In previous times, there was a great understanding that the new mother is as vulnerable as her new babe, requiring her own gentle stream of care, love and attention.

While some of these may seem like an old practice, I encourage you to consider nourishment and healing of the whole body.

Think about what this currently looks like for you, and how you can weave 1 or all of these practices into your current life, or how you can share or facilitate these into supporting the new mums in your life.

01. Retreat

“a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest & relax”

The new mothers home must be a place of quiet, calm and peace. Both mum and baby are susceptible to disturbances of physical and mental balance during this time. Distractions, responsibility and activity should be minimal, allowing the mind to rest, so as not to disrupt the unique synchronisation of the mother’s and baby’s brain waves. Those who stay still, will come out of this precious time feeling revitalised and healed.

Gentle connection and companionship with those you feel close and comfortable with are welcome, with mutual mindfulness about the space and time it takes to settle into a new life with a baby. This time of rest offers plenty of time to get to know yourself after your rebirth as a mother, while bonding with the new baby you created, grew and birthed.

 

02. Warmth

Building and preserving warmth in the body is foundational to supporting a new mothers changing body.

During pregnancy, the blood volume of the woman’s body increases by 30-50% to support her growing baby; following birth, the loss of this circulating and warm blood means that warmth must be promoted and captured to optimise healing and lower inflammation.

Easily digestible, slow cooked and soft foods in the immediate days following birth is a warming approach that gently supports digestion to return to normal, boosting circulation and encouraging the body to absorb as many nutrients as possible (in turn, supporting the breast milk production).

Our advice is to steer clear of cold hospital sandwiches and fruit jelly, in the immediate days following birth instead opting for warming foods that nourish yourself the way your body and baby deserves.

 

03. Rest

Rest. Take the time to rebuild energy and heal in a quiet environment, allowing yourself time before re-entering our “do-more” world.

Without adequate rest during the postpartum time, you will be left with a deficit in energy, nutrient stores and emotional capacity leading to postnatal depletion in years to come. While getting rest is a challenge to most, start with reaffirming the belief that recovering and tending to a new baby is the most important task and “more than enough”.

In the final months of pregnancy, create a supportive structure built with the people you trust most, allowing them to provide comforting and gentle care with continuous opportunity to rest when your baby enters the world.

 

03. Support

A support system, the back bone that allows the new mother and baby to retreat, be nourished, and rest. Family members, friends, midwives… before the baby arrives, surround yourself with a support system that will provide a continuum of care until many weeks after birth.

While the term “village” is almost unspoken of, traditionally, this group cared for and provided nourishment for the new mother, tending to physical demands such as cooking, cleaning or changing nappies, while also passing on wisdom and advice, emotionally supporting the new mother through the transition from maiden to mother.

We hope these 4 insights may be a guiding light into the vulnerable and transformational time that is the Fourth Trimester after pregnancy. Adopt what you can now, consider the remainder. Allow yourself the opportunity to thrive.