Giving birth is a powerful and intense transformative process. Your body goes through some major changes that necessitate a postpartum healing process. These changes are both physical and emotional and much like during your pregnancy, your healing process also has a lot going on. Along with having a problem-free pregnancy, you also want to ensure that your birthing and role as a mother; are smooth and easy from a body point of view. Postpartum health is just as important as preparing for pregnancy and birth. While you can, think through how you will navigate motherhood as well as your own health and healing after the birth.
Most common postpartum concerns include perineal soreness, after birth pains, postpartum mood changes, and more.
Perineum Soreness
After giving birth, vaginal pain is common as well as pain in, vulva and perineal area. Often, urinating can be stinging and cause discomfort. Maybe urinating in a sitz bath for those first few days or applying some herbs to an uncomfortable area may be helpful. Healing herbs for perineal care may include lavender, calendula, rose, sage, yarrow, and Himalayan salt in a spritzer, bath, or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath that cleanses the perineum, offering relief for pain, itch in the genital area. These can be made up like a strong tea (not to be consumed) and then used in a spray bottle for cleansing after going to the toilet. They are very soothing and healing.
After Birth Pains
So, after giving birth, the uterus contracts about 1cm per day to shrink back to its pre-pregnant size. As a result, this may cause some discomfort and can be worse for women after subsequent pregnancies. You may feel more intense discomfort breastfeeding because oxytocin is released which encourages the uterus to contract.
Using a heat pack or hot water bottle may help reduce the discomfort. Homeopathic arnica or Magnesium phosphorus are both great. It may be very soothing to have warm oils massaged into your belly with essential oils like chamomile, lavender, or ginger.
Postpartum moods
You may experience a rollercoaster of emotions during and following the birth of your baby. In fact, 80% of new mothers experience ” baby blues”, signs of which may include irritability, moodiness, being teary, and overly sensitive in interactions with others. Typically, these baby blues usually clear up within a week with no other treatment except support and understanding. If you find the baby blues linger longer than a couple of weeks, it may be a sign of depression or anxiety and/or postpartum depression. Should this happen, best to seek professional help and support.
Some additional natural therapies for postpartum mental wellness include:
● Eating nutrient-dense foods - a healthy diet including fresh fruit, vegetables, and protein
● Exercise, even a gentle walk in the fresh air can help so much
● Get enough sleep, best to sleep when your baby sleeps
● Don’t be shy to ask for help with housework, cleaning, and meal preparation
● Join supportive mother’s groups to get social support and to network
● Carve out time to do things you like; e.g. Reading a book or taking a bath, watching a movie
● Spend time with your partner to nurture and strengthen your relationship
● Explore meditation and deep breathing to support emotional/mental well-being
● Be vulnerable and open to sharing your feelings instead of bottling things up
● Research and gather information about help with Postnatal Depression
● Consider taking B complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil to support overall health
● Try essential oils e.g. lavender, geranium, Helichrysum, or lemon balm. Put 1-2 drops in the bath, added to a carrier oil like coconut, olive, shea, or jojoba oil to rub on the skin/ self massage.
● Take things one step and day at a time.
This is a 3 part series- Part 2 Topic - Optimize the power of herbs
The article was written by: Dr. Nyarai Paweni – Sage ReStorative Health
Naturopathic Physician/ Wellness Thought Leader/Life-Style Medicine & Mental Wellness Enthusiast
+263719253769/+1 312-772-2758
http://www.sagehw.com/ info@sagehw.com
Facebook- sagerhealth
Insta- sagerhealth
Twitter - @DrNyarai