Postpartum Reawakening

by Iris Casey - Mother Essence Postpartum Care

Postpartum is the time after birth when a woman undergoes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual transformation and healing, all while getting to know her new baby and discovering herself as a mother. In the Western world, our culture has a “bounce back” mentality: focusing on the baby over the mother and pressuring mothers to return to “normal.” The expectation is that mothers can do everything themselves, without need for physical and social support.

Yet our ancestors, and many traditional cultures today, understood something we often forget: the profound importance of caring for mothers after birth. Across cultures, specific details vary but the core themes are shared. Postpartum is treated as a sacred time with specific rituals and practices to care for the new mother.

Please join me on a journey of postpartum reawakening as we remember the value of support, rest, and nourishment for new mothers.

Support

Support is traditionally provided by extended female family members or other women who often move in to provide physical support, emotional care and guidance. This is known as mothering the new mother.

What you can do:

• Make a postpartum support plan—it’s just as important as a birth plan

• Enlist family, friends, and/or hire a support person, such as a doula

• Find local or virtual postpartum or moms’ groups

Rest

Depending on the culture, the period of rest lasts from 21 days to 6 weeks. During this time, the mother is encouraged to bond with her baby and limit other responsibilities while her support village handles household tasks and cares for older children.

What you can do:

• Make a list of tasks your village can help with while you rest

• Hire support for household chores, childcare, or overnight support

• Give yourself permission to rest and let go of your to-do list

Nourishment

Each culture prepares specific foods, drinks and herbs to support healing and promote milk production. Postpartum meals are warm, nutrient-dense, and easy to digest. This is important because pregnancy and birth depletes nutrient stores, and digestion naturally slows after birth. Broths, soups, soft grains and tender meats are common staples. Typical “health” foods like salads, raw fruits or vegetables, and smoothies are avoided because they are cold and difficult to digest.

What you can do:

• Prep and freeze postpartum-friendly meals before baby arrives—consider having a meal prep party with friends

• Start a “Meal Train” and let your village support you (mealtrain.com)

• Hire someone to make meals for you and your family

Reclaiming these postpartum practices has the power to transform individual mothers, their families, and our communities. Share the “Postpartum Reawakening” message with the women in your life! If you are not in the birthing or postpartum season, consider supporting someone who is—make them a meal, offer support, or simply lend a listening ear.

Every mother deserves to be honored, nourished and supported while she turns her mind, body and heart over to the new baby she brought into the world.