From Practitioner to New Mom: My Ayurvedic Approach to Postpartum Healing

In Ayurveda, postpartum is an incredibly sacred time. In fact, how you take care of yourself during this window will reflect in your health for many years to come! And as many moms know, postpartum (and even pregnancy and preconception), it is the ultimate act of surrender. Your body does not feel the same, and it sure does not belong to you anymore, or at least it does not feel that way (Diaries of a breast feeder). Your body, as well as your life, has taken new form: a softer belly, heavy, achy breasts, a tiredness that a cup of coffee (or three) can no longer fix, inside-out shirts, and a myriad of diapers scattered across hallways and floors.

And yet, life has never felt so…dare I say, imperfectly.. Perfect?

Those moments when your baby closes their eyes, their soft cheek pressed up against your chest, and life for a moment just slows down. It is an unexpected love that fills all the tugs and pulls, the scars, the heavy eyes, and the unwashed hair, the ridges of your breath, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

Different cultures all around the world have many ways to nourish the new mother, from sacred dishes like congee and kichari, to bengkung belly wraps, maya abdominal massage, and abhyanga. Many ancient cultures recognize that the health of the baby first stems from the health of the mother, from preconception to postpartum, and beyond. Unfortunately, for someone who lives in the States, like myself, a lot of those traditions are completely absent and are replaced with the measly six-week maternity leave, "bounce-back" mommy bods, and an endless to-do list of chores and tasks (especially if you have other children). And so, it takes a mother to be aware of this huge transition, and to reflect on what she needs physically and emotionally, so she can ask for the support she needs- even before the baby arrives.

Personally, I was incredibly humbled when my birth did not go as planned. As someone who was drinking raspberry leaf tea by the gallon and sitting in Malasana five minutes a day- I still ended up in a 30 hour labor which eventually led to an emergency cesarean. I was out for months, and with no family or friends around, mentally I felt even more overwhelmed, and overall sad.

Before giving birth, I was convinced that my body would bounce back right away and even during my 6 week postpartum mark (the amount of recovery that I was told I needed before going back to my regular life), I pulled myself up by the bootstraps, and jumped right into my asana practice with the plans of getting my "life" and house back in order. Ouch.. Nope. My new body declared otherwise and back into bed I went.

I was someone who loved to go out, be social, try new things, and during this time, it was very, I mean very, difficult for me to just lie in bed, even with the baby. But if there is one thing that postpartum (and birth) teaches you, it is that you are not as in control as you think you are, AND by "loosening the grip", you are better able to meet the most sacred and strongest part of yourself.

I followed the 5-5-5 rule — This was difficult, but I feel that this rule was the most important and is what really helped me have, for the most part, a smoother and easier birth recovery. 

5 days in Bed — this phase focuses on complete rest, allowing mama and baby to heal from childbirth, and is a crucial time for bonding with the newborn. 

5 days on the Bed — this phase, mothers can begin to sit up and engage in very minimal activities while remaining close to bed, such as light reading, nursing, but still in rest and recovery. 

5 Days around the Bed — during this time, mothers can start to move around the room and gradually reintroduce activities; it is gentle movement but still prioritizes recovery.

Baby and me, Abhyanga — Vata Dosha (the elements of Air and Ether) is increased during postpartum. With a now very large space accompanying the abdomen, along with the high demands of the new baby, balancing Vata is essential. During this time, it is best to find practices that will bring in qualities that are soothing, grounding, and warm. Before the baby arrived, I stocked up on some Ayurvedic herbs and sesame oil and made an abhyanga (body oil) blend. Abhyanga also works wonderfully with just plain organic sesame as well. 

I warmed the oil and massaged the baby first from the crown of the head to her little feet, and then myself. We slowly made our way into the bathtub (be careful here, as the baby can be very slippery; help from husband or partner is encouraged). We both loved it; her cries softened as she scrunched her little body into my chest.

Kitchari and soups the first week — As I mentioned earlier, Vata Dosha is heavily increased soon after postpartum, which also means a very weak Agni or digestive fire. We mustn't be bombarding the system with lots of heavy, rich foods. This will also help facilitate an easier elimination. We want foods that are warm, slightly spiced, and nourishing to the mother. Soups, stews, and meat stocks are all wonderful alternatives. I had pre-batched kitchari right before the baby came, and so I was able to eat as much as I wanted for the first week following birth.

Take supportive herbs — Even though you are no longer pregnant, your body is still in need of major nourishment, especially if you plan to breastfeed. Herbs are a wonderful way to help get in the minerals that you may be lacking in your diet. My advice is to continue taking a prenatal/postnatal vitamin for at least 6 months or longer. If you are breastfeeding, just know that you are in your postpartum phase as long as you continue to breastfeed. Some herbs that helped in my recovery were Ashwagandha, for adrenal support and sleep, Fennel and Fenugreek, for gas and keeping milk supply, and Shatavari, to help bring my hormones back into balance.

Hired an Ayurvedic massage therapist that included abdominal massage — I understand that this may seem like a luxury, and not every mother has the resources or the finances for a massage, but I highly recommend getting some type of gentle body work during your postpartum. You want to make sure your body is properly healed first, and for C-section it is about 6-8 weeks. 

Massage is a wonderful way to help bring blood flow to the body for faster recovery, helps support digestion, nourishes the tissues, soothes an over-active and depleted nervous system, and grounds Vata.

I hope what I shared here were some helpful tips to keep in consideration when entering your fourth trimester. And from one mama to another, know that you are not alone in this journey, and there is no single path to healing- only the one that feels right for you. As you nurture your body, mind, and spirit, remember that healing is not about rushing back to who you were, but gently becoming who you are meant to be now. Through rest, nourishment, movement, connection (especially with other mamas), and self-compassion, you can rediscover your strength and peace. Every breath, every small act of care, is a step towards balance and wholeness. You are growing, evolving, and healing- beautifully, in your own time.