Great steps to recover safely & gently after birth
Natural remedies provide physical and emotional support in the postpartum period
'Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.' - William MacNeile Dixon
Pregnancy and giving birth is a true testament to the strength and resilience a woman’s body has in order to endure the many physical and emotional changes that take place on the journey towards motherhood. Giving birth after months of many other upheavals is one of the most traumatic experiences your body can go through. Therefore, it is prudent to know what to expect after birth and what steps you can take to recover well. It is important to know how to get yourself back to feeling balanced and centered both physically and emotionally so that you can radiate happiness when you look at the bundle of joy sleeping in your arms.
As your body shifts back into being non-pregnant once again, there are many more physical changes in store for you. Contractions and hot flushes can occur while your body produces milk during which time your hormones are slowly resetting themselves.
Physical changes
Uterus size will gradually decrease. Try our Birth-Heal to promote natural recovery after birth together with our NewMama Drops to tone and shrink the uterus naturally, while encouraging hormonal balance and postpartum recovery.
Perineum healing, which can be particularly sensitive if you have had an episiotomy. Use our Easiotomy Cream to ease pain and discomfort after an episiotomy, while promoting faster healing.
Vaginal discharge will last a few weeks after birth while your body gets rid of the tissue and blood that lined the uterus during pregnancy.
Breast engorgement – your milk supply will be ready about three days after birth. As your milk supply ‘comes in’ your breasts will become firm and tender. Breastfeeding? Try our Nature’s Milk Drops to encourage healthy lactation, while protecting against chapped and cracked nipples with our Nipple Conditioning Cream.
Constipation – it may take some days before your bowel habits return to normal. Be sure to stay well hydrated and eat plenty of fiber-rich foods. For digestive support use our Triple Complex Digestion Tonic, safe to use during breastfeeding.
Emotional changes
Emotionally, you may feel like you are on a roller coaster ride with no end in sight. You may seesaw between feeling exhilarated one minute to becoming completely exhausted the next. Feelings of joy and peace can suddenly turn themselves into anxiety and worry.
You may have one or more of these signs:
Crying for no reason
Feeling restless or nervous
Fluctuating from feeling happy to being overcome by sadness
Become easily irritated and impatient
Feeling overwhelmed
Have trouble thinking clearly
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Try our PureMother Essence to promote postpartum serenity and confidence. Using nature’s flower and gem essences, the vibrational healing properties of these ingredients work on a deep emotional level to instill confidence while nurturing your natural mothering instincts.
Now that you understand more about what to expect after the birth of your bundle of joy, keep in mind these following steps to ensure that your recovery is smooth and becomes a time of happy adjustment.
The beauty of rest
Do not underestimate what the healing powers of rest can do for your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs. Getting enough relaxation and rest now, will pay out ten times over in the long-term. Even if you feel terrific after birth, respect the changes your whole being is going through and give your self time to adjust, heal and shift back into balance. When your friends come to visit don’t try playing the hostess and get them to make their own tea, and one for you too!
You will be what you eat
Make sure that your diet includes plenty of fresh vegetable, fruit, high-protein foods (i.e. meat, cheese and pulses) and starchy foods such as bread, pasta and rice. Make sure you also drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are breastfeeding. However, do try to avoid caffeine including tea, coffee and fizzy drinks. Opt instead for herbal teas, water or diluted juices. If you are suffering from constipation eat fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products and incorporate fiber-rich foods.
Staying regular
Your bowel may be sluggish due to the pregnancy hormones relaxin and progesterone. Keep your fluid and fiber intake up to avoid constipation. Preventing constipation will also guard against developing piles – which may appear for the first time during pregnancy or labour. Remember not to strain during a bowel movement and also try holding a pad of clean toilet paper firmly against your perineum when you do go.
Another tip is breathing deeply while extending and contracting your stomach muscles to help stimulate your bowel movements.
Soothing stitches
Pouring warm, salted water over your perineum while you are having a wee and gently drying yourself afterwards will help to speed up the healing process. A warm bath with a little salt or even lavender essential oil can be very soothing. An ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth held against your stitches will help to reduce the swelling and ease your discomfort.
For an all-natural topical solution, use our Easiotomy Cream to promote faster healing and reduce swelling while preventing the formation of scar tissue. Containing herbs that nourish and heal, it will also protect the skin tissue, maintaining skin elasticity. Begin in the last trimester to prepare the perineum for birth.
Toning the stomach
After giving birth, your stomach muscle will feel very weak, but you can start doing gentle exercises within a few days. Try doing the following exercises three times each, around every two hours. They are best done lying on your back with your knees bent, and your feet flat on the floor:
1. Contract and relax your abdominal muscles, breathing deeply in and out – remember to pull your stomach in when your breath out.
2. Repeat the exercise above, this time with gentle pelvic tilts. As you contract your stomach muscles, gently tilt the pelvic bones on either side of your navel towards your upper body and hold there for the count of five. This should help alleviate any backache, as well as tone your stomach muscles.
Strengthening your pelvic muscles
You can begin doing pelvic floor exercises as soon as you feel ready after birth. It is important to strengthen these muscles as they are the ones that stop the flow of urine. Contracting and releasing these muscles regularly will over time stimulate the blood flow to the area which will help to repair damage to the soft pelvic tissues and ligaments. Build up gradually, doing a few at a time, at regular intervals.
Look after your back!
The relaxant effect of pregnancy hormones on your muscles and ligaments can last for some time – sometimes several months after giving birth to your child. Therefore, it is crucial that you guard against back strain and other similar injuries. Be careful when picking up things or lifting and carrying your baby. Watch out for your posture, especially when breastfeeding, and be sure to keep a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side to help keep your spine straight.
If you are still suffering from aches and pains in your back or pelvis after six weeks, contact your doctor.
Losing that bump
It can take a period of about six to eight weeks for your uterus to return to its normal size. Use our NewMama Drops – a 100% natural remedy containing specially selected herbal ingredients for promoting optimum health and recovery after childbirth. The herbal ingredients in NewMama Drops have also been carefully selected for their safety during breastfeeding. Used regularly during the months following childbirth, NewMama Drops will help to gently and effectively restore hormonal balance and pre-birth vitality.
Looking after your inner self
While the physical recovery after birth can be painful and uncomfortable, it can at times be easier to understand and treat than our complex web of emotions. Be sure to give yourself the space and time to feel your emotions, to let them out and communicate them with your partner. Try meditating, reading, writing, walking in nature or simply being still. It is important that your reconnect with yourself and your emotions. Communicate and speak openly with your partner and do not be afraid to seek help from your support system – that is what they are there for!
If you find that emotionally you are struggling more and more as the weeks after birth go by, then do not hesitate to speak with a therapist, counsellor or psychologist.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and is not a substitute for a professional consultation with a medical or health professional. Do not make any changes or additions to your prescription medicine without first consulting your doctor. Should symptoms persist, please consult your doctor.
