I dream that, one day, Postnatal Care Packages will be available to all birthers to a certain extent. I have vivid memories of the woman who used to visit my maternal home after my mum gave birth to my sister. Truth be told - I did not like the lady. In my eyes, she “took” my mother away from me. This may have been a coping mechanism: a gentle alternative to blaming my baby sister for the significant reduction in attention for me. I was most upset about the cold cow’s milk my dad served to me in the mornings. I can still taste it. Little did he know about my preferences and my mum’s willingness to accommodate, haha.
Anyways — the case in point is that I did not blame my mum, dad, or baby sister. I blamed my mum’s postpartum Doula. She was the biggest change in our household {perceived by me}. And reflecting on this decades later, I see why.
She was mothering my mother.
{Quick side note: another entry on how to make the fourth trimester about siblings, too, will be in The Birth Club on the 24th of Jan.}
In the Netherlands, it’s a birther’s legal right to receive postnatal doula care after giving birth. Mothering the mother after birth echoes ancient wise women's traditions, such as the postnatal care tradition as instructed in the Vedas. My postnatal clients of Indian descent often share with me how they, too, remember the lady who took care of their mother in their maternal home in India, with massage and baby care, while family members would cook nourishing meals.
Coming to the U.K., I was shocked that these care programs are not accessible, or even in place. Luckily, postnatal doulas are on the rise to rebirth this ancient tradition that served a fundamental purpose within families for thousands of years.
Postnatal Āyurvedic Doula Care takes the edge off the survival mode typically experienced in the somewhat wild early weeks with a newborn. It helps you feel seen, supported and nurtured when you most need it.
While pregnancy is governed by Kapha, soon after the golden hour, Vata’s energy will be on the rise. Vata is the Dosha that combines Air and Space. Two things you’ll suddenly have heaps of! Space, because your uterus is now empty - but the organs are still fitted around a full womb. And Air, because there’s so much space around (and in) those organs that can now be filled with air. Your womb may feel a little floaty, your gut a little bloaty and your vagina may squeeze air out when you’re in inversion, or an asymmetrical position (this is why postnatal yoga is a thing).
How does access Air in the body relate to mental health?
Vata governs your neural pathways through the lungs (air, one half of Vata), and is likely to accumulate during the fourth trimester, triggered by higher levels of cortisol, noradrenaline, and dopamine. Mums may have a postnatal Vata Dosha until their baby’s second birthday:
Noradrenaline, for example, regulates mental focus and helps mum keep up with fulfilling every one of her little one's needs. Baby can’t talk yet, so the mother has got to be 100% present (noradrenaline again) and into her child’s subtle queues to understand these needs from the moment they are born until they can regulate their emotions. This is not until after the age of 5, but do not worry; some of the pressure will be taken off when your little one begins to walk, proactively use signs, and talk (1-2 y.o.).
Every time mum gets it right (understanding the needs), her brain releases dopamine, a Vata- aggravating hormone.
Constantly changing {sleep} patterns, emotional turbulence and the body’s typically low-running reserves due to 9 months of nurturing life, followed up with nursing and constantly chasing your bubs, pushes mamma’s cortisol levels, too.
The rise of cortisol causes mamma to spend more time in fight or flight mode, adding to the challenge to relax and let go. Because biologically, your body does not want to let go! In wilder time, letting go would have posed a serious risk to baby. And so we hold on for dear life until bubs is a little more independent. This independence usually comes when they realise they are their own person - by the age of two.
Besides, the relaxin that dripped into your body during pregnancy to help you birth your baby’s head and shoulders (and then the rest), is still in circulation. This is especially true for breastfeeding mammas. Now here’s the thing: your pelvic girdle usually functions as the “sacred bowl” that holds your womb. Metaphysically, the womb keeps all your secrets, holds on to your deepest fears, and most profound memories. With everything being so “open” while you heal (and this may take much longer than 6 weeks) it’s common to meet elements of old trauma at random times, day and night.
Finally, because Fight and Flight is the opposite of Rest and Digest, one of the postnatal hallmarks is weakened or turbulent digestive fire {Agni}. Āyurvedic Postnatal Care is designed to reset and optimise your Agni. The benefits are reflected in each and every cell, via cellular metabolism. Optimised Agni speeds up your recovery, bone and hair health for many years ahead, and even results in an abundant milk flow.
Besides optimising the digestive fire through nutrition, what does mothering the mother with The Ritual of Āyurveda for Postnatal Healing entail?
A daily {or as often as possible} nervous system reset through Abhyanga - either done by yourself or by a duly trained Āyurvedic Vaidya or bodyworker. Postnatal Abhyanga is traditionally done with warmed, medicated oil. It will enter your bloodstream to enhance the efficacy of the healing properties inside your oil. This practice helps to slow Vata’s activity down in your neural pathways, contributing to more calm and peace while bonding with your newborn. It goes without saying that the oil is safe for baby.
Nutrition and Abhyanga are further supported by gentle, breastfeeding-friendly, herbal beverages. The formula’s are always tailored to the individual and target a calm and grounded nervous system, optimised digestive fire, a happy tummy, and tissue rejuvenation.
Vulva Healing practices. Depending on where you are and who trained your postnatal Doula, your postnatal care includes a variety of vulva healing modalities. Steaming, sitz bath, or a peri-bottle will be chosen depending on what practically fits within your lifestyle.
Postnatal Belly Binding. Relaxin paved the way to welcome your baby. Now, relaxin can pave the way to bringing your hip bones and abdominal muscles close together. Because bones are governed by the Earth element, this practice will also help you feel more safe, stable and grounded.
Breastfeeding support. By creating a nurturing and non-judgemental environment and helping your nervous system unwind every day, the mother has the supportive space she needs to establish breastfeeding. If you receive Abhyanga from an Ayurvedic Vaidya, your posture also receives much needed care and tension reduction which will prevent stress from accumulating in your upper back and neck. This reduces the odds on stifness or acute spasms along the spine. Āyurveda also offers a wide range of gentle herbal formula’s that help you establish the milk supply your baby needs.
Practical support. With an Ayurvedic Doula by your side, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Your Doula will be able to share what worked (or didn’t work!) for other families, and offer you a realistic perspective on life with a new baby. Doula’s can also share ancient practices for any topics you may come across, such as diaper rash, mastitis, and babywearing.
In a nutshell, Ayurvedic Postpartum Care, fills mamma’s cup long before it’s gone too empty. This helps reduce postpartum fatigue, and all associated symptoms, both long-term and short-term. It can also prevent postpartum depression by curbing all the little things that may accumulate into this treatable postpartum condition.