Post-natal care – Naturally!

Over many years of consulting with women and couples in reproductive health and fertility, it has become clear that the post-natal time which can be smooth sailing for some can be fraught with danger health wise for others.  In our so called ‘western civilized cultures’ parents, especially mothers are often isolated and lacking vital support to help them recover from the birth and settle into their new role.

So many women I have consulted with for post-natal issues such as depression, exhaustion, recurrent infection, including mastitis and feeling overwhelmed, under-supported and stressed have been in a situation before or during their pregnancy (or both) in which they have not been feeling as well as they could have and their nutritional status may have been compromised.  Many have also not had the help they need and deserve in their mothering. This is especially the case where there has been nausea and or more severe symptoms of ‘morning sickness’. 

One of the best preventative treatments that I have found for assisting recovery from birth and in the first few months of infancy is effective pre-conception and pregnancy care.  The many couples I have worked with from pre-conception through to post-natal times seem to have had a much better recovery and experience of the post-natal times than those I have seen who have not had access to effective pre-conception and pregnancy care. 

Some things to consider in preventing post-natal challenges are:

• Pre-conception care – encompassing nutrient optimization, maximising health BEFORE pregnancy occurs, preferably leaving at least a 3 month period for pre-conception care.  It is often useful to locate a natural health practitioner experienced in reproductive health to assist you.  There are so many effective herbal and nutritional remedies available it can be confusing for those who do not have training in this area. 
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• Support – ensure BEFORE your baby is born that you have adequate support at home and in the community if you can.  By support I mean physical support, such as friends or relatives bringing food, helping around the home and assisting with support for your babe-caring, as well as social support such as friends and relatives who you can count on to be there for you.  If you can it is even a good idea to employ some housekeeping help for a while. 
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• Doula service – in many parts of the world there are now trained ‘doula’s’ – people who have done special training in order to support parents in pregnancy and post-natally.
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• Exercise – throughout the pregnancy unless there are contraindications this is extremely valuable for maintaining blood circulation, mood, energy, strong muscles.
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• Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Yoga – is a wonderful addition to your well-being regime.  In addition you may well make new friendships there which continue after your baby is born.
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• Pregnancy Care – seek the support of not only your midwife and/or obstetrician but an appropriately qualified herbalist or naturopath or other natural health practitioner.  There are many herbs which are contraindicated in pregnancy and quite a few which are extremely valuable to use in pregnancy.  Each of my expectant mothers has a tailored program of diet, lifestyle, herbs and nutrients to have during the pre-conception, pregnancy and post-natal times.  It is especially beneficial to have some herbs to assist you as soon as the baby is born.  This can greatly aid recovery of energy.
  
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• Communication – with your partner (if you have one!) is very important.  New dads in particular may not know what to expect and it is very easy to loose touch with each other as a couple at these times.  There is much that dads or partners can do to assist with the mother’s recovery and bond with baby.  Confidence is the key for some dads, as it can be rather daunting living with a newborn who look so fragile but can make enough noise to deafen all in earshot. 
  
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• REST, REST, REST – did I say REST?  This is so important.  Some of you may feel extremely tired, depending upon your circumstances.  A little preventative care in the rest department can work wonders in preventing post-natal problems.  The old adage of ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ is still as true today, but unfortunately a lot of people feel that they should be cleaning or other such work at every opportunity.   Try for at least 30-60 minutes a day of putting your feet up and being ‘off duty’.  It can make the difference between managing and feeling completely out of control. 
  
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• Body work – many of my expectant mums come for additional assistance in the form of Bowen therapy, which can greatly relieve aches and pains and relax the individual.  You may also like to consider chiropractic or osteopathic assistance or a good massage.
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• Counselling- Sometimes issues surface during pregnancy or post-natally which need to be addressed. These may be to do with relationship issues with your partner, family, friends, childhood situations, fears about birthing and caring for your baby.  This is an excellent time to have the support of a good counsellor or physchologist.

• Dietary intervention is very important.  You would benefit from having adequate protein, complex carbohydrates and essential fatty acids, such as fish oil.  In addition some nutrients are invaluable post-natally and as well as preconceptually such as zinc, folic acid, multi vitamins and minerals, to name just a few.  I outline an appropriate diet in my Radiant Women book mentioned below. 

• Hormonal havoc – many women I have worked with have said that they felt like ‘their hormones were going EVERYWHERE but where they should be’ post-natally and sometimes in pregnancy.  In my book ‘Radiant Women – simple steps to better menstruation and menopause’ I outline a hormone balancing and energy promoting diet and lifestyle program as well as some simple natural remedies to achieve ‘hormone balance’ and vitality. You can view a short video about this book on our YouTube channel via www.radiant-women.com.  or see the shopping pages (bookshop) on www.radpads.com.au.

Enjoy your baby and your family!!!!!!!!  A little care now can prevent many problems later.

Wendy Dumaresq

Dip Med Herb, Ad Cert NFM, B.Bus

info@naturalwomannetwork.com.au   Website: www.naturalwomannetwork.com.au

A big thankyou to Wendy for her wise words on natural post-natal care!