support reach out to an Ayurvedic or Chinese Medicine practitioner!
Jenny
