Post Natal Care

Postpartum is a transformative and reinforcing period where there is a total variation in the social environment of being a mother. The postnatal period begins immediately after childbirth and is normally up to 6 weeks. Some people can have a delayed postpartum period as well. Different world cultures have different supportive post-partum measures for mother and baby. Ayurveda defines soothika (a woman in post-natal care) as 45-90 days after delivery or up to the beginning of the next menstrual cycle.

Care for the new mom and the little feet!

1. General care: Before you reach home from the hospital after childbirth, prepare the room by fumigation. Keep the room warm, neat and clean, natural, light, and devoid of noise and moisture. The bed and cradle should always be kept clean and warm. Visitors should be restricted especially for the first few days. Ayurveda advises the use of Rakṣoghna drugs (protective) for the mother and baby. Herbs like neem, Acorus, etc. are made into a powder form and can be used for fumigation.
2. Ayurveda for the new MOM: The key part of soothika care is massage, bath, and diet. This is done to ensure physical and mental wellness, improve general stamina, strengthen and tone up muscles, relieve muscular and joint pains, improve blood circulation, and to increases milk production.

The first 15 days immediately after delivery should be given great care

Herbs for healing: Herbal supplements – internally and externally – can be started from one week after delivery up to 28 or 56 days. On a practical side if it’s C-section better wait for 10 days. Just after delivery, Vata gets overpowered and the body gets fatigued because of the intense nervous and muscular actions. So all the treatments, diet, and lifestyle should be for pacifying Vata and strengthening Agni (metabolism). The regime will help in reducing the discomforts of the baby and after pains of the mother. To start with, use decoctions, herbal powders, and tablets that pacify Vata for 2 weeks. Followed by Arishtas (fermented herbal tonics) and lehyas (rejuvenating herbal jams). Yavakshara (a medicine) can be effectively used for pain with ghee or hot water. Bleeding after delivery may last from a few days up to 1 month.

Massage and bath: It is recommended to give a long daily ceremonial bath to the new mom from the 10th day of childbirth and for C-section after 16 days once the wound is healed. Specialized hot oil massages and baths are done for better immunity, detoxification, after pains, muscle spasms, and skin clarity. Massage using herbal oils leave the oil on for at least 45 minutes before bath. Turmeric is an important ingredient that is mixed with herbal oils and applied to the whole body. Massage should always be done by expert hands. Bala tail, Balaswagandhadi Taila, Ksheera Bala tail, Dhanwantaram tail, etc. can be externally used for Abhyanga (hot oil massages) for the mother. Nalpamaradi Kera or Eladi Kera or Lakshadi Kera can be used for the baby massage. After the massage the herbal tea prepared and kept for infusing overnight is used to give a hot water bath. Herbal bath powders are recommended for preventing stretch marks, hair falls, and toning up the body. Chemicals should be a big no-no during this time. It’s recommended to apply Herbal Collyrium to the eyes regularly after a bath to enhance vision and provide a cooling effect to the eyes and mind.

Tummy care can be made by applying a wide belt around the waist which helps in shrinking the size of the uterus as well. The tummy should be tightly tied using herbal abdominal cloth bands. This helps in getting back to shape easily as well as the involution of the uterus. C-section ladies should wait at least 2 weeks before abdominal binding to ensure complete healing of the sutures.

After 90 days specialized massages made of oily or dry Potalis/Pindas (herbs are tied in a cloth and made into a pouch) can be used. Vasti (enema) prepared out of medicated oils can be used for detoxification if you have an imbalance in the system causing big troubles during this period. Shirodhara (pouring a thin stream of oil on the forehead) helps in compacting stress and calms the mother’s mind thereby fighting postnatal depression.

Enhancing breast milk at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic

Ever felt that breast milk is low in quantity and quality? Here is our solution!!!

As per the classics, from the seventh day onwards mother can start with vegetable and meat soups. The gruels should be prepared with galactagogue herbs. Medicines made from the flower of the coconut tree and dry ginger, fennel seeds, asparagus roots, and preparations with different types of cumin seeds and jaggery are of great help. Just after delivery thin rice porridge with warming spices (Panchakola Peya) is recommended to improve digestion and support bleeding. Start with light food and slowly increase the consistency of the food. First light gruels or porridge made by adding special herbs like video and milk/coconut milk can be used. Then slowly introduce rice and similar grains. If you are a nonvegetarian, meat is recommended to take as soups after 12 days of childbirth.

Fiber-rich foods should be taken to avoid constipation. Take adequate amounts of pulses, nuts raisins, almonds, papaya, leafy vegetables, whole grain bread, etc. Take ample rest avoiding heavy work. Taking 3-4 Gooseberries every day helps in improving immunity. Avoid smoking for good-quality breast milk.

Self-care is not a luxury but it is a way of self-preservation for a healthy future

We at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic treat you with all the essentials you need to be confident enough to cherish your motherhood starting from simple diet tips to the elaborated herb-based Traditional postnatal massages for a healthy tomorrow. So relish the professional and expert advice from our consultant and be ready to welcome your, baby, without any hassles.